Thursday, August 29, 2013

Nine and a Half Finger Day!

August 29, 1992.

It was just a few days before my 9th birthday and instead of going with my mother for special time to get our nails done together, I opted to go with my father and brother and some family friends on the boat for day of swimming and boating.

I should have chosen door number 1 and then I would have ended the day with 10 pretty little fingernails, no doubt decorated in pink polish with glitter.

Instead, I ended the day with only nine and a half fingers.

Long story short, the tip of my left index finger was severed by the collapsible ladder that my finger was under while I was sitting on the edge of the boat. Because of the frigid temperature of the water and a good amount of shock, I didn't feel it happen but boy did I burst into tears when my brother screamed out to my father, "Dad!!! Sarah's bleeding and it's really bad!"

Trained as an EMT, my father was great and is the sole reason that my finger was able to be attached successfully. He wrapped my finger, put ice on it, held it above my head, and laughed gently when I sobbed and asked over and over, "Am I going to live?" He instructed the other adult on the boat to see if he could locate the tip of the finger and to put it on ice. My finger was found (score!) and put into a red solo cup filled with ice. To this day, I cannot help but think of my finger when I see one of these cups. I also wish I looked into the cup!





 
 
 

 


My father called ahead to the coast guard via radio and had an ambulance ready for as soon as we made it back to the dock. I remember the ride from the dock to the ambulance on the gurney and feeling so embarrassed as everyone was lining up to watch me. I remember being strapped into the ambulance on the right side so that I had to cross over my body with my right hand to hold onto my dad's hand. I remember my father telling the driver "over my dead body are you taking her to the [local] hospital" and nearly threatening him to take me to Mass General Hospital in Boston.  I remember the nurses about to cut off my bathing suit and me lying and saying it was my favorite one, when in reality I was embarrassed about being naked in front of people. I remember eating chocolate chip cookies from the vending machine while the doctor was stitching my finger back on. I remember the look on my mothers face when she finally heard the news and made it to hospital as I proudly (and probably slightly drugged up) exclaimed to her, "Dad is letting me eat cookies for dinner tonight!"

Despite the doctors wanting to fully amputate the remainder of my finger down to the joint, my father convinced them to attempt to re-attach it despite the 5% chance of a successful re-attachment. I was released from the hospital after hours of stitches and sutures with doctors appointments lined up for every single Friday for the next several months.

And so it went that I spent my entire fourth grade being driven to school because I was not allowed to go on the bus and sitting with my left arm propped up with multiple pillows. I did get to tell a killer story to everyone at school though and had a great topic for the obligatory "What I did over summer vacation" essay. Every Friday, instead of going to school, we would drive into Boston for a doctors appointment and go out to eat, where I would always get the same thing: cup of clam chowder and chocolate mousse for dessert.  At every appointment, they would unwrap the bandages, check the stitches, and wrap me back up while I looked to the top right corner of the room, stretching my neck so that I could look as far away as possible. I never once looked at my finger with all the stitches until after it was completely healed and the stitches were removed.

From a distance it's hard to even tell but upon a closer look, you can see how the tip of my finger is deformed and my nail grows in a curved-over manner. A chunk of the bone was crushed and/or severed and therefore, it is also slightly shorter than my other index finger. The feeling in my finger has mostly returned to normal. The funniest thing is that when it rains, half of my finger will turn white and when it snows, the entire finger turns white. The doctors did a wonderful job in re-attaching my finger and the main scar blends right into the first joint. I also have a "V" shaped scar from a re-construction surgery a few years later.

So, that is why my family refers to and celebrates this date as "nine and a half finger day"

And now, some pictures because after all this nine and a half finger talk, you probably want to see what it looks like!


Clearly I need to remove the chipped nail polish

Under side of my finger.
Do you see the "V" scar?


Side view


Comparison
 
 

Question for you:
Do you have any scars from an injury or surgery?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Ten Things Tuesday

Just wanted to do a quick update since my last post from earlier today.  In our meeting today (which was so great to really get to know some of the other SLP's in the district), we were able to easily and collectively (and so diplomatically) work out our placements. I am very very happy with my school placement and even happier when I went over to the building today to see it. I was able to quickly meet the principal (I got a great first impression) and the secretary who was incredibly sweet. As a teacher, there are two people that you always want to be on good terms with: the secretary and the custodian. They are the people who can make your life so much easier and in essence, know everything about the building. 


