50 Minutes to Spare?

I was first introduced to Tom Lehrer in college. I believe the song was "New Math," but he's more famous for his "Elements" song. Well, Ryan stumbled upon a full version of his performance in Copenhagen 1967. 

We just listened to the whole thing and laughed the whole way through it. It's pretty tongue in cheek for a bit of it but, nonetheless, funny. So, if you know anything about history, have a soft spot for science and math, and/or a want for a smile, check out this...

Fun Adventures to Ommegang Brewery

Ryan and I are really fortunate living where we do that we have a lot of things around us. This past Saturday we drove about an hour or so out to Cooperstown, New York. Baseball fans will know that's where the Hall of Fame is. Farmers might know it for the museum, or because their farm's out that way. Beer snobs nerds will know it for one of the bigger craft breweries in New York.

Brewery Ommegang is located on a back country road just outside the heart of the city. We got a late start going out there so as much as I wanted to stop and walk through all the adorable shops. we headed straight to the brewery. Next time, Ryan's gonna deal and I'm gonna walk around to my heart's content. And we're going to the Farmer's Museum because I'm going to pet a damn cow. There were live ones outside that you could just walk up to! Anyway...

The brewery was built in 1997 modeled after a Belgian farmhouse and it fits right in with the landscape. It's perfect. 

Thanks to a LivingSocial deal we were able to get a tasting in, a couple teeny, tiny glasses, and a Duvel shirt. for a steal. We even hopped on a tour. Duvel, a Belgian beer maker who put up a huge capital investment in the beginning, owns Ommegang now, after the family sold the remaining shares to the company. 

The tour was okay, learning about the different spices that go into Belgian beers. The history of the brewery was a little too short. We've been on enough tours, and Ryan's brewed enough, that we know how beer gets made and the different techniques of heating/cooling/storing. The fermenters are still pretty impressive. 

While the plant wasn't running, we did get to see the bottling/kegging lines. It's nice to see the different stages at some breweries. These guys still hand pack pallets with boxes of beer. Wouldn't that be cool to say you got jacked arms from beer?

The tasting room had six beers on tap Saturday: Witte, Hop House, Rare Vos, Hennepin, Abbey Ale, Three Philosophers. The store sells their really nice tap handles for the very reasonable price of $56.99 - guys slinging said taps are not included.

For tastings, beers are typically laid out lightest to darkest, or lowest alcohol content to highest. Like the good wife I am, I tried each and every one of them. Have I mentioned I'm NOT a beer person. Bleh. The first one, Witte, wasn't so bad. I was able to drink the two ounces by myself. The rest of them were gross and I relinquished them to my husband who dutifully drank them. 

The glasses are pretty much glorified souvenirs. They're so teeny! Adorable but impractical when it comes to drinking beer. We'll probably get a chuckle and use them if anyone asks for a small glass of beer.

The trip was definitely fun and I love hanging out with the hubbs - even if his driving makes me crazy. Ommegang was a little underwhelming but we'll be there again soon. If only for Modest Mouse on May 23rd.

May you dream of beer tonight. Or if you're not into that, dream of petting adorable cows! I will be. Dreaming of the cows I'll someday pet - not beer. Man, I sound like a creeper. 

New Tunes - Awolnation "All I Need"

I just realized it's been quite some time since I posted new music. I was almost out of commission for a bit because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen. Thankfully, I bend over and pay for insurance. I got a new "refurbished" version of my old phone. The buttons are finicky and not what I'm used to, but there's only 11 months until I can get the newer version. I will be counting down until that day. 

You may have heard of Awolnation when they took the radio by storm with "Sail." Their newest album, Megalithic Symphony, has some pretty great songs including "Kill Your Heroes" and today's song, "All I Need." I hope these guys come to my area on tour. Until then I'll keep their album on repeat.

And as a special treat, I made a couple printables. I'm going to get these printed by one of the big box stores so they'll look nice. I have just the spot to put them.

All I Need is You Smiling

All I Need is Life, Love

These printables were formatted to fit a 5" x 7" piece of paper. I used the following fonts on each one: CarnevaleeFreakshow.  LTChickenhawk. I used textures from this pack: GrungeRemodelingTextures.

Books in Review - The Real Series

If you like broken heros and ones that dabble in MMA/boxing/fighting, this should be a contender for your next read. The series is written by Katy Evans and starts off with Real . 

