True Story Hot Dog Review

I grew up more or less believing every commercial on TV. I wasn't a savvy seven year old. So when I was told Ball Park Franks' were the best because "they plump when you cooked them" I was convinced it was true.

When my parents would BBQ, I would ask for Ball Park hot dogs. I thought they were tasty and I was satisfied. They were pretty cheap and so my parents (for who a hot dog is a foreign food) were also happy.

It wasn't until I was married, and once had a craving for a hot dog that I learned anything about what a good hot dog tasted like. I picked up my trusty brand. When I got home my husband was pretty surprised. He refused to eat any but promised me that very weekend I would know what a "good" hot dog tasted like. He brought home Nathan's. He was right. Those were in fact the best hot dogs, I had ever had. 

Since then, I've turned into a bit of a snob. To be fair hot dogs are one of my least favorite things to eat. I have to be really in the mood or at a ball game. What is it about a ball game that makes a hot dog so good?  

Now if some one's cooking a Ball Park Frank I wont eat it. I wont let Animal eat it either. Of course he did try one at someones BBQ, and LOVES them. So I was super excited to find this at Costco a few weeks ago.

Our new favorite!

They are free of all the yucky preservatives, all beef, organic and gluten free. I was sure they would be gross, but what would Animal know? They'd be hot dogs and he would get used to the flavor and like it. 

Well boy was I wrong, these healthier hot dogs are DELICIOUS! We all loved them, including the hubby. They are not so cheap, 11.99 for 15 hot dogs(at Costco), but man are they worth it. With Fourth of July around the corner it's a good time to try them yourselves.

What We Are Reading: The Block Mess Monster

Have I got a book for you!

I bought this book a few years back, I skimmed through it decided it was not lesson plan material, and threw it in my late spring/early summer bin for our class bookshelf. I picked that time of the year because most of my class has turned 3 by then and I thought the concepts in the story and language were better suited for 3 year olds.

What book am I talking about?

A New Favorite!

The Block Mess Monster by Betsie Howie, illustrated by C. B. Decker, has become a class favorite! Not just my class of toddlers, but from my 2.5-5 years old. The kids LOVE this book. The younger ones love the pictures (as do I) and the older ones really seem to feel for the main characters plight. I have been reading this book multiple times a day to a fascinated and giggling crowd for two weeks. It is not getting old. I love to read it, and they love to listen. Animal even tells me at home he is Calpurnia. 

This story is about Calpurnia, her mother, and the block mess monster. A monster made of blocks that is keeping our protagonist from cleaning her room and her mother who cannot see this creature (only the giant mess) and who is loosing patience, fast.

I really enjoy the back and forth the mother and daughter have. It's really all of us parents, loosing our cool at some point after having nagged, all day? all morning? for our children to do just one simple thing. To clean up their toys. Only told from the perspective of the frustrated child, because let's fast it, it's hard not to be understood by the adults (well meaning as we might be). 

What parent hasn't been here?

The kids just crack up at the this marvelous (dare I say accurate) portrayal of the mother at her wits end. The best part of the story, is that in the end the mother figures out how to help her daughter and Calpurnia feels heard. It's really what we all want. I highly recommend this book and believe me I'll be looking for this book in hardcover come Christmas for my own little one!

Chi-Chi Cocktail Hour

Remember South Park? The cartoon with the foul mouthed kids. Well the hubby and I still watch it. It's not on the DVR, but when we see it's on we watch it.  Recently the hubby watched an episode he really wanted me to see because there was a drink on there he wanted us to try.

I finally caught it and as usual it cracked me up. In this episode Butters returns to his "native"  land Hawaii. All the "natives" drink a special drink called a chi-chi in a coconut. The drink is made from coconut milk, pineapple juice and Vodka.

The hubby couldn't stop talking about how tasty it sounded and how much he wanted to try it. Being the good wife I am. I went out and bought all the ingredients including fresh coconuts to pour our drinks into.

Saturday night after Animal went to bed, I googled chi-chi recipe and found several recipes along with some fun facts. Like the chi-chi was once a popular cocktail and has recently started to see a comeback (because of South Park? I wondered). Also if you happen to have piña colada mix, all you need is to add some vodka for an instant chi-chi! Lastly most recipes call for coconut cream, not coconut milk.

