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oh, sleep
elusive Hypnos…
slumbering in shades of Indigo and Prussian Blue!
if sleep must shun
at least grant me Selene’s wish
and wakeful
vigil
keep
♥
do we live in waking
dreams?
if so,
let this, then, be a gift of time
and
invention…
♥
when we just can’t sleep… fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleep deeply enough…
insomnia
Perhaps it strikes when we’re not doing enough dreaming while awake?
Or we are running out of time for everything that needs accomplishing…
Late night and early morning journaling seems to help, some random ramblings and poetry.. after all, the cello can’t be played when the house is asleep, can it?
I had a few luscious Blood Oranges left over from making a coulis for my El Diablo Red Velvet Saigon Cinnamon Brownies. Maybe this would be the perfect sedative for sleep…
Hypnos’ Blood Orange Martini
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- (about 1 1/2 oranges)
- 2 tbsp Simple Syrup*
- Splash of Royale Chambord Liqueur
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Add a splash of Royale Chambord Liqueur.
- Shake well.
- Strain into two sugar dipped champagne glasses.
- * Add 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool. Seal in a jar and refrigerate.
….. feeling sleepy just looking at that fancy nightcap 😉 Lovely !
Me too… Maybe I should go back to bed?
It’s never too early or too late to go back to bed! 😉
Beautiful poem and photos!
Thanks!
Just bought an armload of gorgeous blood oranges yesterday. Hadn’t considered drinking them, but, Smidge, you’ve turned my (sleepy) head around. 😉
Hmmm… I predict you will get sleepier if you drink them;) Have a wonderful day, Spree!! Xo Smidge
I’ve heard of blood oranges but I’ve never seen inside one before now. RED! Really red! How extraordinary. 🙂
This was my first time slicing into them as well. They’re so beautiful… it’s great to finally get some of these more unique fruits and veggies here!
This would go fast in our house.
They did in ours.. I was thinking we should have just made a pitcher full:)
A beautiful poem and a rather sexy looking martini for Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Those are really great photos! What a poem too. And ingredients to boot? What a find
Another beautiful, post, Smidge, but, also, torture. Last night was a sleepless one and, seeing the pair of these martinis, I cannot help but wonder whether they would have been of any help. One thing’s for certain, they wouldn’t have hurt! I’m heading to a grocery and, suddenly, blood oranges have appeared on my shopping list. Imagine that!
I hope this did the trick? Insomnia is so discouraging sometimes.. these days I just give in, get up and get some stuff done. And then, sometimes, go back to bed in the late hours of the morning. Which I’m certain isn’t a good habit to get into!
I never have any trouble sleeping, but I am going to pretend i do so i can get some of that martini! It looks gorgeous! Your shots are so pretty.. c
Lol, now that’s a plan! Just goes to show you how hard you work on your farmie:) We could all do with the physical exercise in the fresh air…
This may be your loveliest poem yet, Barbara. Truly hypnotic! And the drinks are a perfect looking and sounding medication for the insomnia. Or melancholy. Or over-busyness, worry, thirst, romantic leanings, desire to increase romantic leanings, cold, excessive heat, ohhhh, I can’t really think of anything they wouldn’t cure! I love the way that using the coarse crystallized sugar on the glasses looks like they’ve been dipped in icy snow. A beautiful post!!
I’ve read your response a few times and just “got” your “hypnotic” reference… I must be sleepy this morning! Yes.. these would cure a number of ailments.. but I fear it would be a bad habit if I allowed it:) xo Smidge
I love blood orange martinis!!!!!!!!!! And I have that same yellow knife. Did I mention I love blood orange martinis? 🙂
Hahaha, yes, you did mention that! Aren’t those knives the best. I was thinking I want one in every color.. not because I need them, of course!
I am with you on the insomnia, unfortunately! Throws my whole day off balance. But I adore blood oranges and this looks like a treat!
Hmmm, I think we should all go on Facebook at the same time!? Say.. 3 or 4 in the morning;)
Beautiful poem and amazing photographs… I loved them all dear Barbara, Thank you, with my love, nia
the drinks look beautiful, full of colour and flavour. And sleeplessness, I followed your poem with understanding and sympathy. A recent night saw me awake from 1.30 to 5.30. Oh for a silent night 🙂
Now that means you couldn’t have had any sleep at all?? If only I had this kind of energy back when my kids were small…
Wow, this looks perfect for a chilly winter night! I haven’t tried vodka before but this lovely concoction of yours is so tempting, Barbara!
