More Lowcountry

We enjoyed the rest of our Charleston trip. The cooking class was lots of fun. We had Pecan Crusted Grouper (fried in an iron skillet), Onion and Zucchini Casserole (much better than it may sound), and Carolina Gold Rice Pudding with Apply Bourbon Sauce (very yummy). James and I had never had rice pudding before, but the one they served made me a believer. We went on a carriage ride which we also enjoyed. It was fun to see new places and hear little bits of history. We are already looking forward to our next trip to South Carolina!

Highlights of the Lowcountry

James and I left for Charleston Thursday after I got off work. His interview was Friday morning at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). It was rainy in Charleston Friday, but I was determined not to sit in the hotel room. Luckily, James had not worn his rain jacket to his interview, so I put it on and headed to King Street to try to finish up some Christmas shopping. Needless to say, I was totally soaked four hours later when I made it back to the hotel. After finding some drier clothes, James and I headed to the mall as outdoor activities were not possible. It poured the entire afternoon and there was lots of flash flooding. We went to Sullivan's Island for dinner and our waitress advised us not to return downtown, but instead to go to the Isle of Palms, see a late movie and then go back downtown at midnight. When we left the restaurant it was no longer raining, so we did what she told us not to do and headed to Charleston. Fortunately we made it back downtown, shortly before they closed the roads. There was a break in the rain, so we went out in search of dessert. Many places had closed early because of the rain (this was similar to a "snow day" in Nashville), but we did find some delicious birthday cake ice cream at Hyman's General Store that tasted strangely like Funfetti cake. James won a $25 gift certificate and we returned Saturday night for dinner and more Funfetti ice cream :).

On Saturday we went to The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island for breakfast at the Jasmine Porch. It is the best breakfast buffet I have ever had and much easier to enjoy when wearing elastic waist maternity jeans :). James and I each enjoyed made-to-order omelets (his with shrimp and crab meat and mine with peppers and mushrooms) along with fresh fruit, French toast, grits, and biscuits and gravy. We walked around Kiawah a little while before heading back to Charleston for the Christmas market, more shopping, and dinner at Hyman's.

We are planning on attending a cooking demo class at Charleston Cooks on Sunday and hopefully a carriage ride (a touristy thing we have never done here). More to come later on the class and carriage ride.

Special thanks to James' parents for our luxurious lodging and my parents for their SkyMiles :).

Brainwashed

That's right. James has officially brainwashed me. Growing up, I loved watching UT play with my dad. I loved going to a game 1-2 times per season, and wearing orange every Saturday in the fall. Since marrying James, all things related to Tennessee football are much different. On game days when we are not going to the game, all plans are made according to what channel the game comes on, where we will watch it, what we will eat while we watch, etc. James is not an early riser for three seasons out of the year. But during the fall, he somehow manages to roll out of bed by 9am in order to watch College Gameday on ESPN. On Saturdays when we are able to go to the game, it is a day-long affair regardless of what time kick-off is. If it happens to be in Knoxville, we must be there in time for the Vol Walk and to see the band "Salute the Hill". And we do not leave until the game is over. Ever. As James says, "We have to stay for the losses so we can enjoy the victories." Blah. Blah. Blah.

So now about the brainwashing. Tonight, James is with Michael Cook and Heath Rogers in Tunica. I just talked to him and he is enjoying lots of delicious food, calories, and sticks of butter at the Paula Deen Buffet. I am at home. Watching the game. By myself. Not that unusual. What is unusual is that a few minutes ago, I logged onto Volquest, the rivals.com website for UT sports. And I read the message board. This is the third time I have done that ever, all three times occurring this season. Earlier in the game, Eric Berry had an interception. He needs just a few more yards after an interception to set a record. He didn't set it with that one, but when he ran off the field he got a hug from his head coach. And I got the chills. Later, Nukeese Richardson, a true freshman, scored his 1st collegiate touchdown. I got chills again because last week there were rumors he was homesick and wanted to return to Florida.

I don't know if the brainwashing can be undone. I am afraid it is too late. But I do hope that it doesn't worsen. You will know it has if I give in to naming a future child after any current/former UT players. Please plan an intervention if this happens.

Next weekend, James and I are going to Oxford with his parents and brother to see the Vols play the Rebels. I am very excited about visiting the fine southern town of Oxford, and also hoping I get to see the Vols win big. Pics to come of this outing next weekend.

Life in Orange and White

Labor Day Weekend 2009 was so much fun! James and I spent the weekend in the glorious city of Knoxville with six of our closest friends- Brandon and Meaghan, Craig and Anna, and Russ and Heather. Heather and Russ moved to Knoxville in May so Russ could finish up medical school there and we miss them so much! It was so great to be with everyone. We ate a lot of good food including a streamed smoked cheddar and ham sammie from Sam and Andy's (a Knoxville institution) and had great frozen yogurt at Menchie's. We also did a little shopping and played a LOT of cards. We always play Nertz boys vs. girls and the boys always win :(. The highlight of the weekend for James was undoubtedly the inaugural football game for Coach Lane Kiffin. Anyone that knows my husband, knows that Big Orange optimism flows eternal and Orange Kool-Aid is always on tap. Luckily for me and our six friends, the Vols did not disappoint on Saturday :).

danger

Coach O-James got to give him a high five-highlight of James' week

Rosemary Beach

The last week of July, James and I went with my family to Rosemary Beach, Florida. We had never been to Rosemary before, but we definitely want to go back! We loved the sand, the water, the beach time, the bicycles rides, the food, the family time, and we must mention the snowcones. Just a few miles from Rosemary Beach down 30A is Seaside and an Airstream trailor where very nice people make delicious cold concoctions. James and I indulged in 3 "Piggly Wigglies". Let me just tell you how they do it...homemade frozen custard on the bottom, snowcone in the middle, and sweetened condensed milk on top. So. Delicious.

James found a skim board at the rental house and the next day Meggie and James attempted to teach themselves to use it. This resulted in water front entertainment not only for the family, but also for those sitting on the beach in our vicinity. There were a few hard falls, lots of laughs, and no sustained injuries.

Published

During the summer between my first and second years of medical school, I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved with some great clinical research with a few really great doctors at Vanderbilt. Since then we've published an abstract at the American Thoracic Society. I also did a poster presentation at the St. Jude Student Research Presentation at UT. But this week, our paper was finally published in CHEST after much hard work! Needless to say, we were quite excited.

Check it out:

http://www.chestjournal.org/content/early/2009/06/26/chest.08-2776.abstract

Thunder Road in Memphis

This weekend my parents paid us a visit in Memphis. Since I had been working last weekend, we celebrated as psuedofather's day today. I attempted to recreate the "Thunder Road" burger that originates at Litton's on Broadway in Knoxville. The concoction formed between the buns includes a burger, a slathering of pimento cheese, and grilled onions.



This was my first attempt to create the specialty myself - and it went fairly well if I don't say so myself. Homemade pimento cheese, Memphis' own Folk's Folly ground prime, and onions off the grill.

Now tell me you don't want one of these delicious creations.

Happy PseudoFather's Day Dad!