Moving on to Ten Things Tuesday. Sometimes life happens and I didn't even get a chance to sit down and write at all last week so this is a catch-up of the last two weeks 



1. Renew my teacher certification (it expires at the end of the month!)
2. Organize my therapy materials
3. Get my car inspected
4. Work out first thing when I wake up one time
5. Vacuum all the rugs
6. Wash and clean my car
7. Clean the bathroom (ugh)
8. Start looking at paint options for the hallway bathroom
9. Meal plan for the next three weeks
10. Grocery shop for the next three weeks




Wow-looking back, I got much more accomplished than I thought I did-granted I did have two weeks. I definitely did not do all those things in the first week. 



Until next Tuesday, here is what I what going on: 

1. Bring all my therapy materials to school
2. Organize my school office
3. Get my caseload, number of students, etc. and create my projected master list for my meeting next week
4. Ensure that my work email is set up and working properly
5. Do something active first thing in the morning at least two times.
6. Mail my transcript request form and check
7. Scan/email time sheets from past few weeks
8. Mail anniversary card for my parents
9. Make S'mores truffles and go food shopping for upcoming party (I'm turning 30 this weekend!)
10. Do a deep clean of the bathroom 


Well I am off to a friends house to watch So You Think You Can Dance! Its a weekly tradition with some of my girls and I look forward to the dancing and the girl time every single week.




Quick side note: Did you see the Travis Wall/Amy Yakima dance?


 HOLY SHIT! One of my favorite dances of all time.


Enjoy your night! Happy first week back to school for all teachers, parents, and students!

Typical Me and Friend Making Monday But Really It Is Tuesday

Typical me...day late and a dollar short. But, it's been a great start of the week. I recently started a position at a new school district and I am super excited about it. It is in an urban environment and I am really looking forward to joining a district in this type of environment. I tried working in a suburban environment for a little while and although there are perks to working in that type of environment, my heart really belongs to the urban environment. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year and I sincerely hope I have found my "forever school" where I will be until I retire. Now I just need to know what school I will be working in-seeing that school starts tomorrow! 
We had a district-wide orientation and welcoming this morning followed by a few hour break. This afternoon, I will be heading to the administration office with my other fellow SLP's (who I got to meet yesterday) and will find out my school assignment. 
With that being said, it's time for another edition of Friends Making Monday! (uhh, Tuesday. See-day late and a dollar short.)
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Questions and Answers
1.  What is a typical weekday like for you?  Loaded question. I am new to the school district so I am not quite sure what it will exactly look like but I am assuming it is something like this: Hour and a half -two hours before school starts: Wake up, press snooze, whine about it being early, finally get out of bed, get dressed, try on three different outfits before selecting something that I have worn a gazillion times, do hair-decide I don't like how it looks and throw it up in a ponytail, do makeup, eat breakfast, make coffee, pack lunch, drive to work, work until school gets out, drive home, and spend the rest of the evening doing stuff around the house and cooking dinner. 
2.  Name one song that never fails to make you happy and one song that you always listen to when you’re sad. Any song that is a "camp" song will automatically make me nostalgic and think of camp
3.  Did you watch the VMA’s last night? No, and after hearing all the Miley crap, I'm glad I didn't.
4.  Share at least two that you possess.Two skills I am assuming. I am pretty good at fine-motor things-like untangling necklaces and untying knots. And I can fold laundry well. Pathetic, but true. 
5.  Share one thing that you wish you had the confidence to do.  Enter a pole competition. I recently heard about these competitions and while I am no where near ready, I think it would be really fun to get into competing. After all, I was a competitive dancer while growing up and loved it. 
6. Tell us about one insecurity that people might be surprised that you have.  I am petrified about driving in Boston. All the one way streets and crazy drivers-it's so overwhelming! 
7.  If you could be the CEO of any company, which one would you choose to lead?  I wouldn't. want to be a CEO- I know nothing of business, let alone running a business. I wouldn't want all that responsibility. 
8. List at least three hobbies that make you happy. Puzzles, dancing, and baking. 
Latest update in the 2000 piece puzzle. This one is taking me forever!
9.  Is there someone in your life that you wish you could say “I love you” to?  Ummm, not really. Well yes, but I am choosing to keep that private. 
10.  Share one cool thing that happened over the weekend.  I signed up for a ten class commitment at a new pole studio and Ryan is almost done building out my dance room! We bought floors yesterday and ordered a new piece to secure the pole into the ceiling. Check back soon for pictures of the final product! 

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions.  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday Tuesday, friends!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Pole Fitness and S'mores Truffles

Sunday mornings are usually one of my favorite times of the week.

