Making my way....

I last wrote in January....so much for updating the blog on a regular basis. Just a few things have changed since I last wrote..you know, small stuff, like...I have a new job, moved to NYC, and left all of my friends, family and familiarity behind.

Today I write from my pretty bad ass apartment in Brooklyn-- I must give it up to the best broker in the world for finding it! Carroll Gardens is the neighborhood I call home and although the area is great it sure would be better with my buds.

I've had a visit from Lacey and some family friends and look forward to Wells and Carla's visit in September.

Mostly since I've moved I've been traveling...Boston, Italy, Philly, Boston (again), Jersey, Nashville (twice), Delaware (twice)...you get the point. I'll head back to Nashville in a few weeks for Labor day & Bryn's wedding!!

Here are some pictures from my first going away campout...a little grainy. After all was said & done I had about 5 going away parties...none better than the amazing going away brunch/ birthday party hosted by Bryn, Lacey and Cara. A day to remember indeed.

2010. Still not quite sure about you.

2010 has been an interesting year. In 2009 I lost three very special people. My godmother Martha, my aunt Dorna, and a very special co-worker from Athlon Sports, Bill Settle. So in that respect 2010 was much, much better.

2010 brought new additions for Lauren & Kyle with little Jane Ellen Mayhew and for Weg & Jon-- baby Aiden. It saw little miss Madden Thie turn 1 and Heather and Andrew are expecting for the first time-- and Michelle again!

But also in 2010 Nashville suffered a flood that left a good high school friend's home destroyed and our city underwater.

It brought engagements for my best friend in the whole world, Bryn and two of my very best's Susan and Christina. (all within 2 weeks) Big congrats to Daryl, Jarod, and John respectively for pinning down such amazing ladies! And a marriage for Mr. John Malvern Wells to a quite lovely lass Carla. And Lauren Simmons became Lauren Beem when she married Brian in a spectacle of a nigh

t in October.

I made a big change and said farewell to Nissan and hello to Red Bull which has been quite a ride/learning experience and a whole lot of fun. I moved into a new house and resumed

the joy of living alone. January hosted a voyage to NYC to celebrate Heather & Michelle's 30th birthday's. May saw a trip to Carrabelle with cousin's and aunt's. August brought Annual Holiday V6 -- a trip to Portland, OR. In October we voyaged to DC to get our sanity back and party with Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert. And now I sit writing from St. George, watching the angry ocean prepare for a storm.

The best part of 2010? Every morning I woke up the Earth greeted me with a

new day.

In 2011 I plan to do a few things differently.

1. Get healthier-- no seriously. 2010 would have been an amazing year if I had spent more time and energy caring about my health and fitness level. I purchased a bike that I'm so excited to ride all over the place and I have some weddings to fit into some lovely dresses for.

2. Keep listening to good music and seeking out local art.

3. Cook with local and organic foods.

If I can do those 3 things all else will fall into place, I'm sure of it.

A review. Jay-Z's book. Decoded.

Thanks to Lacey I left Nashville and headed to the beach with Jay-Z's new book: DECODED, in tow. I've been a big Hov fan for years although in retrospect don't have all of his albums (will have to work on that). The book reads very easily (finished in 4 days) and is a compilation of his life stories and a diagnosis of his lyrics.

The book is filled with cool pictures, art, and other eye-catching pages that help the flow of the book and enhance it's feel of a really nice professional book with the credibility of the streets- I bet Random House can't say that about too many of it's titles.

In the first few chapters I felt that Jay was dumbing down the explanation of his lyrics a little too much as it started to feel like the book was written for middle-class white people that make up a large portion of his fan base. But as the book progresses the lyrical diagnosis gets a little more in depth and seems less patronizing.

I have always respected Jay and his music and DECODED just pulled it all together for me and gave me additional insight into a hard-working, pretty damn smart man.

Curried shrimp pasta

My dad started making one of the best dishes I've ever had about 20 years ago and I have made a few tweaks to it through the years and crafted another nice version this evening on St. George Island. Here's how it goes...