Oh yes, I think this would be a very nice insomnia cure. 😉 I wish we could hang out together. I frequently have insomnia, which blogging helps to pass the time. So does Scrabble. Do you play? This drink is gorgeous and sound delish!
I used to play Scrabble online through Facebook but haven’t for several years… that’s a great idea!! A “virtual” hang out!
I really wish I could make one of these for my littlest one (who’s struggling with moving to a toddler bed – and protesting sleep). Just kidding. I could use one when I’m up late listening to him play around. 🙂 Does look divine.
I remember those days so well… I’d have given anything if they would just sleep.. Now they sleep ALL the time and I’m the one who’s up. Nature has gotten a few things backwards!
I hope the martini helped treat the insomnia. There’s nothing worse than being exhausted and lying awake at night wondering why you can’t just slip into a coma. Those blood oranges are so vibrant and pretty and what a beautiful looking drink they make.
That is so true.. They were very pretty, transluscent and sparkly. I’d like to throw champagne instead of vodka in them next time:)
The Martini, which looks gorgeous BTY almost make me wish for a bout of insomnia – so I could partake of the cure. Lovely poem.
Never wish for insomnia… just make one up for you Valentine:)
Those blood oranges just looks spectacular. Even though I don’t drink, I know my sister would LOVE this. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
You’re so welcome, Kay!
This martini looks great! I love the sugar dipped champagne glasses! 😀
The sugar is for topping cookies and cakes, so it took a little pressing but it worked out in the end:)
Oh my these look so incredible! I always love the color of blood oranges and they are great in cocktails. Beautiful!
ack I love that photo of the rimmed flutes. fancy fancy!
Oh so beautiful. the words, the photos. I love everything here.
Thank you for the cocktail recipe, it looks so good!
This looks gorgeous!!! I love blood oranges. When we read Twilight in book club, I searched and searched for them for a snack…but couldn’t find them in my small town just then. So sad!!! And this drink would have been PERFECT!
I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it would have been!! So when the final movie comes out, I’ll be making these! I will admit, I loved those books. If only because I felt like a teenager again when reading them:)
What a gorgeous post – the write-up and the photos of that lovely blood orange martini! Your site looks amazing, Barbara. I’m one who suffers from insomnia quite a bit..probably because I’ve always been a night owl and it’s translated into adulthood. I think having kids will cure it lol BTW – your El Diablo Red Velvet Saigon Cinnamon Brownies are spectacular!
Thanks, Lisa! I’ve not slept in for years either. I just wake up at 6:30 every morning without an alarm and trust in that to do the job. However, on occasion, I just “wake up” in the middle of the night.. and I get up thinking it must be 6:30, lol! At least we get lots done on-line?
I love using blood oranges, they add great colour to dishes and drinks as well!
They are so pretty, aren’t they! I was so pleased slicing into one and seeing the deep red color. I wonder who named them?
Those are the prettiest martinis I have seen – I have only rarely battled with sleep but hope I still qualify for these lovely drinks.
🙂 Mandy
You will always qualify:) I’d make these for you any time!
lovely, even if it did not aid the sleep! Warm milk with cinnamon works for me 🙂
My son drinks warm milk.. I’ll have to suggest the cinnamon:)
Beautiful poem – very Misdummer Night´s Dream… And as for sleep…I don´t think so Miss Smidge, you are raising the temepratures round here with that sexy looking cocktail!
Now that’s sure a lovely compliment.. I reread Midsummer Night’s Dream this past summer and loved it. I guess this drink is kind of sexy, isn’t it:) Good for Valentine’s Day!
Fantastic photo’s and poem! It looks so delicious to boot!
Maybe a drink or 2 of this might cause your evening to just get started. After all it is Valentines Day weekend. BAM
Yes.. if I started with these it would make more sense… more than one I think would do the job;) Happy Valentine’s Day!
I will be looking for blood oranges on my next trip to the grocery store. BTW, I love your blog header! It says so much without a single word.
Thanks so much Jeanne… I’m finding more of these unique ingredients at the grocers.. I don’t know if it’s because I’m actually looking for them now or if the stores are finally bringing them in. But I love it!
I love your recipes, but your photos are truly inspiring!
Beautiful. All of it. 🙂
Beautiful poem and I am at the same place, but have no blood oranges! The photos are again out of this world, just beautiful!