Weekend Good Things.

Morning! Maybe it's the fact that it's slightly warmer today than it has been in a while, but I'm ready to tackle this week! 

Friday after work, Cameron and I had a meeting downtown so we decided to hit up happy hour at Bay Street Biergarten. Their "freaky taters" (tater tots with a demi-glace, smoked cheddar sauce and green onions) called our names and we could not resist.  So bad, yet so very good. 

Came home to my Amazon order waiting for me on the front porch. Why is it that every time you go on Amazon to order one thing (especially Amazon Prime), something additional always winds up in your cart, too? Target is also known for this, maybe even worse. 

Went on for the witch hazel, also left with a cookbook.

Saturday I made it to bikini bootcamp at the gym (definitely needed to after all of those tater tots), made a quick trip to the grocery store, then ran a few errands for my Dad's birthday party that evening. We held it at the "boat club" in Summerville (there are no boats, only a ramp), which is pretty much one of the two places to hold a party in Summerville is. It's perfect for oyster roasts though! My mom had some barbecue and sides catered, we picked up a couple of bushels of oysters, and other than that it was pretty low key. Exactly what my Dad wanted. 

My grandma and her two sons

(Camo was very prevalent that night)

Sunday was spent running more errands with a yummy brunch at Sunrise Bistro in between. I ordered the Mediterranean open faced omelet (no olives or onions, add tomatoes please) with a side of pepper-jack grits. Yum. 

We had some oysters left over from the party the night before, so for dinner, we made oysters rockefeller using Tyler Florence's recipe, served also with a big salad to balance everything out. :) They were SO good!! 

Sunday evening, I made a loaf of this banana bread (I substituted 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar) to enjoy as we watched House of Cards and as a quick breakfast option during the week. So tasty and moist - sorry, I know a lot of people hate that word, but I can't think of a better one. 

So basically, Sunday was based all around food. Just the way I like it. 

Thursday's Thoughts.

A little shot of randomness today...

-Tonight Cameron and I are trying out Co for the first time, then going to the Charleston Classic basketball tournament at the College of Charleston. South Carolina is playing Cornell. We don't ever watch basketball, but I will always support the Gamecocks and hey, the tickets are free. 

-In an hour, I'm going to get my hair done. And I have no clue what I want to do with it. But I do know that I am sick of the stringy, limp, straight hair I was born with. If only I come out looking like Cheryl Cole. #hopingforamiracle

-As an update to No Spend November. I feel like I've done pretty well! However, last weekend we had people over for an oyster roast and I bought two decorative items for the house. Atleast I haven't bought any clothes though! 

throw // faux flower arrangement

-Speaking of that oyster roast, it was so much fun and I've got to admit, we had a pretty sweet set up.

Brady watching Curious George with Baby D

-Last night I had a delicious meal planned out, broke the news to Cameron that we'd be eating a meatless meal, then went to go cook it and realized we didn't have a key ingredient. Major fail. So, I convinced him to let me cook breakfast for dinner (pretty sure he's the only person ever that doesn't like breakfast for dinner). I whipped together some Greek style omelets (feta, tomato, spinach and mushrooms) with some cheesy grits and turkey bacon. So freaking good. 

K bye! 

Easy Breezy Weekend.

This weekend was just what I needed. No real plans and no random camping trips. 

Friday night we decided to just take it easy and stay home. Our friends Jen and Joe came by for a few hours and we just watched a Kevin Hart comedy special. Lots and lots of laughter.

Saturday morning I went and met my friend, Frankie's, baby boy for the first time! He was so close to sharing a birthday with me! I'm talking hours away. He was born about a month early so he is a tiny little thing. The prettiest blue-gray eyes you've ever seen and is just so easy going. 

Later that day, Cameron and I decided to go check out the Holy City Brewery with Caroline and Andy.  It sure beat the home show that we were originally thinking about going to.

 Each couple split a flight of their craft beers. 

After a couple of beers and filling up our growler, we went and ate dinner at Evo in Park Circle. Cameron and I split a pizza with just mushrooms and pepperoni (our go-to), I ordered the farmer's salad and Cameron ordered the kale caesar salad. All so good and just the right amount!

Hoping this cute little beer foam heart is a sign of good things to come in my future! (No, not a baby..yet)

Sunday we lounged around all day, keeping warm with hot beverages and fuzzy blankets. Later that day, we went to Cameron's parent's house for a family oyster roast and Beaufort stew. 

Got home just in time to catch some of the Grammy's! I missed the Jay-Z / Beyonce performance that I heard was amazing, so I'm off to check it out!

Have a great week!

How To Throw An Oyster Roast!

A few weeks ago, after I posted about a small oyster roast we threw at our house, I received a few questions regarding how to cook oysters and what all was needed for an oyster roast. Then, Mariel suggested that I post a How-To so here it is!

