Productive Memorial Day

Since we had to be back to school on Memorial Day, my roommate and I decided we'd at least make it a productive night!  We swapped our normal roles and she cooked while I cleaned/organized.
After we got back from the grocery I decided the freezer had to be cleaned out right this second.  While Christie was on the phone I held up various frozen past-their-prime goodies and she shook her head yes or no.
From the freezer the next logical place was the cabinet right next to the fridge.
{I forgot to take a picture of the before---instead I got a pic of the trashcan of all the stale food/empty boxes}

From there came the spice cabinet---eeek.  Christie and I have collected so many spices, so: 1)  we don't know what we have, 2) they fall on your head every time you open the door, and 3) they were driving us crazy!!!!
So after a little time and alphabetizing, I got our spice under control for the time being!

BEFORE

AFTER

While I was organizing away, Christie was busy making a delish summer dinner!

Appetizers were tomato, mozzarella, balsamic glaze, and basil.

I'm not even a huge tomato lover--but these were perfectly, ripened!
This glaze is delicious for this dish and using on chicken. I bought it at Publix

via

Then grilled chicken and veggie kabobs and quinoa for dinner!

We made the most of our last day of summer vacation!

Easy Quiche

Last Thursday I needed a quick last minute dinner so I decided to make a quiche.  (Well actually 2 so I could have one leftover for Robert's graduation morning.)
Sooo I remembered an easy recipe that I found on Living the High Life and gave it a shot. And it was defiantly worth a shot!

Bacon, Spinach and Swiss Quiche
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
2 c chopped fresh spinach
1/2 lb bacon (turkey bacon is good too), cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 c swiss, shredded
9" refrigerated pie crust (or homemade if your prefer)

Directions:
1. preheat oven to 375.
2. whisk eggs and cream together. add salt and pepper to taste.
3. layer spinach, bacon and swiss on bottom of pie crust.
4. pour egg mixture on top.
5. bake 35-45 minutes. until eggs set up and crust is golden brown.


*{I made one with bacon and one with ham and they both turned out tasty!}
*{I also subbed half the swiss cheese for cheddar}

It turns out we didn't eat the quiche for breakfast so Mom saved it for lunch.  Everyone was raving over it and I was a little embarrassed to accept the compliments given how easy it was!
Enjoy!

NYC

My best friend, Caitlyn is headed to New York City for the summer to do an internship with the Metropolitan Opera! 

We usually spend most of the summer together, and although I'll miss her sooooo much I'm really excited for her to go live the city life :)

Have fun Caity--Show those city folk what the lowcountry is all about :)

Summer Wrap Up Lake Week

I'm currently beginning my Summer Wrap Up Lake Week.
Usually Memorial Day kicks off summer...but I have to be back to school on Memorial Day  (Apparently colleges observe Memorial Day during Christmas break, who knew?)

BUT before I go back to Columbia for good I'm headed to Lake Murray for the continuation of our girls' week. Then time for Norris Lake in Tennessee with my sisters and our +3.
Then back to the real world.....until then I'm going to soak up as much boat /lake/sun time as I can to last me through 2 summer sessions.

Lake Murray 2010

4th of July 2010

Happy Memorial Day!

My Brother's a Rock Star...

Seriously, complete with a rock star quality following of family and friends. (and even strangers--a restaurant employee asked for his autograph yesterday and a little boy came to his game wearing a shirt that read: "Beebe's #1 fan")

Of course I love my brother even if he didn't do anything special...BUT he's a great brother and has done some pretty awesome stuff lately.  Needless to say I'm very proud of him and I think he deserves to be bragged on a little...

He was named valedictorian of his high school and will be giving the speech at his graduation on Saturday.  (cue the waterworks)

Last week he was also named Gatorade's South Carolina boys soccer player of the year.  One male player out of the whole state and all schools public and private.  You can read the article here

This spring he signed with the University of South Carolina-Go Gamecocks!  He doesn't like to brag about it, but I know how big of a deal it is to play a sport at a division one school (and get into honor's program!)  Read here.  

Making it official

Last year he was named The Post and Courier boys soccer player of the year and ESPN on the Rise Players of 2010. (read more here and here)

He's won 4 State Championships for his high school, Pinewood Prep.
Watch a video interview/highlight reel here.

While playing for Pinewood he played with some teammates who became his brothers and in turn my adopted little brothers.  These boys are inseparable and I couldn't talk about Robert if I didn't also talk about them.  My Mom jokes that together they all have one brain and need each other to think of all their great ideas!  I've loved watching them play together and am very proud of all of them as well!

Robert, 

I am so proud of you and I cannot wait for you to be a Gamecock with me!

Love (one of your) Very Proud Big Sisters

Happy Anniversary!!

I have so much blogging to catch up on (read: I've been enjoying my summer break and it's been jam packed with lots of fun stuff!)
But first I needed to wish my parent's a Happy Anniversary!  Last Sunday (May 15th) they have been married for 29 years!  :)

A lot of times they get lost in the hustle and bustle of all of our activities--soccer, wedding planning, house decorating/fixing, party throwing, etc--which it seems is how they like it...but I wanted them to know they are loved, and very appreciated. Nancy, Elisabeth, Robert and I have the best parents!
Love you Mom and Dad!  <3

May 15th, 1982

:)

And for old time's sake--a mustache throwback 

{Love never fails- 1 Corinthians 13:8}

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Happy 19th Birthday Hannah!

I'm glad we got to celebrate a little at Kiawah!

Thanks for being the best encourager (If Nola did it you can too), text message sender backer, kayaking, swim team carpool buddy, bathing suit picker outer, chocolate whip cream lovin, soccer traveling pal, and best friend ever!
To the moon and back :)

Tybee Island

Post exams we took a little getaway to Tybee, we had a blast!
My roommate's parents have a house that they so graciously let us stay in, within walking distance to the beach = perfect
We did a little bit of cooking and a lot of sunbathing/reading/relaxing--the perfect way to end our first year of grad school

First night we made Upside Down Pizza-so easy and has become a vacation staple
And because it's my tradition to take a 'family dinner picture' with friends at the Kiawah beach house I thought it'd only be appropriate to take one at Tybee...luckily my friend's complied

The next morning we were beach bound---for the entire day!

The Girls

3204 Heyward St Residents!

The rare moment the boys sat still

We wrapped up the night with a little porch time

Me and Emily Ann

The next night I had to drive home to babysit---but the boys made some Lowcountry boil. (aka Frogmore Stew aka Beaufort Stew)
I also tried my first tomato pie courtesy of Emily Ann.  PS I need your recipe!

Smokin Hot Lowcountry Boil :)

Tomato Pie

The last night was just the girls before Christie and I had to go back to take our dreaded exam.  So after a day at the beach we went to a little local dinner joint where we could eat on the dock.

On our way out we made a quick stop to the local breakfast place..The Breakfast Club (featured in Southern Living).  A very eccentric place to say the least---with lost of rules!  But their pecan waffle was yummmmo!

very specific instructions/threats to wait outside

waiting....

 And then we were homeward bound....

Such a fun trip---thanks so much Christie!!
{and thanks Lindsey and Christie for the pics since my camera was out of commission.}