Hostess: Whiskey Daisy
In attendance: Bijou, Black Monday, Brandy YAFG Alexander, Dark -N- Stormy, Firefly, Sapphitini

Drinks Tested: Lily, Violet Fizz, Vie Rose
Foods: Flower Press Cookies, Clover-Buttered Sandwiches, Rose-Glazed Brie,
Chrysanthemum Sweet Potatoes, Flower-Petal Salad, Chilled Pear Soup with Rose Petals

The meeting was held on the front porch overlooking the front garden. Drinks were prepared and served by the young and talented R.C., manager/bartender of Rosebud/M. The food was prepared by Whiskey Daisy and her fabulous and brilliant part-time Screwdriver, full-time housemate, Mark "Sugar Daddy" Snyder.

Daisy’s party was to showcase

1. women environmentalists
2. food made with flowers and
3. drinks named after flowers.

Daisy had set up table and chairs on her porch and set up the food buffet style in her apartment. Props to her for great presentation throughout.

The Drinks

1. The Lily
1/3 Dry Gin
1/3 Crème de Noyau
1/3 Lillet
1 Dash Lemon Juice
Stir with ice and strain into glass.

Reactions to the Lily:

Sapphi: On first sip, I thought there was grenadine in this drink. There is none. I like surprises and I like this drink: 5

Bijou: True to its namesake, lily is a lovely, delicate little flower! I think I’m in love. I could drink it anytime, anywhere: 5

Firefly: Beautiful color and taste. Sweet but the lemon juice puts it in its place: 4.5

Brandy: alcoholic Hawaiian punch!!! Wahoo. Very attractively garnished and beautiful color: 4

D&S: As gin’tails go, its aces! I like the indescribable flavor-is it orange blossom?: 4

Daisy: If only I could order this out!!! Delish! Ok, it’s a 5. I [heart] the Noyeaux! Sweet, but not sticky. Flowery but good.

Monday: At first, I thought I didn’t like this-the first sip was way too much like cough syrup. Once I realized, tho, that this is a sippin’ drink-well, that make all the difference: 3.5

(We then went inside to the buffet of flower snacks.)

2. Violet Fizz
1 jigger Dry Gin
1 teaspoon Raspberry Syrup
1 teaspoon Cream
Juice 1/2 Lemon
Shake well with ice and strain into glass. Fill up with Soda Water.

Reactions to the Violet Fizz:

Monday: Wow. This is Alchemical-three ingredients and you get a floral scented, raspberry flavored, ice cream soda with GIN!: 5

D&S: The color is luscious! Like a fruity, flowery, gin egg cream!: 5

Sapphi: Fizzy, not too syrupy. Just right. Good summer drink: 4.5

Bijou: fruity yet flowery with just the right amount o’ bubbles. Very refreshing, a little creamy: 4.75

Firefly: looks heavier than it tastes. Fizz = Good!: 4.5

Brandy: Frothy pink goodness. I like the fizz and the tall glass. Definitely serve with a swizzle: 4.5

Daisy: Ooooh, creamy! I’d like this with less soda water but it is tasty: 4. Is there really gin in this?

While we enjoyed our violet fizzes, Whiskey gave a bit of a presentation on women environmentalists featuring:

1. Marjory Stoneman Douglas
2. Rachel Carson
3. Anna Botsford Comstock
4. Rosalie Barrow Edge
5. Mira Lloyd Dock

3. Vie rose
1/3 Dry Gin
1/3 Kirsch
1/6 Lemon Juice
1/6 Grenadine
Shake well with ice and strain into glass.

Reactions to the Vie Rose:

Brandy: Even more alcoholic Hawaiian punch!: 4

Sapphi: Delightful!: 4.5

Bijou: Tangy! The lemon twist is the grooviest!: 5

Firefly: Lovely lemon flavor but more complex: 4.5

D&S: Pretty color. Tart and sweet: 3.5

Monday: Syrupy but with a nice, dry cranberry-like tartness to lighten it: 3.5

Daisy: A bit thick but tasty! Similar to the Lily, but I think sweeter: 4.5. Yum. Nice and Smooth

After the official meeting, Dark & Stormy, Firefly, Bijou (and her screwdriver) visited and we each enjoyed another violet fizz.