Sports rehabilitation specialist, Brooke Dumas, sees the guy of her dreams. Fighting in the ring of the nation's Underground, Remington Tate is a beast of a man. Drawn to her (or perhaps by her loud best friend), Remy wins fight after fight pointing at Brooke during each one. Seeking her out after his tenth and final opponent, Remy demands her name. After his second night of fighting he offers her the job of a lifetime, working as his rehab specialist. Taking the job, Brooke embarks on a country wide tour as Remy fights his way back to the championship.

Weeks of playing with fire have Brooke and Remy fighting to stay sane. But after Brooke delivers an ultimatum of make love to me or sleep alone, Remy backs off. He wants Brooke to know the REAL him, not what everyone else sees in the ring. Brooke learns about black Remy, a character whose gets speedy and often has to be subdued chemically. 

After realizing that Brooke's sister Nora is under the drug induced spell of his most formidable opponent, Remy strikes a deal that has Brooke walking away from him. Delivering a healthy Nora back to Brooke is his main goal, even if it might just cost him the girl he loves. 

Real ends with a love more together than ever and a whole lot of lust.

In Mine, Remy charges his way back into the Underground easily decimating anyone fighter brave enough to step into the ring. In the best shape of his life, Remy dominates. With Brooke by his side, he's invincible. Until, Brooke learns about what happened when she left him. Distraught and unsure of how to move forward, Brooke wants a moment for herself while Remy tries to destroy any distance between them.

Finally reconnecting, Remy's opponent the Scorpian sends Brooke a message that Remy answers loud and clear. Suddenly facing an unforeseen obstacle, Brooke is sent home to rest for two months while Remy goes back on tour. Joining him after being apart for that time, the two are stronger than ever. 

When back in Austin, Remy's parents visit which leads him to spiral down into black. Weeks go by and he's still there, in black. A trip to the hospital, a revelation from his team, along with Brooke's love and support bring him back into blue moments before his long-awaited rematch with the Scorpian. 

The second ends pretty nicely with Brooke and Remy finally tying the knot surrounded by the team and family he's built.

Remy, the third and final book in the Brooke/Remy storyline, paints the first two books as Remy saw it happen intermingled with the present day, four or so months after the championship. It's sweet to see what went on in his head while Brooke gave us a broader picture.

I'm completely smitten by the books. They're a little bit pricey but definite worth the SPLURGE. There are at least two more books coming out in the series. I look forward to reading Rogue, which comes out in July.

Books in Review - Dangerous to Know and Love

I've been looking through all the books I own to see if there are any worth re-reading because I'm almost positive I'm going to get in trouble if I keep buying books at the rate I do. Luckily I remembered about this little gem I read last year. The book's called Dangerous to Know and Love by Jane Harvey-Berrick. 

The book starts with freshman Lisanne Maclaine, settling into college life, away from home for the first time. Daniel Colton, the brooding freshman on campus, throws "stay away" vibes left and right. Paired together for a class project Daniel and Lisanne study in the library one day when Lisanne guesses his biggest secret. Determined for it to stay that way, Daniel has to trust Lisanne to keep it.

Building a relationship despite wild pasts, wilder brothers, and protective parents, Daniel and Lisanne move through their first semester at college. Lisanne's decision to study and perform music plays a pivotal role Daniel's decision to change, who has reluctantly accepted his life. 

The repeated phrase, "I hear you," is beautifully sewn into the story. I like that the story builds and they fall into this new budding relationship but work to overcome obstacles. I love the book and I would recommend it, hands down. Definitely SPLURGE ON IT.

Books in Review - Unbelonging and Rebelonging

I can't even begin to say how much I liked these books. I LOVED 'em. Earlier this week, I had an insomnia attack where I literally could not fall asleep and stayed up until 6:00am when I finally passed out. To get the clock to fly, I finished Unbelonging, which I had started earlier that day, and then proceeded to download and devour Rebelonging.

Written by Sabrina Stark, the books cover the story of Chloe and Lawton, a recent accounting grad and an underground fighter. Chloe's house-sitting/plant-sitting/dog-sitting in an upscale Detroit suburb and working at a deadend waitressing job with an idiotic manager while trying to find a job based on her degree. One day she walks right into Lawton, who's a new resident of the neighborhood and oh yea, billionaire. Side note: why are the girls always poor and the men get richer and richer? Anyway, the story builds and it's not like wham, bam, they're in a relationship. It seems to develop, at least I think.

