Favorite Single Meal

There are times like my last post, The Tale of the Mailbox Lizards, that I hate being single. It would be easier to be able to leave the reptile trapping up to someone else. But there are other times that I get to enjoy my "secret single behavior." In one episode of Sex and the City, the girl's "secret single behavior" is exposed. Miranda liked to watch infomercials while lathering her hands in Vaseline, Charlotte stares at her pores in a magnifying mirror, and Carrie eats stacks of saltines with grape jelly while standing in her kitchen reading the latest issue of Vogue.




I recently had a conversation with a married friend that she sometimes misses her "single dinners." She would eat veggie chicken nuggets, frozen veggies, and mac and cheese. My own favorite single meal is really simple: plain noodles with olive oil, salt/pepper, and basil. Sometimes I add other spices, cheese, spinach, or tomatoes if I'm in the mood. But other times, it's just the olive oil and salt and pepper. It's so easy and hits the spot every time.

I know I'm not alone in my secret single behavior...I found a few articles on the same subject!

And here are some other single eating ideas on Stone Soup.

Front Porch Friday

I know you're surprised that the pics from my "front porch" this week are from the Concert of Hope and Remembrance. But it was an amazing night.


Two of the amazing women and breast cancer survivors that made this concert a reality.....


My mom and niece, Sarah, sporting a dress my mom made....


Sarah with her Papaw.....


My mom with her besties, who are all cancer survivors....


Sarah and Me...



With my grandparents, who are both cancer survivors...

30 Days Hath September

Yeah, yeah....I'm an inconsistent blogger these days. And I've used up a lot of excuses so let's just say I'm going to try to do better! It's a new month and I'm turning over a new leaf in honor of the start of fall. In all honesty, it has only been in the last month that I'm starting to feel settled in Columbia. The previous months are a bit blurry.

Here are some fun filled facts about September:

• September begins on the same day of the week as December every year, because there are 91 days separating September and December, which is a multiple of seven.

• Click here to see all the quirky holidays this month brings. I think I'll celebrate Better Breakfast Month, Honey Month, and Self Improvement Month. Because I need to eat a better breakfast, I've been meaning to buy some local honey just for the fun of it, and one's self always can use improving!
  
  
• September's birthstone is the sapphire. The meaning is clear thinking.

In the interest of clear thinking and the fresh start of a new month, here are some other links of inspiration!

A Beautiful Ripple Effect has some free, colorful, and original desktop wallpapers. Get rid of that boring background and add some pretty to your PC!

Thrifty Decor Chic has a Fall Inspiration Post and Linky Party to gear you up for your autumn decor. I added my Acorn post from last fall.

Shira's Adventures in South Africa are still going on! She's updated her blog with new stories. I'm so excited for her, but just might be already counting down the days until she's back in the U.S. of A. I miss her TERRIBLY!

For the birthday boys and girls this month, I thought this balloon birthday wreath was adorable. Wouldn't it be so cute for a classroom to put up when it's a student's birthday?

Here's to making September fabulous!

Happy Blogiversary!

Okay, so I'm a day late on this, but I love how it worked out that my 100th post is also on my 1 year Blogiversary!

I had no idea what I was doing when I set up this blog. I had thought about blogging for a while, and just took the plunge! I've had so much fun sharing my random thoughts about food, movies, tv, the south, and did I mention food? I guess that's one way to know this is an authentic southern blog since it always seems to come back to the food.

I just wanted to take a sec to let you know how much I appreciate you reading and commenting and encouraging me in this little project, which has become a beloved hobby.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Summer Days

Seriously....how is 2009 going by so fast? I have to get busy on my summer to-do list! I can probably go ahead and cross off anything to do with getting a tan b/c that doesn't seem to be in the cards for me. Oh well....it causes skin cancer anyway.

I hope everyone had a Happy 4th! This was my first 4th of July away from DC since I moved here 5 years ago. I went home to SC and had a busy 5 day "vacation." Going home is an interesting thing. When I graduated from college and moved to DC, I wanted little to do with going home during that first year. But eventually being away made me miss things and appreciate the pleasures of home. I guess it's that absence makes the heart grow fonder thing.

