everyday musings

morris & king.

2012-05-25T07:22:00.000-04:00

More scenes from my neighborhood, including a quick stop in this place (I love it most when its empty).

five o'clock.

2012-05-24T07:49:00.000-04:00

Working 9-5 makes five o'clock feel real special.

Things like baby clementines in a Blue Moon suddenly seem hilarious and note-worthy.

Whatever. It's the little things.

the ordinary.

2012-05-23T07:50:00.000-04:00

FIG officially has a sister. The Ordinary.

Exciting stuff. Amazing work by Fuzzco.

a walk around the block.

2012-05-22T07:55:00.000-04:00

We took a little evening walk around the block last night.

I love seeing the way the afternoon light hits a pastel wall or how the flowers droop from the window boxes just so. Spring Street isn't the most picturesque place at first glance -- but when you really stop to look, it's pretty special.

breakfast time.

2012-05-21T06:58:00.000-04:00

My mornings can often be hectic. I stay in bed until the last minute, quickly shower and mindlessly eat yogurt over the sink before I rush out the door with wet hair.

But lately I've been making a point to sit down to breakfast. The ritual is soothing; boil water for the french press, foam milk for the coffee, stir oatmeal, slice strawberries. Sometimes I even light candles.

It's so simple, I know, but it makes all the difference in the world.

rainy brunch.

2012-05-18T08:03:00.000-04:00

Sunday called for a rainy day brunch on Hailey's porch. Mimosas and fruit and bacon galore.

Charleston has been getting amazing thunderstorms lately. I love gray days for a change, and lately I've been craving them. Rain evokes the best kind of sleep there is.

strawberry rhubarb crisp.

2012-05-17T07:47:00.001-04:00

Warm weather means fruity desserts.

Crisps are my favorite. Slightly healthier than pie and much easier to put together, they're an infinitely adaptable summertime staple.

For the filling, mix strawberries, rhubarb, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a spoonful or two of sugar.

For the topping, mix a cup of oats, a cup of brown sugar, a cup of flour, and a handful of nuts (in this case I used toasted pistachios). Cut in about a half cup of cold butter until the mixture is clumping together.

Bake at 375 degrees until it's bubbling and browning and turning a gorgeous shade of fuschia. Top with fresh mint.

Best served with pink wine on a porch.

sunrise ride.

2012-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sunrise and sunset bike rides. Forever the best way to start and end every day.

roasted vegetable baked penne.

2012-05-11T09:08:00.001-04:00

Roasted vegetable baked penne has been one of my favorite dishes to make since high school. It's not difficult, but it is time consuming - so it's perfect for those days when you want to spend a peaceful day in the kitchen (and need to feed a crowd). It's infinitely adaptable and always turns out great.

Basic Directions
On one pan, roast 3-4 small squash/zuchhinis with olive oil and sea salt at around 375 until golden and crispy. On another pan, roast some baby heirloom tomatoes in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Sautee mushrooms on the stove with butter, truffle oil, garlic, and rosemary until browned and on the crispy side.

Sautee onions until caramelized.

Make a homemade tomato sauce. Mine is pretty simple - garlic, onions, two cans diced tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, pepper, and extra red pepper for a kick.

Cook pasta until it's halfway done.

Mix all the ingredients together, plus 12-16oz of ricotta, 10oz of fresh mozzerella, fresh basil, and a couple handfuls of sundried tomatoes. Pour into dish and top with parmesan and more basil. Bake at 350 degrees or until the top is browned, about 30 minutes.

smelling the tulips.

2012-05-10T07:41:00.000-04:00

I've been making a point to wake up earlier this week, if only for a few extra minutes to sip coffee and admire my tulips.

There's really something to be said for slowing down and smelling the roses.

lush.

2012-05-09T07:54:00.000-04:00

The peninsula is as lush as it's ever been. Lawns are saturated green and yards are spilling over the edges with flowers and shrubbery. Jasmine and garden roses peek around every corner and the smells are intoxicating. It makes me wish I was a gardener like my mom and grandma. Someday.

breakfast on grove street.

2012-05-07T07:48:00.000-04:00

Before I knew them very well, Mason, Kristen, and Blake invited me to their house for breakfast. I loved that they invited me into their home, instead of the usual meeting for brunch. I loved how they wore pajamas and played music so loud so early.

This time, while Blake gathered flowers and food and cooked a delicious meal, I rode my bike the long way and showed up just in time to eat. The music was loud and the table was set. Sunflowers and Brother greeted me. A vision of comfort and happiness.

baked eggs in roasted tomatoes.

