Cozy Up to Some Beer Reading!

Since my friend JP introduced me to the idea of hygge a few years ago, I’ve enjoyed it in theory, but never really embraced it day to day. Oddly, in Chicago, it seemed to just come naturally. Possibly, if JP’s musings on baltic porters are correct, I had access to plenty of “liquid hygge” in a way I don’t have here in Portland. Perhaps it’s because no one’s figured out that while the winters are less snow-filled, they are much darker and therefore more in need of hygge? The world may never know.

So, Goose Island (the big one, not the brewpub I used to hang out with) is offering refunds on it’s Coffee Bourbon County Brand Stout. This, while interesting, wouldn’t really be worth noting on this list except that most of us beer folks are going to focus on bacteria or something else.… Continue reading →

Money Redux

So in early 2014, I was just back into Amazon’s Affiliate program (you can read about what that means in a post I wrote late last year) and by the end of 2014 I had made $51.16, total. This was mostly in December ($48.21). In 2015, it was $117.77, with $86.34 being in December1.

So, honestly, that’s really exciting in some ways. Basically double the amounts compared to the previous time period! I can only hope that trend continues. That said, even if it does continue, I think by the time I’m making enough for it to be even part-time wages…

It’s another six years, roughly. That’s more time than I’ve currently been blogging. Oof. Though, the good news is that, since it’s an exponential equation, by the time I get to a part-time wage it’ll only be another two years to get to a full-time wage.… Continue reading →

An Update for the New Year

Happy New Year! I snuck a link post in yesterday without really acknowledging that the year-end hiatus was over. This was unintentional, I assure you. I merely had started writing it before the hiatus was over and didn’t think about it until after the post went up.

That was a big part of the plan for the hiatus, as you may recall. Writing, writing, writing. The plan was to build a buffer. And, as you can see, I had a tiny one going. I’m not writing this post the day it goes up. But I’m writing this post the day before, so it’s not as big as I’d aimed for.

Why is that?

Well, I started this post at 6:23 on Saturday night, so that’s a good start on getting a buffer going.… Continue reading →

Food Links

My mother’s cheesy chicken. Simple roast chicken I pull from the oven. Steak, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and chocolate cake. My friend Claire’s enchilada casserole. Grandma L’s zucchini bread.When I read Jacques Pépin’s Food Memories, these are a few that come to my mind. And I find myself wondering, what are your food memories? The ones you’d have to ask a family member to share with you? And would you if you had the chance?

I actually have gotten a few recipe cards from family with some of these “food memories” recipes on them. It’s a fascinating cross section of what my extended family cherishes.

My fascination with food and enjoyment of others’ company means that reading this description of a cookbook club had me absolutely dreaming.… Continue reading →

It’s My Birthday.

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  • Thursday, December 24, 2015
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And tomorrow is Christmas.

About five years ago, my friend Angelique got me started on setting up a list of goals/”to do” for my birthday. I let it go for a couple of years, but picked it up again this year. And today starts a lot of these goals.

I’m not going to share most of the list, because it’s fairly private. But I will say that it’s odd to do this so close to New Year’s Day. It means the list isn’t really de-coupled from the traditional “New Year’s Resolutions” as much as I would like it to be. But that’s fine.

It’s also not as far removed from the chaos of the holidays as I’d like. And, unfortunately, this year hasn’t been as relaxed and fun as normal.… Continue reading →