Gap Creek Gourmet Gift Guide 2012

Well, the Christmas trees are up and the house is decorated. Now it's time to get serious about shopping.  It's tough sometimes to figure out what to get everyone on my list. I'm sure you're the same, right?  Luckily, this year, I've been stockpiling ideas on Pinterest... bookmarking others.  And now it's time to share my loot and hopefully give you guys some good ideas for those harder to please people on your list.

Note: if you are a relative (or my husband), please quit reading and go back to whatever else you were doing or your grand surprise might be destroyed forever.  Thanks.

Flavored salts are the bomb.  We keep a jar of the Yamika Applewood Smoked Sea Salt on hand from Whole Foods at all times and it's a definite yes on the gift giving list this year, but I also found this Sriracha Salt for the hubs stocking on Etsy.

Van's Chocolates in Hendersonville, North Carolina has amazing Wine Truffles.  Tickle that wine lover's fancy with a half dozen chocolates and a bottle of red.

I found this cake tester on the Duff Goldman site and immediately bought one for someone on my list.  It's hard not to buy one of everything for myself, too.  Sigh.  I pinned it to my "I want..." board on Pinterest to satiate the need.  Maybe Santa will get one for my stocking...  PS: right now, everything on this site is 50% off!

I am a HUGE Chuck fan.  Love me some green Converse, but did you know you can personalize the heck out of these things?  I mean, you can even order them in zebra stripe with the color of trim you want and your name on the side?  Seriously.  Go check it out.  When my daughter's foot quits growing, I'm so getting her some of these.

I need this hat, and so does the baker on your list. It's a must, don't you think?

Okay, so Greenville has this amazing Culinary Tour.  No, I haven't been yet, but this is year number two it's on my wishlist.   You get to meet the chefs and get up close and behind the scenes at some of Greenville's hottest restaurants.  Oh, and they feed you. 

Books.  Everyone still needs a book or two for Christmas.  There's something so tactile about flipping a page, dog-earing for later... Two pics for the cook on your  list are

"Stuffed: Adventures of a Restaurant Family" by Patricia Volk (a memoir and recommended at a food writing class I took recently) and..."The Secrets of the Best Chefs" by Adam Roberts (recipes, tips and tricks from a foodie/chef/blogger who is the cat's p.j.'s in my little world). 

I just can't keep up with my life on my iPhone or computer.  I've tried Outlook.  I've tried reminders.  Nope.  I need a good, old fashioned written calendar.  And I am lusting over this Erin Condren life planner. You can personalize it with pics, etc, but the coolest part is the big, full spread calendar and lots of sections for keeping notes and important info.

I love a good movie that makes me want to run for the kitchen for some grub (or a tasty beverage).  Here are the top foodie movies on my list: Ratatouille, Julie and Julia, Under the Tuscan Sun, Chocolat, Big Night (on my wishlist this year), It's Complicated, Bottle Shock and Sideways.

For the 3 and unders on your list, get them the Little People Nativity Set.  I've purchased so many of these over the years that I should have bought Fisher-Price stock.  Seriously. It's part of the Christmas decor in my house, too.

Got a wife/daughter/friend who's just got everything?  This Figs and Ginger necklace is awesome.  I have one and every single time I wear it someone compliments me on it.

Okay, so I could go on and on forever.  I love the gift giving season.  It's the bomb!  I'm always open to helping out if you're stumped and need some inspiration for someone on your list. But for now, I hope this gets you started!  Happy shopping. 

Nashville, Spartanburg and some tasty cupcakes

Okay, so if you aren't watching Nashville, you totally should be.  I am hooked.  I watched one show and then clamored to watch the other three I had missed like immediately.  It completely makes you want to listen to country music and run out and buy some cowboy boots and maybe a guitar... Connie Britton and  Hayden Panettiere can both sing pretty damn well, but this new girl Clare Bowen is off the charts.  The men in the show aren't half bad either.  Trust me.  Go check it out.

Today I found myself in Spartanburg again for the day job.  I was there to check out the Spartanburg Science Center but didn't leave town before taking in a little bit of Sparkle City's culinary scene.  I met fellow blogger Danielle Spakes (www.sweet-southern-girl.com) at Cuzina Grill for a little tasty Greek fare.  Their Gyro is crazy good. I thought about ordering a second one as I finished the first, just because I knew it would be a while before I could get back for another, but felt a bit like a squirrel stocking up for winter, so decided against it.

I have heard great things about this little gift shop and bakery called Sugah Cakes on Pine Street, so I made a point to swing through there on the way out of town.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I still got my usual four cupcakes from Cakehead Bakery (I never leave town without them! Best cupcakes ever.) but I did buy a few of Sugah Cakes's cupcakes too just to compare.  They were pretty good!  Nice cake recipe.  Good icing, but still not kicking Cakehead off the top spot.  I loved their little gift shop, though, definitely worth a visit if you're in the Spartanburg area and are into seasonal home decor. And it wouldn't hurt to grab a cupcake or so for the road.

Tomorrow is Friday! Yea! And it's 5 o'clock so let happy hour commence. 

Happy evening all!

monster storm, mini-shows and monster season

My new favorite snack is roasted chick peas. Thank you How Sweet It Is!

Sandy the Storm has send some crazy winds our way.  Our power (which is iffy on a good day) was off most of today.  I spent the time organizing the last three years of Everyday Food and Food Network and Paula Deen Mags - only part of my extensive magazine collection.  And after three hours of finding stuff to do not involving power, I decided it would be a good idea to venture out of the valley and bum someone's internet  So I did.

