Happy Birthday Logan

Today is our good friend Logan Tom’s birthday. Yesterday when his wife Lynn and I went to the movies I asked if they could come to dinner tonight. Lynn’s initial reaction was no, since it was his birthday. Then Logan heard it was possible for him to eat my cooking on his birthday so that became his birthday wish.
I love to cook for Logan. There is no human more appreciative of a good home cooked meal than he. Describing him as a gourmand is not too strong a representation. Since I had been away from Russ so long he too was happy that I was going to cook an entire meal that he would get to enjoy with Lynn and Logan.
Despite his love of good food, there is no pressure in menu planning for Logan because he truly loves almost everything I make. This quality puts him at the top of my guest list, so I was thrilled to provide his birthday meal.
To differentiate tonight as a celebration from any regular dinner I made a special drink in honor of Logan. It was a blueberry basil ginger smash. The good thing about it is that it could be made as a cocktail or a virgin and be just as tasty.  
Blueberry Basil Ginger Smash
1 pint of blueberries- washed

4 T. Lime juice

2 lemons sliced thinly

1 inch of fresh ginger- grated 

20 fresh basil leaves- chiffonade (that means cut finley)
Vodka-optional or Rum or tequila 

Diet ginger ale
Put the blueberries and the whole lemon slices in a jar and mash them all up, other wise known as muddling. Add the other ingredients and chill for at least an hour so the flavors can marry.
In a glass filled halfway with crush ice, add a jigger of vodka, two big spoonfuls of the blueberry mixture and top it off with the diet ginger ale. Stir and enjoy.
You can live the vodka out and it is just as good!
Happy birthday Logan. You are always welcome at our table.