Friday, November 6, 2015

The Friday Five

1. Reading:
From Nicholas Sparks' website: A chance encounter on a rain swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria's lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves.  As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface.

2. Eating:
Kalettes = a kale and Brussels sprouts hybrid.
You can roast, steam, microwave, or eat them raw.

3. Listening to:
Adele's Hello
All. The. Feels.

4. Recipe I'm pinning:
This Chopped Fall Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette from Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers. Bacon, brie, butternut squash. What more do you need? I had this twice for dinner last week with salmon instead of chicken. It was so good!

5. Things making me laugh:
Thanksgiving doesn't get enough love in my opinion.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Books, Books, and More Books

Here are some of the books I've read recently: 
This one kept me guessing until the end.
One of my all time favorites.
 I'm pretty sure I've recommended this book to everyone.
An easy read about loss, love, and seizing the day.
 This one was pretty dark and twisted.
 I stayed up way past my bedtime bawling finishing this one. 
I can't wait to see the movie but I will definitely be taking Kleenex with me.
This one was silly but fun to read. 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Lately

I spent a weekend in Charleston and witnessed this stunning sunset.
 Colleen and I drove to Charlotte to see Randy Houser and Luke Bryan. 
A little rain couldn't keep us away. 
 Mom and Dad came up for Parents' Weekend. 
I felt like I was back in college and I loved every minute of it. 
 I've been reading a ton and will share some of my new favorites this week. 
 I went to Beaufort over fall break and spent most of the time in the kitchen.
It was glorious.
I've been loving all the fall colors, especially in these flower arrangements I made for an event. 
I got to see Lee Brice at Live on the Green.
I survived homecoming week. 
And had the best time being with this dear friend. 
These are just a few things that have been happening lately. 

Monday, October 19, 2015

What I Baked on Sunday

This is my new favorite salmon recipe. It comes together in no time and is just as good leftover. Make the recipe for dinner one night and then have the leftovers for lunch. You can also easily divide or multiply this recipe depending on the number of people you are feeding.

Salmon with Dill Sauce
Recipe from Full Moon, High Tide
source

Salmon
2 1/2 - 3 pounds whole salmon fillet, skinned
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sherry
1/4 cup Parmesan
1/8-1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup small capers, rinsed and drained
Dill sprigs and grape tomatoes for garnish

  • Coat salmon with mayo and set aside.
  • Combine milk and sherry in 9x13 glass casserole dish; place salmon in dish.
  • Sprinkle salmon with Parmesan, dill and capers. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
  • Place fish on serving platter. Garnish with dill sprigs and grape tomatoes.

Dill Sauce
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
1/2-1 teaspoon horseradish
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

  • Combine sour cream and remaining ingredients, mixing well. Serve sauce chilled or at room temperature on the side.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thought on Thursday

I highly recommend that you read today's post from She Reads Truth
It was just what I needed this morning. 

Friday, August 7, 2015

Fun Facts Friday

1. Two weekends ago, Claudia and I headed to Beaufort for Waterfestival. I originally thought about recreating Norris 09 with a big group but it was nice to have a low key weekend at home.
2. My office has been freezing cold in the mornings - as in my nose starts running and my fingers are so cold it is hard to write. It warms up by the afternoon but the mornings are rough. I've started wrapping up in a blanket to prevent frostbite.

3. I was under the impression that the summer was going to be slower in higher ed. While I've certainly taken my fair share of vacation, my to do list just seems to grow. At one point last week, I couldn't see my desk. ML suggested that I fill my champagne glass.
4. Pure Barre ran a new client special in July so I jumped on board for 6 weeks of unlimited classes. I'm loving it so far.

5. They finally finished straightening Main Street. The only problem is that all that parking spots are now for parallel parking. It's comical to watch some people try to park.

6. My allergies have been going crazy the past few days. I don't know what could possibly be blooming in this heat but something is.

7. I went through my calendar earlier this week marking move in day, work events, weekend getaways and weddings. It's going to be a busy fall but I'm looking forward to it.

8. With the start of the semester right around the corner, I'm thinking that it may be time to resurrect the Fitbit. Now I just need to find it. I'm hoping work will run more challenges this year.

9. I finally downloaded the 1989 bonus tracks and have been listening to Wonderland and You are in Love on repeat. No shame here.

10. Happy Friday!

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

#NeverSettleAgain

I was honored when Laura asked me to help coordinate her wedding day. She had a clear vision of what she wanted and was such a calm bride-to-be. We had the most fun discussing all the details and before we knew it, the big day had arrived.
We kicked off the wedding weekend with the rehearsal dinner at the Back Porch on Friday. 
Saturday morning, I met Laura's mom bright and early to start decorating the Lodge at Lake Bowen. I loved the wreath that they made for the alter.  
 Her dress was stunning.
It was neat to see how everything came together the day of. 
 After the ceremony, with the happy couple. 
First dance
Their cake with the sweetest cake topper.

