Pasta, Panna Cotta, & Post-Grad Pondering

After four glorious years in the Bulldog Nation, I done graduated. I’ve been a University of Georgia alumnus for a solid week now.

It’s a strange feeling… not knowing what’s next and such. But before I’m too entrenched in sorting that out, I wanted to stop for a second and look back and what’s behind.

Lists are my best sorting device, for tangible items as well as not so tangible items… like feelings and thinkings that need to go somewhere. I originally thought about pulling together a list of all the things I’ll miss about college.

Then I realized how dumb that would be. What good would any such list do for me or anyone else? Instead, I’m throwing out a list of the more valuable lessons I’m taking away from college. Bear with me.

Raspberry & Pistachio Fudge Brownies

 

So because I’m heading into an ominous pit of uncertainty and anxiety–i.e. college graduation– in a mere week, I’m trying dagum hard to be optimistic about the day-to-day. You know, focus on the good and the hopeful to avoid thoughts of living on the street.

I’m trying, yes. But a handful of painful occurrences  had me close to despising all humanity last week.

I know. Harsh. It’s okay. Calm yourself.

I’m reflecting on these negatives and pulling out the positives. There’s always a silver lining., even if you have to completely make it up… once you do, it exists. And it’s legit.

Spicy Pickled Carrots

It’s absurd, it’s crazy, but sometimes miraculous change occurs overnight. Like bam.

Buttered Popcorn Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today, I am thankful.

I am  thankful for each of the tiny blessings that somehow end up enveloped into a generic mess whenever I say, I’m thankful for everything I have.    

And then, that’s that. No further thought necessary, folks.

Today, I’m thankful for the things that aren’t mentioned around the Thanksgiving table. The minute items and actions that can make every average day so insanely enjoyable, when we take two seconds to take notice.

Birds Nests

To the food bloggers and general food enthusiast crowd, laugh away. Go ahead, laugh your happy asses off.

I am 100% showcasing a totally tactless, frazzled soccer mom bake sale treat the day before Easter. I’m doing it, and I’m not at all ashamed because:

A.) They’re scrumptious

B.) Someone has to stand up for the frazzled soccer moms

Today, I feel like the one to do it.

SXSW… a road trip

Hi friends.

Wanna hear a solid college girl-type whine? Cause I got one–

I miss spring break. I miss it bad.

Not because I’m one of the beach-going, bikini-rocking, booty-dancing, spring-breaker chicks… but because I miss day after day of fantastic food, no communication law exams, no job applications, and good stuff like that.

For spring break this year, my bestie, my boyfriend, and myself packed up and ventured to Austin, TX for SXSW 2013. From the journey, I bring a collection of tips–both for enjoying the SXSW experience and road-tripping in general.

Here we go.

Grits Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crust

Many moons ago, before the blog and the all night baking marathons, I was but a lost and scared young thing who was fresh out of the freshman dorms/meal plan and trying to figure out how to eat well without busting my small bank account. I turned to Google; and in my time of need, Google turned me to countless college insight articles that essentially told me two things:

A.) Ramen Noodles are cheap.      …Duh

B.) You can stick things like canned meat and frozen vegetables in your Ramen to boost the nutritional quality/add variety.      …Ew

Baked Ginger-Soy Wings

Thank the sweet Lord above for weekends.

All week, I’ve been hung up on whining about where I am in my collegiate career– poor, worn out, and confused with no comfort except that I’m probably about to get poorer, more worn out, more confused and likely homeless after graduation. Aha, the best has yet to come. For anyone who doesn’t remember or hasn’t yet graduated college, this isn’t an abnormal train of thought. It’s really not.

Mind you, all (or most) of this has been mental whining. Nobody likes  a whiner and I’m not exactly trying to drive other people nuts while I’m driving myself nuts. That’s a lot to handle.

But but but, by limiting said whining to the confines of my skull, I have no choice but to reflect on it a smidge harder. And guess what… that’s not such a bad thing.

 

Well this is rad(ish)…

Oh hi, long time… no speak.

If you fall into the handful of my regular readers–i.e. my mom, my ex-roommate, and a few fellow food enthusiasts who find my antics amusing–you may have noticed a recent lack of content here at Beauty and the Feast.

I reckon I owe you folks an explanation.

Cheers to New Years

I know I’m a couple days late and, coming right out of the holiday season, quite a few dollars short… but Happy New Years, folks. I’m gonna go ahead and put this out there—2012 has been my favorite year to date. Definitely not the easiest, but for me, one of the most impactful of my 21 by far. And with that being that, I want to officially kiss it goodbye by highlighting my top 12 posts of 2012. These 12 rank as my favorites for the year partially because of the food, partially because of the stories and largely because of the experiences associated with each. Come now, reminisce with me for a sec…