Entertainment Weekly 5.27.17

It's finally feeling like spring today! This'll be a quick one so I can get back outside-I've already hit the farmers market and walked around Back Bay and Somerville...I don't know what's next but it's gotta be outside for sure!

Reading: I just finished City of Friends by Joanna Trollope. A great novel exploring the complexity of adult female friendship and all the other parts of their lives.

Listening: I've really enjoyed this week's Spotify Discover Weekly, specifically "Turning Out" by AJR. They're definitely young, but I love the reference to Disney, of course!

Watching: 13 Reasons Why. I'm finally forcing myself to watch it-yes, forcing. It doesn't appeal to me, as I use TV as an escape, not a continuation of my work day, but given that all the youths are watching it, I need to know what it is they're referencing. It's not about the quality, but I just really am not enjoying it. I think I'll be balancing with some Kimmy Schmidt or Mindy Project later!

Have a great long weekend, everyone!

xoxoxo
Emma

Eat Local: Oberlin

Y'all, I had literally the best vegetables ever at Oberlin. The whole meal was amazing-and my fellow diners definitely enjoyed the seafood just as much. I couldn't tell you what all they had, but I will torture you with what we all loved.

I'm very glad we stuck to our plan of always ordering a cheese board, because this one with cheeses from Cato Corner Farm was killer.

The freshly baked sourdough with roasted garlic, slow roasted carrots, roasted sweet potato, and grilled asparagus dishes were also all fantastic. I love the tapas style and getting to try so many different dishes!

Side note for my wine people: they give great recommendations. I love a dry rose, but when it's too sweet I can't drink it-the first one they suggested was perfect (if only I could remember the name of it!)

There were about 2 vegetarian dishes we didn't try...I definitely want to go back for those! I'm sure as the seasons are changing they will be introducing new ones as well, and I am just as certain that I will be back.

xoxoxo

Emma

Eating Elsewhere: Greensboro (Part 2)

The time I ate everything in Greensboro, continued...
For my birthday, I may have sort of taken over the kitchen...I might be the only person I know who prefers to cook their own birthday meal, ha!
Mom and I started the day before with a trip to the farmer's market, where we picked up fruit, vegetables, and maybe a pastry or two. I always love to explore different cities' farmer's markets (Madison is definitely a favorite if you ever have the opportunity!), and this was no different. There were a number of stands selling the plants themselves and I lamented that I couldn't take them back with me-and to be honest, probably wouldn't have been able to keep them alive even if I had. I do not have a green thumb. at. all.

There were also ridiculously beautiful-and creative chocolates!

Savory cheese croissant-beyond delicious

However, we were able to find the most important ingredient of all-rhubarb! Rhubarb custard pie is my absolute favorite dessert and it is so rarely available. Strawberry, I'm looking at you-stop trying to hog the spring stage!

We had a rhubarb pie-off consisting of a rhubarb custard (mom and me) and a rhubarb pie with meringue (Grandma and Aunt Sandy). I wanted the rest of the meal to feature seasonal veggies, so we decided to stick with the pie theme and made a galette and frittata, along with big salad and good bread. All my favorite foods!

The next day was my actual birthday-and of course the only really yucky one weather-wise. Mom, Alvan, Grandma, and I made the best of it by having a giant breakfast at Scrambled. I was pretty pumped to have vegetarian biscuits and (mushroom) gravy, but was slightly disappointed at how over-salted I felt it was. Thankfully the cheese grits lived up to my memories-I gotta get my grit fix! Next time I'll probably go back to my tried and true favorite of the OMG scramble skillet over grits (minus ham, of course).

Mom, Alvan, and I then spent quite a while just reading and writing while sipping on some delicious flavored iced coffees at Common Grounds-I had the Bill Murray, a latte with chocolate and pistachio. I hadn't simply sat and read in a long time-it felt good!

They also serve wine-but we were not yet at that point, ha!

We did our best to work up an appetite for a late lunch and headed over to Hops Burger Bar, one of our go-to spots (along with everyone else in Greensboro) and lucked out with them being weirdly empty. I got the spiciest (nutty patty) burger they had, the Diablo, with fries and a Lagunitas Sumpin' Sumpin'. Since they have an upcharge for the veggie burger, even if you don't want the bacon that comes on the burger, I asked to have it on the side so the carnivores could enjoy it.

We had to be sure to fit in one last meal the day that I left, just to make sure I couldn't fit into any of my pants upon my return, ha! We always love Freeman's Grub & Pub, but they really amped it up this time. Their focus on local and seasonal products is one of my favorite things in any restaurant and they rock it. I was a little disappointed that the only vegetarian main being offered that day was a jerk "chicken" sandwich, so the chef himself came out to ask about my preferences...I was totally overwhelmed and vague, but he did a great job! I simply requested some sort of sandwich that did not include eggplant or green peppers, and he made the most delicious black bean burger-clearly with fresh ingredients and interesting toppings. Starting with the pimento jalapeno poppers and a Bloody Mary didn't hurt either!

I really don't think I exaggerated when I talk about how much I ate-but to be honest, I had just as much fun! I've got one or two other things to feature eventually, but if you're headed to Greensboro any time soon this ought to give you a good start!

xoxoxo
Emma

Entertainment Weekly 5.20.17

What a week it has been. I was so very ready for the weekend to be here...and thankfully it is living up to my hopes. Barre, cooking (including roasted rhubarb, my fave!), Mindy Project, plans to hang out with friends...in the meantime I am

Reading: The Singles Game. It was a fun, easy read-but still had me emotionally invested in the characters. Definitely recommend it!

Listening: Racist Sandwich. A hilarious, irreverent, important podcast that explores politics through food. Start listening now!

