These last couple of weeks have been no different from that game plan....
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| Some TOS staff enjoying Independence Brewery festivities |
- Strange Brew: A couple weeks ago it was Austin's Beer Week. Basically, brewers introduce their new brews around this week and new breweries start presenting themselves to the world. Well, Kyle and I celebrated Beer Week by going to The Alamo Drafthouse Movie Theater (similar to Hollywood Blvd) and watching the movie "Strange Brew" while drinking strange brews from various brewers & we got to eat some yummy Canadian food. One of my favorite beers we tried had some hints of prickly pear cactus fruit in it...I was so skeptical of it but boy did it taste great! My least favorite was a bourbon beer, YUCK! I could not stand that one. The movie was weird, but funny. The food was delicious: french fries loaded with cheese sauce, brown gravy and other stuff & a canadian version of a BLT.
- Please note: Kyle obviously went to other Beer Week events that week. However, I live a bit far from him and I had already hit my quota of alcohol from that one sitting :)
- Austin Independence Brewery: The following weekend (2 weekends ago) was the last days of Austin Beer Week. That weekend every year Independence Brewery celebrates their anniversary. This was their 8th anniversary. It was a fun gathering and we got a sweet anniversary glass. Let's not forget that we also got some of their good ol' beer.
- Black Star Co-Op: This past weekeend a group of us went to a brew-pub for dinner, which is one of two co-op brew-pubs in the world. This place has some pretty interesting entres, like Kyle's pork belly blt, and some interesting beers (Like Kyle's nasty sourberry beer). The night was a ton of fun with friends. The base of the group was TOS folks (present and former) and their significant others. It was nice seeing friends who I don't see enough of...which reminds me I should see when another get together should take place :)
A bunch of you at this point are probably thinking..."My goodness Mads, you are such a lush!" Not the case. Trust me, other events do take place in my life. For instance:
- I have lost about 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks! I've been spending everyday doing some form of exercise, usually walking or running. I also took the time to dig deep and find my self control and actually work on my eating habits. YAY! Go me!
- I am building a coffee table. I took it upon myself to show interest in building something to one of my friends who works with me. Henry, my co-worker, works in the maintenance department and has built about 1 million things in his lifetime. Henry kindly offered to teach me a few things and help out. Right now, we have the table top built and next on the to do list are the legs and the lower shelf level.
- Kyle and I played disc golf yesterday. I did decently the first round and blew it the second round. AND SHOCKER....Kyle was awesome the entire time. Including the time where he had to help me get my fave disc out of a pond (it was floating right smack in the middle of the body of water..boooo). What a guy!
- Lindsay and I have been taking the time to make sure we dedicate time to the Holiday movies now playing on the Hallmark Channel. YEP you read this correctly, Holiday movies are up and running!!
- Lindsay and I are working on a science experiment of finding out what works best for a fruit fly trap. Our reptile shed has an infestation. We found that just putting ripe fruit in a jar with a funnel on top works really well...except it doesn't kill the fruit flies. A mixture of vinegar, water, dish soap with plastic wrap on top with wholes works decently too :)
- I'm sure there are about 100 things I am missing, but I feel like this was a long enough read for folks. So if I missed something, my apologies.
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| What I have built thus far of the coffee table |
Aunt Terri (Terri Yoksas) - 10/27
Mr. Burnside (Larry Burnside) - 10/31
Sorry Kyle and I couldn't be home to celebrate with you!!
Okay until the next Male Mail, I wish you all a great week and great weather!
xx
Madeline
P.S. Recipe of the Week: this is a spicy chili...half a serving and I was feeling the heat. Please, note if you are someone who doesn't do spicy very well you can easily modify the seasoning or omit some seasoning (This message is more or less written for Mark or Beth if you make it for Mark).
Hearty Turkey Chili
Weight Watchers Recipe
Ratings (936)
6PointsPlus Value
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 58 min
Serves: 6
A bowl of hot chili is so satisfying on cold fall days. Ours boasts kidney beans, lean turkey and lots of vegetables, well-seasoned and sprinkled with scallions.
| 1 spray(s) cooking spray | |
| 1 tsp canola oil | |
| 1 large uncooked onion(s), chopped | |
| 2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced | |
| 1 pound(s) uncooked 93% lean ground turkey | |
| 2 medium uncooked carrot(s), thinly sliced into rounds | |
| 2 Tbsp chili powder | |
| 1 Tbsp paprika | |
| 1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes | |
| 1 tsp ground cumin | |
| 2 medium fresh tomato(es), chopped | |
| 1 cup(s) canned tomato sauce | |
| 1 cup(s) canned chicken broth | |
| 1 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar | |
| 1 1/2 cup(s) cooked kidney beans, rinsed and drained | |
| 1 medium green pepper(s), chopped | |
| 1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste | |
| 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste | |
| 1/4 cup(s) uncooked scallion(s), chopped |
Instructions
- Coat a large pot with cooking spray; place over medium heat. Add oil and onion; sauté onion until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and carrots; cook until garlic is softened, about 1 minute. Add turkey; brown meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Stir to break up lumps.
- Add chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin, tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, beans and green pepper; bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until meat and vegetables are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper; garnish with scallions. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
