Whew, Hipsters! It's been a crazy few months and they have sure flown by. So much has been going on, both good and bad. I've been super busy with work (currently working two jobs at three different bars for a total of 70+ hours a week) and life stuff. Made lots of new great friends and lost a dear family friend. Got to attend my first conference as a blogger and made some great new contacts. Eaten lots of late night meals and gotten very little sleep. But these are the everyday ups and downs of life. The day in, day out of living. They are all important to the grand scheme of our lives. But last night, something happened that was so insane, so unbelievable, as to stop time for a few hours.
It started out as an ordinary Monday night. I had gotten out of work at the bar that I work at down the street from my cottage. Had a few cocktails, then had dinner with my parents at the local Mexican restaurant. (Carnitas were delicious.) Headed home and decided to get to bed early. I had just laid down and was obsessively checking my Twitter feed (I now have almost 100 followers!) when the pup and I heard what I thought was thunder. But something in the sound made my stomach flip flop a little. Then I heard it again. And again. And again. It started to become a constant booming noise, louder than the fourth of July fireworks that were shot off just down the street from my house.
I immediately called my mom, since she lives 1 1/2 miles down the road, to find out if she was hearing the same booming. She answered the phone with a question. "What is that? Can you hear it too?" I could hear her yelling to my dad to run outside. "The sky is all lit up! What's going on?" I jumped out of bed and threw on the first clothes that I could find (which happened to be the shortest shorts I own and a jet ski tshirt) and ran outside, barefoot and headed towards the lake. As soon as I got to the edge of my driveway, I could see where all the explosions were coming from.
Across the lake from me, only about 2 miles as the crow flies, was a giant fire blazing, at least a hundred feet in the air. I think I had some panic in my voice and it had risen up a few octaves as I was describing the scene to my mom. I was trying to figure out exactly where it was, when my phone beeped with another call. My dear friend, and former roommate was calling because he could hear the booming and thought it was right at my house. Then the craziness began. We all started calling everyone we could, pushing our phones to their limit. And people started showing up in their cars, following the sounds towards the lake. Lots of people. Car after car driving down Main Street, trying to discover the source of the disturbing booms and the orange sky. Then I called my grandmother.
I don't think I will ever forget the panic in her voice. She told me that the propane plant a half mile from her house had exploded. She was desperately trying to catch her cats, who of course were hiding because of the ruckus. I told her to just get in her car and head towards my house, when, with great relief I heard my aunt's voice in the background. Good, she was not alone. But I could tell when she put the phone down in her rush to escape, so I hung up the phone and called my mother. She relayed the info to my dad, who immediately jumped into his truck and took off to try to help his mother. What followed was a nerve-racking hour of phone calls, rumors passed from one spectator to another, and pure, unadulterated terror.
It took my grandmother and aunt nearly an hour to get the 3 miles around the lake to safety at my aunt's house. Then the rumors of toxic fumes and possible evacuation, and the possibility of the three 70,000 lb propane tanks blowing led me back into the house, with a very nervous dog and two twitchy cats. So I got ready, in case I needed to head to mom's or even farther. Dressed, shoes on, cat carrier and leash ready, and bag and keys by the door. Watching the propane tanks explode into the air from the tv chopper, then hearing the explosion rattle my windows. The booms seemed to get louder, and lasted for two more hours. By 2 am, it seemed that the fire had settled down, and we could all finally get some sleep.
After an unsettled night of tossing and turning, it was time to get a new day started. Tired, but hopeful, I took care of all of my errands, and headed to work. Thinking I had my day planned out for me, I was returned to that moment of terror from the night before, when my mom called me as I was finishing my drive to work. News of a leak in one of the aforementioned giant storage tanks had led to talk of more evacuations on a wider scale. Trying to keep it together, when all I could worry about was my family, friends, and animals. I'm so thankful for understanding supervisors and teammates that got me out of work quickly.
