The Friday Five 1.4.13

1. What I’m Reading: I haven’t read a novel in a while. Book club girls: what are we doing?! For a refresher, I picked up The Elements of Style, an American English style guide on grammar and writing. Classic.

2. What I’m Eating: Roti Rolls came to Daniel Island on Thursday. Cory let me know ahead of time, so I was able to whip up a batch of cookies for them the night before. I love those guys and they deserve some homemade treats from one of their biggest fans.

In return, I got a Funky Farmer: a roti roll filled with curried local sweet potato, parsnip, carrot, rutabaga and ginger with braised greens and pickled beets. On the side I had a beet and arugula salad.

So worth standing in the rain!

Later that night, my friend Eric was at The Green Door, their sister restaurant, where he received some of the chocolately goodness. They knew we were friends and handed him a cookie. Charleston is so small and this made me smile.

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Best Ever Beet and Bean Burgers. Say that 5 times fast. Then make them. 

4. What I’m Watching: Even if just one of you readers is a Parks & Recreation fan, then I will make someone laugh with this video. I cry laughing every.single.time.

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

PRETENDING TO LIKE A PRESENT

DRUNK FLIRTING

EXPECTATION

REALITY

WHEN I REALIZE IT’S FRIDAY!!!

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Thoughts on Thursday

1. It’s August. Here in South Carolina, I’d rather call it Hotgust. It is, in fact, the hottest month of the year.

While those aren’t scorching temps, each day’s humidity is at least 75%. Would you rather be really cold or really hot?

2 . I’m so in love with these bracelets I bought for Amanda and me today at Handpicked. They’re delicate, simple reminders of not only faith, but our friendship.

3. Last Sunday, the two of us went to La Pizzeria for some takeout. We were extra hungry and quickly decided that we need four different slices of pizzas. To split of course…

San Genarro, Margherita, Pepperoni, Bianco

4. Thanks for the reminder, Jonah.

5. You bet your behind that I immediately thought of Christian Grey when I saw this. This is both a creative and resourceful way to lock up your bicycle.

6. Yes.

7. Great Harvest Bakery has the best sandwiches. Though the fillings aren’t unique, the excellent quality of bread takes simple sandwiches to a whole new level.

Honey whole wheat, turkey, avocado,, tomato, salt & pepper

xo

The Friday Five–Birthday Style!

On Saturday I will be turning…older. You can just pick a number.

1. What I’m Reading: My grandparents sent me The Glamour of Grammar for my birthday. I love it!

Brief description: This widely praised practical guide demonstrates everything from the different parts of speech to why effective writers prefer concrete nouns and active verbs. Above all, Clark teaches readers how to master grammar to perfect their use of English, to instill meaning, and to charm through their writing. In a world where we communicate more and more through emails and text messages, how you use language matters--even in 140 characters.

2. What I’m Listening to: I guess this kind of makes sense for my birthday. Okay, not at all. Maybe? Regardless, I love the song.

3. What I’m Eating: Well obviously I’ll be inhaling this Carrot Cake that Kinsey’s making for Saturday. That’s actually her in this pic! : )

4.  Pic I’m Loving: This picture is from 25 years ago. It’s like an ancient artifact!

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

WHEN I REMEMBER THAT MY BIRTHDAY IS APPROACHING:

Related links:

• 27th birthday
• 27th birthday part I
• 27th birthday part II
• 26th birthday
• 25th birthday

The Friday Five

1. What I’m Reading: I’ve been reading like a crazy person, going through at least a book a week! Don’t stop me now! Earlier this week I picked up a book my coworker is reading with her book club: In the Garden of Beasts. It’s taking me a while to get into it because, aside from being an actual story, it’s very factual. I have faith that it will be good!

2. What I’m Listening to: I love love love Sia!

3. What I’m Eating Drinking: I’m done with coffee now that I’ve had a love affair with an Americano: espresso + hot water in “true European style.” Here’s a handy guide on espresso drinks:

And on that note, PLEASE OBEY THIS!!

4. What I’m Pinning:

5. What I’m Planning: I leave for NYC TODAY!!! So far we have plans to go ice skating, visit the Museum of Sex (what!), eat pickles, and stop by the NYU Chick-fil-A. Eeeeeeeh! Maybe this time it won’t be closed like it was in August!

HAPPY WEEKEND! Please pray that I don’t freeze in NY!

What I’m Loving Wednesday Version 5.0

1. Kira sent me a pic of the largest baby carrot I’ve ever seen. I can’t decide what I like more – the carrot or her Lilly bag.

2. When I bought my hideous blog shirt last week, I also noticed this gem at Homegoods: I could hardly believe my eyes – when did Mt. Pleasant get so fancy? Sadly, this does not match my bedroom. Or any room in my apartment for that matter. Could I hang it in my car? It certainly  matches there.

3. Phillip, my friend from Eco (former gym), sent me these pickle gifts he saw in Helen, Ga. Someone take me to Georgia STAT.

