On the Porch #2

All February, I’ve been busy, busy, busy. Mostly trying to spend a lot of family time; my husband just realized our son is becoming a full-blown person (instead of being our little person-mcnugget), and now we are trying to soak up as much time with him as possible before we take him off to preschool this year. Not to mention a ton of travel, and a lot of planning for this year.

Speaking of school, I want to just say that I pray the families of those slain at Stoneman-Douglas High know they aren’t alone at all in this fight for our children. The entire state seems on edge, everyone is kind of in a panic about what to do to keep our kids safe.

Our church was terribly busy this month with the funerals and tributes to those who are gone, many were a part of our church and I can’t fathom the pain of the parents and families and those close to them. I just can’t even deal when I think about it.

In less upsetting news, this month of March will include me getting back onto Sweet Tea and Thyme LIVE on FB. Every single Thursday in February had me out of the house, so this month I am pushing to be consistent. Good Lord, consistency is hard.

Alright let’s get into my head for the month.

The Christian Entrepreneur Movement

A lovely lady named Paje Rey emailed me asking if I would like to be interviewed for a movement involving Christ-following entrepreneurs and experts in their fields. I was incredibly flattered, because Impostor Syndrome is so real. It’s an interview series all about inspiring others to follow their mission in life, and prosper in it. To check out the interview series, click here.

The SOBE Wine and Food Festival

Awesome porta potties. I’m not joking when I say that it was like stepping into the restroom at a Capital Grille; I was geeking out on Instagram about it. Wood doors, air conditioning, jazz music, no death smell? What kind of luxe porta-potty company y’all found, Food Network? I need one everywhere!
Amazing food. Seriously. I was there representing the Foodie Tribe and Jana Foods, so I was less focused on the booze and wine, and more focused on that good soul food chicken. And cupcakes. And filet mignon. And cheese. I mean, the food was phenomenal. There was banana pudding, short rib, gourmet cheeses (y’all know. I love cheese. Thanks Jana Foods.), fresh poke, that lobster roll— sorry, not sorry, it was a super star. I was getting stopped and asked what booth had that sandwich.
Putting GZ on blast on Instagram! What does he think of me, as I put him on blast on IG live? He thinks I’m fabulous! *fangirls a little*
Chef Aaron Sanchez was pouring everyone wine during his event. He is so chill.
Duff Goldman plays by no one’s rules. I guess the celebs aren’t supposed to pass out the food they make during the demos, but Duff made these awesome little clementine-strawberry shortcakes and there were 12 of them. He was miffed that the cakes were going to go to waste so…he started passing them out.
And I GOT A CAKE
I GOT A CAKE
I GOT A CAKE
And wow, it was so good. I’ll be making it just for you guys here on the blog, because I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t.

Atlanta

We had to go up there for a meeting, but also because we had a storage unit we wanted to empty. That unit was our entire four bedroom house, and majority of the boxes were kitchenware. I am so happy to have my kitchen back to full capacity, even with my tiny apartment kitchen now overflowing.

I’ve missed the slowness of Atlanta. I mean, traffic was an absolute nightmare, but in the concrete and palm tree jungle of Miami, it’s just so relaxing to be surrounded by old trees and be back in the Southern asthetic.

Also, there is something so beautiful about cold weather sunsets. The warmth of Miami (and smog) just doesn’t cut it sometimes.

Then before we left, I dragged Brian to the Your Dekalb Farmer’s Market.

Let me explain my obsessive love of this place.

Anything and everything is here. Everything from around the world, from fruits to fish to flowers, is here. I came just to get spices, y’all. The spices are so affordable and I can’t find most of them anywhere in Miami, and certainly not for the prices I find at YDFM. I mean, I get pounds of herbs and spices for about $2 a pop.

When we lived in Atlanta, I would come here all the time to get fresh fish (they have whole flippin’ sharks, guys), run by the different ranchers and farmers for fresh meat, get European butter by the blocks, fresh, raw milk, run over to the bakery for awesome carrot cake, and buy fresh flower bouquets to decorate my home. Everything is inexpensive and the market is almost completely ran by immigrants, open every single day. I wish I could find a place like this in South Florida. If anyone knows of a market like this here, tell me!

And no, there are no photos because photography isn’t allowed in YDFM, unfortunately.

Miami Museums

Greyson is at the perfect age for museums: he’s old enough to really get involved with hands-on kids’ museums, and he’s incredibly smart. Just soaks up all the knowledge around him all the time, but he’s not yet in school. So we are taking him to museums and zoos all over South Florida before it’s time to send him off to preschool.

He loves the science museums. I can’t wait to take him back to D.C. and N.Y. and watch him experience all the museums there, since there aren’t many here that aren’t science-oriented or art galleries.

Spring Brunch Loves

Wooden cake stands. I mean the stuff with the bark around them like it’s fresh off the tree. So pretty. Also perfect for fall, too.
Egg. Poaching. Inserts. Making eggs bennies are now a complete breeze. And these are super cute and colorful.
Also. This pitcher. I don’t even want to ruin the surprise. Just go look at it; I actually need this in my life. It’s so unique and fun!
These trays. Oh ehm gee, as my mother in law says. I can totally see serving some sweet tea on a big southern porch with these, they are perfectly rustic.

Recipes I absolutely want to try this month

This fried chicken with pepper jelly sauce.

These strawberry and cream cheese scones!

Pizza pot pie. Because…pizza pot pie.

Nor’Easter blues? Lobster Bisque.

Peaches and Cream bread. I’ve said enough.

Random Things I’ve been into

While the rest of the east coast is freezing, we are enjoying the semi-cool weather here in Florida. Sorry, guys. I’m just happy it’s not that hot. Nevermind, the end of February just gave me a taste of that choking heat.
Watching old seasons of Masterchef. I’m obsessed with Masterchef, it’s honestly one of my favorite tv shows ever.
These shoes. I’m so out of the loop, I didn’t even realize they’re supposed to look like Yeezy’s until they arrived and my little brother in law asked if I bought some custom Yeezy’s. Considering they’re over $1,000 a pair just for regular Yeezy’s, that’s a negative, Ghost Rider.
I’m on a pasta kick again. I’ve been whipping up a ton of pasta recipes. I really need to hit the gym, but at least I’m full of good parmesan and garlic.
I am already thinking about fall and Thanksgiving again. Can you tell my obsession, yet?

What were we eating?

Tortellini with Bacon Cream Sauce

Weeknight Chicken Cordon Bleu

Soft Pretzels

Eden Westbrook

Eden Westbrook is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Sweet Tea and Thyme. A classically trained chef, Eden has inspired home cooks into the kitchen with cultural comfort foods, easy family-friendly eats and sweets, and glorious spreads for date night and entertaining since 2015.