Firestone Walker | Brewery Tour

We are big beer people.

Not like Bud or Coors or even Corona... we are beer-tasting, can-tell-the-difference-between-an-IPA-and-a-brown-ale, appreciate-the-artistry-in-it... craft beer people.  Some people are like that with wine, we just happen to like beer better.

So, we decided to take a little field trip over the Christmas break to Paso Robles for the day and check out the Firestone Walker brewery.

There was a great little half-hour tour that taught a lot about the beer making process as well as what makes Firestone Walker a unique brewery.  We also had the opportunity to taste several of the draft brews that they don't bottle, so they were only available there.

Fun (kid free) times with some wonderful friends! 

'Pretty Much Picasso'

I love this variety of Petunia.  This is the second year of getting it and it really makes me smile each time I see it.  My friend Alice has a way greener thumb than I do and pointed it out to me last year.  I don't know if you can tell, but it is purple with green edges.  I tried to look up the official name of the variety and all I could find was the nickname 'Pretty Much Picasso'... so I'm going with it. 

Happy summer weather we are having!  We spent our first official day at the water park today.  It was perfect :-)

Spring Cleaning and a NEW Favorite Thing

The weather in our area has been BEAUTIFUL the past few days allowing us to open up the windows and get some fresh air in the house!!

It has also prompted some much needed Spring Cleaning.

So far I have started with the blinds, dusting in the living room's nooks and crannies, and a complete overhaul of the surfaces and appliances in the kitchen... which leads to my favorite find this week:

Pledge Specialty Surfaces

Apparently this product had a former life and was known as 'Pledge Protection Plus', however I wasn't aware until I found it at CVS this week as part of a couponing deal.  
It claims to be the product for sealed stone surfaces such as granite and marble, but it also lists that it works on stainless steel, which is why I picked it up in the first place.  I have had some bad luck with stainless steel products in the past and had resigned myself to the dingey, fingerprinted look... until now! 
I sprayed it on and wiped it down with a towel and VOILA!! My fridge has NO smudge marks!!  Yay!

(I was in no way compensated for my opinion on this product.)

A Few of My Favorite Things: Life on Discovery

Have you all been watching the series on Discovery Channel... Life? My gosh, it is wonderful! They have broken each episode down to a genre of animal (Amphibians, Mammals, Reptiles) or behaviors, like hunting. Sounds simple, like didn't we learn about this in the third grade?!? But, the videos are simply AMAZING! Not only did they find animals that do wonderfully unique things, but they have somehow managed to catch it on video.

There are the (insert rare breed name) ducks that do a syncronized water dance as their mating ritual and literally RUN across the top of the water as part of their dance.

Then there were the dolphins living off the coast of Florida that make a whirlpool of mud with their tail fins in an area of shallow water. The disruption of the mud causes the fish living there to freak out and they start jumping up out of the water. The dolphins just open their mouths and let the fish jump into their mouths!! Talk about a creative way to get a snack!

My kids love it too, although it has elicited some interesting questions, as you can imagine any nature/ animal show might. (And if anyone asks, those birds were just playing together)

If you have a DVR, find and record this show. It will make you smile, and gasp, and realize how perfectly AMAZING this world really is.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Low-POINT lunch options

I have been looking for some new low-POINTS value foods to incorporate into my daily routine. Here are a few of my new favorites:

MorningStar Farms Garden Veggie Patty: 2 POINTS
* This is not 'trying' to be something it is not. It is not trying to fool you into thinking it is a beef or chicken patty. It IS a veggie patty. If that is your thing... I think you might enjoy this. Not that I am going meatless by ANY means, however it is a tasty lunch option for me.
Thomas Bagel Thins: 1 POINT
* That's right! A BAGEL for ONE point!!!! I know, I couldn't believe it either! Imagine someone went and sliced the middle third right out of your bagel, you would now have a bagel thin. So, add some low-point cheese and you have yourself a nice little snack or breakfast. I enjoy these with the veggie patty above and voila!!! 3-point sandwich that actually makes you feel like you have eaten something :)

Hillshire Farms Deli Select Turkey Breast: 1 POINT for 2 oz. (Yes, I measure on my scale... this is more than you think it will be)

La Tortilla Factory totrillas: 1 POINT each (This is the low-carb while grain version)

Tzatziki yogurt sauce: 1 POINT for 2 Tablespoons (This is a dill-celery yogurt sauce, and a good way to add some punch to your meal)

* I got all three of these at Costco and combine them for a filling lunch wrap with bell pepers and lettuce or spring mix... 3 POINT lunch... Mmmmmm!

A Few of My Favorite Things: A little thing that makes a BIG difference

So for this week's favorite things I have chosen two items that seem small, but have really made a big difference in my life the past few years/months.

The first one is Flushable Wipes. Let me tell you this might really seem silly, but we go through these like crazy! These were parctically FREE at WalMart a few times last year with coupons, so I stocked up. Shown are the Huggies brand, but I have used the Pampers brand, and the Target brand and like them all the same. They are PERFECT for potty training a child (makes clean up a breeze, just throw the wipe in the potty!). Thankfully, just as I was getting low, a few months ago Target had their version for FREE and I was able to stock up again. Honestly, I might have enough to last until Claire is four. :) So, for those gearing up to potty train, keep your eyes peeled...flushable wipes are wonderful!
*Just a note, my cousin said she heard these might cause problems to your toilet. I have never had a problem, but just an FYI
And favorite thing number two is the bounce Dryer Bar. (I am going to sound like a commercial here...) You take the bar out, peel the paper off, and stick it in the dryer. Depending on the size you get, they can last up to four months! NO DRYER SHEET NEEDED!! Really, I love the smell too, Mmmmmm! Again these were a freebie after coupons a few months back. Honestly, I doubt whether I would have tried it had I not gotten it for FREE, but now that I have, I love it! Again, such a simple thing. But it has made my 'favorites' list.

*no, I am not paid for my opinion. Just info I thought I might pass on...

A Few of My Favorite Things: Cupcakes

I am starting a new series of posts here about some of the wonderful things, places, people, and businesses that have worked for me...

What better place to start than Cupcakes!

These were my birthday cake a few weeks ago... and they were fabulous! I have used Cupcakes bakery a few times, but I think they are beyond good. The are PHENOMENAL!!! Our favorites are Red Velvet, Strawberry Cheescake, Carrot cake, and Lemon... but each and every one is a little bite of Heaven.

Cupcakes is located on the corner of Cedar and Herndon in the same parking lot as Tahoe Joes. Get there early in the day, when they are gone they're gone! (Closed on Sundays)

**Notice the runner on the table? This was a beautiful gift from my Aunt... hand made and perfect for my strawberry themed kitchen! Love it!!!