Yesterday morning, I went to pole class at the same studio I went to with my friends last week. I ended up purchasing a punch card package (10 classes for $100 plus yesterdays class for free) as opposed to paying $25 for a drop-in. The studio is so much closer to my house (and new job!) than the last studio I went to. I'm hoping with the purchase of the punch card, I will start to go regularly again. And since Ryan has been working feverishly on the garage-turned-pol-dance-room, I will have
 
a place to practice and workout at home.

Seriously, pole dancing is one tough workout but I absolutely love it.  Growing up as a dancer, I find any type of exercise that involves movement and music to be fun.

Side note: There is a pole competition in a few weeks that a bunch of the instructors from the pole studio are competing at and I am so excited to go and watch! I know I just restarted pole dancing but there is a big part of me that would love to get into competing (someday, not anytime soon)



Okay, without any further ado, I present to you the easiest (although slightly messy to make) dessert that I briefly teased you with at yesterday's post:

SMORES TRUFFLES


They are to die for. And, since I don't do anything complicated in the kitchen, they can be filed under the category of pathetically easy to make (just like my homemade ravioli). I made these as an upgrade to the Oreo truffles that have been floating all over the pinterest land.

Can you count to four? Because that is the total number of ingredients you need:


-Cream filled chocolate sandwich cookies (AKA: Oreo's but for this, I used the $1.00 per package store brand)
-Package of cream cheese
-Melting chocolate
-S'mores Sprinkles (I bought the package at my local Michael's)


Ready for how easy this is:

1. Crush cookies.




2. Combine crushed cookies with block of cream cheese. I found that it was easiest to put on rubber gloves and mix it all together.  Make silly comment about how the mixture of the cookies and cream cheese looks like a pile of poop.




3. Form into meatball size balls by rolling around a small amount of the mixture in your hands. Continue until all the mixture has been formed into balls.



4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or so. This makes it easier for the next few steps.



5.  Melt chocolate according to package directions.

6. Dip chilled balls into melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with S'mores sprinkles. Place gently onto wax paper until hardened



These are best stored in the fridge until ready to consume

Tips:
1. Find a method that works for you in terms of dipping the balls into the chocolate. Items that may be helpful include, but are not limited to, toothpicks, forks, skewers, spoons. Make it work for you!
2. They are REALLY good if they are stored in the freezer and then eaten as a frozen treat.


Question for you:
1. Do you like S'mores?
2. Would you or have you ever tried pole dancing? What are your thoughts?

Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Life Can Get Busy Sometimes.

Yes, it has been well over a week and a half since I last posted. Life gets so busy and things come up-it really makes me wonder how some bloggers manage to post multiple times per day!


Recap of what has been going on here lately:

-We got a new couch for our living room and it is beyond super comfortable. Ryan and I even slept on our couch the night we got it

Ignore the awkward coffee table-we have since moved it to the basement
-I made the most amazing dessert last week: S'mores truffles (recipe to come very very soon)

Yuuuuum. 
-I started a new job and I have a really good feeling about it. We had a new hire orientation last Wednesday and Thursday-it was so nice to be able to connect with some of the new teachers before school actually begins. We had a two hour break on Thursday and a few of us went out to lunch together. In the past, I have veered away from becoming friendly with co-workers outside of the building so one of my 101 in 1001 goals was to go out for a social outing with people from work. Check that one off the list! (and add $5.00 to savings account!) Next Monday, I will finally meet with the other speech pathologists in the district and Tuesday will be our school orientation. I don't know what school I will be working at yet, but I am excited to find out!

-My birthday is coming up and Ryan has been amazing. He is building out a part of the garage for a dance space for me for my birthday. Everyday after work, he has come home and worked on the area-from cleaning the walls, painting the walls, cleaning the pipes, painting the ceiling, installing new recessed lights. He is non-stop. On my actual birthday, we are going to install the floors and put up the pole and I will have my very own dance space!
Beginning stages of garage renovation. 

- Sometime last week, I convinced a bunch of my friends to come to a pole class with me. It was the first time I had been in a while and it was like riding a bike. We had a lot of fun and I plan to get a punch card for a series of ten classes.

-Unfortunately, Ryan's grandfather passed away last week. He was 93 years old and truly the most selfless, caring, gregarious individual. While his passing was expected, it still sucks nonetheless. Instead of going to the wake and funeral, I stayed back to watch some of the younger kids who were too young to attend. After two full days of three kids under three years old, I have a new found respect for stay at home parents!

