Strikes My Fancy Friday #3

Hello there!

It's Friday! Unfortunately, I'm working at the olive oil shop all weekend, so I am trying to make this Friday an extra perky one to compensate for the lack of an "actual weekend." On the bright side (?) I will get a lot of school work done! Once I stop blogging and catching up on the interwebs, that is.

I hear Anatomy & Physiology calling my name so without further ado... Some of my favorite things from this week!

I should apologize in advance for the large number of vaguely blurry photos in this week's round-up. I have no good explanation, especially since I found out yesterday at my annual physical (and flu shot! GET ONE!) that I have 20/13 vision! That's outstanding, stupendous, and extraordinary vision, in case you didn't know. Please excuse me while I brush my shoulders off and continue to pound carrots (chock full of beta-Carotene for my top-notch eyes).

I will start with perhaps my favorite thing of all time --> this video (When you can't stay awake in class) sent to me by my father last week. I declare this the funniest video on the internet and guarantee it will cheer you up.

Wool socks from Mast General Store in Asheville! My feet (and just myself in general) are always cold so wool socks are my savior in the Winter. It doesn't hurt that they are such festive Christmas colors, either. Too soon?! 



This gigantic salad from Luna's Living Kitchen was much needed after my low-on-veggies/high-on-chocolate weekend. This was their Arugula Harvest salad with red cabbage, spiralized root vegetables, pear, avocado, candied pecans, pumpkin seeds, raisins, maple-mustard vinaigrette and a homemade cashew-basil cheese. I mean, how can you go wrong with that?

Ended my Fall break with beers on the patio at the new NoDa Brewing location. The weather in Charlotte has been lovely for patio-sitting and sipping lately. The Par Four Session IPA and Gordgeous beers are also lovely, in case you were wondering.



I put together this lunch on Wednesday and was way too pleased that everything was green. Avocado toast still remains my favorite weekday lunch item. PS - The Eureka Seeds the Day Organic Bread is delicious. Bonus points for the pun.

 

How are things in your neck of the woods? Any fun plans this weekend?

 

Strikes My Fancy Friday #2

It's Friday! And a Friday of a 3-day weekend, no less! I'm working at the olive oil shop tomorrow and then headed down (farther) south to Atlanta for some Labor Day weekend action! I know I've only been in class for ~2 weeks, but I'm pretty darn excited for a long weekend.

Without futher ado, let's check out some things that have been striking my fancy lately, shall we?

Have you heard?! It's Labor Day weekend! Also known as the last unofficial weekend of summer. While I'm chomping at the bit to welcome allthepumpkin and boots and scarves and crisp air and fall running into my life, I think we should all stop and smell the rose (ahem roses*) one last time this weekend. And if you can get your hands on it, this rose is a stellar choice. Plus, what a cool bottle!

I went to a Saturday run club at Sycamore Brewing last weekend. And by run club I mean yours truly plodding alongside an old man who was breathing so heavily the whole time I thought he might keel over. While the 6-mile loop felt very long *for many reasons*, this watermelon waiting at the brewery at the end made it all worthwhile.

The kitchen space at the back of the olive oil shop is newly occupied by a chocolatier. When a batch comes out with any imperfections... they can't sell them. LUCKY FOR ME, I've befriended the chef and sometimes get the "ugly ducklings." Alongside a cup o' tea it makes my Anatomy & Physiology reading slightly more bearable. 

Oh boy. These were good. I made a stack of Kodiak Pancakes last weekend and sandwiched them with Barney Butter's Cocoa + Coconut Almond Butter. Topped with more coconut, for good measure. 

Last Saturday afternoon, Torsten and I did a little brewery hopping. At some point, nachos were discussed. The craving could not be denied, and thus this cookie sheet of heaven was born. Trader Joe's everything --> corn chips, fresh tomatoes, mashed black beans, salsa, greek yogurt, and reduced guilt guacamole. Delicious and infinitely healthier than what we might have devoured at a restaurant.

I'll leave you with my one non-food related item of the week. I snagged this gorgeous bouquet of flowers from the Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market last weekend for $5. $5! They've cheered my little apartment all week long.

 

Hope you have a delightful long weekend! Wear lots of white and drink lots of rose.

 



Strikes My Fancy Friday #1

It's Friday!

And time for a little Strikes My Fancy Friday action. I spent an absurd amount of time trying to come up with a clever alliterative title for this post and, I'm sad to report, this was the best I could do.

This will mostly recap my favorite eats and recipes of the week, but I might also throw in some other goings-on just to keep you on your toes.

 

My self-control didn't stand a chance once the pumpkin beers emerged. I'm saving these four until October (promise!) but I may have had this glass of Southern Tier Warlock (which is 10% ABV!!!) at Good Bottle Co. so I could compare it to Southern Tier Pumpking. They had them both on tap - what's a girl to do?! Verdict: they taste remarkably similar despite their totally different colors/styles. I still think they taste like a Yankee Candle. But I also finished this no problem. 

 

I checked out the Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market for the first time last Sunday and bought a carton of peaches. Because it was almost closing time, the farmer loaded me up with extra peaches. So, of course, I had to make peach pie! This recipe from smitten kitchen was fairly easy and resulted in a super flakey crust! Make it before peach season comes to an end!

 

The Coconut flavored La Croix will always have my heart, but this Apple Berry flavor takes a close second! I've been on the hunt for the new flavors (Kiwi Watermelon! Blackberry Cucumber!) but haven't found any yet. 



 

I found this wine at the Charlotte Total Wine (which is truly a magical place) for the reasonable price of $8.99. Two thumbs up from the Sauvignon Blanc lovin gal.

 

Everyone knows you can order 1/2 and 1/2 toppings from places like Domino's and Papa Johns but it had never occurred to me to do so at a local pizza joint! Until this week, that is. Half greek and half sundried tomato pesto made for one whole delicious pizza at Hawthorne's (do you see what I did there?).

 

Forgive me the somewhat unappetizing photo here because I swear this was the most summery and delicious lunch. Avocado toast, local tomatoes and balsamic vinegar and a handful of almonds for some extra protein. And hey, is that another La Croix I see?

 

This is my new favorite greek yogurt. So tropical!

 

This has been my view for the majority of the week. I start classes next Tuesday so I've been catching up on reading and Bachelor in Paradise (I know, I know). But I'm considering it a "pruning of my brain cells" before I build them up again this semester in class. It's science!

 

Anything striking your fancy this week? Foods? Books? Spill!