Happy Mother's Day...Week!

It's been a week since I last posted, but, guys, I promise I have a good reason. Last Thursday, I traveled to New Orleans for the International Reading Conference. I felt so lucky because my amazing mama was able to meet me there! We kicked off Mother's Day weekend early with a couple of pre-dinner sips at Sazerac in the Roosevelt Hotel.

 

Seriously, how cute is she?! Also, we made it our mission to try all the Pimm's cups in New Orleans. How are you supposed to find the best if you don't try them all?!

Just in case you needed proof that she's the best mom ever: She had a Captain and coke and a bag of beignets waiting for me each day when I came back from my conference sessions. Like, what?!

 

Waiting in line at Cafe du Monde for beignets. Turns out there is truly no such thing as too much powdered sugar. Pro tip: don't wear black pants while eating beignets.

 

I'm being completely honest when I say that I could have nothing good ever happen to me again, and I'd still be the luckiest person ever to have such an incredible mom (and not just because she can make a great drink). I almost (and sometimes do) cry every time I have to leave her because I feel so loved when I'm with her. No other person I have ever met has ever made me feel as loved she does. She's the best friend I'll ever have, and I truly hope that one day I can be as selfless, kind, and beautiful, inside and out, as she is.

 

Post-beignet photo sesh in Jackson Square.

I know that Mother's Day was a few days ago, but I don't think my mom would mind being celebrated a few days late. We definitely celebrated together all weekend long! Who could get mad at a Mother's Week, instead of just a day?!

I love you, mom. Every day should be your day.

xoxo,

E

Family Weekend

I took a long weekend this past weekend to go on a road trip with my mom to visit family in northern Virginia and see my little brother's lacrosse game. It was a quick trip, but I loved being able to see so many people I love! 

 

We had to make a pitstop at South of the Border outside of Florence, SC where we met up. That place is so hilarious! Have you ever been?

 

The highlight of the weekend was watching my little brother's game! It didn't go the way we would have preferred, but I love watching him play! Go Blue Hens!

 

My mom and I were in the car for around 16 hours this weekend (we joke that my mom missed her calling as a long-haul trucker)...between talking, laughing, and singing, there was never a dull moment. As you can see, even Gatsby was a road warrior!

We also got to see my aunt, uncle, cousins, and their families, which never happens enough. Such a great weekend!

xoxo,

E

Roadtripping

My mom and I are going on an impromptu road trip this weekend to the DC area/Towson to see my brother play lacrosse (Go Blue Hens!). I haven't seen my mom since Christmas break, and I am so excited to hang out with her...we always have a great time together :)

These are a few gems from our last adventure together. We went to Chicago for my birthday last summer and had so much fun! The one above is from the architectural boat tour we took one night.
 

 

Trying to stay dry on the double decker bus tour!

 

Waiting for the Second City show to start

Even though it's just a weekend, I'm excited to be able to hang out with my awesome mama!

I'm even bringing her grand pup along for the ride...

 
Happy weekend!

xoxo,
E

Ginger Crinkles

My mom is going to kill me. OK, hopefully not kill me, but I'm definitely giving up a family secret here. Last week, when I asked for my mom's ginger crinkle recipe that has been the star of our Christmas cookie line-up for years, she handed it over, but warned me, "don't tell people how easy it is!"

Well, these are just too good not to share, plus I'm probably going to lose the scrap of paper I wrote the recipe on, so it's really like I'm recording it for future generations!

Rolling in sugar gives the outside a sweet crunch.

Make sure you thoroughly stir the melted white bark...otherwise you get splurts of chocolate while trying to elegantly zig zag the cookies...see middle of picture.

Autumn-y, chewy, white chocolate-y goodness!

Ginger Crinkles

-Preheat the oven to 350.

-Mix 2/3 cup shortening an 1 cup white sugar.

-Add in 1 egg and 4 tablespoons molasses.

-Sift together 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and gradually add to the shortening/sugar/molasses mixture.

-Roll the dough into balls (I got about 30 cookies out of one batch) and roll each ball in white sugar.

-Bake for 10-12 minutes.

-Drizzle melted white bark (candy coating) over the cookies in a zig-zag pattern.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!

xoxo,

E

Just Look Up

My mom sent me a sweet happy she captured that I'd like to share...

Wouldn't it be nice to, when you are in need of a happy, just look up and see one written in the sky for you? All this packing and moving business sometimes has me dangerously close to one of these, and it's nice to be reminded that, when in search of happy, all I need to do is look up.

...and if that doesn't make you smile, this definitely should...

That would be Ben & Jerry's Raspberry Fudge Frozen Greek Yogurt. I mean...I can't even...


And no, no part of this is sponsored by Ben or Jerry, although I would gleefully welcome free treats in return for enthusiastic reviews. Hey, every girl has her price.


Happy Tuesday!


xoxo,


E

Friday Happies

Here are a few things that are making me happy right now...

My little nugget chewing his raw hide stick. He holds it with his paws. It's really too much.

A fun Lilly Pulitzer planner gifted to me by my boyfriend's mom. It even came with event-themed stickers (you can bet I put a big ol' cake sticker on my birthday). This may be the thing to make me actually want to organize my life.

And finally, this crazy cool t-shirt blanket my mom made me from some of my sorority/Clemson shirts. She is amazingly creative (she's currently making curtains for my new apartment), and I'm SO lucky to have such an awesome mama!!

What is making you happy right now?

xoxo,

E