Adventures that make me smile

Expression and Healing in the "Modern World"

Maybe I can finally understand "new media," and "social media." Maybe this is a modern place to turn to, to heal, something like that, at least in my situation today. Today, this weekend is as timely as ever to complete this project. So today, August 29, I am on a mission but, first a little history. My blog was born in the summer of 2005 while working a a holistic nutrition school. I figured before I worked with students and helped them create blogs, I should go through the process myself. However, with catchy name and all, The Brooklyn Beer Gal Blog remained mostly dormant until October '05. It still really wasn't even official until March '06 when I became inspired. I don't think more than five people have ever read my blog. :) I never expected any readers and to be honest, wanted to create a personal, living history, one that replaced photo albums and journals fortunately or unfortunately. Even since then, how we consume media has changed, how we display ourselves to the world, or not has changed. Folks are posting on Twitter and Facebook and now my Blogger is linked to Facebook. Certainly, that's a new feature in recent year. Anyway, if anyone does read this, I guess it's a little piece of me I get to share with the world. Putting it all out there, is a way to make my experiences and my journey even a little more real. So today, I continue my posts from 2007, 2008, 2009. I wonder if I can complete in a day, we'll see. Nothing like completing a personal project, a goal, on a a rainy Saturday. Cheers!

Outstanding was Outstanding in the Field!

Outstanding in the Field was just that! Read more about
Outstanding in the Field and Jim Denevan.

I waited years to attend and we were guests on Thursday evening. If there was anything to define the present moment this was it, defined by the animals, the farm (in the middle of Queens!), the moon, the food, the social atmosphere, the quiet, the wine, and the company, can't get better than this! To experience something like this with another, with an entire table even, is pretty special.

The chef was Ryan Skeen from Allen & Delancey and the farmers, Michael Grady-Robertson & Kennon Kay from Queens Farm. The pig was sourced through Fossil Farms, in Sussex, NJ. The wine was all from Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, and I recommend their Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Estate Selection Merlot.

The menu:
grilled salt & pepper pigs tails (yes pig tails)
grilled prawns with bouillabaisse, tapioca & ratatouille
grilled lamb belly (I guess I like belly!) w/green tomato, watermelon salad, mint & goat cheese, korean coleslaw with spice roasted cashew
summer squash salad with pesto & baby heirloom tomatoes
slow roasted baby pig & morcilla w/ chanterelles & sweet corn bread pudding
pork rind rice krispy treats

It was also inspiring to hear Michael's story, giving up a corporate cubicle .com job to become a farmer!

I highly suggest a visit to the Queens Farm, as a New Yorker, you won't believe your eyes!

Presentation to Puppies Behind Bars

I was lucky enough to receive the grant I applied for on behalf of Puppies Behind Bars from Scripps Networks Interactive. Here is my presentation to the staff. :)

Fire Island Beer Company

I couldn't resist a purchase of Fire Island Lighthouse Ale in Whole Foods. I work in Marketing and am a sucker for Marketing! Even the tag line, "Craft Beer from the other New York," is this brewer a marketer? Guaranteed tap space in all the Fire Island bars anyway! It was ok if I had to drink a mellow beer, or bring a 6 pack to a party of non beer drinkers, but for a beer snob like me, at least I like the packaging.