Pump-King of all Seasonals

Have you ever wondered why Pumpkin beers are the most anticipated and sought out seasonal beers? I recently thought about this as I was tasting Harpoon's UFO Pumpkin and the people at the brewery, including myself, were jumping over the bar for a taste. This could be that this is a limited release beer and the only way to get it is at the brewery. But it got me thinking, why does everyone, even the less than occasional beer drinker swarm around pumpkin beers?

I thought first that the other seasonal beers don't have as much notoriety, like Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale, and therefore wouldn't be so popular. But look at Sam Adams and their strong following for their Summer Ale. It could just be that Sam Adams has a huge lemming like groupies and just love anything from Sam Adams. I'm still upset with them for subbing in the Nobel Pills for their Spring beer.

I think that the over all difference from the other seasonal dranks and pumpkin seasonal beers is that everyone brews a pumpkin beer. The other seasonal brews are all different. The spring ales all are light and hoppy but run the gamut of different taste and styles; but pumpkin beers all have the basic flavors of pumpkin and spice and don't stray to far from each other. Also since they are normally lagers or ales they are lighter and fruitier which makes them easier to drink.

I'm still going to down a bunch of them this Fall!

That being said... Here is my pumpkin beer conditioning for a Nov. 2nd release date!

Sharing is Carring!

I've lived with roommates and a large family my whole life so the notion of having to share everything with Sparkie did not seem to be something that I couldn't handle. But I found myself getting aggravated every now and then with sharing somethings. Things from food and the bed, to chores and the bills...

I'm the cook, most nights, of the house.  It's partly out of a passion and a necessity but I'm normally the one in the kitchen with the apron. So here lies the problem; how do you cook for two different appetites with enough for everyone to be happy. I've spent a couple nights pushing out uniform dishes during my time as a chef and can orgistrate five burners, a microwave, and a oven to where everything is cooked perfectly and finished at the same time but this was a stumbling block for me. My first ideas was to do a ratio of individual size and weight to the amount of food provided. At first this seemed like a good idea but even though I out weigh Sparkie by a good 60-70 lbs, we are nearly the same height (I'm taller); depending what's for dinner, we take down about the same amount.  Other thought was to make it family style and let Sparkie get first dibs and the rest would be all mine! MINE O' MINE!!! Unfortunately my years in the service industry have made be a stickler for presentation; I can still hear Chef O'Grady yelling to wipe the plates before serving. Also, I really like the idea of us sitting down together as a family and not the whole "help yourself" mentality. So the solution you ask? Well, this tested well, until Sparkie figures it out, but I've just started giving equal portions and then finishing what's left from Sparkie's plate if I'm still hungry. It seems to be working and since I have no problems helping her clear her plate, we have zero waste and everyone's happy.

Here's an article that got me thinking.

Now for the real battle zone. Many a relationship has died on this hallow ground. I'm, of course, talking about the BED!!!

Now, as you can see, we don't have a small bed, and have room on either side for overflow. In fact we shared my old smaller bed before and didn't have any problems but for some reason we've started bumping into each other now. It's come to the point where we draw our lines in the sand before we say goodnight. Now, I may be bias, but I'm not the main offender. I am a very light but straight sleeper. Meaning I take a position and stay in that position all night. Sparkie, on the other hand, is a mover. It fit's her personality so I can't act surprised but I often wake up at night to her invasion force jumping over my lines. Most of the times, I can repel her advances and get back to sleep pretty easily but other nights the battle rages for the whole night. I hear all these couples saying that buying two twin beds saved their marrage but I really don't want to go down that road. Maybe a king bed? Any suggestions?

What are some ways that you've had to deal with sharing?

Simple Fettuccine Alfredo

 

Sparkie and I love pasta but sometimes the monotony of spaghetti and red sauce get's to you.This simple and seemingly delicious of an old classic is surely going to spice some things up!

It's a New YEAR!

Well, for the Government that is. And that will explain the large gap between posts.

But a lot of things have happened since then! First, Sparkie and I survived our first 365 days together! We had our bumps and bruises but we have made it through! We all have those relationships throughout our lives in which you really love someone but there is something completely different about the loving the "one". No matter what Sparkie does or says I never loose that love... even when she makes fun of the Phillies!

Speaking of which... IT'S THE MLB POSTSEASON!

And the Phillies are taking on the cardinals. Great pitching VS. good hitting. In my unbiased opinion, I think the Phills will take the series in 4 games.

 

 And now that it's October, it's time to 

I don't know if you're like me but I love pumpkin spiced things. Pumpkin bread; pumpkin beer, pumpkin spice lattes! EVERYTHING!!!!

Enjoy the FALL!!!!

Frosen Burritos!

Seems like a simple easy way to make some lunches up for work! YUMMMM

Busy weekend!!!

I finally understand why they call it Labor Day, that's basically all we did all weekend.

It's M-Day + 21, 3 weeks in! The boxes are gone. 85% of the rooms are set up. We have a fully functioning kitchen, TV room, and bedroom! The to-do list is becoming a to-done list!  Pictures to come!

In other news... We are T-Day + 2! A little earlier than planned but the West Coast Pale Ale, or as we've been calling it Hurricane Pale Ale, has arrived. Initial comments show it needs some more time conditioning so another couple of days and it will be at it's prime! With the HPA finishing, I went ahead and started the next beer, Nut Brown Ale. Name and review to come later! We also named the brewery Edge Brewery. Of Course!

Did you just feel that?...

I think you just shook my world.

So I'm sure you've heard or felt by now that we had a nice little earthquake here in DC. We surived.

