Three Things Thursday

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

WHOA- I’m doing a post that doesn’t start with a ‘W’ (Winesday Wednesday, Weekend Update, Wes’s monthly updates..) I just felt like blabbing a bit here while we are hanging out on the floor watching all the Pope action on TV. So here goes!

1) Let’s talk about mat leave. Or rather, 52 weeks of less pay. I am NOT complaining in the slightest because HOLY CRAP a whole year of paid leave to stay home with my baby is pretty much the best thing ever. GO CANADA! But the cut in pay makes it a bit limiting, especially now that there is another human in the household. With that, I was thinking of potentially getting involved in an online business like Beachbody as a means of generating a little bit of extra $$

Only problem is, I absolutely cannot stand how my social media feeds are now bombarded with all the entrepreneurial (<–spelled that right on the first try!) posts. No offence to anyone! I don’t want to be a hypocrite and end up doing the same. I know, I know, it’s the best way to reach others. Only, I feel that I might do well with that type of business because I am already a very active, health-minded, and fit person. I would love to share that with others….but not annoy everyone else in the process. It’s a toughie. Please let me know your thoughts!!!!

2) I have been drinking Polar seltzer water LIKE IT’S MY JOB. (If only that were a real job which would easily help me out. See #1)

In the two weeks I’ve been home, I think I’ve consumed 8 cases. Cases. Then there’s the regular water. And the fizzy water I’ve bought while out. And the beer. Haha, the beer. (not as much as you’d think.) I do miss my sodastream at home since it’s more cost efficient, but I can’t hate that my parents have been keeping the fridge stocked with this stuff for me!

3) I am planning on a solo shopping trip for myself before leaving New York. I NEED CLOTHES. No, it’s legit you guys. First, I only brought 3 outfits + a dress with me for this trip. That’s three outfits to repeat for a month. WOOF. Plus, most of the clothes I do have don’t fit me anymore. I was out with Wes yesterday and saw so many cute things I could incorporate into my fall/winter stay-at-home-with-the-baby-but-not-look-like-a-hobo wardrobe.

I’m keeping the budget small, but I think I can do it! So long as I steer clear of the Oreo aisle in Target.

Tell me something random!

Winesday Wednesday 9/23/15

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Holy crap, it’s Wednesday AGAIN? Where does the time go?! With that, Happy Winesday Wednesday, friends!

So last week I headed over to a local craft beer market (Hops and Barley- they don’t have a website..WHAAAAAT). The shop was a bit boutique-y and they didn’t have an abundance of beer as I was expecting, but they still had a decent new-to-me selection AND a bunch of brews on tap for growler fills. Ahh, if only I were local. Anyhoo, I was in a pinch for time and threw together a mix and match 6 pack:

I’ve yet to try the Southern Tier Harvest and the Brown’s Brewing Co Cherry Razz, so I’ll let you know about those next week. Of the ones I DID try..

Uinta Brewing Punk’n Harvest Pumpkin Ale

From the website:

DESCRIPTION

This sessionable pumpkin ale is brewed with fresh pumpkin and seasonal spices.

TASTING NOTES

Malt and hops accented with roasted pumpkin and spices of the season. A subtle hint of vanilla and honey. Punk’n is a wonderful compliment to foods with nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove flavors. Try it with roasted turkey, squash or pumpkin ravioli, peach cobbler, or pumpkin cheesecake.

I was excited to find a pumpkin ale I’ve not yet tried, BUT….womp. I am sad to report there is approximately ZERO trace of pumpkin in this brew. However, it wasn’t a bad tasting beer! Just tasted like a typical harvest/fall beer. I wouldn’t cross it off my list, I just wouldn’t add it to your pumpkin beer tasting list.

Angry Orchard Summer Honey

(source)

From the website: Our Summer Honey cider is a light and refreshing cider with subtle notes of wildflower honey, perfect for those warmer months.

It must’ve been the wildflower honey that did it, but I did not care for this seasonal flavor from Angry Orchard. It just had a different (an unpleasant to me) aftertaste. I’d still with their original because it is the nice sweet and crisp taste you’d expect from a hard cider.

Shipyard Brewing Company Pumpkinhead

To my fellow New Englanders, you know this beer so there is no description necessary. It’s not fall until you can order one of these puppies at a bar with a cinnamon sugar rim (SO MANDATORY). This is my favorite pumpkin beer of all time..I only wish I could have another…with aforementioned rim. So cinnamony and delicious I can’t even stand it!

