Beer at 30...

It's been busy around here the last two weeks. Last Wednesday was husband's 30th birthday (yay!), so I spent my time planning, cooking, and shopping. I was exhausted by Saturday, but the outcome was fantastic--we celebrated his birthday with a 'Tarts & Vicars' Dirty Thirty Party over the weekend. Here's a sample of what I've been doing:

(Top: Making Czech Goulash and bread dumplings.)

(Bottom: In honor of Husband's dual love for beer and jelly beans, I etched pub glasses and filled them with jelly beans for the party favors.)

Husband and I grew up in the Pacific Northwest--arguably the center of craft microbrewing in the United States. Portland, OR has more breweries per capita than any other city, and we grew up in a town with one of the best and most-well known microbreweries in the country: Deschutes Brewery. In college husband and I studied abroad in London, where he was introduced to traditional English beer and grew to love it above all but his PacNW microbrews. We stayed with a host family, and the dad was an avid 'Real Ale' fan (introduced us to CAMRA, and etc.). The very first night there, he took Husband out to the garage to make his first beer. Adam's Ale. Then he took him to the pub and gave him an education in cask-conditioned real ale. It's no wonder husband became such a beer lover. So for Christmas I got him his first beer-making kit. His second batch was finished just in time for the party this weekend.

A friend hosted the party at his house--his built-in bar and back yard were much more fun than our tiny condo. We ate and drank 'around the world' with food and beer samplings from various locales. The original menu included most of the major beer countries, but we had to whittle it down to avoid drowning in food and beer, so instead we sampled the following: England, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Pacific NW, California, and India (random, but our friend makes a mean curry, and wanted some Maharaja).The end result was quite a blast. Any guesses on my costume? Here's a hint: I went with a bookish stereotype, while Husband--standing next to me--decided that as the birthday boy he should be the pope. :)

Pretty words

My synopsis as a wordle

Shower writing

I wish someone could explain to me why it is that I have my best writing ideas in the shower, yet when I sit down to type them, they always come out in a jumbled mess. I think someone--less technically challenged than me--should invent a keyboard or laptop that is waterproof and designed to be used in the shower for all those 'lightbulb' moments. It would be brilliant! It would change the world as we know it. No one would suffer another frustrating moment when they lose an idea on their way from the shower to the computer. I'm sure it would transform the musical world too since the shower is obviously the best place to practice singing. Now, if I can just recall that perfect plot point I thought up while shaving, I'll be off to write...

(Incidentally, if you do take this idea and make millions off it, I would expect a percentage of the royalties!)

Alright Alright

Okay, sorry for no post yesterday. I miss one day and I'm already getting hate mail! Okay, I got one email asking what happened, but still. Nothing too exciting happened yesterday, and I was going to post last night, but the Husband was using my computer, so it was a no go.

I left Drew home alone again yesterday so I could run some pre trip errands. I was gone for an hour, and although he's still really whiny, he did pretty good. Although, he did tear down his bell and rip the arms off (that hold it on the doorknob). I figured out how to fix it, but being really crafty and all, it's still sitting on the counter because I need to sew it back together. Hmm. If you know me, you'll know this is a bigger problem than it seems. I do have a sewing machine, but I've never used it so I'm not even sure it works and if it does I'm not sure how. I know the cord was missing for awhile, and then it was found, but where I've put it may be a mystery. (I didn't buy the machine, if you are wondering, it was given to me by my grandma.) I've used my mom's and my mother-in-law's before, but I had them coaching so that was different. For instance, I don't even know how to thread the machine. Doesn't seem too hard, but I wouldn't put it past myself to screw it up. I may venture to pull down the machine this afternoon and see if I can't figure this out. (It's better than testing it on the seam hole in one of my favorite shirts that's been waiting since September, right? Usually I just pay to get that stuff done, but last time I was lucky and my bf's mama helped me out.) For now, Drew hits the doorstopper and it makes an annoying "thwack" whenever he needs to go, so we'll see how long I can stand that before the machine comes down. Wish me luck.

Bought some new "practical" shoes yesterday...I've been searching for black t-strap wedges for ages and finally found some basic comfy ones. (wedges=comfort and height! Hurrah!) As usual I second-guessed myself as soon as I got out of the store, so I'll be wearing them around the house today to make sure I like them. Stupid buyer's remorse. I was sad though because I found this gorgeous pair of heels weeks ago, but they didn't have my size and I didn't have money so I went back yesterday with b'day money to see if they'd got any new shipments (nope), then I went to another store and still no heels. I don't wear heels much these days because they bother my hips too much, but these were comfy, a fabulous color, peep toe, and would match all my nice dresses for the four weddings I have this summer. I must find them! I MUST!