Viewing entries posted in March 2011
Heads Up
There’s an often-neglected surface in our homes that’s getting a little more attention these days. No longer is the ceiling automatically assigned a shade of white as decorators are experimenting more and more with color, paper, and texture on this reclaimed fifth wall.
Make It Yourself — Tortillas
I learned that homemade tortillas are about a thousand times better than store-bought tortillas when I first started dating my now husband. His dad spent some time in El Paso, Texas, several years ago and came back an experienced tortilla maker. Now every time my husband and I visit his parents out on the North Carolina coast, we are treated to homemade enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas; you name it. You haven’t had true homemade Mexican food until you’ve made a tortilla from scratch.
Bull City Brunch
I tend to enjoy words that are both nouns and verbs, and brunch is one of the best. I love to brunch, have brunch, go to brunch, and host brunches. I was first inducted into the brunch culture when I lived in New York City, where that mid-day weekend meal was perfected down to a science. Prix fixe, 12:30, mimosas included. When I moved to North Carolina I fell out of the brunch habit, and then BOOM! Brunch exploded in Durham. What began as a mainstay of places like Watts Grocery, Rue Cler, and Mad Hatter’s, has spread like wildfire throughout the burgeoning Durham restaurant scene. Below are a few of my favorite places to brunch in the Bull City, and a recipe for my Cranberry-Chocolate Chip Scones if you feel like hosting your own brunch. Just don’t forget the mimosas!
Treehouse Vineyards
Last week a photographer friend and I ventured over to Monroe, North Carolina, to visit one of the state's newest — and most unique — wineries. Writer Victoria Bouloubasis brilliantly featured Treehouse Vineyards in our March/April edition of SavorNC. But when the charming Nordan family extended a personal invitation, I couldn't resist seeing it for myself.
Frugal Finds in Wilmington
Warmer weather means it’s time to plan your next vacation. Whether it’s beachside or inland, Wilmington offers plenty to do on a long weekend or a spring break. A moderate year-round climate and historic preservation district are just a few reasons Wilmington, located on the Cape Fear Coast in the southeastern corner of North Carolina, is popular.
Plan Ahead for April's Artsy Events
It's never to early to plan for Spring's many fabulous festivals. Here are a few favorite artsy activities for April.
Hoop, There It Is!
Monica Casey and her business, Monkey Hooper, were recently nominated for two awards by the readers of local popular website Triad Moms on Main, including Best Birthday Party Venue and Favorite Local Mompreneur. But Casey’s success stretches even further. With the founding of her high-class hula hoop company, the Winston-Salem mother of twins has become a party planner, a fitness coach, and an inspiration to fans of all ages.
Make it Yourself — Salad Dressings
I have had many salad dressing flops, mainly because I didn’t know how to combine ingredients together to get the right taste. A great salad dressing has a taste that can stand alone, but also complements the flavors of the vegetables in my salads. I found that by researching salad dressing recipes, following them, learning what flavors go together, creating just the right texture for a light splash of flavor in every bite, I finally got the hang of it.
Walk on the Wild Side
Maybe it’s the hidden rebel in me, but I’ve been gravitating toward leopard print rugs and carpets lately. Perhaps I need to thank (or admonish?) Mr. Miles Redd, the profligate decorator who holds little back when it comes to color and pattern. His use of exotic carpets (especially in bedrooms) may seem risky, but it works — every. single. time.
Behold Black Mountain
Two weeks ago, my brother, Jym, and I met for the fourth year in a row in Black Mountain for our annual date with the Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge, races that begin in the lovely town of Black Mountain and proceed up the road through Montreat onto rocky trails all the way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the Parkway, marathoners turn around while Challengers continue up to the top of Mount Mitchell — at 6684 feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi — and then they run back down. As Race Director Jay Curwen said at the race briefing, “If your head isn’t the highest thing around, you’re not there yet!”