Happy Hour Friday: Harry's Pick-me-up

This week my husband and I moved out of the home we have lived in for almost 15 years. We decided we wanted to sell it back in the fall and cash in on its ridiculously high current value in order to spend that money on building a new home that we designed, one that has more than one bathroom, lots of closets, and is in a part of town with lower property taxes and pecan trees. Our little 1940s bungalow has served us well over the years but we are ready to move on.

Well, we didn't know how quickly we would actually be moving on: the house sold before we ever put it on the market. A couple from California saw it in the paper (a nice little feature in our local daily), came to see it the next day, and we sold it to them the following day. Less than a month later, Tuesday of this week, we vacated and moved into our temporary rent house (another bungalow) as well as closed on the sale that morning. Needless to say, we are emotionally and physically exhausted as well as a bit upside down and topsy turvy; our little bungalow is still across town, but it has new people in it. Life sure can be surreal at times.

By the way, I'd like to mention that our dear friends Jodi and Erik came over the weekend before our big move-out and we had brunch and cocktails, the last in our little house, before we loaded 3 vehicles with stuff to move. I made us Alfonsos (featured here two weeks ago) and readers, let me tell you, they were delicious. Please do try these the next time you are in the mood for champagne. I used Gruet Brut on the recommendation of my local liquor store proprietor. Perfect.

So here I am now in our rental bungalow. While unpacking I came across a little gem. Some time ago my friend Mike Miller of Lo and Behold Antiques gave me the ABC of Mixing Cocktails autographed by its author Harry McElhone in 1938. On its cover is a caricature of "Harry", and on a second cover is a photo of the bartender proudly holding his shaker.

LOVE IT.

So this week I present to you, verbatim, Harry's Pick-me-up. I couldn't have found this one at a better time.

#148. Harry's Pick-me-up

1 teaspoonful of Grenadine syrup, 1 glass of Courvoisier Brandy, the Juice of 1/2 a Lemon.

Shake well and strain into a medium-sized wine-glass, and fill balance with Champagne.