#Orange Bitters (Scrappy's Bitters)

[sidonius5]

𝙀𝙎𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙄𝘼𝙇 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀

#AlcoholicBeverage #AlcoholicDrink #Whiskey #Aged Rum #Fresh Lemon Juice #Honey Syrup #Cranberry Juice #Orange Bitters (Scrappy's Bitters) #Club Soda #Absinthe Rinse (La Fée Absinthe) #Campari #Egg White

[southernsolarpunk]

Hey check this out

I was making a zine (solarpunk ofc) and decided to use a bunch of old National Geographic magazines to cut up and use in a scrappy diy scrapbook fashion and of course I started reading them. This one in particular:

It caught my eye because it’s from September 1980 & talks about the Middle East. My brain wonders if they mention Palestine and they do! I copied the text for accessibility, but I put pictures at the end of the original pages.

“Jerusalem: reunited or occupied? The question has divided the city's 400,000 Jews and 100,000 Arabs since Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967.

BEIRUT, JANUARY 1975. Armed soldiers lead me through labyrinthine back streets, up a dark stairway to a midnight rendez-vous. Only a bare bulb lights the temporary command post; Yasir Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, seldom dares spend two days in the same place. “Our argument is not with the Jews” He tells me. "We are both Semites. They have lived with us for centuries. Our enemies are the Zionist colonizers and their backers who insist Palestine belongs to them exclusively.

We Arabs claim deep roots there too."

Two decades ago Palestinians were to be found in United Nations Relief Agency camps at places like Gaza and Jericho, in a forlorn and pitiable state. While Palestinian spokesmen pressed their case in world cap-itals, the loudest voice the world heard was that of terrorists, with whom the word Palestinian came to be associated. Jordan fought a war to curb them. The disintegration of Lebanon was due in part to the thousands of refugees within its borders.

Prospects for peace brightened, however, when President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, most powerful of the Arab countries, made his historic trip to Israel in November 1977. A year later Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David accords, a framework for the return of the occupied Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

The former enemies established diplomatic relations and opened mail, telephone, and airline communications.

The Camp David accords also addressed the all-important Palestinian question but left it vague. Sadat insists that any lasting peace depends on an eventual Palestinian homeland in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel agrees to limited autonomy for those regions, but, fearful of a new and hostile Palestinian state suddenly planted on its borders, insists that Israeli troops must maintain security there.

Crowded Rashidiyah refugee camp, set among orange groves south of the ancient Phoenician port of Tyre in Lebanon, lies on the front lines. Frequent pounding by Israeli military jets and warships seeking PLO targets has war-hardened its population, some 13,700 Palestinians.

At the schoolyard I watched a solemn flag raising. Uniformed ashbal, or lion cubs, stood rigid as color guards briskly ran up the green-white-and-black Palestinian flag.

Ranging in age from 8 to 12, they might have been Cub Scouts— except for the loaded rifles they held at present arms. Behind them stood two rows of girls, zaharat, or little flowers. Same age, same weapons.

Over lunch of flat bread, hummus, yo-gurt, and chicken I commented to my hosts, a group of combat-ready fedayeen, that 30 years of bitter war had settled nothing nor gained the Palestinians one inch of their homeland. Was there no peaceful way to press their cause?

"Yes, and we are doing it. Finally, after 30 years, most countries in the United Nations recognize that we too have rights in Palestine. But we feel that until your country stops its unconditional aid to Israel, we have two choices: to fight, or to face an unmarked grave in exile."

AFTER CROSSING the Allenby Bridge from Amman, I drove across the fertile Jordan Valley through Arab Jericho and past some of the controversial new Jewish settlements: Mitzpe Jericho, Tomer, Maale Adumim, Shilat. Then as I climbed through the steep stony hills to Jerusalem, I saw that it too had changed. A ring of high-rise apartments and offices was growing inexorably around the occupied Arab side of the walled town. Within the wall, too, scores of Arab houses had been leveled during extensive reconstruction.

"Already 64 settlements have been built on the West Bank," said a Christian Palestinian agriculturist working for an American church group in Jerusalem. "And another 10 are planned," he said. Unfolding a copy of the master plan prepared in 1978 by the World Zionist Organization, he read: "Real-izing our right to Eretz-Israel... with or without peace, we will have to learn to live with the minorities...

The Israeli Government has reaffirmed the policy. In Prime Minister Menachem Begin's words: "Settlement is an inherent and inalienable right. It is an integral part of our national security."

"Security" is a word deeply etched into the Israeli psyche. The country has lived for 30 years as an armed camp, always on guard against PLO raids and terrorist bombings.

Whenever such incidents occur, the response is quick: even greater retaliation.

In Jerusalem I met with David Eppel, an English-language broadcaster for the Voice of Israel. "We must continue to build this country. Israel is our lawful home, our des-tiny. We have the determination, and an immense pool of talent, to see it through." His cosmopolitan friends a city plan-ner, a psychology professor, an author gathered for coffee and conversation at David's modern apartment on Jerusalem's Leib Yaffe Road.

Amia Lieblich's book, Tin Soldiers on Jerusalem Beach, studies the debilitating effects almost constant war has had on life in the Jewish state, a nation still surrounded by enemies. As she and her husband kindly drove me to my hotel in Arab Jerusalem afterward, some of that national apprehension surfaced in the writer herself.

"We don't often come over to this part of town," she said. "Especially at night."

I DROVE OUT of the Old City in the dark of morning and arrived a few hours later at the nearly finished Israeli frontier post, whence a shuttle bus bounced me through no-man's-land to the Egyptian ter-minal. As a result of the Egyptian-Israeli treaty, it was possible for the first time since 1948 to travel overland from Jerusalem to Cairo. An Egyptian customs man opened my bags on a card table set up in the sand. I took a battered taxi into nearby El Arish, to a sleepy bank that took 45 minutes to convert dollars into Egyptian pounds, Then 1 hired a Mercedes for the

200-mile run across the northern Sinai des-ert, the Suez Canal, and the Nile Delta. By sundown Cairo was mine.

Despite official government optimism, I found many in Cairo worried that President Sadat's bold diplomatic gestures might fail.

The city was noticeably tense as Israel officially opened its new embassy on Mohi el-Din Abu el-Ez Street in Cairo's Dukki quarter. Black-uniformed Egyptian troops guarded the chancery and nearby intersections as the Star of David flew for the first time in an Arab capital. Across town, police with fixed bayonets were posted every ten feet around the American Embassy. Others were posted at the TV station and the larger hotels. Protests were scattered, mostly peaceful. None disturbed the cadence of the city.

Welcoming ever larger delegations of tourists and businessmen from Europe and the U.S., Cairo was busier than ever-and more crowded. Despite a building boom, many Egyptians migrating from the countryside, perhaps 10,000 a month, still find housing only by squatting among tombs at the City of the Dead, the huge old cemetery on the southeast side of the capital.

Even with the new elevated highway and wider bridge across the Nile, half-hour traffic standstills are common. Commuters arrive at Ramses Station riding even the roofs of trains, then cram buses until axles break.

Cairo smog, a corrosive blend of diesel fumes and hot dust from surrounding des-erts, rivals tear gas.

Despite the rampant blessings of prog-ress, Cairo can still charm. In the medieval Khan el-Khalili bazaar near Cairo's thousand-year-old Al-Azhar University, I sought out Ahmad Saadullah's sidewalk café. I found that 30 piasters (45 cents) still brings hot tea, a tall water pipe primed with tobacco and glowing charcoal, and the latest gossip. The turbaned gentleman on the carpeted bench opposite was unusually talk-ative; we dispensed with weather and the high cost of living and got right to politics:

"Of course I am behind President Sadat, but he is taking a great risk. The Israelis have not fully responded. If Sadat fails, no other Arab leader will dare try for peace again for a generation."

Across town at the weekly Akhbar El-Yom newspaper, one of the largest and most widely read in the Middle East, chief editor Abdel-Hamid Abdel-Ghani drove home that same point.

"What worries me most is that President Sadat's agreement with Israel has isolated Egypt from our brother nations," he told me. "When Saudi Arabia broke with us, it was a heavy loss. The Saudis are our close neighbors. Now they have canceled pledges for hundreds of millions in development aid to Egypt. Some 200,000 Egyptians-teach-ers, doctors, engineers live and work in the kingdom.

"And Saudi Arabia, guardian of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, remains for Muslim Egypt a spiritual homeland."

This magazine was published before my mom was born, and yet the sentiments have basically unchanged. An interesting look at the past, and more proof this didn’t start October 7th. (But imagine my followers already knew that)

#Palestine #free palestine #from the river to the sea palestine will be free #national geographic #September 1980

[morganali-art]

I decided to sit down and sketch out all my WoLs (not including like, six other joke characters that I have) and I have come to the conclusion that someone should take the character creator away from me.

I got too many lil guys 😵‍

From left to right...

J'rhota Tia is just a silly orange lad - PGL/ROG main, a scrappy little fight boy. Means well, but very head empty. Constantly getting locked out of the Waking Sands, but unfortunately is the only one who can take down Ifrit without getting tempered.

Amelot Greywoode Lost an eye on one of her adventures - couldn't afford a glass eye to match her good eye at the time, so the one she wears under her eyepatch is slightly off colour. (Highlander, GLD)

Parasha Pasha - Tiniest gorl. Min height lala. My god, she's so small. 🥺💕 Ostensibly mains WAR/DRG, but really is a FSH main.

Sami'ra (Sameth/Bunny) Lavellan - ARC/ROG main, previously a Dragon Age Inquisitor. Yearns to keep the stories of his people as a historian, but in the harsh economic times post-calamity, adventuring better pays the bills and provides for his large extended family. Per his name, he is the youngest son in a Keeper family with an oddly large number of sons. Truth be told, not all are family by blood, though are loved just as well. Sam has quite the crush on a certain Lord Commander.

Cessalie Sombreterre was an orphan of Ishgardian birth, and made her way to Ul'dah at a young age to try and make her way in the world, eventually taking up adventuring. Ostensibly a BLM main, though dabbles in roguery and swordplay. Min height elezen. Amongst her people, she's so leetle 🥺💕 Marries into the Fortemps house.

Hazel Rah is my main lad, first boy I ever made. He was born in the Golmore Jungle. Though he misses his childhood home dearly, he was forever restless, and eventually left - spending some time in Dalamasca and other occupied territories, before travelling to Eorzea in the wake of the calamity. Young for a travelling viera, he's about 70ish years old. Before he came to Eorzea, his forest name was Rjel Fith. He loves to garden.

Clover Frith is Hazel's much older sister - she's around 200, though she's not one to keep count. She left the forest when Hazel was quite young, in his 20s or thereabouts. When they met up again decades later, she was taking work as a gleaner in Sharlayan. Though her forest name is long left behind, her last name was Fith.

Blackavar Rehw-Dvre was Hazel's childhood sweetheart. In my headcanons, he does not leave the forest at all until well after the calamity - the general upheaval and unrest making its way even unto the forest, prompting the Rava people to make the choice to send scouts far from home to investigate. As such, though he is confident in the ways of his home, he is very out of place in the wider world and is often mystified by the ways of outsiders. As far as appearances go, Blackavar actually has quite curly hair - so I imagine his hair is more like the catboy hair both J'rhota and Sam have. Alas, there's no perfect bun options 😞

Holly Huorlwesfv is a veena bunny who I created as a retainer and went "aw fuck, I did it again," and had to turn him into a real boy because I liked him so much. He doesn't yet have a lot of a backstory yet, but I named him after Captain Holly from Watership Downs, and so in my mind he looks quite a bit scrappier than he is. Ears are scratched up and tattered. A few more scars. He's a stoic bun, a former guard most like. Definitely a fighter. PLD main iirc.

