colette and a story about an incredible father...

On friday night I had dinner with two of my best friends, my father and two of his best friends at the wonderful Hopleaf. This is a bar that is well known for it's very long beer list (and as the title of my blog suggests... I have an incredible affinity for this barley flavored beverage.) The dinner was delicious, the company was wonderful BUT the BEER. Oh...the BEER!

I fell in love with a particular brew called Colette from The Great Divide Brewing Company in CO. I recommend going out and grabbing yourself a six pack of this wonderful farmhouse ale while listening to this song by Langhorne Slim called, of course, Colette.


I got to spend the rest of the weekend hanging out with my Dad who was visiting me from Ohio. We had a great time watching movies, playing guitar, walking around different neighborhoods in chicago, trying new food and talking about family, love and happiness. I couldn't as for a better father- a sentiment that was echoed by his friends on friday who told me that they have taken to calling him, "the rock."


...not to be confused with THIS "the rock." My dad "the rock" is WAY COOLER... and better looking...

Right now I am working through a book about someone else's father, Mr. March: father to Meg, Amy, Beth and Jo from the novel (and one of my ALL TIME FAVES) Little Women. Geraldine Brook's beautiful book March follows the life of the father from the famous classic who, for the majority of Little Women, is away fighting in the Civil War. I have to admit, March is beautifully written... but hugely heartbreaking. It has taken me at least two months to get through even though it is quite short (only 280 pages long.) I've needed to take long breaks from the racism, torture and the horrors of war that this book describes.. breaks that sometimes lasted for weeks at a time; but I keep coming back for the incredible story, beautiful writing and small glimpses into the family I first fell in love with at age ten.

I recommend this book for lovers of classic literature and history buffs but with a warning: you will be shocked and saddened by this glimpse into our country's past and left wondering... why do we treat people as "others?"

the dog days are over

Go ahead, scream it with me, "SPRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


After a supremely miserable winter I would like give a huge welcome to SPRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soon lilacs will be popping up all over my wonderful city, kickball season will start, long bike rides followed with day drinking will highlight my weekends and many a picnic/ book will be enjoyed by the lake.

Speaking of books--
BUY THIS BOOK NOW:
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Kavalier-Clay/dp/0312282990

Guys, Micheal Chabon's novel is flawless. SUPERHEROS, LOVE, HOMOS AND WWII??!?! What else could you want?! In all honesty, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay has definitly become on of my top ten favorite books of all time.
(OTHERS INCLUDE:
East of Eden
Middlesex
Their Eyes Were Watching God
The People's History of the United States
The Red Tent
Les Miserables
Little Women
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle
and of course Yertle the Turtle)

The book chronicles the lives of two cousins, Jo Kavalier and Sam Clay, and their partnership in the comic book industry before, during and after WWII in Brooklyn. Kavalier is a Czech refugee who has come to America to escape Hitler and save up money to bring the rest of his family over. Clay is an awkward young man with a thirst for literature. The book, part action adventure, part love story, part portrait of a young artist, part war drama- is exciting, poignant, sad and yet incredibly hopeful.

Now if you excuse me... I'm off to enjoy a trip to target... while singing this song:

March MADNESS

Holy BONKERS, y'all.

It has been a while since I last posted.

Here is a quick rundown of what has transpired:
I read some books. (finished Portia's book, the Harry Potter Series, Strength 2.0 and am currently on Even Cowgirls get the Blues)
I went to some parties.
I turned 26.
I drank some beer.
Survived a Blizzard.
I went to the gym a few times.
I met some new peeps.
I lost five pounds.
I drank some beer.
I bought a dining room table.
I got a new guitar. (thanks big brother)
I got a sewing machine (thanks aunt sara.)
I signed up for a half marathon.
I had to stop quilting for a tick. (hand cramps)
I found out that Tank Sushi delivers (OH MY GOD!!! BEST DISCOVERY EVER!)
I drank some beer.
I watched some movies.
I saw some old pals.
I drank some more beer.

Exciting, right?!?


Sure.

In addition I've been thinking about getting back in the saddle about crossing some stuff of this New Year to do list/ ditch the ones that I no longer think I want to do/ should do.

Lets review. Here was my original list:
1. Read DOUBLE the number of books I read in 2010. (I read 23 books-- so in 2011 I will read 46!!)
2. Buy a dining room table (so that I have a place to put a sewing machine!)
3. Finish two quilts.
4. Run a half marathon.
5. THIS IS THE YEAR I WILL READ INFINITE JEST!
6. Bike with Caitlin to Milwaukee for a weekend.
7. Start the process to getting my Montessori certification!!!!!!
8. Visit my big brother in the mountains and his lovely wife-to-be.
9. Go camping!!
10. Set a new PR in the Proud to Run 10K.
11. Lose 20lbs. (YIKES!!!)

