Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to me...

Ah, man! The frustration of turning another year older. Not too thrilling, but not the end of the world, I guess. For my birthday yesterday, we did just about nothing- which is cool. Jack and I went out to Quarry Park skiing last night; that was nice. We'll get out again tonight/today. We actually are going to a party later this evening after we get to Hallenbeck for the the family fun night. Better get some junk done now.

Right now, though I want to write about the frustrations that Chris has been going through for the last few days. Since his beer went on, he got some bad reviews. It's gut wrenching! Really, makes one sick. I've been so bummed for him. He's been thinkin' and rackin' his brain to figure out what's going on.
WELL- come to find out the dishwasher rinse water is too concentrated with whatever it is they put in it. It TOTALLY threw off the taste of his beer. He said he battled with that when he was brewing for O'Hara's- trying to tell the company that they absolutely have to adjust that iodine because it ruins the beer (and every other drink). YUCK!

First impressions are so important, it sucks that something like that can ruins so much hard work. Chris was bringing home growlers not washed in that junk, so everything tasted great to him. Man, what a freakin' scare! Even though he took care of the issue today at work, it still hurts in my stomach just to think of how everything teeters on just some small things (or seemingly small).

So, wish us well in this endeavor and hope that things turn around in the next few days. It would be really great to get going again with the brewing just like before. We really want this to work out so that we can stay around here and keep a brewing tradition in St. Cloud, the heart of German Minnesota culture- just wish the locals knew what a great tradition was set fourth by the early settlers. St. Cloud should embrace fresh beer, hand crafted beer. Ah, one can dream- right?

Off to get some junk done-

Have a safe and
Happy New Year's Eve!

Hot Tamale!

Mmmmmmm! Yummy!

You can see the steam coming of the plate- I love this shot!

Our neighbors Leyda and Giovanni came over on Christmas day to deliver two freshly made tamles the Honduran way! Wrapped in a banana leaf I heated it up on the stove just now. I did one yesterday, too. The kids were not convinced of it's goodness. We got some last year as well and Chris wasn't sure he liked them that well. Ah, more for me! They were delicious- Leyda rawks!

One isn't suppose to eat the banana leaf, but I did heat it up while it was wrapped in the leaf. That seemed to work better than taking it out and heating it. She put rice, chicken, green olives and golden raisins (I believe). Not sure of the spices, but not at all hot despite the title of this entry.

We have awesome neighbors all around by the way. For every neighborhood gathering she brings fresh, hand-rolled tortillas! Super cool! One day I sat in her kitchen chatting and the whole time she's making these tortillas for her husband and son who are due home soon. She made a Honduran taco, not at all like Taco John's- ha!

Layered with cheese, meat, fresh tomato and a hard boiled egg slices on the top. Yummy! Then when they came in, they insisted I join them. What a treat!

Happy Boxing Day!

A terrific Boxing Day To All!

What a lazy day here...napped two times, LOL!



We had a pretty uneventful Christmas, which is good. I guess, I mean, I should say- we didn't have to travel far and go through tons of gifts. It was a rather peaceful Christmas Eve. We finished some decorating, watched a Christmas story and we all plopped down into bed about 9:30pm to watch the yule log burn on KSTC-45 out of Minneapolis. Ah! What loveliness.

This is now about the 3rd year in a row that we have done this. A constant fire is burning on the screen, pretty decent Christmas music is constantly streaming. Some great B3 organ was on one and some vibe on another. Lou Rawls and other classics singing. Not half bad I must say. And, another super cool feature, somebody behind the camera reaches in and adds another log and gives it a poke with a fire poker once and a while. All that's missing is the mess and smell. Got the smell covered. Chris once bought a little log-house incense burner and pine log incense. "What the heck" I said, "why would you want that?" Well, now we have a terrific use for it! We burn our little cabin, watch the fire and relax. I read aloud some Christmas traditions and history. Everyone was crashed out by 10:30pm!! Santa came some time after that. He left some great gifts.



Got Christmas cards made at Walmart (Grrr) on Christmas Eve. As much as I hate Walmart, I took my sister Mary's info and inspiration and submitted online an order at 12:42pm Monday. I went to pick them up a little after 2pm on the same day! 50 cards/50 envelopes $.40 each. I had to pay $4.00 extra for 1 hour service. Small price to pay for convience. This is the first thing that I've been impressed with from Walmart; I think ever!











