What's Playing Now

I've been trying to get some more gaming in lately so I figured that I would keep track of what I'm working my through or for fighters trying to get back up to speed on.  Currently all of my time is being spent on the 360, but when time allows I'll definitely power up another console.  I just wrapped up AC: Brotherhood, I'm not sure I will jump right back into the AC universe with AC: Revelations though  (AC:IV is out, but as usual I'm in no hurry rush through the games).  I am pretty sure I'll resist the overwhelming urge to play through the Mass Effect trilogy again, Bioshock is a good contender though and I'll always find time for several fighters.  It's probably sort of odd to have a gaming goal, but I'm going to try keep a "modern" title, fighter(s), and retro game in rotation when I can.  Anyways, the current list below and I'm always open to suggestions or going a few rounds as well.

• Bioshock or Assassin's Creed: Revelations - 360
• SSFIVAE/UMvC3/3rd Strike - 360
• Phantasy Star II - 360

Three of a Kind

I'm still playing catch up from my blogging hiatus and something else that happened during that period was that we added my third Subaru to our stable.  Sadly Subaru #3 is not the Satin White Pearl BRZ Limited that I wanted, it's a 2013 Ice Silver Metallic Tribeca Limited.  With little one number three on the way the BRZ was never going to cut it.  Honestly, the Tribeca was not our first choice in the crowded crossover field.  We considered the Pilot, Highlander, Pathfinder, Explorer, and Tribeca.  the Highlander and Explorer were quickly dismissed; with a new Highlander on the way buying the old model didn't make sense and the Explorer just felt bad (the highlight of our test drive was the black headliner, that's not a good sign).  We wanted to like the Pilot and all of its practical boxiness, but the price for an EX-L 4WD was a little too steep.  We had decided that the new Mallfinder errr Pathfinder was the best choice, it has easy access to the third row seats for oldest child and another passenger while also providing a nice level of wife approved amenities.  However, when it came time to close the deal the dealership we were working with decide to play games, if any dealer does this I strongly advise anyone to walk away and that was what we did. We had test driven the Tribeca earlier and even had a decent offer, after a little searching we found an even better deal and that's how Subaru's little known and often unloved crossover found a space in our garage next to my Legacy GT.

Despite what the automotive press says about the Tribeca (I'm looking at you Edmunds), it is not horribly vehicle.  It definitely isn't perfect but what car is.  I find the time I've spent with our Tribeca to be a relatively pleasant experience.  Subaru's 3.6L flat six (EZ36D) produces enough power and torque to allow the Tribeca to get out of its own way with relative ease, with a surprisingly pleasant exhaust note.  I also find the handling to be better than all of the other crossovers we tried as well, likely due more to the 255 wide tires than lower center of gravity a boxer engine provides.  The Tribeca falls short in two glaring areas, mileage and third row space.  Even though it burns regular the Tribeca only gets about 20mpg on the highway and also has a smallish tank for its class.  In regards to the third row, it's really only fit for small children and people you don't like.  Though our little likes it back there and my 5'3" sister-in-law (that I like mind you) completed a 4+ hour road trip without issue or complaint sitting back there.  Our Tribeca is certainly a comfortable and capable family carrier and highway cruiser.  However, as an enthusiast I really want to do something to our new Subaru, but support for the slow selling Tribeca is slim to none.  That hasn't stopped me from looking though, I've already found a shop willing to tackle a custom axle or cat-back exhaust and 3.6 powered Subarus are tunable via Ecutek (though I really just want better mileage, but a little more power can't hurt).  The suspension is a lot trickier to tackle and honestly lighter wheels and stickier rubber may just be the way to go.

All of this is up in the air though, I already have a closest full of Legacy parts and an Impreza refresh project to tackle.  Also, with Subaru pulling the plug on the Tribeca after MY14 (and announcing an eventual return to the 7-seater market) it may be best to just leave the family truckster alone and replace it with what should be a more spacious and fuel efficient successor once it becomes available.  In the meanwhile though I'll just enjoy the time I spend with our new Subaru.

Easy As Pie

During my hiatus from blogging I did manage to get quite a bit of baking done.  Specifically I was on a pie baking streak.  During the summer I baked two peach pies and now wife is believer in what I swear is without a doubt the best summer pie one can ever enjoy.  Last month finally got around to making my first pumpkin pie.  It was alright, but I can think of better uses for a jar of Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter though.  However, for those that really enjoy pumpkin pie I would definitely say give it a go, the recipe is below:

PUMPKIN PIE

• 1 9–inch pie shell, unbaked (I make my own using this recipe)
• 3 extra large eggs
• 1 jar Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter
• 1½ cups heavy cream

Preheat oven to 450° F Beat eggs until blended then stir in Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter and cream. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° F and bake for an additional 40 minutes or until center is just set. (A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.) Serve at room temperature. Serves 8.

With Thanksgiving about 4-weeks away there will certainly be some more pies coming out of my oven.  I'm pretty sure there will be at least one sweet potato pie, but a nice apple pie could certainly work as well.