Weekend Fun: Dabbling with Beer

Last weekend a group of beer lovin' friends and I headed to the Beer Dabbler in St Paul.  Despite the outdoor part, which immediately seems unappealing, the event was a blast. When I started feeling a little chilly I would make my way over to the silent disco where a surrendered drivers license would score you a personal headphone to wear in the dance arena.  The best part was that everyone could listen to whatever music got them grooving best.

 Pre-dabbling at Alary's, we noticed many other pre-dabblers wearing pretzel necklaces.  It makes sense to have a palette cleanser between tastings or just a snack to soak up some of that beer.  Either way a quick trip to Super America and some spare lengths of sock yarn donated from my knitting project resulted in our very own necklaces.  

 My very own tasting glass.  At first I was bummed that it was plastic, but as the night progressed I realized it was an excellent planning decision.  :-)

 The first cheers.

 Somehow, Sharon managed to help out behind the counter at Great Lakes Brewing!

Weekend Fun: At the Art Shanties

One thing I truly love about Minnesota is the way winter is approached with gusto and enthusiasm.  Surprisingly January and February can be the busiest time of year, socially speaking.  I guess we just know how to embrace the inevitable.   Of course this year, so far, has been a bit of an exception, but it hasn't stopped any of us from enjoying the Ice Shanties on Medicine Lake.  Have you ever been?  If not, read more here.  I highly recommend checking it out; just remember to leave your self consciousness on the shore for it can only really be enjoyed inhibition free.  During my visit I joined a silent flash mob, hugged a giant monster hand, spun inside a giant egg, dressed up in a fur overcoat, tried to break into the dance shanty, enjoyed the finer points of cogs and wheels, pretended to speak with a french accent-poorly, hung out in a hammock, made an Aaron Rodgers button, and shamelessly played on an ice formation that really wasn't a part of the project at all, but almost equally as entertaining.

In the Kitchen

I have been dying to make macarons since the Martha Stewart Holiday cookie mook came out last year, but I was too daunted by the preciseness of the recipe.   The slew of flavor combos also had me a bit stumped.  They were all just too good; I couldn't only choose one and the beauty of the macaron is the array of pastels to delight the eye and the palette.  After sampling a few from Cocoa and Fig I decided to try making my own for an upcoming Bon Voyage party.  After pouring over recipes, I went with Martha, as usual, and her French Macarons.  I found this video by Joanne Chang also extremely helpful.  In the end I made chocolate with chocolate ganache, pistachio with a honey buttercream and black tea with a raspberry buttercream.  The macarons were a hit,  I am already brainstorming some new flavor profiles.  

On my loom

First project of the year is a bit of a filler one, but I needed the distraction to better plan out future looming.  The neutral warp is a nice canvas for some poppy colors.

Growing

I am a big fan of New Year Resolutions.  The key is to slate in very short term/manageable goals along with the long term/ambitious ones.   Right now I find myself facing a new year of opportunity and it is starting to stress me out.  So I start where I always begin when I am stressed. With a list.  It helps me to focus on what is important and what is realistic.  So far I have a personal list, an activity list, a travel list and a craft list.  I can't wait to share my progress.   Until then, I am enjoying the start of my narcissus bulbs.  I can't wait to see what they have in store for me. 

On my needle

I learned to cross stitch for these "Little Heart Bread towels" from Favorite Scandinavian Projects to Weave, but what really inspired me to try it at all was this awesome butterfly cross stitch kit Ashley thrifted for me.  After all the work I put into it, I will proudly display this in my house!!

Happy New Year!