a little black and white for a change

I know, I've definitely failed at the post every day resolution, but to catch you up, here are few photos from the past week or so....

The highlights were...

Michael's last show with his band, The Less , at the 40 Watt, date nights to Blue Sky , a quick trip to Atlanta where I ate at Coast with my mom and sister and gorged on sweets with my brothers and dad, a lazy Sunday study afternoon at Walkers, and a little bit of school work and wedding planning thrown in here and there.

I hope you've had a wonderful week!

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

back where i belong

It's hard to believe a week ago I was sitting at my desk in New York. Now I'm snuggled on the couch with my roommates, and I couldn't be happier.

Last Wednesday Jonathan and I reunited after my last day of work. I left early, because I couldn't concentrate any longer once I knew he was in town. I rushed to the subway, impatiently fidgeted til my train arrived and hurried up the steps when I reached my stop. We talked on the phone, trying to find each other amidst crowds of people and finally - I saw him on the other side of the street.

I know I'm making this sound cheesy and suspenseful, but it was! I ran across (disregarding a green light and cars), hugged him tight and felt like my You've Got Mail simulation was complete.

After a wonderful day in New York (that included lots of non-Italian food and seeing Obama), we flew back down South. My mom greeted us at the airport with flowers for me and a tupperware of chocolate chip cookies for Jonathan... she knows us so well. Even though it was her birthday, she'd spent the whole day baking and preparing this welcome home spread for us!

Kate was almost as excited to see Jonathan as I was, and she shed tears guarding dozens more cookies from our brothers.

On Saturday night we ate dinner with our parents at Rathbun's and... saw Alison Krauss at the Fox from the 4th row! She was angelic. She plays and sings so effortlessly - I could have closed my eyes and listened to her forever.

With folk tunes in my head, I drove to Athens the next morning and I've been giddy ever since. I know I sound like the girl in this video, but I love my house, my roommates, my classes, my Athens, and my real life. I'm so happy to be home!

iron and wine

Yesterday Tatum surprised me...

with the tickets to the sold out Iron and Wine show at the 40 Watt!

Iron and Wine was great, and the best part of the show was their a capella version of "Flightless Bird" during the encore. But I loved Low Anthem, their opening band, even more. They all constantly changed instruments throughout the set, and their voices were beautiful.

I have a big final project due on Thursday, but I don't even mind, because that was such a good start to my week and my weekend was wonderful too. It was full of my favorite things - a family walk around Piedmont Park, sushi at Prime, a DELICIOUS home-cooked Easter lunch (that I'm still full from) and a little date to see Water for Elephants on Sunday night!

Also, I'm reading "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf for a class right now, and I can't put it down. I highly recommend it.