Big Swede’s Chocolate Truffle Toffee

Every Fall, lovebirds visit us from Texas.  When Sharon and Robert (aka the “Big Swede”) Gustavsson visit, a weekend of fun always unfolds.  Robert and Dean met in some dusty South American town while Dean was on one of his fabulously epic, cross continent motorcycle adventures. Robert was building a power plant. And they have been […]

Tonic Water began as….?

Did you know Tonic Water began as an anti-MALARIAL treatment?   Yep. Originally called Indian Tonic Water, it was made by 19th century British colonialists from bitter quinine extracted from the bark of the Cinchona or “fever” tree.  Quinine is an natural crystalline alkaloid with anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing antimalarial properties. Cinchona or Quina trees were “found” […]

Bar cubes

Did you know that if you use distilled water for homemade ice cubes, your ice will last twice as long in your evening cocktails? And drinks taste better. Restaurants and bars use professional filtration systems to create clear, long lasting ice — freezing water quickly to prevent bubbles.  Clear ice “isn’t just for show: Its […]