The main thing is that the days events did NOT interrupt TACO NIGHT! YUMM! After dinner I made Sparkie jump in the car as I took her off to she her celbcrush Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love. It was a pretty good movie and mixed both funny and drama very well. Sparkie was happy because Ryan took off his shirt.

Oh IKEA....

If you live on the East Coast, as we do, you most likely were stuck indoors with the killer storms that passed through this weekend. You know what that means! IKEA!!! I was lucky enough to be able to make TWO trips this weekend. So other than spending a couple of hours in Northern VA traffic and a few hours getting run over by middle aged soccer moms with shopping carts we finally got what Sparkie needed. Then it was time to build build, build!

First off the BED!

Although I believe IKEA is the reason for the divorice rate being above 50% in the US, Sparkie and I were able to build it together with no problems and we now have an actual bed!

Feeling good we went ahead and tried to tackle the LACK wall mounted bookshelf. Putting the shelf together was no sweat at all but mounting it became a pain. First, we were told we had 1/2 inch drywall, not true; it's 1/4 on top of plaster. That means another trip to Home Depot for correct screws and now a new drill. Second attempt went well but why does IKEA make it impossible to screw it into the wall! The top and bottom of the shelf are right where you need to screw in the wall mount, was a pain in the ass!

But we succeeded and for now, the IKEA runs are over!

Sausage, Peppers, and Oions under $10

After a long day of work you most likely are craving something delicious to eat and hellz no! if it takes you for ever to make! This is a simple little recipe that anyone can make and look like Gordon Biersch.

Things you need: for 4 servings (lunch tomorrow!)

1 Bell pepper
1 Onion
1lb ground sausage, you can use sausage links
1tbs EVOO
1/3  jar pasta sauce
Pasta
S&P to taste

Get your water boiling and get your skillet warming. ALWAYS cook on a warm skillet. You're only hurting yourself if you turn the heat on when you put your food in. once your water is boiling you can drop in your pasta. Chop onion and peppers to your liking and then saute with the EVOO. Give that about 5 mins, till they are semi soft. Throw in your ground sausage and brown. S&P to taste. When browned throw in your pasta sauce and turn down the heat till a simmer and cover for about 5 mins. Plate and enjoy!

Interesting Game Day Lunch....

Beer bread, grilled ham and cheese. YUM!

http://honestfare.com/beer-and-cheese-sandwich/

First Monday down!

So the first work week has begun and it was a double shift for me. Not a bad night when you come home to some COOKIES waiting for you!

 

More unpacking! Discovered the tub lining has a leak in it so it feels like you're on a water bed while taking a shower. Sparkie also noticed that there isn't a normal outlet in the bath room. This could be a problem. Don't know where I'm going to plug in my toothbrush...

M-Day +1

The first night was something. Even though we spent the whole day moving and grooving it was hard to get to sleep and stay asleep. The AC compressor is noisy; need to find the fan a.k.a. the Blizzard. With out the box spring the mattress is rather firm but we can fix that with the egg crate padding we have.

But I'm up sooo that means breakfast time! Ran over to the Giant and grabbed some eggs, bacon, bagels, and milk. Sparkie's request for scrambled eggs heard, I get going in the kitchen and quickly set off the smoke detector. Once you see our kitchen you'll see how easy it was. Nether the less we were able to sit down and veg for a bit before getting going for our second day of unpacking.

We needed to get some minor things for the house so Sparkie headed off to Target or Tar'get as I call it. Meanwhile I decided to crack open the Mr. Beer kit that Sparkie got me for my birthday and get the first batch started. West Coast Pale Ale Tap Day (T-Day) minus 28*. 

Made steaks for dinner and watched some Hulu with the internet borrowed from our neighbors. Thank you, it's only till Friday...

Early to bed and early to rise...

*Just an FYI I am using these military dates right now but here's a definition if you have a hard time following Military Terms.So basically what it means is the event day, the plus or minus means before or after. So T-Day minus 28  means Tap Day will be in 28 days, got it?

Move Day (M-Day)

It has begun...

6:40am: The alarm clock blaring after another long night of packing and sleeping in tight quarters.We have a long day ahead of us. Three houses to move into one.

7:10am: In line at U-Haul for the truck, lacking coffee but excited about the adventure ahead.

8:03am: The first box is in the elevator and although Sparkie almost killed her building manager for not having the loading dock ready for us; but we've started. 

*First lesson learned: Don't try and move with just two people.

Noon: Ok so we are delayed... but finally moving boxes into the Edge. 

2:00pm: Off to the furniture location 30mins away, in the U-Hual on NOVA roads; yeah you know how that went, OH and it's raining now.

4:00pm: Furniture in the van and help in tow we've made it back to the Edge. Started bringing in the big stuff and hit our first snag; box spring doesn't fit up stairs. Hmm well we'll have to figure something out there.

5:00pm: Truck is empty and the help is hungry so I headed off to grab a couple of our favorite pizzas, Lost Dog Cafe, Highly recommend! Grabbed some beers too.

6:00pm: Help is leaving, now it's back to just the two of us. The reality sets in. Boxes are starting to get unpacked and the house is starting to come together.

10pm: It's been a long day; we've just sat down to watch some Rat Race and relax for a bit.

Midnight: Off to bed with the mattress on the floor. First day is done.

Hello!

Hello! I'm Sparkie's other half and this is our blog about our new place, the Edge, and our new life together. Here's the back story, we are a twenty something couple who have been dating for almost a year now and have just moved (Aug13) into our first place together.

About me: Originally from Philadelphia and a huge sports fan. Metros to work downtown.

Sparkie: From NOVA and a huge Redskins fan. Drives to work in Tysons Corner.

This blog will comprise of many different post; from stories and recipes to discussions and much more. We'll try to keep it interesting with some pics but let's see how this goes!