Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts

Monday, October 14, 2013

Friends Making Monday: All About The Blog

I have today "off" and while I am not at school, I am working today. 

How was your weekend? Do you have today off?

Friday afternoon, I went to an open pole class and worked on some tricks. I really like the open atmosphere of the open pole classes. They're very laid back. 

 On Saturday, Ryan and the teenager went to his cousins' for the day so I spent some time at my parents' house before heading up to my best friend's house (an hour and a half away) to spend the night. One of my camp friends was in town and I haven't seen her in nearly three years so it was so much fun to be able to see each other. 


camp friends are best friends



Yesterday, we went out for breakfast and then the girls did a little shopping before I headed back home where Ryan and I enjoyed a night with a few beers (mmmm Smoked Porter and Mean Old Tom) and Chinese food delivery in front of the fire. 

We watched the first episode of American Horror Story (did anyone else see it? Yikes!!!!) and attempted to watch a movie called 42 about Jackie Robinson but we both fell asleep pretty quickly. It was good so I'm looking forward to watching the rest of it. Unfortunately, i ALWAYS fall asleep during movies.

I am going to get back to my work but before I do, this post is brought to you, as always, with Friends Making Monday's. 

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!


All about the Blog
1.  How long have you been blogging?  About five months or so.....so not very long at all. 
2.  What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? I first started as a way to document the changes we made as we renovated and redecorated our house but it seems as if it is becoming more of a daily life/my on going to-do list sort of theme. Whatever. it works for me. 
3.  Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging?  No....not yet at least.  
4.  What do you enjoy most about blogging?  I really enjoy documenting and putting my every day happenings into words and then seeing them come intro fruition.  I like that I started my ten-things-Tuesday series and my 101 in 1001 list (It once again solidifies that I thrive on lists and having set goals to accomplish). And I cannot neglect the satisfaction that comes when someone comments on the blog. It was such a highlight of my "blogging career" (ha!) when another blogger 
5.  How often do you blog? Over the summer, I had more time and was able to blog a few times per week. Lately, it feels like I can get out a post on Monday (For FMM) and Tuesday's for Ten Things Tuesday. I have a bunch of draft posts that are constantly in the works but since I am so NOT technologically savvy, it sometimes takes me a long time to deal with pictures and formatting, etc. I just bought a keyboard for the iPad so since I won't be forced to stay in the computer room to work on a computer, I will be able to sit on the couch at night and type from the iPad. 
6.  Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. Nothing major comes to mind. I once got stressed that I wasn't able to post as frequently as some other bloggers but then I put it into perspective that those bloggers do this for a full time job, and my blogging is strictly hobby. I also don't like the spam comments!


7. Do you talk about your blog in everyday life?  Not at all. Very few people know that I do this and of those few people, not very many know the name of the blog or how to find it. I don't even really talk about it with Ryan. 
8.  What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging?  Another blogger has referenced a recipe of mine on her blog! (FYI-it was the homemade applesauce)
9.  Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog?  If so, name a few…I won't go into detail about the Teenager or anything related him. I won't talk too much about my family or the situations that happened. 
10.  If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish? I just want to be able to continue having this online scrapbooking for myself. 
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions!  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hello to someone new!  

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
photo credit   
       





photo credit   

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

photo credit

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!


Friday, August 2, 2013

Too old for pink pants?

First of all, thank you for letting me vent and sob uncontrollably the other day.
Every now and then, we all need one of those days and that's what I did. 

Moving on...

It's my favorite time of the day right now. Ryan has already gone off to work for the day and the teenager and his friend are still sleeping (and probably will be for a while). I'm leisurely sipping on my coffee while reading up on blogs and listening to the pitter patter of the gentle rain outside. Mulder is curled up at my feet and I have no where to be today. Aaaah, relish in the happy place for a minute..


 Few things for Friday, and then I am disconnecting from the internet world for the rest of the day. 


1. I borrowed the Gone With The Wind audio books from the library yesterday to listen while I was driving. So far, I am finding it a little boring. I can usually get into audio books pretty quickly but I think I probably need to give this more time. I was only allowed to take out the first half of the audio books at this time and it is 41 CD's long! 

2. I thought about taking Mulder for a walk on the trails behind our house but it started to rain. Rain=muddy paws. 

3. I should mention this-it's one of the reasons why I love Ryan. When I stormed out of the house the other day, Ryan spent that time cleaning the house. I was gone for just under an hour and in that time, Ryan swept and steam cleaned the floors, hung up all the pictures and wall decorations from when I was painting, picked up all the dishes, cleaned the kitchen counter tops, and made the bed. He's pretty awesome like that. 

