1. Sam Smith.

This man’s music has been the soundtrack to an intense week.  Having started listening to him (inspired by NPR) when I was traveling this summer, his music is an instant pick-me-up.

2. the lemon gingertini.  Clearly, inspiration lurks everywhere: after sampling this cocktail at LAB last week, I came home and immediately bought an intense amount of ginger to recreate it.  Here’s the recipe I’ve settled:

0.75 oz lemon juice (why not make it fresh?  It’s about 1 lemon for 2 drinks)

0.75-1 oz ginger syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, about 10 inches chopped fresh ginger–in a saucepan on medium head.  Let the sugar dissolve, then let the ginger steep for 45 minutes or so–low or no heat–and strain.  Keep in the fridge)

2 oz gin

3. The intense week.  This was my favorite.  Truly.  I had super meaningful breakfast, lunch, coffee, and dinner dates with dear people who challenge and inspire me; they remind me that I do this work because my deepest joy is listening to God with others.  As I told one of them, “If I didn’t have a job, if I wasn’t paid, for fun–I’d just make lunch dates with friends and hear about what God is doing in their lives.”