The Food

1. Flower press cookies
Made with the 1960’s cookie press.

2.Clover Butter Sandwiches
Ingredients
Clover Blossoms
4 ounces fresh Butter
Bread

Method
Put a layer of Red Rose-petals in the bottom of a jar or covered dish, put in fresh butter wrapped in waxed paper. Cover with a thick layer of clover blossom-petals. Cover closely and leave in a cool place overnight. The more fragrant the flowers, the finer the flavor imparted. Cut bread in thin strips or circles, spread each with the perfumed butter and place several petals from fresh Clover blossoms between the slices, allowing edges to show.

3. Rose-Glazed Brie
Ingredients
1 15-ounce round Brie cheese, or similar cheese
Rose petals, pesticide-free rinsed and patted dry to taste
1 envelope unflavored Gelatin
1/4 cup cold Water
2 cups Dry White Wine

Method
Remove the rind from the top of the cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange rose petals on and around Brie wheel. In a small bowl, soften gelatin in the 1/4 cup cold water for 5 minutes. In a saucepan set over moderate heat, combine white wine with softened gelatin and heat, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved. Transfer to a bowl and let cool, stirring. Gently brush flowers and cheese with gelatin mixture and chill until set. Serve with crackers. Serves about 12.
(Borrowed from Victoria's On-Line Cookbook)

4. Chrysanthemum Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
6 med sweet potatoes
1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/2 cup chopped chrysanthemum petals
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method
Cook and mash potatoes. Add all ingredients and mix well. Pour into buttered baking dish. Bake at *350 for 20-30 minutes.

5. Flower Petal Salad
Ingredients
Mixed Greens
Green Onions
Rose Petals
Chrysanthemum Petals
Grape Tomatoes
Mandarin Oranges
Pine Nuts

Dressing
Olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, all to taste.

6. Chilled Pear Soup with Rose Petals
(I altered this slightly, adding diced pears and a chocolate wafer to create individual deserts.)

Pare, core and dice 4 ripe pears. Poach over medium heat in 1 cup Rosewater, 2 Tbs. Rose Sugar and pinch of salt until pears are very soft - about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Liquefy pear cubes in blender and add 2 Tbs. ground almonds, 1 cup half-and-half, and a pinch each of saffron, ground cloves, ginger and cardamom. Return to low heat and stir until slightly thickened. Strain and chill thoroughly. Serve with rose petals and a sprig of fresh mint as garnish. Serves 4.

It was a rare LUPEC meeting in that business was handled before drinks were served. The following points were discussed:

1. Monday approached the group with the idea of helping Blue Ruin Gallery host an exhibit of photographs from the Historical Society of Western Pa. The idea was approved. [And, no, details are NOT forthcoming: it’s a secret until it gets worked out.]
2. Discussion ensued about the use/misuse of the LUPEC site by the Bacardi site. It was agreed:
   
   • Firefly would come up with text concerning copyright that would be posted on our site.
     
   • Posting our response to Bacardi on our website was suggested.
     
3. Guest bartending at Tequila Willies on June 17 was discussed. Monday said she would make invites. Daisy would get the tickets.
4. Brochure count is down. Monday would email program to Bijou who would get it to Daisy to print off.
5. Daisy and Sapphi gave an update on Movie and Drink night at the Rex Theatre
6. Sapphi offered to do artwork for LUPEC merchandise and suggested a website that produces and ships such items.
7. Bijou and Firefly offered to do the business end of such an arrangement.
8. Props were given to Squirrel for her fine job in posting the New Member Pages

Daisy gave a brief but very informative talk on women environmentalists in Pennsylvania, transcript of which will be available soon.

The Notes

Only after old business was taken care of did the drinking and feasting start, ably assisted by R.C., who brought a level of professionalism to LUPEC meeting heretofore not seen. Everyone was impressed.

Food was eaten, drinks were rated. Daisy spoke of her job interview strategies. D&S and Brandy gave updates on their thriving catering business. Jokes were made at the expense, but out of the earshot, of the aggressively disagreeable neighbor who HAD TO mow the lawn and trim her hedges with a supersonic electric hedge clipper while we were all outside eating. Some ladies had to leave, others stayed for extra drinks and cigarettes.

All in all another successful LUPEC event-Daisy, ya done good!