Happy Halloween

I carved an awesome pumpkin this year, Jack Skellington!

I celebrated Halloween early this year since it was, unfortunately, on a Monday.  So sad.

This holiday tends to creep up on me and I am never prepared to celebrate it ( I am always scrambling for a costume at the very last minute).   This year was no exception but fortunately I had all the components that I needed to be Rosie the Riveter!

I'm not going to lie, I was pretty sure that I would be mistaken for Aunt Jemima or a maid.

I think the only reason this didn't happen is because no one knew who I was...

Julia, from this well written blog, came up to Boone for a visit, making my day better than I had hoped for. After an anticlimactic trip to a bar, which appeared to have the sole purpose of housing rejected pledges, we corrected our mistake and made it to the Bafoodus Halloween dance party in time to catch Thriller!
The band also closed with a song that I have been obsessing over lately, I couldn't believe it!








Happy November, I can't believe it is already here!

Atlanta

I have been so distracted lately.  Maybe it's the sudden wintry weather that has arrived in Boone or maybe just that mid semester lull.  Either way I can't seem to do anything: homework, staying in contact with friends, or updating my blog...

For Fall break my dearest friend Zack and I took a trip to Atlanta to visit another dear friend, Aimee.  It was awesome to get out of Boone and go somewhere other than Brevard; a well needed change of scenery.    I do love living in Boone again but all in all I think that I am ready to strike out in a new place, that's a bit bigger, where there are new things to discover!

Anyway, it was great to see Aimee and to enjoy the perfect, warm weather in Atlanta.
We enjoyed lunch at Majestic Diner on Ponce (that's Ponce De Leon for all of us uncool tourists).  It was a cute, super trendy spot with diner standards that one would expect.






Zack and I looking rough as usual...


I ordered the vegetable plate (I know the name is questionable).  The collard greens were AMAZING!

We also headed down to Krog Tunnel, a regular spot for graffiti artists to display their skillz.
There were some interesting pieces and a lot of scary loud motorcycles.







And...as we had not eaten for five minutes, it was essential to stop to get Frozen Yogurt.
Note: Aimee and Zack talked up Yoforia and how incredible it was etc, etc. However, we didn't eat there we pulled up to the first FroYo spot in sight, Yogley Mogley...apparently it is all the same!  What?!





Most of the weekend centered around eating, which is fine by me!  I definitely recommend checking out El Taco, I don't think that I ate a single thing there that I didn't love!  We also went to MJQ Concourse, which is essentially an underground car park converted into a bar and dub step club.  A very interesting scene with pretty solid house music!  All in all, a great time for such a short two day trip.  I can't wait for the next time I'm willing to tough out the AWFUL drive from Boone!


Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!
(I hope it is warmer where you are than in my house!)

Bike,Bike,Bike,Bike

This past weekend I went home to Brevard to enjoy time with family and friends as well as to help out with the Zombie themed alley cat race (which was wonderful)!

In fact, Brevard is just wonderful!  It is so beautiful, the people are the best, and the unexpected always happens.  I honestly did not expect to spend my evening dressed as prom date zombie, while participating in some pretty incredible checkpoint activities.  Or to end the night enjoying a metal show while watching Gumby and Pokey mosh down front.  Everyone's costumes were out of this world and the level of participation made this event an overall success!  

Why did I leave Brevard for grad school??? Silly, Silly!!!

I couldn't help bust post all of these pictures.  The variations in expressions in each of them are absolutely hilarious!!! More pictures of the costumes and checkpoints to come!

Friday Hike

Last Friday, I went on a hike with Miles to Yellow Mountain in Avery County.  I had no idea what I was in for, but Miles assured me that there was an incredible view at the end.  He certainly was right; the best part is that the hike follows the Tennessee/North Carolina border and from the top Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virgina are all visible.  I was kind of bummed that the leaves were not in peak season but I guess that just means I have more time to get out and enjoy them!  The hike went by so quickly and the day was absolutely perfect.  What began looking dreary turned into warm, sunshiney perfection!  I think the weather held out just for us since the clouds started rolling in during our descent!

I love the shadow on the far side of the mountain!

The night before, I made blackberry muffins using an incredibly simple recipe that turned out oh so well (I'll try to post the recipe soon, thanks Mom)!!!