I'm newly obsessed with this YouTube Wigs channel show called Audrey.  (It's R rated. I'd stick in the ear buds if you're at work.  Don't want this blaring around your office.)  It's like Sex and the City meets the Food Porn website and is really, really good. Someone asked me to plug it on the blog and I was like, yeah, whatever.  Sure. But I really do like it and can't wait until the next episode!

I got sucked into this show, too. Three episodes in before I could stop myself. What is the deal with these little YouTube mini-shows?  I'm so a fan. Got one you watch?  Send me a link!

Local coffee addict news: If you live in the Greenville area, the Cherrydale Starbucks is having a free coffee seminar/tasting on Thursday at 6ish p.m. to 7 p.m. so go get some free coffee!  They are testing out their new Verismo system.  I went in for a car line Pumpkin Latte today and told them I'd let you all know, so tell them Gap Creek Gourmet sent ya!

When we got home, the power had returned, we rushed to make cupcakes for my child's class before it went off again...

and I made dinner.  A version of this Quinoa Salad (I subbed wine for broth and pecans for walnuts) and baked chicken. We may have to eat it cold, but at least there will be food and you won't find our little cold starved bodies holed up in the house. I've watched too much television. Clearly.

I'm so stoked it's Halloween week.  Then will it be okay to sing Christmas songs?

Happy Monday!

You've Got Mail, cookies and ice cream and Saturday chatter

Today is the perfect Fall day for You've Got Mail. I just love Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I love their cute intereaction over email in the movie.  I love the reminder that we once had to wait on our internet to dial and I would hold my breath waiting to hear those three little words that would make or break my day: "You've got mail!"

I'm knitting a blue scarf for someone today, too. I haven't knitted in FOREVER!  My chores are done.  My husband is outside pressure washing the house and the driveway and I am left to my own devices. I was borderline bored and then realized I had actual time to knit! Imagine that?! And time to watch a movie.  A girly movie that only I love and no one else wants to see.  That, my friend, is a good day.

I need a Twitter lesson.  I'm tinkering with it but embarrassing myself probably more than effectively communicating. Seriously.  I'd love to be on it more but 1) I feel seriously overstimulated like I can't leave the room because the conversation is just too good and 2) I have no idea what I'm doing with the # and the @ and all that jazz.  Someone send me advice before I embarrass myself further.

This is my new favorite ice cream.  Next best thing to pralines from the Market in Charleston. I'm so not looking to see if there is gluten in there.  Ignorance is bliss in this case.

 I saw these in my freezer too.  I thought I would share, though I'm not cooking them today.  Cookies and ice cream is a bit overkill for afternoon snack, don't you think? I am a HUGE Immaculate Baking Co. fan and had no idea they make Gluten Free cookies!  They started in Hendersonville, NC.  Did you know that?  They are now based out of who knows where.

I'm also making my Halloween party list today.  So far I am going to make a carved pumpkin throwing up guacamole, a red hand floating in green punch, cupcakes and pizza that looks like candy corn. I just love Halloween.  My sexy bar wench costume should be here next week.  Then I'll be all set.  

I am crazy obsessed with Sullivan Stapleton from Strikeback. He's my new Ryan Gosling.

When Gangster Squad comes out in January, I will be one happy woman. Now if they could only cram in the guy from Chicago Fire.  You know, the gap toothed one.  Heaven.

I am super stoked about the Nov. 2 Dangermuffin concert at Jack of the Wood in Asheville.  I always seem to miss them in Chucktown, so this is a WAY big deal for me. My first time seeing them live! Then that Sat. I am taking a food writing class from Ashley Warlick, who in my world is like superstar writer woman. My writer/blogger buddy April is coming down for the class, too.  Even more to be excited about!

In front of the lens: there was a news report this week about a mom who blogged about how important it is for moms to be in pictures WITH their kids and not just behind the lens... I'd like to say that that's the second time something on that subject came up yesterday and here are my thoughts.  People should love themselves for who they are. I have friends, multiple friends, who will shy away from the camera.  Who will throw up their hands to block the lens.  Who would much rather be taking the picture than IN the picture. Why people?  You are beautiful and no matter what, that's what you look like at that moment for better or worse so embrace it dude!  If someone is taking the time or attention to snap your picture, you must mean so much more than you think you do.  Smile. Click. Move on.

Happy Saturday!

Tuesday babble, bad chairs and hot guys.

I love perching on the bar stool in my kitchen to work.  LOVE IT. I love the view of my kitchen. But it KILLS my back. Yet I still perch happily until I can't walk the next day.  What is wrong with me?!? (I know, I know.  Buy new bar stools.)

The husband is home today, which is nice.  Rare we are both here during a week day, but it's also odd because I feel like I should be doing something other than staring at my computer screen.  Is he judging me? (Don't judge me!)  I'm working darn it!

Going gluten free is harder than I thought it would be.  I'm having day dreams of sneaking behind the counter at Publix and burying my hands elbow deep in birthday cake.  I long for donuts.  I may not make it. My mother on the other hand, is feeling fantastic!  She's laughing again and smiling and doesn't hurt.  That's plenty enough incentive for her to keep going, but as for me... I'm starting to get a little gluttonous....

I haven't had a good food adventure in days now.  I'm starting to get a little nuts. I did try to make this pumpkin ice cream but it's helpful if you follow instructions.  I didn't.  It froze into a hard brick and didn't taste good at all.  Sigh.  A crustless pumpkin pie is also on my to do list this week.  I promise I'll follow the recipe on that one.

I am obsessed with Strikeback right now.  We have like eight episodes of the Cinemax show on our DVR to watch.  It's about these two guys who work for the British Secret Intelligence Service.  They're like James Bond but way hotter. LOVE it.  The theme song rocks too. (Be warned it's definitely R rated and graphic.)

Here's a tastelet.

