Lenovo IdeaPad S10

lenovo_s10Cashed in some points a while ago and picked up a new Lenovo IdeaPad S10. Great little NetBook with a LOT of features!

Still trying to figure out how I want to set it up but I think it’s definitely going to be used as a portable media machine (movies, etc).

If you’re in the market for a NetBook I would definately check this on out.  Here’s a link to a very through review at www.notebookreview.com.

Seventeen Dollars For A Notebook? Well Worth It, Say Fans

moleskineForbes.com had an article about one of my favorite daily carry items, the Moleskine notebook.  while expensive when compared to spiral bound notebooks, the craftsmanship is first rate & you will want to write in it all the time!

I’m glad to see people still taking the time to enjoy the finer things in life.

If you’re going to be traveling soon the City books are a really good accessory to have with you.  You can document your journey and create a real keepsake for future trips.

Panera Breakfast Sandwiches

paneraHaving heard the radio spots for a while now and getting a little tired of the Starbucks Breakfast offerings, I ventured to Panera to see if they could do the breakfast sandwich any better.

I ordered up the Bacon, Egg & Cheese sandwich as well as a cup of coffee*.  This sandwich has Vermont white cheddar and Applewood-smoked bacon and is served on a toasted Ciabatta roll.

After a grunt from the line cook after saying ‘good morning’ my number was called & I dug in.  WOW, this sandwich has some FLAVOR!  Something majorly lacking in the Starbucks sandwiches.  The cheddar pairs nicely with the salty bacon & freshly cooked egg.

This is definately one of my new favorites & I plan on stopping by again soon for another one!

*Panera’s coffee can’t hold a flame to Starbucks but there’s usually a Starbucks in the same area as a Panera so you can have the best of both worlds!

Mobile Blogging

google-blackberryGetting ready for a few upcoming (non-business) trips & searching the web for tools for blogging from the Blackberry.  Anyone have suggestions for tools to check out?  I can’t believe there are no WordPress apps for the BB!

I have the mobile plugin for wordpress that allows me to post while mobile but it’s pretty limited.  No way to upload photos from the phone…

The Facebook & Twitter apps work really well & I plan on continuing to use those.  Perhaps I should hook Twitter to the Blog? Hmmmmm….

Onion-Braised Beef Brisket

braised-brisket

Made this a few weeks ago & the family is still talking about it!  We ended up with a slightly more tender product than I expected but it tasted great nonetheless.  Mashed potatoes were the starch of choice the first time around but the egg noodles sounded great too!

From America’s Test Kitchen

This recipe requires a few hours of unattended cooking. It also requires advance preparation. After cooking, the brisket must stand overnight in the braising liquid that later becomes the sauce; this helps to keep the brisket moist and flavorful. Defatting the sauce is essential. If the fat has congealed into a layer on top of the sauce, it can be easily removed while cold. Continue reading “Onion-Braised Beef Brisket”