2012-05-04T08:43:00.000-04:00

Baked. Eggs. In. Roasted. Tomatoes. I'm over the moon about them.

It's super simple: slice the top of the tomatoes off, take out the tomato insides, and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. Roast at a high temperature (375-400 depending on your oven) for about 20 minutes. Crack the egg inside, top with some fresh basil and parmesan, and roast for about 8 more minutes (or until the egg looks done). Et voila. The perfect summer meal.

gray days.

2012-05-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

Gray days at the beach house suit me just fine. It's the most peaceful time to catch up on reading or spend hours making a mushroom quiche. And if you're really feeling antsy, there's always an adventure to be had.

noodle night at home.

2012-05-02T08:42:00.002-04:00

My obsession with Noodle Night at Larder has fueled an obsession of making noodles at home. Who knew it was so simple? I've been using a vegetable broth base and adding tons of ginger, spring onions, and sriracha.

I prefer the Soba noodles (buckwheat) and for the vegetables, I use whatever I have around -- carrots, edamame, kale, mushrooms, etc. Finish with a soft-boiled egg, kimchi, sesame seeds, bean sprouts, and fresh mint -- and you have yourself a delicious noodle bowl.

sunday boatin'.

2012-05-01T08:03:00.001-04:00

Sunday during breakfast, we had the brilliant idea of taking Mason's uncle's boat out on Shem Creek. We all had to-do lists for the day, but at the mere mention of "boat," all obligations were happily forgotten.

I love seeing our little peninsula from a different perspective.

paddleboarding in the rain.

2012-04-27T08:17:00.001-04:00

The beach house is my happy place. Waking up to endless water views and the saltiest breeze floating through the open windows puts a calm on me like nothing I've ever experienced. Being somewhat isolated -- and therefore being forced to slow down -- does wonders for my soul.

Paddleboarding in the rain was one of those peaceful times. We filled the wetsuits with warm water as we shivered and struggled to get them on. The wind carried us away, and the farther we paddled the harder the rain came down. In the midst of the downpour, I stopped paddling and let the rain drops sting my face. We were on top of the world, if only for thirty minutes.

these two.

2012-04-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

These are two of the most magnetic, charismatic, sweet people I've ever known. Their energy and joie de vivre is contagious and I'm so glad to know them.

P.S. Just try to watch this without smiling.

tuesday roses.

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend at the beach house with the funniest people I know, so today I'm playing catch up. For now, some roses from a covered arch we discovered during an outing to Manteo.

belmont.

2012-04-20T07:48:00.001-04:00

Since the day they opened their doors a year and a half ago, Belmont has been a staple in my life. The space is stunning -- white beadboard walls, an intricate tin roof, black and white tiled floors, and a huge dramatic clock. My dinner consists of a glass of crisp white wine and their cheese plate (with extra grilled zucchini and pickled things) far more often than it probably should.

They've never had an online presence, but I recently took some photos for their soon-to-be-launched website. In the photo is owner Mickey, giggling over his first "drink of the day" instagram. He's hooked.

juice.

2012-04-19T08:24:00.000-04:00

We bought a juicer last weekend and have all of the sudden turned into juicin' fools.

We've tried everything (even loquats), but my favorite (especially to wake up to) is carrot-apple-orange-ginger.

Future flavors I want to try: green apple-celery-mint and pineapple-fennel. I'm working the vegetables in slowly.

brother.

2012-04-18T08:37:00.000-04:00

We dogsat Little Brother over the weekend. It was so nice having a pup to walk and snuggle at all times -- it almost made me understand why my mom has become a crazy animal lady.

(Rumor has it, he's part fox.)

ginger for a ginger.

2012-04-16T09:02:00.001-04:00

Thanks to this talented fellow, Everyday Musings has a pretty new logo. Inspired by a vintage floral postage stamp because this is, in fact, my love letter to Charleston. Or wherever in the world I am.

gullah/geechee pop up supper.

2012-04-13T08:32:00.000-04:00

Butcher and Bee started a new series of Sunday night pop up suppers, Gullah/Geechee style.

The dinners are served family style and the food is stunning. The oyster stew and ginger cabbage blew my mind.

There's a certain closeness in sharing food and wine with complete strangers. It feels simple and right -- and suddenly, like the only thing that makes sense on a Sunday evening.

easter breakfast.

2012-04-12T08:48:00.000-04:00

We made breakfast (simple asparagus and eggs), went to the beach (and made ceviche on the beach, cebeach-day), watched a baseball game from up high, and rode bikes to the edge of the peninsula and into the night.

Holidays (even small ones) make me miss my family, but this one was nice.

In other news, I got an iPhone! I'm already instagramming away.