More from Grits & Gravy

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Musings of a Student Affairs Professional: Take Two

One of the challenging things that I find about the field is that even though you are surrounded by people it can be isolating. When you have designated yourself as the 'helper' for so many, it is hard for me to ask for the same kind of support from others.

The thing that saves me and often brings me out isolation is the family that I have created here (and emergency phone calls to Dr. Dean). We know it happens and that it takes us actively doing something to change it so we challenge each other, ask about the happening with our families back home and current happenings in our lives outside of work. I appreciate this because it makes being away from my family easier because I know that I am supported and loved right here where I am.

Today, I am taking time to appreciate the staff who are like family, keep me sane, support me, and work countless hours with me. Here are the people who share my days and bring such joy into my life.....

Alexis and Justin
A girl needs her friends. It is nice to have people you can chill on the couch with, grab an impromptu dinner with, discuss intimate details of your life, and laugh your tail off with.

Quincy
He makes me laugh constantly and is little piece of home in Arkansas because he reminds me of "my people". Bonus: The man has moves and we know how much I love a man who can groove!

Good Friends

Jody and Rick
They take care of me and love me as if I was a member of their family. I am so thankful to work with Jody and have them as a part of my life. They also serve as grandparents to Abbey & Atticus.

Angela
I am so thankful for Angela because she is my guardian angel here. I talk to her about everything and cannot put into words how much I appreciate our relationship. Her and her family are so special to me.

Nikki and Kerri
I have so much fun and many adventures with these two. There are some people you just love being around.

My little friend, Heath.
I love the babies.... in a huge way. To my benefit, parents need date nights so we get to hang out. 

My Tuesday Night Supper and Glee Clubbers.

Lyndsy, also Heath's Mama.
Due to our advising roles for ASG, Lyndsy and I have bi-weekly meetings and they serve as a great constant for rich conversation about the work we do and reflection time on our lives. As an added bonus, we have become great friends.

My CLCE Family
I just love these people.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Italian Club Sandwiches

Confession Time. I am vain about how food looks. When I enjoy food, I want it to be pretty and made with a little extra love. Honestly, I get totally grossed out when food looks slopped on the plate - guess that is why I am not a huge fan of buffet restaurants. Maybe I take a little bit longer to slice up cake or dirty up an extra dish so that it is on a pretty platter but I think it is worth it. Presentation is important to me because it shows that a little extra something went in to it.

I find myself drawn to recipes that look delicious and will certainly be beauties on the plate. These Italian Club Sandwiches look so yummy sliced up with all of the layers and make a great addition to any spread. I made these sandwiches months ago for Book Club and then I whipped them up again for a Super Bowl Party.

There are a several steps but do not let that intimidate you, it is super easy.



Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis, Everyday Italian.

Italian Club Sandwiches 
1 Round of Focaccia bread
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
4-6 Slices of Bacon or Turkey Bacon
1/2 cup sun dried tomato pesto
4 ounces thinly sliced turkey
4 ounces sliced provolone cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Butter or Olive Oil Spray

Note: You could also make these vegetarian friendly by substituting meat for veggies. You could also just add veggies to make it a bit healthier or to add extra layers of color. Spinach and/or bell pepper would be great additions.

Step One: Egg Crepes
Whisk eggs and whipping cream with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a small skillet on medium, add butter or spray to coat pan. Add half of egg mixture, swirl around so that it coats the bottom of the pan. Cook egg crepe until set, about a minute or two. Invert skillet to drop the crepe onto plate, allow to cool. Repeat to make second crepe.

Step Two: Bacon! My fave
Cook bacon until crisp. I prefer to cook my bacon in the oven on 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until done. I place a cooling rack (for baking) over a cookie sheet and pop in the oven. The clean up is so easy and you can multitask. Just watch the bacon because it can burn quickly.

Note: I substituted turkey bacon because some of my friends do not eat pork. Sometimes I make two loafs of the sandwiches and do one with bacon and one without.

Step Three: Toast bread
Cut the focaccia bread in half horizontally. A bread knife is the easiest but use what you have. Brush a little butter or olive oil and heat on griddle for about 2-3 minutes, cut side down.

Step Four: Layers
Spread pesto on each side of toasted bread. Starting with the bottom piece begin to build layers. Place egg crepe on bottom. Add turkey, provolone, bacon. Repeat layers. Place top of focaccia half on layers.

Step Five: Slice and Serve
Slice into desired size wedges. My preference is bit size sandwiches but I made them a little bigger for the party being that it would be supper time. To hold sandwich together, place a toothpick through each sandwich.

Happy Eating!

For more pictures, click through slideshow.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Favorite Things...

Week of February 14, 2011


Adele's New Song
I'm crossing my fingers that this song makes it onto this season of SYTYCD. I love Adele and am really excited for her new album to come out. I'm only sad that her tour will not stop anywhere near me.