Okay, that's all I got today folks. I do have a few adventures lined up on the horizon.  I'll keep you posted, as always.
Happy Wednesday.

van's chocolate, a little wine and some wisdom

What up peeps?  It's happy hour in the valley and I'm just sitting here on the back porch basking in the greatness of the outdoors.  Ah, to be back at home this afternoon and in my comfy clothes. (Why yes, I am drinking wine out of a Mason jar.  And no, you are not allowed to judge me.)  Got some things to share.  Yea!  

I was in Hendersonville yesterday picking up doggie meds for our old girl Sable:

and decided to finally swing by and try Van's Chocolates. The chocolate shop is on Chadwick Avenue just off the windy drag before you get to the Fresh Market area of Hendersonville and luckily, not too far off my route.  I will say I was blown away by their Wine Truffles which were almost on the savory side and the Orange and Pepper Truffle had a good zing in the aftertaste.  The Scotch Truffle, was a little under-scotched, but nice anyway... I got some little key lime dark chocolate melt-away thingys too, but they were WAY too sugary and not up my alley... probably not yours either...I'd stay away from the little jokers. I actually said "akkk!" and wished I had water in the car with me. Not worth it, but definitely get some of Van's Wine Truffles. They'd be the hit of a party or make a stupendous gift with a bottle of wine. You can place internet orders.

Heard through the grapevine (aka Facebook) today that King of Pops provided some of his awesomeness on a stick to the guests at the BIG Charleston wedding last weekend .  If your next question was "What wedding?" then go here. Check out the Popsicle sticks on his Facebook page.

I'm playing around with a new slogan for Gap Creek Gourmet business marketing stuff: i bite. What do you think? Yes? No?

I went to a FemCity Greenville luncheon today - professional women getting together to network and chat.  PR girl extraordinaire, Taryn Scher, is the president so I thought I would give it a whirl.  Taryn has AMAZING taste in footwear. Always.

I met some crazy cool people including Starr Hammond from Rely Local Greenville. She coordinates the local cash mobs.  Super nice to meet cha girl!  And I met Lindsey Holder, a fellow blogger and "the savvy assistant".  She used to be a celebrity assistant.  I'll be picking her brain one day over coffee. You know that's coming! Think I found a new buddy.  Just sayin'.  And the "ista" t-shirt woman was in the house.  Yours truly was a featured blogger on the "What's your ista?" site this week as a Baconista!  That was WAY cool so it was nice to meet her in person.  (Still holding out hope she'll toss a Baconista T my way.)

Kim Petrie, author a little modern fairy tale for grown-up girls called The Enchanged Truth (coming out this week) was the guest speaker today.  She said some amazing things I wanted to share with the class.

"There is value in failure.  It refines you."
Sister! Ain't that the truth.  I can't tell you how many times I have failed at something...something even so small and it has given me clarity.  I HATE to fail at something, but if we didn't fail sometimes we wouldn't get the lesson.

On finding yourself, she said,"If you found her in college, she isn't around anymore." How powerful right?  How many women and men do you know who were totally the shit in college or even their twenties but walk around as a thirty, forty-something and beyond looking like they need a map or something?   Figuring out who we are and what we need to make us happy is a life long journey.  You can't hang up the keys and coast!

Ms. Petrie is a rock star in my book.

This is what I had for dinner.

Trader Joe's has this great Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper.  I spread a little mayo on an English muffin, topped it with sliced pear and then the Toscano cheese... broil... forget about it until the kitchen gets all smokey (don't try that at home). Yum. 

Night all!

a bit of Euphoria 2012 news and the monthly rip and file (aka catching up on august mags)

One of my favorite local Chefs asked me to share a little bit of Euphoria news with my peeps: Stella’s Bistro in Simpsonville, is offering one hell of a Euphoric deal!  They are giving away $40 gift cards (one per couple) to anyone that purchases two tickets to their Euphoria Wine Dinner featuring Iron Chef winner Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, Kentucky and Paul Fehribach of Big Jones in Chicago.  Go here for more info!

Now back to the regular programming: 

To switch things up a bit, I decided to paste the stuff I ripped out mags this month into one of these cool Smash notebooks that my brother gave me.  While I'm waiting on two Apple Crisps and roasted Butternut Squash (for this recipe) to finish doing their thing in the oven, I thought I'd share .

The Movies:

I so can't wait to see To Rome With Love. Another Woody Allen film.  Yea!  

And Emma Watson's next big project, The Perks of Being a Wall Flower.  I can honestly say I didn't see a single Harry Potter film so there's no chance of having post traumatic Harry syndrome during this one. 

What's destined for my Tivo:

FOX's new sitcom, Ben and Kate.  I am CRAZY for We Bought a Zoo so the fact that little Maggie Jones    ("We bought a ZOOO!!!!") is supposed to be cat's pj's  in this one... I'm totally there. 

The L.A. Complex. I just love a good "trying to make it in L.A. story" and am a really horrible, horrible person probably for finding some sort of enjoyment out of CW television...

I need another book to read like I need a hole in my shoe:

BUT I can't wait to get my hands on Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussman and Everyday by David Levithan.  

Oh the places I will go:

I have not stepped foot into Shinola at 19 Mohawk Drive in Greenville yet, but based on the very cool junk exploding out their doors, I am going to be a regular.  I gotta get there soon... and should probably stop into Community Tap too to restock the vino.  (This one's gonna be a blog post folks!)

There is apparently a bar called Speakeasy in Charleston... a hidden little place that involves a secret walkway and a tiny staircase. There is no sign.  It all sounds shady to me, but does anyone remember the cool little saiki bar on Main Street where you had to walk through another place to get there and it only seated like 12?  THAT is the reason I totally have to go find the little bar of which I speak. 

