Let It Go

Melissa came to visit and, as always, she brought delightful conversation, delicious recipes to try, and fun ideas of places to go in Nashville. 

We had sandwiches, scones, and tea at the Thistle Stop Cafe and shopped around cute places on Charlotte Avenue on Saturday. Melissa is pointing at the cute tea cup design on the little spoons. We also had bonuts (biscuit doughnuts that are truly life changing) and more at Biscuit Love on Sunday morning. 

Of course, our friendship would not be complete without cooking up some new recipes. We worked mainly from Smitten Kitchen's cookbook over the weekend and enjoyed scallion biscuits with whipped goat cheese and tomato relish. It was a beautiful, light summer meal enjoyed on the screened in porch. (We did add a side of bacon for Jared.)

We also whipped up Smitten Kitchen's kale salad with radishes, dried cherries, goat cheese, and pecans in a yummy vinaigrette. Hunter even ate the radishes out of my salad after flinging the kale to the other side of his high chair tray.

Melissa and I have cooked together for years through about 10 different kitchens between the various apartments and houses. The kitchens have been of varying sizes with a growing amount of cooking equipment and tools, but we have always had good conversation and, with the exception of one major fail, good food. We wish now that we had made a list long ago of the recipes tried and taken more pictures before diving into a meal. But, even if we had those things, I will not forget how our friendship has blossomed over the joint effort to find a good recipe, procure the ingredients, and give it a whirl. I largely owe my love of good food and cooking to Melissa as she helped me not be afraid of trying new recipes, of hunting down a strange ingredient, of turning on the grill, of eating meat. I am grateful for friendships that stand the test of time and distance and the addition of a husband and child. 

Somehow, Melissa and I got to talking about the movie, Frozen, which inevitably lead to me singing "Let It Go." Hunter thought it was hilarious in that deep belly laugh kind of way. He has a giggle and an all out laugh that can cure the world of all ailments and evils. 

(His shirt says "Daddy loves me more than bacon.")

Happy Independence Day, America. I am grateful to live in freedom in a beautiful country. Hopefully Hunter will sleep through the fireworks and Scout will survive her anxiety regarding the incessant booming outside.