I've moved!

Not houses. Who knows when that will happen! I've moved online. I am spending most of my time athttp://www.nivens.me/ these days. Stop by and say hi!

Relying on neighbors

I never have to guess when it is time to set out the recycling. Without fail, for the past 5+ years, two signs serve as reminders that it is time to set out our empty beer bottles, diet doctor pepper cans and junk mail. When we first arrived to this neighborhood this good deed was done by Marge. She took great care of her home and garden up until the time of her death. Without a beat, Marge's neighbor across the street picked up the duty as if it was their wish to carry on Marge's legacy. While some may pass this biweekly task as no big deal, I think it is remarkable when people are committed to doing something voluntarily - especially when it is time bound. I have come to rely on this neighborly, and may I point out, slightly old fashioned, communication. Our garage would be full of recyclables if it weren't for the consistent reminders. So, thank you.

Considering the weather conditions as of late, I am even more grateful for my neighbors. Especially those who quickly remove snow from the sidewalks so we can safely walk our dog and get to the bus stop.

Adding life to our house

In the form of plants that is. Scott and I needed groceries in order to have breakfast tomorrow and I really didn't want to go to the store. To motivate myself, I decided I'd get flowers. I came back with a bouquet of varieties of eucalyptus, leaves and branches with berries as well as two herb plants - rosemary and thyme.

Earlier in the day I also bought a cute little owl bank to add to our kitchen. Scott and I like to collect our change and now we can bring back a slice of childhood with a more grown up version of a piggy bank.

These are small additions for most people but I rarely spend money on my home so it feels great when I do.


What are your favorite non-human/pet living items in your home?

Small Change = Big Pay-off

Unlike most people, it often takes me months - or years in this case - to make a change to my home. While I am not necessarily afraid of change in general, for some reason making changes to my home feels irreversible and therefore should be made with extreme caution. This is particularly true when it comes to putting holes in the walls. I can thank my mom for that neuroses! This is all to provide context into why my latest home improvement project is blog entry worthy. I successfully replaced the broken plastic blinds in my bedroom with a bamboo shade and curtains. I wanted to introduce texture into the room and use something other than the white wood blinds that exist on every other window in my home. While the jury is still out on the length that I decided on (these are IKEA curtains that involve hemming to one's desired length with an iron!), I am extremely happy that my room is DARK at night. Last night I enjoyed seven hours of uninterrupted sleep! Accomplished without the use of drugs (I've been taking cyclobenzaprine and Tylenol with codeine for back pain). So, all in all, I believe this project was a success!

Project Breakdown

1. Bamboo Roman Shade from Home Depot $27.54
2. Lenda curtains from IKEA $14.99
3. Skuggig curtain rod from IKEA $14.99

Project Total Cost = $57.52

Where did that year go?

I can't believe it has been a year since I posted to this blog. I think writing was much easier when we were in the middle of major remodeling projects and there were actual updates to share. Since remodeling our kitchen and main-floor bathroom and creating a second bathroom, we have not taken on any major projects.

The biggest change I've made in the past year is my attitude about this house. Instead of focusing on the features is DOESN'T have, I have decided to focus on the things I love about living in this house:

* Location - it is close to shopping, the Grand Rounds hiking trail, fun neighborhood restaurants, easy access to a commuter bus to work, and the airport (ok, that is a plus and a minus).

* Size - this house has more than enough room for two adults and one small dog. The size also comes in handy when I need something from Scott- no intercom necessary, just healthy lungs.

* Cost - we can afford the mortgage, property tax and bills associated with this house. We are able to both save and splurge on the occasional vacation or toy.

* Neighbors - we've gotten to know so many great people in this neighborhood as we use the same route twice a day for our dog walks.

* Potential - after completing three major remodeling projects, I know this place has great potential to meet our needs for many years to come. We may even be able to figure out a way to finish the basement if we are creative.

* Scottoberfest - when I do look at homes for sale, I immediately ask myself if I could host Scottoberfest there. The answer is usually no. Our corner lot and central(ish) location, and decent sized fenced-in backyard make it a great location for an outdoor party.

I have also had a shift in attitude after I created my own little office space in the main-floor guest bedroom. Scott and I purchased a computer that is "mine" so that my applications do not interfere with his gaming. So, now I have a space where I can get organized and my computer is an awesome source of entertainment (I never watch TV anymore!).

Another attitude shifter was Apartment Therapy's 20/20 Home Cure. The Fall 2010 session has completed but it appears they offer it in the fall and spring. I plan on following the "lessons" again because Maxwell gives some great tips for small behavioral changes that have a big impact. I am a creature of habit so I've already slipped a little. It is great his "assignments" are still accessible so I can get back on track with healthy home habits.

While I don't have any recent home photos to share, here is a photo I took with my new camera!

Autumn Brew Review

2009 Autumn Brew Review, Saturday, September 12

Scott and I arrived to the Historic Grain Belt Complex in NE Minneapolis around 12:45 PM for the 1:00 PM event start time. The line was 3 blocks long and snaking around the corner. Let the people watching begin!

Note the t-shirt in the above photo: "I love my wife" which Scott asked to be added to his Christmas list.

The first brewer we visited was South Shore Brewing Company out of Ashland, WI. I had the Nut Brown Ale (5.0% ABV) and Scott had the Honey Pils (5.5% ABV).

With beer in hand, Scott found his first tchotchke; a bottle opener dog tag necklace.