In the kitchen:

Big hugs to Chef John Malik for sharing his Molasses-Brined Pork Tenderloin recipe with Edible Upcountry readers.  It's now on my to-cook list. 

Uncorked:

Oregon Wines to try: Ponzi Vineyards and Thistle.  Noted. 

I've been watching Bottleshock over and over again.  Tis the season.  And I am so longing to do nothing but sit in my back yard in a good chair sipping on a beautiful golden chardonnay.  Something from Boomtown, Tranche, StoneCap and Waterbrook are on my list... never tried those vineyards, you?

Smells like the Butternut Squash is almost finished.  The crisps are a smashing success! And you have some links to peruse now, don't ya?

Happy Sunday evening!  If this beautiful weather follows us through the week, it's gonna be a fantastic one folks!

Stalking my pets, apples, and Indie Craft Parade 2012

It's amazing what a little whipped cream and cinnamon can do for a cloudy morning!  Can I get an amen?

Yesterday I ventured out for a Trader Joe's and Publix run.  They've rearranged my Publix next to Furman University! I HATE it when that happens.  I decided it was a soup kind of day while I was there and ended up with a a bag full of butternut squash, sweet potatos, apple sauce and chicken broth and stock.  Oh, man!  That means I have to cook soup.

Cloudy weather makes me want to stuff face and sleep.  It also makes me what to cook things.  Like this apple cake.  Which is half gone after three days.  I DID share a little bit with friends and family, but not much. For the Gap Creek Gourmet Facebook fans who were begging for the recipe: I left the icing off, because I knew I would eat almost the entire thing myself and wanted to save the calories.  And I subbed 1/2 brown sugar for white and added 1/2 c. of Walnuts.  I have problems following a recipe...and directions for that matter.  It's a personality thing.

Am I the only person in America chomping at the bit for the political blah, blah to be over with so the good shows will come on television already?  We have CNN and HLN and Fox News and talk radio to cover that stuff... I'm not allowed (day job) to comment politically, so staying away from it so I don't get riled up is my best plan of action!  Bring on the good tv folks!  I CAN NOT WAIT for Homeland!

Moment of stupidity.  I have these often, but thought I'd share this one.  So I got ALL excited about a show previewing on TLC called Big Sexy.  So stoked.  It's about these big, bodacious women who work in the fashion industry and live in NYC. It honestly gave me something to get out of bed for on Tuesday. (One of those days.) I checked the listings. Nothing.  Checked on the computer. Nothing.  Had the husband check on the computer.  "Uh, hon, that show previewed in September 2011!" Duh.  And it was canceled after like two shows.  (My little world crumbles.)  Sigh.  And back to my normal programming...

 

In my momentary cooking frenzy on Tuesday, I also made this quinoa with the rest of my already skinned and chopped apples, some carrots and cinnamon, salt, and pepper.  Yum.   I'm a new fan of quinoa.  I used to think it looked like little bugs and popped like the tobiko on sushi.  I got over it. I think I'm going to put cinnamon in everything 'til Fall actually gets here.

I've been entertaining myself this week by taking pics of my dogs. (Can you tell he loves me, or what?! Look at that face! It just screams 'I love you mamma!')

...cats (she's not so in love with me at the moment cause she's getting shoo'ed off of my suitcase which has yet to be removed from the kitchen since I walked in from a work trip on Monday. I did at least unpack it...)

So the big plan for today is to FINALLY check out the ASADA Greeville food truck! Yea!!! The clouds in my brain seem to be clearing, and I'm on a mission!

This weekend's big adventure:  Indie Craft Parade 2012.  (That's me and my buddy acting up in last year's photo booth.  Love those!)  I look forward to this awesome art event every year.  I can't wait to see some of my favorite artists like Jimmie Lynn from Wingo Designs (who made my cupcake necklace and my little square bird necklace that I wear every. single. day.), Betsy Carr from Found*Ling (love her new Ocean Earrings!),  Teri Goddard Handweaving (I could LIVE in her soft scarves) and to FINALLY meet Johnnie from Sweeteeth!  He's a total rock star in my culinary world.

And for the rest of the weekend?  I'm making Ma Ma Plumblee's Homemade Ketchup.  It's not really ketchup... more like a relish, but that's what we called it and we used to dump spoonfuls of the chunky tomatoey goodness on top of the beans she made for Sunday lunch.  No one in the family has had any for years so they are salivating impatiently.  Thankfully, my Aunt Marlene reminded me to get my junk together and make some before the last tomatoes went bye-bye.  So we're on it!

What do you have planned for this weekend?  If you're in the Upstate, it better be inside or involve an umbrella! 50% chance of rain on Saturday.  Great day for cooking.  Not so good for being outside!

Grey, Honey Boo Boo, and the Candy Man

My new sweetheart lives at Waccattee Zoo.

I'm up and on a roll on this rainy Tuesday morning doing everything but the things on my to do list. (This news on my iPhone first thing this a.m. might have had something to do with it: Ryan Gosling is rumored to be playing Christian Grey.  Yea me!) My share list for you folks is kinda massive since I haven't posted in a while. This is part one.

First up, throw my hands in the air joy.  Kelly has a new co-host.  I'll say I'm bummed it's not Neil Patrick Harris (love him!!!), but at least it's someone, so that we are saved from the revolving door of very bad substitutes.  Every day at 9 am it's been a total crap shoot when the show comes on.  A girl's gotta have some background noise while she works and I have to admit I've been muting and listening to HLN on Sirius until the torture is over.

