by J.W. Spencer | Jun 20, 2024 | Technology
It was time to replace my 2016 Volkswagen Passat SE, which had almost 100,000 miles after nearly eight years of dependable service. Car manufacturers typically design vehicles with a lifespan of around ten years or 100,000 miles. I decided to replace the VW due to the high mileage (94,000) and the car’s decreasing value. I questioned how much longer I could continue driving it without spending a significant amount of money on repairs to keep it roadworthy. In addition to several mechanical issues requiring attention, the car also developed a new problem of oil consumption which concerned me.
So, I needed a new daily driver. The ideal vehicle would be neither too small nor too large, economical to operate, not electric, and would have heated seats for my wife’s comfort. My criteria were comfort, convenience, utilitarianism and, most importantly, passing the “cute” test set by my wife.
Say Hello to Billy
We found a vehicle that met all of our requirements in a Moonstone Gray 2024 Buick Encore GX ST that we named “Billy”. This isn’t your typical golf course retirement community Buick. The newly redesigned Encore is a youthful stylish small SUV with tech-savvy features that aims to cater to daily commuters and urban dwellers. But does it truly deliver as a practical daily driver? Let’s dive into the details with a bullet-point breakdown.
I’ve driven the SUV now for roughly 500 miles in my first two weeks of ownership. Here are my findings thus far.
Pros:
- Fuel Efficiency: One of the standout features is its fuel efficiency. With its 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, it boasts impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy figures, making it a budget-friendly option for daily commutes. I’ve averaged 32mpg commuting to work thus far, equaling my Passat.
- Compact Size and Maneuverability: Its compact dimensions (short wheel base) make it a breeze to maneuver in tight city streets and parking spaces. Parallel parking or navigating crowded lots becomes less of a hassle.
- Tech-Savvy Interior: The Encore GX ST comes equipped with a modern infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a user-friendly interface. Staying connected and entertained on the go is seamless.
- Safety Features: Buick prioritizes safety, and the Encore GX ST comes standard with several advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a rearview camera. This adds peace of mind during daily drives.
- Comfortable Ride: The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps and road imperfections well. This makes for a pleasant ride, even on longer commutes.
- Cargo Space: Despite its compact size, the Encore GX ST offers a decent amount of cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down. It can accommodate groceries, luggage, or even a small bicycle.
Cons:
- Limited Power: While the turbocharged engine offers decent fuel economy, it might feel underpowered for those seeking a thrilling driving experience. Acceleration and highway merges might require more effort. This is not a sports car. It’s a daily driver and get-around town car that provides decent room for groceries and shopping hauls.
- Small Back Seat: The rear seats will feel cramped for taller passengers, especially on longer trips. Legroom and headroom are somewhat limited, so if you’re going to be hauling people often – you’ll want a larger vehicle.
- Noisy Cabin: Some road and wind noise might be noticeable, particularly at highway speeds. This can detract from the overall refinement of the driving experience. I was disappointed by this aspect, as I had expected an experience similar to that found in the larger Enclave – which is exceptionally queit.
- Limited Visibility: The sloping roofline and thick rear pillars can create blind spots, making it essential to rely on the rearview camera and mirrors when changing lanes or parking in reverse.
- Cargo Capacity: While adequate for daily needs, the cargo space might feel limited for those who frequently carry larger items or travel with a lot of luggage. But then again, the back seats are not all that useful so leaving them down is an option.
- Canine Comfort – Small dogs will welcome being in the back seat. But a very large 125lb Labrador named Gus didn’t enjoy the fact that he had to duck in the back seat when sitting like a good boy in his spot. If you have a large dog, you’ll need a larger vehicle with more headroom, or upside Cargo capacity.
Overall Verdict:
The 2024 Buick Encore GX ST proves to be a capable and practical daily driver for those who prioritize fuel efficiency, technology, and comfort. Its compact size and maneuverability make it ideal for city dwellers, while its safety features provide peace of mind. However, those seeking a powerful or spacious SUV might need to look elsewhere.
Ultimately, whether the Encore GX ST is the right fit for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your daily driving habits, passenger and cargo requirements, and desired level of performance before making a decision. A test drive is always recommended to get a feel for the vehicle and ensure it meets your expectations.
Additional Considerations:
- Trim Levels: The Encore GX is available in different trim levels, each offering varying features and options. Explore the available trims to find one that suits your budget and desired features. We chose the ST (sport touring) trim with it’s sporty and youthful look.
- Competitors: If you think that you’re still in the market for a small SUV, be sure to compare the Encore GX with other available small SUVs.
