Thanks!

Hey kids! Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Hipster in a Small Town, aka Small Town Pilgrim?

Anyways, I had to work today, on this lovely holiday. Don't feel bad for me, though, my darlings. In my biz, this is bound to happen on occasion. And I volunteered, so that others could enjoy some quality family time. And I didn't mind. But I did have that long drive to work to think about the question of the day. You know, the same question that every one of you went around the table and answered this afternoon.

What am I thankful for? Only I didn't get to announce it in dramatic fashion to my near and dears over a fowl carcass. Instead, I get to announce it to my near and dears over the Internet. Fun, right? So, in no particular order, the things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

-My ridiculous, amazing, incredibly strange, often annoying, never boring family. They are loud and overbearing and the reason I have to have unlimited everything on my phone, but they are also supportive and non-judgemental and my greatest attribute. I kind of like them.

-My furry children. I know I'm ridiculous and a giant goof, but I seriously have the most awesome animals ever! Pipster the Hipster and my badass boys, the Cool Cats. They make me happy just by being around.

-Booze, both for the joy it brings me and also for the great living it provides me.

-Creativity. I revel in my uniqueness and my ability to think way, way out of the box. I love that I have so many creative outlets to keep my brain buzzing constantly.

-Pumpkin. But seriously, I'm not even sick of it yet!

-Freedom, in all my choices.

-My most fancy, shiny, gorgeous, silly, funny, interesting, troublemaking, darling friends. They make me smile when I don't think I can, laugh while I'm still crying, and breathe when I think I have to hold my breath. Damn, I pick great people to surround myself with!

-And all my new online friends, all of you that follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and this blog. I get a little thrill every time I get a notification and that's all because of you guys!

There are probably a lot more things that I will think of later, but I'm tired and I need to get some rest before another long day tomorrow. But I needed to get this off my chest. That way, the next time I'm sad, or down, or stressed, I can remind myself of why I am such a lucky girl. And maybe, it will help remind you too.


"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Ferris Bueller


Until, next time, kids, stay hip!

The theme park for foodies

Hiya, hipsters!  The weather is almost cooling down here in Florida, the pumpkin mania is in full swing, and I am enjoying what you northerners call "Autumn".  I think I mentioned in my last post about how busy I get in October.  If I didn't, then I'm mentioning it now.  With so many things going on, it's hard to decide what to do.  But there are a few definites on the list.  One of those definites got done a couple of weeks ago.

The Epcot Food and Wine festival is an annual event held at Epcot center, celebrating food and wines (and beer) from around the world.  That's the brochure version.  For locals, it's a time to eat lots of good food, get a nice buzz on, and see a band from the 80's or 90's that you forgot had so many songs you know.  I have promised myself that I would go every year, but I never made it over until this year.  And now I know what I was missing and it makes me a little sad.

I visited the festival with my mom and dad, Aunt Di and Uncle Jeff, aka "the old folks".  I love spending time with them, and they are all foodies in their own right.  We went the opening weekend, so there were pretty large crowds, and it was still September, so it was hot.  Really hot.  Low 90's and lots of people.  As a theme park veteran, it was the kind of time that I don't usually go to the parks.  But I went anyways.  And the food and booze helped.  A lot.

We started out the eating and drinking portion of the day at the festival center.  Held in the old wonders of the the body pavillion, it was a marketplace with a small snack bar, wine shop, stages for the seminars, and the chocolate room.  Anytime there is a polite young lady handing out Ghiradelli chocolate as you go in, you know it's going to be good.  And I knew what I wanted in this room.  Drinking chocolate.

For those of you that have never had drinking chocolate, I am so, so sorry.  It is like a chocolate dance party in your mouth.  Think about a delicious chocolate bar melted down and poured in a cup.  That's pretty much it.  Apparently it's a big thing in Europe, and I got hooked on it a few years ago, but it is hard to find in the States.  It's so decadent that it only comes in an espresso size cup.  This made me very happy, right off the bat.

