Tasty Memories.

Why not a two-for-one deal today!?  :)

So, everyone who has passed a basic Biology course knows (or this can serve as a reminder, Jess) that your senses can trigger memories. Now, there are several foods that help me remember fond times.  For example, cheesy noodles remind me of my sister.  Eclair cake makes me think of my mom.  Boiled peanuts signify football and Athens.  You understand what I'm saying.  However, I have never had a single taste hit me like a ton of bricks on my heart as I did a few days ago.

I am a proud Starbuck gold card member.  I receive emails, and over the past few weeks, Starbucks has sent me several messages about the upcoming fall and the return of some of their signature drinks.  Most people know that I adore a warm PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte for all those people not on my level), with light whip, and a sprinkling of spice.  Friends have even texted me about their arrival.  So, on Saturday, as I was a little early on my drive to work (which never happens really), I decided to stop and order my first PSL of the season, even though it did not feel like fall outside at the time.  As I was walking back to the car, I took my first sip and the taste, literally, almost brought tears to my eyes.  No people, I am not so obsessed with Starbucks that coffee makes me cry.  Get real now.  A flood of emotion came over me.  It made me think about New York and the Hudson Valley and apple picking and throwing the football near the Rec Center.  And in that moment, more than at any other time in the last seven months, my heart and soul ached for New York.

It was a great moment.  I realized how much just two years of my life in that faraway Yankee land meant to me.  I remembered how much I enjoyed fall up there, because we really don't have fall down here, kids, and how much it really saddened me that I was not going to experience it again this year.  (Since then, though I don't have the funds or the time, I've been looking at flights.  Ha.  Sentimental much?)  But, how great is it that one single cup of coffee in a different state can taste exactly like it did on so many afternoons a year or two ago and bring back so many wonderful memories that include so many great people?!  

Now, PSLs can create new memories for me in SC, and I welcome them.  Cheers!

Most of the pictures below are repeats, but, as my PSL took me down memory lane, I thought I would, in my own way, take y'all down it too!

Leaves at the Vanderbilt Mansion my first year at the CIA, Fall 2010. 

 Brady and I picking apples, Fall 2011!

 Brady and I carved pumpkins last year, Fall 2011.  The cat on the left is mine and the boring, standard carving is his.  :)

And, on Sunday, Robert and I tried to create our own PSLs in the Pastry Kitchen.  It was not a failure by any means, but some R&D (research and development) shall be done through the season, Fall 2012.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

Haley

(South) Carolina in My Mind (Again)!

OMG.  The format for writing a blog post is different.  If I had forgotten how to blog, then this new setup doesn't help at all!

Hello LLOCAAT faithfuls!

I'm keeping this blog alive by blogging at least one every sixish months, right?  Does that still make me a blogger?  Oh well, as you can imagine, life has been quite a whirlwind since I graduated on February 10th, and it is crazy for me to believe that it has been seven months (yesterday) since I walked across the stage in Hyde Park and entered the "real" world (whatever that means).  For me, I have almost found my normal again, a routine (as much of a routine as you can have in this industry).  I don't know how long it's going to last but I am enjoying where I am in life, and it means more than anything to know that y'all have been there or simply care to know about it!

Below are a few pictures from my Graduation Week!

My last day in Apple Pie.  No more soup!!! :)

Jess, Mom, and I at the American Bounty Restaurant the night before graduation.  The service (Duke and Jason) and the company (plus Boo Bear and Brady) couldn't be beat!

This might be my favorite picture EVER.  I miss the guy in the middle more with each passing day. (It still doesn't help that I didn't get a proper goodbye! :() He will always be a big brother to Brady and my favwite!

The Baking and Pastry Arts graduates!

Texas/Roomie/Mewissa!  I miss this girl so much!  :(

Thank you, Boo, for coming to my graduation.  Now, if you could just move back to SC, that would be great.  It is not the same without you!

My whole family on graduation day!