Next: Honey Boo-Boo.  Are you serious?  I popped into my hair gal's studio last week to actually get on her calendar (the hair's getting a bit long) and we chatted it up about this show.  I have not watched a whole episode all the way through. I think it's a horrible, horrible train wreck, but the clips still crack me the hell up in a 'your best friend just fell over their own feet in public and your first instinct is to laugh' sort of way. People!  Have you seen Squidbillies?  Enough said. Oh, and there's a pig.

I headed for the coast this long Labor Day weekend.  This time, I headed to South Carolina's Grand Strand  to visit their zoos and animal parks for the day job.  It was super fun but EXHAUSTING in 97 degree heat (plus drenching humidity). I was hoping to pet a tiger... I petted a camel.  And a pig.  Close enough. 

When the work day was over, I did manage to drag everyone around for a few foodie fun stops. Did you know they make these reallllly long Twizzlers? I think I'm in love. I took a pic and put them back.  That bag contains at least 10 lbs waiting to happen.  BAD!

 I popped in to watch this guy make salt water taffy.  I remember eating salt water taffy by the box when I was a kid! The Peanut Butter is my absolute fav!

I haven't been to Myrtle Beach since my child was little. You guys know I'm a Charleston fan for life.  It was nuts to see the pavilion gone.  Such neat memories there.  Once a little monkey stole my brother's snow cone.  (That's not just a random sentence, I swear it happened.) The Pavilion was a huge part of our beach vacation for most of my life.   I used to ride the mind scrambler until I thought I would barf.  Sigh.  Things change and time moves on.  

Anywho.  I'm forcing myself to move on to my actual list of things to do today.  I hope everyone has a good one!  I'll be back in a day or two with a foodie adventure, a few social events and some cool foodie finds... oh, and my Tivo playlist for Fall. Hugs!

Cola, crush and crashing.

I spent last Friday rambling around Columbia.  I've become quite fond of SC's capital city. I played with the Lorikeets at the zoo in the morning for work and then went to meet Ed, the giant kid at Edventure in the afternoon (also for work).  You can crawl inside him, check out his brain, his stomach and slide out his colon.  (I saved that treat for my next visit.)   

I met fellow food blogger April Blake at the Hunter Gatherer Brewery and Alehouse for lunch (Nice vibe, but I can't rave about the Mac n Cheese, though I was so hoping...).  April and I have chatted it up on Facebook for a while now so I thought we should actually do the face to face thing.   I've met some really awesome people through Facebook and blogging. She is rad! Follow her blog! 

How have I never seen this? I don't think I've watched videos since before MTV abandoned the format. Thanks to one of my buddies at Friday night's girls night in Columbia, I am newly obsessed with this video and Mr. JT.  

Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around...C by LIMIT-AR

I put some crazy mileage on the car this weekend meeting friends!  After coming back home for long enough to get a shower and kiss the hubs and child, I was back in the car bound for Spartanburg for a homemade Empanadas lesson and to catch up time with my Argentinian friend.  (Love ya X!  Thanks for the lesson!  I wish I had brought some home!)

There was not enough time in my Sunday to recoup from my Weekend o Girls' Nights. I made this Fig and Gorgonzola Crisp from the How Sweet It Is blog before my figs went bad.  So yum but REALLY rich...

 and managed to get some sit down time to watch Hunger Games.  Our friend was a prop guy on the movie, so we were excited to see what he had been doing for months and months.  We also watched the season finale of True Blood.  I wanted to squeeze in The Newsroom too, but didn't happen.  I'll be so bummed when I finish the season finale of that one. I really, really love it.  Scandal (another one of my top pics) and Boardwalk Empire and Walking Dead will all be on again soon, so at least there will be something to tide me over til Girls starts in January.

On the health front... I am now allergic to air.  I'm kidding.  But I have been itching in random places all over my body for the past two weeks (like fleeting hives) so I'm not ruling it out.  My doc thinks I'm now allergic to my bipolar meds. Yeah... expect a breakdown post soon. Today I was doing good to stay vertical.

BUT the fact that Snapfish sent me a nice email with news of their SocialPic Book did provide me with a moment of excitement!  I can't wait to get on there and play.  But first, I must work.  Real work.  The kind I get paid for.  And get ready for an event tonight, but oh how my bed calls...

Ta y'all.

I am not Kate Bosworth and surfing IOP

I am terrified of sharks.  Terr-i-fied, but grabbed a SUP board today and headed out to paddle the BIG Water on Isle of Palms. I totally know why surfers wear rash guards.  You should see my arms!  So I couldn't pull of a Kate Bosworth in Blue Crush, but paddled around on my knees for a long time and even stood up (once!), and that was good enough for me.  I was EXHAUSTED and totally proud of myself.  That was some choppy water.

The Windjammer was hosting a Surfing Expo, so I was surrounded by actual surfers trying out different SUP boards.  A little intimidating, but they'd come right up beside me and give me tips and were totally encouraging.  It was awesome!  Can't say I'll do it again this week... I might not be able to get out of the bed tomorrow...but I totally want to get back out there one day and try it again.


In other news we've been eating on-island this week and I've been so hungry and tired by the time we've sat down, I've forgotten to take pictures.  I know, right?  I never, ever forget to take pictures!  It's all the sun and the surfing (wink. wink.).  The best fare so far has been a Shrimp and Chorizo Sausage Quesadilla from Banana Cabana.  I haven't had a single bad meal in that place and the fact that we don't have to get into our car and drive to get a meal is a plus right out of the gate.


I think I'm headed into Chucktown (aka Charleston) this afternoon, so I promise I'll deliver on the pics if I get into anything cool, which, let's face it, will probably happen.  Who are we kidding.


Happy Saturday.  Wishing I had brought this DVD with me. Did I mention that Miss Kate used to date Alexander Skarsgard (Generation Kill, True Blood...)?  Here's hoping he'll be our Mr. Grey. Anyway, here's another summer anthem. 