After wandering around the festival center for a while, we headed off to hit the marketplace.  Made up of a bunch of booths, interspersed between the countries of the world showcase, the marketplace is exactly what it sounds like.  The first country I hit was Argentina.

I admit, I did a little research before I went, and I had a good idea of the dishes that I wanted to try.  In Argentina it was a beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato puree.  I love chimichurri, so I was excited to try this dish, but the real surprise was the boniato puree.  Boniato is a tropical sweet potato, but I didn't think it was as sweet as a traditional sweet potato.  It was creamy and mild and super tasty.  So now I have a few boniato in my fridge, ready to be cooked up.  Yay for new ingredients.  I was so excited about this one that I forgot to take a picture.  Sorry.  My uncle had the beef empanada, which was tasty as well.

After a stop at Mexico to grab a margarita, we headed around.  My next stop was South Africa for a spinach and paneer cheese pocket.  Paneer is basically a soft, mild farmer's cheese.  It is used a lot in Indian cooking and I expected a bit of those flavors in this dish.  I was not disappointed.  My dad and I loved it.  The rest of the crew, not so much.  A bit of curry spice to the spinach and a flaky pastry to compliment.  The trick with a lot of the food at the festival is that you eat with your fingers.  This one got a little messy after we started tearing into it.  I also discovered another good trick to the festival.  Go with a larger group.  One or two people are going to spend a lot more money and get full faster than four or five.  We were able to share a couple bites of a lot more dishes.

At this point, we found a shady high top table to stand at and take a break.  While we were noshing on the cheese pocket, my dad disappeared and returned with cheese.  The artisan cheese selection was yummy!  I am a big fan of cheese.  Like, soccer hoodlum big.  And I come by it honestly.  Mom and Dad are too.  The most interesting thing in this selection was the Beecher's Flagship Reseve Cheddar.  It was a mild cheddar that had the look of a parmesan.  Pretty fancy.  Of course, all these snacks can make one pretty thirsty.  With the margaritas long gone, I was ready to imbibe a bit more.  And just our luck, we were camped right across from the Brewer's Collection tent.  Woot Woot.

While doing my research for this event, I, being a beer geek, had to check out the selections.  Many of the beers offered were old hat to me, but a few got me going.  One was a nice German Dunkel.  I love dark beer with lots of flavor and this one made the cut.  Lots of big, malty flavors and a nice touch of bitterness.  I got to keep this one to myself (another good reason to drink dark beer).  The other beer I was interested in was the Schofferhofer Grapefruit.  I had heard that this was the only place in North America to get this beer, so I had to have it.  Sweet and light, it was perfectly refreshing for a hot day like this day.  My aunt, the non-beer-drinker, loved it, and I was happy I got an extra big glass to share.

A few more stops, at Poland for a lager style beer called Tyskie, and Italy for a tasty cheese (are you seeing a theme?)  ravioli and then we had to call it quits.  Too much heat, too many people, and too much food and beverage.  But I got a great start to my trip around the world.  I got a few stamps in my passport, and got to try a couple things that I knew I wanted.  I plan to get back again, to hit the other half of the festival, but if I don't make it, I'm not too worried.  I had a great time with people that I love doing something that I love, so it was a successful day no matter what. 

Next time, a visit to the Florida Aquarium, and maybe more beer?  Until then, stay hip!

Errand Thoughts

Ahhh, Fall.  That magical time of year of changing leaves, see-your-breath weather, and bonfires.  Okay, we really don't have a lot of that here in Florida, but we do have our own fall traditions.  Cooler temps, (77 degrees is cool for us), pumpkin beer, and Halloween fun at the theme parks. Enjoying the windows being open and the fresh air naps.  But I'm getting off topic. 

