It's Sunday so you know what that means. Mic stops by to chat about the need to deconstruct some of our old ideas. We also have a delicious Lasagna Soup as well as a new line up of Book Brunch Favorites, Don't forget to check out the song of the week as well as the Sunday Set List.
Bon Appetit. 

It's Sunday so you know what that means. It's the Sunday Morning Brunch. This week Mic chats about quitting, being and Bob Dylan. We also have a pesto pasta bolognese recipe that is delicious. Plus we have the song of the week, the book brunch and the Sunday setlist. Get ready. This brunch is out of sight. Bon Appetit.

It's Sunday and you know what that means! It's the Sunday Morning Brunch. This week we have a special audio message from Mic about something discouraging that happened to him this week and how three words changed his entire perspective about the situation. Lindsay shares a delicious five ingredient beer bread that will knock your socks off. We also have the song of the week ("Wake Me Up" by Foals), the Book Brunch, MMM That's Good Coffee (Or Tea) and the Set List. Hope you enjoy. Bon Appetit! 

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 9x5 loaf pan with butter.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to a mixing bowl. Pour in the beer and add the honey. Mix until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Arrange the butter slices on top.
3. Place the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes or until the top of the bread is lightly browned. Sliced and enjoy warm!

I (Mic) wanted to try something different. I searched google for "great tea" from other countries and this brand popped up. It's a black loose leaf tea from Turkey and it is absolutely delicious. It's a nice full bodied tea when you serve it up hot in a mug. I normally add two hits of sugar and a little cream and man it is out of sight. It is also really good if you make a batch in the french press then pour it over some ice for a delicious cool drink. Check it out. I found it a set of two different flavors on amazon.

 It's Sunday, so you know what that means - It's The Sunday Brunch! Welcome to the New Year. We are starting this year out right by sharing the secret to happiness - WHAT!?! You will have to read Mic's article to find out more. We also have the Book Brunch, Song of the Week, MMM That's Good Coffee (or Tea), Sunday Setlist and an awesome 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie recipe. Here we go:

What does happiness mean to you? There's a lot of searching going on these days for the elusive emotion of being happy –where do you find it, how do you create it, even what it actually is. But I'd like to share a little secret with you — happiness is not just for a lucky few who were born with it. You see, happiness is not something you can reach out and touch or put in the refrigerator and take a sip when you need it. Happiness is not found on a beach in Hawaii (really!) or in a perfect body. It's not even in that perfect relationship they try to sell us in the movies. Yet from the images bombarding you every day, it's easy to make the mistake that happiness will arrive on your doorstep when you have the latest car, the best clothes, a fancy home, isn't it?

It's easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that if you could just find the right person, they'd arrive with a box of happiness attached to his/her hip. But all this does is convince you that happiness is something to be found outside of yourself. And that's where you get off track. Because the secret is that happiness is simply a by-product of creating and living a life that works, a life that you enjoy — whatever that is to you. Happiness comes from doing what you what, where you want to do it, and who you want to do it with.

I get it. I know all the excuses.  I can hear all of you — "I can't get the job I want because I'd have to go to school for 8 years, or I'd have to move and I can't afford to move." Thank you for making my point for me. You see, happiness starts by believing you have control over your life. It grows when you make choices that will give you a sense of well being, satisfaction. Happiness comes from deciding that you *will* go to school for 8 years if that's what it takes. That you *will* organize your life until you can afford to move. And that YOU decide who to hug, how much to smile, what music you listen to, and who you hang out with. Happiness is about making the best choices you can about who you spend your time with, how you make your living, how much you learn, and what you put into your body. Because when you feel good about the space you're in, the work you're doing and you're with people you admire and respect and they admire and respect you — happiness will shine right through. And that's no secret. Decide today to stop chasing happiness, and instead choose three things that you love to do - that contribute to your feeling of well-being and satisfaction. Then schedule time for them, every day if possible, every week at least. It doesn't have to be for a long time, just 10 minutes a day will help you create the happiness that you're looking for. Guaranteed. And that's no secret either.

I (Mic) got this for Xmas and it is absolutely delicious. If you have ever had "Moose Munch" caramel popcorn and thought "man this would be an awesome coffee - minus the popcorn taste" then you should try this stuff. It's great with just a bit of sugar and cream.  Made with 100% Arabica beans. 

It's Sunday so you know what that means! It's the Sunday Brunch. We have our final candle liturgy for yule this year from Howard Thurman. Lindsay shares her amazing Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookie recipe. We also have the latest Book Brunch (which has a link to our very own  Chandler Cox's new book, Sunday Setlist, MMM That's Good Coffee (or Tea) and the Song of the Week. Bon Appetit!

It's Sunday, so you know what that means. It's the Sunday Brunch. It's almost CHRISTMAS!!! This week we have another Yule/Advent Candle Liturgy from Howard Thurman.  This weeks recipe is Anthony Bourdain's famous Les Halles Fries.  Then we have a fresh set list, book brunch, MMM That's good coffee (or tea) and the song of the week.  Here we go - Bon Appetite.

