Dinner Belle

It's no secret that the husband didn't marry me for my cooking abilities. I'm sure I could be a great cook but my interests are elsewhere. Now, that being said...if you came to my house you would think I was very much into whipping up a culinary delight at a moments notice with all my beautifully bound cookbooks and cabinet full of Le Creuset. But alas, the husband spends more time in the kitchen than I do. I CAN cook...just don't. That being said, recently I have tried to take a more vested interest in doing so. If not for the sheer fact that most afternoons I'm bored, the toddler is tired, whiny, and needing constant attention so I've devised a routine of putting her in her highchair and rolling her into the kitchen so she can watch as I chop, mince, measure, and stir. She loves it and it's become somewhat therapeutic for me. On Saturday we ventured to our local farmer's market where we bought sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, basil, peppers, and a few other delights. I've mashed the sweet potatoes, sauteed the squash and zucchini, made jalapeno cornbread, chopped the basil and heirlooms and made an incredible Caprese pasta. Tonight...I'll tackle shrimp and grits...using the stone milled grits we recently bought at the honor box at Sciples Mill in Kemper County, Mississippi...a water mill that's been in continuous operation since 1790. I think I enjoy the history of the food as much or maybe more than the actual cooking process itself...I come from a family of farmers and as much as I've strayed from that country road...I will always love the simpleness of fresh food, prepared with love. Now...does Prada make an apron?

Best Bud

Sometimes people, things...come into our lives and make such a mark that you just can't get them off your mind. From their brief glance...long stare...shared kisses, stroke of the hair just behind the ear where they like it the best...it's love at first sight. Such was the case over the 4th weekend...out of nowhere he came. His laid back spirit, stranger to no one demeanor makes him the best friend anyone could ever have. Soon, the husband ventured over to inquire about him as he could see my affection welling up...but we knew that despite his quest for love and attention...and possibly a little table grazing...he...Buddy, wasn't for sale. He belongs to someone...everyone...and his undeniable cuteness, fleas and all, will be there to greet us the next time we're out that way...kicking up dust and falling in love with the ways of a country dog.

image: Buddy dog hanging out...what he does best!

Thursday's things

"Sparkle Britches"

These sparkly sequined shorts from Anthropologie have become such a favorite summer staple of mine. They're part gym shorts with their comfy wide drawstring waist and t-shirt lined inside...and part PARTY! I've worn them with a breezy white tissue tee and flip flops, a black blazer and heels, and most recently an even more casual New Orleans Saints tee and flip flops. Point is...whatever you choose to wear with them, they go with everything, are super comfy, will garner loads of compliments and maybe even the nickname of "sparkle britches" too!

image credit: Anthropologie

July 4th

Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July weekend. We had a great time...with great friends! When all was said and done we danced, laughed, talked for hours and slept very little. We cooked a whole pig, did sparklers and a fireworks display that would rival a small town's celebration. Though we are sad to leave...we are grateful for the time we got with everyone and the memories we made...until next year! image credit: Childe Hassam

Ode to Ruby

Goodbye's are hard for me no matter the situation...which is why I'm greatly dreading the inevitable "goodbye" that's ahead of me. Ruby...I loved her before I even knew her. I dreamt of her lines and boxy compartments, her Harmon Kardon stereo, her ability to navigate rough terrain, her ability to give me a bird's eye view of the roads before me and her leather and suede accoutrement's. She's been with me through highs and lows, she's never left me stranded even when she would sometimes overheat, she's been to the beach, to the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, the U.S. Gran Prix, the Makers Mark Distillery, New Orleans, the lake...so many places. The toddler came home from the hospital in her safe and sound...and her first day of pre-school, 1st birthday party and 2nd birthday party. We've tailgated with Ruby in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia before football games and basked in the streaming sun from her dual sunroofs. We've loved her dearly for the 9 years we've called her ours and it's hard to imagine giving her up, but...she's aging and sadly...being non-human and all, she's not eligible for Medicare! After years of love, years of repairs, years of memories and what's sure to be a very hard "goodbye"...it's time. And so, as I begin to look at what my options are, knowing we will never be able to replace her, I hope that she won't suffer, that her next owner will love her us as much as we have and still do, and that they are super wealthy...because, like her Momma (moi), she is high maintenance, and likes the most expensive things! You will be missed Ruby...my beloved Land Rover.

image credit: friday.co.uk

Thursday's things

Airbrush

That's right...no summer would be complete without an airbrush t-shirt and although it's been years since I've purchased one, last week while on vacation at the beach, my sister and I decided that we would get one..."bring back airbrush"...how cute would some neon brushed air peeking out from behind a black blazer with some faded jeans? Well, little did we know as we stared at the loaded walls of design options and as we approached the pharmacy-esqe desk...the artists were raised up on a platform for all to watch, apparently airbrush never "went out". Sadly we won't be bringing anything back as we were informed by the high-on-fumes checkout girl that the wait for airbrush pick-up was...7 hours! And so, as we hung our sunburned heads we vowed to go straight to the shop much sooner next time we're at the beach!

image credit: flickr

Royal Pain

I suppose it's okay for me to write about this...enough time has passed for my opinion to probably fall on deaf ears as possibly the only thing we can remember at this point is the ring, the dress, and the kiss(es)...oh, and the sister...but here goes...I love a wedding...attending one, planning one, dancing at one...you get the idea. And, I love all things English...the accent, the union jack, the prestige, the cars...you get the idea. However, I do not understand the love affair that was with the Royal Wedding a few months ago. Though I contemplated planning a party (seriously, the decorations would be sooo cute and fun) to sip Pimm's Cups, nosh on finger sandwiches, fish and chips, and watch the wedding in all it's pomp...I just don't know what all the hype was about. I know he's second in line to the throne, I know he's got smashing good looks, I know she wore Diana's ring (which is both nostalgic and beautiful), I know every detail was exquisite. But, in my opinion it parallels the Bachelor Weddings on ABC...so much hype, so much media, so much decoration. Seems to me it takes away from the privy of it all...the elitism, the pureness. Maybe I'm just bitter I didn't receive an invite but enough already with the t-shirts and mugs and tote bags, and plates and magnets, and such. The bookstore down the street from my house had a William and Kate section, you could buy just about anything from programs to bobble heads. And as the Royals were scrambling to plan a Royal wedding, every day commoners were scrambling to be their "look alikes", Lifetime scrambled to make a "made for TV movie" with all the sordid details of their courtship, though I'm unsure how Lifetime has Royal intel, and the Today Show scrambled to send some lucky person to attend. I just think it cliche and overdone. And so, even though I watched, as did the rest of the world, and even though I did kind of wish I was there (a tiny bit), I don't know that I was quite as enamored. Yes, it was beautiful, yes, it will forever be an...er, historical event, I guess I just felt it odd that a family that is so private and secretive in their every day life, to let all of the world view such a sacred event was all very, "hey look at me" of them. Harry, my suggestion...elope!

image credit: theroyalweddingwilliamkate.com