Busy Days

Apparently I am just blogging quarterly now, since my last post was in November. I guess that's what happens when you go back to work! In any event, we have had some really busy days lately. Busy, but good. 

Miss Priss has totally settled into her school, which we love. And I have settled into my new job. It's been a bit of a transition, but I'm so grateful for my new gig. I've made some new friends with coworkers and had a lot of fun!

I have also come to look forward to weekends and having adventures with Miss Priss. Like taking trips to Krispy Kreme! 

We also finally got around to visiting Zoo Atlanta a few weeks ago. 

The parking lot could use woke expansion, because it is in a historic neighborhood but we had a great visit. 

She was completely obsessed with the "pink birds!"

There is still a lot to see and explore in Atlanta, so I need to make a list for this summer. We'll definitely be visiting Stone Mountain again for the always fantastic laser show! 

The spring weather has been perfect this year and I can't wait to get outside and enjoy it some more.

Fabulous Fall

This is what I've been missing!

Delightfully chilly weather with blue skies and sunshine! It really feels like the holidays are right around the corner. Now if I could just figure out how to get the house decorated with an energetic toddler running around...

We have still yet to get a good family picture for our Christmas card this year. I'm not a perfectionist and it's usually a family member who takes our pic (shoutout to Aunt Kate), but both Miss Priss and the Hubs have been sick the past few weeks, which doesn't really lend itself to looking happy, much less festive in a snapshot. Hopefully we'll get lucky over Thanksgiving break. All I can ask for is one image where we are all looking at the camera. One can dream, right?

Recently

I'm finally getting caught up after a few very busy months. I started a new job that I love and life has been nonstop lately. Here are a few highlights...

I found the best Little Free Library at Avalon. I'm pretty sure they stocked it with new books to get it started, but I got a copy of The Girl on the Train that I can't wait to read over the holidays.

This. I started Yes Please earlier this year before we moved but wasn't able to finish it. It's so good. Amy Poehler is hilarious and such a hard worker. It's a funny and encouraging read.

Chilli weather is here! One reason we left Florida to come back to Georgia is because we missed seasons. Yes, the sunshine is nice down there but I can't get on board with 90 degree days in November. It just feels wrong. Now I'm enjoying chilli and chicken and dumplings without sweating. Score!

Sister dates, ftw. I'm closer to home and able to see my Sis more for football games or to just hang out. It's such a blessing and I love that Miss Priss is getting to know here too.

All the crafts! We painted pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving and I've got a few things planned for Christmas. 

Friday Faves

The leaves are changin'

I know there's still probably a few waves of warm weather left since we live in the South, but this week the first sign of Fall in the air. It's one of my favorite times of year since it's possible to walk outside without sweating and wear scarves.  I really missed the change in seasons while we lived in Florida since it's only autumn for about 2 weeks down there.  It's been drizzly and grey all morning and I love it.

Home opener at Williams Brice with my Sis

Football season is here!!!  Summer is great and all but nothing beats waking up on Saturday mornings, and watching College GameDay with my cup of Irish coffee, then enjoying football games all day long.  Even better is going to a game in person!  Now that we're closer to home I'll be able to hit the road to Statesboro and Columbia, SC to see more games.  And more games = more tailgating!  Nothing really compares to football season in the South.

Pumpkin Muffin Mix from Trader Joe's

Fall also means it's time for all the pumpkin flavored things!  I'm not sure if I'll try the Pumpkin Spice Milano cookies or Pumpkin Spiced Latte flavored M&Ms, but this muffin mix from TJ's is legit.  I discovered it last year and bought enough to get myself through about July of this year.  That's how good it is.  It is delicious in muffin or bread form. I also have a friend who iced hers with cream cheese frosting and some cinnamon sprinkle and said it was amazing.  I was craving pumpkin muffins a few weeks ago and tried the Kroger version of pumpkin muffin mix since Trader Joe's didn't have these out yet.  I was sorely disappointed and will never try to substitute them again. I'm also stockpiling more than I did last year! 

Day Designer Agenda from Target

I recently discovered this agenda from Target.  I love staying organized, but I don't love paying upwards of $50 for a cute and stylish agenda.  Best part? It's only $7.99 It's also small enough to fit in my purse, so that's a win-win.

I'm Back!