4. I had one of these last night: 

                           

Angry Orchard Hard Cider in Elderflower. I loved the light, crisp, floral taste. Ats 5% alcohol by volume, it is described as having "tropical notes from the Elderflower balanced by a fresh, bright, fruity flavor reminiscent of lychee, pears, and citrus." This has been one of my favorite drinks this summer. 

5. Tomorrow will make a full month without buying a coffee.

6. Its my birthday month! I really want to rent a bounce house for my birthday but Ryan isn't totally convinced. Hey, I'm turning 30. Bouncy-houses are totally appropriate, right? 

7. Girls night tomorrow night. Can't.freaking.wait. 

8. Ran into TJMaxx the other day to get a pair of sunglasses and walked out with a few extra items. 
Sunglasses + blackflats, leggings, pink pants, shirt. 

I really debated on the pink pants-they are very uncharacteristic of me but couldn't help myself. Is 30 to old to wear pink pants? I justified the leggings because they were only $5.99 and the black flats because I have been looking for MONTHS for a pair. The shirt was just too cute not to pass up-I love the elbow patches! 

That's all I got for today. Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

Question or you:
Whats your favorite summer drink?
Any exciting weekend plans?






Wednesday, June 19, 2013

100 Things About Me



       It has been a whirlwind of a week with the school year coming to an end and some things in my life that are left to the unknown. I haven't even had the chance to go food shopping this week, let alone cook a real dinner. I'm looking forward to this weekend -so far, no major plans: dinner with my parents on Saturday night and  I hope to start getting some after pictures of the house so I can start posting about them. I may go to Lowe's and start looking at paint colors for the other rooms in the house.

Anyways....
      I started working on my 101 in 1001 list and I can officially cross this off my list! 1 down, 100 more to go!
      I had been working on this list for a while, just gathering random thoughts. I seriously didn't anticipate being this difficult to come up with a 100 things about myself.



1. Pink is my favorite color-pink water bottle, pink cell phone case, ipad cover, key chains. I tried -unsuccessfully- to convince Ryan to let me paint the inside of the walk-in closet  hot pink.
2. Birds and fish freak me out.
3. I looooooooove dogs, especially really big dogs. (See #22)
4. I am a speech-language pathologist
5. I cannot resist chocolate
6. I spent my summers growing up at a Jewish overnight camp-I still consider it my favorite place to be. I went there as a camper for 7 years and 6 as a counselor.
7. My brother married a camp girl.
8. I pee a lot (sorry, TMI?)
9. Because I pee a lot, I wake up at least 2-3 times a night. I can't remember the last time I slept through the whole night.
10. I am the world's worst singer.
11. I can recite nearly every line in the show, Friends, and am pretty sure I could answer almost any trivia question about the show.
12. I know every word in Ice Ice Baby.
13. I prefer drinking out of a straw.
14. This all started in high school when I had those clear braces that turned yellow if you weren't extremely careful.
15. I moved to Florida from the Boston area for two years to attend grad school and didn't know a single person.
16. I name my dogs after TV show characters-First was Bauer (24), now I have Mulder (X-files). I really want my next dog to be named Mr. Feeny. ( I also want my next dog to be a French Mastiff but I have to convince Ryan-he is anti-slober; I'm not.)


Bauer


One of my favorite pictures of Bauer




Bauer

Sleeping Mulder




17. I am obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance.

18. I was also quite obsessed with 24, specifically Jack Bauer (hence #16.)
19. I always shave my left leg first and put my contacts in starting with the left eye.
20. But I always remove my right contact first.
21. I am a grammar nerd (except when I am blogging-I excuse myself from this because I just want to type fast.)
22. I grew up with a 300 pound English Mastiff. His name was Windsor and he was such a good dog.
Size difference or what.





23. My mother used to trick me into eating salmon when I was a kid by referring to it as "pink chicken."
24. I still have (and cuddle with) my stuffed animal. His name is Tim. I got him when I was a baby and recently got my newborn nephew his very own Tim.
Original Tim on the left, sans eyes, nose and mouth. Clean  Tim on the right

25. I keep a running list of the books that I have read since I was in college. I'm up to 130 right now.
26. I grew up dancing-it is still one of my favorite things to do. I cannot sit still when I hear music.
June 1987-My 1st dance recital

2001 Senior Dance Company
Tap
27. Unfortunately, my body was absolutely not meant for dancing. I have had my right hip completely reconstructed because of that.
38. I also broke my left ankle multiple times from dancing. The first time I broke my ankle, I walked on it for 10 days before going to the hospital.
39. My left index finger was cut off right before my 9th birthday.
40. That's why I celebrate 9 1/2 finger day each year.
41. I have the most handsome nephew in the whole world.


