I think I made it to all but one of Dunedin’s breweries on this last trip, and two of the Clearwater ones as well! In Dunedin I visited Cueni, Caledonia, Soggy Bottom, Dunedin, House of Beer, and Woodwright (finally!); I missed 7venth Sun. In Clearwater I visited Grindhaus Brew Lab, and Southern Lights. Since my summer Florida trip two breweries — Clearwater, Beach Island — have shuttered. Even though I was a little underwhelmed by the one beer I had at Woodwright, I will attempt to return at sometime because their food truck The Duneatery specializes in German-type food.
I had a weird experience yesterday, I had to reboot my iPhone because, get this, I couldn’t make nor receive calls. While using it as a phone is admittedly one of the features I use least, it is right there in the name so it should always work.
Yesterday was a day of cooking. In the morning I started a pot of baked beans that remained in the oven for eight hours. Later in the afternoon I made an amazing batch of French onion soup. While not a natural combination, I had some of each for dinner. Both meals used kitchen equipment I inherited from my parents; the beans were baked in the bean pot I received years ago, and the soup was eaten out of a French onion soup crock I brought back last week. Given that it was constantly cold yesterday I didn’t mind having the oven on at 250°F all day, venting some of its heat into the house.
Now if I had only gotten some exercise…
It’s come time for me to make a decision. I need to either pay for YouTube Premium, or stop watching YouTube because the length and frequency of ad breaks has gotten to a point where I cannot stand it. Do I want to spend $140/year for YouTube content?
Wordle: three, my starter was CRAFT
Connections: perfect, Green > Blue > Yellow > Purple
Wordle in 3, Connections with one failure.
Welcome home! Glad to have you back in town.
The weekend celebration continued Saturday with a major cleanup of the pantry. It’s a small space anyway, but removal of the doors on the “closets” makes a world of difference. We may have filled a “herbie” with all the expired food Debbie tossed. (she has a thing for expiration dates- me, not so much). Saturday evening dinner at our favorite sushi place. The last time we were there, something was “off” in 2 out of 3 of the rolls. We’re happy to report everything was great this trip.
Sunday started with blueberry pancakes! More choring and a run to Lowes.
Still dry January and except for my actual birthday, my 30 for 30 streak is intact.
-FP
Good on ya! I would have been dry yesterday, but the French onion soup had white wine, so I drank some with dinner too.
I need to get the bike on the trainer, and then my fat ass on the bike today. I will do it!
I don’t pay too much attention to “expiration” or “best by” dates, especially on canned goods. I used to know someone who was fastidious about them.
Agreed. If it’s more than a year and something with a lot of acid in it (like tomatoes) it can go, otherwise it should be fine.
I was all prepared to do a really long ride on the trainer yesterday, but when the estimates are completion in 120 minutes, I got a little disheartened. Still a good solid ride.
I RARELY pay any attention to the best by dates on anything but fresh foods – I think its a way to get you to just buy more.
Wet January is going well for me – the only day last week I didn’t drink was Wednesday. Maybe this week will be dry-er.
lol, Barb. I think Friday is the only day that I have not had alcohol. My goal is to drink *out* less (even though I know the restaurants and breweries are hurting) because of the cost associated with doing so.
I am also eating a lot of meat again. Since I put a pound of bacon into the beans, and there are at least four more servings, it appears this trend won’t stop any time soon.
My moist January is going okay I suppose. Last week was happy hour Wednesday and a little Whiskey yesterday.
I don’t take too much stock in expiration dates, esp canned goods. If the can is bulging…then yes, I toss it. :).
Wordle in 2 starting with tired. 2 mistakes in Connections. Yellow, Green, Purple, Blue.
Ran 25 miles yesterday at Sweetwater. They cut in a new trail and since it rained on Saturday, it was pretty sloppy. Beautiful day for sure.
This morning I am going to learn how to change my car air filters before I go into work. :).
That’s a lot of Breweries!! I would be full. :).
Thankfully I visited them over a ten day period. 😉
Twenty-five miles? Amazing! I haven’t run a total of twenty-five miles in the last two years!
