As much as I don’t enjoy winter, I do have to say I love hot, cozy beverages. You can’t really truly enjoy a hot chocolate in the middle of the summer, unless you try a frozen hot chocolate, but hot chocolate on a cold, winter day can do just the trick to take the chill off….

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Earlier this week, my husband walked in the door from a long day at work and I immediately handed him a drink. “What’s this for?”, he asked. “I needed a drink and I felt guilty drinking alone, so I’ve been waiting anxiously for you to come home so I can have my drink.”

I don’t drink often. I promise I don’t. Especially at home. But on this particular day… this day where I spent the entire day arguing and getting to the end of my rope with my 8 year old, I needed a drink. Yes, I realize how stupidly insane it is to argue with an 8 year old, but I had to. And I most likely will continue to do so. I’m not so smart when learning about things that are stupidly insane to do.

You see, my 8 year old has become a giant know-it-all, about everything. Everything. Things that he has no clue about. Things that he wasn’t involved in. Things that he wasn’t even alive for. It is starting to get a little out of control and it is continuing to drive me crazy.

Do you need an example? Yesterday while we were in the car, my daughter Kelly was talking about something that happened at camp on a tightrope. She was describing the small tightrope and how they harnessed the girls in and let them safely walk across the tightrope. Jacob’s response? “That’s impossible. They did not have a tightrope there.” Kelly and I both responded, “Yes, they did.” Jacob, “No they didn’t.” “We have pictures to prove it, Jacob.” “No, they didn’t have any kind of tightrope at Kelly’s camp” And it went on and on and on. Or he’ll make up some trivia fact that I know is not true, and when I question him and how he knew that, he argues and argues and argues.This happens all.day.long. Non-stop. These are not the best examples, but the examples that were on my mind at the moment.

So, my question to parents, aunts, uncles, caretakers, grandmas, grandpas, friends of know-it-all children… how do you deal with this? I can’t have a drink every time we argue all day (or can I? 🙂 ). I can attempt to try to stop arguing with him, but then do I just let him go around spouting things and acting like he is the gospel word when I know very well what he is saying isn’t fact? And his arguing back is relentless… he does not give up, which brings out the immature kid in me and I keep arguing and arguing and arguing.

If you have any advice as to how to deal with an 8 year old know-it-all, I’d love to hear it. Really. I need your advice, or I may have to resort to drinking alone.

Vodka and Watermelon Cooler (from epicurious.com)

This is a lovely, refreshing, tastes like summer in a glass cocktail.

Yield: Makes 6 drinks

In a blender purée the watermelon pieces and strain the purée through a very fine sieve set over a pitcher, discarding the solids. (There should be about 2-1/3 cups juice). Stir in the vodka, the Triple Sec, and the lime juice, pour the cooler into long-stemmed glasses filled with ice cubes, and garnish each drink with a watermelon slice.

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My friend Kathy and I were making our daily walk back to our houses after picking up our kids at school. It was during that walk that an idea sparked… “Do you like Pomegranate?” I asked. “Yes!” “Well, why don’t you all come over and help me test out this recipe for Pomegranate Margarita Martinis?” (Yes…it is a tough job being my neighbor when I have cookbooks to review!) I didn’t have to say anything further and Kathy and her husband were soon on their way to my house.

The Best Summer Drinks recipe book is a little book that packs a lot of punch. Created by Ray Foley, the publisher of Bartender Magazine, the Best Summer Drinks recipe book is a must have for any summer party, impromptu happy hour, or even a night out on the porch swing reading your favorite novel. Featuring 500 incredible cocktail and appetizer recipes, I have already bookmarked many pages of drink recipes to try. What I love about the Best Summer Drinks recipe book is that even with a partially stocked bar, there are a ton of recipes that you can make. With categories like “Summer Cocktails” and “Summer Punches and Pitchers” your next gathering can be complete by adding this collection of great cocktails to your home bar. Want to hear the best part…this collection of recipes can be purchased from Amazon.com for only $4.99!

Just to tempt you even more, I’ll share two of the recipes that got our attention and tempted our tastebuds. Pomegranate Margarita Martini (pictured) and Blueberry Lemonade.

Pomegranate Margarita Martini
2 Cups Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita Mix
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup Jose Cuervo Especial tequila
Juice of 1 lime
Lime zest curl for garnish

Shake liquids vigorously with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with the lime zest curl.

Blueberry Lemonade
2 oz Hiram Walker blueberry passion schnapps
1 oz Hiram Walker 60-proof triple sec
6 oz lemonade
2 lemon twists and 2 lemon wedges for garnish

Pour half the schnapps and triple sec into a tumbler over ice; repeat. Fill each tumbler with the lemonade, and stir.
Garnish each with a lemon twist and lemon wedge. Serves 2.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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