Wednesday, September 9, 2009

At the Waning of the Green Hour

my lovely absinthe, posing obligingly in the late-afternoon sunlight


From mindful repentance to sweet excess, in the space of a few words...

Yes I know she's just glorified herby grain alcohol, but indulge me anyway as I slip on my shoulder-length gloves, arrange my bustle, and settle myself onto the chaise; glass, spoon, and sugar cube arrayed on the low table before me...

I'll be back here at the waning of the green hour...

25 comments:

kylie said...

you might as well indulge while you still can!

the herb used is wormwood, not nearly so romantic, eh?

Leah said...

Oh, no, au contraire, the romance is in the wormwood!

That's what gives it the lovely taste and the color--

I'm hoping to make this bottle last six months, as I'm quite certain I couldn't justify purchasing absinthe under the new regimen!!

xo

Brian Miller said...

enjoy. smiles.

Anonymous said...

Six months? Well it does depend on how many relaxing moments you can find, yes? Enjoy!

The Mistress said...

Can you do The Hustle in your bustle?

Libertine said...

Enjoy, there's nothing better than that

nick said...

Not a pleasure I've ever sampled. Perhaps I'm missing something. I shouldn't think many women miss bustles though.

Hunter said...

Very nice. I believe that moderation is the key to avoiding a headache that lasts six months. Enjoy!

Tess Kincaid said...

WT just brough me back some absinthe from his last trip. Mmm.

The Unbearable Banishment said...

I don't know what that stuff is. It looks kind of scary. I've ingested hallucinogens when I was younger but I won't try that!

Karen ^..^ said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip into the past, and a wonderful indulgence for the present.

It must be hard to sit on a bustle...

I'm sure Severus would approve of such a libation.

savannah said...

i had no idea, sugar! next time i see an absinthe spoon, i am so sending it to YOU! xoxox

(yes, we're still painting! *sigh*)

Leah said...

Brian: I will indeed.

Subby: I guess it won't be such a hardship...the bottle will probably last me 6 years, in all honesty. There just aren't that many relaxing moments to be had...

MJ: I tried, but I fell over.

Libertine: I'm in complete agreement.

Nick: no, bustles must have been hard to manage. And they looked so very very silly!

Hunter: moderation and dilution, it's all in the dilution...

Willow: It's the accessories that intrigue me just as much as the actual drink!

UB: trust me, the absinthe is far less scary, and I've tried both now. I think the hallucinogenic properties were fiction.

Karen: I've convinced Sarge to try it. I'm already planning his outfit.

Savannah: oh no! you must be exhausted. And paint-y. Well, the payoff will be great!

I am always looking longingly at fancy absinthe spoons. I have a nice one, but there are some lovely ones out there!

underOvr (aka The U) said...

Hi Leah,

I've never tasted absinthe; I did enjoy the picture with its combination of shadows and light.

I'm curious by the scene you describe. Is it from an earlier time? It leads me to think that one can be wistful and distant from those things which revolve around life; if only for a moment.

U

e said...

As others have said, enjoy! It may last longer than you think!

Pat said...

I always associate absinthe with the Foreign Legion and I think the drink most like it is Pernod on which I have been drunk as a skunk. One of them was verboten by the French Government.
Don't you just adore Degas's 'The Absinthe Drinkers'?

Ronda Laveen said...

I have not tried Absinthe. But you make it seem such a lovely ritual and the photograph is stunningly inviting.

May I join you for a drink and some scintillating conversation?

Mike said...

I have Never heard of the stuff!

Candie said...

Oh great Absynthe,I never have the chance to taste it!And yes you put it right here!:)

mapstew said...

Monday through Saturday, I enjoy Miller by the neck.

But Sunday, well Sunday is Guinness day!


Absinthe, once, when one was young.

xxx

The Clever Pup said...

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.

I would love to try Absinthe. I believe that they are able to sell it again on our side of the pond because they leave the wormwood out - that's the hallucinogenic.

Leah said...

U: thank you for the compliment on my photo! I was happy with the light through the absinthe. It's an interesting drink, with all of its ritual. I recommend it highly.

e: I suspect it really will last quite awhile. It does need to be consumed in very small quantities...

Pat: that's sooo romantic! And yes, Pernod is really the same thing, without the wormwood. I love the Degas!

Ronda: I bet you'd love it! It gives one a tingly, dreamy feeling, different from other liquors. Please join me for a taste!

otin: it's really got a very interesting history and reputation, some of it rumor and fiction, but romantic nonetheless. In reality, it's extremely pleasant.

Candie: try it, it's an adventure!

map: your drinks of choice sound very refreshing right about now! So, what did you think of the absinthe? Do you remember? I'm curious.

Hazel: you should try it if you can! It was illegal for so long here, just recently legalized and most of the brands here do in fact have wormwood (as well as other herbs including hyssop and something I can't remember...) The wormwood gives it its anise flavor, as well as its color (the effects of chlorophyll). some of the brands use dye to get the crazy greenish color, but I made sure to find one that didn't use dye. It turns a lovely opaque when cold water is added--sort of like ouzo.

Merely Me said...

So you entice all of us to try this absinthe.
The authorities will be surrounding your home as you get these deliveries of open absinthe bottles that you have to sign for!
Oh, what a hoot...wonder if the light will be coming through in that photo?

PĂ©itseoga said...

mmmh... my last absynth experience wasn't all pleasant... 60% demands some respect...

muralimanohar said...

You know, dh had never heard of absinthe til the other day. I am convinced he has HEARD of it (actually, I know, thanks to Moulin Rouge), but he paid no attention to it.

Though, since neither of us has drank an alcoholic drink a day in our life, I'm not as shocked as I could be. But still. It' a big thing to miss. :p