We enjoyed the chance to have a quick photo session at the hospital with Samuel.
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April 2025 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Fashionably Early
Dan summed it up well: Samuel John Hart arrived two weeks early, and if he lives up to the Hart name, it is the first and last time in his life the kid will ever be early for anything. I … Continue reading
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Elaine’s Second and Final Bumpdate for Baby Boy
This pregnancy was still a breeze compared to what many women experience, but being pregnant and chasing a two-year-old does offer a different experience than just being pregnant. Everything pretty much went as it did last time, but with the … Continue reading
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Marzen
This is my second attempt at a Marzen. The first was too high gravity and was a dry beer. I’m hoping this one is more drinkable due to the lower ABV. Og: .1071
Posted in All Grain, Home Brew, Lager
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Caramel Cream Ale
This beer was designed to emulate the caramel cream “bulls eye” candies that I used to eat as a kid, and I think I hit it dead on. The beer is sweet, creamy, a hint of vanilla… It is delicious. … Continue reading
Posted in Ale, All Grain, Home Brew
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Abbey Ale
This is a fairly sweet, easy to drink Trappist (Belgian single) ale. 2014 Steeped grains at 165F for 30 minutes Sparged grain bag in 1 gal of water @165F, added to brew pot. OG: 1.060 @78*F = 1.063 (.005 … Continue reading
Posted in Ale, Extract
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Belgian Tripel
The 2nd place winner at the 2015 Brewfest, this is a tasty beer! This beer is bold. It starts sweet, hits with a bold malt flavor with hints of fruit and ends with a slight dryness due to the ABV, … Continue reading
Posted in Ale, All Grain
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Homemade Bacon
Makin’ Bacon! Beautiful, delicious, pork belly goodness… Bacon can be found in any grocery store meet section. But let’s face it, that stuff sucks! I wanted thick, smokey, peppery, delicious (my mouth is watering as I type this) bacon. So, … Continue reading
Posted in Big Green Egg, Pork
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Corn Meal Crust Pizza
Crust 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour 1/2 cup ground yellow cornmeal 2 tsp Coarse Sea Salt 1 Pack Dry Active Dry Yeast (I used Fleischmann’s) 1/2 tsp Sugar Hot water (100*F to 120*F) Olive Oil This produces a very dense, cracker-like crust. Start by … Continue reading
Posted in Food and Cooking, Other
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Dirty Simple Rice and Shrimp
This is intended to be a very quick, easy way to cook up some good Cajun food. 1 box Zatarain’s Dirty Rice 1 lb uncooked shrimp 3 Bell Peppers (difference colors are nice) 1 Large Onion ~2 stalks Celery ~6 … Continue reading
Posted in Food and Cooking, Seafood
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Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta
1 Box Rigatoni Pasta (or any pasta that a sauce can “grab” onto) 3-4 Chicken Breasts 1 Bundle Asparagus 1 Package Mushrooms 1 Sweet Onion 3-5 Cloves Garlic 3-4 Strips Smoked Bacon Parmesan Cheese (get a block of cheese and … Continue reading
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Philly Girls Trip
This was Hailey’s and my last hoorah before Baby Boy arrives. I just had to get outta town and go somewhere new. Philly beckoned since I have three near-and-dears living in the area. Our itinerary started with a visit with some … Continue reading
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Baby Boy on the Way!
It sure is different being pregnant the second time around. Difference #1: this is my first post about the pregnancy, and it’s coming in at about 24 weeks (and I didn’t even finish it until 31 weeks). I’m not even … Continue reading
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Happy Birthday to Dan!
We kept birthday plans low-key this year, but Dan enjoyed spending his big day with his little girl. Especially since his little girl did such a nice job making him a cake.
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Keaton and David Tie the Knot
Keaton (Katie) and David tied the knot in the Oak Park area and we were lucky enough to attend. Auntie Marie was an awesome sitter! We had a great time strolling around Oak Park and hanging with the old SWEster … Continue reading
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Hailey at 22 Months
Hmmmm……this month is now a blur. I do know that I think months 21-24 represent a ton of growth. Just the freedom to have Hailey in the next room over while I cook has been glorious. She is still known … Continue reading
Posted in Life
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Yay for the U.S. of A!
Hailey was super festive the whole week leading up to Independence day. Then this lucky girl got to view a private firework show on the cul-de-sac courtesy of awesome neighbors Emilee, Tony, and Lilee. How perfect to be with friends … Continue reading
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Hailey at 21 Months
This kid cracks us up at every moment. Favorites Music: Celine Dion, itsy bitsy spider, classical Books: Go Dogs Go Foods: Sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, turkey meatballs, Kashi shredded wheat with berries, juice, fish Toys: Baby dolls, balls, … Continue reading
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Hailey at 20 Months
Derby season brings with it some extra fun at day care. One event is the diaper derby, and the teachers paint onesies as racing silks for the kids, complete with their horse name. Hailey’s onesie had the words “Chomp Chomp” … Continue reading
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