Here's the recipe I made:

1 measure vodka
4 measures pineapple juice
1 measure coconut milk
Blend with ice, then pour into your coconut and add a straw. Enjoy!

This cocktail is great! It's creamy, sweet and the perfect amount of liquor. You know, not so sweet you wonder if someone forgot to add the spirit, and not so strong you wonder why you bothered getting a drink instead of a shot. Even my dad drank one. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but he rarely drinks, so this was a big deal to me. Added fun, when your done you can scoop out the tender coconut meat and eat. Double yum!

This drink was so good in fact, we're cooking up a plan for a chi-chi night. The hubby wants to BBQ pig, and I'm wondering if I should find a Tiki bar. This is an excellent drink to make a pitcher (or 2) and just refill the guest coconuts. Very low maintenance summer night drink.

I can't wait to host now that I have a back yard. With potential to be lovely backyard.

What We Are Reading: Little Bea And The Snowy Day

Little Bea And The Snowy Day

Every Christmas I order a holiday book from Scholastic book clubs for each of the students in my class. I choose the holiday book that's on sale, usually a dollar maybe two each (because I'm a preschool teacher not an engineer). I sign the book with a Christmas wish and hope they will enjoy with their family for at least a few months. 

Sometimes (most times) the book is from a known book series, but sometimes it's  new book, as was the case this year. Little Bea And The Snowy Day by Daniel Roode  published 12/27/2011. It's a book about a busy bee, her friends and their fun day in the snow.

We live in sunny California and have not yet taken our first trip to the snow. I do NOT love this book. Honestly I don't even enjoy reading it. Maybe because I didn't grow up playing in snow, and I hate the cold. This year we had a two week dip into 29-33 degree nights and days that barely touched 50 degrees and I swore I would die. So you can see I am very biased. 

Animal on the other hand LOVES this book and weeks after Christmas, this is still requested at least once a week, and I must read a minimum of twice. He loves the pictures and he likes the simple words. That rhyme on some pages and don't on others (something that makes me a little crazy, as I find it harder to find a comfortable rhythm to read aloud with). He doesn't care. I try to focus on how much I enjoy snuggling my little guy.  

So what to do with a book you don't love to read? Try a little lesson planning. Focus on skills you're trying to build on. 

I like to ask Animal questions about what the little forest friends are doing. I ask him to point out colors or help me count. I also ask open ended questions, like what kind of snow friend would you build? Because we're still working on vocabulary and communication.

At some point in the story the furry friends dig in the snow and then show each other what they have found. If you don't want to go outside, or you would like a contained area, you can do the same activity with a bowl, or water table filled with snow, fake snow in my case and small toys. You can roll "snowballs" with mashed potatoes and have a little sensory fun.

Give them measuring cups and cups or bowls of different sizes. Ask them to guess how many scoops it will take to fill each. Which will take more? Yay for math fun. 

Or have a "snowball" fight with crumpled paper if you want P.E. I can think of so many activities to do with this book that I almost love it. If you're looking for ideas or want more in this area just leave in the comments section. 

See you next Thursday, until then I hope you and your little ones can snuggle together for a great story.

Crispin Honey Crisp Review

It probably wasn't the smartest idea. That I drink this today. I'm sick. I have a super shitty cold and I realize that drinking will not help me on the road to recovery, but I'm so miserable. I reasoned with myself that this cider has honey, and honey is good for a cold and outstanding for a sore throat.

Plus, don't I deserve a little happiness for my misery? I do.

First, I forget to turn my bottle upside down and swirl. Boo, my first fail.

Next, even though this is delicious, of that I am certain. I'm not entirely certain that I am taking in all the flavors. Smelling I know enhances flavor, and I can't smell anything I'm so stuffed up.

It's sweet, light and crisp. It looks beautiful in my tall Crispin glass.

No, they didn't pay me for this review (but Crispin, you CAN hire me). I had the great luck of meeting a Crispin rep at Costco while shopping with my sister. A four pack (variety) for 13.99 and glass (today only) with my purchase. I am a sucker for commemorative glassware.

