Thursday, January 27, 2011

RESTAURANT REVIEW: BRICK HOUSE

After a Tuesday that felt like it could have lasted an entire week, Andrew and I treated ourselves to dinner and drinks at a new place in town called Brick House Tavern and Tap. Although this restaurant is geared toward men, I enjoyed it just as much as Andrew did.


The food and drink selection was great. We started with an app of soft pretzels. Omg. I should have just gotten these as my meal! With two different types of mustard for dipping choices, I was in heaven. I know my friend Emily would have enjoyed the Meatloaf Sliders, and I will have to try those the next time they come to visit!


For the main meal, Andrew got the Big Boy Prime Rib Sandwich and I got the Yard Bird Chicken Sandwich with garlic parm tots. Believe me, this restaurant was a winner from the moment I read tots. Shouldn't all restaurants serve tots?




Although I expected more beers on the menu, I can't say that I was disappointed. I had a few Blue Moon beers in the "Man Size" - 20 oz. Although the waitress keep trying to tempt us with a "Beer Bong" - more commonly know as a beer tower - there was no way I could help finish one of those on a weeknight.


Other highlights included: mini fact cards with the waitress name, picture and fun facts on it (good idea!) and a check that came out in a Little Black Book!

The only downfall I can think of was the waitresses outfits. They were beyond tacky! I understand who their target audience is, but come on! It was worse than Hooters.

After we left, Andrew and I decided that this was a new favorite of ours and we give it a solid 9.5 out of 10. Have you been to this place before? What did you think?

Brick House Tavern+Tap on Urbanspoon

Monday, January 24, 2011

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Ok, so I'm not really going to give you a penny, but I do want to know more about what you like to read! Sometimes (most times), I have a hard time thinking of things to post about. I think it would be easier if I knew what you guys like to read about! So I created a handy poll on the right sidebar to gather your thoughts in one place. There are seven things to choose from! Although, if you choose other, please let me know what you would like read more about with a comment in this post.

BOOK REVIEW: FIRST IN THE SERIES

Since my last book update, I have done A LOT of reading. I almost feel bad for slacking on my book reviews... Almost!


The Hunger Games -

Addictive! I did not want to put it down. Although this book is for the younger crowd, I had heard such good things that I wasn't going to let it pass by me without giving it a try. And I'm glad I did. I even convinced Andrew to read this one - it only took him a couple of days! After he finished it, he couldn't resist and bought the second and third book in the series.


The main character, Katniss, pulls you in from the very beginning. You can't but help cheer her through all of the challenges she faces, and there are a lot of them! And it wouldn't be a good story without a little romance! It isn't quite clear where her loyalty lies between the two boys in her life, but she has a good head on her shoulders and I'm sure the winner will prevail soon enough.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo -

This book was def. meant for the older crowd. Between the graphic sexual scenes, potty mouth, and murder, there isn't a lot of room left for the warm-fuzzy feelings. This suspense novel can be confusing at times (it is so hard to keep their names/relationships straight), it's worth the work. Even once the murder has been solved, there are other elements of the book that take you pull you back in.


I'm currently reading the second book in this series, and it's just as good as the first! I will do a full review of both The Girl Who Played With Fire and Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series) in my next update!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

WEDDING UPDATE: FLOWERS & SEATING CHART

I feel like I'm being a terribly picky bride. Trying to find pictures of bouquets that I actually like is hard! Ideally, my bouquet checklist looks seomthing like this:
- white and yellow flowers
- no daises
- no casscading
- no baby's breath
- simple
- inexpensive
- real flowers

Alas, I think I am asking for too much. I have only found one picture that shows bouquets that I love, and I'm sure that anything I pick will break my flower budget...

+

Another issue I have been struggling with is a seating chart. Although, I could really do without the added task of putting something like this together, I know that this is probably a must. I would really hate to end up with tables featuring blank chair and having a couple that can't sit together. Nightmare!

