Houston Beer Week

Before Ross headed to the ranch, we were able to make it to Houston Beer Weeks's "Draft Festival".  Each ticket ($40) got you 12 beer tastings, to be redeemed at the booths of your choice. There were ~40 breweries present and a handful of restaurant booths.

It was a beautiful, sunny day-- not a bad way to enjoy some beer.

Dad, Mom, & Ross. This was right after Dad told us that since he was the DD, he better go get some cider... Last time I checked the alcohol content of cider is higher than most beer!

Chicken Mole Taco... spicy!

I love candid shots.

Listening to the band in the shade. This is about the time we realized that most of the booths weren't even marking Mom's punch card-- so she traded with Ross.

Bumper sticker on the cooler of a true craft brewer: "If God wanted us to filter our beer, he wouldn't have given us livers"

Breweries at Craft Week:

512	Deschutes	No Label
Austin Beer Works	Eel River	Oskar Blues
Avery	Franconia	Peticolas
Bear Republic	Great Divide	Rahr & Sons
Boulevard	Hops & Grain	Real Ale
Brooklyn	Independence	Revolver (tentative)
Buffalo Bayou	Jester King	Saint Arnold
Cedar Creek	Karbach	Sierra Nevada
Clown Shoes	Lakewood	Sixpoint
Crazy Mountain	Lazy Magnolia	Southern Star
Crispin	Leprechaun Cider	Squatters
Deep Ellum	New Belgium	Stone
Texian	Victory	Wasatch

I'm pretty sure that Ross had quite a few more tastings than he originally signed up for. Mom, Dad, & I just couldn't hang so we pawned them off on Ross. He wasn't complaining though.

Next year they need more food booths...

3 years ago:  How to Share

2 years ago: Leaving on a Jet Plane

1 year ago: Woodsey Sunset

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Stamp Club

I went to a "Stampin' Up" party a couple weeks ago with my friend Sierra-- she's a regular, I was the interloper.

Stamp Club is hosted at Jackie's house; she's a Stampin' Up rep but she also has a pretty amazing craft room. There was a couple vacancies at the Nov meeting due to the holidays, so Sierra invited me to be her guest.

Crafts for 3 hours? make 3 original stationary cards? Food/gossip break in between? Sign me up!

It was pretty amazing and I definitely was able to scratch my crafting itch.

Sierra, stamping away.

 First card. Check out the perforations all the way around!

 Stamp'in buddies.

The hostess keeps an archive of every card she's ever made. I liked this little owl cut out...

My Sunday creations.

 And the back of course...

Fun!

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Travel Time

Living in Alaska you definitely get some practice with longer flights. However, unless you splurge on first class tickets, coach can be tough to endure for 6+ hour flights. Here are a couple of my personal favorites:

Bose noise canceling headphones: I didn't know what I was missing for the longest time. These changed my life. They are extravagant and totally worth the cost. No crying babies or the drone of the airplane. If you're not ready for Bose, try some simple ear plugs. 

Window seat: It's much easier to fall asleep against the window than the random stranger (usually a hairy dude) in the middle seat next to you.

E-Reader: I prefer an iPad, but a Kindle certainly does the trick also. No more hauling a book around that you've already finished and no more fears you might finish a book mid-flight. 

Neck Pillow: That U-shaped cushion might allow you to actually get some shut eye.

Snacks: Pack your own food! That way you won't feel let down if the mediocre snack box of your choice is sold out by the time they get to your seat. Afterall, a homemade PB&J is better than an airline Thai Chicken wrap...

Socks: Is anyone else grossed out when walking barefoot on the airport floor to go through security? Cold feet on an airplane is also problematic. 

Eyemask: I don't always travel with one, but I'm always glad when I do. That way it doesn't matter if your neighbor wants to read with their light on at 3AM.

Hand Sanitizer: It seems like everyone is sick around you when you don't have this stuff. *Cough *Sneeze *Sniff 

Traveling can be such a drag, but it's so worth it when there's meals like this at the other end!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! 

3 years ago:  Black (Bean) Friday

2 years ago: Thanksgiving

1 year ago: Macbook #2

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Safe Travels

We've returned to Alaska after spending a great (whirlwind) week with family/friends!

We went from 85 degrees to -1 degrees... Home sweet home!

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Thankful

It's going to be a sporadic week of posting due to the holidays (and I'm not referring to Black Friday). I hope you all enjoy some family, friends, and good eats!

This Thanksgiving, I'm extra thankful for all the love and support in my life! What are you thankful for this year?

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Sullivan's Steakhouse & King Street Brewery

We went to a dinner and beer pairing at Sullivan's Steakhouse with Charles and Kelley. Copious amounts of beer and food and friends? Perfecto :) The King Street brew masters talked about each of the beers and the chef came out to talk about why he chose each dish to compliment a specific beer.

Scallop & Squash stuffed endive with Amber

Shrimp with yam hash and Blonde Ale

Steak Salad with Mustard Dressing and IPA

Schnitzel and cabbage with Dunkelweiss

Pumpkin Cheesecake with an Irish Stout

The dessert pairing was my favorite! Individually, the amber and the blonde were at the top of my beer list The pumpkin cheesecake and the steak salad were my favorite food courses.

I think I've found my favorite Alaska brewery...

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Ranch Pictures

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a first today... Ross (aka husband) is a guest contributor!!

