All I Want is Loving You and Desserts, Desserts, Desserts

Howdy'do, folks!

Gracie here to talk to you about (okay, mostly to show you) my fantastic treat-filled weekend with my mommy. I am lucky enough to go to school only two hours away from her house so I go there (too) frequently.  This weekend was the first I actually did some of what I had hoped to, however, so I am really really happy. Obviously.


So, first things first: DESSERTS.

This weekend I made two batches of ice cream and, consequently, two friggin' fantastic types of frozen goodies. If you want recipes let me know!

1) Chocolate covered strawberry ice cream bites.

this picture sucks, I know, but it's the only one I took of the finished product. Dumb me.

2) Mint ice cream-chocolate chip cookie sandwiches

I know the internet really downgrades the impressiveness of baking, but trust me, these were awesome. And I am generally very critical about my work, so you can have faith that these were actually good.

Next thing: Outfit post numero dos!

Today I wore all modern clothes!!! IT WAS MADNESS. Not really....
And, okay, when I say "modern clothes" I mean that they were made in the last few years by big manufacturers that sell modern styled clothes to lots and lots of people who often over look the more classic styles being sold. And I have no problem with wearing clothes like this if they look nice (which I think they do!) so, in that regard I am not a snob, but if we start in on the topic of other modern clothes... well, that's when I'll get a little pompous and mean and angry. So, lets save that for another day, shall we?

Anyway, since I actually left the house today (I had nothing left to bake...) to go see "Water For Elephants" with my mutti, I changed out of my strawberry-and-chocolate-covered '50s dress into this outfit.

The baby in my arms is Pi. She's pleasantly plump and the source of many-a-asthma attack of mine. But I love her.

Top: Anthropologie. (Oh how I miss having gifts cards for the lovely place)
Jeans (my only pair, mind you!) are hand-me down Lucky Brand. I think they're meant for boys though, since I got them from my cousin and I don't think he cross-dresses, though I could be wrong.
Loafers: Goodwill
The weird belt (which happens to be the only one I had with me) is a hand-me-down from my aunt.

In other exciting news, I finally invested in quality lipstick and liner. I had never owned lip liner before last friday, but now I don't know that I can go on without it. I bought MAC brand because I have heard/read really good things about it, it was not super-pricey (though it did cost over twice as much as what I paid previously.... I'm just really frugal, I guess) they have a color in matte finish that I really like (Russian Red), and it doesn't have the highest lead content, so I won't die as soon. I hope. I also finally replaced the eye liner my sister stole from me. So that was fun.
I was also really happy with how my hair turned out today, despite several preliminary un-victorious victory rolls this morning.

Gardenias in my hair always smell so nice and remind me of one of the songs Keira Knightly sings in "Edge of Love"

That's enough of my uninteresting mess of a weekend. Hope you lot had a great one!!

So long for now,

Gee

Delicious Desires and Dastardly Disappointments

Okay, so I love food... Like in a Liz Lemon way. Except, I have to say, my palette is a weebit more refined than miss Lemon’s, as in I dont like hot dogs or donuts. Cheese, however.... yum. I miss cheese. I dont eat it here often, but when I go home... ahhhhhh so much happiness happens in my mouth. Because of cheese, I mean. And other fantastic foods, too. No one told me how much college food sucks. I guess I should have assumed, since they make it for the masses, but I didnt.
Anyhow, the reason I brought this topic up is because when I went to my Ma’s house a few weekends ago we stopped along the highway at this shop that sells ciders, pies, and various other homemade goodies. We were hesitant about the purchase of a $14.00 pie, but it was made by the maker of South Carolina’s best pie (and the 2nd best pie in the nation, according to Southern Living [http://www.southernliving.com/travel/best-southern-pies-00417000067560/page16.html]) so we made an exception. I also happily purchased a jar of cinnamon apple jam. 

Almost immediately after the purchase of fancy-pants pie. (I apologize for the crappy computer camera quality....)

Once we finally got to the house we started in on the pie we had earlier decided to share with the rest of our family (who live not 15 minutes away). I hate to say it, but what a bust! The pie (apple, of course!) had almost non-existent flavor, was too dry for our liking, and had mediocre crust. I was so disappointed, you have no idea. I managed to eat two slices within it’s short time in our possession (two days, which is actually a really long time for our family...) but the whole while I was waiting for it to get better. When I have made pies in the past, though they were not award-winning, they were much, much better than this lady’s! Also, my sister makes even better pie than I! In fact, her pies are the reason I even started to like pie! That being said, I would like to confess I am an avid baker and have developed quite the sweet tooth since I discovered my wee, elfin hands could produce delicious treats. I was 13 when I first realized this and yet somehow my skills havent attracted as many friends as I would have hoped. Anyway, that’s not why I bake. I bake because I like being able to enjoy the product of easy work and a little bit of know-how. Baking and cooking is so much easier than a lot of people make it out to be! What’s my point? Oh yeah, I guess I’m just writing this because I have been wanting to bake a lot the past few days so it’s really all I can think about. Baking and ice cream making. I am going home in a week and Im hoping to make more cup pies (a la Pushing Daisies, only not as neat-looking) and ice cream. I'm thinking lemon ice cream... I have really been wanting to try it out and it’s been such perfect weather for a nice chilly, citrus-y treat! 

Apple Cinnamon cup pies.

I'm sorry to have bored you with my random post about food. But hey, who doesn’t like a long-winded series of complaints and plans related to chow?

.... Have a lovely evening, all! And if you have the opportunity, go bake something! 

- Gracie