Deck work!

I spent a good bit of my morning staining my deck. Fun times! Instead of just getting a sealer and spraying it on, I elected to hand brush it with Cabot Deck Stain. I chose Chestnut Brown! Here are some preliminary pictures, as I need one more gallon before I can finish the job.

From T-Mobile Pictures

From T-Mobile Pictures

Fun! I hope to finish one night this week, get all the furniture back on, and throw a fall party before the weather gets too chilly!

Musings from a booze peddler...

No posts since June 2008? What gives!? Well, faithful reader(s), I think I lost my focus. Maybe I was hard up for new topics. Or, perhaps, the weather got nice and I started enjoying the summer. Glass of wine on a patio with a friend after work, or write a new blog post? Some people can do both. I however, did not.



But now I'm back! I have the time to blog. I have some desire. But I'm currently lacking a focus. Do I share things of interest to me? Do I update readers on things that are happening in my life? Do I continue to share new music and elicit your recommendations? The answer, for the moment, appears to be "yes."

So, without further hesitation, I present my return to the blogosphere.

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I'm writing while working at Joe's Wine and Spirits, hence the post's title. I'm working really hard not to spend more than I make, but without an employee discount, it isn't that difficult to refrain from buying booze. Slide on out to the Cherry Hill and let me help you pick out something delicious! Currently, I'm recommending The Show, a powerful Cabernet at a brilliant price. Also, I really like Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc for a nice, crisp white for finishing up our blackberry summer.

I'm working a PT job, in part, to pad the bank account so Shannan and I can enjoy our trip to Akumal, Mexico. It's been awhile since I've been on a proper vacation. I think the week we spend at our quaint little getaway will more than catch me up. I've never been out of the country, so I had to go through all the hoops to get my passport. Looks like it will be worth it - I can't wait.

I've been very interested in finding new recipes lately. The other night, I made a delicious Farfalle Pasta with Zucchini and Gorgonzola. I cannot stress how easy this was to cook! Very delicious. Tomorrow night, I'm going to try my hand at making Porkchops with Mushroom Bourbon Cream Sauce. The recipe calls for both white wine AND bourbon. Hello Rock Rabbit and Ten High! What was I saying about trying to refrain from buying booze?

Finally, let's close with some new tunes in my library, and a call for a few from you. Currently, I'm really enjoying:

"Sugarfoot" by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
"Love Vigilantes" by Iron and Wine
"Magick" by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
"You are the Best Thing" by Ray Lamontagne
"The Great Defector" by Bell X1. (Currently a free download on Amazon!)

What about you? I know I've picked up a couple new anonymous readers... Say hey, identify yourselves, and share some grooves!

Feeling good to be back -

Nk

My (Less Than) Triumphant Return!

It has recently come to my attention that I haven't been blogging in awhile. Like, over a year. I now find myself with some time on my hands to add a little more to this site. Not sure yet what direction I'll be pursuing, but I'm going to shoot for 1-2 posts per week! I'm sure all my devoted readers (both of you) are on the edge of your seats in anticipation.

Hopefully you'll have a reward in the form of a new post this evening!

Cheers,

Nk

Share the Grooves!

So, this topic is a remnant from something I used to blog about on MySpace. Here's how it goes:

1) I scour my sources for tunes I like that you may not have heard.
2) You check them out and either like them or dislike them.
3) You share your opinion on my comment page.
4) You add a couple new, interesting songs that are occupying your recent playlists.
5) We both enjoy new music!

Here's what's playing on my iTunes...

Brett Dennen - "The One You Love the Most"
I've shared some Brett before, and this is more of the same. His voice is very unique, his hooks are catchy, and his music is upbeat and optimistic. The perfect start to summer.

Landon Pigg - "Falling Love in a Coffee Shop"
This is the first time I've heard Landon, and his haunting opening to this song hooked me instantly. The subtleness and simplicity of the rest of the song, coupled with how the music unfolds is comforting. I want to be singing this song...

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "Apologies"
Where has Grace been all of my life? Finding this little nugget of beauty felt like the first time I discovered a Regina Spektor song. It spoke to me. She is vulnerable. We are vulnerable. I am vulnerable. Maybe she will speak to you?

Sam Cooke - "A Change is Gonna Come"
Okay, so this isn't a new song. It's old. The singer has come and gone. The style is reminiscent of days past. Despite all those things, Sam Cooke's haunting, soulful, aching song feels more prescient than ever. Does it relate to observations about our current political happenings? Does it relate to coming out of winter, into spring, and enjoying summer? Does it portend me "turning a corner" in life? I don't know, but Sam speaks directly to us still, and it couldn't be more meaningful.

John Mayer - "Gravity"
This song isn't quite so new either, but makes the list as being new on my radar and for it's serendipitous timing. After having a bad day, a piss-pour workout, I drive home, pop on my favorite XM channel and John Mayer encompasses my mood in one line "Gravity...is working against me, and gravity, wants to bring me down."

Take a second and check these out if you like, but I'm really interested to hear what's gracing your playlists lately - summer is nearly upon us and there should be some good new tunes out there for us all to find!

Sippin' on some ...

I was able to weave the word "usurp" into a normal work email today. I win. Activities like this make me happy. Reminds me of the time I dropped "exacerbate" in a conversation with a customer service rep. Either the other person appreciates your verbal dexterity or has no idea what you're saying.

Any of my erudite readers have any personal examples?

...More posts tonight!

Energy bars!

I've started making my own snack/energy bars - thanks to a recipe from Jessica! I'll be experimenting over the next few tries to see how to tweak them for more protein, or less calories, different flavors, etc.

Here is the base recipe:

Turn on oven, preheat to 325.

3/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
3 cups oats - NOT the instant kind

Mix well. Bake 10-12 minutes. If you cut them into 12 squares, each should be about 250 calories. Store in the fridge!

Got any quick snack recipes to share? What about things that you make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week?

One week!

Well everyone, one week without soda* down the tubes. It wasn't that difficult either! Once I got past the third day, I kinda forgot I even drank it. I guess my moments of weakness to conquer were :

1) Mountain Dew in the mornings. Loved my small coffee cup full of neon yellow goodness.

2) Coca-Cola Classic on Fridays with my lunch at Booche's. For some reason, the Coke at Booche's is immaculate.

3) Coke just about at any time during the day. Man it just hits the spot.

So, when I think about it, my consumption was way down from where it used to be, but a week without it is definitely a big thing for me! If I can get to one more week without it, then the third week should be pretty easy as I'll be in Miami staying with Jessica. She doesn't drink it and has vowed not to let me drink it, so we'll see what happens!




* So, I get to "one week without soda" on a technicality. Today at The Deuce Pub and Pit, I asked our server if they had lemonade. She told me they did, so I ordered one. After that, I decided to get an Arnold Palmer, which is lemonade and tea. After downing a couple of those while playing washers and experiencing a change in waitresses, I find out that no, they don't actually have lemonade. I've been drinking a concoction of tea, sprite, and sour. WTF. So, I ran the rules by my friend and he decided that since I didn't order soda and I unknowingly drank it as a mix in something, then the streak gets to continue. Booyah suckas.