Foodie Friday: EVO Extra Virgin Oven restaurant and craft bakery- North Charleston #charlestonsc #foodie #pizza

Dec13

Here’s what I consider a hidden gem in North Charleston. This is a place that the locals know and love but I’m not sure you will necessarily find this if you are not in the know.

If you go during lunch, you better get there early or be prepared to wait!

If you are short on time, call your order in and it will be ready for you to pick up as soon as you arrive.

Everything on the menu was top notch delicious!

1075 East Montague Ave. Park Circle, N Charleston

843-225-1810

Plus, there is a bakery in the back!

Photo Blogging Challenge: Whatcha Eatin #photochallenge #foodie

Dec3

The theme for November’s photo blogging challenge hosted by http://hoohaa.com/ was Whatcha Eatin. I love food and my challenge this month was to decide which pictures I wanted to use!

Without further ado, here are my pictures on the theme.

Photo 1

Lamb chops from a restaurant in Athens, Greece (cooked on the grill and seasoned with oregano and other spices)

Photo 2

Pasta Carbonara from a restaurant in Fira, Santorini (the BEST I have ever had!!! I loved that they loaded me up with parmesan cheese.)

Photo 3

Champagne and a croissant at the Charles de Gaulle in Paris, France (Yes it was 7:30am but I was on vacation. Can’t pass through France without having Champagne!)

Photo 4

Roasted Curry Chickpeas made at home (I am obsessed with this tasty snack! Its easy to make too. The recipe is here.)

Photo 5

Gorditas al pastor and Lime soda from a Mexican restaurant in Greenwood SC (Tasty Mexican street food)

Check out the website to see the other bloggers’ submissions and interpretations of this theme.

To quote another blogger GeoKs

While you’re there, please consider joining us next month! Participation is like taking on a low-stress photo assignment, which you can use to refine your photography skills. Any camera will do: your phone, a pocket-sized point and shoot, the DSLR that’s been gathering dust somewhere or a film camera. For each month’s theme, you’re asked to share five photos; the amount of accompanying text is up to you.

TRY IT TUESDAY – Travel to Sylvan Valley Lodge and Winery #tryittuesday #travel #NGeorgia

Nov12

TRY IT TUESDAY – Travel to Sylvan Valley Lodge and Winery

We headed to the Sautee Nacochee area for our anniversary weekend. Hubs said that he wanted to go to the Georgia mountains but did not want to go to Helen, GA since we have been there before.

There are so many places to visit, why go to the same place twice?
I looked and it seemed that the Sautee Nacochee area would be an interesting place to visit.

I wanted us to do something different and searched for bed and breakfast in North Georgia. I chose Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars because it was listed as a bed and breakfast winery. I picked on the “Great Outdoors Package” which included breakfast each day, a picnic lunch, maps to area trails, cheese and charcuterie plate, and a wine tasting of area wines.

Little did I realize when I was making the reservation, Sylvan Valley Lodge is 5 miles from Helen. We ended up eating dinner each night in the big town of Helen.

About the cabin:
We stayed in Cabin #23. The cabin was nicely decorated with rustic finishes. There was a queen bed and garden tub in the bedroom. However, there was no TV in the bedroom. The living room area had a fireplace. Very cozy!

The internet and DirecTV satellite service was spotty especially when it started to rain, which was most of our trip. I mentioned that to the hosts and they said they are supposed to be getting fiber soon. Hopefully, they have it by now.

About the Great Outdoors package:

Breakfast was included for each day we were there. It was delicious. I made sure not to miss the first meal of the day!
Farm fresh breakfast: 2 cage free eggs, Nitrate free bacon, toasted English muffin with local wine preserves (My pick since it seemed to be the best value)

Other options included Norwegian style pancakes or Breakfast sandwich with eggs and all natural pork sausage

We did the area wine tasting on our first evening there before we went to dinner. Host John Boyes took his time explaining where the fruit for the wines were grown and talked about the history of the area. It was an informative experience.

At check in, they provided us with the maps of the hiking trails in the area.

They said to let them know when we were going so that they could prepare the picnic lunch. The lunch came in a little brown insulated lunch bag that was too cute! There were 2 sandwiches, cookies, chips, bottles of water. It was just enough to fill our hunger without being too heavy.

The maps were useful because when you are exploring the mountains, cell reception can be unreliable.

TOW Final Word: If you want a relaxing, intimate vacation in the mountains, Sylvan Valley Lodge is the place to go. I recommend choosing one of their packages to get the most out of your stay!

747 Duncan Bridge Rd.
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 United States
P: (706) 865-7371
https://www.sylvanvalleylodge.com/

Foodie Friday: Weaverville NC restaurants

Nov8

If you are ever in Weaverville NC, you might be surprised about the variety of restaurants. I know I was!

Hubby and I were in the small town to stay at a bed and breakfast establishment. Since Weaverville is about 15-20 minutes north of Asheville, we expected that we would make the drive for dinner each night. We were pleasantly surprised.

Wherever you go, everyone have a great selection of beers and ciders on tap.

Here were two of our favorites:

Blue Mountain

  • The pizza was delicious! Dough was on point! Perfect !!! There was a generous application of toppings.
  • Our server Lee made sure we had everything we needed. Even though they were super busy, we were checked on multiple times and our drinks were constantly topped off.

Tip: On weekends/holidays prepare for a wait. Even the locals are trying to get a table to eat here. This place is popular with everyone.

Twisted Laurel

  • The wings were good however the Buffalo or not spicy.
  • Our server was Taylor and was very attentive
  • The Caesar salad had good croutons but the Parmesan was out of a bottle.
  • The side salad was yummy minus the red onions.
  • Looking at other tables and their orders, the pasta looks good and the pizza looks great.

 

Photo Blogging Challenge: Liquid #photoblog

Nov4

The theme for October’s photo blogging challenge hosted by http://hoohaa.com/ was LIQUID. I tried to find cool, different pictures that fit the theme.

Without further ado, here are my pictures on the theme.

Photo 1

This is my friend’s fancy espresso and cappuccino machine. One Saturday we were all together and as everyone was drinking their coffee, I decided to spotlight the machine that made it all possible 🙂

Photo 2

After watching a video on Facebook, I made a face serum with the recipe that was featured in the video. The ingredient Blue Tansy gives it its vibrant color. I have been using it daily and my skin seems softer because of it. Plus, it was really easy to make.

1.5 oz rose hip oil & .5 oz jojoba oil

20 drops each essential oil Blue Tansy, Frankincense, Lavender, Sandalwood

Photo 3

I had to go on a business trip and stayed at a Embassy Suites. I love that they have complimentary drinks during their Happy Hour. I ordered a vodka cranberry so that I could get my Vitamin C.

Photo 4

My business trip destination was San Francisco. Of course, I had to get a picture of the San Francisco bridge. It is so peaceful to sit at the park at look out over the water. However, I could not stay long because it got chilly. That wind is something else!

Photo 5

At an art event that I attended, there was a potter spinning clay. It was mesmerizing to watch her mold the clay with her hands, adding drops of water at the right time. What started as a lump of clay became the vase you see in the picture. I am planning to take her class because I want to learn how to make pottery.

Check out the website to see the other bloggers’ submissions and interpretations of this theme.

To quote another blogger GeoKs

While you’re there, please consider joining us next month! Participation is like taking on a low-stress photo assignment, which you can use to refine your photography skills. Any camera will do: your phone, a pocket-sized point and shoot, the DSLR that’s been gathering dust somewhere or a film camera. For each month’s theme, you’re asked to share five photos; the amount of accompanying text is up to you.