Lowcountry livin', Poe's Tavern and Popsicles

Where the heck is summer going and why is it sooo hot?! Today I'm going to pick my child from camp.  She's been gone all week, but I swear the time has gone so fast it feels like a day.  Last year was her first year and I was crying my eyes out the whole week she was gone because I couldn't talk to her.  Slowest week ever. Not this year man!

I haven't posted many pics from my crazy amazing Isle of Palms beach vacation. I honestly didn't want to leave. I thought I would cry.  Here are some highlights.

OMG, the view.  I've been going to the island every year almost since I was a kid and I have never once stayed beachfront.  THAT was crazy awesome.  Acme Wings: a must for any IOP trip.  We gnawed our way through four dozen.

The ocean was awesomely still most of the week (much to the dismay of my body surfing family).   I finally got up the nerve to swim out to my husband and child who like to go farther out than my comfort zone one morning. My husband spotted dolphins so he pulled the float, on which I was perched (hoping it would half save me in case of a shark attack), out about ten more feet, putting me within a couple yards from dolphins who were playing close by.  I was stupendously happy and freaked the hell out all at once. I squealed like a little girl.  Okay, I screamed.  Out of fear.  (I asked for a little warning next time.) Well, I can kinda say I sort of swam with dolphins now.

(I made pancakes for the amazing father of my child and his dad on Father's Day and did not burn them!  Yea me!)

There are two farmers markets on Mt. Pleasant.  One on Tuesday afternoons starting at 3:30pm and a new one on Saturdays staring at 9am.  I LOVE a good farmer's market.  We always grab curry spices from Charleston Spice Co. at the Tuesday market and this year Sierra grabbed a banana pudding pop from the King of Pops!

He's been all over Charleston media for his brilliantly delicious popsicles.  (I begggged the hubs to swing by the Saturday market on the way out of town where we spotted the guy unloading his cart from his truck.  I assaulted him before he was off the truck.  We snagged a salted chocolate pop (made with Sweeteeth!) and  two banana puddings.  They dripped down our hands in the hot car and didn't last long!

I think I might sort of be settling back into the reality that I'm back in the Valley.  Sigh.  But I am headed back to the island again a couple of times this summer, so I can't complain too loudly.

Okay, my friends and I are totally getting sloshed and going to see this on Saturday.  I am so excited!

And I just heard this song last night and Shazamed it and downloaded it immediately! (You'll have to watch it on YouTube so follow the link. And why the heck won't it center?! Anywho.)

Back to the island experience.  Okay, so my sister told us we should go to Poe's Tavern.  We knew it was there.  How could we not?  There is usually people spilling out of the place and wrapped around the gate.  We went REALLY early for dinner to avoid a crowd.  So worth it.  I got fish tacos and my husband got a hamburger with so much on it he could barely eat it.  It's the "hot" place to go on Sullivan's Island for twenty-somethings apparently. Gotta say, I dig it too!

 

Oh!  And my mother-in-law and I stopped into Burger King for a quick snack during a shopping marathon and they had BACON SUNDAES on the menu!  I had to try one.  Gotta admit, it was pretty great.

So that's that.  Heading out to pick up my munchkin!

Happy Friday!!!!!

Mac's, kitchen supply bliss, red solo cups and baseball boys.

On Monday I met up with my new buddy Casandra to grab a bite to eat and run some errands downtown for Father's Day.  We drove the length of West End twice before we finally came up with a place neither of us had eaten at before!  We settled on Mac's Speedshop, a new biker bar that recently opened across from the Greenville Drive ball field at 930 South Main Street.   The North Carolina based restaurant is supposed to be known for its BBQ, but I zoned in on Fish Tacos.  A BBQ place that does tacos?  Really?  Who wouldn't try that?!  I had the pulled pork taco and the fish taco. They were kind of expensive at $4 each.

The meat on both was nicely cooked, but there was almost too much going on. The pork taco had a rich and spicy aioli sauce, a mustard sauce, sweet and tangy pickled onions, crunchy slaw, and limes on soft corn tortillas. I chomped away and sauce dripped down my arm.  Along with the seasoning of the meat, it was sort of overkill, HOWEVER, I'm a picky taco eater and this place gets better-than-most cheers for their fish taco effort.   The diced blackened fish was topped with Asian Peanut Slaw, guacamole, pickled onions (which are apparently on everything), lime and ginger aioli.

The downside: the service was pretty dang slow considering there were probably a dozen customers in the whole place, it was FREEZING in there, and if you're short, you might want to bring a step ladder to climb up on the seating.  There are tables outside and a few tables inside, but the rest of the place is cram packed with tall bar tables and really tall tables along the walls.    I might recommend that you try it once, and it's probably a pretty big deal for the biker crowd in Greenville, but I probably won't be going back.

We also checked out this cool little kitchen place at McBee Station Casandra had heard about called Kitchen Arts and Pottery.  I will be going back here! It's owned by Greenville Chef turned shop owner, Liz Bardsley. She carries higher end French inspired gourmet ingredients and very cool gadgets and gizmos. Big kudos from me for carrying Leopard Forest Coffee (a shout out to my friend Ildi and her bean roasting crew). We snagged some incredibly decadent caramels that were made with black pepper, balsamic vinegar and sea salt and nibbled on them to our next stop. Casandra bought them and she shared.  A good friend, right?

Tuesday afternoon landed me at a remote lake in Tamassee, South Carolina visiting my bff Griet and her family. Couldn't you just sit with a red solo cup and stare at this view forever?