I never feel more like a hipster than when I'm running errands.  Weird, I know, but let me explain.  I've become so careful about what I shop for these days.  I am a practicing locavore, so I try to buy locally as much as possible.  Also, I am not so flush right now, so I have to watch every penny.  So no big box stores for me.  (Target is a splurge trip.  I mean, who can't find something fun to buy at Target?)  So errand running is a hipster's scavenger hunt.  I started the day at the coffee shop, but my local coffee shop wasn't open.  :(  So I sucked it up and headed to the produce market.  I only buy my produce at locally owned produce stands or farmer's markets.  It's local, cheap, and lasts longer than grocery store produce.  Since I eat a mainly plant based diet (I try to eat meat, due to my gingerness giving me a B12 deficiency, but I lean towards vegetarianism), the produce stand is my weekly must shop. 

After that, it was the no-frills grocery, the post office, and the kind-of box store, Big Lots, for cheap import goods, like noodles, italian soda, and veggie chips.  Then the craft store for a few supplies for the Etsy shop, and finally home.  All the while using my reusable fabric shopping bags and riding with my windows open, listening to Johnny Cash.  Yep, I'm a hipster.

But all that running around makes one tired.  Do you remember that fresh air nap I mentioned?  Yep, nice long nap this afternoon.  So when I woke up, I didn't want to cook anythnig that would take too much time.  So I decided on Fancy Ramen.  Fancy Ramen, you ask?  (Of course you ask.)  Fancy Ramen is my term for ramen noodles made yummier.  How can you make ramen noodles yummier, you ask?  Let me give you the recipe.

Fancy Ramen Noodles

I package chicken ramen noodles
4 cups water
3 tbls chicken boullion
2 chopped scallions
3 or 4 splashes soy sauce
1 tbls sriracha
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on your spicy tolerance)
1/2 lb frozen peeled, deveined shrimp
2 eggs, scrambled

Throw your water, the spice packet from the ramen package, chicken boullion, soy sauce, sriracha, scallions, and red pepper flakes into a pot.  Bring to a boil and toss in shrimp.  Cook until the shrimp are pink, then slowly stir in the scrambled egg.  Finally, break the noddle brick from the package in half and throw it in your soup.  Give it a stir and let it simmer for a few minutes.  Eat and enjoy.

Not only is this a fast dish, it's healthy, yummy, and cheap.

Until next time, enjoy the weather, stop and smell the pumpkins, and stay hip! 

Forward Momentum

So, its been a long, busy year for this Small Town Hipster.  I've had a few years of just letting life happen.  Mind you, it hasn't been bad (way too many great memories and experiences), but for this girl with an overactive brain and need to be doing something, it was definitely out of character. 

So this year has been the year of getting my focus back.  Taking care of some important things, such as a new car and a divorce, and realigning myself with my goals.  For the first time in several years, I actually have some plans for the future.  I am digging my way out of some holes that I created in the first place, and honestly, it feels pretty awesome. 

One thing that I have been working on lately, and something that I have wanted to do for a long, long time, is to go pro with one of my passions.  I have been working on starting my own Etsy store, selling my handmade jewelry and accessories.

In case you don't know what it is, Etsy is a website, similar to Ebay, where everyday folks can start a web store, selling either vintage or handmade items.  It's a great place to find one of a kind gifts and household items.  And I am jumping in the pool.

Making jewelry is something that I have been doing since I was 12 years old.  Realizing my love of jewelry, but having an allergy to nickel, there weren't as many choices for me (because I'm old, lol).  So, one of my very crafty grandmothers took me to a big box store that shall remain nameless and bought me some lobster clasps, some plastic pony beads, and some fishing line and told me to get creating. 

I have definitely grown since those fishing line days.  Nowadays it is more about this fancy new term, upcycling.  I was using pieces of old junk jewelry way before "upcycling" was a hipster term.  But it's appropriate.  I love giving life to old pieces of Sarah Coventry or Avon.  Those bits of broken junk that seem to collect in the bottoms of baskets at thrift stores can often make the most interesting statement necklace or cocktail ring.  And my skills have grown as well.

