It is time to decorate for the holiday season.
All tagged Christmas
Make me a Sandwich!...Bring us some figgy pudding!
Last Christmas, Rizzo gave me a book that inspired me to try cooking something new every month for the year. The result of that cookbook was this year’s monthly segment, Make Me A Sandwich! Of the course of the year made a variety of things from roasting a chicken using a Bundt pan for Valentine’s Day to a soufflé cake that consisted primarily of eggs and olive oil. I truly enjoyed making all of these new things even if they didn’t turn out so well. I feel like I learned a lot about how to cook in general. Just ask Rizzo about how I now just make stuff up on the fly or make suggestions to her about how to cook stuff when she is doing the cooking. I’m sure it is annoying.
Bring It On...Weekly Weight Update
It is amazing what the right gear can do for a workout. This week consisted of getting back in the swing of things after a 5 day "break" for Christmas down in North Carolina. As I reported last week I was still keeping up with the exercise routine but it was challenging being away from home and since I didn't bring my normal running shoes. I was wearing some heavier cross training/hiking shoes because I didn't want to pack another pair of shoes for the trip. This was a terrible mistake and I was grateful to get back on and put on my running shoes to get out for a run.
Tuesday I was back running and it felt good. I was happy I missed the rainy weather to get in a nice 3.2 mile jog after work.
'Twas the Day Before Christmas
In December 2009, Rizzo and I had been dating for just a few months so we had not yet started the routine of splitting time with different families for the holiday. I was up in Sterling with my family while she traveled down to North Carolina to be with her family.
For some reason on Christmas eve I wanted to do something special (probably just to win approval or get in good with the family) so I wrote my own version of the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' for Rizzo's younger sister, Olivia. She was 6 at the time so I thought this could be something cool to send. I emailed it out to Rizzo on Christmas Eve and she shared it with her family. I suppose the fact that we are now married with a kid means I did something right.
Now, as part of the holiday season, I'm sharing the poem with you. I don't know if anyone has anyone out there reading this has any artistic skill but I'd love to have an artist illustrate this into a book. If anyone is interested please let me know and I'd love to get that done.
I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas.
Beer Snob: It's the most wonderful time of the Beer
Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year. The air is cold, the house is filled with Christmas music, stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and your family is driving your so damn crazy that you need a drink. The normal beer selection will not do at this time of the year. You need something a little heavier to deal with the cold temperatures and the screaming in-laws.
Yes, Christmas time brings out the best in beers. Ales brewed with honey and cinammon line my fridge and my liver. Winter warmers help to fight off the chill in your bones and in your kidneys. Brewers do their best to get that smile back on your face after you just stole the last Tickle Me Elmo from the hands of a 97-year old great grandmother of 37 because your three-year-old daughter told you that if she didn't get Elmo this year she would slide some strychnine into your morning coffee (kids grow up so fast these days).
We at Green Bean Conspiracy want to make sure that your beer can stand up to the rigors of a stressful holiday season so we present these recommendations of Christmas/Winter beers to enjoy on those extra cold nights.