My morning fix

This summer I got into the iced coffee thing.  I'm not a starbucks kind of person.  Not even a coffee shop kind.  The coffee that I make at home is reliable.  It tastes the same every single day.  I can't get that anywhere else.  And I don't want to pay for it. 

Around day 27 of 100+ degree weather this summer, I said screw you to my hot cup of coffee every morning and decided to try iced coffee.  At first, it was a disaster.  Who knew that you just couldn't brew a pot of coffee and pour it over ice!  It tasted like dog crap. 

So I turned to google.  The logical thing to do, right?  I found a few different ways to make iced coffee at home, all of which were pretty similar.  The key is making a coffee concentrate.  I came up with my own version and I'm hooked.  I can't get enough of it.  It's my morning crack, and when it's too cold to drink it this winter, I will probably need to go to rehab and enter a detox program.

The best part about this?  You make a batch on Sunday and keep it in the fridge all week long.  Genious.

Coffee Concentrate: 

- Pour 3 cups of coffee grinds into a large bowl

- Fill the bowl with 12 cups of water

- Stir, cover, and let it sit all day or overnight (This is weird to me.  I guess you could put it in the fridge, but I just let mine sit on the counter.)

- Uncover, stir again, and strain into a pitcher (I use a thin strainer and a paper towel.  I tried coffee filters but it took forever.  And I'm not cool enough to use cheese cloth.)

When you are ready to drink, pour over ice and add your creamer/sugar/milk/whatever.  I personally like my sugar free vanilla creamer, with a shot of half and half. 

Will thinks the whole process is strange, and every time he walks into the kitchen while I'm straining my coffee mixture, he makes a weird gagging noise. 

And yes, I use a 1979 pitcher from Dixie Linoleum and Carpet in Memphis, TN.  

**Here's my disclaimer:  This stuff is so good that you can't stop drinking it.  It's a shitload of caffeine.  It's probably eating away at my insides and staining my teeth.  But oh well.  It wakes me up and keeps me going all day.  Therefore, I LOVE IT.

***One recipe that I found was for an entire month's worth of coffee.  Where do you find a bowl that big?  I didn't want to make my morning crack in the bathtub, so I'm sticking with my weekly routine.  It works for me.

Watch out Martha!

A few weeks ago, these crazy cats flew to NYC and got married!  Out of all of my friends, I've never known anyone to just go to the courthouse and get married, so this was a first for me on a few levels.  And so exciting! 

(Grafton and his favorite gunkles, Noel & Chip)

In a few weeks, the Burlesons are throwing them a party to celebrate with their closest friends and family.  And all I have to say is, Martha Stewart better step aside, because Mimi and Noel have entered the party planning scene!  If I could quit my job tomorrow and do this, I would.  I just need Noel to quit his job to run my errands and do whatever I said.  He might have a problem with that part though.

Here's a sneak peek of the gayest party to ever hit Williamson County!  Georgetown, TX is not going to know what hit it. 

In other news, I am going to do my first giveaway on Monday.  Stay tuned!! 

Unlimited Funds Friday: Oct 14 (and other random stuff)

One of my favorite houses in Georgetown just went on the market. It's one street over, and it's a house that we drive by almost daily. And then I have to wipe the drool off of my chin when I get to the end of the street.

It's a little out of my price range at this point, plus I'd need another 100k to make a few updates. Beautiful but not my style. The the outside and location are oh.so.lovely. Drool.

You can check it out here. And yes, it's covered with spiders for Halloween. For $679k, the spiders better come with the house.

In other news, Will and I are headed to Dallas this weekend for a little I, Love, You and Kick Drums. The Avett Brothers are playing at the Palladium tonight and Saturday night. So we are going twice. Why not, right? (Yes, I realize I am 34, but just let me have my 25 yr old moments) We are going to get to hang out with new friends and see old friends that we havent seen in years. Should be fun!