-After I went to day one of orientation, I met up with my parents and sister to have dinner and see Wicked in Boston. The show was phenomenal and I couldn't get over how funny it was. Every time I see a show, it makes me wish I could sing.

I can;t believe summer is winding down already. As the school year begins next week, I am looking forward to an exciting new school year in a new school district as well as turning 30!

I am off to take a pole class (as soon as I start going more regularly, I will post just about that).

Check back again soon for how to make the S'mores Truffles!

Question for you:
What do you get excited about as the summer begins to wind down and fall begins?
What was something you have done in the past few weeks that is worth sharing?



Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Ten Things Tuesday

Popping in really quickly. I'm making it a point to disconnect for the rest of the evening -Facebook, candy crush, and all.

 As I was on my way and zoning out to Gone With the Wind on audio-book, I started thinking about the "things" I have to do and when they need to be done by. Ya know, the stupid-responsible-adult things that make me realize I am absolutely not a kid anymore. ((Side note: I just had a 'holy shit-I'm-turning-30-in-a-few-weeks-when-the-hell-did-I-grow-up" moment))

Anyways, since I am a "list" person, I am starting a series (mainly for myself, but please feel free to join along with your own list) of ten things on my to do list that I will make time for between now and next Tuesday.

And so I bring to you, Ten Things Tuesday. Cue dramatic trumpets.

By next Tuesday, I need to...
1. Renew my teacher certification (it expires at the end of the month!)
2. Organize my therapy materials
3. Get my car inspected
4. Work out first thing when I wake up one time
5. Vacuum all the rugs
6. Wash and clean my car
7. Clean the bathroom (ugh)
8. Start looking at paint options for the hallway bathroom
9. Meal plan for the next three weeks
10. Grocery shop for the next three weeks

Perfect timing! Ryan just got home and I'm off to cook  throw something to together and call it dinner.

Enjoy your night!

Happy Tuesday! 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Friends Making Monday-Have You Ever

Happy Monday! What's been going on in your neck of the woods?

This is the extent to what I have been doing.
I don't have much of anything that is interesting (yet..wait a few days, I will have something fun to post then!)
In the meantime, it's time for another edition of FMM. 
((If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!))- Kenlie
Have You Ever?

1. Jumped out of an airplane? YES! Twice! The most exhilarating thing I have ever done. The first time I felt a euphoric high for at least a week. I went with a group of guy friends a few months a few weeks before I had my hip reconstructed and a few months before I moved for Grad School. 
First time -May 2007
L-R: Brian, Dave, Tim, Alex, Me, Ed
The first of the foot picture
Post jump
It is impossible to take a decent looking picture as you are hanging out of an airplane. 

The second time was two years after our first jump. Most of the original jumpers were there. I took Ryan as a present for our first anniversary. 




The second timers. May 2009

May 2009.


May 2009. I wore the same sneakers to both 


2. Lived alone?  Yes. I lived with roommates in college and for a little while after college, but then I got my first "real" apartment and lived alone there. I LOVED IT! 
3. Met a celebrity? Bobbie Brown and Whitney Houston. They came to my dance recital for a few years. No big deal. And this was during the mid-1990's, just a few years into the height of her career. 
4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying? Can't really think of anything off the top of my head but I don't doubt that I have done that
5. Had a manicure/pedicure? Yep. I actually spoiled myself and got a pedicure over the weekend. I don't get them regularly but every now and then, I will treat myself to a pedicure. 
6.  Gotten a hickey? No comment
7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat?  Hmmm. We had a parrot named Ruffles when I was really young. I don't remember too much about him other than when my father would walk into the room wearing his uniform, Ruffles would say "Go ahead. Make my day," and then proceed to fall off the perch and pretend he was dead. 
8. Been outside of your home country?  Yes. I've traveled to Israel when I was 15 with my camp, 
1999-Dead Sea in Israel

Paris with my high school (when my mother decided to be a "chaperon" so we could go to Paris together), Aruba a couple of times with my family, Puerto Rico, Florence, Italy to visit my sister...

April 2010. Noses at Trevi Fountain, Rome

And most recently, Mexico with Ryan


August 2012. Carmen del Playa, Mexico
9. Kissed your best friend? Nope
10. Eaten food that fell on the floor?  5 second rule. 
11. Met someone online? No
12. Been on TV? Yes! Ryan and I went to a wedding last year that was feature on TLC's 4 weddings. When watching it back, we were able to catch glimpses of ourselves on T.V. and Ryan had a really funny moment when they featured his "Anyone have any water balloons?" comment after they released wish lanterns and one got caught in a tree. 

