I hope you've been having a wonderful summer. We've been on the road a bit - as soon as Den got home at the beginning of the summer, I spent a week in NYC for work, then we took the girls to Myrtle Beach for Ari's 5th birthday - more on that soon - and spent the holiday in Atlanta with my family. We've been trying to spend as much time together as possible - Den's autumn work schedule comes upon us much too quickly and I didn't want us looking back wondering where the summer had gone. I'm sure that those reflections will still tease us at the end of the summer - but as of right now, I feel like we are living a good sun-filled season. The girls - possessing the benefits of my husband's genetic disposition - are all golden skinned; I'm still pale but sun-kissed with freckles galore - we spend a lot of time in swimsuits right now. It's good.
So… Myrtle. Do keep in mind I’m new to the South. If you’ve never been to Myrtle Beach, I would love to say that I am about to wax poetic about the beauty of it all. Alas, that is not the case. It’s Panama City meets… I don’t even know what. There are lovely high-rise hotels cozied up next to places I could swear I’ve seen in horror movies. The beach is not the most pristine miles of sand I’ve walked upon and the food selection was not what I expected of a coastal town. But man did we have a good time (a few shots here). The girls conquered any remaining water fears they may have harbored in the crashing surf (pretty sure that Adie will be ready to learn to surf next summer) and we played skee ball for hours in an old boardwalk arcade, ate ice cream under the stars in the sand and yes, even partook in one of the famous, ridiculously oversized all you can eat seafood buffets and ate crab legs until we could barely walk. Will we do it again? Probably not. I was, and still am, looking for a more quintessential Southern beach experience – something quiet, something ours, something MUCH less commercial. In fact, I’m completely obsessed with this house and am planning on selling a kidney so we can rent it for a week next summer.
Work has been intense and I have such mixed feelings about this - as we all do about balancing work and parenthood and if we are so inclined - taking time for ourselves. It's a lesson I have yet to really learn. But some exciting things have been happening and I look forward to sharing them soon. And we have been cooking - mostly grilling. While I don't have a formal recipe and photos to share with you today, I will let you in on a little secret to the best burger in the entire universe. We've been filling the middle of our ground beef (80/20 - that's important!) with Brie. The cheese is so delicate it almost disappears into the burger yielding the richest of flavors. I glaze the burgers with equal parts olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and maple syrup (whisk all three together then using your hands, baste the entire burger with the glaze). The sugar content makes the outside of the burger crispy and the Brie makes the inside literally melt in your mouth. It's become addictive and we make them at least once a week now. Serve w/ a soft bun and a little whipped up balsamic mayo and happiness will surely follow. See that big smile above? That’s a post-Brie Burger smile.
I have another perfect summer meal coming up soon from a guest... in the meantime, here is our soundtrack to the season... more soon.
I SING I SWIM
Floating Vibes : Surfer Blood
June July : Apartment
Brand New Cadillac : The Clash
Clear Water : Field Music
Saltbreakers : Laura Veirs
I Sing I Swim : Seabear
Sunshine Superman : Donovan
Golden Star : My Brightest Diamond
On The Road Again : Canned Heat
Follow Me Down : Golden Animals
Hook and Ladder : Vetiver
The Wanderlust : Metric
Body of Work : The Mynabirds
Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win : Beastie Boys (featuring Santogold)
Rollercoaster : Black Mountain
Rise To The Sun : Alabama Shakes
The Crystal Ship : The Doors
You're Just A Drug : The Airlines
River By The Garden : Zeus
Summer Loans : The Isles
Cruel Summer : Karen Elson
Listen here.
This post just made me super happy for many reasons.
You guys are having the summer I long for and miss so badly. Those photos are divine- going to get on mine! ;)
You've inspired me, love. Thank you.
Posted by: Amanda | July 2012 at 03:50 PM
and that burger sounds delicious! When we come hang with you guys in Asheville some day, you are making that for us!
Posted by: Amanda | July 2012 at 03:51 PM
These polaroids are fantastic
Posted by: Beth | July 2012 at 07:36 PM
Love your pics and your music offerings! thanks.
Posted by: Erica | July 2012 at 07:41 PM
Love the vintage feeling in these pics! :-)
Posted by: tinajo | July 2012 at 06:23 AM
Wow, this is definitely the burger we'll try. Half of our food comes from the grill these days of summer too :)
Posted by: Red Star to Lone Star | July 2012 at 10:17 AM
amanda - love you! and i will TOTALLY make you that burger - get on down here!
beth, erica and tinajo - thank you so, so much! feels good to be shooting that camera regularly again.
red star - let me know what you think!
Posted by: jen a | July 2012 at 09:40 PM
Oh man, that burger sounds so delicious. Must put on the To Grill list!
Posted by: Cinnamon | July 2012 at 11:17 PM
There are so many charming South Carolina beach towns, hopefully your next experience will be a good one. The Folly house looks to die for!
Posted by: Lucy | July 2012 at 11:34 AM
My sentiments exactly on Myrtle. Despite the sprawl, your pics are gorgeous and timeless as usual. Folly is a VERY wise choice. We vacation on Isle of Palms/Sullivan's Island multiple times a year and love it. Charleston area beaches rock steady.
Posted by: Rachel | July 2012 at 01:30 PM
It seems a happy summer meal. By the way, I really like the soundtracks. Good taste.Thanks for sharing the post
Posted by: white ceramic | July 2012 at 12:54 AM
thank you lucy and cinnamon!
rachel - YES. might try a quick couple days at Isle of Palms before the girls go back...
thank you WC!
Posted by: jen a | July 2012 at 04:03 PM
I'm so glad to see you back on the blog! It's good you were able to experience Myrtle. It's a place you go once to say you've been! Charleston is my beach of choice. I'm in the upstate of SC and it's just a 3.5 hour jaunt from us. We go all the time and the food is out of this world! Check out the Morris Island Lighthouse on Folly Beach while you are there. You won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Reagan | July 2012 at 09:33 PM
We spent a lovely week on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina a few summers ago. It was very relaxed, gorgeous beaches, and definitely no skeeball! Also, quite reasonably priced (we rented a house through VRBO)
Posted by: Kristin | July 2012 at 09:58 AM