A Few of my Favorite Things {2011}

Upon examination of my life in 2011, beyond running and travel, I quickly discovered this has been the year of B's. 

Beer. Blogs. Books.

Below is a list of my five favorite from each category in 2011. Enjoy!!

Beer

This year I decided to move beyond being a 312 Goose Island beer guzzling Chicagoan, and expand my horizons. Below are my five favorite beers I sipped on this year {in no particular order}. 

• Three Floyds: Robert the Bruce {Scottish Ale}
• Revolution Brewing: Bottom Up Wit {Belgian Style Wheat Beer}
• Schlafly: Hefeweizen {Unfiltered Wheat Beer}
• Brasserie Bockor: Bellegems Bruin {Belgian Brown Ale/Lambic - Sour}
• New Glarus Brewing Co.: Spotted Cow {Farm House Ale}

Blogs

Creating this blog last January spiked my interest in the blogging world immensely. Below I've listed five blogs I've been reading regularly each week, that also touch upon my varying interests. {This is in no way inclusive of all the bloggers I follow and love, but illustrates the variety of blogs I enjoy}

• Shut Up + Run: a running blog that always makes me laugh and keeps me motivated.
• AWG Chicago: a left leaning political blog always making me think.
• THE FLYBIRD: a travel blog featuring adorable couple Kylie and Spencer, and their amazing photography & videos.
• Jeff Goins Writer: a blog inspiring me to become a better more consistent writer everyday.
• The Anchor & The Bird: a blog featuring a lovely New York gal named Carolynn doing inspiring creative good deeds all around the city.

Books

After college, reading suddenly became a choice instead of a "must-do" activity. For me, in order to feel full-filled and whole, the choice has been clear; reading would still be a priority in my week-to-week routine. Here are my five favorite books I read this year{in no particular order}.

• I Knew You'd Be Lovely by Alethea Black
• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall {click here to read my favorite quotes}
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett {click here to read my personal reflection}
• Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley {click here to read my personal reflection}

I would love to know about your favorite Beer, Blogs, and Books in 2011.

Please leave comments below!!

Northeast Adventure's Bits and Pieces Part 2

Making friends with my gluttonous spirit:

My first lobster roll.   Portland, Maine.   2011.

Belly full and spirit content, the end of each meal on my trip was met with conversation and/or thoughts of the next meal. This was one of the only consistent unchanging elements of my time in the northeast. Days were filled with pastries, coffee, cider, seafood and local micro-brews. Calling me gluttonous maybe the understatement of the year.

Below is a photo record of my gluttony.

Enjoy!


Two thumbs up for The Daily Catch Restaurant.

A Boston staple since 1973, the original Daily Catch is located in the North End of the city. It seats only 20 people at a time, and its seafood is fresh and local. Their linguine and claims in white sauce is perfection!

Aesthetically it's a little rough around the edges, but that's exactly what makes it charming!

The pan my linguine was cooked in was served right to my table.

My friend Abbey had a sauteed calamari dish. There is only one word to describe her seafood experience: hardcore!

Across the street from The Daily Catch Restaurant is Mike's Pastry. Home to one of the most delicious cannolis I've ever eaten.

Vegetarian love!


I ate at Clover twice while in Boston. First at their Cambridge shop. Second at their food truck at a Farmer's Market downtown.

 They kept it seasonal with Apple Fritters!

Although their soy BLT isn't their most popular sandwich, I ordered it twice. Yum!

My first seasonal beer of fall:

Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale w/a cinnamon rim.

A true Portland greeting!

My friend Betsy made me a very tasty welcome dinner my first evening in Portland.

Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.

Naan baked in olive oil.

Peppered fresh tomatoes.

Arugula salad topped with carrot shavings.

A famous local brew pub in Portland:

Gritty McDuff's.

Their "flight" allows patrons to try seven beers for just over ten dollars. My personal favorite was the Original Pub Style Beer.

Seafood love.

Oysters!

Lobster Roll!

Pizza. Pizza. Pizza.

Portland, Maine has excellent local pizza shops. I visited Otto Pizza twice!

Butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry pizza.
Conventional? No.
Amazingly delectable? Absolutely!

Tis the season for everything pumpkin flavored!

Pumpkin Pie Latte. This drink was so sweet and sugary, I could have been eating ice cream for breakfast.

Extravagance.

Before arriving in Portland, Betsy and I decided to have one evening of true indulgence. Ignoring the price tag, we booked ourselves a reservation at the best sushi restaurant in Portland. We each ordered the chef's choice five course meal. We split a bottle of Sake and ordered a couple of Japanese beers.

Although I don't usually travel with evenings like this in mind, I'm immensely glad we decided to treat ourselves!

If you missed my Northeast Adventures Bits and Pieces Part 1 click here.

Otherwise, check back in a few days for part 3. 

Reflections upon art and nature in Maine to come!