I highly recommend this tasty cider, but I must admit I will have to try again as I cannot honestly tell which cider I prefer. I need a non-sick trail to be sure...

Blood Orange Margaritas? Hell Yeah

My friend from Rarita Vanesita the Obnoxious Wall Flower brought me this tasty cocktail recipe, for a blood orange margarita. 

Blood Orange Margarita

1 1/2 measure Tequila reposada 

3/4 measure Cointreau 

1 measure blood orange juice

1/2 measure sour mix

1 orange twist

(optional)

Pour liquor into shaker, fill with ice, shake. Pour into a (salt or sugar rimmed) cocktail glass half filled with ice and add orange twist for garnish. Enjoy!

Because I am Mexican and eat delicious Mexican food often, I like to reserve Cinco De Mayo for nachos and margaritas. Preferably at home with friends and family. You all know I'm kind of a lush so friends and family are optional too.

This drink is ridiculously good. I mean ridiculously good. I was very sad not to have a new bottle of tequila handy and that I couldn't spend the day drinking my day away (I do still have to be a responsible mommy). I HIGHLY recommend this beverage for your next girls night, Mexican themed dinner party or afternoon spent by the pool.

Cocktail Hour

They sure look pretty don't they?

Two weeks ago on Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom, She made the tastiest looking cocktail. Short. Sloe. Squirt. Also, awesome name for a cocktail. The ingredients list was short and contained one of the only sodas I enjoy drinking (very occasionally). Squirt! 

So I had to try it, I was only missing one ingredient. Vodka Citron. We always have Vodka, but  I don't often buy flavored Vodka, so a trip to my favorite candy store was in order. 

The liquor store!

Once all the ingredients were purchased, I made this for one of my favorite drinking buddies and we enjoyed it on a hot Saturday afternoon. It was 81 degrees, and this drink was refreshing. It surprised me though. I expected a sweeter taste, because of it's bright color. It was honestly good, easy to make and pretty. I'll make this again, for a summer BBQ, or hanging out on the porch on a hot summer night. I recommend that you check out the link if you like Sloe Gin, Vodka or Squirt. 

Happy Drinking!

Lagunitas Sucks Brown Shugga' Substitute Ale Review

I have to come clean about some things before I review this beer. I'm not much of a beer drinker, and I'll tell you why. I want to get the most bang for my calorie buck as possible. With most beer in the 4-5% of alcohol by volume, beer is at the bottom of the drinking totem pole, as far as I'm concerned. So I chose this Lagunitas ale solely on it's alc. 7.85% by vol. content.

Also I must disclose that although I enjoy beer, especially at a summer BBQ, because of it's low alcohol level but high calorie/bloat factor I don't often partake in this beverage.

So all that being said, I was in the mood for a beer with the hubby so I grabbed this cold 6 pack from the Safeway beer section and headed home to enjoy...I hoped.

I tend to shy away from Ale's, but occasionally I find one I like. This one ranks somewhere between Ehh and ok.

Like most pale Ale's I found it on the bitter side. But it had an enjoyable bite. The higher than normal alcohol content helped a lot as did my relatively empty stomach. I got a nice lite buzz after my second and so didn't drink 3 or 4 (which is my norm when partaking in a cold one) So bloated feeling was minimal. Only big downer was that the last sip of both beers was extremely bitter.

If I was headed to a BBQ this weekend I would still be picking up the standard Modelo Especial or Blue Moon (Valencia, one of their tastier seasonals is out right now, just saying...) but if when I arrived this was in the cooler, I would know what I was in for. And I wouldn't cry about it ;p

Stoli with Pomegranate an Amateur Review

SO this would not usually qualify for my cheap drink reviews, but two weeks ago this bottle was on  sale for 5.99 at Trader Joe's. As soon as I drove back to work I regretted not buying two more bottles. This was a limited item sale. I kicked myself immediately after driving away and tweeted this picture with those exact sentiments, as soon as I stopped driving, but enough about what I SHOULD have done.

I'm gonna be honest, I have always been partial to gin and tonics. The hubby on the other hand is all about the vodka tonics and Stoli is his shit. We always have a bottle in the freezer. So I bought this for him. 