Bitter Snow is my beautiful, purple, goth Roe. I did not mean to give her the same name as Yellow Moon's paramour, it happened completely accidentally. 👀💦 She's so pretty, I ought to play her more. Pretty sure she's a DRG main, I cannot recall.

#ffxiv #all my wols #god there's so many #hazel rah #clover frith #cessalie sombreterre #j'rhota tia #bitter snow #blackavar rehw dvre #holly huorlwesfv #parasha pasha #sami'ra lavellan #amelot greywoode #original characters

[danwhobrowses]

AEW Full Gear 2022 - Review

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, but also sleeping, and thus I opted to get one last good sleep before I have to get ready for returning to work...it didn't work so well XD

Nevertheless, now it's time to catch up with Full Gear. 10 matches on the main card filled with in-ring debuts, bitter rivalries and 7 titles on the line. Let's see how it went

Spoilers for the PPV

The Buy-In

Best Friends, Rocky Romero & Danhausen def The Factory (QT Marshall, Lee Johnson, Cole Karter, Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solo) [Pinfall by Danhausen on Comoroto via Big Boot] The babyfaces interestingly started without their 'Very Mysterious, Very Evil' partner but the tag synergy of Best Friends/Roppongi Vice held the early advantage over QT and his rookies. QT's experience did allow openings for the Factory to have brief moments of number advantages, including QT catching the Orange Punch with a Diamond Cutter, but when he attempted a steps piledriver Danhausen came out with the jar of teeth, outwrestling the Factory members up to Nicky C, who ate an Orange Punch, was fed the jar of teeth and then hit with the big boot for the 3. QT tried to escape but was hit with the spike by Danhausen. A nice pre-show opener to unveil Danhausen's Very Evil side, probably would've had QT take the pin if I were booking it but it was some nice fun. One does have to continually worry about the Factory, not only do they now have a size of at least 6 members (remember Anthony Ogogo is a part of them, Blake Li is a question mark now) but they lack firm direction, which can be a negative for the likes of Lee and Comoroto, they may need repackaging and downsizing.

Post-Match latest AEW recruit Konosuke Takeshita was interviewed by Renee, Beloved Cinnabon Man basically sad he's happy to be here, more a 'in case you missed it' kinda thing.

World Championship No.1 Contender Eliminator Semi-Final Ricky Starks def. Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) [Pinfall via Roshambo] Ethan Page joined commentary to scout his opponents as Cage immediately went for the weakened Ricky. Page was very focused and intelligent on commentary, noting how he wants his opponents to wear each other out but he only cares about fighting Mox or Max. Naturally, the Machine used his monster strength to further damage Ricky's ribs, back and neck but it's Ricky's quickness and counter-wrestling that kept Cage on his toes. After kicking out of a Spear from Ricky but failing to beat him with a Discus Lariat, Cage went for an Elbow Drop but missed, Ricky tried the Roshambo but was overpowered into an F-5 position, but countered it into a Canadian Destroyer, a labored Roshambo finished Cage and books the desired outcome of Ricky vs Ethan - delayed however to be fought on Dynamite due to Ricky's legit injury last week. It was a good match, maybe could've gone a bit longer but given how there was a desired outcome they also didn't drag out Ricky fighting from underneath.

Fight Forever's trailer was aired after the match, followed by the promo package and an Eddie interview, Eddie was all jitters and butterflies about facing his hero, further selling his mindset on his personal dream match.

Eddie Kingston def Jun Akiyama [Pinfall via Uraken] The Buy-In Main Event started scrappy with both men trying to get the early advantage, the trade in chops and forearms get things further into the King's Road style. Akiyama got a lot of offense with a guillotine knee drop on the apron, a spike piledriver, a curb stomp and a running knee but Eddie hit back with an Avalanche Brainbuster, back and forth they went trading moves, Akiyama kicked out of the Uraken but Eddie kicked out of an exposed running knee, Eddie got the win with a Northern Lights Bomb and following up with a second Uraken to put the legend down. Very emotional, Eddie showed his respect to Akiyama who shook hands, when given the ring he embraced Ortiz and thanked the crowd, Akiyama, King's Road Style and all the past Japanese legends who aren't with us anymore, before telling the audience to 'buy the damn pay per view' in his classic tongue-in-cheek manner. It's a good match enhanced by Eddie's visible emotion and passion, they should've just let him run down the card - I mean he almost did - I probably preferred the Ishii match from a wrestling standpoint but frankly I'm just happy Eddie's happy.

The steel cage lowered to telegraph what the opener would be as Jim Ross joins commentary.

Main Card

Steel Cage Match 'Jungle Boy' Jack Perry def. Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) [Submission via Snare Trap] A battle between tag partners in the same arena they struck gold, Jungly Jim came in quietly and focused, shutting the cage door behind him as he faced the Dark Dino-Man. Jack's athleticism and Luchasaurus' power were both positions of advantage in the cage, but Jack was busted early by a lawn dart, Cage making sure to mock Perry from outside the cage. Jack was almost sent to the shadow realm after his rebound clothesline was shrugged off and he was thrown a fifth time into the cage wall, almost being caught in between. Christian however pulled a pickpocket by stealing the keys to the cage, unlocking the door just before Mike Posey got security to drag him out, Luchasaurus' attempts to save him were cut short by Jack, but he ate a slingshot into the cage's outer wall. Out came the table, and the chairs, JB got an advantage hitting a Destroyer for 1 and a Killswitch on the chair for 2, but Luchasaurus hit a Chokeslam on the chair for 2 also. After an Avalanche Sliced Bread, Luchasaurus did the sit up, but so did JB, Jack's refusal to stay down unleashed a babyface rally and a piledriver for 2. Luchasaurus though again hit back, a Tombstone and his swinging Tombstone facebuster only good for 2, he tried to powerslam JB through the table but Jack went into a sleeper, cracked his partner with a chair shot to keep him laid on the table and scaled the top of the cage for an elbow drop, after locking the snare trap, Luchasaurus tapped out. After climbing out the cage Jack embraced his mother and sister before leaving.

I have to say it, AEW Cage Matches > WWE Cage Matches. Compare this to Drew vs Kross and there's no contest, just shows how much more intensity can come by eliminating the 'escape cage finish' options. JB and Luchasaurus pulled off a wonderful 'irresistible force vs immovable object' battle as Jack's relentless babyface energy once again pulls out a banger from the underrated pillar. Take nothing away from the big man either, he was a great mountainous adversary for Jack, though I do think we lacked comeuppance for Christian, I did feel like him stealing the keys was gonna go somewhere more, but I'm sure the two will eventually collide in the future.

AEW Trios Championship Death Triangle (c) (w/Alex Abrahantes) def The Elite (w/Don Callis, Brandon Cutler & MT Nakazawa) [Pinfall on Omega by Fénix via Hammer-assisted Roll-up] Penta back in Joker mode (without his vest) while Fénix was en fuego, PAC was of course PAC. But everyone was awaiting the Elite's return, who came to Kansas' Carry On My Wayward Son to a big ovation. Callis joined commentary as PAC and Kenny began the fight, the Jersey fans erupting in 'Fuck him up' and 'Colt Cabana' chants. PAC and Kenny did roll back their earlier feud with PAC flipping out the Kotaro Crusher and spitting in the face of the Best Bout Machine, so the tag went to the Flipshow Nick vs Fénix and Power Brothers Matt vs Penta. I needn't tell you that Lucha Bros vs Young Bucks went exactly how you'd expect it to, the back and forth concluding with all of Death Triangle eating superkicks, the Elite pulled the playbook with Nick being given a cola? by the audience, but PAC intercepted a You Can't Escape to put the champions back in position. It became very clear that PAC would be central to the finish, with him continually antagonizing Kenny, but Nick got a slight in the match too hitting Punk's rising knee/bulldog combo. Matt murdered Fénix with a leaping apron DDT while Nick super hurricanrana'd Penta into the group of Elite and DT members, leaving PAC and Kenny in the ring, the Bucks recovered to attempt a Superkick Tombstone combo but DT came in and spiked them all with a triple Tombstone (every time someone hits a Tombstone Undertake gets a nickel). DT almost had it with a splash to Kenny, classic step-over destroyer to Matt, rolling cutter to Nick and then PAC hitting the Black Arrow/Brutalizer combo on Kenny but the submission was broken up.

The ring hammer came in though with PAC throwing it to Fénix while Penta had Bryce distracted, but once more Fénix refused, eating a V-Trigger for his troubles, Tiger Driver 98 was only good for 2. Trios BTE trigger broken up by PAC, who prepped to clock Kenny with the hammer but was blindsided by Nick's superkick. After hitting Fénix with a V-Trigger, Kenny was unable to see PAC hand his partner the hammer once more, who clocked Kenny while up in the OWA position to roll up Omega, retain the titles and spoil the Elite's return...and it was magnificent. Honestly the heat is gonna be fantastic for this because heel Lucha Bros are great too, even if Fénix feels dirty by it right now, I knew the hammer would come into play but I was thinking it'd be a DQ. I was surprised the House of Black did not show up though. The match unsurprisingly was great, and swerving the crowd will further both teams' direction.

TBS Championship Jade Cargill (c) (w/Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey) def Nyla Rose ('c') (w/Vickie Guerrero & Marina Shafir) [pinfall via Jaded] Nyla continues to endear herself to me by coming out in an Eddie Guererro-esque low rider, Vickie sporting the 'I'm Your Papi' shirt too. Lord though, Jade sporting the Cheetara from Thundercats gear, Jade does not miss when it comes to gear (I'm sorry but if you're not seeing this you cannot tell me to contain my thirst, I am not strong enough for this). Nyla went for the Baddies first though which allowed Jade to enact her aggression on Rose, including a pump kick over the barricade. Nyla hit Jade into the steps to regain the advantage, scouting much of Jade's trademark offense and hitting the Beast Knee. Jade hit back with a sit out powerbomb of her own for 2 and managed to counter Nyla's scrappy attempt to roll out of the Jaded, she ended up eating her own finisher for 2, but the true TBS Champ got the win thanks to avoiding Nyla's Swanton, allowing her to nail the Pump Kick and Jaded, 42 and 0.

I think that may've been Jade's best match so far, a proper physical challenge for the champion. Give nothing away from Nyla too, her physicality was a great match for Jade but her antics to help build this match has been great, Nyla being a hilarious tweener is her best position.