But starting a "cottage" business is not easy.  Etsy makes it as easy as possible, but there are so many things to think about.  It's not just about making some jewelry and taking a picture.  I want this business to last and grow.  So it's about marketing, in my case using social media, taxes, inventory, pricing, and so much more.  I don't want something that looks thrown together, and with my education, I should be way beyond that.  But it's a lot of work. 

Not that I'm complaining, because I am tough and this is a lifelong goal in process.  And I have the most awesome cheering squad ever.  So many of you have expressed your interest in buying, your support in setting up my home office, your volunteering of yourselves to be my models, and general "atta girl"'s on a regular basis.  And I have taken all of that to heart.

So thank you all for your support and feedback.  I promise that I will not let you down.  I am in the final stages of launching the store, and hopefully I can make you all proud!  And to wet your whistle, so to speak, here is a taste of what I will be selling. 

For next time:  SmallTownHipster on Etsy launches!  And my favorite season of all begins, Halloween Horror Nights!  So till then, stay hip!



Dough, Ray, Me...

(Hipsters, this blog was supposed to be published a while ago, before Forward Momentum, but something happened.  And I can't find it.  Weird.  So you guys get a double dose of blogginess.  You're welcome.)

Hi Hipsters! I'm so sorry I've been gone so long! But I never forgot about you. And I did leave some presents. Hope you are liking the new layout, I'm pretty pleased with it myself.

While I was gone, I was very busy, coming up with new ideas and experimenting with new and exciting things. (No, not that, you dirty minds!).

My newest adventure, you ask? (I'm pretending you asked.) Bread! Yes, this small town hipster is returning to the roots of her forefathers, (well, foremothers) and checking out the old school buzz.  I have been trying to stay away from processed foods, as well as my budget hasn't been keeping up with my tastes, so I have been thinking outside the box.  Thanks to Pinterest, I decided that bread making was the thing. 

So, I embarked on some bread adventures.  I've made many a loaf of banana bread in my day, so that was easy peasy.  Next on the list, beer bread.  A sweet, hearty bread, my loaf turned out beautifully, but wasn't exactly what I was looking for.  So I put the word out with the fam for a bread machine.  I figured, as a novice breadmaker, a bread machine would be a good idea.  Turns out, my Granny is the shiznik! (Yes, I just said that.  But to be honest, she really is.)

One bread machine later, I chose a Carmelized Onion Focaccia bread as my debut.  With a great recipe from Pinterest, I embarked down the road of doughy goodness.

To be honest, I was a little worried about using the yeast.  Never having used a living creature in my food before, I wasn't sure how well I would do, but really, it was just a matter of following the recipe.  This particular recipe only called for using the dough setting on the bread machine.  Once I realized that breadmaking is part chemistry and part feel, I felt a little better about my lack of skill.  And it was exciting watching the dough rise in the machine.

So, about an hour and a half later, I pulled out the nicely risen dough, and set it up to finish off in my very small, temperature spotty, vintage oven.  20 minutes of nervous worry later and voila!  Yummy artisan style bread that I had created with my own two hands!

And the dough for this focaccia would make an excellent pizza dough, which will soon be replacing the local delivery service in my house, once I procur a pizza stone.  So, another domestic venture tackled!  Of course, one or two loaves does not a professional baker make.  In fact, the next loaf I tried came out a solid gluten brick.  (I realized I packed my flour without thinking, thus making my loaf inedible.)  So I am continuing the journey to breadom, one or two loaves at a time.  In fact, tonight I created two loaves of quite tasty, if not so pretty, French bread.  It's a process, but the results are delicious!

Coming soon to STH, I am planning on more regular postings, fun with Pinterest, cheesemaking, (yep, cheese), and maybe even a little bit of social commentary.  In the meantime, please let me know if there is anything you guys would like to see, or any fun adventures you think I should have. 