So now I'm home, and the danger seems to be minimized, thanks to the great efforts of the local emergency personnel. Now I'm trying to decompress from one of the scariest evenings of my life. I've been through hurricanes, tornados and other disasters, but this one has affected more than any of those. And I think the biggest reason was because I was alone. My family was close, but they weren't close enough. There was that fear that I wouldn't be able to get to them, or them to me. Being alone, that was terrifying. And I could understand the panic that overcomes people in times of great upheaval. It took everything I had to keep myself together.
I'm writing this because I want everyone to know what happened without me having to tell the story over and over. But I'm also writing this as catharsis. An act of emotional purging, if you will. I was scared, and alone, and I didn't like it. I think maybe we all have these moments in our lives, but we all have the choice as to how we will react.
To the eight workers who were injured, I wish quick healing and positive vibes to you and your families. To all my local peeps, I wish peaceful thoughts and deep sleep. And to everyone, I wish for a life filled with great, fantastic moments with no moments of heartbreak and loneliness.
Next time, back to the fun stuff. Stay hip, kids.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Beer vs. Whiskey. Am I dreaming?
Hiya Hipsters!
Hope things have been going well for you. I've had some ups and downs the last few weeks, but that's life, right? And honestly, I should probably be a little more emo for a hipster. But alas, I have survived and am currently thriving. It's all about the small things that get us through. And I have had a great week of small, yet awesome things. One of my favorite things to happen this week happened on Monday night.
I got to attend an amazing dinner with some amazing peeps on Monday night at an amazing restaurant. Cask and Larder is a Central Florida gem. I have had the opportunity to eat there before, so when I heard they were doing a special Beer vs. Whiskey dinner, I knew I had to attend. But who to invite to this delicious evening? One of my favorite foodies. Metro Leprechaun (ML) immediately said yes. Then she suggested we invite my lookalike, Doppelganger and her man. Next thing I know, DG's brother, the Mad Irishman and his wife, the Hair Mistress, joined in and it was a party!
Cask and Larder is the sister restaurant of The Ravenous Pig. It is described as a "southern public house". To me, that means southern food (my favorite and birthrite) amped up to fantastic levels. I had previously attended brunch there and I was so excited about the food. Of course, the booze was pretty exciting, too.
The evening started with passed appetizers of frog legs, headcheese, and smoked oysters, which I am desperate to try at home. There was also a beer and a whiskey starter. The beer was a Berliner Roggen Weiss. All the beers were created by in-house brewmaster Ron Raike, a legend in the Central Florida craft beer scene. This particular beer was a sour, which is a great, lighter style of beer. It was a great, easy way to start out the dinner. We also got to try a Reverend Palmer, which was a refreshing mix of tea infused Gentlemen Jack, lemon juice, and a golden ale.
The courses that followed were just as awesome. A beautiful cucumber gazpacho with lobster, a grilled chicken liver spedini, which is a skewer of chicken livers with grilled plums, (honestly, that was my favorite, and I'm not a huge liver fan), pork cheeks with a beet ravioli, (another surprise, as I never would have thought of a beet ravioli, and it was super tasty, and really pretty!), and a peach-cornmeal upside down cake. Lots of yums and moans coming out of our group with every dish.
But the real stars of the night in my mind was the drinks (of course). Ron Raike's beers were actually paired after the food and cocktail menus were created, yet they complemented the courses as if they were brewed for each one. Old Southern Red Wit, (my fave), Trois Mois Saison, a beautiful stout that was aged in a Jack Daniels barrel for 5 months, and an imperial porter for dessert made my beer nerd heart happy. And the opportunity to talk with the master himself at the end of the evening was the icing on the cake. In the brewing room, no less!