ROH World Championship Chris Jericho (c) def. Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Sammy Guevara [Pinfall on Castagnoli via Judas Effect] Ian Ribacconi joined commentary for ROH representation. Sammy's entrance gear was...a thing, like devil cape with SG on the straps makes sense but it also kinda looked like the Borat swimsuit, Jericho's bedazzled shirt was clean though. Naturally the match started with BCC vs JAS, Claudio facing Jericho and Bryan facing Sammy. The BCC managed to dispose of the JAS leaving both alone in the ring, a lingering handshake foretelling that the two were set to exchange blows. Jericho intercepted Bryan and Claudio's clinic but ate a flapjack and double crab, but Sammy hit a flying cutter on both men. Le Sex Gods then divided and conquered the BCC members, aiming for Danielson's injured eye like they did on Dynamite. A little tension though as Jericho had Sammy stand by as he pinned Danielson for 2, Danielson though rallied in Danielson fashion, raining kicks on Jericho and Guevara, but Sammy's athleticism evaded him enough to hit a Spanish Fly, which led to Jericho pouncing with a Lionsault. Claudio gutwrenched back into the match but ate a Codebreaker, which Sammy then broke up! Allegiances became damned as Guevara fought Jericho, hitting his own Codebreaker for 2, but he ended up in the Walls, Danielson tried to dropkick him but ended up in the walls too. Jericho was unrelenting in the hold against Claudio's big boots, but a suplex broke the hold and put Jericho in a Sharpshooter - which he had tapped to on Dynamite - wily, the Ocho crawled to pin Danielson in front of him, but ended up being locked in a LeBell Lock as well, saved by Sammy's superkicks. Sammy helped Jericho up and embraced him, but he maintained wrist control when the hug broke, landing a GTH and a Shooting Star Press for 2. Sammy Hammer and Anvil'd Danielson but it was no sold by the American Dragon, who had Claudio gorilla press Sammy out the ring into Jericho, only for Claudio to eat the Buisaku Knee for 2. Hammer and Anvil was exchanged between the two BCC members, exchanging nearfalls, as they tussled on the turnbuckle Sammy went double time with a cutter on Claudio and then a Super Spanish Fly on Danielson, but Danielson got him into a LeBell Lock, Jericho breaks the hold, Claudio then becomes the Tour de Force; uppercuts to Jericho against the barricades, he catches Danielson's knee and hits a Gotch Neutralizer outside the ring, Sammy hits the Shooting Star but his second dive is caught into a Pop-Up Uppercut for 2, Sammy uses the ropes to try and roll up Claudio for 2 but ends up in a Swing, Jericho then dives in with a Judas Effect on the swinging Sammy, and then another on Claudio to retain.

A great match again, hate Sammy for his personality but god did he wrestle out of his skin tonight. Claudio, Jericho and Danielson are once more fantastic, though I'm surprised we went for Jericho pinning Claudio again, especially without shenaniganry or a surprise Final Battle opponent showing themselves. Nevertheless, you rarely bet against the heel champion in the multi-man.

Saraya def Dr Britt Baker DMD [Pinfall via Ram-Paige x2] With her brother Zak Zodiac identified in the crowd, Saraya made an emotional return to the ring. Baker intentionally arrived alone, intent on making a point. Chants of 'welcome back' rung in the crowd as the two women locked up, though Saraya acted tender to her neck. Britt honed in on the neck with a neckbreaker to the outside, before mocking Zak who cheered his sister on. In control, Baker continued to act confidently, preparing the glove early, but her frustration with Saraya was palpable also, who kept firing back - a crossbody to the outside gave the former Anti-Diva the rally, Baker did hit the turnbuckle facebuster but also ate a Paige-Turner for 2, Baker hit an Air Raid Crash and a Curb Stomp for 2 also having failed to get the Lockjaw fully cinched. At the turnbuckle, Baker's Avalanche Air Raid Crash was countered into a Sunset Powerbomb and a Ram-Paige (I dunno what the Saraya-names are for this) for 2, but she escaped the Cloverleaf to ram Saraya into the turnbuckle pad and get the Lockjaw, both exchanged Crucifix Pins for 2 but Saraya came out on the advantage with a thrust kick and running knee. DMD hit a ripcord forearm and her own Paige-Turner and Curb Stomp for another 2, but her next Air Raid Crash attempt was reversed into a Knee Strike and two Ram-Paiges for the win. Afterwards Saraya embraced her brother before departing.

This was a good match, the crowd however hurt it. I dunno why but they seemed kinda gassed, maybe it was an energy dip due to the quality of the prior matches but the lack of energy did make it feel less impactful of a match, which is a shame because both women worked really well. Saraya had a bit of ring rust which is passable given how long it's been, her running knee perhaps needs a bit more theatrics to it because sometimes it looks a tad messy plus we need to know the non-WWE names of her finishers, but this is a starting point for Saraya, hopefully we can see her shake off the cobwebs and even go beyond the level she was before.

TNT Championship Samoa Joe def Wardlow (c) & Powerhouse Hobbs [Submission on Hobbs via Coquina Clutch] - NEW CHAMPION! Our Triple Beef Barbecue began with Wardlow releasing frustrations on Joe, which allowed Hobbs to take advantage. Hobbs held the early advantage being able to fend off Joe's attacks when interrupted, but Wardlow roared back with a moonsault on both his opponents, Hobbs was tendered by a Swanton by Wardlow and an Elbow Drop by Joe, the Samoan Submission Machine taking advantage next with his classic offense. Beef continued to slap outside of the ring with each men trading advantage, Wardlow kicked out of the Hobbs Spinebuster, so Wardlow started hitting the Powerbomb Symphony, Joe however snuck in, hitting Wardlow with the TNT title and getting a dazed Hobbs in the Coquina Clutch for the win.

It was as advertised, but also I have to say I enjoyed this the least so far. It was way too short for one but I also felt that Joe didn't need the win, you know who did need the win? Powerhouse Hobbs. Hobbs was coming back from losing to Ricky after all, giving him the TNT Championship would've helped elevate him while Joe and Wardlow fought over the ROH TV title, instead he took the fall and Joe's a double champion. Now I get it, we all like Joe, but you did pick the oldest dude in the match to hold 2 championships while the two bright and young talents get nothing, Hobbs hasn't touched gold and this was kinda the perfect time for it, so it was a let down.

Post-match Jericho praises Sammy's competitive spirit, only to be met by Orange Cassidy and Danhausen. Neither are his challenger though, on Wednesday the Ocho will be challenged by the Stone Pitbull, Jericho vs Ishii. Hager and his Hat also is gonna face OC for the All-Atlantic Title.

No DQ Sting & Darby Allin def. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett (w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh) [Pinfall on Lethal by Allin via Coffin Drop] Ric Flair's last match without Ric Flair, Jarrett came out with some Sting-mask goons as well, which is often a bad strategy. A Body bag was left on the ramp to bait Lethal and the Sting Goons as Darby charged out with a skateboard to lay them out, Sting meanwhile appeared behind Jarrett in the ring. Lethal did return in time to divide the fights between Sting/Lethal and Darby/Jarrett around the crowd. Darby got out a ladder to coffin drop Jarrett but was caught like a baby by Satnam Singh before being dumped on the ramp. Singh caught Lethal before he was dumped out too, but Sting dived from the crowd to down the giant, erstwhile Jarrett used weaponry to punish Darby. Back in the ring it suddenly just turned into a 'with rules' tag match, since there are legal tags (I mean what's the ref gonna do?) Sting hit the hot tag to Stinger Splash both men and lock Jarrett in the Scorpion Deathlock, Sonjay tried to break the hold and failed, so Satnam shoved him aside and chokeslammed the Icon. Lethal and Darby fought next, Lethal catching a Coffin Drop and getting a Lethal Combination, Jarrett whipped out the guitar but stopped before hitting Lethal by mistake, allowing Darby to hit the flip stunner, Darby's Coffin Drop was met by the guitar shot, but Darby kipped up! Unleashing the Sting-rally that prompted Singh to come out, Sting tries a Scorpion Death Drop but cannot get the Drop part, so Darby lands the Coffin Drop on him too, smashing Jarrett with a suicide dive as Sting catches Lethal's Lethal Injection with a Scorpion Death Drop. Since Sting was either winded or not legal, Darby finished the match with a Coffin Drop.

If you want a chaotic fun tag match, you call Sting and Darby. It's a great Palate Cleanser I must admit, it might not always feel like it belongs but it's entertaining, and it does remove the TNT bad taste. Where it goes from here is a bit of a down because it doesn't really advance anything but the result is the right call, Satnam Singh also deserves credit for his role in the match.

AEW Interim Women's Championship Jamie Hayter def. Toni Storm (c) [pinfall via Hayterade] - NEW CHAMPION! I do really wish that we made Toni the official world champion, like it wouldn't have hurt Rosa to appear backstage and call Toni the de facto world champ, she's held it long enough. Regardless, Hayter appeared alone just as Baker did, highlighting the support the crowd had for her. The women started with their technical prowess, narrowly avoiding the other's finishers. Hayter ate the ring post while Toni hurt her hand chopping it, but the weakness activated Hayter's aggression, swinging Toni into barricades, turnbuckles and into the mat, exerting her physical dominance over her former friend. Toni struck back with a Thesz Press, Hip Attack and Crossbody for two, falling into her common strategy of using DDTs, a headbutt led to Toni falling on Hayter for 2 which prompted Rebel to come out. Seemingly unbeknownst to Hayter, Rebel cracked a rope-prone Toni with the belt, leading to an Ushigoroshi and a sliding Lariat for two, when Rebel protested though Hayter was disappointed by her inclusion, but watched on as Rebel was kicked out. Toni reversed the Hayterade (her ripcord lariat) to hit her own, she went for a hip attack but ended up out the ring, where Baker hit a curb stomp on the belt, Hayter hits the Storm Zero but it's another nearfall! Now it seems like Hayter was in on the plan, but her Hayterade misses again for a Half-and-Half and a Storm Zero for 2, she goes for the Texas Cloverleaf but decides to swipe at Baker on the apron, causing Hayter to hit back with her Backbreaker for 2. As Hayter attacks Toni in one corner, Baker attempts to remove the turnbuckle pad on the other, but collides with Hayter during the removal, Hayter however still throws Toni into the exposed turnbuckle dazing her enough to hit the Hayterade and get gold.

The crowd erupts for Hayter despite being a heel. Toni had a fantastic showing in demonstrating her toughness which made it a dramatic battle, however I do wish that Hayter won either clean or without knowing of Rebel and Baker's interference, Tony is right to put the belt on Hayter, striking on her popularity, but he seems to be delaying the inevitable face turn.

AEW World Tag Championships The Acclaimed (c) def Swerve in our Glory [Pinfall on Swerve by Bowens via Avalanche Falcon Arrow] Caster came out with an extended rap for the champions but they were noticeably without Daddy Ass, so sadly no Scissor Me Daddy Ass, the crowd at least kept the spirit alive. The focus once more was on Bowens' injury, this time his shoulder established on Wednesday, Lee took a nasty bump hitting his knee on the apron when clotheslined over but he was walking well, the champions focused on Swerve with a Scissor Me Timbers but the challengers continued to hone in on the injury, Swerve trying isolate Caster from Bowens. Bringing out a barricade, Swerve and Lee remained at odds over tactics, but it didn't get used for a while. Bowens got a tag after hitting a Poison Rana on Lee, but he couldn't lift the Limitless one. Bowens came in again to hit Swerve with a Facebuster/Cutter combo, but Swerve attacked the arm once more. The barricade came into play when Lee saved Swerve from being kicked into it, only to be crossbodied into it himself by Bowens. Swerve kicked out of an Arrival, catching Bowens with a Flatliner and a foursome of Swerve Kicks, when he set for the Swerve Stomp Bowens avoided it and hit the Arrival again, Bowens hit the Mic Drop but Lee broke up the pin.

Swerve avoided a team move because of the injured shoulder, allowing Lee to be tagged in and pounce both men, Fall From Glory on Bowens was only good for 2, Bowens is tagged in thanks to Caster reaching from a powerbomb position, but Lee just throws Bowens into him continually, Swerve attacks Caster and has the Pliers, which has Daddy Ass come out. In the chaos of the refs trying to eject him, Swerve passes Lee the pliers, but Lee throws it away, so Swerve slaps Lee! Incensed, Lee picks Bowens up, and leaves Swerve to fend for himself. Swerve escapes the roll up twice, including one that reverses the JML Driver, his roll up is stopped by the blind tag making him eat a dropkick, Swerve is finished though by an assisted Falcon Arrow.