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

From the website:

Abita Pecan® Harvest Ale is brewed with pale, Munich, biscuit and caramel malts and Willamette hops. Real Louisiana roasted pecans are added in the brewhouse and give the ale a subtle nutty flavor and aroma. Crack one open for yourself.

This ale is excellent served with both red meat, seafood and, no surprise here, it’s also great with nuts! Try Pecan® Harvest Ale with Gouda cheese.

MIND= BLOWN. This beer was SO good and SO different. At first, it tastes like your standard fall/harvest beer but it has the most unbelievable toasted pecan finish! I need to get my hands on another one of these before I go home, because I have never come across a beer with this flavor. Maybe a brewery up in Alberta will catch on and make something similar??? wink. wink.

Oh guys…there’s also a wine a tried this week. (Read: One sip. But I can get all I need to know in that one sip! Plus, my mom likes it. It’s a smooth red that’s an easy drinker and would pair well with many foods.)

Chateau La Paws Red Wine Blend

From the website:

A medium-bodied mixed-breed with dark cherry and raspberry notes.

Grape: Red Blend

Vineyard: California

Style: Opulent spicy red, soft tannins, rich fruit notes.

Pairings: BBQ, Grilled Steak, Roasted Vegetables

ABV:13%

In 2015 Chateau La Paws™ & Diageo Chateau & Estates are donating $100,000 to North Shore Animal League America to help fund the great work that they do to rescue, nurture, and adopt as many dogs as possible. We are proud to donate to this worthy charity and are excited to develop this partnership as we continue to grow this brand.

I IMMEDIATELY grabbed a bottle of this when I saw it because….DOGS. Insert googly-eyes emoji here. Please check out their site in the link above to read more about their cause and to see pics of all the shelter dogs they use on the labels!!

Ok, that’s it for this week. What are you drinking??

Weekend Recap

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Happy Monday everyone! This weekend has been busy! Friday: Wes got up a bit earlier than normal (went to bed earlier the night before) so I got about an hour of alone/snuggle time with him in the morning. He wanted … Continue reading →

Winesday Wednesday 9/16/15

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hi there! Happy Winesday Wednesday! Sorry for the no show last week- we had to play catch up after a unexpectedly long layover from the day before. But, I was able to get to the beer store at some point last week and enjoyed 3 different drinks that I’m excited to share with you!

Not only is alcohol extremely less expensive in the states (WOOOOO FREAKING HOO) but there is also a larger variety. So you can probably imagine how giddy I was to take my first trip to the beer store this visit. I managed to narrow it down to three different drinks:

Coney Island Brewing Co Hard Root Beer

I lucked out because they sold singles of this one. I didn’t want to buy a 6 pack and get stuck with 5 extras in case I didn’t like it! Good news- it was SO good. It tasted exactly like root beer with just a bit of alcohol-y finish. I would definitely drink this again..many times. So maybe it would have been ok to buy the 6 pack?!!

Citizen Cider Unified Press

Of course I had to pick up a hard cider and man oh man is this a goody.

From the website:

Made from 100% locally sourced apples, never from concentrate, the Unified Press is Citizen Cider’s flagship cider that keeps you wondering where it’s been your whole life. This naturally gluten-free cider is an off-dry, crisp, clean and refreshing cider that keeps you coming back.

AVAILABILITY: Forever

Apples pressed at Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury, VT.

Manufactured in Burlington and Middlebury, VT.

Pairings: Pork, soft cheese, spicy food, smoked fish, rustic bread & butter.

It’s 6.8% ABV but I kid you not it tastes just like a premium apple cider sans alcohol. And now I want one. Good thing I have two left in the fridge. Highly recommend this! Bonus: It’s from Vermont. That’s where Ben and Jerry’s comes from.

Two Road’s Brewing Company Roadsmary’s Baby

From the website: Roadsmary’s Baby is a traditional pumpkin ale with a Two Roads spin, it’s aged in rum barrels for added complexity and depth of flavor. The result is a smooth drinking ale with notes of pumpkin, spices, vanilla, oak and a touch of rum.