After packing up my room and car, Jess, Mom, and I traveled to NYC and enjoyed the City for a few days.  It was a great way to end my time in NY, by saying goodbye, for now, to the City, where I had begun to feel more of a "townie"(to an extent, of course) than a tourist.  :)

Days before graduation, Chef Larry offered me a position at the Sanctuary Hotel.  Moving away from school, graduating, driving South, and Brady confused me in knowing what I wanted to do next.  It was all too much.  After having a mini-vacay with Brady in the South, I finally decided to accept the job.  Brady flew back to NY only to drive his Jeep down, in hopes of finding a job and he, himself, figuring out what his next step was.  He drove a U-Haul from Monticello, FL-->Thomasville, GA-->Athens, GA-->Charleston, SC to help me move into my new apartment.  Within days, he had a stage at one of the other restaurants on the Island and a job offer.  Oh, how I love that boy for taking a chance on us and moving here!

And, there you have it, a very brief synopsis of how I went from a college graduate to an hourly wage cook.  And, though I wish my parents were still footing the bill and I didn't have bills and loans and no weekends off and long hours and days, I still love what I'm doing.  The past seven months have definitely made me think about the future, where I hope to be, and what I hope to be doing, and I'm looking forward to the future, whatever it holds.  Stay tuned, because "Livin' Life One Cupcake At A Time" is an adventure!

And, this is just for fun.  What has happened in seven months?

*I turned 25.  Blah.  And, believe me, my body feels the aging.  :)

*My best friend, Bailey, married her handsome groom, Brent, in June.  It was a wonderfully rainy weekend, and I was honored to be a part of her special day!  I love the Greers!

*Brady and I now have a pet, named Sushi.  He is a Betta fish, and he is beautiful.  Come visit him, anytime!

*Well, the PGA Championship came and went.  I actually had the opportunity to go to the final round of the tournament on Sunday and watch my other bf (sorry, Brady), Rory McIlroy win his second major.  It was very exciting!

*Hurricane Season is back in season (and I don't mean that in a positive way).  Even when I didn't live in the South, hurricanes followed me (Irene anyone?).  I was raised with hurricanes being a yearly thing, so it's nothing new.

*Football season is here, and I love it.  It's a catch 22 on if I wish football season was a year-round sport, but I miss it during the spring and summer.  On the other hand, I don't know if my heart could take it all the time.  As always, Go Dawgs!

*Tynlee is ALMOST one now.  It is true that good things come in small packages.  Even though I do not see her as often as I wish I could, she is the light of the extended Barrett family's lives.  Seeing her mom's name flash on my iPhone, telling me I have a new text/video/pic never gets old.  She is, and I swear it is not because I am biased, the most precious little baby girl I have ever seen!  What a joy you are to us, Little Bean, and a true blessing in our lives.  Don't grow up too fast!  I can't wait to make your cake, and I hope you get it all over you!  :)

*I am currently surviving Restaurant Week in Charleston, while enjoying it, too.  Many restaurants in the area do a special menu for a discounted price, allowing patrons to experience different food, culture, and restaurants in Charleston.  Jasmine Porch is participating (as well as Brady's restaurant, Tomasso), which means that I receive more dessert orders, with it being part of the "3 courses for $40" deal.  Last Thursday, Brady treated me to a dinner at Circa 1886, and this Thursday, I am taking us (it's only fair when we live only slightly above poverty status) to 39 Rue du Jean.  Date nights don't happen too too often around here; dressing up and going out to dinner where someone else is doing all the cooking (and cleaning) is a delight for us (and I consider it research/ continuing education).

*Politics?! It is a Presidential election year AGAIN!?
*Has it really been 11 years since that day?  I feel honored to say that I have been to that sacred ground that is now a memorial.  Never forget, 911.

And, next week, Brady and I are headed to South Dakota for our first official vacation (meaning we are using actual vacation days for the first time).  I am beyond excited to get away from work and Charleston for six days, to visit his family, see his sis/dad/mom play and coach, and to maybe go boating.

I promise, as I did in my last post in January, that I will continue my CIA journey on the blog.  I don't know if it will be in a year or five years, but I so want to organize/ document all my pictures and pastries.  Look forward to that!

FEEL FREE TO DONATE TO THE HALEY FUND FOR A BETTER LIFE  :)

Haley