Makin' Brew-ha-ha!

Instead of B.Y.O.B. it was MakeYourOwnBeer. "Super fun," as my, "married," friend (inside joke) Catfish would say. Vine Park Brewery has got to be one of St. Pauly's best kept secrets. So here's how the whole thing works step by step. Beer makin' ain't for kiddies so enlist a cute Jr. High gal to look after your Hank for a few hours (don't think his mom didn't have to text for permission to stay out later than anticipated). Next pick what kinda beer you are gonna make and decide who's the A. Class Clown, the goofball you gotta love. B. Bossy know-it-all, who thinks they know more than the teacher. C. Brains behind the madness, coming up with all the naughty ideas, but too nice for the teacher to suspect. Or D. The "A" student, good at reading and barking out directions. (If you really need, the answers are below.) Ok, back to makin' beer. We made the Walnut Brown Ale, which required adding hops and gluten to the big kettle. They don't let ya do a thing unless you wear these big rubbers, when you bend over, I mean, when you add stuff to the kettle so you don't get burned (can you say lawsuit?). Basically this stuff boils for about 30 minutes and they send you to this great hole-in-the-wall bar across the street to make buds with the, "beer bellied," bartender (so fun, but perhaps slightly seedier than their website lets on). If you are a really good student you come back across the street in time to add the hops to the wort (not namin' names, but our star pupil sorta f'd up after a glass of vino). Then the wort is pumped out of your kettle into a big container into which you pour your yeast. This big container is left to ferment for about a week (be nice to the guys working there or you never know what may get added) before it arrives in the walk in cooler for the big cool off. You can walk out the door and leave them to do the clean up knowing in 3 weeks you will come back to bottle. But the night is still young so you MUST head over to Shamrock's for a Nookie burger , a couple of commercially brewed beers, a swing around the dance floor and if you're lucky, a visit with a goofy regular who won't leave ya alone. Cap off the evening with good night kiss, take two Advil and come back in three weeks for the details on the bottling process. All the taste(less info) and no calories.

Quiz Answers (as if you didn't already know) A. Catfish. B. 34B cup. C. My hubby. D. Nicki Potato.

"A Gamma Phi and a Guy..."

"... in a little canoe..." If I have any Gamma Phi Beta (Gamma Pi) readers out there you know just what I am talking about. For all ya all others-it's a long story. Speaking of a long story-do I deserve the, "Best Wife of the Year Award," or what? My hubby, the avid upland game hunter, has been obsessing about birds. He has spend many-a-long hours, and who knows how many gallons of gasoline, scouting for the best possible spot to call in the birds (calling birds is a whole nother story...). So anywho we loaded up the, "stealth," boat and headed out to the Crow River. I was a titch crabby I didn't get the heads up flip flops were not the appropriate footwear for dragging the damn boat though the weeds and woods to the water (dock 2 points from Wife of the Year rating). We finally arrived at the water's edge and set official sail (if paddling your hinney off counts as, "setting sail."). We came up on a whole herd of canines frolicking in the CHILLY water. Of course we couldn't resist letting Miss Kato partake in the fun, and she couldn't resist taking a HUGE poop on the beach (we didn't have a poop bag-and had to bug a group of strangers). We regrouped and effortlessly cruised on down the river marveling at a bald eagle that kept circling over head (it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!) and I was so mesmerized by how close he was to us I couldn't take my eyes off of him long enough get a photo (sorry). By this time Miss Kato was shivering from her romp in the CHILLY water I was telling you about, so of course I ordered my hubby to give her his sweatshirt (looking back now, I guess I should dock 2 more points). Life was good, until we decided to turn around... We underestimated how steady the current is and at one point we absolutely COULD NOT maneuver the boat through a channel! Both of us screaming at each other to, "GO! Dig Deeeeep! Paddle!," and each attempt we would fly backwards in reverse. After about 3 trys, my cleavage sweat was full on, and my hubby finally got out and pushed us through the channel. Mental note: add 2 points for him.

Fashion Friday: Punches of color!

You must know me by now. It has been 147 blogs posts since we first met (and you still haven't made it to first base-bummer). I love all things girlie: clothes, shoes, jewelry, feelings, you know, the essentials. You won't be shocked to find out my two new favorite accessories for the fall are not only hand made by a former 10,000 -laker-artist, but my favorite sick, stomach bile yellow. I LOVE THEM! Last weekend the Maple Grove Arts Council (fancy, huh?) hosted an art fair for all those creative spirits in the Grove. I scored a handcrafted beaded cuff and a leather ring for $35.00 (actually, my MOM paid for them and I "forgot" to pay her back so they were technically free.)! I added my new favorite "punch" of color to a charcoal gray pencil skirt and tee with a skinny black belt (it needed a punch indeed). So permission to go crazy and jazz up your typical uni with a funky splash of color. Check out Rock and Soul jewelry and grab a leather ring of your own (plus support your local starving artists). Have a rockin' weekend and be sure to report back for a weekend update on Monday.