It was a good match, maybe not the best of the trilogy but one that narratively sends Swerve and Lee to fight one another. You can't go too bonkers before the main event also, so it was a good match where the right people won.

Announced for Thanksgiving however was Elite vs DT again, announced now to be a Best of 7 Series! Which will go throughout the entire year including Holiday Bash and New Year's Smash.

AEW World Championship MJF def Jon Moxley (c) (w/William Regal) [Pinfall via Brass Knuckles shot] - NEW CHAMPION! I'm a little confused because my stream had no entrances, maybe something was running too long? Things started ruggedly as Moxley ensured that this would be his kind of match, MJF however popped the crowd with antics - which only further aggrieved Mox, playing the heel. Mox was whipping out submissions befitting of the BCC with STF and a Cross Armbreaker, but MJF was pulling classic wrestling, Flair's strut, Atomic Drop, Rhodes jabs, back rake etc. Out came the table but Mox came out with the Cutter and the BCC Stomps. MJF jacked his knee hitting an apron Tombstone, which allowed Moxley to hit a Piledriver through the table. MJF beats the count out but lands into a Paradigm Shift for 2, Mox then wrenches the knee with a Figure Four, Max turns though so Mox uses the rope break. Heatseeker is only good for 2, his knee prevents a second so Mox uses the Chop Block and hones in on the injury, on the turnbuckle it's hammer and anvil and an Avalanche Paradigm Shift, but MJF is saved by a rope break. Mox trades blows willingly with Max, but when he tries the Lariat Max pulls the ref in the way. He brandishes the ring, which brings out Papa Regal, telling him to not, which he does. However, Mox locks in the Bulldog Choke, Max tries to pin Moxley but he simply releases and locks in again, a second Ref Bump appears as Max visibly taps from the choke, but Regal tells Mox the ref is still down. Astonishingly, Regal passes Max the Brass Knuckles! Smacking Moxley with it for 3.

It was the right winner, but I can't say I loved that match. It kinda trudged, and although it was possible for Regal to betray BCC for Max, I never liked the option. BCC are now without the leader, which seems more of a loss than Max just faking the whole Firm betrayal like I had anticipated was the case. It wasn't a bad ending like Revolution's fizzle was, but I do feel a little deflated.

As a result, this was a really good PPV, just edged out of being great. Full Gear stumbled from being an all timer by the curious booking choice of the TNT title match and the world title finish. For the most part the direction we are going is good and this is certainly worth the price of admission, but I feel like the personal weak points diminished the feeling I have. Regardless, huge praise has to go to so many people in this show, and Moxley can finally have his well-overdue holiday as we can finally begin Max's world title era.

#aew #all elite wrestling #aew full gear #mjf #jon moxley #william regal #the acclaimed #max caster #anthony bowens #swerve in our glory #swerve strickland #keith lee #jamie hayter #toni storm #britt baker #saraya #jade cargill #nyla rose #darby allin #sting #jeff jarrett #jay lethal #satnam singh #bryan danielson #claudio castagnoli #sammy guevara #chris jericho #the elite #the young bucks #kenny omega

[rickchung]

2024 Science of Cocktails x Science World x False Creek.

In its second year back in action [...] the seventh annual signature charitable gala fundraiser, transformed [...] once again into another giant adults-only cocktail lab in support of its Bursary Program.

Oyster shell kiwi gimlet: Copperpenny gin, oyster shell, kiwi, lime, and mango pearls.

"Studies in Flavour": Ketel One vodka, jasmine green tea, pandan liqueur, and coconut tincture spritz from bartender Jeff Savage.

Aromatized gin & tonic: Sheringham Seaside gin, tonic water, and aromatic smoke bubble.

Cold brew negroni: Luxardo espresso, Luxardo Bitter Rosso, sherry, cold brew, and Scrappy's orange bitters.

#rick chung #media #collage #features #science #science world #false creek #vancouver #vancity #fundraiser #cocktail #cocktails #cocktail culture #booze #bartender #alcohol #british columbia #lower mainland #mixology #mixologist #bartending

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

10. LAST SMILE IN SUNDER CITY BY LUKE ARNOLD

ABOUT

A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that’s lost its magic in a compelling debut fantasy by Black Sails actor Luke Arnold.

Welcome to Sunder City. The magic is gone but the monsters remain.

I’m Fetch Phillips, just like it says on the window. There are a few things you should know before you hire me:

1. Sobriety costs extra.

2. My services are confidential.

3. I don’t work for humans.

It’s nothing personal—I’m human myself. But after what happened, to the magic, it’s not the humans who need my help.

Walk the streets of Sunder City and meet Fetch, his magical clients, and a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

DRINK PAIRING

SMOKED OLD FASHIONED

INGREDIENTS

Ice 1 tsp of sugar

1 tbs orange bitters

1 tsp liquid smoke

2 ounces whiskey

Ice

Orange for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Dissolve sugar in the bitters and add liquid smoke.

Add whiskey and stir

Add ice to whiskey glass

Pour drink over ice

Garnish with orange

Source for Scrappy Greek rcipe

Credit to Before We Go Blog

#luke arnold #twitter #the last smile in sunder city #drink pairing #the fetch phillips series #the fetch phillips archives

[twilights-800-cats]

<< Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 || Chapter 11 || From the Beginning || Patreon >>

Chapter 10

“Stoneheart? Stoneheart, wake up!”

Stoneheart opened his eyes with a start, his claws gripping the earth. He got his bearings quickly – the sky was orange with evening, and he was in the patch of woods behind the Twoleg vet. His panic faded, his heartbeat slowing. I must have dozed off.

Wolftooth was sitting near him, whiskers twitching with amusement, with a paw raised to prod him. Stoneheart pushed himself to his paws, feeling embarrassment pricking his pelt. He licked his chest fur to soothe it.

“Tucker says Branch ought to be coming out soon,” Wolftooth meowed. He nodded to a scraggly clump of ferns near Pinewhisker and Tucker, who were chatting. “We managed to save you a sparrow – they're thin here, too, but easy enough to catch.”

Stoneheart nodded his thanks. He stretched sleep from his muscles and then padded over to the makeshift fresh-kill pile. Wolftooth was right – the sparrow was tiny compared to what flew in the forest, but that didn’t matter. Just the sight of it made Stoneheart’s stomach yowl.

He gave thanks to StarClan for the meal as he tucked in, observing the world around him while he ate. From what Purdy had said, Twolegplaces got loud near the end of the day – this one seemed to be no different. Stoneheart could see monster after monster passing by beyond the vet’s den, and he could hear that loud roar they make when awakened everywhere around him. The Twolegs must be heading home.

Stoneheart fought a sigh – would that they were heading home, too. He pushed away the bones of his meal, feeling dissatisfied. He wanted to sleep in his nest in ShadowClan camp, not under Twoleg bushes, and he wanted Rowanclaw by his side now more than ever. His dreams were so restless without his beloved by his side.

He felt hurt bloom in his chest, and he tried to stamp it down. We’ll find him; that’s why we’re here! Instead of focusing on missing his mate, Stoneheart turned his ears to catch what Pinewhisker and Tucker were talking about.

“... so, do you guys have vets?” the kittypet was asking. “You guys have to get sick out there, and I know you get into fights. Who do you go to if you don’t have a vet?”

Pinewhisker scoffed, “We don’t need Twolegs to take care of us – we've got medicine cats.”

“Medicine cats?” Tucker looked confused, but intrigued.

Pinewhisker nodded. “They collect herbs and know what they do, and they use them to heal us when we’re sick or hurt,” he explained. “They also guide the Clan with signs they receive from our warrior ancestors.”

“Oh, wow!” Tucker’s eyes widened like bright little moons. Then, he looked confused: “But you said you weren’t born a Clan cat, Pinewhisker. You don’t have warrior ancestors then, right?”

Pinewhisker shrugged. “Probably not,” he admitted, “but when I die, I’ll go to StarClan, and then I’ll be a warrior ancestor for my kits, and their kits.” He raised his head, looking proud. “The first of my line!”

Wolftooth looked his way, his eyes sparking with mischief. “You’ll be the last if you don’t give Nightwing the time of day,” he chuckled.

Pinewhisker bristled, looking offended. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, incredulous. “Nightwing knows how I feel about her!”

Wolftooth grinned. “Does she? Have you told her?”

Stoneheart twitched his whiskers at Pinewhisker, trying not to purr at his Clanmate’s abashed expression. Nightwing and Pinewhisker padding in circles after one another wasn’t something he’d thought he’d come back to when he left on the journey, but there it was.

“I-I think she knows!” Pinewhisker stammered back.

“You need to tell her, Pinewhisker,” Stoneheart meowed. He recalled the worried way Nightwing had begged to come with them, and how dismissive Pinewhisker had been. “Don’t lead her on by the tail. If you don’t say it, how can you know she knows?”

Pinewhisker looked like a fish, his mouth opening in closing as if gasping for air. Finally, he sagged, and meowed, “Fine - if we make it out of this place, I’ll tell her.”

“Good,” Wolftooth grunted. The big gray tom stretched out, triumphant. “And when we get to the lake, you two can have as many kits as you can handle.”

Pinewhisker’s tail bristled, and whatever response he might have made, Stoneheart missed – his heartbreak had opened anew, and he couldn’t help but wallow. He was happy for Pinewhisker and Nightwing and whatever the future might hold for them, but bitter claws gripped his shoulders.

What if he never found Rowanclaw?

Stoneheart stared down at the remains of his meal, finding that it was now a lump in his throat. If he never found Rowanclaw, if he had to leave the forest without him... would he ever feel happy again? Would his dreams keep taking him to dark, dank places? Would he succumb to his own anxieties and fears? Sometimes it felt like the hope that Rowanclaw might be out there was all that was keeping him going.

His expression must have given his thoughts away – he felt Wolftooth’s tail rest on his shoulders. “Hey,” the older warrior grunted, his breath close to Stoneheart’s ear, “it’ll be okay. We’ll find Rowanclaw.”

Stoneheart leaned into Wolftooth, feeling his limbs go weak. “What... What if StarClan wants me to leave him behind?” he whispered. Speaking such a secret fear made his tongue dry as wood.

“I don’t think that’s the case,” Wolftooth murmured back. “And you can’t think that, either.”

Stoneheart swallowed. He was aware that both Pinewhisker and Tucker were staring at him, their eyes round and, in Tucker’s case, confused. Stoneheart pulled away from Wolftooth, giving his pelt a shake. Clanmates were one thing, but Stoneheart couldn’t bring himself to look so weak in front of a kittypet - what kind of Clan cat would he be?

“I see I have visitors.”

The voice was pleasant, soft, and, above all, unfamiliar; coming as the dark of night descended upon the Twolegplace. Weak moonlight lit up the massive, powerful shoulders of a very, very large tomcat, turning his dark brown pelt to silver. He tilted his broad head, observing the four cats with calm yellow eyes that glowed like small suns.

Tucker nearly jumped out of his pelt. “Branch!” he cried. “You scared us!”

Wolftooth stepped forward. “You’re Branch?” he asked.

“I am,” Branch answered, dipping his head.