Ok…hmmm. I’m still not 100% sold on this one but I think it’s because I drank it wrong. I was actually in a craft beer market earlier today and was chatting with the guy there about it and he said darker beers have to be served at warmer temperatures in order to experience the full flavor. Well DUH! I’m an idiot and totally forgot all about this and drank it ice cold. Ugh. It wasn’t until I got to the very bottom of the can did I actually appreciate the flavor (it took me about 2 hours to finish, so it wasn’t that cold by the end). Good thing I have 5 more in the fridge.

So those were my drinks for last week..I’ve stocked up on more beer (AND WINE!) this week and can’t wait to test them out and share with you next week!

PARENTS (or childless folk who have friends with children and need to bring them relief in the form of alcohol) READ THIS: Top 6 Wines That Pair Best With Your Child’s Crappy Behavior

What are you drinking this week?

Wesley Arlo- 5 Months

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I’m glad to say it..this month went by nice and slow. GOOD. DON’T GROW UP BABY. I think Wes grew way too much this month and I don’t like it one bit. I super cry when I see some newborn photos because I can’t believe just how teeny tiny he used to be. But, I do love to see him learn new things as he grows and he is definitely coming into his own personality.

Since we’re in NY, I obviously can’t take his 5 month pics with his bear, but this Mickey is just about the same size. Either way…you can really tell he’s grown!

New developments: He’s started grabbing things on his own with both hands. This includes my hair, my earrings, my boobs…He blows raspberries ALL THE TIME. I think he loves the trick, but that combined with his excessive drooling means the guy goes through a zillion bibs every day. The downside from all the drool? He now has infant eczema on his cheeks, chin, neck and chest. It comes and goes in severity and I try my best to keep it dry as much as possible. I also use cream (trying to avoid using the steroid given by the doctor).

On Sept 4th, we introduced a bit of rice cereal into his nighttime bottle (Still breastmilk). Sept 5th he grabbed his toes for the first time and on Sept 10th he rolled over from his back to front (I didn’t witness this- my parents did. I am BUMMED.) Yesterday (Sept 14th) we gave him his first real food- pureed sweet potato! He loved it even though he only probably swallowed about 1.5 tsp of it.

I’m not so sure he was a victim of the 4 month sleep regression, but he was a bit more difficult to put down on some nights- he gets overtired and fussy and will wake up as we put him in his crib. So a few times we’ve had to resort to letting him cry it out until he falls back asleep, which only lasts about 5 minutes. His bed time bottle can be up to 10 oz plus a small extra feeding (Which tells me he’s probably ready for solids..the boy likes his food!)

He giggles and smiles ALL THE TIME. He loves to stare at new surroundings and lets out loud sighs with every yawn. (Oh-mah-gawdddd baby yawns are the BEST).

He’s almost outgrown his infant carseat- last time I weighed him he was 19ish pounds- since the straps are starting to be too tight.

He had his first airplane ride! (Sept 8th) I got a picture of him with the pilot AND made sure to get a pair of wings 🙂

He wears size 3 diapers during the day and 4s at night (although, now that I’m typing this, I’m pretty sure he can be in 4s all the time. Because: THIGHS.) He still loves his baths and even grips the sides of the tub when we try to take him out. And he splashes a lot. My mom got a few baths herself from his splashing!

He’s getting a bit more hair on his head which is covering some of his cradle cap nicely..

He stretches all the time. He wants to be moving all the time. He babbles ALL THE TIME.

I usually let him babble in his crib for about 10-15 minutes before I get him every morning. He loves watching Reggie and focuses on anything that’s red.

(For some reason I can’t get this photo to rotate, so tilt your head to the right)

He now watches us eat food and genuinely looks sad that he can’t have whatever we’re having.

He naps about 3-4 times a day. 3 naps are about 30-45 minutes and his late afternoon nap is anywhere from 1-2 hours.

He starting to try to sit up on his own- he’s not fully there yet, but it’s great to see that his back is getting stronger! He enjoys tummy time and can turn his head from side to side, but shows no interest in pushing himself up (he has superman arms and likes to keep them straight with his palms back).

Overall, he is the happiest, healthiest, giggliest, cutest, most sociable (insert a ton of other positive traits here) baby ever and I am so lucky to be the mama that gets to hang with him 24/7!

And if you’re questioning the ‘giggliest’ part, it’s because he immediately turns on his serious face as soon as I get the phone/camera out. Or eat crackers.