Craving Beignets

With the boyfriend returning from a weekend in New Orleans 

and a dear friend of mine Instagramming photos 

from her past several days spent in Charleston, 

you could easily say that I'm feeling quite a strong sense of 

Southern jealousy these days.

Something about the South enchants me, 

it always has.

I adore Charleston and Savannah, 

having visited each city a few years ago, 

but it's been awhile since I've had some shrimp and grits, 

sat under some Spanish moss

and soaked up the Southern charm that is so unique and special to the region.

I'm hungry for the colors, the architecture, the cuisine; 

I'm eager to give in to my growing wanderlust

and take a little holiday. 

I'm thinking it might be time to turn this little dream trip 

into a little reality in the coming months...

photo courtesy Pinterest 

Ginger Ale & Downton Abbey

Since departing for NYC last Thursday evening, 

I have gone through a complete sickness lifecycle. 

I woke Friday morning with the beginning of the flu 

and it proceeded to worsen during my stay in the city. 

With a blizzard hitting the northeast, making me unable to travel back home earlier, 

our weekend went a little different than planned, 

and I camped out on my girlfriend’s couch, 

as we immersed ourselves in tv, 

lots of (non-alcoholic) fluids, 

and lots more girl talk. 

I returned home Sunday night, 

stomach feeling better but sore throat and cough just getting started 

and not until today, 

a week later, can I say that I finally feel well. 

I don’t know if I had the official flu, 

but I also don’t know the last time I felt this sick, 

this sort of exhaustion, these body aches, and so, 

next year, I’m getting the shot. 

But last weekend in NYC wasn’t a total fail. 

In the midst of feeling like complete crap, 

and being away from the comfort of your own home, 

I was reminded of the amazing friends I have. 

They surrounded me with reassurance, love, care 

and lots of sherbet and ginger ale. 

If I couldn’t be at home, they were the next best thing. 

And so this week, I continued to rest. 

To recuperate. 

And then finally was able to taste flavors again, 

with the boys latest creation: 

buttermilk biscuits stuffed with barbecue pulled pork.

I snuggled with my cat 

and soaked up some reading 

and Downton Abbey catch-up.

I returned to work mid-week 

and caught up and got organized. 

It’s back to reality, 

back to to-do lists, 

to errands, to exercise.

Waking up this morning and finally feeling well, 

felt so, so good. 

photo via Tumblr

Dancing in the...Snow?

I’m off to NYC this evening, 

for one of my classic girls weekends

with some of my absolute favorite people.

A snowstorm is also headed our way

and if we get stranded in their Manhattan apartment, 

unable to leave all weekend, 

stocked up on tv shows, great music, 

wine, pasta and cookies....

Well, that should likes perfection. 

But putting on some boots, scarves, gloves and hats, 

and venturing out in the blizzard 

to dance and and start a snowball fight...

Well, I wouldn’t put that past us either. 

I’ve been hibernating for awhile now,

but I knew that once I finally emerged,

it would be for something fabulous.

photo via Pinterest