Are you all sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin this Friday's cocktail ... for Alison (you'll know who you are, cherub.)

A Watermelon Daiquiri

3 ounces (or more) white rum

juice of good-sized lime

1 tablespoon simple syrup

10 cubes (about 1 inch) frozen watermelon 

Whizz in blender and pour into marguerita glasses. Serves two, in theory, but I find that sort of thing depends on the heat of the day or the type of visitor one is expecting. Recipe from Nigella Lawson's Nigella Bites.

The sofa from the High Museum's Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection is Renaissance Revival and is attributed to John Jelliff (American, 1813-1893) whose firm was active in New Jersey from 1836 to 1890.