These phenomenal women
(From Left: Jillian, Joan, Ro, Jemilia, Me)
I love me some people but there are some that come into my life and leave huge imprints on my heart. My time a UGA gave me the richest experiences and best group of people that I could spend two years with. These women always humbled me with their courage and honesty about who they are. We bonded over unexpected similarities of our humble beginnings and family upbringings. They taught me how to give myself permission to be exactly who I am, even when that is not popular. After getting an email from Jillian this week, it made me reflect on the specialness of my relationships with them. Joansie and Ro have been a strong support network of calls, texts, and prayers.... I'm counting down until I can see them in May when Ro will say 'I Do'. Some people just call on us to be greater than we think we are and I am so grateful for that.


Checking off items on my Thirty Before Thirty List
Accomplished: Book Club, Education Conference, Creative Outlet, More Quiet Time, Subscription to Local Theater, Rid of Excess. In Progress: Cake Decorating Class, Paying Off Debt, Stabilizing Weight, Yoga Retreat.

{Image Source: Lifes a Feast}

Bubble Baths
A guilty pleasure of mine is soaking in a hot bubble bath with a glass of cabernet sauvignon. I have not had wine since Christmas, crazy diet, but I have been enjoying a few soaks here and there. Baths just soothe my soul. I find them best enjoyed with the old school, Johnson and Johnson Baby Nighttime bubble bath with lavender.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Portrait of a Leading Lady

"I am fairly certain that given a cape and nice tiara, I could save the world"

When I was a teenager I eagerly awaited the newest edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. As Elle Woods stated, it was like the Bible. My favorite issue featured the newly named Fun, Fearless Female of that year. I found the women they selected to be fascinating and was always curious to learn a bit more about these ladies who led such public lives yet dedicated a good portion of their time to more than the latest fad.

The title 'Fun, Fearless Female' has been a fond reference for many of the women in my life. I like the essence it captures and how it does not ask for permission for women to celebrate how they are fabulous. Award show season led me to think about the stars in my life because we are all the 'it girl' in our own right. Over the next couple of months, I will be featuring a few of the leading ladies that I have encountered in my life along the way.

I hope that you enjoy learning a bit more about these women and take a few moments to celebrate how you are a leading lady or man in your own life. Feel free to offer suggestions of women to be featured!

"She was perfectly comfortable being exceptional and she didn't mind telling him about it either"

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes


Ready for a scrumptious treat and a hit at your next party? I have it with these Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes!

These little goodies are so yummy and easy. My cabin fever during the snow storm in Arkansas led me to have a DVRathon of Food Network shows logged on my tv. When I watched Giada whipped these up and I knew I had to try them out and they are delish.

Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis, Giada at Home.

Walnut & Blue Cheese Grapes
2 ounces (1/4 cup) cream cheese, room temperature
2 ounces (1/4 cup) blue cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 dozen red grapes, chilled
4 ounces (1 cup) finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a food processor, blend cream cheese, blue cheese, and cream until smooth. Place the mixture in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the walnuts, sugar, and parsley.

Now set up the assembly line. First place about 4 or 5 grapes at a time in the cheese mixture and coat well. Spoon the grapes in the walnut mixture and coat grapes with a fork. Place grapes on lined cookie sheet. Repeat until all grapes are done. Chill for 2-3 hours.

Note: You could even make this recipe a day ahead and store in an air tight container.

Enjoy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner


I was five years old when Dirty Dancing came out in theaters. I am not sure who let me watch it first and do not even recall the first time I saw it because it seems as though it was always there. All of us have things or experiences that trigger a sense of comfort and this movie has always served as a happy place for me.

Momma

My first memory of watching the movie was at my Granny and Paw Paw's, although it was already my favorite by this time. My grandparents had one of those huge televisions that sat on the ground. You know, the ones with the speakers on the bottom. I remember it seeming so enormous but I wanted to be as close as my Granny would let me so I would lie on the floor and scoot real close.

Sometimes I wonder what they were thinking letting me watch this movie but I loved it. I would watch the movie over and over. Several movies were purchased because they would literally be worn out. One summer, I learned the dances that were my favorites and tortured my older brother and cousin by making them be Johnny and doing the dance routines with me. My cousin Holly was the best because she obliged me. She even did the famous lift scene with me in the pool.

Out Dancing with Kath
I was never formally a dancer although it always seems to be a great part of my life with my Momma. One great thing about having a young Mommy is that she is totally hip, even if you never want your friends to think so. She listened to cool music and we were always dancing around or signing in the car. For alone time, my Momma would jam to music in her room. I was curious what she was doing in there but I figured that she was doing what I wanted to do which was dance my heart out in my room! Dancing always provided me a great space to let go and I still love to turn up the music and dance it out in my living room.

