Going Greek!

As a continuation of "month of the food festivals", I attended the 41st Annual Greek Festival this weekend! I was happily surprised and excited by the enormity of the event. After listening to the beautiful, lively music, devouring some delicious Greek fare, and literally feeling intoxicated by the outrageously good smells, I figure it may not be so bad going Greek! Unfortunately Uncle Jesse, John Stamos, did not end up making it to the event to help me celebrate, but it was great fun nonetheless! 

The band was lively, and the music made patrons feel like they were taking a tour of the Greek Islands. 

The food....the food was INCREDIBLE!! As for my menu choice, I went with something I had never had before, SOUVLAKIA (marinated lamb skewered and grilled, served with rice, greek salad, and a roll.) I was also able to steal a bite of a friend's PASTICHIO (layers of macaroni, ground beef, greek tomato sauce, and beschamel). Both entrees were mouth-watering good!

After chatting and eating for awhile, we made our back through the "market" area, past the jewelry and specialty greek food stands, to the dessert room. Where we found this....

Chocolate Baklava. I had baklava last weekend, but I did not have CHOCOLATE BAKLAVA?! Yes, it tastes just as wonderfully crazy as it sounds.

I'm learning quickly that a food festival is a great way to both enjoy a new culture and enjoy some lovely time with friends! Opa!

Middle Eastern Food Festival

Month of the Food Festivals. That is what I'm going to call September. First up was the Middle Eastern Food Festival this past weekend. I have never had Middle Eastern cuisine. I've never really had a reason or an occasion to have it. However, I've been feeling really adventurous lately when it comes to food, so I thought "Why not?" The festival turned out to be a great choice! It turned out to be a great night, with some great friends, and some really good (for the most part) food! 

There was dancing...

There was food...

I indulged and got the largest combo, so that I could try a few bites of everything! "The Nile" included Kibbe (ground steak with cracked wheat, onions, pine nuts, and spices),  rolled grape leaves (ground beef mixed with rice and spices, rolled in grape leaves and cooked in water and lemon juice), rice, green beans (simmered with crushed tomatoes, butter, spices, onion and garlic), arabic salad, pita bread, a spinach pie (spinach, onions, lemon juice, olive oil and spices wrapped in fresh yeast dough and baked), and hummus. So much food. I didn't come close to finishing, but what I did have was delicious! Ironically, even though I turn my nose (and my tastebuds) in aversion to pine nuts, the Kibbe was my favorite! That was until dessert, of course.

There was dessert...

I ended up sharing dessert with my friend Linda. We, my friends Jenn, Alyssa, Linda and myself, made sure to indulge in both a piece of authentic walnut Baklava and a Zalabieh (or arabic donut- not pictured), which could be compared to the American funnel cake!

This girl had never had Baklava! I'm glad I could be there for her first time trying the super sweet confection! 

This weekend I'm going Greek! No, I'm not rushing into the Greek System, I'm just going to the Greek Food Festival! Stay tuned. 

Cable Knit Crush

Comfy. Cozy. Cream-colored perfection. 

It's everything Fall & Winter need to be.

I'm talking about cable-knit, folks. I. Can't. Get. Enough. In the case you want to curl up and join me, I'll be burning my very favorite LEAVES candle and sharing my favorite home decor cream-colored, cable-knit inspired pieces with you today! Get cozy, friends.

Sweater Weather Cable Knit Candle (Leaves) | Ceramic Cable Knit Mini Candle Holder

Wool Pom Pom Wreath (DIY) | Cozy Cup Warmer | Knit Cushion Cover

Cable Knit Print Tray | Knit Blanket | Cable Sweater Mug

Can I just say one thing...the wreath (featured above) is seriously awesome. Instant love for its design meant that I had to make one a.s.a.p.! So I did! It will beautify my front door with its presence in a few months! To check out the finished product check it out here!

....and the coffee cup cozy...that will also be necessary! Comfy, cozy, cable-knit all around.

Farmers' Market Frenzy: Pepper Place

On this last weekend of summer, it seemed only fitting to celebrate a beautiful day with a breakfast outing with some friends and a visit to Pepper Place!

For breakfast we hit up a popular establishment, near the downtown area: The Original Pancake House.  I had heard great things about this place, and was pretty excited to finally find the time to go! Choosing just the right thing off the menu proved to be somewhat difficult, I mean there were at least 15 options just for pancakes! I decided to go with the bacon pancakes (yep, bacon strips in my pancakes), and they didn't disappoint! 

After breakfast we made our way over to Pepper Place Farmers' Market!

 It's the largest farmers' market in Birmingham, and has so much to offer. There are live musicians, craft vendors, food vendors, farm fresh stands, florists, dancing, cooking demonstrations, food trucks/stands (Dreamcakes & Steel City Pops), and plenty of puppers (dogs) there every Saturday morning. Running from April to December, it is also the longest farmers' market around. It's a popular event for the community every weekend; one that I try to attend once or twice per month. The people watching is great, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the market is so fun! Being that I go fairly often, I figured it was about time to share some photos. 

The Market (one side)

My favorite: Blueberries! (from earlier in the season)

Great produce!

Apples have arrived!

 Beautiful Blooms!

 Gorgeous dried hydrangeas!

 Lovely handmade soaps and scrubs!

Corner of the Red Cat Cafe! Home of delicious croissant breakfast sandwiches & drinks!

Like what you see? So do I! Grabbing breakfast and strolling through the market has very quickly become my absolute favorite Saturday morning ritual! I'm so glad that there are many, many more Saturdays to go.