In a saute pan combine:

- Juice of 1/2 lemon

- Salt & Pepper

- Pinch of Crushed red pepper

- 1 clove of fresh garlic chopped

- large pinch of French Thyme

- 2-4 teaspoons of curry powder (to taste)

- 1/2 cup of white wine

- tablespoon of butter

peel 20-25 medium size fresh shrimp (raw, not frozen) and place in pan on low/medium heat.

add 1/2 cup of water once shrimp have started cooking to loosen and dilute the sauce.

Boil pasta to al dente (I prefer fettuccine for this recipe)

Time your dish so shrimp and pasta are done at same time (about 7 minutes cooking for both). Drain the pasta and put in saute pan with shrimp and sauce. Combine so the pasta soaks up the sauce. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and fresh Parmesan cheese and voila.

This is the easiest recipe but the trick is the fresh seafood.

Pair with a lovely glass of white wine (or whatever you like). I prefer a Chardonnay to stand up to the heat that the Crushed Red Pepper adds.

Also best when paired with beach :).

Check this out. Seriously.

I'm not sure how old this is, but I came across this pretty amazing website this morning. It's a visual interpretation of Arcade Fire's song We Used to Wait. The site which is an interactive interpretation of the song is titled "The Wilderness Downtown". Here's the link: http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/. The site allows you to become personally involved with the video by entering your childhood address and let the journey begin. I recommend closing all other open windows and programs.

Super cool stuff.

Best songs of 2010...in my opinion.

Let's set a few records straight. (Pun intended).
1. I started this blog thinking people cared what I thought about life, randomness, and stuff in general.
2. I'm now aware know that's not the case.
3.Today it lives as a tool to continuously help me with my writing.

Now that we done got that outta the way.

Below you will find my favorite songs from 2010. For the most part they were released this year or in some cases I found them this year...enjoy.

In the order I would place them on an album:

1. Love Everybody by: Shelly Fairchild, er, Shelly and the People, er, Ruby's Money....Shelly has gone through a couple of identities this year but is now safely, or it seems, grounded as Ruby's Money. I was introduced to her by a good friend about a year ago and am in love. What a great singer, songwriter, performer-- all in one. She sings soul with the energy of a twelve year old and the heart of a southern lady. Keep an eye out for her first album (as Ruby's Money) sooner than later.

2. Wild and Young by: American Bang, er Bang Bang Bang, er, Bang...you see a trend h

ere? I had the privilege to attend high school with 3 out of the 4 of these kids and they've been making music for as long as I can remember. Front man Jaren Johnston and I were in music class for years together-- when he played the drums and was a punk. Now he's the lead singer, and a punk. In a good way. This song embodies everything that a fun summer love song should. Roll the windows down, crank the stereo on full blast and drive and sing.

3. If I Die Young by: The Band Perry. I would be lying to myself if this song didn't ma

ke the list. The playcount on my Ipod would be a tell tale sign. This southern bred family group wrote a song that has the melody of a whippoorwill and the lyrics of a Keats poem. For some reason every time I hear it I think the group is from Scotland but I digress..."f

unny when you're dead how people start listening" (sure wish that was true).

4. Sail by: AWOLNATION. This song has been getting nice play in my head for a couple of

months but I was treated to a private show by the Red Bull Records recording artist acouple of weeks ago in Atlanta and must say it's even better live. Talk about a dark, catchy, vocally strong, electronically grounded little ditty. Blame it on my ADD Baby.

5. Kiss Me Again by: Jessica Lea Mayfield. Ok, I know this song didn't come out in 2010 but it's new to me and turns out this is my blog so there you go. I was introduced to Miss Mayfield when she came out and played with her brother and his band Cadillac Sky in their opening set for Mumford & Sons...she was one of the bright spots of their enjoyable set and her voice drew me in. Kiss Me Again is no different. It starts out just about right....You got me where you want me but I ain't all there.....isn't that the truth?