I opened the bottle and it smelled sweet and delicious. I got excited. I made a vodka and ginger ale. It was rather tasty. But the following weekend I had vodka tonics and YUM, I may be a convert. This vodka costs 16.99 at BevMo, but it's super good (90pts for those of you who care about such things and 80 proof). My bottle's gone. It's a tragic turn of events as it is my current favorite spirit. 

Clos La Chance an Amateur Review

Like what I've done with the magnet letters?

So some of you that read this occasionally or follow me on twitter know that I hate chardonnay. My sweet and loving husband made me a tasty halibut and because he's all about the details, of course he had to have a bottle of white wine for me.

The bad news, he wanted me to drink it!

The good news, it was a bottle of of 9.99 Clos La Chance, perfect for my cheap wine reviews and  he wanted a review which I would love to write. 

First, back to the bad news, I had to drink the wine. I didn't do it the night I ate the fish. Or the next night. Or the night after that. Finally after I killed the delicious pinot, I cracked open the chardonnay.

It was not good. I couldn't get over it not being what I like to drink. Then I got a buzz. Then I was happy.

Take two. The following night, once I was over the shock and sadness I poured myself another glass and prepared myself to be fair and not a snobby asshole. 

It was crisp and tasted like a pear not very oaky and less dry than most chardonnay. It would have paired very well with the halibut or other white fish. If you like white wine, I would venture to guess you'd enjoy this. I got a buzz and so I enjoyed it too, Don't take more than two nights to drink. The third night was not a good night, that night it was SUPER dry.

If I was forced to buy a bottle of chardonnay for something, like maybe a friend who only drinks white I have no such friends I would pick this. 

Ménage à Trois An Amateur Review

So as I mentioned last week I attended a woman's event. In the promo it said, "Wear your favorite shade of red". When your a fat girl, you probably don't feel good in red. Or that could just be me, but the only red things I own, don't currently fit. So I had nothing to wear. 

At these events you are also encouraged to bring  a snack so I decided to bring one of my favorite red things, a bottle of wine. I bought this bottle at Costco for 6.99. I liked the name, and with Valentine's day around the corner I thought it whimsical. You may remember not long ago I said I would be staying away from wine while I was on WW, but who was I kidding, besides myself? It wasn't you, was it?

This is a blend of Pinot, Cabernet and Merlot, and you know what? I was very surprised. I had a small glass just about 10 seconds after uncorking and it was good! It was very sweet , almost desserty (not a real word). I really enjoyed this cheap drink. The cons, I didn't get a little buzz after a 5 oz glass. (Forget you know I like a 10 oz glass) even though I'm on WW, and because I am, one drink is usually enough. 

Everyone seemed to enjoy. Good cheap buy. Not great if you donc't kill that same day.

Poppy Pinot Noir An Amateur Review

This year for Valentine's Day, the hubby did something unexpected.

He bought me 2 bottles of wine.

My husband was a bohemian before he became a married man.

He was always here and there, between homes, or had roommates. He was a social butterfly, and often someones friend with benefits.

Once we got married, to appease me he says (because he's an all or nothing kind of guy, not unlike  myself) he became a hermit. He hates talking to people he doesn't know, but for this gift he spoke to the wine guy at Whole Foods.

This bottle would not qualify for my regular cheap wine reviews, I like to stick to the 9.99 and under crowds. But when he gave me this gift he said, "I expect a review".

So here it is folks.

I'll be honest, as I didn't buy it, I don't know list price, but I heard that it was over 20 dollars.

You know what?

I hated it! Because it was delicious and supple.

It was the perfect amount of sweet but earthy. Tastes of blackberries and strawberries, Mmm yummy. It was smooth and light and would pair well with halibut or salmon. All the good things you want in a Pinot Noir.

I don't have 20+ dollars to be spending on wine. That's what I spend on liquor! Not on something I'm likely to kill in a day. BOO! It was really good, I'm gonna likely buy it the next time I see, or wish I was buying, when I buy a seven dollar bottle of Ménage à Trois. I hate when I really want to drink something specific but the logical part of my brain says, "that's almost half a tank of gas..."

Anyway, If you have more money to spend on something your going to drink in 2hrs, I highly recommend.

Also thank you hubby for the thoughtful and very good pick. I loved it and gave it to drunk thumbs up!