Ross snapped some pictures during his ranch trip last week and he's going to give us some additional context :)

****

This picture is shortly after arrival when we were unloading to stay for the last time in the old trailer. It's been (kind of) good to us, but I won't miss staying in it. We had a big storm the last night to remind us why it's not fun to sleep with water dripping on you.

Here is the front of the bunkhouse before we started to work. What you can't really see is all of the effort work that went in to rehabbing the roof. All of the tin panels were pulled off, the wooden slats re-done, insulation added, and new flashing put on. Lots of work by Dad, Brandon, and Uncle Steve.

I had not discovered the awesomeness of a brad nailer until this day. I'm a convert. There was a LOT of trim to be done on the windows and having that little gun made it possible to do in a weekend.

We did manage to slip in a little hunting between work sessions. This was the evening before opening morning at the bow blind.

 A little cull buck walking past the double blind feeder opening morning. 

A double rainbow from the elevated blind.

Light, fan, AND bunk beds! This is a luxury that we're not accustomed to.

Electrical box addition.

There is a lot of hard work that has gone into this bunkhouse over the last six months are so. We are so grateful for the time and effort that Uncle Steve, Brandon, Mike Ray, and Steve Aldrich have put in. But most of all we're grateful to Mom and Dad for the countless hours and expense they devoted to the project. We're really looking forward to our time there!

3 years ago:  Injured Pup

2 years ago: Reef

1 year ago: SPF

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Chicken Tortilla Soup

It was my turn to host ladies night and I decided to make Chicken Tortilla Soup with all the fix'ins. The toppings may quite possibly be as important as the broth itself. Toppings included avocado, grated cheese, sour cream. red onions. cilantro, and tortilla strips.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Adapted from C.I.

Tortilla Strips:
8 corn tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1/2 inch wide strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt to season

Chicken & Soup Broth:
2 split bone in chicken breasts (about 1 1/2lbs)
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 large onion, peeled and cut in half
2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
8 to 10 sprigs fresh cilantro
1 sprig fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt to taste

Tomato Soup Base:
2 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered
1/2 large onion, peeled and cut in half
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and halved
2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cayenne pepper
1 cup red, yellow and/or orange bell pepper, diced

Garnishes:
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 avocado, diced
1 cup shredded chedder or Cotja
chopped red onion (rinsed under cold water or vinegar will dilute potency!)
fresh cilantro leaves
sour cream

FOR THE TORTILLA STRIPS: Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread tortilla strips on rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and toss until evenly coated. Bake until strips are deep golden brown and crisped, about 15-20 minutes, rotating pan and shaking strips (to redistribute) halfway through baking time. Season strips lightly with salt; transfer to plate lined with several layers paper towels.

FOR THE CHICKEN & BROTH: In a large pot, bring chicken breasts, broth, 2 onion quarters, garlic cloves, cilantro, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, about 20 minutes. Using tongs, transfer chicken to large plate and allow to cool. Once cool, shred chicken into bite sized pieces and discard bones. Leave the broth in the pot with solids; set aside.

FOR THE TOMATO SOUP BASE: Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic cloves, and jalapeño in food processor until smooth. Heat oil in Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering; add tomato/onion puree, salt, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and diced bell peppers and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture has darkened in color, about 10 minutes.

Place a large mesh strainer over the Dutch oven and carefully strain the chicken broth into the tomato mixture. Discard any solids caught in the mesh strainer. Bring the soup to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer to blend flavors, about 15 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. To serve, place portions of tortilla strips in bottom of individual bowls and ladle soup into bowls; pass garnishes separately.

I found a cute Christmas card craft project on Pinterest. I didn't prep anything beforehand, so there was definitely some improv going on, but overall I think they turned out pretty cute! 3D trees with bows...

3 years ago:  Heading West

2 years ago: Chicken of the Sea

1 year ago: Manly Kinda Thing

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Alaska Cookies

Abbey and Kyle have a new baby AND a new house. Unfortunately for us, their new house is in Montana... They had an "Alaska" themed send off last week and I was in charge of bringing dessert. Hmmm, what's an Alaska dessert?

Let me rephrase, what is an Alaska dessert if you don't want to make a "Baked Alaska" because no one up here actually eats that...

Sugar Cookies! Moose, bears, sheep, crabs, fish...

Kaity, Sierra, and I made an afternoon of baking. There was also some wine involved...

And lot's of colorful frosting combinations.

Nakiski was keeping tabs on us throughout the baking.

Took 'em to the party and they were a big hit- all but 2 were eaten!

But what really mattered most is that Abbey liked 'em :)

Cara (left) and Abbey (right)

Best of luck in Montana Volf's!!

3 years ago:  Heading West

2 years ago: Lake Adventures

1 year ago: African Safari 2012

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San Fran iPhone Pictures

I don't download my iPhone pictures onto my computer very often, but when I do there's usually some that make me smile. Here's some of the "lost" iPhone pictures from my trip to San Francisco a couple weeks ago!

Mom & I

Cousins

Wine tasting in Napa.

Too much vino?

Mom and I showing off our red teeth

Cloudy, bright day = squinting

Ross and I?

Hawaiian Ice cream... in SF. 

Quest for Red Ray-Bans

View from our Balcony

Dessert.

Olive Oil Tasting

Painted Ladies (think Full House!)

On double decker bus.

Heading home, Mountains from the airplane

3 years ago:  Quintuple Chocolate Brownies

2 years ago: Message From Roma

1 year ago: African Safari 2012

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