Life, bitchy girls, and evil step moms make the story interesting. The story doesn't focus on Lawton's fighting so much like other books may. It's really about Chloe and how she progresses through supporting herself, little brother, and crazy grandmother. With misunderstandings and support characters a plenty, these books will have you occupied and enthralled for hours. I may even read them again. In fact, I know I will.

Needless to say, these books I'd definitely SPLURGE ON IT. When Illegal Fortunes, Bishop's story, hits Amazon, I'll be buying that one too. 

She's Crafty - Ring Box

Earlier this week I posted a blog about emptying my jewelry stand and putting it onto a board hanging on my bedroom wall. Well, that covered necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, but a girl has rings right? To go with my awesome new jewelry board, I made a ring box for all those rings I have floating around. I think it looks pretty damn awesome, a definite HIT. I'm really glad I worked on these two projects. It's the little things that just make me feel like this apartment is a little bit more like home. 

I used a gift box, seat cushion foam, and scrap material from my old bedskirt to make this, along with an exacto knife, scissors, ruler, and some glue. 

Here's how I did it:

Step 1. Cut the foam to fit your box or container. I used the scissors to get the desired size. I fit it to the exact dimensions (not leaving any room for the cloth) of the box.

Step 2. Score the foam almost to the bottom of the piece. I used the ruler to keep my cuts straight. Each cut was about 3/4" apart.

Step 3. This was the hardest step for me. I cut a piece of cloth about four inches wider than the foam and six inches longer. In hindsight I would give it more room to save myself from redoing it five times. Lay the cloth about an inch over the side of the foam. Working away from the edge, separate the foam on your cut lines and work the cloth in. The ruler is really helpful in doing this. Holding your newly stuffed cloth, work your way to the end of your foam. 

Step 4. Layer some glue in the bottom of your box and carefully put your foam in. Use your ruler to shove excessive cloth down on the sides. 

Step 5. Find a small book to fit in between the foam and the top of your container. Then grab the largest books you can find and pile them on. You want to make sure you have a great seal with the glue. Luckily, I have some personal taxation and fraud examination books laying around from college. I knew they'd come in handy again!

Step 6. Let dry for the prescribed amount of time - I left mine for six hours. Then, load it up! I love the way it came out and I'm happy to display my rings in it.

I had a lot of these things on hand, so it didn't cost much. Just the price of the foam which, from Walmart, was just $6.98. I still have plenty left over for other future projects. I might even make more of these and give them out at presents!

Books in Review: Chasing Wishes

Chasing Wishes is written by Nadia Simonenko and tells the story of Nina and Isaac. Or do I say Irene and Terrence?

The young couple is brought together in a prep school where Nina earned her way in through hard work and exemplary testing scores. From the wrong side of the tracks, Nina struggles to adjust in her new school with classmates and teachers who are less than welcoming. Isaac, feeling for her, gives her a desperately needed ally.

One day after wishing on stars, Nina's taken away from her mother and placed in a foster home with a new name, one filled with new possibilities. Fast forward nine years and we find Irene working in a cafeteria looking for work as a voice actor, reading to kids at the local library. While reading to them, a man who remarkably looks like Isaac walks in. But Terrence, having been blind for five years now, is unable to recognize her. He just knows her laugh reminds him of Nina.

One too many close calls with an over zealous supervisor, has Irene leaving her cafe job but not before Terrence recognizes her and offers her the position as his personal assistant. With nothing to lose, Irene moves into Terrence's mansion helping him navigate it and the dark world that surrounds him. Wishes and dreams come true as the book delivers a happily ever after, with each realizing they're Nina and Isaac after all.

I liked the book enough. I skimmed some of it because I wanted to get to the good stuff and there was some filler. It makes me intrigued enough to buy another Simonenko book, though. I'd say, DON'T PAY FULL PRICE.

Have you read anything by this author? What do you think?

She's Crafty - Jewelry Board Frame

In my peruse of pinterest, I've stumbled upon a few different pins about putting your jewelry on display like this one and this one. Since then, I haven't been able to get the idea out of my head. To be able to see all my jewelry! Then I wouldn't be stuck with wearing the same pieces day after day. I would be able to check out my choices. Daily. I was bouncing with joy as I started this project. A month ago...

