The email came in last night just as Alan and I were settling in to watch some television. I sat up and yelled “Holy #&@*”! before grabbing the phone.

“We just got the official acceptance!” I said to my mom, who I’d woken up (at 8:40 pm WI time ;)

And so it has finally arrived, the elusive email that we’ve been waiting on since last spring. They got the house and, assuming the inspections go according to plan, they’ll be living here by Christmas.

I haven’t lived near my parents for many, many years. When I left Wisconsin at the ripe old age of twenty and headed for sunny California, I vowed I’d never return. I was seeking adventure and independence and was absolutely certain that I would always feel this way. Flash forward twenty years. No longer craving adventure but instead security and family, I would give anything to live near them again.

When Alan and I decided to move our family out of California we put Wisconsin at the top of our list. Alan applied for any jobs that fit his experience but unfortunately there aren’t many jobs in defense in that part of the country. With a sister in McLean, VA and a bounty of available positions, we made our move to the east coast.

Although we hadn’t made it back to Wisconsin, this was still a vast improvement since now my parents had just one coast to visit and no longer had to split their time between them. We’ve seen them much more often than we have in years, not to mention our girls have grown up much closer to cousins they’d have barely known otherwise.

But now, at long last, we’ll all be together again! There are so many things I’m looking forward to: holiday dinners top the list, but things like popping in for coffee, Sunday afternoon dinners and knowing that my girls will have their grandparents near are all things that fill my heart with joy.

And so I’d like to propose a toast! “To my parents, who have always stood by my side and have loved me unconditionally, and just happen to be two of the brightest, kindest and caring people I know. Thank you for all that you have given to all of us through the years. Here’s to many more wonderful years and memories!” {clink}

Now about this cocktail. My regular readers might be wondering, “Is this the cocktail that she’s been gushing about for weeks?!!” And the answer is YES. This is THE ONE and ONLY. And it’s fabulous!!

This is the cocktail that I raved about a few weeks ago while in Portland. I found the recipe posted at Portland Monthly and could not believe my luck! It’s called the Sacsayhuamán and they actually link to the actual passion fruit puree they use. I was thrilled that I could replicate their cocktail exactly…but then I saw the price of the puree. $25 for 30 oz.!! I thought about buying it anyway since there were recipes swirling in my head (and not just for cocktails), but it’s an additional $30 to ship it. UGH. So I did what I always do – I checked my beloved Amazon to see if they had it any cheaper. Sadly, they didn’t…but what they did have are their reviews (which I always read since they’re so much more helpful than any other part of the product posting, don’t you agree?). And one reviewer (thank you, Sebba!) had this to say: 

You can buy passion fruit concentrate at mexican stores, it is called MARACUJA. It is in Portuguese, in a yellow plastic bottle. It only costs $3.00. I forgot the name of the brand, but just write it down in a piece of paper and take it to the store and a clerk can help you out. don’t waste your money with this.

Although I was doubtful, I really had nothing to lose (except enjoying my favorite cocktail at home whenever I’m in the mood) so I went in search of some MARACUJA. I could have bought it on Amazon but I was pretty sure our international market would have something pretty close (I’m always looking for an excuse to make the drive there so it was a win-win even if I left empty-handed). Have it they did – a product by dafruta that looked darn close to what I needed.

I intended to make my favorite martini the very second I arrived home but it didn’t quite turn out that way. It was days before the opportunity presented itself (there are really only so many appropriate hours in the day for martini making, after all). We had some friends over for an impromptu barbecue who were the perfect guinea pigs friends to taste test my martini. The first batch didn’t go so well as I’d assumed the passion fruit juice would be sweet and tried to follow the recipe I’d found to a t. The change in ingredient definitely had a significant impact on the flavor so I played around with it until it was just right. And it was, and is, just right. It’s a bit sweet with a lingering spice that encourages another sip, and another sip, and another sip… I sipped so often that I had four!! Granted, that was over the entire length of the barbecue, but let’s just say that I was feeling no pain! :-)

It was a really nice night spent with friends. We ate, we drank, we had a fire and roasted marshmallows. It was a perfect fall night with the perfect cocktail to go with it. I can’t wait to make it for my parents. I’m looking forward to many nights just like that one that, finally, will include them, too.