PNW Beer Moms

  Having my first kid really got me into baking. I couldnt afford to hire someone to do all the cute things I wanted to have (thanks to Pinterest boards!) at my daughters first birthday, but darn it! Why not try it myself!? Afterall, YouTube and Google's gets you far! Well over almost 5 years of first birthdays and baby showers and holidays, I'm slightly better than an amateur!  With a little foresight and persistence, my new mantra is "Anything you can do, I can (learn to) do better! (or atleast equal... or close!)"     Each project has led me to new questions and bigger ideas, which calls for more problem solving. My latest cookie making adventure led me to ask the question, "Can you make your own cookie cutter?" And guess what? You can! And it's the most Beer Mommiest thing ever! I got to try it out myself last week while helping PNW Beer Mom Brandy make some Thanksgiving cookies. We needed to cut out a bagillion feathers for a Turkey cookie platter...

         There's little I hate more than finding a recipe online and having to read a gazillion blog pages about how the recipe came to be, all the good memories about someone's grandma, or the birthday party that was a mess or a success, and so on.  Just tell me the recipe already! But, no, I have to skim through it just in case there is some pertinent knowledge to be gained about the recipe in all that story telling, and usually there is some advice about not over mixing, or tricks of the trade mixed in, but damn, ten minuets later we reach the recipe! So I'm not going to do it.      Here's the abbreviated story.  I like baking. I've learned baking from scratch is just as easy as box cakes, REALLY! You already have the ingredients in your home.  A few tips: Always scoop your flour with a spoon into a measuring cup, don't compact it, this way your baking will be lighter and fluffier and not too heavy.  Don't over mix the ...

        When I began this PNW Beer Mom adventure, I knew I wanted this group of awesome women to do more than just drink. I know, I know, "Geeze Mom do we have to?" "Uh yes, you do, and you will like it!"  Here's why.  PNW Beer Moms strives to create and build a positive community of women, but not just for ourselves, but for our whole community. We're moms after all, and nurturing is what we do! And when women, especially moms get together they really get things done! Case in point:  PNW Beer Moms value the chance to show our children the importance of giving back to their community.  And hey! Dad's can join in too, it just might take them a bit longer. Wink Wink.    So often people see other people in need and say, "Somebody should to do something!"   Well that somebody is us!  And although, it seems like I'm man hating, I actually got this saying from my husband, who has taught me the length that one per...

      It's taken me a few days to write this, because I might have over done it...just... a bit.  But Bier on the Pier in Anacortes, Washington was so much fun, with some really wonderful people and even though it knocked me down for a few days, it was sure worth it! It was such a happy event celebrating PNW beer and cider and beautiful Anacortes! Sure, who isn't happy when there are so many beers and ciders to try?! But besides the deliciousness pouring from the taps, the organizers and volunteers were so friendly, positive and took great pride in their event and it showed!  The Chamber President even sat by me while we stuffed our face with cheese curds and fries! (Stephanie, it was such pleasure to meet you and have you share your story! It's inspiring to meet a strong women that puts her mind to something and be something and makes it happen and in such a positive way, CHEERS!) Getting back on track....I now know why this event sells out so quickly! So witho...

       PNW Beer Moms hasn't even been rolling a month yet and it already has me questioning how big the world really is.  Small talk with strangers is no big deal to me, but putting myself and PNW Beer Moms out there, I mean really out there, is a whole different thing.  Most people's eye get a little crooked when you say "hey, you should join my club!" Instantly people are regretting talking to me, thinking I am about to sell them some MLM sh*t or invite them to church. I don't know how people actually do that! Because at least after I clarify myself, PNW Beer Moms is something you'd want to be a part of! And as one awesome mom recently asked, "Wait I don't have to read a book or anything do I?" Nope, there is nothing a mom needs to do, but drink beer, and come to social events and maybe drink beer for a cause! All win wins! Alright, back to my point. What reaching out to people has taught me, is that you really have to pick and chose who you a...

         We're an anxious bunch here in the States. Winter celebrations start in November, swim suits go on sale in February and everything pumpkin comes out in August! But August is the hottest month of the year and Summer doesn't technically start until the last week in September! It's been humid here the last week or so and there is no way, even though school has started for many, that I could choke down a syrupy, heavy or pumpkin brewed beer right now. So soak up the remaining weeks of summer my friends, or better yet, drink it up with my list of 2019 summer time faves and beat the pumpkin beer (Halloween is two months away) blues!     These beers I can't get off my mind. You know the song, "You were always on my mind"?  Okay, maybe not, but you get the point. These beer leave more than a good first impression, these beers have you contemplating their superior taste for days even weeks and leave happy memories on your taste buds. So without ...

    Just like going to the grocery store alone as a parent, sometimes you just have to go to a 21+ only establishment.  Usually, I'm annoyed by a brewery that doesn't allow minors.  I want to try their beer, but I am stuck with these adorable human spawn and therefore I probably wont see them for like another 18 years. The audacity! Don't they want my super well behaved, quiet, perfectly distracted kids at their brewery?! It's not like they run around the place, stare at people, dump all the board games out, and make me scream "knock it off" and "get back over here" for all the patrons to be startled by. NOT MY KIDS! Okay, maybe sometimes. So when you have a baby sitter, a mom minute alone, and dare I say it, a date night with your significant other, there is nothing better than going to a minor unfriendly place!      This week grandma was visiting. AKA the best damn babysitter ever! So mom and dad got away kid-less, twice! Structures Brewing ha...