Reflection/ Responce
1. Yeeeah- I don't think I'm going to read forty six books this year. Last year I read 23- this year I'll go for one more- 24.
2. DONE AND DONE. I BOUGHT A DINING ROOM TABLE! WOO HOO! that is crossed of the list.
3. Hand cramps have put a halt in production, however I still see myself cuddling up with two new Kat Paddock quilts by the new year...
4. I have signed up for the Chicago Rock and Roll half marathon!!
5. I HAVE TO READ INFINITE JEST-- I HAAAAAAAAAAVE TOOOOOOO!!!!
6. Sadly, for personal reasons FAR too personal for a blog, number six will not be happening.
7. This will not be happening either- I am in the midst of a very exciting quarter life crisis. WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY LIFE. I not know. However, I AM in the process of figuring out what the next step will be. This is both exciting and terrifying. Maybe my "to do list" for next year will include a new life "action plan."
8. I am hoping to visit Brian and Jess sometime in August...
9. Who wants to go camping with me??!?? totally still on.
10. STILL ON! I will make this year's Proud to Run my BIT*H
11. I've lost five lbs already--- 15 more to go! It is totally a struggle... especially with my love of beer, sandwiches and tacos. mmm tacos.

So there is that. Onward and upward. Looking forward to crossing some things off this refined list!!! :-)

A Delicious Weekend...

This year for Christmas Caitlin bought us a cooking class at the Chopping Block in Lincoln Square. The title of the class was, "Eat, Drink and be Merry." (She knows me SO WELL)



Our menu:
Sausage and Herbed Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Sauteed Beef Tenderloin with Herb Butter
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
and Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Suger
(and of course... two glasses of wine or beer per student!)

We had a WONDERFUL time and are already setting our sights on the next class to take!

As far as books go- the Harry Potter quest is going well,The Philosophical Baby has come back OFF the book shelf and into my messenger bag and (speaking of food) Portia De Rossi's new memoir Unbearable Lightness is currently decorating my bedside table.

I'm not usually very good at juggling more than one literary project at a time... so we'll see how this turns out.

Here is Portia talking about her book on Ellen (I have to admit... this made me cry):

pillers and a quilt...

--I made these pillows when I was at my parent's house in Ohio. I used a Moda charm pack called "whimsy" and my Mom's Pfaff sewing machine.



-- This is my first quilt! It is actually something called a "cheaters cloth" in the pattern of "grandma's flower garden." I'm using it to learn how to hand quilt. My next project will be a jelly roll quilt made out of strips from Moda's line "breakfast at tiffany's." I'm pretty excited about it!



I'm now heading back into my bed to snuggle with my cat Weeble and Harry Potter. Happy Sunday FUNDAY!

COVERS

A few weeks ago I posted the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's song, "Home." I just saw this cover on a friend's facebook page and it was too cute not to post on here:



Enjoy!

so this is the new year...

2010. Done and DONE.

2011, its really good to see you. You are shiny and new and I love you already.

In my last post I talked a lot about starting Alison Gopnik's book The Philosophical Baby. I have to be honest, I haven't really read any of it since then. WOOPS!

I got distracted with my project to re-read all the Harry Potter books (am now working my way through Book Four of the series.) I'm having a great time picking up on things I missed the first go round, giggling about the silly situations that I'd forgotten and simply getting swept up in the magic of it all.

My reading time has also taken a bit of a back seat to a new hobby: sewing. When I was visiting with my parents for Christmas my mom taught me how to use her sewing machine and how to hand quilt. I made four pillows and am currently working on my first lap quilt called, "grandma's flower garden." Pictures coming soon!


The New Year is a time when most people make resolutions.
Instead of resolutions I'm making a to do list (in no particular order):

1. Read DOUBLE the number of books I read in 2010. (I read 23 books-- so in 2011 I will read 46!!)
2. Buy a dining room table (so that I have a place to put a sewing machine!)
3. Finish two quilts.
4. Run a half marathon.
5. THIS IS THE YEAR I WILL READ INFINITE JEST!
6. Bike with Caitlin to Milwaukee for a weekend.
7. Start the process to getting my Montessori certification!!!!!!
8. Visit my big brother in the mountains and his lovely wife-to-be.
9. Go camping!!
10. Set a new PR in the Proud to Run 10K.
11. Lose 20lbs. (YIKES!!!)

Every time I cross one of these things of my 2011 to do list I'll be sure to let you know. Perhaps I'll even have a celebration of sorts. WHO KNOWS! The year is filled with possibilities!

Enjoy this beautiful song by my favorite musician, Jill Andrews (best served with a Founders Imperial Stout:)