And today I trekked to Columbia for my first staff meeting as the Family Travel Insider for South Carolina Parks, Rec and Tourism!  Yea to a new job! Well, that's what I was thinking until they asked me to film a video introduction of myself on the first day.  With a script.  Panic washed over me. I had crazy flashbacks of college Shakespeare class.  I suck at memorizing stuff... now my new boss can attest to that. But I gotta hand it to him, he was patient!  I think I'm gonna like it there, and I swear I'll get better in front of a camera.

Anyone out there got a good non-apple video editing program (free) that works well for blog video editing?  I could start video blogging for you guys too maybe.

Anyone out there remember the Christian Slater movie where he had an underground radio station in his basement?  What was that called?  I used to watch it over and over again on VHS. Is video blogging our generation's less rebellious underground radio?  Just a thought.  Anyone out there?  Anyone listening? Signing off.

But not without a song...
I'm sorry, but I could listen to Carly Rae Jepsen sing this song all day long.  And the handsome baseball boys make me want to tap the roof with my fists.  Just sayin'.

Oh, and good luck to USC at the College World Series! Go Cocks!

the ramblings of a woman who just met a deadline

Today was CRAPPY and I totally wanted to demolish both containers of the leftover homemade Oreo ice cream from yesterday's Memorial Day cookout...until I realized that it might be a pretty damn good day and I needed to stop whining to myself in my head. Do you ever do this?

I had a revelation on the way home and my smile turned upside down. My car... which is kind of my security blanket... is sick and at the shop. I am driving a minivan.  IKK!  I asked for a Prius cause we're kind of thinking we should own one soon since I drive like a billion miles a week but alas no rentals were left.  But hey, I have a dependable car to drive around.  And apparently God loves me.  He had Starbucks send me a $5 gift card that happen to arrive at lunchtime today.  I buy way too many coffees there.  They are now giving ME money.  And my achy knee is a little less achy today cause I'm doing better about letting it heal and switched from Ibuprophen to Alieve.

Still having nightmares and scaring the poo out of the hubs in the middle of the night (do these drugs do this to anyone else?) but sleeping better, thus am I able to see that though I may be sleep deprived a little bit, and am hobbling around and my car is sick, some people don't have a bed to sleep in, don't have legs and don't have a car.  So I am smiling... but I still want the ice cream.

My husband is TOTALLY just as sucked into HBO's Girls as I am. This past episode was AWESOME!  We got to see inside Adam's head which made him HOT (don't laugh).  He told his friends about Hannah and he loves books?  He's all sensitive and stuff and it never occurred to me that Hannah was the bad guy in that whole situation.  And my husband was STOKED that his two favorite characters, Jessa and Alex had a scene together... and how totally funny was it that Shoshana was running all over the place all cracked out and Adam was chasing her! A couple to be?  "Don't tell my mom!" she says to Jessa.  Seriously?  My husband kept laughing and saying, "Where are her pants!?!"

This kid is cute.  Not mine.  She belongs to my friend Cam.  When you ask her what a cat says, she scrunches up her face like this and doesn't make a sound and then smiles. No, her parents don't know why.

Does anyone else LOVE the movie P.S: I love you?  I am having a hankering. I definitely need to watch that again soon. The accents... oh, my. My husband lives in fear that if he ever takes me to Ireland I won't come back home.

Oh! Something else cool happened today!  Tuesday Things.  I love this woman's blog.  I read it religiously.  I've kind of adopted her listy ways because they read really well, don't ya think?  I also love tons of the same things as her including Girls, Lisa Loeb, sunshine and chocolate, among other things and we both love food.  Very good food. (Accept she is like the size of a pencil.  I'm thinking of joining Weight Watchers.)  I leave comments on her blog telling her I love her blog often.

Okay, that's it.  The moral to this story?  Try to turn your frown upside down... or something. Does there have to be a moral?

Gatsby, a child headed to therapy, foodie finds and my sandbucket list

I saw the new Great Gatsby movie trailer last night. First of all, I can't believe that I am old enough for Leonardo Decaprio to be playing a "mature" adult.  What the hell?  And second, Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books EVER.  That movie was perfect. Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterston? PERFECT!  I'm dubious of a remake. Would they remake Gone with the Wind?  I think not.  Sigh!  Well I have to wait until December to find out. I'm gonna reread (again) this summer.

Only a week or so til school is out. After Memorial Day, what's the point people?  I can already feel my toes in the sand and the island sun on my face. I can't wait to take my Hipstamatic for a snapping good time on the coast! On the last day of school, I have a tradition: embarrassing my daughter.  I drive up to school BLARING Will Smith's Summertime with a big grin on my face, windows down. BOOMING!  Then I make her listen to the High School Musical School's Out, Scream and Shout song (as I sing very, very loudly).  She yells at me from the back seat. Ah, the memories. 

Some of the other tunes I recently added to the summer playlist are: Zac Brown's Chicken Fried southern anthem (thought I'd share), Cruel Summer from the Blue Crush Soundtrack, and OneRepublic's Good Life.  There are few things better than singing your lungs out as you drive down the road with your hair whipping in your face.

I hope to be on the road a bit more this summer. Fingers crossed!  I interviewed for a very cool writing job this week in Columbia that will involve a little bit of travel and a lot of fun.  Hearing back something mid June-ish.  Here's hoping!

Do you have whiplash yet from my rapid change of topics?

Upcountry Provisions should be finally (softly) opening for lunch today in Travelers Rest.  I'm so excited!  A grand opening date is coming soon.  Don't forget to comment on the Snag that Swag #2 post so you'll be entered to win lunch on me and a few other bits of swag from the new cafe!

(she takes a quick coffee refill break) 

I wanted to cover a few more quick things that have been sitting on my desk to share with you.