Air filters are easy to replace, I used to do it on the Jackmobile (Honda Accord) as needed.
Green – Yellow – Blue – Purple
(would have never in a million years gotten purple)
Wordle in 3 – I’m on a roll matching Paulie’s wordle tries.
Busy weekend –
Friday the American Legion for a couple cold beers –
Saturday – walkabout on the Roswell Greenways – beers at From the Earth brewery. There restaurant is better than their beers, and a little too pricy, it isn’t one I’d go back to if I’m choosing.
Regifting party Saturday night – always entertaining.
Sunday walkabout in Austell – not much out there really, so it wasn’t a long walk.
Frog Rock brewery was good, entertaining bartender & bar dog, beers were tasty, Taste like Chicken was there for her obsession with frogs. Highly entertaining for a couple hours.
Sounds like a good weekend Barb. I recall the regifting parties of years gone by…
I keep thinking that I should try to see if I can become a Legion or VFW member, but maybe now that both parents are dead my window of opportunity has shut?
oh not – its actually easier to join the American Legion if the person in the military is deceased. We used our grandfathers’ names to sign up. If they are alive, you need a copy of the DD214.
VFW you can’t join as far as I can tell, you have to be an actual vet to join there. Or so I’ve heard.
Good to know. In going through paperwork I have found proof of my father’s enlistment with the US Coast Guard in WWII.
The government actually lost my DD214, so I have a certified letter that stands in its place. When buying my “wife’s” condo last summer the mortgage company was following their checklist to the letter and said I hadn’t submitted my DD-214 for my VA loan. I had to remind the loan processor that the letter is my DD-214. At least the government kinda, sorta has a record of my service. 😉
From the earth has an amazing west coast IPA if you are in to hoppy beers. We used to go there on occasion for post ramble festivities. The food there is really good but they are REALLY proud of it (meaning $$$$).
A West Coast hoppy IPA could draw me to Roswell. I went there once with someone, back in the COVID days of 2020.
Their menu was very IPA heavy, another reason I wasn’t find of it. Mark liked the NE IPA. Yes- the food was $$$$
I’m more of an East Coast Juicy IPA. West Coast is too hoppy sometimes.
Life is better without ads, this is for sure.
Wordle in 2 starting with FROWN. Clean Connections.
Not much to report. Friday I had a lovely dinner with my daughter at Jalisco, which I have been eating at longer than I’ve known my “wife”, which means about 35 years now.
Saturday I babied myself through a major depressive funk related to the decision I made last week. The depression just verifies that I need to stay the course.
Yesterday I started a 4 week ballet barre workshop. Barre class is an assbusting workout. It looks like I’m doing a yoga class with my daughter tonight. That will be great!
I always say this – but I do need to get back to doing yoga consistently.
I have been off of the bandwagon for a year now after several years of going religiously. Life just got a bit too nutty. I went back in September and the vibe had changed with my yoga instructor because her interests have shifted, so I’ve been waiting for a better opportunity arise, and apparently it has. The yoga classes we’re looking at are at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM on Monday nights at Colony Square, either time works great for me. I’ve known the owner for more than a decade now. her daughter and my daughter have been besties since the moment they met 12 years ago in Montessori school.
where do you park for those classes?
Rachel’s friend lives on 13th Street, so we’ll use her deck tonight. The closest reliable free parking in Midtown is at 17th between Peachtree and Peachtree Circle (the section of 17th that leads into Ansley Park). I scored free parking on 17th during Music Midtown, that’s how under the radar these spots are. Prepare to leave with one or two fewer limbs if you park anywhere else in Midtown.
You and Betsy scored deuces today. Well played!
Sounds like an interesting decision. Good luck, and you know there are many of us who are willing to help if needed.
Never done yoga. I was chuckling the other day thinking how it was a year ago when you mentioned the Meetup hiking group. I only made one outing, hope to do more this year. Unfortunately shitty, cold and wet weather moves in today, else I’d consider a solo hike tomorrow or Wednesday.