6. Opposite of Adults by: Chiddy Bang. Hip Hop made a valiant effort at a comeback this year thanks to some great new artists popping up, Chiddy Bang being one of them. I heard this track on a blog back in March and was like "um, why isn't this all over the radio?". Next I checked out the super dope video and I was a fan. I got my hands on their mixtape and it was OVER. Their most recent release includes a track with Q-TIP....and that's a rap fol

ks. Oh...and have a I mentioned the beyond sick MGMT sample on Opposite? Oh...and they were sampling La Roux before anyone knew who La Roux was. I'm done here.

7. Tighten Up by: The Black Keys. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know, it's kool to like the Keys but I just can't help myself. I managed to get on stage with this duo at Wakarusa in June and was sold after then-- they make a HUGE sound for two and have really brought rock music back to just that. ROCK. And I'm appreciative. Big time.

8. If the Creek Don't Rise by: Dylan LeBlanc. I have this sensei of sorts that provides me with music insight-- I won't out him publicly as to keep my sources private, but he turned me on to Dylan in August (ish) and from that point I've been a fan. He played a packed show at the Basement as part of Next Big Nashville and I dragged my friend Susan and she was also sold. Other than this song sort of making you want to off yourself...I think it's real purty.

9. Runaway (the 9:00 version) by: Kanye West. Oh, Kanye. Thanks for coming back around. Thanks for making shit interesting and making interesting shit. Thanks for saying stuff no one else will (not even Gaga). Thanks for stealing the mic from Taylor Swift. Thanks for having one of the most visually interesting performances ever on the VMA's. I don't always like what he does but I like that someones is doing something. I'm all for anarchy but only if it's lead by Kanye. (she holds her head low and wallows in her own lack of revolution)

10. Wild as a Turkey by: Hayes Carll. In retrospect this is the one song I question on the list but I'll leave it on there. It's fun. It's quirky. And it's country as fuck. : "You say you'll never love me but the night ain't over yet...."

11. Colourless Colour by: La Roux. Oooh...what an album. So glad I was gifted a copy of this by my buddies at the Recording Academy in Memphis. This specific record jumps out at me for being the most complete song on the album-- serious yet dancey... pretty much my view on life.

12. Awake my Soul by: Mumford & Sons. I contemplated this list being their entire Sign No More album but that would have been boring and too easy. My music sensei also turned me on to Mumford after he saw them at Bonnaroo. I believe his email said: "I don't care what you're doing but drop EVERYTHING and go buy this album". At the time I was hungover in the Knoxville airport suffering from the drinking runs-- if I could have dropped everything I

certainly would have. I digress. Have you listened to this song? Have you danced around in circles with your arms flailing by your side looking up to the sky wondering if there's a God? If you haven't I strongly suggest it. Right now.

13. Uncharted by Sara Bareilles. I couldn't leave off a classically-poppy, bubble-gummy song by one of my favorite songstresses. Maybe it's that we have the same range, tempo,

and that I can just sing my little heart out to her music. Or maybe that we sound so much alike that when I hear her music it gives me hope of a music career? Or maybe I have a soft spot for pop? One thing I've learned throughout the years is that I don't have to apologize for my likes and dislikes.

Merry Christmas folks and Happy New Year.

The best and worst....Thanksgiving!

A day that is dedicated to giving thanks and over indulging in delicious food...this sounds just about perfect to me. This year, and since my mom passed away I have spent Thanksgiving in two places-- with my grandmother (mom's mum) and uncles, and with the Laiolo family (Bryn, Cara, Jana and Tone Def). I've been coming down from my food coma for a day or so and will officially declare 2 Thanksgiving's is just too much food so next year I'll probably just pick one.

I'm thrilled to write that I had the ability to eat some amazing food and will rank them is this order:

1. Granny's mashed potatoes
2. Cara's mashed potatoes
3. Bryn's deviled eggs
4. My Mac & Cheese
5. Cara's turkey
6. My blackberry cobbler

There were a million other great dishes (B's sweet potato casserole, Jana's dressing, Granny's turkey, etc) but I'll tip my hat to the ones above.