A new little market and art shop is opening soon on Hwy 290 in Travelers Rest.  The Appalacian inspired market is called The Hungry Drover and will have farm to table foods in the cafe, market to table meals to go, a space for private events and music nights, etc.  It's located in a little building at the intersection of Tigerville Road and Locust Hill Road which in the early 1900's was a General Store. My friends John and Debbie Wilson are in on this endeavor so I am so proud for them and can't wait to give it a visit.  

Another little restaurant on Hwy 290 grabbed my attention a month or so ago.  Flour Haven Restaurant and Bakery is on my way to Target, so I pass it all the time.  An afternoon fit of crazy hunger finally drew me in, that and the sign that promised fresh donuts.  I grabbed a few to go.  They are like if Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts had babies.  They have a giant list of breakfast offerings including eggs, crepes, pancakes and french toast and have a selection of fresh breads and pastries for grab and go, too.  I hear their morning offerings are fabulous, though I haven't gotten there that early yet. 2345 Locust Hill Road, Greer.  Go check them out! 

(flipping through my stack)

On a particularly bonkers day in early Spring, I walked to my mailbox and discovered a package from my Aunt Kay in San Diego.  It was filled with Chocolate!  God bless that woman.  I swear I almost fell to my knees with thanks.  I'm telling you, it was THE BEST DAY IN THE WORLD to get a package full of chocolate.   My cousin was attending CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, where, wouldn't you know, they make chocolates on campus.  What the heck, right?  They actually offer a chocolate production course, the only one taught in an American university, as a part of their "learn by doing" philosophy.  During a visit to see him, she snagged me a handful of bars and dropped them in the mail so I could share with you folks.  I apologize it has taken me so long.  Folks, this ain't Hersey's.  It's dark and rich, made with organic, fair trade bittersweet chocolate.  Though I preferred the plain and the coffee varieties, there were also a few bars made with a variety of spices and chilies.  Not a fan of super spicy chocolate. Anyway, if you're heading Cali way, go check out the chocolate factory.  For more details or to order your own for a tasting go here. 

A friend of mine posted something on her Facebook page this week that was kindof fun.  Have you heard of a Sandbucket List?  It's not things you want to do before you die, but things you want to do before this summer ends!  Here's my list:

1) Read. Read. Read.  The stack groweth.
2) Standup Paddleboarding on the coast
3) Waterpark!
4) Grits and Groceries.  A very awesome restaurant. Look it up.
5) Take my daughter to the Columbia Zoo to draw the animals.
6) Lake with Griets.
7) Plane ticket to Cali.

Wow!  I really had to think on that one! What's on yours?

I am now a little bit closer to a clean desk!  I hope you all have a fantastic day!  

Weekend Roundup.

 I finally started my first attempt at Limoncello on Friday (to be ready July 4th weekend).  I added the zest of 10 organic (and very expensive!!!) lemons and 750 ml Vodka to two 1/2 gallon jars.  It has to sit for almost 6 weeks and then you make a simple syrup, dump in some water or something and you're done.  I'll keep you posted.  We used the remaining carnage from the organic lemons to make the worlds most expensive lemonade which neither of us have drank any of.  I'm tempted to freeze it, but how? Baggies? Please advise.  There is a gallon of it!

My daughter and I watched the Disney movie Geek Charming and chilled on Saturday night.  Well, she watched and I didn't watch so much as play online. It was a total throwback to Can't Buy Me Love. Remember that flick?  Patrick Dempsey?  Anyone?

I have a new toy for my iPhone. The Hipstamatic App. I had to research how to work the thing.  It's like having a camera bag of all different kinds of old school films and lenses at your disposal for each pic.  It's freaky that a cell phone camera can do the same things we did in darkrooms (remember those?) in college. There's actually a darkroom app now too where you can mix your own virtual chemicals.  Seriously. It's called Swankolab.

I'm going through a semi-vegetarian phase again.  Sunday for dinner we had my Barley's Veggie Wrap (Sort of) Knockoff - minus the pesto... and without large pitas, it actually is a pizza... that you eat with a knife and fork. I can't believe I forgot the pesto!  I knew something was missing! Directions to follow:

1/2 an onion chopped, 1 zucchini sliced thin, 1/2 container of mushrooms sliced. Sauteed together in pan with EVOO, salt, pepper and garlic powder (or 1 clove chopped).  Place 2 whole wheat pita's topped with spaghetti sauce on baking pan..  Divide veggies between 2 pitas. Put handful of shredded motzerella on each pita and cook in oven on broil until the cheese is melted.  Wa-la. Healthy.  Easy. 

 

A bird just swooped down in my yard, picked up a caterpillar (or worm) and flew off again.  Must be lunchtime for him, too.  I just drank my lunch.  A smoothie with: 1 banana, two handfuls of spinach, a 1/2 c. of milk, a cup of ice, a cup of water, 1/4 cup of oats, 1 tbsp of peanut butter, 1 tbsp of honey. Blend. Straw. 

I have a jacked up hip and knee.... and right thumb.  I feel 80.  Bursitis sucks.  I have big plans for hiking, traveling and paddle boarding this summer.  I'm starting an all out war to get this thing gone, and thus making some doctors very wealthy in the coming weeks.  That'll teach bursitis to mess with me!!! 

I've been obsessed with the idea of paddleboarding at the beach since I tried stand up paddleboarding last summer for an article assignment. I'm gonna put my fear of sharks aside (or at least take a few shots to dull the terror) and paddle dad gum it! I'm gonna! 

Congrats to Martha Vaughn for snagging the first Gap Creek Gourmet Snag that Swag Euphoria gift bag.  I'm posting another giveaway late this week or early next, so stay tuned!  And if you haven't signed up to have my blog come to your email box, do that, so you won't miss the announcement!  

That's all I got today. Off to the chiropractor. 

Happy Monday all!