13. Had braces?  Twice. I had the regular silver braces in middle school while I was waiting for teeth to grow in. Then, a few years later, I had the pleasure of having braces while I was a junior and senior in high school. I was an orthodontic nightmare and I'm pretty sure that my parents ultimately paid for my orthodontists summer home after all the work I had done. 
14. Gone skinny dipping? I legitimately cannot remember
15. Been to the opera? Can't say that I have
16. Been caught making out by a policeman?  Not that I can remember
17. Sung in public? I have no shame in singing but I have the worlds worst voice. My favorite singing story is from a few years ago when Ryan and I were still in the beginning of our relationship and everything we did was hilarious and fun. We were at his house and started singing-like, belting out songs at the top of our lungs... "Baby Got Back," "Ice Ice Baby," Disney songs, and you name it-we sang it. Or shouted it at the top of our lungs as loud as possible for a decent period of time. A little while later, Ryan's roommate comes home, knocks on the door and says to us, "Hey, I just pulled into the driveway and could hear you guys singing. So can the entire street. In fact, the neighbors across the street set out some lawn chairs and grabbed a few beers. They're just sitting there, enjoying the free concert and laughing their asses off at you guys".  
18. Handed out candy on Halloween? Yes, I love doing that. I'm hoping we get trick-or-treaters in our new neighborhood this year. 
19. Been snowed in? Yes. Being from the Boston area, we get snow a lot. I love being snowed in and losing power.  
20. Fallen in front of other people? Don't think so
21. Cheated on a test? Yes. No further comment
22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone? No. 
23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn't have your wallet? I realized mid-meal that I didn't have my wallet and called Ryan to bring it to me. 
24. Shot a gun? Yep. My camp offered riflery as an elective and it was always one one of my favorite activities. I actually want to go to a shooting range with my father soon. 
25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you? Nothing comes to mind. 

Now its your turn! Ansdwer this week's questions and come back here to link up in the comments. 
Happy Monday-enjoy your week
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back here and link up in the comments! Happy Monday, friends!


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

How To Make The Perfect Iced Coffee At Home and Things I'm Loving Lately


After not buying coffee for over a month, I keep finding it easier and easier to just not buy a coffee. By this time in the summer, I would have easily purchased an iced coffee to go multiple times a week.

The problem of making iced coffee at home, at least I have found, is that it is just too inconvenient. I never think to start it the night before so it can sit in the fridge overnight to get cold. If I tried to make it by pouring the hot coffee over ice, it would become water-y and a weird, lukewarm temperature. When I want my iced coffee, I want it now! And I don't want it to be all water-y either.

So, I found the perfect way to make an iced coffee so it is ready to go in as much time as it takes to make a cup of hot coffee.

The solution to making an iced coffee for you that doesn't require refrigeration time:  A MARTINI SHAKER! Genius! (Thanks Ryan for thinking of it!)

How to:
1. Make coffee as you usually do-just a tad bit stronger. I used our new french press (love it!)
2. Pour ice into the martini shaker and add your hot coffee.
3. Shake. The martini shaker instantly makes the coffee cold so you don't have to wait for it to chill sitting in the fridge.
4. Pour into a to-go cup and leave the house.

Yay! Iced coffee when you want it and the way you want. Love it!


Other things I'm loving lately:

1. This post! How cute!!! I had a 300 pound English Mastiff when I was growing up and I am trying really hard to convince Ryan that our next dog should be a French Mastiff. I LOOOOOOVE really big dogs and these guys are no exception
photo credit
Wouldn't these little guys be a perfect addition in our home??

2. This pairing of cheese and crackers. MMmmm delicious.



3. The show, Extreme Weight Loss

4. My new french press.



Questions for you:
1. What are you loving lately?
2. Do you like really big dogs? 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Beer Tastings and Girls Night



The teenager was not around so Ryan and I had all of Saturday to ourselves and we took full advantage of it! We both agreed that we didn't want to do "house stuff", especially after all the painting and yard work from the past few weeks after dropping the teenager where he needed to be, we came home and celebrated  embraced the moment. At 11:00 in the morning. No judging allowed. 




This bottle of whiskey was my grandfathers and has aged for well over 50 years.  There is not much left in the bottle so its tiny sips only and for rare occasions. I'm not a whiskey drinker but even I can appreciate how smooth this one tastes. 