The weather was perfect for days at the pool/lake, and nights sitting outside with family and catching lightening bugs with the niece and nephew. I water skied for the first time in about 10 years. Turns out it was like riding a bicycle...I got up on my first try and didn't fall!

I didn't totally fall off my diet wagon, which is a major accomplishment when visiting the South. That is except for the 3 different kinds of homemade ice cream that I enjoyed! Sooooo good! I also came back with my favorite souvenir- my grandfather's home grown tomatoes! I hope to have some of my own from the garden I planted soon. We'll see how they compare.

I'm back in town for a busy few weeks at work, and am already counting down the days until the beach in August!

Some pics from my trip-

Visiting my grandparents while they camped at Oconee State Park....

Paddle Boating with my dad at the State Park....

Chillin with my niece and her awesome green cast....

Fun at the lake with the kiddos....

Southern Eating Frenzy

Whenever I take a weekend trip, it takes a few days to get back to blogging! I had a great weekend in SC and as usual, the highlights are all about the food....

First, if you ever find yourself in Columbia around a mealtime, get yourself to Pawley's Front Porch IMMEDIATELY. I have to say that I'm kind of glad that this place wasn't open when I was in college, cause I would have eaten here way too much and gained 100 pounds or so. I started with some fried pickles. mmmmmmmm. This was a tough decision as the fried green tomato appetizer looked divine. I choose the Isle of Palm Burger which had a pimento cheese spread on it. double mmmmmmm. I got the sweet potato fries as the side (trying to be healthier, but probably doesn't really matter at this point.) Everything was delicious! We scored a table outside and had great service. Man, I miss the south. Pawley's definitely earns a 5 on my Sweet Tea Scale.

At our office holiday party last year, I won a lobster dinner for 2 from Legal Sea Foods. Initially, I thought it was a regular ole restaurant gift certificate. But it was a mail order type thing. I got 2 live lobsters, clam chowder, crab cakes and boston cream pie. I don't think I've ever eaten lobster like this and definitely have never tried to cook live ones. Needless to say I was a little intimidated by this whole thing. Luckily, I had a partner in crime that was up for the challenge. I didn't have to touch them. I just watched and took some pics. Again- this was delicious! The portion sizes were perfect and it tasted great. If you ever need a good gift idea, I highly recommend it.

Next up: Brunch! I met a college friend at Di Prato's for a lovely brunch. I got the special of the day- banana pancakes with pecans and my friend got the eggs benedict and we shared. It was so good! Another 5 on the Sweet Tea Scale. I'm giving those out left and right these days, maybe I'm just getting really good at picking places! Just kidding, I had nothing to do with either of these Columbia gems, but am glad the people I know have excellent taste!

It was nice to get away and catch up with people I don't get to see regularly. An all around great start to the summer ahead! That is, besides the whole dropping my cell phone in the toilet thing. Yep, it fell right out of my pocket and in to the John. May it rest in peace. So if you've tried to get in touch with me in the last few days, this is my excuse!

Ray's the Steaks

It's been quite a while since I've reviewed anything on the ole Sweet Tea Scale! Last fall, (and before President Obama made it even more famous) I told you about my Ray's Hell Burger experience. So good.

The same owner opened Ray's the Steaks before the burger joint and I've been wanting to try it forever. I've heard really good things.

The time finally came and let's just say that Ray's the Steaks deserves a big fat 5 on the Sweet Tea Scale! The food was tasty, reasonably priced, and we had good service. I had the special which was a generous portion of their well-seasoned hanger steak, and included an appetizer (I opted for the delicious crab bisque), sides (all of the steaks come with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach) and dessert (my choice was a chocolate mousse) for only $25.

One caveat: this place fills up fast and just started taking a limited number of reservations. The wait is known to be long if you don't have a reservation. So we took a 5:30 reservation!!!

Next up: Ray's the Catch!

The Good Stuff

The weekend was filled with the Good Stuff from start to finish. I'm feeling so blessed by a truly peace filled weekend, and best of all- it was the little things....

A yummy steak dinner

Falling asleep to the sound of rain

Planting my first vegetable garden

Shopping in Old Town

Sleeping in

Sweet Tea

Finishing a project (pics coming soon)

Thai Food

A good nap

Unexpected revelations




Tell me about the Good Stuff your weekend was made of....