by Kimberly | Jan 11, 2011 | chocolate, food, photo shoot
Ice. That is what today is about. There is ice, not snow, in RDU. This has been one of the coldest winters I’ve experienced in RDU since moving here in 2000. Note: we haven’t had 24 inches of snow (like in January 2000) or TONS of ice like we had in 2005 (or was it 2004)? But, with temperatures not even reaching 50, really, not even 40, for most of the days for the past 6 weeks, its cold.
So, I thought I would talk about something happy and fun: favorite places in the Triangle. There is a reason I love this place and am glad to call it home!
These are in no particular order:
Fosters Durham/Chapel Hill: I love her home-cooked food but upscale. It is a place to sit all day with a book or a laptop and enjoy a scone with some snickerdoodle coffee or a glass of wine. Her omelettes are fantastic and any of her baked goods are usually just what the doctor ordered. I haven’t figured out which location I like better.
Best Dessert I’ve tried so far in RDU: Butterscotch Blondie at Bogart’s. I had to share, it was my birthday, but I could have eaten the whole thing – with the ice cream. So good. Oh, and the inside out pb cup from Cafe Carolina . So good. Wish I could make.
Best Wine Experience: Sip in Cary. Such a quaint, decorative place that you want to stay and get to know the owners and everyone who stops in. They know their stuff: and everything is eco-friendly!
Best Thai Food: Chai’s in Durham on Erwin Road. I haven’t been back since I returned to the state, because I’ve been trying out new places. But, hands down, this is the best place by far if I want some delicious salty steamed edemame or a huge bowl of spicy chicken pad thai.
Go sit all day: Panera Crabtree. The reasons are this: refillable unsweet tea, wifi free usage, overhear engaging conversations, 5 minutes door to door, and cheap, somewhat healthy food.
Outdoor Activities: Volleyball courts at Pullen Park, Shelley Lake for walking, Umstead park, summer movies at the museum of art, July 4 at Cary Amphitheatre, photo shoots at NCSU Arboretum or Duke Gardens, or anywhere on the campus of SEBTS or UNC.
Best Cheap Mexican: Salsa Fresh is at least every 2 weeks – I’m going there tomorrow.
Best Jewelry: Moon & Lola
Best Pizza: Anna’s Pizzeria in Apex or Lilly’s at Five Points
Best Sushi: Champas at Briar Creek
What other places do I need to try? I can branch out to anywhere in the Triangle. I love new things. What are some of your favorite things about living in the Triangle?
by Kimberly | Jan 10, 2011 | chocolate, food
I got to bring something to a birthday party this past weekend and had most of the ingredients for these, so I went with a new recipe. I liked the crisp in them and of course the addition of a little hershey’s chocolate on top.
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup rice krispies
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
mini hershey bars
Tools: mini muffin pan, small cookie scoop, stand mixer, measuring spoons and cups, spatula
Cream butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix dry together and add to wet. Fold in cereal and chocolate chips.
Spray muffin pans and bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. Makes approximately 30. Remove from oven when done. Immediately put 1/2 of a miniature hershey bar in the top. Let cool completely.
by Kimberly | Jan 10, 2011 | food, Vegetables, vegetarian
Today is day one, right. Day one of anything. Today is the first day of the rest of your life?!
Well, there are some things that I just need to put my mind to do, and I can do it. This is one of those things.
Hardest part of going meatless for 365 days:
1. When I go to the Angus Barn (they have something meatless, right).
2. My brother’s steaks (so stinking quality)
3. Sausage. Its so good.
If there are only three deterrants for me trying this, than what is there to stop me?
Why I will try it for a year:
1. Protein is good and can be found in other foods
2. Panera does sell meatless eats (because you know, Panera gets my money most weeks).
3. Dairy and fish are not included in this.
4. I want to expand my cooking knowledge and food savvy. I have to branch out.
5. And, I don’t like meat substitutes (so not tofu, or whathave you).
Do you have any thoughts? Do you have any good websites I’ve not looked at.
Day 1: good. Cinnamon raisin toast with pb for breakfast, veggie sub for lunch (and chips, fruit, piece of cake at a party). Dinner: pumpkin soup and cornbread.
by Kimberly | Jan 10, 2011 | food, vegetarian, weather, winter
1. I hit something this morning, and it wasn’t my snooze alarm.
2. I get to go to Wilmington mid-week for a 30 hour retreat from: books and computer.
3. I had a tough week last week: but some people made it survivable!
4. We are supposed to get snow again today.
5. Mocha buttercream is a fabulous way to start off a Monday morning.
6. I love meeting new friends.
7. I’m already stinking at some of my January goals, but press on, right. Never give up.
8. I got Panera gift cards for my birthday: best gift!
9. Bogarts butterscotch blondie: one of the best desserts in RDU!
10. Love the prayers that God is answering. Still praying for others.
11. Sad. College football ends tonight. Will have to now wait until August for some more. One of the saddest days of the year.
1. How do you use your femininity? For God’s glory or for your gain. Convicting as always. Truth is.
2. Love this guy’s recipes. I think I will stop by the store on my way home (from an early closing) to make this tonight to go with some pumpkin lentil soup from Happy Herbivore. Perfect for a football game, writing, yoga, and warmth!
3. Love her soothing photography and encouraging words.
4. I already need this Girltalk post for the new year!
5. Dr. Mohler definitely wouldn’t like this post by Abraham Piper.
by Kimberly | Jan 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
My second office. Panera. Specifically, usually, the Panera at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, NC. On occassion I’ll go somewhere else, but I’m starting to get to know the staff here and like my corner booth. I set up shop: Bible, journal, pen, food, unsweet tea, and laptop.
I also like it because I can listen in on conversations from people who don’t know the gospel: and hopefully have conversations with people about the gospel.
Today: point in case:
Two dads are sitting adjacent to my booth at a small otable, no drinks or food, just sitting there catching up. White, middle-class. Here is the conversation I’ve heard.
Apparently these dads have not gotten together in a while because they are catching them up on their kids’ lives. One has a son who is in college, has broken too many rules, and he will not give him a loan for his son’s college dues. His son runs cross country, has a physically intimate relationships with his girlfriend, and loves to show disrespect to his Dad. HIs daughter has now graduated college and lives in NYC with two girls from NCSU, paying 900$ a month for her share of a 1 BR apt 4 blocks off Central Avenue in the city. She knows the subway system and has a great job because of the connections she made during an internship she had recently. “Its so exciting!” The son doesn’t know or want to be independent because Mom will do the laundry and take care of him.
The other Dad talks about his kids being in year round swimming clubs. That was it.
Don’t know the marital status of either of them, though I know one has been divorced.
Here is what I’ve discerned:
1. The Dads have a relationship with their kids. At least they know what is going on with them. And the one has been speaking to him about training and sports and succeeding the past many years.
2. The children seem to be somewhat successful.
3. The Dads want their children to succeed.
4. I have not heard one single word about Christ or the gospel. Do they know that there is no hope in this world without Christ? And I don’t know, as a 34 year old single female, how to talk with 2 dads in their 50s about “hey, you need to know Jesus.” I’m such a wimp. Yes, a cop out – I wish I had a guy sitting across the table from me, hearing the same conversation, who could turn to them and talk about the gospel. I wish I had two copies of ApParent Privilege with me to give to them to read.
Nothing in this life is anything without Christ.
