Wk5: Bar

Too busy to grab a drink seemed impossible until I discovered 36-packs and Amy Wagner finally made sense. 

Wk5: Postcard

Sorry Mom, nothing new this week. 

Wk5: Recipe

Too many easy to heat up pre-made meals makes cooking from scratch unnecessary.  Maybe next week I'll find a good dish to try. 

Wk5: Rest

Not this week either.  We had an overabundance of Super Supper meals already to go, so there was no need to go out to eat. 

Wk5: Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants is a great book.  I meet an Australian school teacher that recommended this book while we were in Vietnam and I'm glad he did because this became an instant classic for me and I will keep it to be reread.  The chapters flew-by as the story was so engrossing and left me wanting more.  Because the story goes back and forth between an old man recanting his youth and his present day, I was afraid that this book was going to go Nicholas Sparks The Notebook on me and end with a sappy, touchy-feely, love story.  While there is a romance in the main characters history, it ends well and the book stays upbeat and triumphant.  I've never been to a circus, that I remember, and I may have to see what all the hub-bub is about now.  The story was great, the characters kept me enthralled, and the experience left me wanting more rather than hoping it would end.  A great read. 

Wk5: Powderkeg: Petite Syrah 2008

I wanted a dry, spicy wine and I figured BevMo could help me find one.  I asked the worker for a "peppery" Syrah and he recommended the Powderkeg Petite Sirah.  We both noted how most Syrahs are trying to tame their flavors and make them smoother at the cost of taste.  When I get a Syrah, I want one that will wake up my taste buds and set my lips on fire.  Unfortunately, this one couldn't do that.  It had a hint of pepper and the overall flavors were pronounced and Syrah-y,  it just wasn't what I was looking for.  I'd recommend it for pairing with a meal, but it wasn't the sipping wine that could stand on its own that I expected.  I probably won't get it again as I'm sure I'll find what I really wanted. 

Wk5: NPR and PBS

Support Arizona Public Media
I've been listening to a bit more NPR lately and I figured that keeping Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! on the air is a noble pursuit.  I found it was more odd than annoying, but NPR has you donate to your local affiliate rather than a national pot.  I guess it keeps the community stations active and the focus, but it doesn't really matter to me as long as someone uses my donation. 
Now for the interesting part, the local NPR stations also hosts the local PBS channel; so two birds with one stone.  I don't know if every broadcaster is like this, but it meant that I'm also supporting Nova with my donation.  All around, I wanted you keep public media alive, even if their government funding is in jeopardy. 

Wk5: Out of Bounds Stout

Avery Brewing Co. is a microbrewery from  Boulder, Colorado and when I was in the mood for a dark beer, their Out of Bounds Stout met the challenge.  At 6.3% ABV, this black beast packs a punch while staying refreshing and true to its stout name.  I liked the bold flavor that was not overpowering and I think it would  be great after a day on the slopes.  I'd hide one of these in the snow by my car for putting my board away.