Random adventures

In the winter time I don't plan a lot of things to do on the weekend but hubby and I still end up having adventures. 

We did host a trip to Dallara for our Corvette club.  I'd been there before and was amazed but this tour was bland as nothing was going on and our tour guide was obviously not a car person. Seriously if you know a car club is coming, make sure the guide is a car person. In fact shouldn't that be a requirement for working at a Motorsport factory?

It reminds me of my tour at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green.  We got stuck with the one intern who didn't have a clue about Corvettes or cars for that matter. I asked him about telling the difference between z06, grand sports, or stocks while in line.  His response... Well there are black brakes annnnddddd red brakes...umm. Really?!? 

So here I am ready for races this summer. I will never complain how hot I am while waiting in the vette before a race. 

             Can't wait for this!!!

Hubby getting into the simulation...I beat him....of course. 

One of my favorite things at Dallara is the coffee and food at Linos. 

So this is where the non planned adventure begins. We then went to Easley winery and partook in a tasting and tour. Dana was our guide but Jerry have me an extra taste of the Cabenert reserve.  I'm not a red wine drinker but it was yummy!

I need a room of just this!

Reggae red, blush, and white are awesome!

Maybe this is why I like to cook so much. 

So then we went to Sun King Brewery, this was a first time thing. OMG felt like we stumbled upon on underground scene. It was awesome. 

I like the Scottish ale and the milk porter. 

Afterwards we stumbled into the rv show to dream about new race RVs. 

So upon our return home. This is what we came up with. Home made wine. 

Again adventures lead into another adventure that ends up following us home. 

More snowmageddon madness

Wow time flies when your snowed in.  This weather has been crazy it's been extremely cold and snowy. 

To get out of the cabin fever funk we went snowmobiling again. 

I think my family is turning into daft punk. 

I'm so ready for summer. A proper southern gal like myself cannot survive this horrible weather. 

So we retreated to dairy and bacon land to candy land. 

First stop was Fair Oaks farm, where we got out cheese on...6 year aged cheddar and aged Gouda are my two favorites. We then toured the pig farrowing area. 

This was not as nice to watch compared to the cow section as I'm not sure I like these gestation cages. Basically the mom is stuck in the same position for three weeks, not counting her time being cooped up during insemenation.   I keep hearing, but this is how it's done...doesn't mean it's right. 

 The red topped boxes is how they self feed. An rf sensor in their ear triggers the automatic feeder to dispense a specific amount of food for that pig. Then they can add water to their own flavor palette. 

Needed some serious candy sweetness to get back to my happy space. Albanese Candy factory hits the spot. 

 Can you just wrap the chocolate fountain and ship it home please?

There are so many candies, colors, and flavored to choose from.  Get their gummies as they truly are the best in the world. So fresh and pack a lot of flavor. My favorite are green apple and Concord grape.  I also got fruit slices, sour balls, chocolate covered raspberries, and satellite wafers.  Hubby had never been there before so it was great taking him for the first time. Now my little sisters needed some pushing as they weren't to keen on getting candy...young kids these days. I swear how can you not drool when you see this? 

It's like entering Willy Wonkas chocolate factory because you got the golden ticket!!

Snow is a crazy thing. Growing up in the south if a snowflake farts everything closes down. Now that snowmageddon has hit and I now live up north, I'm still freaking out as it is in the negative temperatures here. It has definately brought on some blahs as I'm too cold to go out so I just sit and get sad, hoping and wishing that summer would hurry up and get here!  My house is covered in ice.   The only ice is need is the one going into my margarita. 

Spiced Chai Tea Latte Recipe and Cabin Fever

So being snowed in with an attention deficit, hyperactive, non-stop complaining spouse is not what I consider a great way to pass by 4 days off of work.  I am literally kicking him out as we speak because he is driving me up the wall.

In the meantime I have been cooking...I mean a lot of cooking.  I miss my dad's home cooked meals, as I previously posted I did pop stickers, artisan bread now add coleslaw, chai, and bing (Chinese pancake) to the mix.

So I thought I would show how I make my Spiced Chai Tea Latte since I've been working on it the past 2 weeks.

First of all I did go organic with my ingredients but you don't have to, everything I found at Whole Foods but you can get the spices at a grocery store.

Starting at the top: 8 whole cloves, 2 star anise (I didn't have whole ones so I used the seeds, 5 peppercorns, 8 allspice, 12 cardamon pods, 3 Cinnamon sticks, one chopped and peeled ginger, and black tea (you can use 3 tea bags but I only have loose at home).  Also add 3 Tablespoon of brown sugar.  You can also add nutmeg and vanilla bean but if you are using vanilla soy milk or vanilla coconut milk I would hold back on the vanilla and sugar..  Pretty much I like to think of pumpkin pie when I throw this together.

Place all but the tea into 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. 

(Nice action shot)

Once the mix comes to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  After 15 minutes place in the tea and let it steep for 5 minutes.

I love Teavana's teas but you can use whatever black tea you like to drink.

Once steeping is complete, strain the ingredients into a container.

Makes the house smell soooooo good.  Let the concentrate cool down.  In the morning this is such a quick drink before I hit the road,  I add a little under 1:1  ratio of concentrate to milk/milk substitute.   I recently went to Starbucks to compare and I think this is pretty dead on.  Still hasn't cured me of my Starbucks addiction but it's nice to be able to have it at home.

Nom Nom Nom

I don't know if it's all the Spiced Chai Tea Latte's or what, but I just had to get out of the house and walk around.

Only in Indiana will it go from -45 F with windchill then have predicted highs in the 41 on Thursday.  The weather here is crazy, makes me feel like this right now...

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Snowed in

People like to call it snowmageddon.  I just think why the hell did I move here?  Seriously I was born in the desert, raised in the deep south yet here I am in -45 wind chill weather thinking...WTF?!?

Before the snow hit, I got together the "Cheese Wheel" gang +Ashly Gray +Adam Minier +Jason Gray +WCMH- Jessica Jessica Stevens and Carey for some Irish fare and Guinness shirts!

I'm totally digging the new pint glasses.

 

It was disappointing that the Guinness Girls were to personalize the shirts but all we got was one choice...

Still a good Guinness and +O'Bryans Nine Irish Brothers food will keep a girl happy and warm during the impending snow storm.

 So for the first time ever I went snowmobiling.  I was content in staying in the warm house but hubby insisted I join in.  I don't have ANY cold weather clothes but his father had some for me to use.

Hubby looks like a sexy fighter pilot...

I look like a mentally handicapped penguin

Needless to say after I got through the shock of being back on a motorized vehicle after breaking my leg, I actually had a great time!  When you get all bundled up, its pretty warm.  Got to go in fields and see parts of town I normally would never see including seeing a pack of 20 deer grazing in the back fields.  I can see the appeal of snowmobiling.  I just need to get stocked up on warm weather gear.

Snowmaggedon is here

Know what that means?  Snow Ice Cream!!!

 Looky who added some freshly toasted coconut...this nut!

I guess its true that in winter ice cream sales are still high.  This is more liked shaved ice with a vanilla flavor.

So since I have nothing else to do, I've been cooking like crazy.  Made pot stickers for a family Christmas that ended up getting postponed, I'm not sure they will make it to the party.

Hubby bottled an oatmeal stout beer so I used what was left to bake bread.

So we have been lucky to stay warm, have power, and each other.  Hope everyone else stays safe with their bread and milk.