baling hay

Since being back home this week, I've been holding down the fort while my parents are in Maine with friends. My duties are pretty simple, but the catch is, I am in charge of looking after 3 jack russell terrors, I mean terriers.



Anyway, every morning I accompany them on their morning ritual... a walk down the driveway to get the paper and back. I've seen all sorts of critters: turkeys, hawks, deer, and a possum. But the last couple days it's the deer that have peeked my interest. A momma, dad and twins, plus their friends. It must be a good pasture for grazing. The tall grasses were cut down yesterday. Neat rows of hay lay flat on the ground, ready for baling. And the three terriers took off down the rows, searching and sniffing for anything interesting.

sweet vino

I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and though I don't advise this tactic, I typically pick out a bottle of wine based on it's label. Sometimes, this works in my favor. Other times, definitely not. Tonight I discovered Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge. And though I didn't pick it, I love the packaging. Simple French country blue illustration, sweet and mighty tasty. The label says " Serve chilled with oysters on the half shell or with rich creamy lobster ravioli." Um, yes please. Realistically, I'll be having cheese and crackers for dinner.

home so soon

It's only been two weeks since the move, but I am home again - home again, for a big project at work. I was very sad to leave husband, but I must admit, it was pretty cool to have internet & tv again. Sad, but true. So it's back to the ole childhood bedroom.... Laura Ashley floral, horse show ribbons and all.

There's always something new popping up in my parents house. Always. On this trip, I discovered a chair that has been recovered with some very cool horsey fabric. I think it was a gift to mom from dad. Anyway, I really love the colors and vintage feel.



and check out the "original name" of a good friend of mine:

soda shop

We discovered a little gem the other night..... The Northgate Soda Shop. It was like stepping back in time. Coke bottles, memorabilia, and old photos of Greenville covered every inch of the walls. Apparently it's more of a lunch hangout though because husband and I were the only folks there. Oh well, we had the run of the place and happily ordered greasy hamburgers. Trevor got their special which comes with homemade pimento cheese on top of the burger. Sounds weird, but I totally missed out by not ordering it!

About two steps away was a connecting bar - The Other Side. I'm not even sure how to describe it except to say it was real nice. Obviously, we had to sit with the locals and have a cold one. I have a feeling we'll be back.



the building in the photo below is now a westin, downtown - very cool

current craving

As a child I was a mighty picky eater. Not nearly as bad as my little brother, but that's a whole other story. As I got older, and especially in the last few years, I've grown to love all kinds of new foods. Two foods I'm particularly obsessed with currently are asparagus & mushrooms.

I also love seeing beautiful food photography and have a deep appreciation for the craft. After working on a restaurant account at an advertising agency, I learned how much time goes into food styling. Anyway, Sunday Suppers is a blog with amazing event/food styling and a recent recipe of theirs, pasta w/ young garlic, asparagus & mushrooms, really spoke to my current craves. I think the husband would totally dig this for dinner:


© Karen Mordechai + Sunday Suppers

out of touch

This is day 8 and we still have no Cable, Phone or Internet! I mean, who knew it could be this complicated. Apparently this adorable bungalow hasn't even had phone service before. So there are no jacks and no lines coming to the house. I will spare you details, but basically they have to drill under the driveway and actually getting someone to come do that is going to take a small miracle. Charter communications has a monopoly here so we are completely at their mercy. Cross your fingers for us, but until then - I'll be here at Coffee Underground - befriending all the employees!

This is a pitiful picture, but this is our house - the one with no television...... more pics to come:

green thumb

After a trip to Country Boys Garden Center down the road, we started our very own mini herb garden on Sunday. Woo-hoo!

Now, to most people this is no big deal. But after living in a condo for the last 4 years with no yard - this is huge! I've been dying to have fresh herbs so we're not running out to the grocery and paying for these expensive little things. So.... we started small. Just basil & rosemary for now. I really wanted some mint, but Country Boys was out.

Technically, Trevor did all the planting on Sunday, but I plan on getting my hands dirty too. Our yard is cute, but really needs some more love.

Cooper was a loyal assistant of course.

studio b.

A few weeks ago my mother, aunt, cousin and I discovered a little gem on our ladies trip to Florida. First, Alys Beach is simply breathtaking and a must visit next time you're in the panhandle of Florida. The place we discovered there is Studio b. It's the creation of Colleen Duffy - her "plan b" as you might say. She hosts a variety of creative events with some of the talented folks she met over the years as a professional photographer. And her studio is to die for - I will post pics soon.

For this particular event Brooke Parkhurst (author of Belle in the Big City) & her husband Jamie (a chef) did a cooking demonstration. Her mother was there too and they were all too cute! They had lots of fun tips for those of us still learning to cook. I'm pretty sure our little crew steam-rolled in - ready for a big time and added quite a bit of spunk to the evening!

welcome basket

After an exhausting day of moving, we awoke in our new digs and started the arduous task of unpacking boxes. I mean, who knew we could fit so much stuff in our former tiny abode?! Cooper has been especially annoyed by all the "stuff" in his way and refused to come inside.

We were sitting on the couch, discussing where to even start next when we heard a little knock on the door. But we don't know a soul here. Behind the door was Pammy, a dear friend of Trevor's mom who lives nearby, with this amazing basket full of goodies. Organic veggies like corn and big red tomatoes from her community garden, and a bottle of vino - does it get any better? It truly made our day to have a familiar face pop in!

going away

I think the hardest part about leaving Nashville is saying goodbye to our friends. They're fabulous and through us a really fun party. A little corn hole, local brew and yummy homemade appetizers. Here are some of the good lookin' folks who sent us off with well wishes and promises off visiting. I miss y'all already!

moving day

So it's farewell to twang town - at least for a little while. We've been planning for this day for a few months now. I have to say, I never thought I'd be moving away at this point, but life is full of changes and this is a big 'un. Trevor and I are truly excited though and ready for a new adventure. I'm so proud of him and I know this program is going to be an amazing opportunity.

On to the move: A bit of an overkill according to the movers, but we rented a huge rig that Trevor's dad, Mike, offered to drive. We packed it up and rolled into town last night.

When we pulled up to the bugalow (our new abode), the local movers were there to greet us and they were quite a site. Meet Doug - no teeth, one dangling cross earring, a mohawk and the strong smell of cheap booze - nice. "Watch yourself," is all the husband said to me.




It was one heck of a long day, but we made it! Now, it's just trying to find where I packed everything - yikes.