PNW Beer Moms

   Last week the Northwest Washington PNW Beer Moms met up for some merriment and gluttony at The Woolley Market in the small city of Sedro Woolley, a town known for its' chainsaw scultper competition, western flare, amazing tacos and mexican food and great views of the cascade mountains. There couldn't have been a better place to hold our December meet up!     I wanted some small town holiday charm for our December meet up and Sedro Woolley didn't disappoint, with lots of lights and a huge Christmas set up in the middle of the main down town intersection. My photos of it doesnt give it justice, but you got to appreciate a city that creates a roundabout for a Christmas tree! It really set the mood for the evening!     I'd never been to the Woolley Market, but knowing that it was run by a fellow Beer&Body Craft Beer Girl Rebecca and had a self serve tap wall, I knew I was in for something special. And boy was I right! It's a beautiful huge build

    There I was in a sequin santa hat, kidless, in our family burgundy vanagon, spreading hipster happiness as I drive through town on my way to pick up our donations from the Food 4 Tots drive at Stemma Brewery. I cleaned out the van in anticipation of some marketable photos for our social media and website to show how PNW Beer Moms are here to participate in making our community a caring place. I made sure to have some swag on and planned on taking pictures of hugs and hand shakes, but God had other plans. He had a lesson in humility at the ready.     I pulled up in front of Stemma, right in front of the big glass garage doors so I could easily load the donations. I turned off the engine and pulled out the key. I checked the address of the of food bank on Google and just as I was about to text my husband that the van "ran like a champ, didn't stall once" I heard a "click...click..click, click,click, cliiiiccckkk". The same warning I've heard right before

  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 flour into the batter, this way

        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 person can go to to h

      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 without further a