And then there were the cocktails. I'm a girl that loves her whiskey. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for the dinner. Not sure if it was going to be straight shots of whiskey, or what. So I was pleasantly surprised when the whiskies were presented as beautifully prepared cocktails. Again, each cocktail was matched to the food for that course, starting with the lighter Reverend Palmer, and finishing with a Bourbon Peche, which was a mix of Woodford Double Oak (which I would take a bath in, if someone would let me), Carpano and a peach liqueur. It was so smooth and sweet that ML poured it over her dessert. I think she might have licked the plate, but I don't have pictures of that. Every cocktail was blended using quality ingredients and though provoking combinations. I was in heaven!
Of course, the best part of the dinner was the group I was with. They are such a fun, adventurous, often loud, but never boring clan. And that's truly how they think of you if you are their friend. It's a clan, a family, and I am so lucky that I'm included in that family. Jokes, insults, sexual innuendos, and plate-sharing were all a part of the enjoyment of the evening.
It was a great night and I'm so happy I insisted that it had to happen. After the last couple of weeks, I needed a night like this to remind me of the awesomeness that is my life and my friends and family. I couldn't be who I am, or do what I do without them. And thanks to Cask and Larder for making such a great night happen. I am definitely in for the next one!
Hope things have been going well for you. I've had some ups and downs the last few weeks, but that's life, right? And honestly, I should probably be a little more emo for a hipster. But alas, I have survived and am currently thriving. It's all about the small things that get us through. And I have had a great week of small, yet awesome things. One of my favorite things to happen this week happened on Monday night.
I got to attend an amazing dinner with some amazing peeps on Monday night at an amazing restaurant. Cask and Larder is a Central Florida gem. I have had the opportunity to eat there before, so when I heard they were doing a special Beer vs. Whiskey dinner, I knew I had to attend. But who to invite to this delicious evening? One of my favorite foodies. Metro Leprechaun (ML) immediately said yes. Then she suggested we invite my lookalike, Doppelganger and her man. Next thing I know, DG's brother, the Mad Irishman and his wife, the Hair Mistress, joined in and it was a party!
Cask and Larder is the sister restaurant of The Ravenous Pig. It is described as a "southern public house". To me, that means southern food (my favorite and birthrite) amped up to fantastic levels. I had previously attended brunch there and I was so excited about the food. Of course, the booze was pretty exciting, too.
The evening started with passed appetizers of frog legs, headcheese, and smoked oysters, which I am desperate to try at home. There was also a beer and a whiskey starter. The beer was a Berliner Roggen Weiss. All the beers were created by in-house brewmaster Ron Raike, a legend in the Central Florida craft beer scene. This particular beer was a sour, which is a great, lighter style of beer. It was a great, easy way to start out the dinner. We also got to try a Reverend Palmer, which was a refreshing mix of tea infused Gentlemen Jack, lemon juice, and a golden ale.
 |
| A smoked oyster, one of the starters for the evening. |
But the real stars of the night in my mind was the drinks (of course). Ron Raike's beers were actually paired after the food and cocktail menus were created, yet they complemented the courses as if they were brewed for each one. Old Southern Red Wit, (my fave), Trois Mois Saison, a beautiful stout that was aged in a Jack Daniels barrel for 5 months, and an imperial porter for dessert made my beer nerd heart happy. And the opportunity to talk with the master himself at the end of the evening was the icing on the cake. In the brewing room, no less!
 |
| Chicken Liver Spedini |
Of course, the best part of the dinner was the group I was with. They are such a fun, adventurous, often loud, but never boring clan. And that's truly how they think of you if you are their friend. It's a clan, a family, and I am so lucky that I'm included in that family. Jokes, insults, sexual innuendos, and plate-sharing were all a part of the enjoyment of the evening.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Be fairy, fairy quiet...
Hiya, kids! Happy new year! Hope the new year is treating you well. I was just so relieved to get through the holidays. In my little world, it gets pretty crazy. I think it gets that way for everybody, though. So take a big breath, let it out, and remind yourself that you have a few months before you have to see your extended family or do any heavy kitchen work.
