Friday, September 30, 2011

a taste for thursdays


So we’ve started a little love affair with Thursday evening excursions. I’ve never been one to stay up late on school nights, but this year none of my roommates have big Friday morning responsibilities. I have my Jane Austen class at 10 a.m., but I think of that more as a joy than an obligation ;)

With feelings of freedom on Thursdays, we’ve started meeting Jonathan and his roommates at Normal Bar, going out for Mexican and margaritas, trying out townie spots and that sort of thing.

After a delicious (and cheap!) small group dinner at Cali ‘n Titos last night, Kaiti, Sarah Beth and I decided to continue our new tradition. We invented our own drinks, inspired by Normal Bar’s citrus concoctions, and squeezed our share of grapefruit and lemonade. After sipping our creations and munching on Sarah Beth’s oatmeal cookie dough, we headed to Blue Sky .

When we realized cookie dough only whet our appetite for nighttime snacking, we moved to Transmet where we got the bartender to play Emily’s music over the speakers! They’re starting a weekend concert series, and if our not so subtle hint was successful, maybe we’ll watch the real her there sometime soon... at the least we found her a few new fans!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

2 coffees a day keep your sorrows away


It doesn't take much to make me gush about coffee, but my (first) cup today was particularly gratifying. This morning I packed up my things and told Kaiti I was sure I had forgotten something, but with books, phone and Burt's Bees in sight I decided I was good to go.

I walked down my street with drooping eyes, and I even fell on top of someone on the bus because I was so caffeine deficient. (No, I wish I was kidding, but that really happened) Needless to say, my morning was not off to a wonderful start, but things looked brighter when I saw a short line at Jittery Joe's .

I ordered my coffee, looked on eagerly as they poured my cup and -

realized my wallet was at home. I guess chapstick isn't the most important thing in my purse ;) I told the barista I was sorry, but I would have to leave that piping hot cup... and then she gave it to me for free!! My whole morning turned around, partly because I got my fix and my eyes opened all the way, but mainly because little acts of kindness make me so happy.

So, the moral of this story is, give someone a free cup of coffee if they look sleepy, and read this NYTimes story that says women who drink 2 cups a day are less prone to depression... see I knew it was good for you!

Monday, September 26, 2011

sometimes i love the routine

oatmeal
sense and sensibility
jane austen class (best class)
coffee at walker's
creative writing
modern family
grit golden bowl
gossip girl
study

it was just one of those days that was wonderful in all its ordinariness. do you ever realize just how much you love little weekly things?

unrelated to weekday happenings, these are a few pictures from the past weekend or two...

Friday, September 23, 2011

a few siblings to brighten my day

Aren't brothers the best?


Mine are, and they're coming to visit me today!

Even though I’ve lived here for three years, Mish and Losh have never visited Athens without the rest of our family, so tonight is a brother sister night.

We’re going out to dinner, wandering around Athens, maybe seeing a concert or a movie or eating Grit cake? Actually, I’m trying to resist The Grit’s magnetic pull on my car, because I know that brothers don’t love grilled tofu like I do. Perhaps we'll try their new pizza place instead ;)

I hope you're having a wonderful Friday! I need to finish work, running and room-cleaning before mine really starts.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

beware of browned butter addictions

I’m sorry this blog has been so neglected this week! I’ve been busy with school and papers… and cake, bonfires, long runs and concerts - so don't feel too sorry for me.

Jonathan and I drove to Atlanta on Sunday to hang out with my family and see Brandi Carlile with Ray Lamontagne! It was a perfect night for an outdoor concert, but the best part of our visit was eating my mom’s food.


She made muffaletta sandwiches, chicken fingers, salad, homemade jalapeno honey mustard and an apple mocha cake. No, that wasn’t over the course of the day, it was just dinner ;)

In case you don’t have an apple mocha cake waiting for you at home, here’s the recipe from Southern Living

*Disclaimer: Browned butter frosting is so good that you might feel the urge to scrape it all off and eat it before cutting into the cake. But it's best all in one bite, so try to resist!

(Also, if you've already eaten a whole piece of Grit cake by yourself the day before, that's okay, because Sarah Beth and I survived that much sugar.)

Mocha-Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 tbl spoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith Apples
2 (2.6-oz.) milk chocolate candy bars
Browned Butter Frosting

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

2. Beat sugar and next 4 ingredients at high speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 5 minutes. Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Add apples, chocolate, and pecans; beat just until blended. Spoon into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

3. Bake at 350º for 28 to 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour). Spread Browned Butter Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

**Here's a link to the Browned Butter Frosting

Friday, September 16, 2011

fall fever


Last night my roomies and I were in the mood for hipster bars, so after sampling pimento cheese and pepper jelly at Trappeze we settled ourselves down at Little Kings. The band was loud and whiney, but we quickly moved to the porch with a cup full of gummy bears and chatted til midnight. (Don’t you love it when bars serve snacks besides peanuts and cheezits?)