It was a such a special weekend and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. I can't wait to see what all the Lord has in store for them!

Friday, July 24, 2015

The Friday Five

1. Reading:
I started this last night and I am already 100 pages in! 
From Amazon: From the acclaimed author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do comes a breathtaking new novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results.

2. Eating:
Talenti. It was on sale at Publix this week. No buyer's remorse here! 

3. Listening to:
Vance Joy's Fire and the Flood

4. Recipe I'm pinning:
source
Southern Living's Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce. We made these for dinner on Wednesday night with roasted green beans and potatoes. It's an easy weeknight meal.

5. Things making me laugh:
Unless it's Talenti!
Happy Friday!

Friday, July 3, 2015

Fun Facts Friday

1. How is it already July?! The summer is flying by.

2. I am a little too excited about my new planner for the next academic year. I got it a month ago and finally transitioned over to it this week.

3. I feel like I've been living out of a suitcase this summer between going to the beach, a work trip, staying with the Elletts, and then heading home. After our beach trip next week, I'm looking forward to unpacking and putting my suitcase away for more than a few days.

4. Last week while I was staying with the Elletts, their middle child was bitten by a copperhead. We spent almost 24 hours in the hospital. The love and support we felt from the entire Spartanburg community was overwhelming. This is just one of the many reasons that I am thankful to be back in the South.
5. I started reading Good Girl on my way back from Vegas. If you liked Gone Girl, I recommend reading it.

6. The Coosaw Farm blueberries have been so good this season. I love being able to buy produce from farms that I know.

7. I had dinner at Colleen's last Monday and we watched the Bachelorette. I thought I would only stay for part of it but I ended up staying for the whole thing. That show will suck you in!

8. On Tuesday, one of my coworkers and I tackled my storage closet at work. You would not believe the amount of stuff that was in there. It took us most of the day but we got everything sorted and put away in an orderly fashion. Here's to hoping that it stays this organized once the students return.
9. Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend!

Friday, June 19, 2015

The Friday Five

1. Watching:
Sara and I watched this on Sunday night. It's pretty silly but I needed a laugh and I can't resist a young adult novel turned movie. 

2. Eating:
I blame my mom for getting me addicted to Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee. Thankfully it only comes in small packages or I would need some serious self control.

3. Listening to:
Rachel Platton's Fight Song
The perfect summer anthem.

4. Recipe I'm pinning:
The perfect summer pasta salad. 
5. Things making me laugh:
Outtakes from last week's beach trip.
Happy Friday!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Books, Books, Books

In case you need some beach reads here are a few I've read lately:
The Knockoff 
This reminded me of the Devil Wears Prada but with the roles reversed.
From Amazon: An outrageously stylish, wickedly funny novel of fashion in the digital age, The Knockoff is the story of Imogen Tate, editor in chief of Glossy magazine, who finds her twentysomething former assistant Eve Morton plotting to knock Imogen off her pedestal, take over her job, and reduce the magazine, famous for its lavish 768-page September issue, into an app.
 The Vacationers
I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to.
From Amazon: For the Posts, a two-week trip to the Balearic island of Mallorca with their extended family and friends is a celebration: Franny and Jim are observing their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, and their daughter, Sylvia, has graduated from high school. The sunlit island, its mountains and beaches, its tapas and tennis courts, also promise an escape from the tensions simmering at home in Manhattan. But all does not go according to plan: over the course of the vacation, secrets come to light, old and new humiliations are experienced, childhood rivalries resurface, and ancient wounds are exacerbated.
 The Hurricane Sisters
I loved this book and highly recommend that you listen to the book on tape. I was laughing out loud in the car but it may have been because it reminds me of my family.
From Amazon: Hurricane season begins early and rumbles all summer long, well into September. Often people's lives reflect the weather and The Hurricane Sisters is just such a story. Once again Dorothea Benton Frank takes us deep into the heart of her magical South Carolina Lowcountry on a tumultuous journey filled with longings, disappointments, and, finally, a road toward happiness that is hard earned.

Next on my list:
 All the Single Ladies
From Amazon: New York Times bestselling author returns with an emotionally resonant novel that illuminates the power of friendship in women’s lives, and is filled with her trademark wit, poignant and timely themes, sassy, flesh-and-blood characters, and the steamy Southern atmosphere and beauty of her beloved Carolina Lowcountry.
Water from my Heart
From Amazon: Charlie Finn had to grow up fast, living alone by age sixteen. Highly intelligent, he earned a life-changing scholarship to Harvard, where he learned how to survive and thrive on the outskirts of privileged society. That skill served him well in the cutthroat business world, as it does in more lucrative but dangerous ventures he now operates off the coast of Miami. Charlie tries to separate relationships from work. But when his choices produce devastating consequences, he sets out to right wrongs, traveling to Central America where he will meet those who have paid for his actions, including a woman and her young daughter. Will their fated encounter present Charlie with a way to seek the redemption he thought was impossible--and free his heart to love one woman as he never knew he could?