After a few years hiatus (I never planned on leaving my blog for so long) and pretending that Tumblr was where it's at (it's ok, but not my fave), I've decided to return!  Lots has happened since my last post in the spring of 2012.  Seriously, three years is a long time.  Since my last post we bought a house in Florida, Miss Priss has joined our family, the Hubs took a new job, we sold our house in Floirda, I left my job, we moved to Georgia, bought a new (to us) house, and we're trying to get settled in the Atlanta area.

I still miss our awesome little backyard in Gainesville.

I for one, am so glad to be back in the real South (no offense, Florida).  Gainesville was really good to us and we had a lot of fun, but it was so hot ALL THE TIME.  I don't want to live in the land of snow and ice, but I did miss getting to experience winter weather for more than two weeks each year.  It just doesn't feel Christmasy when you're wearing shorts and flip flops.

There have been a lot of ups and downs in the last six months, and I'll be honest, living in an apartment for a while after you've had your own house is tough.  I finally have my own 'real' kitchen in the new house. It helps that Miss Priss is a little more independent and I'm able to enjoy cooking a little more. I've been able to stay home for a while, which has been so much fun.  I know it won't last forever so I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Stone Mountain laser show, ftw!

For now, we're still settling in and learning our way around.  Stay tuned for new adventures and food discoveries!  I'm also on the hunt for delicious diners and Mom & Pop restaurants in North Fulton (Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming), so suggestions are appreciated.

Recent Obsession

I've been completely neglecting my blog lately for multiple reasons, life is busy...blah, blah, blah. Most importantly I have been completely obsessed with Instagram since it became available for Android.  If you don't have it, you should download it today. It is my most favorite app. My handle is mrsgrits, so follow me and I'll follow you back!  Here are some of my instagrams:

Corn Cookies

My best friend came to visit me in Augusta over Christmas break for my birthday and brought me some amazing cookies.  He's recently been trying out all kinds of recipes from the Momofuku Milk Bar Cookbook, and they are amazing.  The first batch he shared were compost cookies, fruity pebbles cookies and cornflake marshmallow crunch cookies.  They were all tasty but I think the compost were my favorite because they had crushed up potato chips and were very salty/sweet.  Everything is so good it kind of makes me want to go visit the mothership in NYC and try some more sweets.  They sell cookie mixes, but for $16 a pop, you'll definitely want to just get some recipes and try them yourself.  

The first batch I tried to make was Corn Cookies.  It probably sounds strange but they are really mellow with a little hint of salty and so, so good.  If you decide to make these you'll need to order some corn powder from Amazon or Whole Foods or you can just get some freeze dried corn and make your own, like I did.

Corn Cookies (Recipe from thekitchn.com)

Makes 13 to 15 cookies

225 g butter, at room temperature OR 16 tablespoons (2 sticks)
300 g sugar OR 1 1/2 cups
1 egg
225 g flour OR 1 1/3 cups
45 g corn flour OR 1/4 cup
65 g freeze-dried corn powder OR 2/3 cup
3 g baking powder OR 3/4 teaspoon
1.5 g baking soda OR 1/4 teaspoon
6 g kosher salt OR 1 1/2 teaspoons

Freeze Dried corn, before it's blended into corn powder.

Corn Powder (after blending)

 All the dry ingredients (corn powder, corn flour, and all purpose flour) are measured and ready to go.

1. Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream together on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the egg, and beat for 7 to 8 minutes. *(This step is VERY important, if you don’t complete the creaming process the cookies won’t turn out right.)

This is what the batter should look like after it's creamed and blended, very fluffy.

2. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, corn flour, corn powder,
baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until the dough comes together,
no longer than 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Using a 2 3/4-ounce ice cream scoop (or a 1/3-cup measure), portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined sheet pan. Pat the tops of the cookie dough domes flat. Wrap the sheet pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at  least 1 hour, or up to 1 week. Do not bake your cookies from room temperature--they will not bake properly.

4. Heat the oven to 350°F.

5. Arrange the chilled dough a minimum of 4 inches apart on parchment- or Silpat-lined sheet pans. Bake for 18 minutes.  The cookies will puff, crackle, and spread. After 18 minutes, they should be faintly browned on the edges yet still bright yellow in the center; give them an extra minute if not. *(The cookies will turn out pretty big, so you might only get 6 or so on a cookie sheet.)

6. Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pans before transferring to a
plate or to an airtight container for storage. At room temp, the cookies will
keep fresh for 5 days; in the freezer, they will keep for 1 month.

The best thing about these cookies is that you can keep the dough in the freezer for a while and you can cook them one or two at a time.