By carefully considering these pros, cons, and additional factors that may be important to you, you can make an informed decision about whether the 2024 Buick Encore GX is the right daily driver for you. The fact that we have a larger vehicle available when needed mitigated the cons for our decision. We stuck to our needs – a slightly larger, versatile, economical, practical utilitarian small SUV that met our requirements. Bottom line – it’s “cute” – and that’s good enough for my wife.
And despite the small anemic engine, it’s still fun to drive. We’re happy with our purchase thus far.
Stay tuned for further updates.
by J.W. Spencer | Feb 9, 2024 | Commentary
Howdy, fellow nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts! JW here, your friendly neighborhood Bull Creek Studio blogger, back with a recipe for both your chip-dipping pleasure and your emotional well-being. Let’s face it, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t exactly stampede their way to the Super Bowl this year. So, instead of moping around like a lost armadillo, let’s channel our inner Texan and whip up a legendary 7-layer dip that’s as bold and flavorful as the wide-open plains!
Now, some folks might say, “JW, why aren’t you using queso fresco or pico de gallo? Those are way more Tex-Mex!” But hold your horses, partners. This dip is a metaphor for our current situation. We’re taking the classic 7-layer and giving it a little Bull Creek Studio twist, just like we gotta adjust our expectations sometimes. So, dust off your serving platter, grab your favorite chips, and let’s get dippin’!
Ingredients:
- 1 can (16 oz) refried beans (because sometimes, basic is beautiful)
- 1 cup guacamole (homemade or store-bought, your call)
- 1 cup sour cream (plain or flavored, depending on your adventurous spirit)
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped (because tears are for the draft, not the dip)
- 1 can (15 oz) black olives, drained and chopped (because who doesn’t love a good olive?)
- 1 jar (16 oz) peach salsa (sweet and tangy, just like our memories of past Cowboys victories)
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded (because sometimes, you just gotta go classic)
Instructions:
- Spread the beans: Think of this as the foundation, the bedrock of your dip-iverse. Evenly coat your serving platter with the refried beans, creating a smooth, creamy base.
- Guac it like you mean it: Next, comes the green gold – the guacamole. Layer it on thick, like a victory parade down McKinney Avenue. Remember, the more guac, the merrier!
- Sour cream it up: Now, smooth things out with a dollop of sour cream. This is the yin to the guac’s yang, the calm to the storm (or at least, the calm before the chip storm).
- Red onion revolution: Time for a little bite! Sprinkle the chopped red onion over the sour cream, like confetti raining down on… well, not the Cowboys this year, but hey, a celebration is a celebration!
- Olive the moment: Scatter the black olives across the landscape, like little gems dotting the Texas Hill Country. Remember, even when things are tough, there’s always beauty to be found.
- Peachy keen salsa: Now for the pièce de résistance, the unexpected twist! Drizzle the peach salsa over the entire dip, creating a sweet and tangy surprise. Just like life, this dip is full of unexpected flavors!
- Cheddar the way: Finally, shower the entire creation with a generous layer of shredded white cheddar cheese. Because, let’s be honest, cheese always makes things better.
Dipping Tips:
- Use a variety of chips for maximum textural enjoyment. Think tortilla chips, pita chips, even plantain chips!
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your ingredients. Swap the peach salsa for pineapple salsa, add a layer of cooked chorizo, or even throw in some chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Most importantly, remember that this dip is about celebrating our love for Texas, the outdoors, and delicious food – even when our favorite team lets us down. So, grab your chips, gather your friends, and dig in!
There you have it, folks! A 7-layer dip that’s as delicious as it is cathartic. Remember, even when the Cowboys aren’t in the Super Bowl, there’s always something to celebrate in the great outdoors and the company of good friends. Now, go forth, dip with gusto, and enjoy the game!
P.S. We working on expanding Bull Creek Studio’s product line to include custom embroidery merchandise! We’re going to help you reconnect with the wild side, even if the Cowboys can’t.
by J.W. Spencer | Feb 3, 2024 | Business
Standing beneath the Texan sky, the enormity of it all can sometimes hit you like a rogue wave. The vastness of the wilderness, the whispers of ancient history, the delicate dance of flora and fauna – it’s enough to make even the most seasoned adventurer feel a tad… overwhelmed.
Here at Bull Creek Studio, we strive to embody the spirit of the majestic bull elk: strength, endurance, patience, and protection. But even an elk, known for its resilience, needs to weather the storm. And guess what? So do we!
Feeling overwhelmed is as natural as the changing seasons. Deadlines loom, expectations weigh heavy, and the pressure to “do it all” can feel like scaling Mount Everest in hiking boots. What then, can we do when the ground beneath our feet starts to crumble?
