Soup Failures.

Does anyone have any idea how frustrating it can be to be a food blogger? The answer is probably no. Nobody writes about it. Each of those food blogs you read with the amazingly delicious pictures never let you know how frustratingly dumb you feel when you spend hours following a recipe, making your own little tweaks, attempting to learn how to make something delicious, and wind up with a huge pot of failure.

It’s frustrating. Maddening! Usually I can make something, usually in the cooking category (I’ve got blind baking confidence), and it’ll come up a little bland. Then I can spice it up and it’ll taste delicious! Usually butter is the trick.

HOWEVER. In my recent days I have attempted TWO soups, and they have both resulted in falling very short of my not-so-insane standards.

Maybe they’re a little insane, because they’re my cooking standards. Don’t we all have crazy standards for the flavor of our food?

The first was this recipe for Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.

Their picture is absolutely gorgeous and I want to dive face first into that soup.

My picture? LOOKS AWFUL. I shouldn’t even have my picture in a post linking to their gorgeousness.

It’s god awful. GRANTED….I didn’t get the right tomatoes (found out afterwards) (I may have been blinded by the $1.29/lb sign over these tomatoes) (I admit nothing!) and some kind of freeze/combination of animals managed to murder my fresh basil plants, so I had to use dried.

It was basically spaghetti sauce in a bowl. Not what I wanted, and pureed too much! I don’t think I’ll be using an immersion blender after my exploits.

I did everything I was supposed to, the tomatoes looked gorgeous coming out of the oven.

Then I attempted to make the Pioneer Woman’s perfect potato soup, and it came out okay.

Still, something was left to be desired. I’m not exactly happy about the way these soups came out. I even asked on FaceBook about how to make soups better!

Since my friends are wonderful (and since I have a mild obsession with Nigella Lawson), I was able to take a step back and realize that mistakes are always made in the kitchen. Just because I’m actually good at certain things right now doesn’t mean I’ll be good at it all.

For now I will marvel at my collection of butter in the freezer.

Maybe not adding it to the soup was my problem?

I suppose we’ll see when I have to make it again.

Blogging Student

If  I were taking blogging as a class, I would fail beyond the shadow of a doubt. Holy moly! It’s so fun though, I don’t want to give it up Even though I’m terrible.

Alas. Charleston!

Part one of…multiples!

We managed to get a hotel right in the heart of downtown (I put Downton, bwahaha. OBSESSED) and it was SO worth the extra cash to stay there. We barely drove around and were able to walk everywhere, it was great. We were able to unwind a bit before we walked around before dinner at Cypress. For a Friday, the city was quiet and perfectly warm with a cool breeze. It was everything I wanted after working and doing homework non-stop for two weeks.

We checked in at Cypress early, and headed upstairs to the bar while we waited for our table. I’m not a big drinker. I really do not like liquor unless I can’t taste it (hello, hard lemonade I had in Austin!), but Gavin really wanted me to get a drink so I YIELDED. Stupidly. I should have had wine or beer.

It probably would have been good to someone who likes sour drinks. No go for me.

After we were seated, I had eyes for ONLY the almond fried brie, so that happened. It was so tasty! The complimentary bread went great with it as well.

Excuse this terrible quality. Dim restaurant! but MMMM brie!

We both ordered, Gavin got some specials and I had a filet of beef.

It just took forever to get our food. At first we didn’t mind but after enjoying the ambiance of Cypress for awhile, it became clear that our server had zero interest in our table, and we only saw her after someone else brought our food out and she asked if it was good. After that, she came around to give us the check. We had both wanted another drink but didn’t have a chance to get one. Needless to say, we skipped on dessert.

It was sad! Since Christina  listed it as her favorite dinner place, I was pretty excited. The food was great, but the service will definitely keep me from recommending it or wanting to go back again.

Afterwards, we walked a bit and went back to the hotel. Gavin ended up waking up in the middle of the night and getting really sick and having some major stomach troubles. I don’t think that was from Cypress though! So rest assured, my stomach was perfectly full and fine.

The next morning we got up and were staaaarving, so naturally, I hopped on yelp to see what was nearby. Eli’s Table was nearby and had great reviews, so we walked over.

Their tomato, herb, and egg white omelette was tasty, but was a little heavy on the tomatoes. I ate about half before I decided Gavin’s biscuit needed to be devoured. Plus, BEIGNETS!!!

I was loving the beignets til I found a monster bug in one. Then I said…uhh.. no. We ate out on the super cute patio though. It was gorgeous, and the weather was wonderful.

After that, we headed back to the hotel so I could change into some shorts and then we walked around and saw some historical sites. The dungeon was awesome, and GEORGE WASHINGTON had been in that VERY PLACE. Y’all. He’s my favorite man in all of history. I’m about to graduate with my Bachelor’s in History and Bachelor’s in English Technical Communication and through ALL of my reading, he remains #1 in my heart. He is the greatest.

Don't mind that terrible smile.

So needless to say I was DYING.

After I brought myself back to life, we continued to walk and saw Rainbow Row, but didn’t take any pictures (who knows why). I think I was dying of thirst at this point. We found a little bakery and more face stuffing ensued.

Can I just say that sparkling lemonade is THE GREATEST drink on the planet?

I think I have an addiction to seltzer water.

Stay tuned for Charleston part two

Planning, planning, planning…

I’m always planning, never doing! It’s quite annoying. I admit, it’s a habit of mine, and I’m working on it from this point forward.

I have also enlisted one of my BFFs help to do so. Virgil! Always a wonderful motivator and super into keeping fit, so I’m excited. I’m currently measuring myself and purchasing a swimsuit, cap, and goggles, and then Virgil is going to meet up with me and teach me proper swim strokes. Bully for him, it may be at 7 AM some days. But he is a wonderful friend and would do it if I ever asked him.

I swear, one day I’ll make him his flan. ONE DAY. Maybe I’ll do it next weekend.

I am going to plan out my grocery list this week so that I can come home next week and be able to shop right away. Also, I plan on making use of coupons.

This weekend, however, is Charleston.

I cannot wait to be back in that city! Last time was for the Charleston Beer Festival. This time it’s for Taste of Charleston.

Though this time I’m not going with Virgil and Matt, I’ll be going with Gavin. Hopefully he enjoys Charleston as much as the three of us did!

Highlights Lately:

Since I am always terrible at updating, here is a bit of my life:

Writings papers and drinking wine…

Decorating my Boss’s portrait, with a fun result:

Love it!

It should be known that I decorate his portrait that someone else drew each month. I change his hats and the decorations surrounding it. October approaches, and so does Halloween! I’m pretty excited

I love you, little blog.