My grandmother has been making the best mashed potatoes since I can remember and they were my favorite food in the world until a few years ago (recently replaced by the egg). As she's aged and hasn't been able to cook much and my mashed potato consumption has decreased significantly but I suggested that we make them together this year so she could teach me....and boy did she.

First- she peels and boils the potatoes- and then she dumps only about half the water (she kept way more water than I would think necessary but Granny knows what she's doing). To that she adds a considerable amount of butter (1 stick for about 8 servings), a little bit of milk, salt and pepper AND THAT'S IT. No cream cheese, no cream, no parm, no nothing...turns out the trick is the starchy water-- and they were divine.

Cara also made great Pioneer Woman inspired mashed potatoes and the recipe can be found here:http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/. She doesn't keep any of the starchy water which is why I think she feels the need to add other delicious calories to make the right texture but I'm telling you....not needed for greatness.

Bryn made a traditional deviled egg recipe that involved relish, pimentos, salt, pepper, mayo and mustard and they were super yummy but I've never been one to pass up ANY egg.

Growing up I had one bad experience with macaroni and cheese and it I couldn't eat them any longer...until I was about 25 and started to realize what I had been missing: CHEESE AND PASTA- TOGETHER. Really, how can it get any better than that?
My current recipe is pretty much on point and I have to give props to my girl Ronda Brown-Quarles for the base recipe but I've added some additions to kick it up a notch.
First you boil pasta- I prefer a mix of bow ties and elbow macaroni to give it some textural differences. After the pasta has boiled you drain it and then place it back in the pan you cooked them in and place it on the stove on low heat. And you start adding cheese...and lots of it. I add a mixture of pepper jack, mild and sharp cheddar, and American cheese. You could get fancier if you wanted but I don't see the need for a country Thanksgiving. I also add: 2 eggs, about a cup of milk, one shallot- diced very thin, salt & pepper, crushed red pepper flakes and mustard powder. Mix everything together and then put in a baking pan-- stick in the oven for 20 minutes on 350 and voila-- cheesy pasta perfection.

In the past Bryn and Cara's mom Jana has led the charge to tame the turkey but this year Cara stepped up to the plate and made that bird her bitch. She practiced the brining method on the bird-- I'll allow her to comment on the recipe for her brine but it was amazing!! Super tender, great flavor. Here's a video from the food network on how to brine a turkey: http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/how-to-brine-a-turkey/58780.html.

Last but certainly not least- Blackberry Cobbler. It's both mine and my grandmother's favorite and cannot be beat! The best is that it's super simple and easy. First you take your blackberry's (either fresh or thawed & drained from frozen) and you add a cup of sugar and let them marinate in a separate bowl. I like to use 2.5 cups of blackberry's per 8 inch square pan. I also add the juice of 1 lemon to the blackberry and sugar mixture.

In another bowl I add flower, baking powder, melted butter, and milk and whisk until combined well. Once the blackberry's have gotten a nice syrup to them I pour the batter in the pan and then put the blackberries on top of them and bake for 40 minutes on 350 or until golden brown and the dough isn't jiggly any longer. PERFECTION. You can serve with vanilla ice cream or a fresh homemade whipped cream slightly sweetened (I like to use honey).

With all of that greatness comes some disappointments as well and this year they were all at my hands:

- canned green beans (which I'm religiously against but my grandmother loves)
- canned creamed corn (same excuse as above)
- Apple Brown Betty (this dessert actually turned out to be quite tasty but it was due to some last minute recipe changes and had I not acted on the fly this could have been a disaster.)

The bottom line is that Thanksgiving is a pretty amazing holiday. I'm personally thankful for so much in my life-- my family, my friends that have become my family, my good health, great job, and clear mind. Next year I'll do a better job of GIVING back to the community-- knowing how much I personally consumed makes me a little sick to my stomach (mentally and physically) as there are so many people that don't have the opportunities that I do. This makes me question my current level of community involvement and giving-- I've got to do better.

Signing off to go eat more leftovers,

E