Jeremiah 29:11

Do you ever let your posts sit in the 'warming drawer' for a few hours before you post?  Save to drafts but not publish?  Sometimes I feel like I should let them "mature" but sometimes I just need to be honest with myself and post things as they fly off my fingertips and onto my keyboard.  Raw.  


I am officially transitioning roles at work, effective tomorrow.  I am really excited about this opportunity to experience different sides of the industry and expand my knowledge base.   It will be a great experience, and I have an opportunity to hit a home run.

However, there was a time in my very recent past when I wasn't quite sure what I would be doing.  With what company.  In what city.  In what industry.  The fear, frustration, and the unknown were paralyzing and all-consuming.  So many terrible thoughts ran through my head- all the what ifs. What if I- the primary bread winner until Lash finished med school {already a frightening idea in itself, hehe :) }- was unable to provide for our dear family to be?

I spent many a sleepless nights tossing and turning in agony.  I used to never understand sometimes if my dad had a rough day at work and brought his frustration home.  We used to call it being on the war path.  Now, I get the joke. . . . and I'm afraid to admit I was probably on the war path for a month.  


However, as things have unfolded and my uncertainities were turned to certainties, I can now look back with confidence and say that I am thankful for the challenge, the trials, and frustrations because during that time, I had to cling to the cross.

The verse, "do not be anxious" was seriously every corner I turned.  Luci's intouch ministries daily devotion, my boss' letter he put on my chair, my daily conversations with my parents, Lash's reassurances, my friends' texts.


And, every step I took, I heard, "For I know the plans I have for you."  Sometimes it was louder than others, but all the while, I knew someone had big plans for me.

I tell you this- perhaps as assurances for whatever you are experiencing- that there is One who is faithful who loves you and is saying, "I KNOW THE plans I have for YOU.  I know.  THE plans. I have for YOU."


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillippians 4:6

Upside Down, Inside Out, and Backwards

I wore two different pairs of shoes to work today!! Are you kidding me?!?!

Christmas Cards

My uncle recently scanned and uploaded some of our old Christmas cards to Facebook.

I loved the walk down memory lane and was reminded how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful sister and best friend by my side.  I just had to share these pictures. Some of them are hysterical!

Goose- looking at these, we've sure grown up a lot, but I'm so glad we've had each other. Thanks for being the best little sister in the world.  143!

Busted Biscuits and Chocolate Peanut Butter Redemption

Several years ago, my mother organized and co-wrote a fundraising cookbook for my high school that is a wonderful compilation of our favorite lowcountry tastes and traditions.  Around our house, this book is frequently referred to as our second Bible!  All of our family favorites are included, and I can't imagine being in the kitchen without it.   Want to order one?  Click here or call Beaufort Academy.

Moving on. . .

The joke around my parent's kitchen is that Luci is the baker and I am not.  I love to cook.  I appreciate the art of cooking so much more than the science of baking.  The precision of it freaks me out, and I tend to overanalyze the simplest steps.  2 cups of sifted flour?  As I stare at the bowl, I wonder if this exactly 2 cups?  What if I pressed down harder and compacted the flour harder on this cup than the last?  OMG, flour is getting everywhere, my kitchen is a mess! Ahhh...

A cold winter night last week, I reheated some gumbo for supper and wanted to make some biscuits to go with it.  Full Moon, High Tide has these awesome sour-cream drop cheddar cheese biscuits that are so delicious and light, and I decided to give them a whirl.

However, being lazy and ignoring all rules of baking, I marched on.

I did not have a flour sifted and skipped that step.  The dough looked dry as I was finished beating everything together {ha, like I know from experience}, so I added a touch more butter, and a touch more sour cream so I could throw the container away.

Big. Mistake.

The biscuits had freaking craters in the middle of them. And they tasted like a big buttery gooey disaster.  Not even the Sweet Potato Butter from Lowcountry Produce or Lash's sweet attempt to put down a few could save these busted biscuits and they ultimately ended up in the trash.

Noted: Baking 'scientists' probably know what in the world they are talking about when they write the recipe as such.

As I mentioned previously, Lash rang in the big 2-5 Wednesday.  We had fun plans of wining and dining our way through town Saturday night by taking advantage of Charleston's Restaurant Week, but a delayed flight home Friday and a bad cold for me, and a full day of studying Saturday for Lash changed our plans.  Santa brought Lash a deep fryer for Christmas, and per the birthday boy's request, we figured what a perfect opportunity to give it a whirl.  I do love a relaxing night at home!

However, since we were not going out, I felt bad for the slighted birthday boy {though he was completely happy} and decided to make it up to him by surprising him with his favorite combo- chocolate and peanut butter!  My roommate recently made this cake, and let me tell you, it is to die for.  It is extremely labor intensive, but absolutely worth it in the end, especially for the chocolate peanut butter lover.

Allow me to introduce you to Sour Cream-Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate- Peanut Butter Glaze courtesy of the Smitten Kitchen Blog.

Professional images via their blog

Allow me to introduce you to what my cake looked like:

Yes, those are twizzlers. I forgot to buy the number "5" at the grocery store.  Gotta be flexible.

OMG.

Y'all.

In my house, baking leads to bad words and drinking.  I almost got into the wine at 3:00 when I had to start over because I had not read the directions clearly, but I did manage to hold off until 5:30 when I was putting the final chocolate glaze on the cake.  That's why it looks so crappy.  By that point, I was so. over. the. cake.