1. Brew a Cup of Calm: Just like the elk grazes peacefully before facing the day, sometimes we need a moment to find our center. Steeping a cup of fragrant tea offers a mindful pause, a sensory journey that grounds us in the present. As the steam dances and the aroma fills the air, take a deep breath and reconnect with your inner strength.
2. Move Your Body, Clear Your Mind: The bull elk navigates rugged terrain with effortless grace. We, too, can find solace in movement. Whether it’s a brisk hike through the woods, a yoga flow under the open sky, or simply dancing to your favorite music, physical activity releases endorphins, clears the cobwebs, and reminds us of our own resilience.
3. Nurture Your Soul with Stories: Curled up with a good book, we escape the present and travel to wondrous worlds. Immersing yourself in fiction, poetry, or even non-fiction allows you to gain new perspectives, find inspiration, and learn from the experiences of others. Remember, even the bull elk takes time to rest in the shade of a towering oak.
4. Discern with Mindfulness: In the wilderness, every step counts. The elk chooses its path carefully, guided by instinct and experience. When overwhelm threatens to drown you in decisions, practice mindful discernment. Ask yourself: What truly matters? What aligns with my values and goals? By tuning into your inner compass, you’ll navigate challenges with newfound clarity.
5. Seek the Comfort of Community: The bull elk finds strength in its herd. We, too, are meant to connect. Share your anxieties with trusted friends, seek support from a therapist, or join a community that aligns with your interests. Remember, vulnerability is not weakness, it’s the bridge that connects us and allows us to weather any storm.
Overwhelm, like the changing seasons, is inevitable. But by embodying the spirit of the bull elk – through moments of quiet reflection, physical activity, engaging stories, mindful discernment, and the strength of community – we can not only survive, but thrive. So, take a deep breath, adventurer, and remember: you are stronger than you think.
Now, head out there and explore! Share your stories of overcoming overwhelm in the comments below. And don’t forget, Bull Creek Studio awaits with open arms (and maybe even a cup of calming tea) to guide you on your journey.
by J.W. Spencer | Jan 29, 2024 | Art
Howdy, Bull Creek crew! JW here, back from my annual brush with existential dread courtesy of my studio floor covered in tubes of Prussian blue and charcoal dust. It’s enough to make you reach for the instant mocha, but hold your buzzers, my caffeine-crazed compadres! There’s a new muse in town, and her name is Cardamom Cinnamon Tea.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “JW, you’re about as spicy as a wet noodle. Why are you hawking herbal hooch?” Hear me out, y’all. This ain’t your grandma’s chamomile sip-fest. This is a flavor fiesta that’ll tango with your taste buds and waltz your body back from the brink of burnout. And that’s not just my inner hippie talking (although, peace to the patchouli-clad poets out there). Science, that steely-eyed mistress, has a whole chorus of benefits singing this tea’s praises.
Top 10 Reasons Cardamom Cinnamon Tea Beats the Buzz (and Boosts Your Brushes):
- Antioxidant All-Stars: These spices are like tiny ninjas, disarming free radicals that want to wrinkle your skin and rust your creativity. Think of it as internal bubble wrap for your cells.
- Inflammation Foes: Feeling all stiff and cranky like an easel caught in a hailstorm? Cardamom and cinnamon chill your inflammatory fire, making you as limber as a willow in a West Texas breeze.
- Blood Sugar Buddies: Spiking glucose levels got you seeing double (not the good kind)? This tea helps keep your sugar dance graceful, no jitters or crashes allowed.
- Digestive Delights: Bloated belly got you feeling like a paint-splattered balloon? Cardamom is your gut’s new BFF, easing digestion and bringing a smile back to your stomach (and your studio).
- Bad Breath Beaters: Garlic-infused brushstrokes got you socially distancing yourself? Cinnamon freshens your breath, making those museum openings a conversation, not a cough-fest.
- Brainpower Boost: Feeling like your creativity is trapped in a watercolor washout? This tea perks up your cognitive function, sharpening your focus and making those brushstrokes sing.
- Heart-Healthy Heroes: Cardamom and cinnamon give your ticker a high five, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, so you can keep painting masterpieces for decades to come.
- Cold Conquering Crusaders: Feeling under the weather with a studio full of unfinished masterpieces? This tea is a natural decongestant and immune booster, kicking that sniffle to the curb.
- Weight-Wise Wonders: Struggling to fit into your skinny jeans after all those paint-chip snacks? Cardamom and cinnamon may help manage your weight, keeping you light on your feet and heavy on the inspiration.