Stoneheart was stunned – this Branch dwarfed even Wolftooth, who was one of ShadowClan’s largest cats, alongside Blackfoot, who might look like a kit in comparison. How does a cat even get that big? More importantly, how had such a large cat appeared without anyone noticing him?

Stoneheart couldn’t help but lean forward and sniff. Something about Branch’s scent seemed... off. It was plain, alien, with a subtle tang that Stoneheart felt came from nowhere in nature. Perhaps that was why they hadn’t noticed him coming – this tom barely smelled like a cat at all!

Branch calmly observed the ShadowClan cats, his eyes resting on each in turn. When his eyes met Stoneheart’s, he meowed, “I’m sorry to keep you waiting; my partner had a patient who needed some extra attention.”

“Your partner?” Pinewhisker tilted his head.

“The vet,” Branch meowed, nodding back to the building behind him. He licked a paw and drew it over his ear. “We are not owner and kittypet, as you might think. We consider one another partners. You three aren’t here to talk with me about that, however.”

Branch looked at Tucker, and the kittypet stood at attention: “These cats want your help, Branch,” he explained, gesturing to the ShadowClan patrol with his tail. “They came from the marshlands, in the forest, and they’re--”

“They’re looking for someone,” Branch finished. Stoneheart felt unnerved – the big tom’s eyes had not left him. “That much seems obvious. Thank you, Tucker, for bringing them to me.”

“So, you’ll help us?” Pinewhisker guessed, looking hopeful.

Branch nodded, his eyes soft and compliant. “I am not the type to turn away someone in need – now, tell me, who are you looking for? I will help if I can.”

“My mate,” Stoneheart burst, taking a step towards Branch. His heart thudded in his ears, and he was aware of just how selfish he seemed. “Ah... there are others, too – they were all taken by the Twolegs that are destroying the forest. We can’t leave for our new home without them.”

“Tucker and Cody tell us that you’re the cat to see about finding the missing,” Wolftooth rumbled on.

Branch blinked. “Well, I don’t like to brag, but... they are correct. Come.”

The big tom brushed past, heading further into the little patch of woodland behind the vet’s den. Tucker followed without question, his tail up and his eyes bright with excitement. Wolftooth shrugged and got to his paws, heading after them.

Pinewhisker rubbed his pelt against Stoneheart’s. “What’s there to lose?” he offered, sounding encouraging.

Stoneheart nodded in agreement, his heart lifting despite the uncertainty as he followed Pinewhisker. What could this Branch cat offer that no one else could? Perhaps he was like a medicine cat himself, if something like that could exist within a Twolegplace.

This patch of woodland was small, and Branch led them to its very heart. Despite being able to see Thunderpaths and monsters and even Twolegs from where they sat, it seemed very quiet here, the sound muffled by the thin trees and scrappy bushes. Moonlight streamed down between the branches, which had already lost almost all their leaves.

Branch settled down beside the stump of what might have been a very tall oak. He curled his tail around his paws, sweeping dry leaves around him. He turned his muzzle to the sky, and took a deep breath, his whiskers trembling with concentration.

“What’s he doing?” Pinewhisker wondered.

“Ssh!” Tucker hissed, his eyes round and bright. “You’ll see!”

Stoneheart glanced warily at Wolftooth. The big gray tom looked just as concerned, and as time stretched on, Stoneheart was half tempted to prod at Branch – the brown tom seemed frozen stiff, his muzzle to the sky and his tail covered in leaves.

The night stretched on, and it seemed like an eternity before Branch lowered his muzzle.

“My apologies,” he said, sounding tired. “With the workfolk in the forest, the earth has become hard to hear.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Stoneheart wondered, getting to his paws. His heart began to beat faster. “You can’t find them?”

Branch blinked, staring into Stoneheart’s eyes. “I can find them,” he said, with no uncertainty, “but I am saying that it won’t be easy.”

“Well, what can we do to help?” Wolftooth wondered. He glanced at the sky, and how the moon was a catscratch from half-full. He’d promised Russetstar that their patrol would be back before that happened, Stoneheart recalled. “We’re running out of time.”

Branch twitched his whiskers. “Tell me about those you’re looking for. That may help me find them.”

Pinewhisker worked his jaw. “Well... it’s not like we know them all personally, but... Robinwing is a WindClan cat – she's brown with blue eyes. Smells like moor grass and heather.”

“Tawnypelt is RiverClan’s deputy,” Wolftooth went on. “She’s fierce, and strong, and smells like willows and river water and fish, like all RiverClan cats. An older tortoiseshell with a scarred pelt.”

Stoneheart swallowed. “Cloudtail and Brightheart are mates, and they’re both so brave. Brightheart is missing an eye, and an ear, and Cloudtail is the best tracker in ThunderClan.” His heart stirred with memories of ThunderClan, only to ache again as he went on, “And Rowanclaw... he’s my mate. I love him so much – h-he's dark ginger, and his eyes sparkle when he purrs, and I would do anything just to see him again, a-and...”

He was conscious of the eyes on him, now, but it didn’t stop it all from tumbling out: “I just want to tell him I’m sorry for leaving him alone.” He stared into Branch’s eyes, willing him to understand, hoping that this would help. “I want to tell him that I want to have kits, and that I’m sorry for being too scared to tell him that. I want to look into his eyes again, and I want to hear his voice, even if he says he doesn’t forgive me for leaving him behind.”

Stoneheart swallowed, realizing that the lump in his throat was almost choking him. He fell to his haunches, wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball. Being so vulnerable made him feel like his pelt had fallen off of his body. His voice was a whimper, now: “I want to tell him that... e-even if we make it to the lake... to me, it’ll mean nothing if he’s not there beside me...”

He felt Pinewhisker and Wolftooth press close to him, a gesture which normally would have pricked at his pride, but right now he wanted nothing more than the companionship of his Clanmates, especially in this strange place. Stoneheart managed to lift his head, and his eyes met Branch’s, blue to yellow.

“We can’t leave the forest without any of them,” he meowed, “but without Rowanclaw...”

“I understand,” Branch soothed. He stood up on all fours, planting his paws firmly against the earth. “I hear your love, Stoneheart, and the earth feels it. You call to your Family, and I join my voice to yours.”

Stoneheart had no idea what the strange cat meant – Branch sank down, shoving his paws into the earth as if they were the roots of a tree. The brown tom touched his nose to the soil, and again he was silent and still, but for the twitch of his ears or the sweep of his tail.

Stoneheart was conscious of every moment fading away into oblivion. Was it working? There was no way to tell, and that not knowing was making Stoneheart’s pelt crawl, as if ants had made a home in his fur.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Branch shivered from ears to tail, gasping as he lifted his head. The big cat staggered, and Tucker rushed forward to steady him, though the big tom would have crushed the kittypet if he fell.

Branch regained himself, thanking Tucker with a murmur. He looked exhausted, now, his eyes drawn and drooping, but he lifted his head and declared, “I’ve found them.”

Stoneheart got to his paws. “You did?” His heart thudded, threatening to leap out of his chest. “Truly?”

Branch nodded. “They are in the forest,” he breathed. “Something surrounds them, blocking my senses, but... I heard them crying out from within.” He looked at the Clan cats. “Their cries were weak, difficult to hear.”

“Where are they in the forest?” Wolftooth asked, stepping forward. “Could you tell?”

Branch struggled, for a moment. “The earth was broken all around them,” he said, “trampled by workfolk and their monsters. But... something remained, something nearby that resonated with the energy your Clans put into it. Rocks... rocks that formed little caves, rocks that hid secrets...”

“Snakerocks?” Stoneheart guessed.

“Yes,” Branch nodded, “a sinister place, but one that knows your Clans.”

“They’re in ThunderClan territory,” Stoneheart breathed. Wind stirred his pelt, and he looked to Wolftooth and Pinewhisker. “Snakerocks must have been one of the first places the Twolegs destroyed in ThunderClan.”

His mouth felt dry, but his limbs were charged, and Stoneheart felt as if he could leap over all of Twolegplace. He could picture Snakerocks now – that flat piece of land, barren of trees, would be a perfect place to keep the captured cats. I know where Rowanclaw is!

“But how do we get to them?” Pinewhisker wondered, eyes wide. “If the Twolegs are all over that place, then...”

“We can figure that out later,” Wolftooth grunted. “What matters is that we found them. Russetstar will know what to do from here.”

“You must take care, and act swiftly,” Branch meowed. He seemed to be regaining his strength. “If the workfolk took these cats from the forest, there isn’t much time before they’re sent to the city.”

“What will happen to them then?” Pinewhisker wondered, his eyes round.

“They’ll be given to Twolegs, or taken to the vet to be Cut and released, if no Twoleg will take them,” Tucker answered. “That’s what they usually do to the cats they catch.”

Wolftooth bristled. “Then there’s no time to waste,” he growled. “Tucker, can you take us back to the forest? We need to get to our leader with this information immediately.”

Tucker blinked. He looked dazzled by these events. “I... yes, I think I can,” he meowed. “We’ll need to leave now, though, if you’re in a hurry!”

Wolftooth seemed all right with that. He turned and nodded to Branch, meowing, “Thank you for your help.”

“It’s no problem,” Branch meowed. He dipped his head formally. “It’s my purpose to help others. The earth speaks, and I listen.”

Tucker raised his tail, and Wolftooth and Pinewhisker clustered around the kittypet. Stoneheart got to his paws to join them, only to find that Branch had put his massive body between him and is Clanmates.

“Good luck on your Great Wander,” he meowed evenly, his eyes pale and sparkling. “We may not see one another again, but through the earth we are connected.”

Stoneheart blinked at the tom, confused. He had no idea what Branch meant, or what strange powers he possessed, but he felt the sentiment. He meowed, “Thank you,” before pushing past the big brown tom and heading after Wolftooth and Pinewhisker.

“Family is forever!” Branch called after them. “And Family is always wherever you are!”

--

Dawn had broken by the time that Stoneheart, Wolftooth, and Pinewhisker had to stay good-bye to Tucker. The kittypet had been beside himself with sorrow, especially knowing that he would never see the Clan cats again – but the farewells had to be brief, and Stoneheart sent a prayer to StarClan, thanking them for Tucker’s help.

He found himself leading the way across the open marshes, Wolftooth and Pinewhisker streaming behind him. There was no need to speak – there was no time. Tiredness and hunger were forgotten in their flight. The Twoleg monsters had already roared to life in ShadowClan territory, and the sight of the smoke they belched, so close to ShadowClan’s camp, put speed to their paws.  

Ultimately, though, when they arrived at the crest of a hill that overlooked the ShadowClan camp from a distance, they saw that they were too late.

The monsters were devouring the very heart of ShadowClan.

#tb au #tb dawn

[theloyaltyofthewolves]

tag info!

hi lovelies! i’ve gotten quite a few questions abt my tagging system (for those of u who don’t pay attention to that sort of thing/only use mobile, this is my tags page) over the last few days + i thought i’d try to condense all of your questions into a single post to make it nice and convenient. pls feel free to reach out if i missed smth!

