Very Berry Sangria and a birthday

We had some friends over this past weekend, and I always take this as an opportunity to make a big pitcher of Sangria to sip & enjoy. Since it is the spring time and the berries are usually on sale at the grocery store this time of year, we made a very berry Sangria using four kinds of berries!  I wasn't head over heels for  this batch that I made, but then I remembered my mother's recipe where she uses blackberry brandy. Remember - drink responsibly!

Apologies for my lower quality IPhone picture

I also celebrated my 24th birthday yesterday! Which seems a bit meaningless in the scheme of birthday milestones, but I had a very nice day --- the husband made me pancakes for breakfast, had some physical therapy on my wrists, and a hike in the woods with our pup Sawyer (pictured below). 

The car gives him some funny hair do's

Mmm, pancakes

Home-Brewed Iced Tea

I am a northerner. My husband, on the other hand, is also a northerner but with a serious sweet tooth. He loves Southern sweet tea. I order unsweetened tea when we're out and add nothing to it. I tried to find a happy medium between our tastes (but he still complains it's not sweet enough). Nothing is quite refreshing as a cold glass of iced tea on a warm day in the spring or summer.
(Recipe makes 1 gallon)

What you need
10 tea bags
3 quarts water
+ 1 quart ice cold water
1-1/2 cups cane sugar
1 lemon sliced

What you do
1. Boil 3 quarts of water. Once boiling, remove from heat, place on hot pad, and allow tea bags to steep for 10 minutes
2. Once done steeping, remove tea bags and add sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then allow to sit and cool for another 10 minutes.
2. Fill 1 gallon pitcher with 1 quart total of ice cubes & water. Place lemon slices on top. Pour hot tea into pitcher and stir to combine.
3. Refrigerate for several hours before serving.