And let's talk about those resolutions. We all make them, and that's okay, as long as they are fun and interesting. Of course, we all want to get in shape and save money, but honestly, wouldn't you rather make a promise to eat better chocolate?
So that's what I did. I made a resolution to eat at some great local restaurants that I haven't tried, work on my Cicerone certification (which means drinking great beer), and travel more. So far, I have kept two out of three.
This weekend I got a chance to go on a little trip. Where do people from Florida go on vacation, you ask? Why, Michigan, of course! One of my favorite people in the world, Painting Mama, lives in Ann Arbor, so I took advantage of the slow down at work, an overflow of vacation hours, and a stupid cheap flight, to visit a very cool family and a very hipster town.
So many great things I could say about Ann Arbor, such as great food, fabulous cocktails, and cool boutiques, but my favorite thing were the fairy doors.
Created by a local artist, and installed all over town, these adorable little bits of art appeal to the kid in all of us. I was able to see five of the original doors, and several "copycat" doors. It became a game to try to find doors hidden among the buildings of downtown.
The original doors were designed to mimic the doors of where they are installed. Some of the doors are very simple, while others are more elaborate. One door lead into an entire fairy store, with a set of stairs going down into what one would assume was a fairy basement!
These little bits of architecture serve a great purpose. All the people I saw while on my fairy door hunt were smiling. Happy people, dreaming of fairies. And how wonderful is that?
So, my weekend adventure was wonderful, and full of fairy dust. Hopefully, some hipster fairies hitched a ride home with me and will set up a home here! If that happens, I will certainly let you all know.
For more information on the Ann Arbor fairy doors, check out www.urbanfairies.com. Also, check out the artwork of Painting Mama on www.etsy.com/shop/SherryStreeter. Her paintings will also make you smile.
Also, I apologize for the less than stellar layout this week. My computer decided to die after a valiant, long term illness and I'm blogging on my iPhone. Hopefully I will be able to upgrade here soon. So, until next time kids, stay hip!
And let's talk about those resolutions. We all make them, and that's okay, as long as they are fun and interesting. Of course, we all want to get in shape and save money, but honestly, wouldn't you rather make a promise to eat better chocolate?
So that's what I did. I made a resolution to eat at some great local restaurants that I haven't tried, work on my Cicerone certification (which means drinking great beer), and travel more. So far, I have kept two out of three.
This weekend I got a chance to go on a little trip. Where do people from Florida go on vacation, you ask? Why, Michigan, of course! One of my favorite people in the world, Painting Mama, lives in Ann Arbor, so I took advantage of the slow down at work, an overflow of vacation hours, and a stupid cheap flight, to visit a very cool family and a very hipster town.
So many great things I could say about Ann Arbor, such as great food, fabulous cocktails, and cool boutiques, but my favorite thing were the fairy doors.
Created by a local artist, and installed all over town, these adorable little bits of art appeal to the kid in all of us. I was able to see five of the original doors, and several "copycat" doors. It became a game to try to find doors hidden among the buildings of downtown.
The original doors were designed to mimic the doors of where they are installed. Some of the doors are very simple, while others are more elaborate. One door lead into an entire fairy store, with a set of stairs going down into what one would assume was a fairy basement!
These little bits of architecture serve a great purpose. All the people I saw while on my fairy door hunt were smiling. Happy people, dreaming of fairies. And how wonderful is that?
So, my weekend adventure was wonderful, and full of fairy dust. Hopefully, some hipster fairies hitched a ride home with me and will set up a home here! If that happens, I will certainly let you all know.
For more information on the Ann Arbor fairy doors, check out www.urbanfairies.com. Also, check out the artwork of Painting Mama on www.etsy.com/shop/SherryStreeter. Her paintings will also make you smile.
Also, I apologize for the less than stellar layout this week. My computer decided to die after a valiant, long term illness and I'm blogging on my iPhone. Hopefully I will be able to upgrade here soon. So, until next time kids, stay hip!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Monday, September 24, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
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 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!
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