Junk Food Challenge

I decided to do the 21 day Junk Food Challenge.  Except mine is 35 days.  As if 21 days wasn't challenging enough. 

For 35 days I have to follow these rules:

No Chocolate

No Candy

No Biscuits

No Cookies

No Cakes

No Donuts

No Muffins

No Pastries

No White Bread

No Chips

No Fast Food

No Nutella

No Peanut Butter

No Ice Cream

This thing must have originated in Europe.  I don't know many people that have a biscuit problem.  Fast food on the other hand...that's my weakness. 

I am on day 10.  So far so good, but on day 1, Will quickly reminded me that we live in Texas.  Tortilla chips are a staple in our diet.  A necessity to live, right up there with water.  So that is my exception to the rule.

And I ate Mighty Fine on Sunday.  Does that count as fast food?  They don't have a drive thru window, so maybe not.  But they do serve their burgers on white buns.  Damn it. 

Unlimited Funds Friday: Oct 7

New Series.  We'll see how it does.

My senior year roommate in college was Unlimited Funds Dita.  AKA The Chilean Nightmare.  AKA Big D.  When the rest of us were bouncing checks at the end of every month, Big D had the funds.  When we were scraping change to buy beer and pizza (no wonder we all gained weight), Dita would just write a check and we'd be golden.  Thanks Tito!  (Big D's dad)

If Tito were funding my checking account, this is exactly what would be on my list today.

2000 psi 1.6 gpm Electric Pressure Washer.  Wow, that sounds so lezzy.  I borrowed Supawn's pressure washer this week and I AM ADDICTED!  Let me tell you, this thing is awesome.  I can't get enough.  I can just see it now...Will is going to ask me to go to the movies.  No thank you.  Want to go downtown tonight to see a band?  No.  Want to have sex?  Nope, I'll be outside pressure washing! 

I'll stick with the outdoor theme and head to Restoration Hardware after I leave the HD.  I need this table and these chairs for my back patio.  There's really nothing else to say about them other than they are overpriced pure awesomeness.  Let a woman dream.

I just quickly spent about $9,000.  That's enough for today.  Have a wonderful weekend! 

Oh, by the way, my newest brother in law, Noel, makes fun of his new super white family.  But look Noel, I'm pretty cultured.  I have friends named Dita and Supawn.  So there!

Pin it.

Hi.  My name is Mimi Burleson and I'm addicted to Pinterest.  I can't get enough.  I am on that crazy sight every. single. day.  It's horrible.  It just sucks you in, and the next thing you know, you look up and it's a week later and you haven't taken a shower or brushed your teeth.  It should be illegal, but it's oh-so-awesome. 

I am now more creative.  I can tackle any DIY project that comes my way.  I can throw a party and cook a 5 course meal better than Martha Stewart any day.  I can decorate like Windsor Smith and am the best dressed girl on the block.  All because of Pinterest.

Check me out.  If you are new to Pinterest, don't say you weren't warned.

Hola.

The past month has been crazy. Insane. But super fun. In the past month, I've been to Panama, Hot Springs and Miami. We've had 2 birthday parties, 2 golf tournaments, ACL, happy hours, a marriage and a new baby. I'm hoping October is slower, but as of now, it's not looking so good.

Miami for work.  My view from the hotel makes up for the fact that it's work. 

ACL:  Rain, free beer, backstage and Faith = FUN!  Oh, and meeting up with Noel afterwards at the gay bars was icing on the cake.

Special Agent Burleson for Ruby's 7th birthday party.

Hot Springs for Labor Day with the fam.

G and his new little cousin, Janie Reid Burleson.  He is in love.

These two crazy cats flew to NYC and were married on the 29th! 

In the next month or so, we have 2 Avett Brother's shows, family photos, my parents in town, a party to celebrate Chip & Noel's marriage, and a trip to Palm Beach.  Oh, and multiple happy hours.  You can't forget those.