But despite the outward appearance, it is incredibly delicious, moist, creamy, chocolate-y heaven.  And I'm proud of myself for getting back on that baking horse and powering through a fun labor of love for my man!

I was almost too embarrassed to show these photos, but I am really thankful for my blog to capture my up's and down's in the kitchen.  I'm just keeping it reall!!

City Slicker

I am sitting right now in the Westchester County airport, wrapping up an incredible business trip to NY. 

I loved pretending to be a city girl for a few days.  South Carolina born and raised, my visits to NY have been brief and quite spread apart.  As much as I love being a southern belle, visiting the city is such a fun change!  How incredible to walk everywhere, have fabulous restaurants within your fingertips, and easy transportation at your disposal. I also love the energy and vibe of the city!  And the snow- what a fun change.  I woke up to 5 fresh inches this morning.

Over my stay, I got to meet a lot of people I've worked with for twenty months and had not had the opportunity to meet yet.  How wonderful to finally put a face to a name!  I will say I had a vision of what I expected several to look like and how I expected their mannerisms to be- a couple I had nailed, but a few absolutely threw me for a loop! :)


As I am sitting at the airport, much crowded because of weather and mechanical delays, I am reminded of one of my favorite blogs these days- the lil bee.  A Monday post series entitled "On My Mind. . . " are some of my favorite posts to read. She used to write these on her morning commute on the train, as she was inspired by her surroundings.  I love reading and exploring her thought process.  She is not working or commuting any longer, but still doing the post from home. They are great!

I have chuckled thinking if I were to do "on my mind" post, inspired by this airport.  There is some quality material all around me.  I am staring at TWO cavachons barking up a storm- I pray they are not on my flight. The whiny child behind me is smacking his grapefruits (I hate that sound), and screaming to his mother, "what does constitute mean?" A overall clad man to my left is screaming into the phone, "we gunna go to florida once da plain ben fix'd" Another gentleman behind me saw my Bon Appetit and heckling me if I am a food critic - ah, in my dreams! 

This place is crazy and I can't wait to get home!  I love to travel but there is nothing like coming home.  Lash turned 25 Wednesday and, of course, I missed it so we are going out tomorrow night. We've said we are trying to branch out and try a new restaurant- - - it seems there have been tons of new ones opening in Charleston lately!  I'll keep you posted if we uncover a gold mine.

Also- I know this post is scattered- but please send me any new (preferably healthy) recipes to try!  I have been eating on the ROAD lately traveling and I can't wait to get back into the kitchen next week.  Until then, have a great weekend!!!

Beaufort Party Weekend

As I've mentioned, this past weekend was the official kickoff of our wedding season!

Saturday night, several of my parents' best friends threw us a cocktail party at a gorgeous home overlooking downtown Beaufort.  The guest list had a large Beaufort contingency of my parents' and family's close friends in addition to family and our Wofford friends.  A formal affair, it was the perfect introduction to the festivities and one of the most fun parties I have ever been too.  The entire night I left like I was floating on air and my cheeks hurt by the end of the night from smiling so big.

My family snapping some pictures before the party

Future in-laws!

My parents gave us our first pieces of silver, we finished getting ready, and headed off.

After the receiving line, my dad gave the sweetest toast.

We then cheers-ed in our "happy flutes" which we will be using at all of our live's happy times, at engagement parties, and at our wedding, and laughed and talked the night away.

The flowers were stunning, the food incredible, and they even served Kir Royales- my favorite!

During the party, our hosts graciously gifted us with our first piece of china!

My bridesmaids :)

I am not exaggerating when I say that no one wanted to leave the cocktail party, and I am pretty sure the hosts were ready to drive us downtown themselves while we waited on the cabs.

Sunday, my family and I had everyone over for brunch at my house, hung out on the dock for a little bit, and pretty much everyone dispersed after that for a little downtime.

That afternoon, my parents' other best friends hosted a Lucy Creek Oyster Roast for us at their beautiful home down the creek from my parents.  In true lowcountry fahion, this party was a fun, casual, laid- back affair that showcased some of Beaufort's finest.  No stone was left uncovered in the decor, the food, the band, and the wine (the one, get it??). It was incredible.

Check out this setting- GORGEOUS!

B&G

MOH and FOB

Wofford :)

I am so sad this weekend is over, but what incredible memories. Everything could not have been more perfect.  I am so honored and humbled by how many of our friends were able to make the trek to Beaufort. It would not have been the same without them there, and it just filled my heart to be reunited.

I am on cloud nine.

I just had one of the best weekends of my entire life celebrating our engagement in Beaufort.

Thank you so much for everyone who made it so special and unforgettable.  Your love and support of us as we begin this chapter of our lives together means the world to us and we cannot tell you how much we cherish your dear friendships.

I have tons of pictures I am dying to post, but for brief glimpse, visit Anna's blog and click on her pictures.  I hope to upload some tomorrow, but tonight I am slammed unpacking, writing thank you notes, updating our knot website, getting organized for work, and doing laundry.

Oh, and repacking.  I leave for New York Wednesday morning at 6:35am. (6:35- you did not misread...)

I'm struggling packing as this is the 5 day outlook for Charleston. . .

and in contrast, this is the 5 day outlook for New York.

BRRRR!!