...and you wonder where I get it!

I think the saying goes something like, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." My MOM always says, "gheez, if an outsider was reading your blog-they would think you are a drunk." To which I would respond, "hello pot, aren't you calling the kettle black?" Like the old proverb says, "A picture is worth a thousand words, " and the one to the left is no exception. You may think I, "drink like a fish, " but dare I say, "blood runs thicker than water, " and I certainly learned from the best. But, "lets get down to brass tacks, " and talk about the half price drink specials at Woody's. You gotta put the, "pedal to the metal, " to get there by 6 bells if you want to get in on the deals. Half price beves (a decent house cab) and apps (white chicken chili nachos-yummy) makes this a happy to hour to, well, happy! Just look at these two knock outs, "thick as thieves," "hitting the sauce," with their double fisted drinks of choice. "Mark my words," this place is happy hour mecca. If you're a, "doubting thomas," then head on over and judge for yourself.

"Here's to mud in your eye,"
34bcup

Can't get enough of those good ole American, "idioms," check out this site... Or tune in each day to see my pal Hank sign off with a new one.

And, before I forget... I stumbled upon the group shot from Bocce. Better late than never.

Dog days...

If I seem a little cranky, well I am! All this talk about summer being over and fall taking off it really bumming me out. Fantasy football-fine. Leaves turning burnt colors-fine. Sleeping with the A/C off and the windows open-fine. Knowing old man winter is breathing his frosty breath down the back of my neck-not okay! I want more of those doggy summer days! Come on, you know... The H-O-T ones where a Skinny Cow ice cream sammy melts faster than it can be consumed. The afternoons where even Miss Kato gets a tasty treat of her own. If you have a fury friend of the K-9 variety you owe them a Frosty Paw for putting up with your bad habits (and sometimes bad morning breath). Take advantage of this last little teaser (aka Indian Summer, P.C. or no?) of summery weather, perch your bummer on your front porch and enjoy a creamy treat together (hell, live a little and skip the sun screen for once too!). Capture the moment on camera and submit it to the Frosty Paws site and you may be selected to win a one year's (in people years) supply of Miss Kato approved frozen treats. Come on, you know you wanna.

"Son of a Bocce!"

If I heard this once I heard it a thousand times. Ya see this was THE team name, my team name, when my name was randomly drawn to partner up with my hubby. "Son of a bocce," if we didn't meet our double-elimination-maker right outta the shoot. Not only did we not even come close to clinching the coveted title as Bocce 2008 champs, but I thought I may be heading home single. But alas he forgave me for having horse sheet aim and we drowned our sorrows in a case of Honey Weiss. The venue was perfect... Acres upon acres of free rolling land and the Grouchy Dog tiki bar for serving up bocce fare and libations. My MOM was 1/2 of the "Smokin' Aces" and darn near took the title if it weren't for the strong armed, "Talented Tongues." Better luck next year Linnie. I'm not namin' any names, but it starts with a "M" and ends with an "olly" took home the least sober award and Val ended up bringing home the bacon with the MVP, Team Congeniality & Poor Sport (sounds pretty love/hate if you ask me) awards. Miss Laurie knocked our socks off with the best dressed (she opted out of heels) and the voss-ko-pee-ko-trains' came out with the quote of the day for our team name,"Son of a Bocce!" The kids took care of themselves, some people wore mustaches (what?), the host and hostess didn't kick us out and the local authorities didn't "stop by" so all in all it was a B-I-G success. Can't wait to toss/hold/knock/grab(kidding) balls with ya again next year!

Fashion Friday: Vested Interest

Happy Fashion Friday kids! Though I hate to admit it, autumn is knockin' at our door. Soon enough we will all be taking a lazy, hangover Sunday morning (it's not just me is it?) to transfer our closet from Summer to Fall. I of course have a "vested interest" in trying to keep you up to date on some of the fall favs. Right at the top of my list is the ultra cool, ultra tailored, yummo-licious, gotta-have-it vest. I'm not talking about a boxy vest like America's favorite lesbian people (BTW, if you found a whisper of a pun in that sentence, congrats on being as sick minded as me). To the contrary the vest of the season is lower cut, typically mid-boobie to bottom cleavage, if you know what I mean. Perfect with a long, lean, classic tee, a GREAT pair of jeans and some sassy heels (NOT acceptable with Chuck Taylors). You've got the warm weekend to sport it with a tank and add your razzle dazzle with a chunky bracelet or necklace. Or for all you workin' women layer it over one of your many collared, button-up shirts. It's in! Work it! Own it! Wear one Monday (after your fabulous weekend)!