Ten Years of the Philosopher’s Spoon Blog!

June 20, 2020

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
~ Albert Camus

Happy Summer Solstice!

Ten years ago today those words titled the very first post of the Philosopher’s Spoon Blog. At the time, I had no idea that this little blog and its quirky mix of cooking & mysticism would still be going strong a decade later. Then again, if you had asked me what the world would look like on June 20, 2020, I could never have predicted any of this either.

The Albert Camus quote at the top of today’s post “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer” was part of that inaugural entry.

Summer Solstice, our longest day and the official beginning of the summer season, also signals the eventual return of winter, as our days now become shorter and shorter until Winter Solstice, the longest night. Winter lives within the heart of the summer sun and summer within the heart of even the coldest, harshest winter.

Like Camus describes in his beautiful metaphor, although the times we are living through may feel like the depth of winter, the warmth, healing and abundance of summer is still there, within each of our hearts, invincible. Let today’s longest day remind you of that undefeatable light still within you.

“If one has courage, nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
~ Maya Angelou

Thank you, all you friends of the Philosopher’s Spoon Blog! Your kindness, support, humor and courage continues to inspire and uplift me!

Gina De Roma

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The very first recipe from the very first post was for Solstice Sunrise Sparkler with Homemade Grenadine.

Solstice Sunrise Sparkler
with Homemade Grenadine
For the best flavor, be sure to use a premium brand of ginger ale made with real ginger and cane sugar. I enjoy this sparkler just as it is. However, if you prefer a spiked beverage, you can replace the ginger ale with sparkling wine or add a splash of tequila to the recipe.

For each serving:

12 oz natural ginger ale
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 to 2 tablespoons Homemade Grenadine Syrup (recipe follows)
Orange slices for garnish

 

Pour ginger ale into a tall glass with ice cubes. Add orange juice. Stir in grenadine syrup to taste. Garnish each glass with a slice of orange.

 

Homemade Grenadine Syrup
Grenadine syrup was traditionally made from pomegranate juice. Now that pomegranate juice is readily available in stores, it’s easy to make authentic grenadine at home. Once you taste the difference, you’ll never want to go back to the artificially-flavored kind again.

2 cups unsweetened pomegranate juice
1 cup organic cane sugar

In a 2 quart saucepan, over medium high heat, combine pomegranate juice and sugar, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, without stirring, for 45 minutes or until reduced by half. Skim off foam. Let cool and place in a clean glass jar. May be stored up to 3 weeks in refrigerator.

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