If you’re around on the first Sunday in February then come to the free qi gong/meditation class at 9:00 AM in EAV. It’ll give you a vibe for things. I missed that class yesterday because it was at the same time as my barre class.
I haven’t forgotten about the Meetup group, I just don’t have the bandwidth for throwing my hat in the ring.
It’s unlikely that I will be ITP that Sunday, but if I am I will join you.
I get it in the Meetup group. I just found it amusing that it has been a year since you mentioned it.
And thank you for the kind offer of help. It truly takes a village sometimes.
I also am always saying I need to get back to yoga. My two main problems are: 1. the yoga studio near my house closed and I haven’t found another nearby that fits my schedule and does NOT do hot yoga; and 2. Actually leaving the house.
Expiration dates are just suggestions. At Thanksgiving I used a couple of cans that had expired two years ago.
I am back to work after my busy but amazing vacation. I had a great time in Key West with my girlfriends. We lounged on the beach all day Friday, it was 75 degrees, sunny, slight breeze: perfect! Then we went to a restaurant called Little Pearl and had the chef’s tasting menu, and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Flew home Saturday. Yesterday we took Finn to his morning swim lesson and then I spent the whole day hunkered down being quiet to prepare for the onslaught of the week.
Still no progress on the stove/duct because we’re waiting on the plumber to move a pipe. But the bathroom tile is done and tomorrow they start painting the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
bummer on the kitchen sort of being stalled – hopefully they can get the plumber moving today!
Key West sounded amazing, I’m looking up Little Pearl
Oh, also — I always say January is the time when we *should* be drinking. There’s nothing to look forward to in January, it’s so boring!
Haha. I think we should because most people aren’t and they have started going to the gym to support their resolutions.
You’re not wrong on that! Another year older… MLK Day and Wheelhopper #500 is about it.
Speaking of WH. I am not attending (no duh!) and don’t need another hoodie, so I will pass on that.
I figured you were out for WH 500
Bike is now mounted in the trainer, and this afternoon I will be on it pedaling.
Rest of my day will be
– making, then eating lunch
– walking up to EAV to do a couple of chores
– an hour on the trainer
– bettering myself for becoming employed again
– making, then eating dinner
It is crazy how many breweries there are around these days, seems lots of people want to get in on the game. The winners of this game is really us since we get to try a bunch of new tasty beverages.
Still doing dry January but with my skip days built in. Weekend in Brevard, birthday weekend, Wheelhopper. Basically I’m just not drinking at home for the month.
Speaking of Brevard, we turned a stack of downed trees in to a firewood pile, cleared a spot for a tent pad then built said 12 by 12 tent pad. Fun times working and hanging out with fun people.
We are essentially opposites! lol
I unfortunately predict we will lose at least four more breweries this year. I don’t know which, but the future doesn’t look as bright as it once did.
Was the trip to Brevard for fun/practice, or do you need continuing education in order to maintain your status?
I may or may not be taking down a Florida tree in February. It is clearly dead, and with no fence nor overhead power lines to hit it should come down “easily”.
The Florida house is becoming a case study of what may or may not happen to the ITP Estate.
Brevard was for fun. The McCabe’s bought property up there and when some of the land was cleared they piled a cut down tree in usable space so we cut it up more and cleared the space.
I heard, but it could be hearsay – that Pontoon is going to reopen.
I don’t know if Frog Rock will be able to stay in business, I sure hope so, but that little downtown whatever it is Austell area isn’t very happening.
I don’t know without a retail side, how well these places can run. Maybe HwC can provide some insight? Or maybe I have it backwards…
From what I understand Pontoon’s problems were real estate and not any bad business practice. They had some good beers and the environment was fun, I hope they reopen.
According to the local fish wrapper (aka AJC) Pontoon Brewing shut down because a distributor absconded with mass amounts of their product and never paid up.
I have friends that are doing no drink at home January….so they are going out more. lol. Deeter is doing no buy January. So if you want to give him a beer or buy him one…he’s all in.
That is actually a good strategy for me. Maybe I’ll do that next year. We were thinking about Mexican on Saturday and a margarita really sounded good, but sushi won and I could pass on sake.
