Fun Facts Friday

1. If only long weekends happened every weekend. You really can't beat a week that starts on a Tuesday and ends in a vacation. 

2. Sorry for the back to back Fitzgerald quotes with my Thoughts on Thursday but the one this week hits home. Summer is coming here and I am super excited for it. Where this excitement is coming from I am not really sure but I'll take it.

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3. I bought myself a new bathing suit for the first time in three years last weekend. Yes, three years! That's what happens when you become a city girl.

4. I have been on a huge burger kick lately. Possibly because it is the perfect weather for grilling out and eating dinner on the patio. I can't wait to make this recipe from How Sweet It Is: Burgers with Sautéed Mushrooms, Arugula, and Dijon Aioli.

5. I had way too much fun looking through the trash on my computer earlier this week. I was trying to find a file that I had just put in there but got distracted and ended up cracking up at some of the things I found. Most of it was stuff I pulled for the blog but never ended up using.

6. Speaking of going through archives, you should Facebook stalk yourself just for the heck of it. Talk about a walk down memory lane.

7. Clearly I am easily entertained if I find amusement in #5 and #6 and know how to procrastinate with the best of them.

8. I have decided that in my next job/life, I will have flexible hours. So when I finish my tasks for the day at noon, you can find me either in the kitchen or at the barn. Wishful thinking at it's finest.

9. You should put In the Kingdom on Men on your reading list. I read it over the weekend and loved it. Think Stepford Wives meets Aladdin with a murder thrown in for good measure.

10. I have a week of vacation ahead that includes lots of celebrations - engagement, graduation, birthdays, anniversaries and a wedding. Let the parties begin.

Happy Friday! Carolina is calling me home. 

Thought on Thursday

What I Baked on Sunday

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend. Mine was low key and relaxing, just what I needed. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and wanted to share a few of the recipes:

Blueberry Oat Pancakes

I have never been a huge breakfast eater. My typical breakfast is either a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt with berries. Lately, I've been mixing things up on the weekends and experimenting with different recipes. These pancakes use ingredients that I usually have on hand and come together in no time. They are also incredibly filling!

Paleo BBQ Chicken Pizza

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The crust for this pizza is ground chicken. Strange concept, yes, but there is so much protein and goodness in each bite. And don't worry, I am not going Paleo just experimenting. I love pasta and dairy way too much to give them up.

Penne with Zucchini and Ricotta

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This might be my new go to pasta dish for the summer - it is very light and so easy to make. Add it to your menu this week!

And on a side note, Happy Anniversary to these two:

Love you both so much!

Writer's Block

I'm sorry for leaving you. I think I am suffering from a type of writer's block. Although I think it might be the opposite of writer's block if that is possible. I have so many thoughts in my head that I am afraid once I start typing I won't stop. So to save you from my rambling nonsense, I am keeping it all in my head. For now.

Thought on Thursday

In honor of The Great Gatsby premiering tonight at midnight:

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Virginia Gold Cup

It is hard to believe that in my 20+ years as a South Carolina resident I never made it to the infamous Carolina Cup. I've always wanted to go, so when I had the opportunity to go to the Virginia Gold Cup I was excited.






Saturday morning, Mary, Carter, and I drove out to The Plains, VA to spend the day with some of Carter's friends.

We could not have asked for prettier weather or a better view of the field. Most people who go to Carolina Cup joke about actually seeing a horse while they are there. Between the two tailgate spots, we had views of both the starting and finish lines and watched most of the races. 

It really was the perfect way to spend a beautiful Saturday. 

Fun Facts Friday

1. Oh hey, May!

2. #1 is a shout out to both the new month and my sister. On a side note, did you see the picture of Justin Timberlake floating around with the words "It's gonna be May." It made me laugh. So hard.

3. The month started out on a great note. Margaret and I received flowers in the office on Wednesday and my mom sent me a little something in the mail as well.

4. Spring fever has taken over. All I want to do is be outside.

5. Thankfully #4 fits in well this weekend with both Gold Cup and Cinco de Mayo. I'm a little torn between my love of bourbon and margaritas. Liver, I apologize in advance.

6. My travel schedule is picking up again this month. I have two trips planned to SC and a work trip to Boston. Racking up those frequent flyer miles.

7. You know how some brands of jeans recommend that you wash them before you wear them. Well, they aren't kidding. Friday night I was wearing my new jeans and at some point during the night I sat on my hands. While I was brushing my teeth, I noticed that my hands were blue. I immediately thought worst case scenario, as in some allergic reaction to my allergy medicine or a circulation problem. Thankfully I figured out the cause before waking my parents up in the middle of the night because you never think you are dying when your roommates are home.

8. I took a field trip to Mount Vernon this morning in preparation for an event we are having there on Monday. I treated myself to Starbucks on the way and have felt jumpy ever since.

9. I feel like my thoughts are all over the place but welcome to my life.

10. Happy Friday!

Lately

We celebrated Smythe's birthday with a Johnnie Walker tasting at the LivingSocial.

I spent most of the weekend outside enjoying the sunshine.

 And welcomed a new friend to town. 

I put my KitchenAid to use and baked these cookies.

 I decided that waiting until 5 o'clock to have a glass of wine is overrated.

 I made the crispy gnocchi with pesto and added chicken, sautéed onions and peas.

And these are just a few things that have been happening lately.