1. what are your tags from and what do they mean?

individual tags: 

this is not your destruction bang chan

a tag for chan + the bravery + terror that must have accompanied his flight into stray kids. he has poured everything he has into them. they are his one shot, his only shot. his life, his blood, his greatest creation and sacrifice. this tag, which comes from nothing other than my brain, is a kind reminder to him that no matter how dark it gets, stray kids are an act of love and so will never be a mistake. 

learn to dance; it is your birthright 

a tag for minho. im a terrible person and can’t quite recall where or who i took it from, but i believe it was originally in french. minho came from nothing, built himself on nothing. the strength in his spine comes from suffering and endurance: living through all that life has thrown at you, getting up every single time it has knocked him down. and it has knocked him down over and over and over again. but each time, he gets back up. wipes the blood off his chin. dances. because he is owed this, this expression of love and life and control, one of the most fundamental parts of the human experience. minho dances because he is owed it, because he knows that it his right. 

 there is no sacrifice

my tag for changbin, from a longer piece by arianna reines. the original quote goes ‘there is no sacrifice. you have got to want to live. you have got to force yourself to want to.’ perhaps a little dark, but i believe it reflects the resolution with which changbin throws himself at life. there is no uncertainty in seo changbin. that’s why he’s stray kids’ anchor, their backbone. he’s uncompromising, devoted, resilient. 

 gutted and rising 

for hyunjin, my very favorite embodiment of the fragility of being human. once again, his tag is from a much longer quote by katie ford: don’t say it’s the beautiful i praise. i praise the human, gutted and rising. quite honestly, it is one of my favorite lines of literature in the entire world for how vulnerable and honest it is in its devotion to the human spirit. and that’s of course what i love so much about hyunjin. he is beautiful yes, but he also breakable and delicate and sensitive and irrational and ridiculous and dramatic and sweet and so unbelievably human. such a gentle soul who has seen some of the very worst that humanity has to offer, who has been beaten down and forced to kneel. who has grown tall enough and strong enough to push himself up off the floor and keep going, scarred and gutted and soft and rising.

 all you have is your fire

if uve spent a single second on this blog you will probably know that i have a serious love affair with what a walking contradiction han jisung is. he is so many impossibilities in so little physical form. fierce and shy and angry and brilliant and brave and scared and small and bright. han jisung is on fire all the time. it burns deep within him, burns him from the inside out. you can see it when he enters a room, walks on stage, opens his mouth. the core of him, all that he is, this burning burning burning energy, it flares around him, casts him in gold and red and orange. call it courage, call it fire, call it light, call it whatever you want. it is all that jisung has, just as it is all that small things have. 

 if there is a light im going to swallow it

this is for seungmin, and it comes from yet another one of my favorite pieces of literature. a poem called ‘blasphemies at the 5th street station’ by s. osborn and if there was ever a poem i would like you to read, it would be this one. seungmin’s particular tag comes from the final verse: ‘if there is a light, then i’m going to swallow it. if there is a god, then i’m going to eat him whole.’ appropriate for someone like seungmin who cannot be kept on his knees and who has always existed in a way that is uniquely his own. no authority, no god, no force of good or evil could bend seungmin to its will because he is simply not to be bound. 

 i have loved the stars too fondly

oh yongbokie. his tag fits him so well that it always makes me choke up just a little when i use it. it’s from a famous poem by sarah williams, most likely one that you have heard at least in passing. the poem details a message left by an astronomer on his deathbed to his pupil. “though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. i have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” which, to be honest, is so incredibly lee yongbok that i’m not sure i could clarify it any further. 

 as above so below 

jeongin’s tag comes from an age-old saying, one of those idioms that is so ancient, its originator has been long-forgotten. it is often attributed to religious or spiritual meanings, but i like it just find secular. at its essence, the quip describes the integral connection between everything small and big. the earth and the sun, the moon and the tides, the leaf and the cell wall. the way in which things that happen happen to all, no matter how big or small or young or old. befitting of the maknae, i think. an old quote for an old soul trapped in a young kid’s body. 

relationship tags:

and now the loyalty of the wolves

my very general ot8 tag, for moments when i see that little bit of more that filters through stray kids and their unrepentant love for one another. yet another reference to their growth: looking at where they are versus where they once were. stray dogs, nothing more than street hounds, scrappy and feral and dismissed. they did not belong, nor have they ever belonged. but they have grown. now, when they stand on stage, they fill it out. they draw attention and turn heads. they’re still outsiders, still outcasts, still unpolished and raw and untamed. but where once were mutts are now wolves. and now the wolves. and now the loyalty of the wolves.

i will carry you home in my teeth

i’ve mentioned this previously, but this is my tag specifically for chan and his boys. it comes from a mountain goats’ song. it embodies chan’s sacrifice and devotion to his kids, his family, his lifeblood. come hell or high water, chan’s going to get them to that finish line. 

do i look moderate to you?

this tag is from moderation, a trully excellent song by florence and the machine. ‘want me to love you in moderation, do i look moderate to you?’ what better pairing to fit this lyric than hyunjin and jisung? their love was born in violence and it has always been too much. the two of them have always been too much. too much anger, too much blood, too many teeth. the imprints of their fingers are pressed into each other’s chests. they have ripped each other apart, sewn each other back together. do i look moderate to you? do i look like someone who could be with you and not make you feel everything all at once? 

our fate cannot be taken from us

going back to the ancients, this is a quote from dante. ‘do not be afraid. our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift.’ something about it has always screamed seungbin to me, something about the impossibility of their relationship. a friendship, a love, a brotherhood that should not exist and yet it does anyway, because they are too goddamn stubborn to let any force, supernatural or otherwise, make their choices for them. 

2. where do ur tags come from?

the very short answer to this question is: everywhere! movies, lyrics, poetry, tumblr posts. i have a pretty long and pretty comprehensive list of tiny pieces of writing that have stayed with me over the years. i look to it often for hope or writing advice or tattoo ideas.

3. can we see it? 

nope. a, it’s too long to conveniently post on tumblr. b, it’s organized categorically in a way that works for my brain, but is unlikely to work for others. c, a lot of it is personal and Not For All Eyes. however, if you do want quotes or inspiration, you are always welcome to ask. give me an idea of what you’re looking for, a mood or an experience, a moment or an emotion, and i’ll do my best. (i also have a secret writing inspiration blog that, were there to be enough interest, i may make publicly available) 

4. okay then, can we have at least a few recommendations for songs or other works that have inspired you?

it depends on what you’re looking for. what kind of feelings do you want to amass listening or reading to something? the end of the world? the free-fall of first love? bitter heartbreak? the insignificance of human kind? tell me what you want + i will do my best to get back to you.

#i hope this answers your questions #love how much y'all r interested in this #i am obsessed with the novel tag + will use it unapologetically until i die #kisses from belle #anons #replies

[gwcocktailfriday]

Holiday Dinner 2 oz Thyme- and saffron-infused Plymouth gin 1⁄2 oz Cocchi Americano apéritif 1⁄4 oz Turkey broth syrup** 4 drops Weatherby’s orange saffron bitters Scrappy’s celery bitters, to rinse glass Add a few drops of the celery bitters to a coupe glass, swirl to coat, and pour out the remainder. Add the gin, apéritif, turkey broth syrup and orange saffron bitters to a mixing glass with ice, and stir until chilled. Strain into the prepared coupe glass. Garnish with a speared thyme sprig, saffron sprig and crouton.

Cocktail Friday Post responses on Friday, November 22nd, between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone. Don’t forget to @ us!

#Gundam Wing #GW Cocktail Friday #Cocktail Friday #Prompt #alcohol #Holiday Dinner

[m0ssbeard]

I Ran From You

The weather was still overwhelmingly hot, and the volcanic Hold of Hotlands was to blame...which was convenient, as the folks of Ebott Province quite liked to blame most of their woes on Hotlands. Who wouldn't? It was, by far, the worst of the Holds. Ashen, barren and volcanic... Apparently the mining industry was doing well over there, but Dyrus had no intention of going. He wasn't hurting for G anyway.

It was too fucking hot already in New New Home, he didn't even want to think about what it would feel like walking the dry and dreary roads of New Hotlands. In fact, just thinking about it made him want to curl up and die a little…. And that’s why he didn’t get out of bed for at least a few more hours. The Inns here were pretty nice, and though air conditioning definitely hadn’t been invited yet, magic had a way of cooling the place down. Dyrus suspected there was ice magic in the vents… it was so strangely similar to air conditioning that the moss-covered skeleton guessed an Outsider from Murkwater had something to do with this. It would be foolish to assume he was the only Outsider wandering around New New Home, after all. 

Still, even with the cool air blowing gently onto him, Dyrus felt weak and heavy… probably heat stroke, he figured, but the fact it had lasted nearly eight hours definitely concerned him. He never really suffered heat stroke before--it’s not like he had skin or organs. In fact, heat wasn’t something that usually bothered him so. His soul was a core of fire, and he had harnessed the flame years ago. 

And yet… here he was, succumbing to heat stroke… if that’s what it was at all. A thought crossed his mind, and he touched at his mossy beard, sighing. ...The Necromancer had told him he was going to die, that the moss that grew on his bones was killing him, and there was no way to stop it.  It had been the most bleak news he could have heard, yet a part of him knew it was the case long before anyone had told him. He knew that a person like him… couldn’t have a happy, peaceful ending. No amount of running would hide his sins, hide the pain he caused so many. 

He deserved to die in silent agony.

Dyrus’ thoughts were interrupted by shouting coming from outside--specifically, the marketplace. It was loud, and crude…almost like a sailor cussing up a storm. He could have sworn he heard the word “cocksucker” being thrown around. That was oddly specific, but not impossible. The old soldier stood up, pulling his gloves and boots on before heading outside to see what all the fuss was about.

What he found was something impossible. At a dried meat vendor in the market was a skeleton wearing black armor and a red, torn scarf. His bones were dark, like caramel, and he wore black jeans with knee-high red boots. He thrust his finger forward at the vendor, shrieking at him in a threatening, dangerous tone, “FORTY PIECES OF GOLD? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? FOR ONE FUCKING SLAB OF JERKY? THAT’S FUCKIN’ ROBBERY!!!”

Dyrus stared in disbelief as his legs and arms refused to respond, causing him to stand in the crowd like an idiot with his good eye wide. That was… Fiend. That was himself from years ago. What was going on here? How…? The vendor looked terrified, and a crowd had gathered around… they could DEFINITELY see him. This was real.

“These are qu-quality meats, S-Sir.” 

“I’LL SHOW YOU QUALITY WHEN I RIP OUT YOUR STOMACH AND TURN IT INTO A PURSE, COCKSUCKER!!!”

That was definitely Fiend. The caramel boned skeleton seemed enraged, drawing out a blood orange bone blade made entirely of magic--the crowd gasped and someone screamed, which was enough to break Dyrus out of his stupor. The time to gawk was over, he had to do something. If he was more of a man than he used to be, he could easily save innocent people from himself.

Dyrus broke out of the crowd, running towards Fiend. He thrust out his hand, grabbing the younger by the neck and yanking him backwards. 

“WHAT THE FUCK--OW!!! HEY!?!?” Fiend snarled, his weapon dispelling immediately as he was dragged with ease through the streets, Dyrus bringing him down an alley into the less wealthy quarter. He didn’t want anyone to make the connection that these two were related to one another in any way. Finally, with the coast more or less clear, Dyrus slammed Fiend against the nearest wall, snarling hot breath and smoke into his face.

“You shame yourself with such acts.”

Fiend coughed and waved away the smoke, a shit eating grin on his face, but it was clear that he was pissed, a bright red eyelight in his left socket. “NICE BEARD, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ATE OUT A DRYAD.”

Ignore his comments, just keep him away from everyone else. “Shut up.”

