Butternut and Spinach

Sorry it has been so long since I’ve written!  Between addressing wedding invitations, a hectic work schedule, and that pesky little thing called school, I haven’t cooked or eaten very many exciting things.  Which brings me to another point…I cannot wait to graduate and get married!!!  Not only am I excited to be William’s wife, but I can’t wait to have more time to experiment with ingredients and recipes.

I am constantly perusing magazines, cookbooks, and websites.  I clip recipes, drool over pictures and fantasize about having every burner on the stove going, and running around trying to keep the onions from burning and the pasta from boiling over. 

It is so funny to me that it is this kind of stress that made me want to stop working in kitchens for a living, yet I can’t get enough of it when I’m at home.  I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in going back to school is that you have to make your profession something that you like and care about, but you also have to remember that it is work….they call it that for a reason.  My love of the kitchen is something that I love a lot more now that I get to cook when I want to not when I have to. 

Lately, I have had almost no time to cook.  I know I’ve mentioned it before, but my dad is an excellent cook.  He makes large batches of things like butternut squash soup and freezes the leftovers.  A few nights ago, I wasn’t very hungry.  I wanted something that would fill me up and make me feel really good.  I am a huge fan of spinach, and I found some butternut squash soup on the freezer.  I heated up the soup, and added some spinach.  The heat from the soup wilted the spinach, so it mixed together nicely with the soup.  I topped it with a few blue cheese crumbles and voilà! Gourmet dinner for 1!

On a side note...

A few weeks ago was my Bachelorette Weekend.  My bridesmaids, mom, and aunt threw me a shower on Saturday afternoon while we were at the beach.  My friend, Evin, surprised me after saying that she wouldn't be able to make it.  I was shocked!  Not only did she surprise me, but she brought this cake with her too!!!  P.S.  She MADE this, and drove it from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach!!!

Can you believe how beautiful this cake is??

The most delicious carrot cake ever!!!