I didn’t have a name for it, but I’ve been doing “no drinking at home” for a couple of months now.
Well I changed out my engine air filter and the cabin air filter. Pretty easy. But in doing so, I noticed a crack in the intake air hose. That won’t be easy. Might be a job for the shop. Always something. ARGHH.
Duct tape!!! not kidding. And if it’s the air intake to the air filter, who cares? It’s already getting fresh air- a crack makes no difference.
But wouldn’t that affect gas mileage by making it run richer?
Not if the hole in the hose is before any control point- after that, yes. If it’s all intake to the filter, makes no difference.
For me it’s also a matter of finding an instructor that I can vibe with. You might like https://dancingdogsyoga.com/. They’re in Inman Park, which certainly isn’t Candler Park, so that won’t help with the getting out of your house part. My friend Jenn leads special event classes there from time to time. I do like the feel of the studio. And nope, it’s not hot yoga. Fuck that shit.
That was supposed to be a reply to Jenka above, the blog decided it fit better as a separate thread, apparently.
Inman Park is still really close, that could be a possibility. Just need to look at their class schedule, if it doesn’t perfectly fit with my schedule it contributes to my number 2 problem of not getting out of the house. Thanks!
Boy howdy, I hear you on the schedule alignment. I have no better place to be on Monday nights, and time with my daughter is an absolute blessing.
Yeah, nope. The only evening classes they have are all heated. This pre- or peri-menopausal lady cannot stand the heat. But thanks for the suggestion!
Here’s another potential option: https://www.youryogaroadie.com/ Definitely low-key, also definitely no hot yoga. Ashley used to sub for Rutu years ago, and Ashley always did a great job.
David – it seems most of the people that I know that go to Dancing Dogs Yoga – all the sudden were training to be instructors. I feel like it would be like going to a timeshare presentation. 😉
It very much depends who the instructor is. Jenn doesn’t do upselling. I honestly don’t have any experience with any of the in-house folks. I don’t let just *anyone* teach me yoga. I’ve been told I would make a good instructor in the past. Yeah, right. You have no idea. Among other things, I really do not want to know THAT much about the inner workings of the human anatomy.
Holy hell. My plans are currently in limbo.
After showering I bent down and something in my lower back popped and I am currently in major discomfort. This is incredibly annoying and worrisome.
I’ve popped Ibuprofen and am lying atop an ice pack. It hurts a lot, and walking up to the village is no longer an option. If I am not better in a couple of hours I may also cancel my optometrist appointment for tomorrow morning.
something popping isn’t a good sound.
But- from someone that almost always has some back pain, I tend to ignore & take OTC medicine.
It’s not good. I just don’t know how bad it is yet.
Alrighty, CHARM appointment set up for Thursday, January 18. The TV that has hung on my bedroom wall for god knows how long is going to be recycled, along with whatever else I can fill my car up with. The holes by which said TV was mounted are patched, all systems are go to paint my bedroom for the first time in 20 years (because someone who shall remain nameless steadfastly refused to have said paint colors that came with the house changed. I’m flying in some out-of-town talent (namely my brother) to handle said painting. Rachel’s room is getting repainted to a color of her choice as well.
My bedroom has the same paint job that I did nearly 25 years ago. I have forever resisted the urge to bring a tv into the bedroom, not that the urge has been great.
At least you had a chance to pick the color. 🙂
I need to repaint our bedroom, but I’m lazy. its a dark blue, and 15+ years of bumping the walls in certain places has made it not look so good.
One day I’ll get motivated
Oh, I’d never get to it on my own. Never, not ever. I am grateful for the assist from my brother. Dark blue sounds like a good idea at the time but something that wouldn’t age well.
I love the dark color – but yes – it doesn’t look as good now as it did originally
Mine is “shit brown”, picked by yours truly, for yours truly.
My bedroom’s getting painted tomorrow! 🙂
Woo hoo! (Separately, I just got pulled over by the blog police. “Slow down, you’re posting too quickly.” Golly, ocifer, I was just amidst a stream of consciousness! Honest!)