“OR WHAT, COCKSUCKER? GONNA EAT ME OUT TOO???” Fiend laughed, a nasty growlish cackling, before he brought his knee up, slamming it into Dyrus’ stomach--it probably hurt the younger more than the older, but it at least caused Dyrus to back off, if only a little. 

“You dishonor yourself behaving the way you are. You’re no better than a bandit.” It sickened him to look at the other, still trying to hide the shock from just seeing Fiend here… both eyes intact, no beard, no moss whatsoever. It was like a ghost right out of his past, untouched by years of experience, but not of failure. Oh no, Fiend knew of failure. Plenty of it. Fiend stepped forward, giving the finger before dragging a bright red and orange, dripping ecto tongue along the digit, “WHAT DO I CARE ABOUT HONOR? RATHER BE A BANDIT THAN GET FUCKED BY THE SYSTEM HERE. HE WAS TRYING TO ROB ME. EVERY OTHER COCKSUCKER THERE DIDN’T HAVE TO PAY AS MUCH!!”

Dyrus stood his ground, not in the least bit unnerved by the other. Ever since the Incident last year, where the Necromancer had summoned every skeleton in Ebott to go to Hotlands, and cause them to go berserk… well. People hadn’t fully put away their fears and bitterness. Monsters were monsters and yet, they distrusted their own kind, setting skeletons apart from them. 

Stigma and discrimination were everywhere, even among monsterkind. Dyrus knew that, and of course he hated it, but attacking people wouldn’t solve shit. It was selfish to think that was all it took. “I know it’s unfair, but you need to put a lid on your temper. I won’t let you hurt anyone for any reason, and especially not for fun.”

That seemed to knock the smile off Fiend’s face, and it was his turn to growl, “WHO’S DOING ANYTHING FOR FUN? I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR THE KID TO EAT!!!”

The kid?

Fiend gestured to the right, and Dyrus turned--he felt like his soul was drained from his bones as he gazed upon… himself. This wasn’t Fiend, nor Dyrus. No, this was a child, a nine-year-old skeleton wearing a scrappy orange t-shirt and roughed up brown shorts. His bones were an off-white color, and his jaw was too big for him to close properly. There was a bandage around his skull, hiding some fractures underneath. The kid looked away, rubbing his arm. 

“...I DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE GONNA THREATEN THE GUY…” the child muttered, though still loud enough with that growlish voice. 

“Beartrap…” Dyrus found himself speaking, unable to help himself. At the utterance of the name, the child’s gaze snapped up.

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!!! I HATE IT WHEN THEY CALL ME THAT!!!” He balled his fists and maintained his ground, trying not to look scared, but most certainly bothered.

Fiend laughed, “WHAT, BEAR TRAP??? I DUNNO, IT’S A FUCKIN’ SICK NAME, KID. OWN IT!!!” 

This was… surreal. What was happening…? How could these ghosts be here?

He’d run so far, and yet his past caught up with him. It always found a way. 

#drabble ;; #(my art #art ;; #lore ;; #event: From the Past

[singaporefoodlisting]

Treat your Valentine to the Cupid’s Flutes at @mitzosg in @grandparkorchard. Made with Diplomatico rum, scrappy’s chocolate bitters, lime juice, housemade mandarin orange peel cordial, red dragronfruit and topped with prosecco, it is specially curated for the occasion . 📸 @thehungertrack . 🏢 ‪270 Orchard Rd @grandparkorchard Level 4 Singapore 238857‬ . 🕚 Operating Hours: ‪Monday to Friday: 12.00pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm‬ ‪Saturday to Sunday: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm‬ . Follow @singaporefoodlisting on Facebook and Instagram now to be updated of the latest food trends in Singapore! 😊 . #sgfood #instasg #igsg #sgig #sgcafes #sgcafe #singaporefood #sgfoodlover #food #foodgram #foodiesg #igfoodie #sgfoodie #sgfoodies #stfoodtrending #exploresingapore #singaporefoodie #foodsg #singaporefoodlisting #新加坡 #latergram #potd #instafood_sg #singapore #latergram #cocktail #cocktails #valentine (at Mitzo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gQ2cVn_5V/?igshid=12hf2ltr9mbfe

#sgfood #instasg #igsg #sgig #sgcafes #sgcafe #singaporefood #sgfoodlover #food #foodgram #foodiesg #igfoodie #sgfoodie #sgfoodies #stfoodtrending #exploresingapore #singaporefoodie #foodsg #singaporefoodlisting #新加坡 #latergram #potd #instafood_sg #singapore #cocktail #cocktails #valentine

[sidonius5]

𝘾𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙞𝙧

#Ferrand Cognac #CYNAR Argentina #Yellow Chartreuse #Angostura Bitters (House of Angostura) #Orange Bitters (Scrappy’s Bitters)

[perfectirishgifts]

Easy Cocktail Recipes: 16 Festive Drinks To Enjoy All Winter

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/easy-cocktail-recipes-16-festive-drinks-to-enjoy-all-winter-2/

Easy Cocktail Recipes: 16 Festive Drinks To Enjoy All Winter

When the weather outside is frightful, I like to drink something delightful. Some days call for a warm cocktail that will keep me cozy all night. On nights I’m feeling homesick, I may want a rum-based concoction that reminds me of my tropical upbringing in the Philippines.

This being the (objectively awful) year that it is, I needed all the help and inspiration I could get. Here, fifteen spirits professionals shared their winter drinking strategies—and of course, favorite cocktail recipes. And there’s something for every palate—from a Cognac-based old fashioned to ginger highball and beyond.

Easy-to-Make Cocktail Recipes for the Winter

THE HARPER CAROL

“I love American whiskey—so this cocktail was a no-brainer. The Harper Carol is a cold season variation on a ‘Junglebird.’ Kentucky meets tiki, contrasting this base spirit with Italian red bitter liqueur. Then, a cinnamon-date syrup deepens the beverage with notes of soft spices and dried fruit. Pineapple and fresh lemon juice add a sharp tropical acidity to the drink. This libation is a wonderful aperitif sour, best indulged during the holidays. Please enjoy responsibly.” —Adrian Alvarez, bar captain at Cecconi’s, New York City  

Ingredients:

1 oz. I.W. Harper whiskey

0.50 oz. Italian red bitters

0.75 oz. pineapple juice

0.75 oz. lemon juice

0.25 oz. cinnamon-date syrup

Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin, shake, double strain into a coupe. Garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel and grated nutmeg.

10 GENERATIONS OLD FASHIONED

“There’s nothing I enjoy more on a cool fall day than an Old Fashioned, which transports me to the vineyards of Cognac during grape harvest. With its high proof and fully round profile, Ferrand 10 Générations acts as the perfect replacement for bourbon in this cocktail—a welcom twist on the classic cocktail.” —Nico de Soto, beverage consultant and owner of Danico (Paris) and Mace (New York City)

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac

0.25 oz. simple syrup

Orange twist, for garnish

Method: Stir all ingredients with ice in mixing glass. Strain and pour over large clear ice cube in double old-fashioned glass. Express the orange peel and place into glass.

BOURBON ‘N’ BERRIES 

“We had a significant amount of bourbon in our liquor room when we reopened. Obviously, we wanted to find creative ways to use our inventory since reopening was so costly after the quarantine closure. I wanted something that was approachable, crushable, refreshing, and pretty. I used a whiskey buck as a template, which is basically whiskey and ginger. I amplified that with fresh raspberries, fresh lemon, cracked pepper, and a bit of spiciness from the ginger beer. And I wanted to name it something that was simple and straightforward that really tells it like it is. We’re not looking for any ambiguity these days. Do you like bourbon? Do you like berries? If the answer is yes, you will definitely like this drink.” —Naren Young, bar director at The Fat Radish Popup at The Orchard Townhouse, New York City

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon

0.25 oz. Frangelico

0.50 oz. raspberry purée

0.50 oz. lemon juice

0.50 oz. simple syrup

3 dashes saline solution

Barspoon of raspberry vinegar 

10 grinds of black pepper in shaker

Method: Shake ingredients and pour on highball glass. Garnish with lemon wheel and 3 skewered raspberries.

HAI TEA

“Tea calms me down. And 2020 has been a year where I had to practice a lot of flexibility and roll with the punches—and drinking tea has helped keep me centered and focused. So yes, as you can imagine, I drank a lot of tea these past six months. I also spent time thinking about tea and how so many different cultures and people use tea to bring balance into their lives. For example, the English and Japanese have a high appreciation for tea—along with the peace and tranquility both can bring. Gin has typically been associated with England but Roku breaks the mold and celebrates Japanese botanicals like sencha tea, yuzu peel, and sakura. The Hai Tea is a nod to the English tradition of high tea, where one unwinds after a long workday with a cup of tea, while highlighting Roku’s Japanese flavor profile. After this long year, I think we all deserve to enjoy to unwind and have a Hai Tea with the hope it can bring peace and tranquility for just a moment in our new normal.” —Amanda Carto, bar manager at Nickel City, Austin, TX

Ingredients:

1 part Roku gin

0.50 part Giffard Carribbean Pineapple liqueur

1 barspoon honey

1 dash Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters

1.50 parts hot ginger green tea (Tazo green ginger tea recommended)

Dried pineapple (optional)

Method: Add all ingredients to a heat-safe teacup. Stir 3 to 4 seconds with a small spoon to incorporate ingredients. Drink is intended to be served warm. Garnish with dried pineapple, if desired.

AUTUMN EQUINOX

“My inspiration for this pairing was familiar because of my love for Latin culture and the multiple layers of flavor, sight, and sound. Tanqueray London Dry pairs perfectly with the cocktail’s delicate balance of citrus and herbaceous notes.” —Danny Louie, bartender and founder at Gāmsāān Cocktail Co.

Ingredients:

1.50 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin

0.75 oz. almond syrup

0.75 oz. lime juice

0.25 oz. passionfruit juice

Method: Build all ingredients in a shaker and shake. Fine strain into a punch glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

FIRE ESCAPE

“I’ve found myself avoiding crowds during this period of uncertainty, while still perpetually seeking the sun. From the beginning of quarantine to the recent fall equinox, I’ve enjoyed most of my moments of imbibition on the steps of my classically Chicago wooden fire escape. I will absolutely be enjoying this seasonal sipper on my fire escape to capture all the cherished, yet rare bursts of vitamin D that the skies will allow.” —Brittany Simons, cocktail consultant and former head bartender at Bad Hunter

Ingredients:

1.25 parts Suntory Whisky Toki

0.75 part Basque cider

0.50 part Contratto Bianco Vermouth

0.50 part apricot simple syrup

0.25 part Bragg organic apple cider vinegar

Method: Gently stir all ingredients on a lemon twist, strain, pour into chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with a manicured lemon twist.

JAMAICAN GOLD

“Those who know me best know that my two favorite classic cocktails are the daiquiri and the sidecar. With the Jamaican Gold I wanted to build a bridge between the two. And I knew Plantation Xaymaca, with its traditional Jamaican esters and Cognac influence, would be the perfect composer to lead the symphony. The flavors from the sour apple liqueur always remind me of my first visit to the apple orchards in northern California during harvest. The marriage between the rum and the apple liqueur influence thoughts of homemade apple pie. Lemon juice adds the perfect balance and brightness; while cinnamon syrup provides subtle warming spice. The perfect cocktail for chilly winter nights.” —Benjamin Jeffers, bartender at ABV, San Francisco

Ingredients:

1.50 oz. Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry Rum

0.75 oz. Leopold Bros. Sour Apple Liqueur

0.75 oz. Lemon Juice

0.25 oz. Cinnamon Simple Syrup**

**Cinnamon Simple Syrup: Bring 250 ml. water to boil and add 15 grams toasted cinnamon. Steep for 10 minutes, strain out cinnamon, and combine equal parts sugar and hot cinnamon tea until dissolved into a syrup. Cool and store in the refrigerator. 