Watching: The Mindy Project. Since Mom got Hulu Plus in order to watch The Handmaid's Tale, I've also been rewatching all of the Mindy Project. Total comfort TV.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

xoxoxo
Emma

Eating Elsewhere: Greensboro (Part 1)

I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I tend to plan a big part of my trips around delicious food-and North Carolina was no different! Now, being vegetarian, I can't enjoy the BBQ or seafood, but that doesn't mean I have to miss out on all the Southern cuisine! Every time I go I have to be sure to have some cheese grits and a biscuit...and preferably as many seasonal veggies as possible, especially since they are a little ahead in their growing season! And guys, I really ate so much that I had to split this into multiple posts, otherwise it would have been unreasonably long. I'm a little ridiculous.
I was very happy I decided to take an ungodly early flight (5:30am) so we could get right down to the business of eating everything in sight. After getting a pedicure (desperately needed for this Northern gal!) we stopped by Duck Donuts, a donut shop in which you get to design your own! They fry the donut fresh to order and top it with whatever you request...I went for lemon icing, raspberry drizzle, and coconut, while Mom had chocolate icing with peanuts and coconut. I usually strongly prefer raised donuts, but these have totally won me over.

That evening, we stopped by the Bearded Goat for a little pre-dinner cocktail. While I love the classic copper Moscow Mule mug, I definitely enjoyed it being served in the cutest Deep Eddy tin!

For dinner we went to a restaurant I always enjoy-Crafted: Art of the Taco. I ventured outside my usual to try the taco salad and pimento mac&cheese, which was 100% the right choice. I could eat this salad forever.

On Saturday, after exploring Old Salem, Mom and I went into Winston-Salem for some treats. We attempted to go to Small Batch Beer Co, but it was just too crowded-and maybe I'm getting old, but also definitely too loud, ha! So we headed straight over to Foothills, where we enjoyed an excellent Carolina strawberry blonde ale. We definitely could have found some delicious food there, but Mom already had a plan in mind for that...

We attempted Small Batch again, but to no avail-next time! We then drove over to Cin Cin Burger Bar, a speakeasy-style restaurant and bar. We were told it would be quite a wait for a table, but we knew how to pass the time!

Luckily, as we were sipping on our cocktails, some people seated at the bar were called for their table so we just parked ourselves right there. Mom was insistent on the Gorgonzola fries-and she was right! I considered trying to add some "real food" but wasn't hungry enough for that and crazy boozy milkshakes...so we know what won. The intense stomachaches were totally worth it.

Now I'm craving all these foods...whoops. Happy Friday, y'all!

xoxoxo
Emma

A trip back in time to Old Salem

Visiting my family in NC for my birthday was possibly the best choice I could have made. Things have been a little rough at work lately-through no fault of my coworkers or kids-and it came at the perfect time. Of course, taking an extra-long weekend meant playing a lot of catch-up once I got back and unfortunately that meant the blog got back-burnered. But I'm back-and hopefully will get back on top of it! 

Usually I visit my family for a holiday, which is wonderful but means that everything is focused and scheduled around that. Because we had nothing we had to do, Mom and I decided to take a 3/4 day trip to Old Salem. I've always enjoyed history but don't always want to spend the entire day in it-however, in Old Salem I was actually ready to keep going when everything closed down at 4:30! I highly recommend it, as well as ensuring you are hungry when you go. The Tavern has surprisingly good food, and we were sadly too full to even taste any of the baked goods!

For those of you who don't know, Old Salem is a historical Moravian village, including gorgeous gardens, historical buildings, the original black Moravian church, and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts. 

The original organ in the Single Brothers' Home

Part of the way through the day, we became extremely confused by the sudden appearance of teens in formalwear. Perhaps because of growing up in the Midwest I have never understood the craziness that often accompanies these events, but prom is taken so. seriously. in the South. The bridge that you have to cross to get from the shops and and exhibit buildings to the Visitor Center and parking was packed with couples and groups posing. We even overheard someone saying that they didn't think they'd be able to get onto the bridge because of the number of people there. Mom and I felt terrible for all the kids in their long dresses, heels, and rented tuxes and shoes for hours before the dance even starts-and the poor younger siblings dragged along for the professional photographs!

The bridge before the storm...

Mom and I also got some sweet hats...we both have tiny heads so it can be challenging to find ones that fit. We may have gotten a little excited :)

I already miss the sunshine and family...hopefully they come visit Boston soon! Hint hint...

xoxoxo

Emma

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so very lucky to have the relationship I do with my mom-we have always been extremely close, never having gone through the stereotypical teenage rebellion. My mom has always been there for me, regardless of what she was dealing with at the time, and has balanced being a parent and a friend. I wish she didn't live so far away, but at least every time I visit-or she comes here-we have a blast! (and maybe eat twice as much as we really should)

I went for my birthday this year, a couple weeks ago, and haven't managed to get my act together to get a post up-so at least y'all won't be getting repeat pictures this post!

I'm also so lucky to have such a lovely grandma and aunt-and so many other mothers and mother-figures in my life!

Happy Mother's Day!

xoxoxo

Emma

Entertainment Weekly 5.13.17

I can't even express how much I love having a library card! You can expect a lot more new books on here now...

Reading: I finished The Hopefuls in about 2 days while in Greensboro. It was so, so good...reading about such momentous events through the eyes of someone on both the inside and outside was really engaging. Plus, they reference Adams Morgan quite a bit, and since that's where my friends Hannah and Matt live, it was cool to be able to picture it!

Listening: I re-embraced my love of bluegrass while down South and spent a lot of time on the Steel Wheels. If you ever have the chance to see them, I highly recommend it-they give a great performance!

Watching: The Handmaid's Tale, of course! I've long been a fan of the book (I think that I first read it in high school...) and am usually skeptical of adaptations, but this one is definitely good so far!

xoxoxo
Emma