Apparently this is a heavily photographed spot in WNC, too bad my photo is a bit lack luster!

 

Miles climbed on top of a huge boulder.  I attempted to climb it but scraped my wrists instead, typical!

I can't wait to continue enjoying Fall!  I'm currently in search of everything pumpkin flavored and have tentatively agreed to run the Flight of the Vampire in Brevard.  Speaking of Brevard, I can't wait to head home this weekend to help out with the Zombie Alleycat race happening on Friday (you may remember the photos I posted about the last Alleycat, here).

Have a wonderful weekend, I know that I will!

Coconut Bread

A while back I stumbled upon a recipe for coconut bread and seeing as my appetite for coconut has been insatiable for the past couple of months I couldn't resist making it IMMEDIATELY.  I did a little bit of research and discovered that the recipe belongs to Bill Granger, a rather famous Australian chef.  His notably wonderful breakfast and brunch dishes retain the elements of traditional comfort foods but always with a twist.  He also has some great cookbooks; I would love to get my hand on this one.

Here's the recipe, I recommend giving it a try!

Bill's Coconut Bread (from Baking Sheet)
2 eggs
1 1/4 c milk
1 t vanilla ( I actually used coconut extract instead of vanilla and LOVED it)
2 1/2 c flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 t cinnamon
1 c and a bit caster sugar
2 c shredded coconut
1/3 c butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla in one bowl.
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon. Stir in sugar and coconut. Make a well in the center and pour in egg mixture. Stir until just combined. Add butter and stir until just smooth, being careful not to overmix.
3. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, or until tester comes out clean. Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

The recipe is really simple, quick, and easy to follow!  All attributes that I adore when it comes to cooking.  It's always disappointing to take on a difficult baking recipe only to have it turn out so-so.  I assure you this won't happen, just don't overcook it!!!

Light Writing

I love to learn about new things to do with my camera.  Light writing was the latest experiment and it was a great success that I would love to try out again (this time with more colors and in a much darker location)!!!

My friend Gillie and I braved the cold to watch Miles' band, The Get Downs, play at the Let It BE music festival in Banner Elk.  It was a great time despite the time and temperature complications!  Afterward, Gillie volunteered to help me try out light writing, here are some of our results:

This was a complete accident, isn't it crazy that it looks like an angel?

Gillie became quite the light artist, while my skills still need some significant improvement!

(The camera and genie lamp are my favorites)
All in all, a great night!  I can't wait for the next time!

Richmond II

Lately, I just can't keep up!  There is so much to do and so little I actually want to do.

The balance is fragile to say the least.

My dear friends in the following photos have been hounding me for over a week to edit and post them so without further adieu, here are some photos from my lovely weekend in Richmond with two of my favorite people in the world.  I miss these ladies so much, I didn't appreciate those days in Sevilla enough!

Welcome to the Three Chopt Residence!

 
The requisite trinity photo.  Not Hannah's senior portrait pose.

 
We tried to tell Hannah that there was a new trinity and that she wasn't part of it.
She refused to listen!

I missed App's first home game to watch Richmond beat Wagner (big deal, huh)!
Who is Wagner anyway????

So precious, Hannah and Ryan!

It was so awesome to be able to spend time with these long distance friends!!! I cannot wait until it happens again.  Now, if you will pardon me I am off to enjoy the Fall weather which has descended rather suddenly on Boone.  I have missed early mornings, crisp air, and being outside.  This hiking trip happened in the nick of time and I just can't wait!

The Weekend

This past weekend I went to Richmond to visit two of my favorite people and have yet another Sevilla reunion!

(I cannot wait for everyone to make a trip to Boone so that we can get the whole crew together)

Unfortunately, my camera battery is charging so I cannot upload any photos at the moment but, suffice to say that they are on there way!

My weekend starts again tomorrow and yet another reunion, with a few of my favorite ASU Alums, football, fun, and food! Way to go Fall, you are awesome so far! 

Summer In Recap

In the interest of not being boring, I will upload a multi-part summer recap through photos!

(This is the part where I make excuses, I have a lot of new photos to edit but my iPhoto is corrupted so it is a very frustrating process...valid?)