Method: Shake with ice, strain, serve up in coupe.

JOHNNIE WALKER GINGER HIGHBALL

“Scotch and ginger is a delicious and refreshing highball that allows some simple twists to elevate it to new heights. Johnnie Walker Black Label has loads of fall fruit flavors, coming from the selection of Speyside malts in the blend. The ginger ale pairs perfectly with the Scotch and the lime garnish freshens up the finish and aroma.” —Aidan Bowie, mixologist

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Johnnie Walker Black Label

4.5 oz. Fever-Tree ginger ale

Method: Combine ingredients in a highball glass over ice and stir. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

CÎROC CRANBERRY MARTINI

“When creating the Cîroc cranberry martini, the first thing that sparked inspiration was the ripe and crisp notes from the white grape in the vodka. Keeping winter in mind, we felt that the presence of cranberry (more specifically, cranberry bitters) would balance these notes while imbuing a palate ideal for the season. The dryness of the Fino Sherry adds additional luxuriousness to the drink and results in a cocktail that should warm up even the coldest night.” —Matt Landes, founder at Cocktail Academy

Ingredients:

1.50 oz. Cîroc White Grape vodka

0.75 oz. Fino Sherry

3 dashes cranberry bitters

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Fill with ice and stir 20 to 25 times. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with 3 cranberries on a cocktail pick.

SINGLETON & SPICE

“This is a perfect cocktail for the season. This hot toddy variation is one of my favorites. The honey, hot water, and lemon combination is a great remedy that’s long been known—and pairs with the Singleton 12, which brings spice and smoky notes to the mix. Garnish is important as well—to finish the recipe for more complexity and layers.” —Eric Ribeiro, mixologist and bar manager

Ingredients:

1.50 oz. The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Year whisky

4 oz. hot water

0.50 oz. honey

0.25 oz. lemon juice

**add cinnamon and apple slice for a flavor twist

Method: Add all ingredients in a mug glass and garnish with a lemon wheel spiked with 4 cloves and a cinnamon stick.

FIGGY PUDDING

“We wish you a merry Christmas and here is some Figgy Pudding. This cocktail is inspired by the flavors of a Christmas pud with fig- and date-infused whiskey and OM Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Liqueur. It’s topped with a coconut-lychee whipped cream too. Have a wonderful Christmas!” —Claire Mallett, bartender at Catch One, Los Angeles

Ingredients:

2 oz. fig- and date-infused Jack Daniel’s apple whiskey**

0.75 oz. OM Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Liqueur

0.50 oz. Becherovka

0.50 oz. Frangelico

Coconut-Lychee whipped cream**

**Infused Whiskey: Add 2 figs (sliced) and 6 dates to a mason jar of Jack Daniel’s Apple. Leave for 7 days. Remove the fruit and the whiskey is ready to use.

**Coconut-Lychee Whipped Cream: Add 2 oz. of OM Coconut and Lychee Liqueur to whipping cream and whisk.

Method: Pour ingredients into mixing glass with ice and stir. Pour the mixture into your glass and top with coconut-lychee whipped cream.

TOKI HOT RINGO

“I don’t know about you but I need all the squishy and comforting feelings this winter. This warm cocktail filled with local bright apples and baking spices brings back memories of going to orchards with my family, witnessing the leaves change, and taking a bite of the first apple I picked off a tree. It urges you to relax and sit by a crackling fire to enjoy the subtle vanilla and ginger notes of the Suntory Toki paired with fresh cider and local honey. Get yourself some apple cider donuts and you will be wrapped up in heaven.” —Meredith Barry, beverage development consultant at Niche Food Group

Ingredients (Serves Two):

4 parts Suntory Whisky Toki

1 part local honey

4 parts fresh-pressed apple cider

1 cinnamon stick

1 clove

Small pinch of salt (optional)

Fresh sliced Fuji apple, candied ginger, and honeysuckle flowers (for garnish)

Method: Rough chop cinnamon stick. Place cinnamon pieces and clove in a saucepan and toast until fragrant on medium­­–high heat. Add cider and salt. Lower heat to medium. Bring cider up to desired temperature. (Do not boil.) Take mixture off heat, then add honey and Suntory Toki. Stir until honey is dissolved. Remove pieces of spices. Pour into a teacup or mug. Garnish with fresh apple slices and candied ginger.

PUNCHING 2020 (FOR A PAIR OR A POD)

“The drink is a semi-modern reiteration of what probably would have been drunk at a New Year’s Eve celebration in the 1920s with the Fitzgerald. The ideal way to enjoy it would be in the once-omnipresent communal punch bowl with fresh raspberries and orange slices floating around. But since we’re still living through this pandemic and safety is a must, it’s as easy to shake a single serving. The citruses and the raspberry syrup are complementary to the aromatic Pomp & Whimsy flavor profile—with a little kick from the absinthe and a touch of complexity from the cognac-based triple sec.” —Giuseppe Santochirico, libations curator for Halftone Spirits at Finback Brooklyn, New York City

Ingredients (Single Serving): 

2 dashes absinthe

0.25 oz. Benedectine

0.50 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

0.50 oz. lime juice

0.50 oz. lemon juice

0.75 oz. raspberry syrup

2 oz. Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur

4 oz. Champagne (or dry sparkling wine)

Ingredients (6 Servings):

12 dashes absinthe

2 oz. Benedectine

3 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

3 oz. lime juice

3 oz. lemon juice

4.5 oz. raspberry syrup

12 oz. Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur

1 750 ml. bottle of Champagne (or dry sparkling wine)

Method (Single): Pour all the ingredients in the shaker but the sparkling wine, shake, top with wine in the shaker, serve over ice in a small wine glass or a cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh raspberries and orange slices.

Method (Batched): Pour all the ingredient in a large punch bowl, add ice and stir to adequately mixing the punch. Garnish with fresh raspberries and orange slices.

JILO OLD FASHIONED 

“The Jilo Old Fashioned is perfect for any occasion but it especially soothes the soul on a cold day. Let the robust and toasted notes of corn (unlike you have ever had) warm your body—while the light hint of chamomile, honey, and cocoa rounds everything out with a long finish. This gives you a small taste of Mexico in the comfort of your own home!” —Cesar Sandoval, national ambassador at Abasolo 

Ingredients:

2 oz. Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky

0.50 parts Nixta Licor de Elote

3 dashes Angostura bitters

Lemon and orange twists, for garnish

Method: Add Abasolo, Nixta, and bitters to a mixing glass, then add ice and stir until cold and diluted. Zest citrus over rocks glass and add fresh ice. Strain drink into glass, roll zest into attractive curls and lay garnish atop the ice.

2020 TRAINWRECK  

“Twenty–twenty was a weary trainwreck of a year, but this tropical tepache tipple is refreshingly balanced.”  

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. rum  

2 oz. Big Easy Pineapple Tepache   

0.75 oz. ginger syrup, such as The Ginger People organic ginger syrup 

0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice (Natalie’s brand preferred)

2 dashes bitters, such as Angostura  

Pineapple leaf, for garnish  

Sparkling water, such as Topo Chico, to top 

Method: Combine rum, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and bitters in a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice cubes into a cocktail glass. Top with tepache and sparkling water and garnish.

FESTIVE FIZZ 

“This cocktail really brings out the different flavors of the holidays with the cranberry, pomegranate, and rosemary. The fruity, citrus notes that you get from the fresh juices complements the fresh agave and oak notes from the Patrón Reposado, which makes for a truly refreshing cocktail. It also doesn’t hurt that the cocktail is a beautiful red color making it perfect for any holiday celebration.” —Stephen Halpin, manager of mixology and trade at Patrón Tequila

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Patrón Reposado tequila

0.75 oz.rosemary simple syrup

0.75 oz. lemon juice

1 oz. pomegranate juice

1 oz. cranberry juice

2 oz. club soda

Method: Combine all ingredients except soda water in a shaker with ice. Shake to chill and combine. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice, top with club soda and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

More from Dining in Perfectirishgifts

[barartists]

BERRIES MAILMAN Don Julio Reposado Tequila Campari Angelus Brandy Lemon Juice Strawberries & Blackberries Clarified Banana Syrup Scrappy Orange Bitters Garnished with homemade Chocolate bitter and Orange crust holding strawberries, blackberries & edible flowers. Recipe & photo credit: @one_more_bloody_cocktail #CocktailsAustralia •Follow @cocktails_australia Dale me gusta a nuestra página @barartists_worldwide para más contenido de los mejores #barartists del mundo. @xavi_barartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4Q6gSl4Wp/?igshid=6n3730m607y3

#cocktailsaustralia #barartists

[delfinamaggiousa]

These Cocktail Kits Make Happy Hours Easier Than Ever

If there’s any silver lining to having lived through a historic pandemic, it’s the rise of the virtual happy hour. If you weren’t already drinking margaritas over Zoom with friends and loved ones across the country, you probably are now.

For the ultimate virtual happy hour, why not make the same tasty but totally easy cocktail to enjoy together? These cocktail kits make whipping up fresh takes on your favorite drinks a breeze. Each kit has the ingredients and supplies to make eight fun, delicious cocktails.

Chile Spiced Old Fashioned

Grab your rye or bourbon and start making this fun take on an Old Fashioned! Each kit includes a jigger, Royal Rose Three Chile Syrup, Scrappy’s Chocolate Bitters, California Crisps Mandarin Crisps, and an easy recipe. See The Kit Now!

Sparkling Rose

If you’re the type that prefers to drink pink, this kit is for you. Grab a bottle of sparkling rosé to use with the Royal Rose Rose Syrup, Scrappy’s Orange Bitters, Strawberry Crisps, jigger, and a recipe. See The Kit Now!

These kits make it feel like you’re drinking at a fancy new speakeasy, even if you’re in the comfort of your own basement. Whether you consistently are creating custom cocktails at home or have never tried your hand at home bartending, these cocktail kits will help your homemade drinks come out perfectly every time.

The article These Cocktail Kits Make Happy Hours Easier Than Ever appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/picks/best-cocktail-kits-2020/

source https://vinology1.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/these-cocktail-kits-make-happy-hours-easier-than-ever/

[rocketvodka]

The unexpected. The Rocket Vodka Evoo Martini at #launchpad @vina_enoteca pairs perfectly with their handcrafted carpaccio. Rocket Vodka St George Basil Aqua Sherry Pedro Ximenez Scrappy Celery bitters Regans Orange bitters Extra Virgin Olive Oil drops Fresh basil garnish #vodka #vodkafromapples #handcrafted #apples #sierranevada #mountain #water #naturally #glutenfree #nosugaradded #craft #cocktails #drinklocal #farmtoflask #craftspirits #aprèsspirit #alwaysaprès #cycling #peakmoments #rocketvodka (at Vina Enoteca) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8up9scgds8/?igshid=1wg2i8dwnw3h9

#launchpad #vodka #vodkafromapples #handcrafted #apples #sierranevada #mountain #water #naturally #glutenfree #nosugaradded #craft #cocktails #drinklocal #farmtoflask #craftspirits #aprèsspirit #alwaysaprès #cycling #peakmoments #rocketvodka