Spring Awakening

I know I've been MIA this past month, but I don't even know where I've been! The thought of trying to sum up an entire month is way too overwhelming for my brain, so here's a quick recap. However, I will be back on the bandwagon after this lame post!

As I mentioned a few posts back, I was heading to Birmingham in March for my friend Mariel's baby shower (she's due May 18!). One of the fun stations at the shower was a photo booth, full of props (hats, mustaches, lips, umbrellas, you name it). Here's me, my friend Lauren, and mama-to-be Mariel posing for the camera. What a great weekend!

Ryan and I took a long weekend in the North Carolina mountains during the first weekend of April. We stayed in a beautiful cabin in Valle Crucis (check out that view! check out that hot tub!), and enjoyed some lovely outings in Boone and Blowing Rock. We brought the slow cooker and made Mexican pork, finished a couple books, did a wine tasting, enjoyed some local restaurants and shops, and just relaxed. How often do you really get to do that?

We finally (FINALLY!) got a new dining room table. I've been disgruntled with my high-top, four-seater, espresso (K-Mart) table for quite some years now. I bought it when I was a spinster flirty young bachelorette in my one-bedroom apartment. It was time for a change. As the craigslist queen, I tried to pin down another awesome deal, but Crate & Barrel won out (don't worry, I found six Williams Sonoma chairs to go with it for a steal). Everyone, I introduce you to Terravida. She's a beautiful and rustic addition to the fam.
Moose got into some mischief. He has a fondness of munching on leaves/flowers (real or artificial), and this time my yellow lilies told on him. I came home to find a yellow-cheeked smushface (HA!). Tsk tsk tsk. Don't worry, he's okay.

We also attended a local beer fest in Raleigh called Brewgaloo with some pretty awesome friends. Live music, food trucks, great local beer, and some chilly weather went together perfectly for a memorable Saturday. We ended the evening with dinner at Busy Bee Cafe, a downtown favorite (they have tot burgers; yes, I said tot burgers).

I also finally got around to watching the PBS Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey (and dragged Ryan into loving watching it as well). In case you don't know, I'm a period nut, so this series has been beckoning me for quite some time. Now I'm tortured after being spoiled watching the first two seasons without pause, and am desperately anticipating the start of Season 3. What a gem of a show. Romance, war, family duty... ugh! It kills me. I don't think I was born in the right era. Not that I'm complaining (...then I wouldn't have Netflix).

Now it's the first day of May and it feels like summer outside. The pool will be opening in a few weeks, we'll be planning our summer vacation with Aiden, and I'll be wishing for the cool fall weather again before you know it. Signing out for now!

Coconut Curry Soup

The other night I made this lovely Thai-inspired Coconut Curry Soup. My friend Mariel (who we just threw a baby shower for last weekend!) sent me the recipe, saying it tasted just like the Chicken Noodle Bowl from Surin West, which is a popular and favorite restaurant of ours in Birmingham. Not only was it delicious, but very quick and easy to make. You can add shrimp, tofu, or chicken to the dish, if so desired, so I added some lemon and pepper chicken to ours. Even though I didn't get a chance to eat at Surin last weekend while I was in Birmingham, making this definitely satisfied my craving!

I've included the recipe below with some extra comments in purple. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 10 ounces Chinese wheat noodles (mein), or rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon safflower or peanut oil
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Thai yellow curry paste (from one 4-ounce jar or can) Note: I used green curry paste.
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 lemon
• Fresh basil, for garnish
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced, for garnish

Directions

1. Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Toss with 1 teaspoon oil.
   
2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook curry paste, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in stock. Raise heat, and bring to a boil. Whisk in coconut milk. Cook until just simmering (do not boil). Note: Add salt and pepper to taste.
   
3. Cut lemon in half, and squeeze 1 half into saucepan. Cut remaining half into 4 wedges. Divide noodles and soup among 4 bowls. Garnish with basil, cucumber, and lemon wedges. Note: Top with chicken, shrimp, or tofu if so desired.

Welcome to NC!

Two of my best friends, Lauren and Mariel, are flying in to visit me this weekend (!!). Both dear friends that I met while interning at Coastal Living magazine in Birmingham, Alabama, Mariel still resides there, while Lauren is living it up in Nashville. My two years in Birmingham hold some of the best days of my life, and the city will always hold a special place in my heart. I can't wait to have some quality time in my home state with these two people who were so deeply a part of those memories.

Mariel, Lauren, and I at the Yazoo Brewery in Nashville. 2010.

Speaking of Birmingham, here are a few of my favorite "landmarks" that always make me sigh and think fondly back to my newly post-graduate days. What a wonderful life decision it was to go there.

Five Points South (the site of countless breakfasts and dinners).

The Alabama Theatre, which holds annual viewings of Gone With the Wind.

Naked Art Gallery: My favorite gallery in Bham. I could walk here!

Vulcan Park and Museum: World's largest cast iron statue, seen all over the city.

Rojo: My favorite restaurant in town, located in Highland Park.

The Blackstone, my old apartment building. Conveniently walkable to Rojo!

The atrium inside my old company, Southern Progress, where I worked for
Coastal Living and Southern Living magazines. It's now Time Inc.

And here's us, all of six years ago. Playing football in the park. :)