Friday, August 27, 2010

Chocolate Orbit





We had 4 guests arrive this afternoon and I was really wanting to experiment with a new recipe so I asked if they prefer chocolate or a fruit based dessert like a cobbler. The answer was unanimous-"chocolate!!!" So after some research I decided on something called a "Chocolate Orbit". I found this recipe through another blog that I love. http://dessertsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/01/david-lebovitzs-chocolate-orbit-cake.html
This blog is so great and gives us some good breakfast ideas!!
Ok, time to go look for the Moon & Mars!!! Have a good night :)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

off days...



Although I hate not having guests every night, the days off give me a chance to do some things that I love. This morning I was up fairly early, made a pot of strong coffee, and headed to the farmers market!! I got a big watermelon, a red bell pepper, three ears of corn, white flesh peaches, and a few apples. Then I headed to Kroger to get a few extra things because I wanted to make Mary Kelley and her roommate some back to school treats. Seeing that red velvet cupcakes are her favorite, I decided to make those (minature size, of course!) and heart shaped extra gooey rice krispie treats!!! I can't wait to go to her dorm room this afternoon with a secret delivery!!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

"This is addicting..."

Breakfast: August 21st
I think he liked it...?!


Sometimes when these words are spoken it is meant in a negative way-but not this morning!!! Today's menu: Bananas Foster French Toast, Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Grits, Sausage Patties, and Strawberries. I have been wanting to try something a little more exciting than just plain, homemade syrup so I made a rash decision this morning and chose to experiment with bananas foster syrup. We had two guests staying in "Love" and they both agreed this recipe is a 10 out of 10. In fact, (and I quote) "This is addicting, I just can't stop eating it..." Anyways, I am very happy with how the new recipe turned out and it will be used again!!! Have a good day :)





Only two weeks until the first home game.....Hotty Toddy!!!!!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Busy Thursday..

Pre baking.....


Post baking & two guest servings....


Wine and Cheese for two--


Rosemary Scones with Raspberry Preserves drizzled w/a lemon glaze--


The morning started off fairly easy...prepared coffee then had a lovely conversation with one of our guests. Discussed everything from his time at Woodbury in Virginia to traveling in Scotland and beyond. I have loved meeting all of our guests thus far!!

The rest of the afternoon was filled with running errands, cleaning, making sure "Love" was ready for our new guests, and baking! Brittany and I made heart shaped Rosemary Scones with raspberry preserves drizzled with a lemon glaze..YUM! I also made my second apple pie and I think it may be more of a success than the first one. Maybe the more I make, the better they will get. One can only hope, right?!? Our guests arrived just as it was coming out of the oven and I was so excited when they said they would love to have a piece! Followed by wine and a small cheese plate for two-which consisted of Blue Cheese, Parmesan, and Smoked Gouda with crackers, dried apricots, smoked almonds, and grapes.

Our guests in "Love" have requested breakfast at 6:15 because they have to get on the road early to head home. The menu planned includes: Italian Loaf French Toast with buttered honey syrup and fresh berries, Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Grits, Brown Sugar Bacon, Rosemary Scones, and (as always) yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit.

New guests are checking into "Love" tomorrow so we will have to do a quick turnover in the morning. Have a good evening!!! -Annie

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Yard Work.

7:00 alarm---coffee, now!!

Although it looked like it was about to rain I knew I better get outside and do some yard work while it was still somewhat cool (not stifling just yet). The yard, I will admit, needed a little attention and thank goodness I got out there when I did becausethe rain started to come down just as I was finishing. So...mow front and back yard-check, pick weeds/clean flower beds-check, clean and fill hummingbird feeder-check, and sweep drive way-check.

Plan for the rest of the day includes tidying up downstairs, plan menus for Wednesday-Saturday breakfast, go grocery shopping, and make a homemade cobbler for our guests arriving from Raleigh, North Carolina this afternoon!!!

Mom-thanks for sending the MAI stuff...it is all ADORABLE!!!!!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

One never fails with Southern Living....




Since we live in the south it only makes sense that I attempt to find the most perfect cobbler recipe.....after searching, I decided on one by Southern Living and sure enough-it is delicious!! I am almost convinced that everything they publish is divine.The recipe called for blackberries but I subsituted strawberries since I had them on hand. Just like the apple pie, the cobbler was served directly out of the oven with a heaping scoop of blue bell vanilla ice cream. Good thing Britt and MK are here-they are the best (most honest) taste testers around! They both agreed it should be used at the B&B...perfect! Wish you were here to have tasted it and given me your opinion-guess you will have to book a room to find out :)

Busy Bee.


Good morning:)

The past few days have been very busy!! We had a full house this weekend which was exciting!!
Sunday morning we made a Savory Bread Pudding, Vermont White Cheddar Cheese Grits, Brown Sugar Bacon, and Rosemary Scones. It was a huge hit (especially the Savory bread pudding) and will become a staple recipe in our kitchen! Monday we made Italian loaf French Toast with homemade syrup, Sausage Patties, and (by request) Vermont White Cheddar Grits-again!!! All in all, we had a very successful weekend!!

Yesterday I made my first apple pie....EVER!! I was nervous but seeing that there is just about 1/4 left and only 3 people (one guest and my two sisters) helped in eating it, I think it is safe to say the recipe I used is a winner! I served it hot, right out of the oven with a heaping scoop of blue bell vanilla ice cream!! (Special thank you to Harley for sharing an abundance of apples off of his tree with us-they were perfect!)

We have a full house this week (Wednesday-Saturday) so I will definitely be making this pie again-maybe on Friday?! Well, time to go put on a load of laundry and do a quick turnover of the rooms. Have a good day!! -Annie

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

On a mission....

Today has a focus- must find shower rod rings for the upstairs shower*

Any ideas of where I can find these, let me know!!! Already checked at home depot and walmart-no luck :(

Ok, I'm off....wish me luck!!

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Washington Post and I agree......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080602302.html

Could not be more true!! I love Oxford.

Relax on the front porch swings....


Come stay with us at The Z on your next visit to Oxford!!!!

Good morning!!!

So, I have officially entered the real world! The last week was spent at Amelia Island with my family. My parents loveddd referring to it as "the last hoo-rah". Hmm, we'll see about that:)
I am finally all settled in upstairs-just a few finishing touches need to be tended to. The bathroom is complete, the AC is installed, now all we need is the screened in porch!

Today needs to be a very productive day:
1. sweep the porch
2. go to the farmer's market
3. finish mowing the backyard
4. wash my car
5. water flowers
6. buy rings for shower rod
7. make name plates for cheese board
8. cheese cloth
9. to be continued.....