Next we hit Barley John's because Scott and I met the owner at a MN Craft Brewers Guild event. At that event Scott and I tried a triple fermented wild rice brown ale aged in a bourbon cask for 8 months and it was called Rosies Old Ale. They had it available at the Autumn Brew Review and Scott tried it again but it didn't live up to what he remembered. I tried the Triple Oat Stout (5.5% ABV) and it was quite tasty. Though in hindsight I should have also tried "wild brunette".

Rock Bottom Brewery was the next stop and Scott tried Catcher in the Rye (5.9% ABV) with 25% Rye Malt and hopped with 4 hop varieities. I had Hop Bom Double IPA (9.5% ABV) and it was a bit too much for me. Scott stayed for a second beer at Rock Bottom and tried the Smoked Porter which used cherry wood. He loved the first few sips but couldn't drink the entire 2 oz serving!

Colorado brewer, Left Hand Brewing Company offered me the Milk Stout (5.9% ABV) which had roasted malt and coffee flavors the name stems from the use of milk sugar. Scott had Imperial Stout (10.2% ABV) which he did not like at all. See the below photos for proof.

Scott chose Victory for our next tasting. I opted out while he tasted Wild Devil (6.7% ABV) which is described as "bold, spicy, menacingly delicious HopDevil" which "takes on an entirely new dimension when subjected to a wild yeast fermentation." Next, Scott tried Lagunitas's IPA (5.7% ABV) which has 43 different hops and 65 various malts. Note: When Scott read this blog post, he said "no way did that beer have 43 different hops and 65 different malts, that's impossible". So, I guess Lagunita's lied.

I joined back in when we visited Furthermore Beer which in my opinion wins for best design as I would like to put all of their posters up in my home. I also enjoyed Oscura (4.5% ABV) which is warm-fermented, cold-lagered made with whole coffee beans. Scott tried Three Feet Deep (5.5% ABV) which is a stout with "a wee hint of peated malt". Turns out they are having an event on the 26th of September and I am going to try to talk Scott into going!

Michigan Brewery, Founders Brewing Co., served us Centennial IPA (7.2% ABV) and Cerise (6.5% ABV). Cerise uses fresh Michigan tart cherries which made the beer sour, delicious and pretty in color.

Around 2:30 PM we decided it would be a good idea to grab some lunch. Thankfully, Pizza Luce was serving piping hot slices. Scott waited in the Luce line while I waited in the Surly line for Hell and Darkness (only avaiable at ABR and it is cask conditioned) and met at a high top table for our break. The great thing about beer events is everyone is so friendly and interested in talking beer. A nice guy talked up Vine Park Brewing Company so we went there after our lunch.

For dessert, I had Vine Park's River City Root Beer and Scott had English Premium Bitter which defining characteristic is its malty aroma.

The Town Hall signs caught our attention because of the creative names of the beers. Visit their website- it is quite unique even though it is a bit difficult to navigate. It defintely makes me want to go back for a visit when their expansion is done. Scott had the coconut milk stout (5.9% ABV) in which raw coconut was added into the secondary fermentation. Both of us really liked this beer and Scott plans on using coconut in the future. I had LSD (7.2% ABV) which was an American honey ale brewed with Lavendar, Sunflower honey and dates. LSD was delicious and calming since it had a strong lavendar aroma.

Another Wisconsin brewer, Tyranena made the cut because of Scott's interest in trying Scurvy IPA. The name would have prevented me from trying it so I guess Scott is more adventurous. Scurvy is an India Pale Ale (IPA) brewed with Orange Peel which Scott said he couldn't taste then he dumped the rest of the beer. I tried Paradise By The Dash Board Lights Doubly Blessed (AKA Imperial) Cherry Porter which is probably the longest name for a beer at ABR. When Scott took a sip he was equally unimpressed with this one. That being said, Tyranena did inspire him to use orange peel in one of his future brews so all is not lost.

To avoid getting a nasty headache from the combination of beer and sun, we decided to take a break from both by heading to the music tent. We enjoyed the sounds of Roe Family Singers who describe themselves as "good-time, old-time, hillbilly band". Scott and I both enjoyed them and I hope to buy some of their music and see them live again. I was super impressed with Kim Roe as she had her baby, Elspeth on her back while washboarding. So cool! They reminded me of many of the bands who played in the bars in Flagtaff, AZ when I lived there.

At this point in the afternoon my notetaking abilities started lapsing so I am not too sure which brewery we visited next. I know we went back to Surly so that I could have more Hell and Scott could try another beer but I am not even sure what he got. We did meet up with Scott's co-worker, Jason Purtle and his friend, Peter Bulk. We also chatted up a nice University of Minnesota Pre-Med Senior who was "tailgating" for their first game in the new stadium.

Before leaving, Scott tried the Raspberry Ale from Dark Horse Brewing Company.

I enjoyed tasting so many great beers but the people watching was subpurb. Here are some of the highlights...

German Heritage

Irish Heritage

Beer Enthusiasm

Tattoo Enthusiasm

Note: I really liked the flowers on this woman's back.

Crazy Costume

Just Crazy

Looks I Like But Couldn't Pull Off if I Tried

Baby Beer Bjorn

Note to all my new parent friends: There were a lot of babies and toddlers at this event.

Pipe Smokin

All that beer drinking and people watching in the sun made us tired! We left around 4:00 PM to keep in line with my mom's advice which I've been living by lately: Leave while you're still having fun. Fun indeed. To top it off, we went to Izzy's Ice Cream Parlor for "dinner".