in the company of the courtesan

sometimes, by coincidence, you find yourself on a particular theme and recently mine has been venice, a place i have only visited once and only for a day. i think it would be nice to stay there for a few days, perhaps off-season, as i like to imagine that, without the hoardes of tourists, it would be quite a different place. did you know venice is one of the quietest cities in europe? no cars, doesn't that sound attractive?

this book by sarah dunant is the fictional account of a courtesan, based in the mid-16th century; the action takes us from the sack of rome and their fall in fortune to their rise and success in venice. the description of 16th century life in italy is vividly depicted. a very good read.

i have a dream..

and it is a dream of summer spent lounging on the soon-to-be-built-fabulous-new deck with an aperatif in one hand and a good read in the other. mexican beer, sauvignon blanc and a nice rose from provence are all well and good but sometimes it is simply better to have a cocktail. at the moment i have been trying my hand at margaritas, i do quite like the frozen blended version but they seem a little adolescent to me, be a grown-up and try it on the rocks with a salted rim.

1 1/2 ounces tequila
3/4 ounce cointreau or triple sec
1 ounce fresh lemon or lime juice
coarse salt
lime wedge

mix the first three ingredients with ice, pour into a chilled cocktail glass with salted rim and garnish with lime wedge. stick in some umbrellas too if you really must.

cin cin!