Andy’s choice: Cocktails and mocktails A family favorite:

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or any day Cocktails and mocktails

By Andy Mellgren

Cocktails are alcoholic mixed drinks – a combination of spirits mixed with fruit juice, cream or even flavored syrups.

Mocktails are drink resembling a cocktail, but without any alcohol, but resembling a cocktail. They are made with a variety of fruit juice, sparkling water, flavored syrups or cream.

The best way to create cocktails or mocktails is to follow a few simple rules: don’t guess or eyeball measurements and if the recipe calls for using a strainer – use one. It’s especially important to measure everything if you want a smooth, delicious drink.

Are you hoping to avoid calories? If so, skip the soda and premixed drinks, which are full of sugar. Instead, mix your drinks using fruit juice, sparkling water and natural or organic mixes.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks or are looking for a healthier option, mocktails are the way to go. There are plenty of selections of pre-mixed mocktails to choose from.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations on the horizon, the Triple Crown horse races (think mint juleps) or you’re just planning on hosting a crowd, there are so many possibilities.

Here are my suggestions for cocktails/gifts: Traverse City Whiskey Barrel Craft Bourbons Noah’s Mill Bourbon Doubleday Whiskey Northland Vodka Chairman’s Reserve Rum Traverse City Cocktail Cherries Seedlip (non-alcoholic spirits) Owens mixes and flavors Stirring mixes

Not sure what to buy or perhaps you wish to avoid all the fuss of mixing? Try Drakes Boxtails (ready-to-drink cocktails in a box). Just open and pour over ice. There are several flavors to choose from.

Cheers! Andy

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SEASHELL NECKLACE

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SUPPLIES: Seashells Beads Glitter or glitter glue Hot glue/glue Embroidery floss or jewelry cording Scissors Drill INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut a piece of floss or cording long enough to have the necklace hang where you would like and fit over the head.

Drill a hole in the top of the shell.

Cover the inside of the shell with glue.

Add glitter or glitter glue and let it dry.

Glue a bead or beads in the center.

Thread floss or cording through the hole and knot the ends together.

Time to wear it with a fun outfit!

POLYMER CLAY BADGE

SUPPLIES: Polymer clay (black and yellow) Toothpicks Small star shaped clay cutter if available Cookie sheet Oven

INSTRUCTIONS:

Knead the black clay in your hands to soften and shape into a badge.

Set the badge onto the cookie sheet.

Soften the yellow clay and then flatten. A small glass cup can be a great rolling pin.

Use your clay cutter or toothpick to create a star shape.

Add the star to the center of the badge.

Bake the clay at 275 degrees for 30 minutes or what the clay directions state.

Check out my new badge!

By Melanie Danner

PIPE CLEANER FINGER MOSTERS

SUPPLIES: Pipe cleaners Beads Googly eyes Pom poms Hot glue/glue Scissors INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut a pipe cleaner in half.

Wrap the pipe cleaner around your finger to create a spiral.

Glue a pom pom on one end to create a head.

Glue googly eyes and beads on the monster’s head.

Time to wear and play with your new friend!

PAPER ROLL PEOPLE

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SUPPLIES: TP rolls Acrylic paint Googly eyes Colored paper Hot glue/glue Paint brushes Scissors INSTRUCTIONS:

Paint the top 1/3 of the roll a color for the head.

Paint the bottom 2/3 a different color for the outfit.

Let the paint dry.

Paint the top edge a color for hair and you can paint the front of the bottom edge if you would like to add shoes.

Let the paint dry.

Cut accessories out of the colored paper.

Glue the googly eyes and accessories to the face and outfit and let the glue dry.

Now it’s time to play!

PIPE CLEANER RINGS

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SUPPLIES: Pipe cleaners Hot glue/glue Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take the pipe cleaner and place it behind one of your fingers (the one you plan to wear the ring on), leaving about 1.5 inches to the end of the pipe cleaner.

Wrap the pipe cleaner around your finger. Then twist the end a few times to hold it in place to create a loop.

Adjust the size of the loop to make sure it still fits on your finger.

Pinch the other side of the pipe cleaner and roll it onto itself to make a spiral.

Keep rolling the pipe cleaner into a tight spiral until there’s about 1/4 inch of space between the ring loop and the spiral.

Bend the ring loop so it’s at a 90 degree angle to the spiral.

Bend the pipe cleaner to adjust the ring position. Try to get the ring loop so it’s behind the middle of the spiral.

Now you can shape your design. We went with hearts!

First, pinch the bottom to make the V shape of the heart.

Then press your finger nail into the middle of the top to make a bend for the top V of the heart.

Pinch and bend the sides until you’re happy with the shape.

If your shape tries to unwind add a small dab of hot glue between the pipe cleaner at the very bottom where it meets the loop.

Let’s wear our new rings!