Dancing with Morg at her wedding
Luckily, I have managed to find good friends who equally love to dance it out. The Cheerleaders... just try keeping us still. Every Chi Omega function and Homecoming gathering was like a dance off. We frequented a country bar in Tampa where we would line dance almost every Thursday night. Morgan and I even made up a dance routines to a few songs that we loved in college. Kathryn and I would dance until the sun came up in DC. And when I moved to Georgia, almost all of my friends (especially Mags) loved to tear it up on the dance floor. My dance highlight as an adult was definitely at Melissa and Derek's wedding when Blake and I attempted to do the final routine in Dirty Dancing. I'm sure their wedding guests thought we were crazy but I did not even notice anyone watching.

Blake & I @ UGA Football Game

I miss school dances and nights dancing my heart out with my girlfriends. I wish we lived in the times where men would take you out to the dance hall. This past August, I was visiting Doug's family in New York. I was talking with his Aunt Helen and she shared that her and Uncle Charles would go dancing every Friday night, often staying out until the wee hours of morning. Why was I not born during that time period?

Maybe it is just a movie but Dirty Dancing captured me. Most little girls are dreaming of the Princes in the Disney movies but I dreamed of Patrick Swayze. I firmly believe that our ideas of romance and relationships are shaped from a young age and I guess it is no wonder that I loved pretending some day I would be someones Baby. She was strong, intelligent, did what scared her, and stood up for what she believed in. That is always the kind of woman I have wanted to be and I'm looking forward to my very own Johnny someday.

Melissa and Derek's Wedding

"She dreams of mermaid and motorcycles and meeting a man who can dance"


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Cold Temperatures & Warm Memories

I have been complaining about the snow and cold weather for weeks but today I felt charmed by the snow falling on the ground and pure beauty in the white that surrounds my home.

view of my street
 
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~ Edith Sitwell

And the snow continues to fall....


my car is buried :)



Monday, February 7, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things...

The main theme of my Thirty Before Thirty list is to be more present. One way I am doing that is taking out time to document my current favorite things and be thankful for these little treasures in my life.

This week, I'm loving......


Lori McKenna's New Album, Lorraine.
This is on constant repeat in my house.


My new reading nook. While deep cleaning the house during the onset of my cabin fever, I decided to move around some furniture to create a more cozy space for reading... thus my new nook.
Currently, I'm enjoying The Hunger Games, The Tea Rose, and Alexandra Stoddard's Grace Notes with this stellar candle gifted from a student.


Snow days full of sleep for good recovery time from bronchitis.


New Friends.
We have a new addition to our Tuesday night supper/Glee crew. While he cannot actually join us on Tuesday nights, he has captured the heart of our beloved Justin. Alison and I got to meet Justin's new love, Zack, and we quickly fell in love with him too.

Image Source: helphive.com

Saturday brought sunshine and warmer temperatures.
While it is still freezing, I opened the windows to get some circulation and fresh air into the apartment.

Image Source: Supernatural Botanticals

Hitting the Mat.
After weeks off from yoga it feels great to spend some time back on the mat. I enjoyed a deep stretch class Sunday and Hot Yoga on Monday. Looking forward to being back at my favorite Wednesday class with Kristin.


Sunday, February 6, 2011

What's In My Bag?

Courtney, a member of my CSAA family and fellow blogger, posted a "What's In My Bag?" edition of her blog and I loved the idea and borrowed it for Grits & Gravy.

I discovered that I have a ton of stuff in my bag. My Daddy calls my purses 'suitcases' because I like them kind of large. What can I say? I like to be prepared so my bag is a little Mary Poppin-ish.



A few years ago, my sweet brothers got me this lovely Coach purse and wallet. I adore it.

Here is a list of the goodies inside:
1. Vera Bradley Journal: I like to have something to jot down ideas and thoughts. Even though I have the latest technology, I'm old school and like to write it down.

2. Iphone: Addiction

3. Cough Drops & Tissues: I have had a wicked case of bronchitis thus the endless supply of these items in my bag.

4. Wipes: These always come in handy.

5. Glasses: Sunglasses and the seeing kind.

6. Sudafed & Advil: Like to have these on hand.

7. Orbit gum: have to keep it fresh

8. Hair clips

9. Camera: I never leave home without my handy Nikon. I had to purchase this one when my last camera died and I love it.

10. Pens & Highlighters: I had no idea how many of these were in my purse. There are a lot, guess I have a good bit of writing to do.

11. Gloves: I am currently living in what feels like Antarctica. Dramatic, I know, but this Floridian in freezing in these temperatures. I usually have a fun scarf in my bag but not really because of the cold. Scarves are my favorite accessory!

12. Baekgaard Travel Case: I use this as my everyday toiletry bag. I used to be a frequent flier and this just made life easy when going through security. It contains floss, lip glosses, band aids, lotion, tweezers, and more hair clips and bobby pins.

13. Rifraff Gift Certificate: One of my favorite local stores, visit their website and you'll understand.

14. Jump drive

15. Keys with my Fayetteville library card (thanks to Ella and Angela).

With all of these items, it is no wonder that I am always prepared and need yoga to rebalance my body.

Ladies, what is in your bag?