I already had some of the supplies I needed. Small frame for earring holder? Check. Paint? Check. Pegboard, big frame, pegs, chicken wire? UNCHECK. It also took me a few days to convince the hubbs that these were necessary items for my latest crafting idea. Somehow, he just doesn't see the pictures in my head. Weird, right? I bought the pegboard and hardware cloth at Home Depot, pegs from Walmart, and frame from the Albany ReStore.

After spending what was probably too much money, I started out making the small frame for earrings. I actually have had this one done for a while. I used two coats of the silver finish and two coats of gloss clear coat. Because the frame had slots where plexiglass fit in, I was able to slide the hardware cloth right in and not use staples to keep it there.

The one part that took the longest to get was definitely the frame. I had to find or make the perfect one. After searching a lot of goodwill, salvation army, and thrift stores I found what I was looking for at a reasonable price. I wiped it down, coated it with two layers of a white base, then painted three layers of silver coat on top of it. Followed by a layer of clear coat, I just had to get the pegboard fitted.

Good thing I have strong men who have and know how to use power tools...namely a table saw. Us poor women are just so lucky to have them around. (Please read the heavy sarcasm layered in there) But man, they are nice to have around. 

the hubbs and my dad

With four coats of my favorite color paint on the pegboard followed by what seemed like seven layers of clear coat - I couldn't seem to get the even gloss - the pegboard was ready to go into the frame! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was for this moment! I kept running back and forth looking at the wall, looking at my frame, trying to figure out what else I had to do to get this on the wall. Securing the board in with teeny tiny nails, this bad boy was ready. Note that I did take off the hanging wire and loops from the back and used just the saw tooth hanger on top to mount it.

It was a little difficult to get the frame straight at first because you can't just hang it straight on. It's heavy towards the one side. Then you add on your jewelry and it slips the other way. I unloaded EVERY SINGLE PIECE of jewelry that I own from my standing jewelry chest and placed all necklaces, dangle earrings, and bracelets I had. I also got the chance to go through it all and ask myself if I really wanted it. I have a nice little baggie awaiting the yard sale I plan to have this summer. 

I am incredibly happy with how this turned out and it's definitely a HIT. What do you think? Ready to tackle your own?

Food for Thought - Five Layer Brownies

The other night I had this huge craving to bake something. I had no idea what to bake so I asked Ryan what he'd like me to make and showed him all the desserts I've pinned. After three pins of letting him down - we didn't have the ingredients - I went to the kitchen to figure it out myself. I started by pulling out EVERYTHING baking related from my pantry. Literally, everything.

After deciding I wanted to make some sinful brownies, I ended up using the following:'

Brownies Layer

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla

4 (heaping) tbsp cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

Cookie Layer

1 egg

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/3 cup peanut butter

1 stick of butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tbsp water

Additional

1/2 cup chopped pretzels

1/4 cup toffee bits

Here's how I concocted it...

Step 1. I started with the cookie layer to make sure it would all be ready by the time the brownie mix was set to go. I mixed the egg, oil, and vanilla together until they were well combined.

Step 2. Add in your dry ingredients (minus the chocolate pieces) and mix until you have the basic cookie dough. 

Step 3. Fold in your two ounces of chopped chocolate into your dough and then set aside. Try not to eat too much. 

Step 4. Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, oil, vanilla, and cocoa powder for the brownies. Mix well until fully combined.

Step 5. Add in the remaining dry ingredients for the brownies, mixing well. 

Step 6. In a foil-line 9" x 13" pan, pour half of the brownie mixture and spread until you have an even layer.

Step 7. Carefully, layer all the cookie dough on top of the brownie layer. Press down slightly, but not so that the brownie goes on top of the cookie dough.

Step 8. Take the remaining brownie batter and mix in the chopped pretzels, folding until the pretzels are evenly distributed. Pour the batter on top of the cookie dough layer. 

Step 9. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Checking the center with a toothpick.

Step 10. While your brownies are baking, soften one stick of butter and add it to a bowl with the peanut butter. Using an electric mixer beat the two together until well combined. Add in your water and powdered sugar until it has a smooth consistency. 

Step 11. Allow your brownies to cool overnight (or a few hours). Store your frosting in the fridge if you do. Layer on your frosting and then finish off with toffee bits (your fifth layer).

The good thing about baking your brownies in foil is that you can just lift it out of the pan, making it incredibly easier to cut. You may have to beat back the masses from these. They're fantastic and go quick. It's not hard to imagine why.

I know, I need a new camera. I've been using the one on my phone.What do you use? What would you recommend?

