Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Taste It & Rate IT Cocktails


During our 4th annual MLKJ weekend trip to Monterey, I decided to host a Taste It & Rate It cocktail night!  Ahead of time I chose 3 recipes from the, it’s party time! recipe booklet provided by Raley’s in my try it kit.  I chose the Blended Cosmopolitan, Tart Tart, and Herb Infusiastic Martini because these three cocktails called for the ingredients we were asked to try, the Aya Vodka, Raley’s cranberry juice, and Full circle herbs.

In addition to trying the Raley’s products we decided to do a taste test challenge.  Each bartender made each cocktail with the Aya Vodka and another premium brand vodka.  Cocktails were served in purple and green cups and only the bartender knew which cup contained the cocktail made with Aya Vodka and which cup contained the cocktail made with the other premium brand vodka.

My husband and I printed out Rate It cards asking our friends to 1. Rate each cocktail on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 hating it and 5 loving it  2. If they had a preference over the cocktail served in the green cup, purple cup, or no preference  3.  Guess which cup the cocktail made with Aya vodka was in, green or purple.

The Results – A super fun time!  The Tart Tart was the crowd favorite with an average taste score of 3.  50% of participants (there were 8 of us), preferred the green cup while the other preferred the purple, and 50% guessed correctly that the Aya Vodka was in the green cup.

Next up, the Blended Cosmopolitan with an average taste score of 2.  Two people had no preference, 5 people preferred the purple cup and 1 person preferred the green cup.  100% guessed incorrectly that the Aya Vodka was in the green cup. It was in the purple cup.

Last, and most definitely least, the Herb Infusiastic Martini was a total bomb with an average taste score of 1.  Although, there was not a section for comments, one person wrote Herrible.  Lol! That is how they spelled it! This may have been due to my choice of herb – Thyme.  I was going for something savory since the Blended Cosmo was likely going to be sweet and the Tart Tart, well, tart.  Four people had no preference, two preferred the green cup and the other two preferred the purple cup. 66% guessed correctly that the Aya Vodka was in the green cup.

All in all I’d say that the recipes were not a huge hit but the Raley’s Aya Vodka held its own against the other premium brand vodka!  Thanks, Raley’s, for inspiring a super fun night!

Raley's Fine Products

Me, explaining what we're doing ;-)

 
The Guys tasting and rating!


The Rate It Card
 
 
The Girls Tasting and Rating ;-)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Before, During, After, Still going, Haven't started...

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we first made an offer on this house, sight unseen. A few months later we got to take a look inside and much to every one's amazement we still wanted to buy the house. We were pretty naive to think that just a few weeks of hard work would whip this place into shape inside and out. Instead several months have gone by since we took possession of the house and we are still working on just the inside. We've been so blessed to have each other and wonderful family and friends through all of it! We could not have gotten this far without all of our wonderful helpers!

This past month, I've noticed a real change when I walk in the door...It looks like a HOME!!It takes my breath away. I asked Aaron the other night if he realizes how beautiful the house has become and he said no, that all he sees is projects. So I put together a little picture show to help us look back and see how far we've come. There are still things to be done but let's face it,there will always be work to be done. I'm so excited for what's been accomplished but look out helpers...as the weather gets warmer we'll be working on the outside of the house...dun, dun,
dun:-D

Come on inside and take a peek...

Entry way before

Entry way after

Stairwell before
Stairwell before

Stairwell after

Dining room before
Dining room after

Pantry before
Pantry during
Pantry after

Kitchen before
Kitchen before
Kitchen after

Family room before

Family room during
Family room during

Family room after
Family room after
Family room after

Downstairs bath before
Downstairs bath after

Master bedroom before

Master Bedroom before
Master bedroom during
Master bedroom during

Master bedroom after
Master bedroom after

Master bath & closet before
Master bath & closet before
Master bath and closet after
Master bath still going...

Upstairs hall before
Upstairs hall still going...

Office before
Office before

Office during
Office during
Office after

Office after

Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, before
Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, before

Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, during

Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, during

Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, after
Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, after
Upstairs bathroom, Owen's, after

Owen's room before

Owen's room before

Owen's room during

Owen's room after

Owen's room after

Owen's room after

Back of house

"La Rosa"

side/back yard

back yard
back yard
The beginning...;-)