Pickle mints – nobody would kiss me. 

Pickle toothpicks – again, nobody would kiss me.

Pickle soap – one more time, nobody would kiss me. Guess I shouldn’t go to Georgia.

4. Clif came out with new bars!!

 

 

If you eat Clif bars, which bar/flavor do you prefer? The Carrot Cake bar is heavenly. I also love the Kid Z Bars and I’m excited to try the new crispy version!

5. Sometimes I feel ultra creative after a glass of wine. I’m pretty sure he appreciated it, as his comment on it was: “It's just so special, I feel like everything I receive from here on out will pale in comparison.” Little does he know, I can do wonders with a box of markers.

6. This:

7. My blog’s facebook page is only 17 people away from having 1,000 fans! Eeeeeeeeeh! If you’re not already, become a fan here!

What I’m Loving Wednesday Version 4.0

1. I got another pickle birthday present. My manager brought in Japanese pickles!! The difference in these pickles is the addition of soy sauce – holy salt overload.

To say thank you, I whipped up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies after work.

2. Yesterday at work we had the 2011 Enterprise Expo. Elizabeth and I visited the different booths to learn about the partners and solutions that help our company succeed. We may or may not have been lured in by Italian Ice!

There was a cotton candy stand too. Our friend had cookies. Someone else had candy. I can’t believe I still have teeth.

3. On Cow Appreciation Day, I got a picture message from high school friends, April and Josh.

“I know today is like a national holiday for you. Today april and I stopped in harisonburg va and saw a double drive thru at the chick fil a. Took a picture just for you.”

DOUBLE DRIVE THRU? Talk about efficiency!

4. I’ve said this before, but I’m rarely, if ever, competitive with girls. I am, however, competitive with boys, specifically boyfriends. I realize this is not normal, but I cannot begin to explain the excitement over finally winning a Words With Friends game to my ex-boyfriend. This fella is a Charleston Law student whose vocabulary probably doubles mine. As a language major and someone who reads/writes for a living, it drove me bonkers every time he won. I finally did it!

I am not sorry for louding him out.

5. Speaking of cellular devices, I finally ordered a cover for my new phone. I dropped it four times last weekend. Does this not scream Clemson, Auburn, sheer obnoxiousness?

6. A few friends and I have started a book club. The first book we’re reading is House Rules, by Jodi Picoult.

After two pages, I was hooked. I am now halfway finished and am really enjoying it. For those of you who have not read the book, it is about a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who is accused of murder. Pick it up if you’re looking for a good mystery!

7. This Bits of Truth quote:

On that note, I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. Smile at a stranger today – you never know how much of an impact this simple gesture can have on another person.

‘Twas a Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday was a good day! The whole day just went well and I was in a great mood. I started off my morning by correcting/prettifying a presentation. I was surrounded by grammar books and style guides and it just felt so right. NERD ALERT.

I also destroyed an entire pack of gum. Again. As of about a week ago, I have been going through a pack of gum a day. This was my pack of gum with four pieces left at 2:17 p.m. You’d think I was stressed or something.

After work, I headed straight to the gym for an interval run that went a little something like this:

Warm Up @ 4.0 for 75 sec

Sprint @ 7.0 for 75 sec

Walk @ 4.0 for 75 sec on 4.0 incline

Sprint @ 7.0 for 75 sec

Walk @ 4.0 for 75 sec on 4.0 incline

Repeat for 30 minutes, end with a 2 minute cool-down @ 4.0, no incline.

I was Christina Lee Sweaty when I left!

After the gym (and a shower obvi), Lucy and I met Margaret at Cinebarre to see Something Borrowed. I read the book a couple years ago and loved it, and had high hopes for the movie. It definitely lived up to my expectations. Colin Egglesfield, who plays Dex, is probably the hottest thing I’ve seen since Zac Efron. Dear God, bring me one of him!!!!!!!

At the movies, Marg and I ordered some treats to share: a Diet Coke (my first in 30 days!) and FRICKLES!

Megan and Caroline were right – they were delicious! They weren’t as crispy or sour as I expected,  and had much more batter on them the ones from Leaf. One of them was crispier than the rest, and that was my favorite. I can’t believe I’m describing fried pickles so much.

Please note Marg’s gum.

I also picked up my 4th CSA box today! It was full of greens!

In this week’s box were:

• cabbage
• leaf lettuce
• radishes
• romaine lettuce
• rutabagas
• spinach
• spring and sweet onions
• Swiss chard

I also had broccoli, but I swapped it for an extra head of cabbage. So far, I have been more excited about getting the strawberries and spring onions than anything else. Has anyone cooked a rutabaga before? According to the Pinckney’s Produce website, rutabagas are a cross between turnips and cabbage. Pretty neat! I’m still loving my CSA goodies and am always excited for a new box each Tuesday. Oh, and Pinckney’s, if you’re reading, I’m so sorry, but I currently have three of your green boxes. I promise to return them all next week! :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!