What you'll need...
-Saltine crackers
-Lemon wedges
-Cocktail sauce
-Tabasco or any other hot sauce
-Oyster knives {can be found at your local hardware store, tackle shop, or Wal-Mart}
-Gloves / towels / paper towels
-Trash cans specifically for discarded oyster shells {Contact your local DNR to see where your closest oyster shell recycling station is. They place the shells back into the water to promote new oyster growth.}
-Table that can get dirty or a piece of plywood resting on sawhorses
-Cooker with propane {We use something similar to a turkey fryer}
-Oysters {one bushel per 5-10 people, depending on the level of oyster eaters}
-Another dish such as chili or chicken bog for the non-oyster eaters

How to prepare...

-Purchase bushels of oysters as close to your oyster roast as possible. Keep them in a cool, dry place until ready to cook.
-Before cooking, rinse oysters off well with a hose to remove any excess mud / dirt.
-Put about 2 inches of water in bottom of pot. Light the burner and place oysters inside basket once water has started to boil / steam. Cover with lid.
-Cook for approximately 5-10 minutes. Less time for more runny oysters, more time for more chewy ones. The more you cook, the easier the shells will be to open.
-Eat with whatever condiment you prefer and enjoy!


That's how we do it around here! There are other ways to cook oysters, but this is the way that works best for us. Let me know if you have any questions {and I'll be sure to ask Cameron!}.
 

A glorious weekend.

Pretty much the perfect weekend was had.

 

Friday night, we invited a couple of friends over to enjoy some oysters. I never really get full from eating oysters, but Friday night, I got full. That's how many I ate. They were sooo good and salty.

 

 

 

Emily and Kate brought over items to make s'mores. Those were also tasty and delicious.

Saturday, I had a work wedding, but before I went in, Cameron and I tried out a new (to us) restaurant called Tattooed Moose. It has been featured on The Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives." I had heard so many great things about this place so we were excited to try it. I wish I would have taken pictures of our food, but I hadn't eaten breakfast that morning so I inhaled my Cuban sandwich the second it was set in front of me. Cameron ordered their famous duck club and we got a side of the duck fat fries and duck fat gravy. (Yes, I have my gym bag packed for after work.) Holy yum, can't wait to go back.

Watched the South Carolina / Missouri game from work and in true Gamecock style, it was a game sure to test your heart. Fumbles, interceptions, you name it. We tried to give the game away. That is, until our first string quarterback came into the game (he got hurt in our game last weekend) late in the third quarter. Going into the 4th quarter, we were down 17-0! Our team finally came together and at the end of the 4th quarter, it was tied 17-17!!! Fast forward to the second overtime (we both scored touchdowns during the first overtime)...Gamecocks were held just to a kicking a field goal. Next up, Missouri's turn...I'll just leave you to the video clip to get the full effect.
 

 

Maybe the happiest we've ever seen Spurrier.

 Sunday, we hit up another new (to us) restaurant with Caroline and Andy for brunch. This time, it was Rutledge Cab Co. I took a moment to document my lunch this time...

BLT eggs benedict with a side of grits.

Another place I can't wait to try again!
After lunch, Cameron and I ran some errands, then went over to his parents' house to celebrate October birthdays. Our nieces made and decorated the delicious cookie cake. :)

Hope you all have a great week!

Finally a Fun Weekend!

I forgot what a fun-filled weekend felt like, but after this weekend, I remembered! It started off great when my event Friday night ended an hour early! I was home and in my pj's by 10:30pm and it was awesome. 

Saturday morning I went to a baby shower for Cameron's cousin's wife, Sylvia. I got her the cutest fish monogram pillow for Ryan's nursery. Found at PB Kids.

 Sylvia isn't wasn't due until December, but like clockwork after the shower, her water broke yesterday and Ryan, Jr. made his appearance!

After the shower I went home and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned the house before going to the fair since we were having people over that night. 

Emily, Caroline, Katie and I went to the fair and DEVOURED all of the fried fatty goodness. 

Seriously. Here is a list of everything we ate:

-Corn dog

-French fries with vinegar

-Fried cheese on a stick

-Fried pickles

-Fried mushrooms

-Red velvet funnel cake

-Pumpkin spice funnel cake

-Fried oreos

Then, we came back to my house, ate oysters and watched some football. What a perfect Saturday!

On Sunday, Cameron and I went to go visit our friends Alyssa, Chris and their baby, Owen, while they were in town visiting. 

The rest of the day/evening was spent working on invitations! Can't believe there's only 2 months left before I send them out!!

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This week's dinner menu..

 

Monday - Chicken quesadillas, corn/avocado/tomato salad

Tuesday - Pot roast over rice

Wednesday - Tortellini and vegetable soup

Thursday - Pork chops, cucumber/mustard/dill salad, cinnamon apples (never made them last week)

Friday - Chili over fritos

Saturday -TBD