Office Supply Marker showdown #tryitTuesday

For this month’s Try It Tuesday, it is an office supply marker showdown.

I love office supplies. Pens. Markers. Pencils. Paper. Notebooks. I love it all.

When it comes to buying markers, my favorite brand is Sharpie.

When I saw Bic Markit on sale, I thought that they were just as good at Sharpie (at least they looked that way a first glance).

In the beginning, it seemed that Bic markers were a great, inexpensive alternative. They wrote just as smoothly. The permanent ink did not fade. I could write on any surface type. Both are available in many different colors and widths.

Here is the thing. I buy so many markers because I like to have one whenever I need one. They are in my car, by the bed, in the office, in the kitchen and living room. Some of my markers are 5 or more years old.

My SHARPIE markers have never failed me as long as I keep the top on tightly (which I do).

My Bic Markit markers (which are not as old as the Sharpie) were dried out when I went to use them. I was in shock. This was not supposed to happen. Markers are not supposed to have an expiration date. When I use all the ink in the marker, I understand. But these were new out of the pack. Granted the pack was 3 years old, but I never had an issue with Sharpies drying out.

Despite the fact that the BIC markers were cheaper, they lost MAJOR points because they dried out before I had a chance to use them.

Office Supplies Showdown Winner: SHARPIE

Inn on the Square #innonthesquare @uptowngreenwood #foodiefriday

Oct2

It’s time for Foodie Friday!

If you are not familiar with Uptown Greenwood SC, you probably are unaware that Inn on the Square is re-opening. Or what a big deal that previous statement is. It was about 5 years ago that Inn on the Square closed. This was unfortunate for many reasons but mainly because it is in a prominent place in Uptown Greenwood. It needed to be occupied and opened.

Earlier this year, the new owners said that they beginning renovations and were opening this fall. Date was set for October 1st. They hired Claire Griffth as the Events Manager (best thing they could have done in my opinion) and she began furiously working to make sure everything was in place to open without delays.

On Sept 25th hubby and I were invited to be dinner guests while the chef and kitchen staff tested a few of their menu items.

When we arrived, we were told we could go the Fox and Hound lounge for a drink while we waited for our table to be arranged. When we walked inside, I felt like it was classy, but in an unpretentious way.

We were called into the dining room and our server took our order. I listed everything that people from our table ordered—

Appetizers

Lump Crab Fritters (I ordered) – these were about the size of a golf ball. Lots of lumps of crab and corn. Crispy to perfection on the outside. I want this again. I told the chef that is going to be the first thing I order when they open.

Pulled Chicken Spring Rolls – comments at the table were that these were outstanding.

Antipasto Platter – comments at the table were that this was delicious too. I wish I could have ordered this as well as the crab fritters.

From the Garden

Argula and Apple Salad (I ordered) – Delicious! Arugula, lettuce greens, apple, candied walnuts, raisins, and blue cheese tossed in apple cider vinaigrette. My kind of salad. The bite of arugula paired well with the apple. The walnuts added crunch. While the blue cheese added a tart creamy flavor.

Entrees

Catfish and Grits – I tasted the fish and LOVED the breading mix because it was really crunchy but the fish was light and flakey on the inside. I do not prefer to eat grits, but my friend said those were good too.

Peppercorn Tuna (I ordered) – Peppercorn tuna is one of my favorite dishes. I like a lot of peppercorns and this was prepared the way I like it. It was served with wasabi mashed potatoes. Genius! Not very spicy, but there was enough of the flavor there to know there was wasabi in it.

Pan-Seared Sirloin – Hubby said this was the best sirloin he had. He ordered medium rare.

Desserts

Free formed apple tart with caramel sauce – I liked this but wish there had been more caramel sauce. Tasty!

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting – This was a little dense for carrot cake, but the flavor and frosting was good.

Almond Joy inspired mousse (I ordered) – I tasted all of the desserts and this was my favorite. It was chocolaty and creamy but not super sweet.

Inn on the Square

104 East Court Avenue

Greenwood SC 29649

innonthesquare.net

Lump Crab Fritters

Antipasto Platter

Argula and Apple Salad

Peppercorn Tuna

Catfish and Grits

Pan-Seared Sirloin

Free formed apple tart with caramel sauce

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

Almond Joy inspired mousse

Photo Blogging #Challenge September 2015 theme: Happy #photoblog

Sep30

September’s theme for the photo blogging challenge hosted by http://hoohaablog.com/ was Happy. The only challenge this month was to only pick 5 pictures.

Picture 1 – Gatlinburg, TN
Labor Day weekend hubby and I went to the mountains and stayed in a cabin with 10 our friends. Most of our days were spent sitting on the porch looking at the mountains. It was fun, relaxing with people we love. As one quote says, “Friends are the family you choose.”

mountains

Picture 2 – Whoopie pies at a local Business networking mixer
When the local college hosted a business networking mixer, their onsite catering company provided the food. The catering company is none other than Old Main Catering. Their pastry chef makes the BEST whoopie pies. For you who do not know what a whoopie pie is, it is a mound shaped cake that has a delicious filling. It looks like a cookie, but has the texture of cake. Pictured are lemon and chocolate.

whoopie pies

Picture 3 – Belizean restaurant in Los Angeles, CA
Sadly my great-aunt passed away in September (she was 88). The family gathered together in California to attend the funeral. Since my family is from Belize, we went to Belizean Fish Market to pick up food for lunch once everyone was in town. Some of my cousins, I had not seen in years. While we were gathered for a sad occasion, being around family to celebrate her life and love. My favorite menu item: panades! (if you are in LA, go here for delicious authentic Belizean food)

belizean fish market

Picture 4 – Almond Joy inspired mousse
I attended a restaurant menu preview dinner night. The chef is testing recipes before they officially open. One of the dessert items was the Almond Joy inspired mousse. It was delicious! I thought it would be too sweet but it was perfect. The coconut flavor was not overpowering. The cookie provided texture without being too much.

almond joy inspired mousse

Picture 5 – Inflatables & Obstacle course 5K
I signed up to participate in a 5K that included an obstacle course and several inflatables. My friend had as a goal to complete a 5K this year and I decided to do it with her. All together, there were 16 obstacles and 4 inflatables. It was fun and I would do it again. Hopefully next time, it will not be raining. The inflatable pictured was the last one. I was happy that I made it to the end.

inflatables

SAVE 5000!

Sep28

Reuse and recycle!

Thistles and Whistles

First of all, I would just like to THANK YOU ALL for reading, visiting, liking, commenting and following my blog! It means so much to me that you have stopped by and spent time reading what I have to say and have even taken the time to leave behind such valuable and kind comments! Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart! I am so so grateful.

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New Release: Work Song by Danielle Allen

Sep28

New release and book giveaway!

Musings of A Romance Junkie

Work Song is LIVE!!!

Grab your copy now!

When society tries to put you in a box, knock the walls down. –Tati Green
“You have a pretty face” is such a back-handed compliment. It’s like telling me that my face is beautiful, but the rest of me is not.
Despite what society says, my curves are hot.
My love life, on the other hand, is not.
My mom says I’ll never find love because of my weight.
My sister says I’ll never find love because of my personality.
My almost-fiancé says I’ll never find love because I’m incapable of loving anyone.
My mom and sister are full of it, but my ex kind of has a point.
At twenty-seven years old, I’ve never been in love. I date a lot, yet sparks never fly. But when I experienced the heart-pounding, skin tingling feeling for the first time, I didn’t…

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