While we were getting ready for the day and still debating about what to do, Ryan had a complete girl moment and proclaimed that he had nothing to wear despite looking at a closet full of clothes. We made a stop at the outlets near our house to see if we could find something for him before we headed out to Doherty's in Pawtucket, RI for an impromptu Saturday lunch date. 

Aaaah, Doherty's. Best decision we made. We thought about going to a Jack's Abbey Brewing for a tour and tasting but the times available weren't really working into our schedules. 

In addition to their lunch and dinner options on the menu, they boast a selection of 84 beers on draft. I ordered a flight of six different 5oz. samples. 

P.S. First time using instagram and PicMonkey. I feel so technologically advanced! 

Starting from the top left and working clockwise: Chocolate Covered Raspberry, Southern Tier Plum Noir, Atwater Summertime, Sierra Nevada Ovila Saison, Weyerbacher Merry Monks, and Angie-er Pumpkin.

My thoughts (and a few of Ryan's).....

#1. The Chocolate Covered Raspberry was made up of Lindeman's Framboise and Young's Double Chocolate.
                  

I have had this combination before and still loved it. I think the 5 oz sample size is perfect amount. It reminds me of a very decadent dessert but Ryan still isn't a huge fan.

My verdict: Delicious but best saved for sample sizes only.
Ryan's verdict: Not for him.

#2. Southern Tier Plum Noir:  This is an imperial porter brewed with Italian plums and is quite strong at 8% ABV. I typically prefer porters, especially in the fall and winter months, so that's how I ended up choosing this beer.
Photo credit 

Ryan and both commented how we could taste the hints of plum.  It reminded me a lot of a dry red wine and my first thought was that this would be a good beer to try for wine drinker. 

My verdict: I would get this again, especially in the Fall or Winter
Ryan's verdict: "I like it." 

#3. Atwater Summer Time Ale: The Summer Time Ale has a 5.0% ABV. It is described as "a study in refreshing crispiness. Vienna malt brings a distinct snap to the finish with dark wheat flavors lightly present. The hot wort is briefly exposed to ground lemon peel and grains of paradise which provide a tidy lemon citrus finish."
Photo credit

This was my least favorite of the bunch. It just didn't do anything for me. While Ryan described it as "drinkable", I agreed and felt it was nothing memorable. Not bad, just nothing worth writing home about.   

My verdict: It wasn't bad at all-I  just wouldn't bother with this again
Ryan's verdict: "Drinkable" 

#4. Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Saison With Mandarin Oranges and Peppercorns: A strong brew with a 7.0% ABV, this is described as a "unique farmhouse ale" and is "incredibly complex with notes of lemon, pepper, straw, and herbs balanced by the tang of Mandarin oranges and a spicy kick of pepper"


Photo Credit

I'll admit that the name and description is what peaked my interest on this one. I found it very hoppy and bitter and almost too hard to drink. (I also don't care for hoppy beers). Ryan liked it a lot though and finished it for me. I wouldn't order this again but I am sure that IPA drinkers who enjoy the bitter hoppy flavors would appreciate this one.

My verdict: Not for me

#5 Weyerbacher Merry Monks:  Merry Monks is a traditional Belgian-style Tripel. Described as having "complex flavor packed with notes of spice, banana, and pear", this clocks in at 9.3% ABV.

Photo Credit

This was Ryan's selection when I asked him to choose a beer for me. He didn't think I was going to like it at all but I actually enjoyed this for what it is. It isn't really my preferred style of beer but it was delicious and I would recommend it to someone who enjoys Belgian styles.

My verdict: I wouldn't be opposed to drinking this again


#6. Angrier-er Pumpkin: Combination of Angry Orchid Crisp Apple and Heavy Seas Pumpkin Ale.


                                      Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
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I was skeptical of this combination at first, but since I have been on such a cider kick this summer, I figured it was worth trying. It absolutely was. It turned out to be my favorite of the six.  I even re-created my own variation later that night using Angry Orchid Crisp Apple and Harpoon's UFO Pumpkin

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After our lunch date was over, we came home, napped (I may have been a tad bit tipsy), and then went on our separate ways. Ryan went out to one of his friends' birthday's while I went to my friend, Leah's, house for a girls night, complete with delicious food and drinks, sweatpants and comfy clothes, inappropriate jokes, and so much laughter my stomach muscles were sore the next day. I cannot possibly say enough or even have the right words to express how much I love my girls. I think it is so important for girls to have their group of girlfriends that will grow with them for life. I truly have some of the best!



Question for you:
What is your favorite beer?
Tell me about your favorite part of the weekend!