but first

casey, ashley, jonathan and i have been known to have many a fabulous outing.  and of course we've had a list of some things we wanted to do together.  having a picnic was one of them.  

but casey had to leave us and move to DC for grad school, or something silly like that. so suddenly we were running out of time to do the things on our list.  so we had our picnic, 

with ashley's fabulous picnic basket,

and the boys cooked because they are so sweet and we were crazy stressed with studying for the core,

and made a fancy cocktail, in a beautiful jar,

and it was all so delightful.

xoxo

back in action

it's over. i hope.  three days done and now we wait to see if we passed.  

So for the last couple of months i've been "crafting" up this binder for the core:

But now that's over and it's back to real crafting, the fun kind.

I actually even took Sunday, the day before the exam started, to do some relaxation and got so much crafting done, it was fabulous.  There are many projects to share from it, so get excited.

I'm back.

xoxo

the best and the worst

the best potato salad is my mema's.  it's not complicated, it just is. 

So of course I made it for the fourth

Ingredients:

potatoes, hard boiled eggs, pickles, red onion, mayo, salt, pepper, and celery salt. 

check.

also, the core exam is in a week. ONE WEEK.

expect nothing until post.

xoxo

the fourth

where everyone plays along with the theme and wears red, white, and blue.

What better way to celebrate america then with friends, food, drink, games, and fire? Ashley, Casey, Shira, and Huck hosted everyone for all that and more. And it was fabulous.

And we had two flag cakes!!!

We should really do this every week. 

I'm just saying.

xoxo

nothing quite like

a life sized board game!!! For realz people.


We saw this in Savannah:

People playing giant bananagrams!


We of course decided that this could easily be made, and when we got back, Jonathan had the brilliant idea to make it for the fourth, so we did.


Our cardboard pieces were much smaller then the Savannah crew who rocked a record size square, ours were closer to a CD case, but still large enough to require some running around. 

So yeah, it's pretty simple: look up the letter distribution list (144 letters), cut some cardboard and write some letters, bring to a yard and have fun!

Needless to say it was a big hit at the party

even huck got involved! 

so get cracking on a giant board game.  

It's the best way I've found to workout.

xoxo

oh sweet savannah

You are always so lovely, even in the heat of summer.

Jonathan and i went down for the weekend. He had never been and obviously, I'm a big fan.

We drove down on Friday and stayed in the Historic District, which was perfect.  After getting settled in we strolled down by the water front, which is really just not that exciting.  It's pretty touristy and the cobblestone can be a bit cumbersome. 

We then walked around the district until Broughton, the shopping drag, and settled on Kayak Kafe for dinner and then some drinks at the hotel bar, which is always a winner. 

Saturday was full on historic district day.  We walked to Forsyth Park and explored the pup-friendly farmer's market (always a treat) and felt the heat.  We also discovered a wonderful game, but that's for another next post...

We explored the squares, and shop-filled streets, read up on the history, cooled off in the Telfair museums, visited the  Colonial Park Cemetary and had lunch at the SoHo South Cafe

lunch at that cafe.  We followed that up with some always delicious ice cream from Leopolds

After a much need siesta we headed back out for a drink at Moon River, which was just okay, and then to Jen's and Friends, because who doesn't love a ridiculous girly cocktail? Apparently no one. Really. The bar had the most surprising clinetal, very male heavy, and a sportsbar kind of male...we enjoyed some of less ridiculous varieties (read fruity as opposed to creamy/chocolaty) 

We finished up the day with dinner at Ruan Thai and a trip to the pool

Sunday was an out of town day of sorts.  We spent the morning exploring the Bonaventure Cemetary.

And then had lunch at my absoulte favorite establishment in all of Savannah: Sisters of the New South. It's seriously the best soul food, in the world. 

Then we headed out to Tybee to check out the ocean.  Unfortunately, we were not alone and literally could not find parking so after a very brief trip to the island we stopped at Fort Pulaski and explored it for a bit. We missed the canon firing (lame) because they were hosting a baseball game with a team from another fort... It was way too hot for that nonsense. 

We headed back into town and chilled out by the pool before hitting the streets.  We found a drink at Six Pence Pub, which was a funny little place, and then some dinner at Mellow Mushroom, which is just as good as it is here.  

Yes, i don't normally see the point of eating at establishments I have at home, but the limitations on vegetarian options was too annoying at that point so we went with what we new to be a winner.

We finished up the evening at the Crystal Beer Parlor for dessert and well, beer and some very friendly bartenders.  We got caught in a funny windstorm that turned into rain after we got back to the hotel, but it did help to cool the town down.

Monday we wrapped up things in Savannah by visiting the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist,  the Mickve Israel Temple, the Owens-Thomas House (which is part of the Telfair), and lunch at Clary's Cafe, which was too touristy for us. 

Then we said goodbye to Georgia and Savannah, for a while at least and headed home.  On the drive back, we did the unthinkable: we stopped at South of the Border.  I know, how could we? But the prospect of ridiculous postcards was so appealing we made the mistake.  It wasn't worth it, it's a very strange and unfortunate place.  Overall Savannah was as lovely as ever, though a bit toasty and lacking in some veggie-head friendly options.  

xoxo

butter butter...lamb

We have a problem. By we, I really mean ashley, but I'm knee deep in it too. 

What's the problem? Butter lambs.  

What's a butter lamb you say, well a traditional butter lamb is a lamb sculpted from butter, as seen here, from Easter (made by Casey), or listen here for a full appreciation of the love of a butter lamb.

So really, what's the big deal? Well the deal is that Ashley saw a dog that looked exactly like this butter lamb and then another one! And now all we talk about is a butter lamb in any incarnation.

So when in Savannah I saw this tombstone:

I nearly fainted, though that may have been from the heat...

But really, do you see it? It's there, a butter lamb on top of a tombstone! 

How incredible and ridiculous in a wonderful way.

I'm sure there will be more butter lambing to come so get excited.

xoxo

la-la land for a hot minute

Yes, it really was for a hot minute, or three days...but that's just not enough time. 

I was greeted by my wonderful friends and family and got caught up on all my favorites:

Sangria and Argentinean at 1810

The best froyo at froyolife

a ridiculous late night meal at in-and-out. sooo good, but maybe it's for the best we don't have it here...

and of course, real mexican from la cabanita. no one does a better mole 

miss you already,

xoxo

food lately: eatstudysleep repeat

eating while studying means some easy things:

like a scramble with a veggie patty, potatoes, and tomatoes 

cheese tortellini with pesto and tomatoes

a snack of peach and nutella on a sweet roll

and a pizza with peaches, tofu, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and basil

keep eating kids, i hear it's good for you

xoxo

a new addition

definitely not a baby people! 

no a tumblr, maybe the same? no, you're right.  

but it's here if you care. I think it will be for quick things and this for long things.

at least that's the plan.

also, studying is all the time now, panic is at a medium, trying to keep it there.

xoxo

bike baby

ashley sent me a link with the perfect bike for me. and it really is. why? oh yes, that's a picnic basket for the basket, and those colorful bags that i can never remember the proper name of, and she's in milan, my former home. so good.

now, if she only taught me how to ride a bike we'd be all set for some adorable riding around town...

On a side note, ashbash is all over the place right now -- click here for a listing of all her sites, she's a winner, literally!

also, savannah soon.

xoxo