Barks, Bulldozers, and Booze: A Crown Apple Survival Story

They say “home is where the heart is,” but lately, my home has felt more like a construction zone sandwich—with a side of chaos and a desperate craving for a Crown Apple Cocktail (or two).

Picture this: two active job sites. One on the left. One on the right. Both fired up by 8 am with all the subtlety of a monster truck rally. Tractor engines roaring. Boulders dropping. Saws screaming. Hammers pounding like a death metal drum solo.

And in the middle of it all? Me, my laptop… and two highly dramatic Havanese dogs, (Costa, 8 years old, and Chloe, one year old)  who have appointed themselves the official (and very loud) neighborhood noise inspectors.

Every beep of a backup alarm? Bark. 

Every crash of lumber? Bark.

 Every imaginary threat? BARK BARK BARK.

And don’t get me talking about when they have to go to the potty. Chloe especially feels like she is the construction supervisor who has to go over to each worker, say hi, and give them a friendly little lick. 

It was like living in the middle of an episode of This Old House, directed by Michael Bay.

Now, let me be clear—I adore my neighbors on both sides. Seriously. They’re wonderful people, and I don’t blame them one bit for the chaos. 

They’re just trying to improve their homes, not drive me into the arms of Crown Apple (though, let’s be honest, this bottle and I got very well acquainted thanks to their renovations). 

If anything, I’m excited to see their finished projects… preferably from a quiet, dust-free distance with a fresh cocktail in hand.

Around noon recently, my sanity packed its bags and quietly slipped out the back door. Desperate times called for delicious measures. I wandered over to my home bar, opened the liquor cabinet, and there it was: a bottle of Crown Royal Apple practically winking at me.

“Relax,” it whispered. “I’ve got you.”

So I mixed up a quick Crown Apple & Cranberry cocktail—sweet, tart, and smoother than my dogs when they’re pretending to behave. I took a sip. Bliss.

And that’s when genius (or madness?) struck.

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What if I made this mess into a drinking game?

Rules were simple:
Every time the dogs barked at the construction chaos, take a sip.

Friends… I don’t recommend this game unless you’ve cleared your schedule for the rest of the day.

Because those dogs? They barked like their rent depended on it.

Bark. Sip. Bark. Sip. Barkbarkbarkbark. Chug.

By the time my husband walked through the door after work, I greeted him like a sloshed 1970s housewife—grinning ear to ear, cocktail glass in hand, probably swaying a little. (Picture Kitty Foreman from That 70’s Show).

“Rough day, babe?” he asked.

I pointed to the empty glass. “We’re renovating my patience.”

Cocktail Shaker

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The Accidental Cocktail of Sanity

*Pro tip: If you have noisy neighbors, active construction, or drama-prone dogs, maybe switch to the mocktail version after Round 2. Trust me on this one.

From Power Tools to Peaceful Vibes

Thankfully, the construction symphony is finally winding down. The hammers are slowing down, the tractors have retreated, and even Costa and Chloe seem less emotionally invested in every falling leaf. Peace is slowly being restored, one pup nap at a time.

And while I’m thrilled to have my sanity back, part of me will always remember that chaotic season for the great excuse to day drink with my pups.

Life Lesson? 

When life gives you construction… make cocktails. And maybe invest in noise-canceling headphones.

For more cocktail choices, visit www.nextcocktails.com and stir up something delicious!

Cocktail Recipe Journal

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(This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link I may financially benefit at no extra cost to you.)