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!