The legendary Anthony Bourdain spent years serving some of the best no-nonsense French brasserie food at Les Halles in New York, including their famous French fries.

"We're famous for our French fries at Les Halles. Many have said that we make the best fries in New York. Naturally, I agree," Bourdain wrote in his first collection of recipes, Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking.

Total Prep: Serves 4

Ingredients

4 Idaho potatoes, big, long ones

2 quarts or more peanut oil to fill fryer (or pot)

Table salt

Equipment

2 large bowls

Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot Skimmer or wire basket (if using a pot)

Baking sheet

Towel

Step 1: Prep

Fill a large bowl with ice water. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2-inch thick sticks. Put them immediately into the bowl of ice water to keep them from oxidizing. Leave them in the water anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, then rinse well in cold water to take out a large amount of the starch.

Step 2: Blanch

In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil to 280°F and cook the potatoes in batches, about 6 to 8 minutes for each batch, until they are soft and their color has paled from opaque white to a semi-translucent white. Do not get impatient and yank them out early. Remove them from the oil with the skimmer or wire basket and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Let them rest at least 15 minutes.

Step 3: Fry

Bring the oil up to 375°F, no hotter, no cooler. Fry the blanched potatoes in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, each, or until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from the oil with the skimmer or wire basket, shake off the excess oil.

Step 4: Serve

Immediately drop the fries into the other large bowl, which has been lined with a clean, dry towel. Add salt to taste and whip out the towel. Toss the fries around in the bowl and serve while still hot.

It's Sunday, so you know what that means. It's the Sunday Brunch. This week we have another Yule/Advent Candle Liturgy from Howard Thurman. We also have a grilled cheese with pesto and prosciutto sandwich from the Stanley Tucci cookbook (yes that Stanley Tucci and yes it is delicious).  Then we have a fresh set list, book brunch, MMM That's good coffee (or tea) and the song of the week. Here we go - Bon Appetite.

SIDE NOTE: This is from the Tucci Table Cookbook by Stanley Tucci. I (Mic) have always been a huge fan of Tucci's movies but when I discovered his Searching for Italy series on CNN I started checking out his cook book. My love for all things Tucci runs deep LOL -  Lindsay even go me a signed copy of his book "Taste: My Life Through Food".  But this simple recipe is LEGIT! Check it out:

It's Sunday so you know what that means! It's the Sunday Brunch. This is the first week of the Yule and Advent Season and We are super excited to celebrate with everyone this year. This week we have an Advent/Yule candle lighting liturgy you can do with your family and friends. We also have a five ingredient beer bread recipe that is delicious, a seasonal Sunday Setlist, a new Book Brunch, MMM That's Good Coffee (Or Tea and of course The Song of the Week.  Bon Appetite!

Here is a little Liturgy you can use as you light the First Advent Candle. Gather round the advent wreath and light the first candle. Read the liturgy and then ask everyone to share what Hope means to them. Close with everyone sharing one thing they are thankful for.

Week 1 Candle Lighting Liturgy: HOPE

I light one candle here for hope
and it is like a small lamp,
lighting a bedside table with open book,
after a long day,
the glow of heart monitor in ICU,
a headlamp for a hiker on an unfamiliar trail,
or a miner down a shaft,
a toddler’s paw-patrol nightlight,
or early-morning oven in a bakery.

We light one candle so we will remember
to notice this week’s ordinary lights of hope.

For ordinary and available to all
is the hope of Advent.

I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long. (Howard Thurman)

Prep Time 10 MINUTES 
Cook Time 45 MINUTES
Total Time 55 MINUTES
​Servings: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
kosher salt
1 (12 ounce) beer (we've used Guinness & Sam Adams Octoberfest)
1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar, but honey is best)
6 tablespoons cold salted butter, sliced into 8 slices

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 9x5 loaf pan with butter.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to a mixing bowl. Pour in the beer and add the honey. Mix until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Arrange the butter slices on top.
3. Place the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes or until the top of the bread is lightly browned. Sliced and enjoy warm!

​Trung Nguyen - Premium Blend
We first tried this coffee at  a Vietnamese food truck from Huntington, WV. The owner saw Mic's Oak and Crow Coffee sweatshirt and asked if he like iced coffee. Of course he said yes and she let us try a sample. It was amazing. The owner later sent us what coffee she uses to make her iced coffee magic and this is it! You have to try it.

DEEP INTENSE FLAVOR: This Vietnamese coffee blend Robusta and Arabica coffee beans with our unique proprietary blend to bring you flavorful, intense coffee that will keep you energized and refreshed
FLAVOR PROFILE:  Grown high altitude regions to bring you an Arabica (59.9%) and Robusta (40.0%) whole bean coffee blend with hints of Chocolate (0.1%) that delight your senses with each sip