42. I have been skydiving-twice.

43. I have a bit of a daredevil side to me.
44. But I will never consider going bungee jumping -something about the possibility of whiplash terrifies me.
45. I am 4'11'' and a half. That half is extremely important to me.
46. I also have a bit a 90-year old woman side to me- I thoroughly enjoy puzzles, knitting, reading, etc.
47. I love folding laundry. I find it relaxing
48. The same way my mother finds vacuuming relaxing and my grandmother thinks ironing is relaxing.
49. I am still friends with my "girls" from high school. Our group has grown over the years, and I am beyond grateful for my friendship with them.
50. When Ryan and I went on our first date, I asked my friend to call me in the middle of the date to proclaim "something bad happened" as a get-away plan in case I needed it.
51. I ended up texting her in the middle of the date to abort the fake emergency call because I was going to marry Ryan.
52. I can't fall asleep without socks on my feet but I kick them off every single night. There are piles of socks gathered at the end of the bed when I change my sheets.
53.  I would prefer to be too cold over being too hot.
54. I love the beach-it is my favorite place to read a book but I don't really care for going in the ocean or getting all sandy.
55. I really dislike taking out the trash.
56. I recently starting drinking and really appreciating craft beer.
57.My favorite movie is "Adventures in Babysitting"-I used to quote the line "don't fuck with the babysitter" when I was a kid. (I still do).
58. And my all time favorite song is Mr. Big's, "To Be With You".
59. I can burp like a truck driver-on command.
60. When I was in college, I didn't know how to cook so I would have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches delivered to me.
61. I want to become fluent in sign-language.
62. My favorite place I have traveled to is Florence, Italy when I went to visit my sister who was studying abroad there.
63. I get weird satisfaction out of making and crossing things off of a to-do list.
64. I crack my knuckles and my hips frequently. When I crack my hips, I lift my leg up, like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant and then lean forward. People always think I am farting when I do this (I don't do this at work or in public.....often.)
65. Despite my insane love for all things chocolate, if I had to pick just one food to eat for the rest of my life it would be Quakers maple and brown sugar oatmeal.
66. At one point, I had 10 piercings (three on each ear, plus two in my left cartilage, my belly button, and my tongue.)
67. The tongue ring came out very shortly after my parents found out. (That didn't go over so well.)
68. I love Sudoku.
69. My favorite book is Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper.
70. I have horrible luck with computers-they tend to break when I am around.
71.  My first crushes were Johnny Castle (not Patrick Swayze) from Dirty Dancing and Jesse Katsopolis from Full House. ( I had/still have a thing for a good head of hair.)


72. I don't like biting into apples because my chin feels sticky the rest of the day.
73. I once met Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston when they came to my dance recital. Bobby Brown even signed my ballet shoe.
74. I can't whistle.
75. My favorite flowers are calla-lillies.
76. I still hold my nose when I swim.
77. I am an overly-cautious driver.
78. I sleep on the left side of the bed.
79. I could be very content sitting on the couch all day with a puzzle (nerd alert.)
80. My first concert was New Kids on the Block.
81. Growing up, my comfort food was chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn mixed up in a bowl.
82. My grandmother makes the greatest chocolate chip cookies-it took my nearly 26 years to get the recipe from her.
83. She also made me promise that I would never give the recipe away.
84. I tend to fall asleep when watching a movie.
85. Foods I dislike: popcorn, olives, pickles, cottage cheese, blueberries.
86.  I am anti-twitter.
87. If I have a bad day, or something horrible happened, all I want to do is take a nap. My mother started referring to these as my "denial naps."
88. I went to college in upstate New York and grad school in Florida. Complete opposites climates and atmospheres.
89. I've only been snowboarding a handful of times but I got the hang of it pretty quickly and I love it.
90. Except that I suck at getting off the ski lift and have to have someone push me off.
91. I hated skiing the one and only time I went.
92.  My earliest memories are of my mother putting my hair in pigtails and curling my hair with a curling iron. The other memory is going to visit my grandfather in the hospital and eating a package of M & M's (refer to #5)
93. I would love to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
94. I won't wear white pants/shorts/capri's.
95. I am good at memorizing vocabulary terms.
96. I enjoy cooking and baking, even though I am not that great at it.
97. If I could meet one person, it would be a tie between Travis Wall and Mia Michaels (See #17.)
98. My father and I both have a thing for old fashioned clocks. I love that we have very similar taste and styles when it comes to decorating, style, and design...old world, wood, brown leather, etc.
99. My mother and I have completely opposite taste. She is very modern, art-deco, contemporary.
100. Writing this list was a lot more difficult than I anticipated.



DONE! Now, I get to cross something off a list, put $5.00 in my savings account as part of my 101 in 1001 list, and feel accomplished for the day! Wahooo