Until then, stay hip!



Let's Go Parking!

Living in a small town has some benefits.  Cheaper rents, accessibility to family, and knowing everyone in town (which can also be a detriment).  But one of my favorite things is the outdoor spaces.  Yes, I know there are great parks in big cities.  Central Park is the "backyard" of New York City and Millenium Park in Chicago is always hopping.  But I like my little small town parks.  Quiet, pretty, and plentiful. 

So today I got to start my day in one of our local parks.  I took my pup, Pip, and her best friend Saunders to a dog park about 3 blocks from my cottage.  This new park is still not that well known and it is kind of tucked away, making it a great place to go and relax.  And they have a dog park.  So the kids got to run and sniff and play and be silly, while I got to drink my coffee and play on my phone. 

I did a little playing with the dogs, too.  Chasing them around, throwing a tennis ball, and generally just making a fool of myself.  And it was fun.  It was quiet and relaxing and sunny and good for the soul. 

Animals have always been a part of my life, but sometimes I forget how necessary they are to my life.  Yes, I get annoyed at the dirty house, or the broken bowls, or the barking, but I know that there will always be a happy little soul that is waiting for me expectantly and is at their happiest when they are right next to me.  It's nice to feel needed.

So I will definitely be back out to the dog park with Pip, and my coffee, and maybe even a good book. 

For more information on Aesop's Park:  http://www.tavares.org/index.aspx?NID=954

Spring Forward? Yep!

My Darling Hipsters,
I have missed you terribly!  I am so sorry I was gone so long, but I am back, and hopefully better than ever!  This STH has recently moved, not far, but just the next small town over, to Tavares.  A little bit different vibe, but still a lot of the charming-ness and great people (many of the same people) as Mount Dora.  Tavares was actually my town for many years before I moved to Mount Dora.  (I even attended Tavares High School!)  So it's nice to be "home".  And my new place!  So cute.  Mid century fish camp cottage.  Totally vintage, teeny tiny, and so fun.  So my creative juices have been flowing.  And now I have internet!  So get excited about new, shiny changes to the STH universe! 

Anyways, enough about me.  I know some of you have been chomping at the bit for some new and exciting wisdom from yours truly.  LOL!  Seriously, though, I have been thinking and creating for y'all.  The recent rash of warm weather has turned my mind to important matters, such as beer cocktails. 

Now, I understand that some of you may be looking at the screen with a strange face, going "beer cocktails?  Has she lost her mind?"  I might have lost my mind, but beer cocktails have a great and storied past.  From a simple Boilermaker (beer and a shot of whiskey)  to the more extreme Flaming Dr. Pepper (Amaretto with a flaming top of 151 dropped into a lager), beer cocktails are fun, efficient (beer and shot in one?) and tasty.  While working at a few pubs, I was able to expand my knowledge of beer cocktails beyond that of a layman (Pond Water or Irish Car Bomb anyone?).  So, after much testing  (just a little), and hours (minutes) of work, I have come up with a tasty, light, fun recipe that would be great at your next pool party.  And you can make it in bulk, so its low maintenance too!


Based on a hybrid of a Daquiri and a Chelada recipe, I like to call it the Chillax.

You will need:

Limeade
Fresh limes
Bacardi Limon
a light island beer, such as Kalik or Presidente

To make:

Start with a glass of ice.  Pour in a decent measure of the Bacardi Limon, about 1 1/2 to 2 ounces, depending on how strong you like it.  Add an equal amount of Limeade.  Top the glass off with the beer.  Add a fresh squeeze of lime and enjoy.  For large quantities, I would mix the Bacardi Limon and Limeade together in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Add the beer to each glass individually to keep the fizz.  Refreshing and spunky!


Coming soon to STH:  Vintage cottage makeover!  I'll see you next time.  Stay hip!