this holiday season

This holiday season seems more joyous than any I can remember. Maybe it’s because I’m engaged to a man I love, and settling into a happy domestic-ness. Who knows?

Below are my recommendations for your new favorite holiday things.

Enjoy.

Christopher Moore’s books bring me more joy than any other writer I can think of off the top of my head (though maybe Stephen King would rank high as well?) Moore’s crazy, anything-goes, writing style never fails to make me laugh, and The Stupidest Angel is one of the funniest books of his collection. It’s really a game of “the gang’s all here” from Moore’s other books, as the inhabitants of Pine Cove face a crazy Christmas season.  Theo Crowe, Molly Michon, Mavis the bartender, Tucker Case (and Roberto).. all are present as things get out of control. There’s murder, sex, angels, zombies, earthworm kings, mental breakdowns – all the things Moore holds near and dear. It’s a complete joy of a read, and I daresay it’ll be a holiday tradition of mine for years to come.

I don’t usually go for “holiday” music, as I sometimes find it a bit too… (forgive me) Jesus-y? So I was pleased as punch when I stumbled upon Tori Amos’ “holiday” album, Midwinter Graces. I use “holiday” loosely, as Tori is decidedly NOT going to deliver standard versions of religious holiday favorites. It’s lush and lovely, as she puts her own spin on familiar songs.  The highlights for me are “Star of Wonder,” “A Silent Night with you,” “Jeanette, Isabella,” and “Harps of Gold,” but I really don’t think there’s a disappointing track on the album.

Sam Adams Winter Lager is simply delicious. No joke. It tastes like Christmas, or Solstice, or whatever you celebrate. (I’ve no idea if it tastes like Hannukah, though I hope it does.;))

What are YOU enjoying this holiday season?

Two Traverse City, Michigan breweries

Eric and I like micro breweries. It’s a thing we enjoy.

We road tripped it up to Traverse City, Michigan this weekend for Aleisha and Brendan’s wedding, and happily wound up partaking in two fine establishments in Cherryland.

NORTH PEAK BREWING COMPANY. TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

http://www.northpeak.net/

Aleisha and Brendan’s rehearsal dinner was held at North Peak, which is a restaurant style brewery, which makes 7 beers on site. I partook of the Oktoberfest brew, which was marvelous and perfect for the chilly evening outside. Also marvelous was the food. I began with white cheese ale soup (with mustard pretzel croutons), and had chicken and broccoli fettucini, which was amazing, though the combination of cheese, beer, and carbs equated to entirely too much food.

RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY. TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

http://www.rightbrainbrewery.com/

As the rehearsal dinner gang dwindled, a few of us weren’t ready to head back to our hotels yet. SO, on the wise recommendation of one Mr. Brendan Evans (aka, Aleisha’s new husband) Eric, Jess, Vic, Chris, and myself headed to Right Brain Brewery, which is about 2 blocks away from North Peak.

Right Brain is an experience. It looks like a college campus coffeehouse, with an eclectic variety of folks gathered within the colorful walls. They don’t serve food (though you can bring whatever you want in), and they only have beer (which Jess, who is NOT a beer fan, discovered) but their brews are super interesting.

I tried the Chocolate Orange Cream Stout, which was super dark (light couldn’t shine through) and heavy, but I enjoyed it. I’m not normally a dark beer kind of girl, but let’s not lie.. you put Chocolate in the name of anything and I’ll likely give it a whirl. Eric LOVED it, and finished the 1/4 of the beer I couldn’t.

Ah, micro-breweries. I find them a lovely and tasty way to explore different regions.