- Deliciously Different: Forget the bitter dregs of burnt coffee. This tea is a warm hug with a spicy kick, a taste adventure that’ll tantalize your taste buds and fuel your artistic fire.
My Tea-Fueled Transformation:
Okay, confession time. I used to be a coffee and craft beer fiend, the kind who could paint a still life of my jitters. But since switching to tea, I’ve seen a metamorphosis worthy of Van Gogh. My mind is clearer, my body less achy, and my brushstrokes bolder. Plus, it’s a ritual I cherish – the steam curling like inspiration, the aroma weaving through the studio like a muse in a sari.
So, ditch the jitters and grab a mug. Let’s raise a toast (of tea, of course) to a healthier, happier you, and let your art bloom with the fragrant fire of cardamom cinnamon tea. Remember, creativity thrives on a canvas of well-being, and this brew is the magic primer for your masterpiece.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a canvas, a cinnamon stick, and a pot of inspiration simmering on the stove. Happy painting, y’all!
P.S. If you have any weird tea-related side effects, like spontaneous bursts of flamenco dancing or an uncontrollable urge to write haikus, do let me know. We can start a support group – the Cardamom Crazed Creatives, perhaps? Until then, keep those brushes wet and your spirits high!
JW
Bull Creek Studio Columnist and Tea Enthusiast (Extraordinaire)
by J.W. Spencer | Jan 24, 2024 | Commentary
Okay Brothers and Sisters! Gather ‘Round! This ain’t your typical casserole confession. Today, I’m confessin’ to a culinary crime of the sweetest kind: the Peanut Butter Fudge Fiasco of ’24. Yep, your award-winning’ church cook, yours truly, nearly drowned our annual bake sale in a tsunami of peanut butter goo.
Now, you know I’m no stranger to the kitchen. My Nana’s pound cake recipe could charm a hummingbird out of its nest, and my pecan pie? Well, let’s just say the choir director needs a sugar detox after every potluck. But this time, y’all, I got cocky. I decided to whip up a batch of my “secret” peanut butter fudge, the kind that melts on your tongue like a sinner at revival. Except, this time, the recipe gods weren’t smiling’.
First, I poured in the brown sugar, all golden and hopeful. Then came the regular sugar, glinting like a deacon’s Sunday shoes. Milk, check. Salt, just a pinch, like a whispered prayer. But then, something went wonky. The marshmallow creme, supposed to be fluffy like a cloud, refused to cooperate. It clumped, it glooped, it stuck to my spatula like a toddler to a lollipop.
“Just needs some heat, honey,” I muttered, shoving the pan on the stove. Big mistake. The mixture bubbled like a cauldron in Hades, threatening to overflow and paint the kitchen floor peanut butter brown. I scrambled, yanked the pan off the heat, and prayed for a miracle.
That miracle came in the form of Sister Betty, bless her heart. She peeked in, sniffed the air, and declared, “Honey, you’ve turned fudge into lava! But don’t you fret, I’ve got just the fix.” And with a twinkle in her eye and a whisk in hand, she whipped that fudge into creamy submission. Added a splash of vanilla, a sprinkle of wisdom (and maybe a pinch of her secret ingredient, which I suspect is a dash of divine intervention), and voila! Peanut butter heaven.
The bake sale was a success, the fudge a star attraction. Folks swooned, begged for the recipe, and even the pastor asked for seconds (bless his sweet tooth). And me? Well, I learned a valuable lesson. Humility, sisters and brothers, is the secret spice in any kitchen. And when the recipe goes rogue, call on your church family. They’ll stir you back from the brink, one prayerful whisk at a time.
So, there you have it, my friends. My peanut butter fudge tale, a cautionary Christmas carol of sorts. Remember, even award-winning cooks make mistakes. But with a little faith, a dash of forgiveness, and a whole lot of love, even a fudge fiasco can turn into a church cookin’ miracle. Amen!
P.S. For those brave souls who want to try the recipe (with Sister Betty’s blessing, of course), here it is:
Sister Schubert’s (Redeemed!) Peanut Butter Fudge
Ingredients:
- 1Lb light brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow creme
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Combine brown sugar, sugar, milk, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in marshmallow creme until melted.
- Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour into an 8×8 inch greased pan.
- Let cool completely and cut into squares.
Bonus Tip: If your fudge starts to misbehave, channel your inner Sister Betty and add a little love (and maybe a sprinkle of prayer). It works every time!
Now go forth and bake, my friends! And remember, even in the kitchen, there’s always room for a little bit of grace (and maybe a pinch of divine intervention).
With love and sticky fingers,
Sister Schubert, the (Redeemed) Fudge Queen of Bull Creek Church
