I received product from Bourbon & Boots for this post.

The joke goes something like this, if you don’t like the weather in Arkansas today, wait for tomorrow. Or maybe it is the other way around, if you like the weather in Arkansas today, just wait a day.

Either way, the weather is in a fickle mood.  Sunny in the 60s one day and then wrapping us back up in her snowy blanket again. “Tuck in, tuck in,” she keeps reminding us.

Is winter hibernation getting to you? Hang in there, kiddo. I know you were ready for the ice and snow to go away.  Ready for the school routine.  Ready to play outside.

Our lake is sleeping.

My chimnea misses lazy evenings with our feet kicked up by it and warming us with its glowing beauty.

Don’t worry my little deck chairs and dining table. Before you know it, we will be marveling at the fireflies and drinking ice tea together from our mason jars. Soon we will all be laughing and feeling carefree as the sunshine lingers, and lingers, and lingers.

And lingers.

I’ve got a secret.

I love snow.  Rain. Thunderstorms.

Thunder snow.

I feel sorry for those who live where moody weather is an unknown.  Growing up in North Carolina was a treat for a stormyweatheraholic like myself.  After graduating from high school and moving to Southern California for college, I had a culture shock of sorts.  It felt strange to me to live in a place where you aren’t supposed to wave at cops, where there was a lack of turtles, butterflies, and historical markers.  It just wasn’t right.

After living in that area for seven years, I finally had enough when Dennis, my poor little native-Californian husband, stood in shock and marveled at a rare (and distant) roll of thunder.  He paused, held his breath, cocked his head and said, every so slightly whispered….

“Thunnnnderrr?”

That was the final straw.

We immediately made plans to move back South were we belonged.

The poor little fella needed more thunderstorms in his life.

Where does the mason cocktail shaker come in to this story?

It’s a Southern thing.

When guests come to visit, we treat them hospitable-like.

When guests overstay their welcome, we make them feel like family.

Winter is still visiting.

Make martinis and grilled cheese.

Or margaritas and grits.

Whatever you make, make memories.

I’ve had my eyes on this Mason Shaker for some time now.  Besides the adorability of using a Ball small-mouth jar for cocktails, the stainless steel strainer and lid are of fabulous quality.

There is an online shop based in Little Rock called Bourbon & Boots whose entire philosophy is to take the time to hand select each product they sell.  They look for small business crafters who create one-of-a-kind gifts and always with a Southern touch.  I was tickled pink when they sent me this shaker to try out.  Their shop runs the gamut of interesting.  There is even an option to filter on artisans by state.  That’s right, you can go in and filter on Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas, Delaware, the rest, to get a pared down portfolio of small batch creations from small business owners and artisans from that state.  Please do go check it out.  If you find something you like, use this coupon code for a 5% discount (which essentially means your taxes or shipping gets paid for).

COUPON CODE: BLOGNWAFOODIE14

Yes, winter is still visiting and it may still be awhile before she packs up and leaves.  Let’s hang in there and make the most of it. Light a fire in the fireplace and bask your home in a glow of lighted candles scattered everywhere.  Create a mood.  Be happy.  Live for the moment.

Hang in there, little Handsome Hudson… Spring is coming.

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

Lyndi