It was a busy week with Chris brewing everyday and preparing to get his beers on tap before New Year's Eve. Since the beers could not be brewed in time for Thanksgiving or even Christmas, he at least wants to get them on for New Year's Eve. I look forward to getting some things done around here this week. I didn't get much baking done, kind of not inspired this week. I guess that was catching. Hardly anyone in my family baked like usual. Hardly anyone got their cards out. The ones that are always on the ball, weren't. But, ya know what? It was a pretty relaxed Christmas all and all. Everyone was in good spirits, the kids generally happy. We didn't go caroling as usual. The first time in many years. Our fearless ring-leader Diane was out in Lake Tahoe for Christmas and without her, I guess we just aren't as inspired.

Well, Dad was out late fishing, so supper wasn't until after 7pm! But it was just as well, we all had a good time visiting. Ann, Gary and family were having trouble getting through the Cities because of the snow. So, it was good that supper was late. They were in Rochester awaiting the arrival of the newest grandbaby due on Christmas Day. No baby yet as I type this.

Ah! The Red Tape Has Been Cut!

All that dang Federal paper-pushing crap holding up the brewing process for McCann's is over- Tomorrow he can officially brew!

Read his blog

This has been really trying for us all, but of course Chris the most. He has been so down and really short with everyone. Now that Christmas stuff needs to be done, he'll be busy brewing! But, maybe we'll just be lucky enough to have some beer to bring home in time for New Year's Eve! Man, this has been so stressful!

Soon, little boy! Soon the brew will be flowing again!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!!

A traditional story about Saint Nicholas is most appropriate for this day. However, I've never been one to do the appropriate thing!

Sedaris' take on Saint Nicholas!

My boys had a terrific time last evening after St. Nicholas pounded on the door and left a hefty sack of fruits, nuts, candies and chocolates. They also received two GINORMOUS coloring books!

I really love Saint Nicholas Eve, more than Christmas really. It's so traditonal, it's about a few treats and the anticipation of somebody great. Santa is really too commercialized. Look at me, I sound like some PSA or religious nut job! Really, though in the Netherlands and Germany St. Nicholas Eve and Day are celebrated as a secular holiday. There is really little in way of "the Jesus" connection, the Christmas connection or heavy guilt ridden expectations. For our home, it comes and it goes. It is one evening of a quick glimpse into simpler times. I would like to (and I would think Chris would be in agreement with this as well) focus more on the St. Nick tradition and keeping it simple and less on the Santa influence.

Two Of My Favorite Men

Chris

Were on MPR within days of each other!!


How COOL is that???

Tony

Pride of Home State

It's all about where you're from. What you feel are the important things in life. What your connection is to this world. Apparently, we've made such an impression about the importance of Minnesota, our heritage that when my almost 5 year old Graham was about 3-1/2yrs old he came to me and said, "Look, I made Minnesota"

I have to say, I didn't know that my Graham had such a way with chocolate grahams and so much pride in his state that he'd want to crunch, munch and gnaw the shape of Minnesota out of a graham cracker.
Glad we don't live in Massachusetts! Ha!

Movie review

Just got back from Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.



Ya know, Dustin Hoffman makes me smile, no matter what he's in. Typical Hollywood feel good, everything is dandy in the end. Well, it's for the kids and rated "G"- I guess, there it is then. Natlie Portman is cute, of course. Justin Bateman, handsome and fun. The kid was cool and sweet. I'd loved to have seen more "wonder" or answers to "how" these things work. Willy Wonka came to mind as I chose to fill our afternoon with Mr. Magorium; minus the wickedly extroverted inventor teetering on good or mischievous at any given moment. Wonka always had explanations, background or "practical use" for his inventions. Mr. Magorium is "just" lovely, if not a little wacky. Willy Wonka, a little creepy (and I like him that way).

Hello and Welcome

Trying out this new"fangled" blog thingy- Hee, hee!

I hope to post from time to time. We'll see where that takes us (me).

The Brewer's Wife sound cool, kind of like the Butcher's wife, the Baker's wife or something. It sounds like a good title for a book, huh? My husband (the brewer) was afraid it was demeaning to me. Like I'm only identified by him, his life- the patriarch of the household. HA! Everyone knows I wear the pants in this house (and his fondness for wearing silky lady things).

- just kidding!!

Now he probably won't let me "link" up with his blog ;)

Friends and family, I look forward to sharing updates, stories and photos.

Peace!
Ruth