Now I have even more research to do! Add table numbers, escort cards, and placecards to my list. I think this is what I'm going to call the "wedding-planning blues". Anyone want to cheer me up?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

WEDDING UPDATE: HONEYMOON

Andrew and I have been throwing around honeymoon ideas since we first got engaged. Secretly, it might be the part I'm looking forward to the most. How could I not be excited to plan for a romantic trip with my new husband?!?!

Since the beginning, I have said that I wanted to leave the country. I want to explore the world and this is a good excuse to start (not that I needed a reason!). I think Andrew is a little leery of any place too foreign. Although I am a little disappointed that this crosses Italy and France off my list, I can't say that I'm too upset either. I want to be able to fully relax and enjoy my time as husband and wife. I don't want to do too much running around trying to squeeze all of the sights into our limited time.

After thinking about it a little longer, I think we have decided on VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA! I'm so excited! Right now it's still in the planning stages, but I already have a list of things that I want to do!


Zip line tour, brewery visit, whale watching, caves & hot springs, hiking, winery tour, and so much more!



I love that we will get the best of both worlds with this vacation! We will be able to enjoy the city and the great outdoors will be right in our backyard.



The Vancouver tourism website has been so helpful (it's actually where are I got all of the pictures from)! I cannot wait to explore this city and all that it has to offer. Have you ever been to Vancouver? Any recommendations?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

BBQ SHREDDED PORK

I made this last week on a day that Andrew and I were both feeling under the weather. Although it isn't soup, it was super easy and super good.

What you need:
3 lb pork butt/shoulder
1 can beer
1 cup beef broth
1 bottle BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is Andrew's fav)
Buns

1. Put the pork butt into the slow cooker with the beer and broth. Set on low and go to work. No really... go to work and come back in 8 hrs. Your apartment/house will smell amazing.


2. Remove the butt from the slow cooker and shred whatever meat doesn't fall apart on its own. The meat was so tender that I barely had to touch it and it would break apart.


3. Put the meat in a oven safe dish and dump on the BBQ sauce. Use the whole bottle.


We kept some extra on hand to make them extra saucy

4. Stir it up and bake for 30 mins at 373 degrees.

5. Put it on a bun and enjoy.


This makes great leftovers and we ate it during the Packers game last Sunday. Highly recommended!

Monday, January 10, 2011

WEEKEND WRAP-UP: JAN 8-9, 2011

My weekend was made-up of Morrison family Christmas,  crafting with the girls, bridal expo, game, not enough pictures taken, and lots of snow. Except for the less than pleasant driving conditions on Sunday night, this was a very good weekend! Thank you to everyone who made it so special.

Pumba - Lindsey's dorky dog
Dad
My favorite Grandpa of ALL time! Pops!

Chocolate chip pancake maker extraordinaire
Bob - future model cat
Let's get our craft on!
We're going to the Jersey Shore, bitch! 
I'm surprised Sarah didn't put him in her purse

Thursday, January 6, 2011

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Well, after sitting on it for about a week, I'm having the hardest time finalizing my New Years resolutions. I know that resolutions aren't for some people, but I like to think of them more as goals. I realized that there are a lot of things I want to accomplish and do this year. Actually, there are too many. I need to be realistic. I already have a lot on my plate for the year (including getting married!), and I don't want to set myself up for failure and disappointment. With that being said, here are my goals for the year...

1.Take care of myself. - Make time for myself and make better choices. Be true to myself. 

2. Have fun! - Sometimes I get really caught up in my to-do lists and I lose sight of what's really important.

3. Take it one day at a time. - Every day is a new day and a chance to start again. I can be really hard on myself and making a mistake shouldn't be an end all. I would like my life to include more gray and less solid black and white. No one is perfect, including myself.

And a few fun ones...

4. Get my Christmas cards out on time. - If you haven't gotten one yet, don't worry! They are almost ready....almost.

5. Attempt a food eating challenge. - I really believe I can do this! Adam Richman makes it look so easy.  How many Jimmy John sandwiches do you think you could put down? My number - 4. (This number is just a guess)