Wow, it's been a while, huh?

Genesee Cream Ale:








Some people might kid me about drinking a "cheap" beer, and to tell the truth I bought it mostly so I could have some 12 oz cans to use in making beer can chicken tonight. However, I actually like it. It's smooth, mild and unpretentious, just about the flavor you imagine when you think of "having a beer". This would go really well with hotdogs at a ballpark. And at ~ $5.50 for a 12 pack it's easy on the wallet.





Speaking of wallets, what is it with gas prices lately?! I filled up on Friday, and gas here is $3.89/gal! My solution?



Last week I biked to work twice. It was a bit of a slog (~ 7 miles) and takes me about 45 minutes to an hour, but it's better than paying those exhorbitant gas prices. I've added a new basket to the front and added more comfortable hand grips, and I plan to keep biking as many days as weather allows.

Good news! I passed my first degree orange kung fu test!! I was nervous but I practiced hard and did really well.

We had a garage sale last weekend, and it was long overdue. I can't believe how much JUNK we had in the house and now it is all gone! I wish you could see our basement...there's actually a floor in here. Plus, now we have an area where I can do my exercise tapes. I especially like Richard Simmons and the bellydancing series by Veena and Neena. Seriously--if you want a really good glute and thigh workout, try bellydancing.

I'm back!

And with so much to update. In no particular order:



Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat

A definite cherry scent, and a pleasant fruity tang in the taste, though not as much as the Red Bach. Enough, however, to counteract any bitterness and make a smooth flavor. Goes well with barbecue, especially the sweeter Kansas City style rather than the more vinegary St. Louis style.

Trip report for the IX Indoor Amusement Park:

The entrance:



The first ride:



A pretty standard Crazy Mouse...but I really wish they'd go back to the Zyklon they had about 3 years ago, or even a Wild Mouse. I don't like spinny rides...blech...

Now: Sooper Looper/Fireball...



...or a Stargate? :-)



More later.

My package has been sent to my Potter Pal

I can't wait till she gets it. I had such a great time in this swap and I am looking forward to participating again. And of course I can't wait till I get my package. I hope it gets here tomorrow, as we'll be leaving for vacation (of course I will post pictures).

My favorite class at Hogwarts

Which Class at Hogwarts Would You Excel at?

You excel at Quidditch. You're either a jock or just love the game, but then again who wouldn't. You're a natural on the broom and there may be prospects of you making it to the big leagues.
Take this quiz!








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No, it hasn't taken me this long to recover from St. Patrick's Day :-)

We went to Pj Mc Intyre, a local Irish pub. It is my new favorite place. The burgers are fantastic! And the lobster bisque is incredible. In short, all the food is good. If you come to the west side of Cleveland, go to PJ's.

Ok, on to beer: an old favorite, Foster's (in a pint can)

Very smooth, no bitter bite, consistent from can to can. No, I've only had one...today...dsfkl;jadkj

um, that was the cat. (ES, you don't have a cat.) Er, well, yes! On with the review.

This beer stands well alone as well as matching with a great many foods, pizza and wings being my usual choice.

OTN and FOs:

I did in fact take the lace off the needles and block it; it turned out quite nicely as a dresser scarf instead of a shawl. I only need to cast off and it will be done.

My nephew's shawl: I've finished the second skein and will be heading into the third, so it will be three skeins long or as long as it gets by the time he's christened next month.

I found the Noah's Ark instructions!

My husband's socks have been started, with my hand dyed sock yarn. I set two clothes trees 13' 6" apart and wound some Knit Picks Bare superwash fingering weight yarn around them, tying it off in sections approximately 150", 50", 75", and 50", the two larger sections each a different color and the 50" sections left white. This produces a large stripe of A, a small stripe of white, a medium stripe of B, and a small stripe of white. This was calculated for a woman's medium-large foot, but with my husband's size 14 feet I was happy to find that the stripe pattern does not break down. For the dye I used both KnitPick's powder acid dyes and Koolaid. One tip for the KP dye: a little goes a long way, and rinse thoroughly.

Oh, and I did in fact figure out the collar of my dress and finished it in time for Easter. I even found a matching hat! I almost had matching boots as well, but my size was sold out.

Until next time,

ES

Samuel Adams Brown Ale

For as much as I like Sam Adams, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Not that this is bad by any means, just....average. However, it is better in my opinion than the Honey Ale, which is bitter far beyond the expectations of something made with honey. I suppose I had been expecting something more along the line of mead. Which by the way I will happily review if anyone would like to send me some. ;-) Hmmm...as I continue to drink it, I think it's growing on me. Not a favorite, but ok.

OTN:

I've been sewing, and finished a cloth baby's book for a christening present, as well as two pairs of shorts and a top for my daughter. I've also cut out and gotten a great deal done on a dress for myself (hopefully for Easter) but have gotten a bit stuck on the collar and have taken a break.

Knitting-wise I have ended and am preparing to block the ex-shawl which is now as predicted will be a dresser scarf. I think I may use the rest of the laceweight to make a pi shawl eventually. I'm also making quite a bit of progress on the prayer shawl and am almost done with the second of three skeins. On that note, at Pat Catans today I saw assorted packages of Homespun mill ends, three skeins (enough for a shawl) for only $5.

I'm also using up some worsted weight odds and ends to make a log cabin blanket and have recently done a bit more work on it. I think this will be a long term project.

I've had to pause on the Noah's Ark I was working on, as I've lost the instructions :-(

I think I will be starting a pair of socks for my husband soon. However, none of the sock patterns I have go large enough for his feet, so I will need to do some calculations. My second concern is, will the 100 g I have be enough? I may need to use a provisional cast on , work the feet, then divide the remainder in half and make the legs as long as possible. He has also requested a sweater, but again, the one book I need, EZ's Knitting Without Tears is missing. ARRRGH. However, I think I may have lent it to a friend and I was looking for an excuse to call her anyway. But, even if I had it I would not I think finish the sweater before warm weather, so no particular hurry.

Another short review: Makers Mark Whiskey
Smoooooooth. No "bite" at all. If it doesn't sound too odd, a "waxy" or "crayon-y" aftertaste. My husband says this is the oak and tannins. I still think I like Tullamore Dew a little better, but Makers Mark is also a winner.

I should have a few more reviews after tomorrow...it being St. Patrick's Day and all. ;-)

Erin Go Bragh!

I had written another post but it disappeared :-( So here is another one.

First, the Quidditch answers:

1) C. Professor Grubbly-Plank

2) C. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake

3) B. Viktor Krum

4) A. Sonorus

5) B. Swedish Short Snout

6) A. Troy and Moran

7) C. 10

8) C. Bomb

9) B. Fountain of wine

10) A. Yes

Next:

I have finished a scarf for the trade box at the camp out I'm going to. I used Red Heart in the Camouflage colorway and an H crochet hook. Chain about 22 and then do stretches of double and triple crochet until the skein is used up. This makes a good average sized adult's scarf. After machine washing and drying with a dryer sheet it is surprisingly soft.

I've also just finished the bag for my Potter Pal....can't wait until it's time to mail the package.

Now, I'm off to go watch the Stargate movie.