Cherry bounce on cherry bounce

After receiving a decanter of Cherry Bounce for Christmas from Uncle Bob and Aunt Bev, we McClain kids decided we'd better get started on our summer batch! So, we got together for a little bounce-makin'/Super Supper Saturday party at Nate and Lisa's.

As you can see, the supplies alone could kill several small animals. And, after the first taste, we were all feeling a little like we might die. But we had a great time, see below for the play-by-play.


After emptying our Carlo Rossi wine jugs (mostly into the sink, but some into our tum tums), we started adding the cherries.

Adding another bottle of booze...Cherry Bounce contains, liquid-wise: Bonded Bourbon (Wild Turkey), grain alcohol (Everclear), and Cherry Brandy. Jack had to drive outside of Cook County to get 190 Proof Everclear because it is illegal here.

Adding a long string of rock candy.

As the tradition goes, you taste the Bounce after 6 seconds/minutes/hours/days/weeks, then it is "done" after 6 months.

That first 6 second taste is basically like taking a shot of everclear. I now have chest hair.


sour face from Jack.

The crew with our Bounces named (from left to right) Dace Bounce, Balls-Deep Bounce, Man Bounce, Little Boy Bounce, and KampersandM.

It was one of the coldest days of the winter, which seemed appropriate for such a party. After several tastings and some rockin mac n' cheese casserole, we were ready to again brave the cold.

This batch will be ready right around Booze Cruise time in July...I smell trouble :)

Just for kicks

Best thing ever...I designed these shoes on Nike ID and am in love. Given the choice of basically any color imaginable, you can see that I went a little wild. All the ladies stare with covetous eyes when I run by. hah.


And, the best part, you get 5 letters per heel to put a message. I chose "Hot Buns" because, duh, it is hilarious! Imagine runnning behind me (as you're coming up to pass me, obviously) and reading that. Hahah, whatever works, right?

urban window awesomeness

I love Urban Outfitters, and especially their rad music/photography themed window display. I've been researching window display ideas for work and this one really stood out.

Viva la Peacekeeper!

Jack's band, Peacekeeper, performing at The Cubby Bear and being filmed by Comcast!



Peacekeeper bringing down the house a few weeks ago at Phyllis'. As you can see, Matt played a few songs with the band. Totally awesome, fun was had by all.

new kitchen chairs

left: before, right: after!

my mom worked her magic on these great chairs we found at an antique store over the holiday break. authentic shabby chic from the 30's...i heart them.

we built this city on rock n' roll

and apparently abe lincoln did as well...Yes, that is the Lincoln Memorial singin' along. Well worth a watch.

brrrrsville

I took this photo last week on my way into work when it was -10 below zero. It has been very cold and snowy in Chicago this month. It isn't so bad, and I'm not really one of those cynical Chicago winter people until about March. However, I could do without the -10 days.

And while most people think it is crazy, I love running in this weather (after most of the ice is gone from the sidewalks). Maybe its because my legs go numb so I can't really feel anything and can just focus on moving forward. I just love feeling warm from running in such cold weather. Or maybe I'm just my father's daughter? 

I loaded up my ipod with liquid sunshine (a bunch of cheesy, bubblegum-teenybob music) when I got home and ventured out for a jog...dressed like the younger brother on A Christmas Story. I used to always focus my healthy efforts into intense work-outs and since I have shifted to eating more healthy I've discovered that exercise can be a nice little icing on top. So I can now just go for a jog without timing exactly how long it is, or worrying about how fast (or slow more likely) I am going. 

Since the beginning of the year, I've also started making a conscious effort to work more reasonable hours and put a hard stop on my days. And, as many people told me, its amazing how much more productive you can be when you know you are on a timeline. I think it will be good for both me and the job to take better care of myself this year and focus on what's important. 

In years past, I've always made some pretty intense resolution lists and shared them with everyone. But this year I've just vowed to do things that make me happy. This means cooking more, painting more, running more, resting more and seeing more of my friends and family. Maybe even having an art show this summer?

Time to hit the showers. 

new puppy

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photo courtesy of apple.com

i got an iPhone :) 

now, all I need are some black rim glasses and I will have completely fulfilled the stereotype. I don't care, I love it like a puppy.

My 12 seconds of internet fame and glory

ladies and gents, I made it on design*sponge today!! it is one of my most favorite blogs and I've always wanted to be featured on it for doing something cool! Today was my day!

My superfun work friend Jill and I did a little eco-craft project to celebrate our inaugural Green Committee meeting at work today. 

Click below to read the full story :)

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/11/diy-project-eco-friendly-notebooks.html

Chicago, election night

skyline from grant park

daley plaza

throngs coming to grant park

festive and patriotic art institute

You have to admit, whether you are an Obama supporter or not, that it was pretty amazing how enthralled in the election everyone was, especially here. I was probably just been too young the last two elections to really take note, so it was cool to be a part of this one so close to home. 

We didn't have tickets to the rally (or a desire to stand on our feet for 7 hours with 70,000 anxious Obama supporters), but did walk through downtown after work and to the perimeter of the crowd at Grant Park. It was amazing all the crap people were slinging: buttons, tshirts, you name it. 

After a few hours of walking around (with my laptop on my back, no less) we opted out of downtown and back to the 'hood for a tall beer and some food, then home to comfy couches for the announcement.