Jordan Staal

I waited for the perfect moment to put this up.

Jordan and I have had a very intense relationship over the year.

It started when I began to watch hockey and became obsessed with the "playoff beard":

And then there was the 2009 Stanley Cup WIN, and the Pens Parade to follow.

Some more hockey games, etc.

It all culminated this past Tuesday when the Pens dominated the St. Louis Blues at Mellon Arena.. a game in which Jordan Staal was thrust against the glass numerous times right in front of me.

I took this as a sign that we will one day be married.

Now, some may argue that he is not a "Ginger." Pish posh, I say. He's a borderline, and that's Ginger enough for me.

XOXO J. Staal, my hockey love.

Until we meet again. Make that meet.

Ginger Ale

Here's a recipe I found for making your own at home. Haven't tried it yet, but how delectable!

INGREDIENTS

Ginger water
1 cup peeled, finely chopped ginger
2 cups water

Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Club soda
Lime juice
Lime wedges

METHOD

1 Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add ginger. Reduce heat to medium low and let ginger sit in the simmering water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Discard ginger pieces.

2 In a separate saucepan, make the Simple Syrup by dissolving 1 cup granulated sugar into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside.

3 Make individual (tall) glasses of ginger ale by mixing 1/2 cup of ginger water with 1/3 cup of Simple Syrup and 1/2 cup of club soda. Add a few drops of fresh lime juice and a lime wedge to each glass.

Makes four servings.

National Kick A Ginger Day

National Hug A Ginger Day

Wendy's Gone Ginger

Louis CK

Here he is.
You'll be seeing more of him, fo sho.