I’m not sure what spurred our indie bar excursion… maybe the chilly, grey weather? I’m LOVING the cool outside, but it does kind of make me want to paint my nails dark red and pull on some skinny jeans.

I hope you’re having a finally chilly Friday too! After work mine will include a cozy down comforter and a book. I’m finishing The Italian by Ann Radcliff for class, but I would read it just for pleasure any day. If you don’t mind a touch of terror and mystery, I highly recommend it.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

rise and shine


Lately I've been running in the wee hours of the morning. I'm training for the Athens Half-Marathon , and I've learned that it's best for me to run as soon as I wake up. There's no time for excuses, and I'm well into mile one before I think about what I'm doing. I always enjoy running once I start - it's just the starting part that's hard!

What about you? Are you an early morning or evening exerciser?

For me, the best part of a run is getting up when everything else is still and quiet... and only needing one cup of coffee to keep me awake during the day ;)

Monday, September 12, 2011

remember when bedtime was 8:30?

I've been studying in the library ALL day today. I went in when it was light outside and left long after dark. But after spending my weekend doing nothing but fun things, I deserved it.

At least I had a very nice and no longer bearded Jonathan to drive me home and sit with me while I ate Barbs around 10 ;)


I'm too tired to write more, but here are some pictures from our Thursday evening excursion to Treppenhaus , a new German beer bar downtown.

Also, I don't want to be one of those people who acts like they are the only one with a lot to do. My roommates are working really hard too!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

weekend update (no seth meyers)

Memphis is a good 8 hours away (9 hours if you drive back during a tornado watch), so we divided up the first stretch of our trip. We stopped in Chattanooga on Friday, and Jonathan’s mom made us a delicious dinner of steak, okra, corn and biscuits. We ate outside under an awning of twinkle lights, and I was overjoyed to be back. (The last time I ate there Jonathan was about to leave for Italy, and I was in a far less happy mood)

On Saturday the 4 of us piled in the Subaru and road tripped across Tennessee. Memphis is an hour earlier, so we had time for a drink on Beale Street before going out to dinner with Bo, Rachel and her parents at Spindini . I ordered a goat cheese, pesto, sundried tomato and chicken pizza that was so good, but I was so stuffed with bread and olive oil that I took most of it home.


The next morning Jonathan, Bob, Lisa and I walked along the Mississippi River bank and met Bo at Bluff City Coffee . Memphis gets a rap for being a bit seedy and rough around the edges, but the new river walk is beautiful and backs up to refurbished lofts that I would definitely live in without fear of being mugged.


We spent the afternoon exploring Memphis (i.e. watching Pirates of the Caribbean at the hotel.... shh don't tell anyone) and snacking at Bo and Rachel's cute little house. Then we went to a speakeasy and blue's bar on Beale Street (by day and night above). The blues bar was really fun, but I loved the speakeasy. I would tell you the name, but it didn't even have a sign, so all I can say is try to know the right people next time you go to Memphis ;)

Jonathan and I ended our night with gin and tonics and a bowl full of fortune cookies in the company of a nice chinese family who were closing up their restaurant - we know how to do romantic outings.


On Sunday we ate breakfast with everyone at Cockadoo's . It's no Mama's Boy, but I did love their mugs and mason jars.


Our trip was short and sweet, but completely worth the long drive. It was great to see Bo and Rachel even briefly, and I LOVED road tripping Bob and Lisa.

Jonathan and I ate a late dinner with my family (who I miss and want to go home and see for more than an hour soon!) and made our way back to Athens with chocolate cake and left-overs in hand.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

movin' through memphis


Many more pictures are on their way, but for now, here’s one of Jonathan and I on Beale Street. We had just stepped out of a real speakeasy that you get to via secret (ish), unmarked steps. Inside a Norah Jones look-a-like was singing soulful blues, and in true 20’s fashion he ordered an old fashioned and I got a Manhattan.

It’s chilly and rainy in this picture, but we didn’t care one bit.

Friday, September 2, 2011

happy long weekend!

Jonathan and I are headed to Memphis to visit his brother and sister-in-law for a few days! We’re stopping in Chattanooga to pick up his parents and drop off my little sister, but tomorrow morning we’ll start our trek across Tennessee. Memphis is 8 hours from Athens, but I love long drives and I can’t wait.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend too! And perhaps spend it laughing over a glass of wine like Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Don’t you love this picture? I’m not sure why it popped up when I searched weekend trips, but I couldn’t resist sharing a little Manhattan memory with you ;)