I'm not really getting fancy on you folks,
this was a gift.

Harthill Farms Cabernet an Amateur Review

Recently on a trip to Whole Foods, I noticed that there is a plethora of cheap selections in an assortment of varietals and labels. 

Why didn't I notice this a month ago? As some of you know I joined weight watchers and even though nothing is off limits (the exact reason I love WW) a glass of wine as I like it served, to the tippy top is A LOT of points. So I will no longer (well till I drop a considerable amount of weight) be reviewing cheap wine. For the next couple of months it's going to be all cocktails and light beer. You didn't think I was gonna say sobriety did you? 

Here is my last wine review until I'm five pounds from lifetime. 

This 4.99 Cabernet was flavorful. I could taste the sweet berries and it's rich earthiness. Now it is not going be mistaken for a pricey bottle, but if paired with a medium cooked new york strip steak it could pass in my humble opinion for a decent bottle of wine.

I will definitely buy and drink this again, but not without buying a steak to go with it.

CHEERS!

P.S. If you have any good suggestions for light beers I should try, Please send them my way.

Absolute Tune an Amateur Review

What your looking at in this photo is Absolut's new concoction. A sparkling white wine infused with Vodka. 

If you drink alone it's bubbly with a definite vodka kick. I was intrigued, it came with a little cocktail recipe book and if I purchased after tasting I got the fun commemorative glass. I'm a sucker for those things. Also it was 5 bucks cheaper than the current price at BevMo so I thought I would buy and try for New Years. 

Well first I tried their Screwdriver Mimosa and it was No Bueno. BOO!  Next I tried a glass with  little chambrod (as pictured above). Chambrod with sparkling white wine is delicious, but this was not good, not good at all. Finally I had a glass with cranberry juice. Absolut Tune and cranberry juice, tasty. BUT, and it's a rather big but, not as good as a standard cranberry and vodka. Also the price I paid 29.99, and thought it was ten bucks more than what I thought it was worth. 

So there you have it. Not worth it, at least not for me. 

Do you have any suggestions? Any liquor or cocktail you've been meaning to try, but don't want to buy or take the time to make? Send your inquiry here. I'd be happy to try and I'll let you know if it's worth your time.

Three Wishes Cabernet an Amateur Review

Here it is ladies (and gentlemen?), I found the Cabernet Sauvignon. As you can see by the photo, I like to fill my glass and I have had more than one glass.

These wines come in an ECO friendly bottle that leave a smaller footprint, so that you can feel a little less guilty about partaking in the sauce! "But Honey, look, It cost two bucks and is better for the environment, I may as well get the case". 

This full bodied(for lack of a better words) wine tastes of berries, black currant and has a gentle whiff of alcohol (can that odor be gentle?). Well it'll get you drunk and that's what we're here for most nights. Not as good as two buck chuck, but come on, that isn't good either. It works on the cheap and it isn't gross.   Obviously I have high standards here folks. Stick with me, and we'll both be looking for a designated driver! 

Next week: climbing the cost ladder I'll be reviewing Absolut Sparkling Fusion Tune (It's Absolut's new sparkling wine, I know, I know very exciting, because the only thing my wine is missing is Vodka!)

Cheers to you!

Three Wishes Merlot An Amateur Review

Well I promised you a review earlier today when I saw that Whole Foods was selling a bottle wine (Three Wishes) for 1.99, a case for 23.99! What!?! I know, alcoholics rejoice!

 I believe they would like some of that 2 buck chuck action, and who could blame them? Two Buck Chuck aka Charles Shaw has several varitals, while the new Three Wishes is available in 3, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot. I don't usually drink Merlot, but they were out of Cabernet and I HATE Chardonnay. I'm gonna do my best to review it anyway.

First, I'll say this, sadly it is NOT Cabernet. So I'm already disappointed. It's mildly flavored, smooth, with red currant and earth flavors (read a little acidic, for lack of a better word). Did I already say that it is not Cabernet?

I wont buy the Merlot again, but it wasn't terrible. If you like Merlot, you might like this? I don't really know.

I don't really know how to end this. Sometimes you get what you pay for. I'm not drunk or feeling happy so this bottle was a fail. But it was win for the pocket book.