Oktoberfest in Helen, GA

Nestled amidst the mountains just north of Atlanta is the German-inspired town of Helen, GA. A perfect place to celebrate Oktoberfest!

Bucatini alla Carbonara

Last night we cooked another wonderful cover of the Williams Sonoma magazine, and it was delicious! Simple and easy. A quick fix to a long day!

Here's the recipe from the website:

Ingredients:

• 6 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 eggs, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g) plus 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 12 oz. (375 g) bucatini *

• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

*If you can't find bucatini, regular spaghetti works just as well.

Directions:

Heat a fry pan over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook, stirring often, until crisp, about 6 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a large bowl. Remove the pan from the heat and add the garlic to the bacon grease in the pan. Let the garlic soften in the residual heat, about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to the bowl with the bacon.

Beat the eggs in a small bowl and stir in the 1/2 cup Parmesan. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the bucatini and cook according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup (4 fl. oz./125 ml) of the pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl with the bacon and immediately stir in the egg mixture. Add the reserved pasta water and stir to combine. Stir in the 2 Tbs. Parmesan and the parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. Serves 4.

The Varsity

Formerly known as The Yellow Jacket, a take on the mascot of nearby Georgia Tech, The Varsity continues its legacy as an Atlanta institution from 1928 to current day.

If you order a Hot Dog, it comes with chili, no questions asked. A plain hot dog is just naked. And when they ask you if you want to walk a dog, they aren't offering for you to get in the kitchen and help, or volunteering you for actual dog walking services, it's just a way of asking if you want your order to go.

Their burgers on the other hand come plain and simple, unless you want to add chili of course. Or if you want, you can order your steak "glorified" with mayo, lettuce, and tomato. 

Between their homemade pies and shakes made to order, including the famous FO (Frosted Orange) shake, there's enough to satisfy any flavor of appetite.

And being as how it is located right next to the Coca-Cola hall of fame, rumor has it that The Varsity is also known for having the most annual retail sales of the popular drink than anywhere else in the world.

Tips to Know before you Go:

- Go at off peak hours, they aren't kidding when they say they welcome buses and tours.

- Check out the lingo they have posted on the website because they do actually use it!!!

- Also give some thought to your order because when you're up, you're up!

Southern Custard

There are so many lovely things I am finding in my new town of Atlanta. One of which is Southern Custard, a recent addition (like me) but must visit for those in town.

So custard... It's super creamy, silky, and smooth. I didn't know there existed such a thing that could compare and compete with ice cream.

And according to the owner, a super cool (slight pun) friend of yours truly, it's okay if you call it ice cream, but don't you dare call it froyo! Personally, I'd say to give it the title it deserves... Damn good custard!

Give it a try, bring on a smile. It's happiness in a cup, or cone.

* Images courtesy of Southern Custard *

Fun with Magazine Binders

Burberry Headbands

Summer is my season of headbands, and here are some of my favorites...

Drinks at Josephine House

It's the small things...

Big Top Candy Shop

When it comes to Big Top, I'm definitely a kid in a candy shop...

The South Congress wonderland boasts over 300 different types of candy available in bulk or wrapped forms. My nostalgia lies in the rock candy, Big League chew, ice cream-less ice cream cones, and that rock hard Bazooka replaced by the much softer Dubble Bubble. 

 

Big Top Candy Shop

1705 South Congress Avenue

Austin, TX

 

 

* Images courtesy of Big Top *

Texas Pecan Coffee by Texas Joe

I love the mornings when I wake up to the smell of my husband brewing a pot of Texas Pecan. Whether still asleep or half awake, I know the smell right away. It's heaven.

 

 

Brought to you by Central Market

 

Krause's Biergarten in New Braunfels, TX

I've mentioned before of the many Texas towns founded by German settlers, and this weekend we stumbled across another that is uniquely the same.

In the town of New Braunfels is Krause's Biergarten, mimicking all one might expect to see in a true German biergarten. Beer is flowing, kids are running around, and food is served like hot pretzels, beer cheese, schnitzel, and more. You feel like you're outside, but you're not really outside. It's perfect for those hot summer days that we all know are right around the corner. And better yet, go on a Saturday when the weekly Farmer's market pops up with lots of local vendors.

Krause's Café

148 S Castell Ave

New Braunfels, TX



* Image courtesy of the Austin Chronicle *

J.McLaughlin Shirtdress

Without even opening the message, I smiled and let out a happy sigh when my inbox showed a subject line of "Shirtdress Refresh." I LOVE the shirtdress.

 

 

 

**Images courtesy of J.McLaughlin**