It’s Friday! Time for a rum drink to jump start your weekend, no?

We’ve been having pretty icky weather here in Oregon (duh, it’s Oregon), and in the wake of the massive storm on the East coast, I’ve had storms on the brain lately. What better to relieve the blahs of a stormy day than a Dark and Stormy, one of the finest and simplest of the rum cocktails?

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz dark rum (I prefer Cruzan Black Strap, Koloa, or Myer’s Dark)
• Ginger beer (either Cock and Bull or, my personal preference, Reed’s Premium Ginger Brew)
• Lime wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the ginger beer, leaving enough space for the rum. Pour in rum. Add a straw and garnish with the lime wedge. Note: I always squeeze the lime into my drink, I think it tastes great.

Andrea reported this from Ecuador around Christmas, and I haven’t had a chance to post it until now:

Complete success on Christmas in Pile. Maria and Simon were near tears over Carlos’ commissions; they are tired of their son working night shifts. Carmen could not even speak! She plans to buy a washing machine. She and her kids hugged each other, and all of them gave thanks for you. Patricia and Fausto send you their best wishes. Their lives wouldn’t be the same if you had not entered them. Everyone was happy with their gifts. I think it is important that they all feel like they belong to your group. I gave presents to your weavers at El Aromo.

Man, it’s really exciting to do good. Not just to follow rules. I could see sincere gratitude. I wish I could do the same things you do. They offered me a pig in gratitude, but it’s just enough joy to see their faces. Thanks Brent!

This is what drives my dad, and what makes all of this worthwhile. Reading this continues to bring a smile to my face!

If you haven’t seen Menswear Dog yet, go, go now. Tumblr is a silly thing, and this is a silly Tumblr, but it made me squeal with delight. A dapper dog donning daring duds? What’s not to love?