16 February 2013

Red.

 
 
My family, friends, and handsome Valentine really showed me some love this year. Snail mail is one of my favorite things, and I received a few different cards and packages this week. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. While some might be cynical of the Hallmark Holiday, I happen to love it. Any excuse to eat an entire heart-shaped box of chocolate truffles.

Another high note of the week - Winter finally decided to show up! I haven't seen real snow since I lived in Boone, and I wasn't very happy about that. My poor little front-wheel-drive vehicle, on the other hand, was clearly confused. It was slipping and sliding the entire way back home after a quick outing this afternoon; an outing that I embarked upon after determing that it was definitely not going to snow today.

 
Kitties are even cuter in the snow, even when trying to run away.

04 February 2013

Cookie Monster

Nutella-Stuffed Brown Butter and Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen.

I saw a picture of these cookies on instagram Saturday night, and immediately decided to spend my Sunday morning waltzing down the isles of Trader Joes. I'm not sure which ingredient drew me in - Nutella? Swoon. Sea Salt? Always necessary. Chocolate Chips? Um... chocolate. Browned butter? A new favorite.

All of the above.


I'm not much of a baker - but when I decide to make something, I tend to act overly ambitious. These cookies sounded intimidating, but weren't nearly as time consuming or difficult as I thought (minus two torturous hours to let the dough chill). They were the perfect ending to our Superbowl feast of hot wings, pretzels and orange soda. Go Team.

02 February 2013

Charlie!


At one point during our quick weekend trip, we were driving in the car to breakfast - windows rolled down, sun beaming in, seatbelt off (only because it was broken) and all of a sudden one of those songs came on the radio. You know, one of those songs from the 90s that you might not remember until you hear it - but automatically exclaim "Ahhh I love this song!" as soon as the familar tune hits your ears. Then, of course, you forget about it all over again once the music stops. I already forgot which song we listened to, but it was definitely a Pool Song. I used to live at the pool during the summer months, and they always played the best music. Think Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Lifehouse, Aerosmith, Edwin McCain, Third Eye Blind, etc.

Anyways - that moment made me long for some warmer weather back home. We had perfect weather this past weekend. Not warm, but sunny with a slight breeze. I like visiting Charleston in the winter - it is merry and bright.

Back to eating breakfast - we went to Toast! Apparently all of of the best breakfast places are called Toast. Tea time at this particular Toast reminded me of tea time at Dan'l Boone Inn. Too cute for words, and the perfect start to our busy day tooling around town.

This busy day included: A trip across the bridge to Sullivan's Island, a visit with my grandmother (so special of my friends to come with me), walking around the battery, discovering an antique mall in Mt. Pleasant, taking lots of pictures, stopping for praline samples at every sweet shop, and later - drinks on the town.

I need to live there one day. Soon.