How Do You Say "Great Meal" in German?

Tonight I am staying in Pullman, Washington with my friend BW. We coordinate the writing retreat together and are off to McCall, Idaho tomorrow. I was very fortunate to attend a German dinner tonight put on by the brew club her husband belongs to. The rules were simple. Every dish that was served had to have beer as an ingredient. The meal was based on a German theme. Some of the brew club members brought their own home brewed beer, while others just brought favorite kinds that went with each course. Where I grew up a Lucky Lager could go with chips and dip, a hamburger, and a piece of apple pie! No aluminum cans at this gathering. This beautiful salad had a wheat beer added to the dressing. The soup was made with a pale ale and Cougar Gold cheese, made right at Washington State University. BW's husband brought homemade sausage he had ground and filled before we left. They were grilled and very yummy! There was also German potato salad, pork dishes, cabbage, sauerkraut, soft pretzels, and beer bread. Desserts ranged from gingerbread to prune cake to the two cakes above. Each had a distinct taste and all were delicious (or so I heard.. I just couldn't sample everything). Now who knew about chocolate beer... I mean stout? One guy that brewed his own beer brought it out after dinner. I loved his pink sticky note label. I know IPA means something to the brew club members, but I can't quite remember what. It was a big learning curve for me tonight. I was amazed at how many delicious ways the group found to use beer for this dinner. Now I better go Google IPA.
Okay... I am back.... IPA... India Pale Ale. It is coming back to me now.

WSU on to The Sweet Sixteen

DENVER - MARCH 22: Kyle Weaver #25 of the Washington State Cougars is fouled by Zach Hillesland #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after stealing the ball during the second round game of the East Regional as part of 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on March 22, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Final Score: Washington State 61, Notre Dame 41
WSU has represented our Inland Empire well on and off the court. Go Cougs!

March Madness: Snow, Cougs, Zags

March Madness began when I looked out the window as I awoke this morning. The first day of spring greeted us with snow. I can only hope these daffodils are hardy. I have to say they do stand out more in white surroundings.
My angel's pages on her book were covered with wet snow also this first day of spring.
March Madness was in full swing by the time I sat and watched the WSU Cougars play. Kyle Weaver contributed 14 points as they beat Winthrop 73-40.The Madness of March will continue tomorrow as I peek at the Gonzaga scores between class periods in the morning. I hope Austin Daye can put lots of baskets in like the one above.

Photo Hunt: Skinny

Two students before class are getting the skinny on the WSU /USC game played last night. WSU is still undefeated and ranks #4 in the nation. This inland empire girl is ecstatic about our inland empire team. Go Cougs! To check out other photo hunters go here.

Gathering Around the TV: Inland Empire Team Day

I am not an obsessed sports fan. I do like to keep up with the Seattle Seahawks because they are our state's NFL team and it helps me bond with my middle school students on Monday mornings. If I can though I watch my two favorite Inland Empire teams: The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Washington State Cougars. My love for the Zags goes back to childhood when my grandmother lived close the Gonzaga University in Spokane, plus Dad was a fan and used to stop at Jack and Dan's bar on Nevada. It was run by former Zag /Utah Jazz/Olympic Team member John Stockton's dad. I think the whole Bing Crosby connection at GU was part of it also. I am an alumni of WSU plus they are just a fun team to watch and it is exciting to see them ranked #4 in the nation.

Today was The Saturday of Inland Empire Sports Viewing. First the Seahawks played in the afternoon, beating the Redskins 35-14. Next Gonzaga played Georgia at the Spokane Arena, beating them 75-67. At seven o'clock the cross state rivals Washington State and University of Washington began their game. At this point it is too close to call. I'm relieved I can multitask while games are on or we may have gone hungry and this blog may not have been posted today!

Go Cougs... Kyle Weaver just scored... oh yeah... back to publishing the post!

later update: The Cougars just won 56-52. Three for three...not a bad day around the TV!