Never Stop Learning
Now that Mal is without a car, I’m his temporary chauffeur. This means that I get to pick him up from school every afternoon until he buys a new one. (His coworker, who lives right down the street, drives him to school in the morning.) Unfortunately, our work schedules don’t jive perfectly, so I stay at NuVal a little later than usual, but I don’t mind at all. It’s fun having someone to keep me company on my commute. 
I grabbed us a couple of iced coffees at Dunkin’ Donuts before I picked Mal up. He was very appreciative of an afternoon pick-me-up.
Mal is a high school history teacher, if you’re curious.
Dinner
After sitting in traffic for a good 45 minutes, we finally arrived at home. Mal took Murphy for a walk while I started on dinner. We were pressed for time, so I threw together a quick pizza using a thin-crust from Boboli.
(I was a finalist in a Boboli recipe contest last year, so I have a zillion coupons for free crusts. They’re actually pretty tasty!)
Tonight’s pizza toppings included pesto, sharp cheddar, and marinara sauce.
For some reason, I didn’t snap a photo of my actual dinner, but I did snap two of its preparation. (My blogger brain is so weird sometimes.) For the record, I ended up eating 3 pieces for dinner.
There wasn’t a vegetable in sight at dinner, but, hey, it’s Friday. 
After dinner, we got back in the car and drove to Gordon’s for the Beer 101 session:
Hoppy, malty, ale, lager? Is it all Greek to you? Or do you like to try the funky drafts at the hip beer bars in Allston, but wish you could “talk the beer talk?” Look no further, we have the course for you. Joe Connolly, manager at our Watertown store, is taking his expertise westbound to the culinary center and is set on enlightening our beer palates and minds. This class will be a great introduction to tasting beer, its components, history, production, and the evolution of a complex industry. You’re in for a real treat!
The session included a plethora of information about the history of beer, craft beers, production, ingredients, styles, food pairings, and lots of other interesting tidbits.
I learned a lot.
We also tasted 7 different beers.
I enjoyed all of the beers, but my favorite was a Belgium beer called Tsjeeses, a medium-bodied, winter brew with sweet, fruit flavors. I definitely tasted cherry. It was so delish!
Mal and I shared some pretzels while we tasted the beers.
We both had a great time at the beer tasting. I love date night!
Can you tell that my husband really enjoyed himself?
After drinking seven good-size beer samples, I left a little tipsy and ready for bed.
Awesome night! But, I am SO ready to hit the hay! G’night!
P.S. I will announce the final 12 Days of Giveaways winners tomorrow morning.
Tags: 12 Days of Giveaways, Beer 101, Boboli, Gordon's Wine and Liquors
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) — December 19, 2009 @ 12:02 am
I think we can all condone the lack of veggies for Friday’s supper.. hey, there’s veggies in pesto and marinara, so that counts!
History is one classy class to teach. The teachers have always been my favorite.
Erin — December 19, 2009 @ 12:04 am
It’s always fun to have someone to share the commute with. Better than sitting in traffic alone!
Kristen @ Change of Pace — December 19, 2009 @ 12:08 am
I had the biggest crush on my history teacher when I was in high school… (no it wasn’t your hubs!) Your pizza looks delicious!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) — December 19, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Fantastic looking pizza – LOVE the pesto — did you make it yourself?
jenna — December 19, 2009 @ 12:53 am
funnight
Emily Eats and Exercises — December 19, 2009 @ 1:03 am
I didn’t realize Mal was a teacher – what grade does he teach?
I’m not a beer fan, but the concept looks really fun anyway. I have to be better about instituting date night.
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — December 19, 2009 @ 1:07 am
loved seeing mal at work – do you think his students will see this blog post?!
Babycakes — December 19, 2009 @ 1:14 am
what grade does Mal teach? Teachers deserve SO much credit!
Sara — December 19, 2009 @ 1:16 am
He does look great behind that desk. Now I feel like a little kid giggling at seeing the teacher outside of the classroom!
Madeline @ greensandjeans — December 19, 2009 @ 1:24 am
I love pesto on pizza! My boyfriend and I made a similar creation last night!
Chelsea — December 19, 2009 @ 1:30 am
Beer 101 sounds awesome!!!!
pat — December 19, 2009 @ 2:50 am
omg mal is a teacher. LOVE. so cute
Julie — December 19, 2009 @ 8:21 am
Mal is a WAMP?! I’m a wamp! House 2 represent. GO WAMPS!!! My cousin goes there, I wonder if she has him…
He must be the cute young teacher all the girls love. Mine was Mr. Flanagan and Mr. Denise. Mr. Flanagan actually goes to my gym which is…weird.
MelissaNibbles — December 19, 2009 @ 9:19 am
The beer class looks like fun. I get drunk off one beer though. I’d be walking around all wasted in that class.
I love your sweater. Is it from The Limited? I was eyeing one just like it there, but it looked itchy. Is it comfy? Sorry, for the long comment. I just drank coffee.
Pizza looks great!
Angie — December 19, 2009 @ 9:29 am
Love the pizza combination. Sounds absolutely perfect!!
So cool that Mal is a History teacher. I think my 2nd career later in life might be teaching…It is exciting just to see the photos of the classroom. Very cool!
Have a great weekend!
skinnyrunner — December 19, 2009 @ 9:31 am
i love your no veggie/friday line!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — December 19, 2009 @ 9:44 am
Him in school reminds me of being a kid. Those classrooms look like mine!
Kristine — December 19, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Aww I love Mal’s classroom. Is he a teacher in the city of Boston or a suburb?!
Karla — December 19, 2009 @ 10:46 am
How fun! Two classrooms in one day!
Rachel — December 19, 2009 @ 10:47 am
How fun! I love the green sweater you are wearing at the beer tasting. Where did you get it? Thanks!
Michelle — December 19, 2009 @ 10:54 am
I love that sweater too! Where did you get it?
Tina — December 19, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Re: Green sweater: My sweater is from Banana Republic. I bought 2 winters ago, I think.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — December 19, 2009 @ 11:22 am
The beer tasting looks like so much fun. My husband would love something like that!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — December 19, 2009 @ 11:28 am
I never knew Mal was a history teacher; that was always one of my favorite subjects and I might double major in it in college
Lisa — December 19, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Oh my gosh, my husband would love something like this beer class! I have to look for one in NYC.
Erin — December 20, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
Oh wow. Mal is a teacher? I bet he is quite popular with the ladies
Abby — December 21, 2009 @ 10:35 am
If you ever go to Boulder CO, you should go to the Oskar Blues Brewery and Pub! I saw that they had the Ten-Fidy at your tasting. Their other beers are really good, and not all that dark! I have a friend who brews for them!