Books in Review: Shattered Hearts

This is the first time I've read an Octavia Wildwood book and I'm happy to say that I'm pleasantly surprised. Shattered Hearts focuses on a woman named Amanda. Running away from an abusive boyfriend, she lands in LA where she put her life back together. Ready for a change she heads to a small farm in Minnesota where she meets Maggie and her brother, Nate. Trying to keep the farm up and running while paying for his sister's college classes, Nate struggles over the untimely death of his parents.

Amanda quickly learns how to be a farmhand while helping rehabilitate an abused horse. Haunted by her past, she falters when she develops feelings for Nate. Mistaking her mixed signals as "mind games" Nate reluctantly puts some distance between them until one night he learns the truth about her past. 

While the book ends with a seemingly happily ever after, it's perfectly set up to continue the story in Shattered Dreams. I'm intrigued enough that I'm going to buy it and read on. I'd definitely say SPLURGE ON IT.

Books in Review: Everlasting Sin

Let me start by saying that I've read other J.S. Cooper books before, namely the Forever Love Series: The Last Boyfriend, The Other Side of Love, and Before Lucky. I should've known better with Everlasting Sin. 

I read the preview that's available on Amazon's website and was intrigued. But at $3.99 and 275 pages, I thought it'd be worth it. 

Hudson and Riley have known each other since they were nine and six, respectively. They've been in love with each other for just as long. But neither is willing to admit it to the other. A tragedy 11 years later leaves them devastated and Hudson broken after a night they spend together. After four years of radio silence, they meet at a gym where Hudson is training to compete in a fight worth $1,000,000. Hudson is at odds with their reunion, struggling to let Riley live her life without his demons while desperately wanting to be with her. 

Unfortunately, the story doesn't seem to flow. Don't get me wrong, the story line flows, I just feel that the writing isn't polished. I generally like the premises of Cooper's stories, I just wish they were longer or focused on one aspect to develop it more. If I were you, I'd SAVE IT. 

I mentioned to one of my coworkers that I read about five books a week and he was shocked. Now, granted they're romance novels, but they're still books. How do people just not find reading enjoyable? How can they not get caught up in the characters?

Food for Thought...Nutella Frosting

A few years ago, while I was still with GE, I was nominated to attend a leadership development workshop at the famous Crotonville. Crotonville is like university for the folks at the heart of GE. The company invests about $2.0 billion a year in the center on courses and innovative learning. It's no wonder the campus looks like this:

Yea, it's pretty sweet. The hotel located on the campus can hold over 400 folks and has stocked kitchens with ready-to-eat sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, snack, and Haagen Dazs ice cream. It's like heaven there. Oh, and there's five star meals from the on campus executive chef. They really spare no cost. This is the place to make connections across the company and up the ladder. 

The campus also has two places to hang out, the Green House and the White House. The Green House is self-sustainable and off the grid (hence the "Green"). The fully open bar, pool tables, and darts offer ways to interact and network with folks. If that's not your speed, the completely redesigned White House, is a coffee shop with professional baristas and the most delicious thing on this entire planet. The Nutella Hot Chocolate.

Up until that point in my life, I had never had nutella. Ever. I'm not quite sure where my life was headed before this magical drink but I certainly knew that my life was going to have a whole lot more nutella in it afterwards.

Which brings me to today's recipe. Nutella Frosting. Since my glorious discovery of the delicious hazelnut spread, I've tried to incorporate it into everything. Today, I bring you frosting. Here's what you need:

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup nutella

1/4 cup milk

1 cup powered sugar

Step 1. Soften butter in microwave but be sure not to melt. You don't want to wait to spread this on your cupcake. 

Step 2. Beat together butter and nutella until well combined and there are no butter lumps. (Sorry, no pictures. I was making this up as I went.)

Step 3. Add in milk and powdered sugar. Beat on high until all ingredients are well combined and fluffy.

Step 4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes as your cupcakes are cooling. (This step is NOT required.)

Step 5. Layer this delicious-ness on your cupcake (I made vanilla) and try not to eat one right then and there. 

I sprinkled toffee bits on top of these to make them just a little bit more heavenly. Ryan couldn't wait for these to come out of the oven. Or for them to be frosted for that matter. 

On another note, I truly hate, hate, hate my kitchen lighting. It's dull and gross. Someday I'll switch to nice bulbs. Maybe even LED, you know, after I hit the lottery.