This is what I have been up to:

A little photo shoot for my friend Brittany's America's Next Top Model Audtion

This awesome little fellow was in love with the roof of my car, he let me stalk him on several occasions
 

Fresh Raspberries from the backyard which were turned into raspberry-basil smoothies!

New Glasses! Zenni Optical, a dream come true!

Beautiful lavender and a beautiful Momma! More of these, with bees to come!

Mountain Laurel in bloom

I participated in the 'Fast Times at Brevard High Alley Cat Race'

This was the trophy! So much fun to hang out with some hilarious girls while making biker's don what could be classified as the runoff from MC Hammer's closet.

Caitlyn was the perfect model for the occasion, she's used the paparazzi.

The summer of breakfast smoothies! Blueberry, walnut, and honey!!!

Summer evening get-togethers!!! Too bad my croquet skillz are not up to par, I need another summer in Vermont to hone them.

More to come!!!

What Isn't New?

Hi! Remember me?

I'm back and wow, has a lot happened!

Summer is over, all of my friends have dispersed (as is the case when August rolls around), and I am all moved into my new apartment in Boone! 

Bye, bye Brevard, I did enjoy our last 7 months together.  Thanks for getting me back on my feet and reuniting me with some of the best friends a girl can have!

 
Looking Glass Rock, Brevard, NC 

There are far too many updates to cover but, in my absence life has definitely changed.

-I finished finance (the bane of my existence this summer)

-Worked a million hours a week

-Stayed up way past my bed time, way too much

-Reconnected with my lovely hometown and made many new friends

-Found an ideal apartment within walking distance to EVERYTHING

-Was chosen for an assistanship

-Started the MBA program (and maybe even fell in love with it)

I am still getting settled into this new life as a grad student.  Half of the time I can't believe that I actually decided to go through with this and the other half of the time I am kind of lonely after being surrounded by so many people I love all summer.  But, so far, so good.  I am having a huge problem with time management and establishing a schedule so that I can fit in exercise, work, homework, and some semblance of a social life (thus far, I have failed at channeling my highly motivated friend Julia).  If you have any advice about waking up in the morning and setting a routine I would love to hear about it!!!

The Burning House

I have a profound love of reading people's blogs
(those I know and especially those I don't)
Generally, I find new reads via my current ones, which is exactly what happened today. I stumbled upon The Burning House and became so impressed by what an incredible idea it is! I always have dreams about simplifying my life; cleaning out the closet and clearing out the useless items that inevitably accumulate by staying in one place too long, I feel like this is good inspiration to do that!

I am going to take some time to evaluate what I would take if my house were burning
(I think it really puts things in perspective)
and maybe, just maybe I will find the time to submit a photo.

While browsing I came across this entry,

Name: Giulia Baldini

Location: Rome, Italy

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Website: http://www.behance.net/giuliabaldini

List:

• My MacBook Pro
• Ipod Touch
• Iphone 4 White
• my perfume: “Roger & Gallet Paris”
• Dior Vernis Rouge
• necklace paris
• hair band
• My Moleskine
• My Portfolio
• Black Ray Ban eyewear
• Canon Eos 1000
• My favourite Cardigan
• Music Cd- “The Sound of the smiths”
• One of my book collections: “1000 Modelli di packaging - Logos”

and it reminded me of myself
(not so much that our things are exactly the same, but that they are similar in genre)

Maybe Giulia and I are kindred spirits
(maybe not...)

Either way, I find this blog to be very insightful!

Strawberry-Rhubarb

I have made this seasonal treat twice now and I have to say that it is the best and easiest thing I have ever made. It causes sighs of delight and disappears almost instantly (seriously, half was gone within a half hour)! I wish I could be provided with an endless supply of rhubarb, a seriously underrated vegetable, and that it's growing season wasn't sooo short!
However, thanks to this pie, a rhubarb bed is in the works!!!
Can't wait for next summer's pie season.




The color of rhubarb is incredible!



Unfortunately, I had to rush off to work before my pie finished and even more sadly, it had been ravaged before I was able to take some final product pictures (maybe that isn't so sad after all, maybe it just means my superior culinary skills have finally been realized by the masses, maybe I am just becoming disillusioned...?).

If you really want to impress people, make this pie!

I used this recipe
(PS: I overdid it a little on the cinnamon/vanilla and boy was it good!)