taco tuesday

snow...seriously? something about snow in charlotte (on march 2nd!) makes us dream of sunny days on a remote beach in the mexican riviera. the next best thing to a taco stand in tulum is our new favorite favorite mexican joint in plaza midwood--loco lime. we love the variety of vegetarian entrees (like the veggie tacos, pictured above) and can't wait for the snow to melt so we can be seated in the outdoor patio. start things off right with a spicy jalapeno margarita to add a little kick to your happy hour, or opt for the beer rita if you're having trouble deciding between a chilled corona and a tangy margarita. bonus: the guacamole is prepared table-side and adjusted to your liking--smooth, chunky, hot or mild.

loco lime, 1101 central avenue (next to common house)

snow day!

call it global warming; call it el nino; whatever the reason for this strange weather we're experiencing, you can call it a snow day in the southeast. being unaccustomed to such practices, we find ourselves with little to do when an inch of the white stuff dusts over our lawns. there's enough coverage to keep the kids out of school, but not enough to take them sledding. it's only noon and you're sanity is questionable at best with this disruption to your daily routine. so we've thought of ten things you can do on a snow day:

10. get ready for tomorrow's oscar nominations by falling for a washed-up country and western singer in crazy heart--now playing at the manor theater!

9. spice up your hot chocolate:

3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix

1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch chili powder

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup boiling water

method: in large mug, mix hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon and chili powder. pour in milk; add boiling water and stir.

8. call your mother

7. watch something on your dvr that you've been avoiding (like shirley mcclain's portrayal of coco chanel...the lifetime version).

6. prepare your taxes (april 15th is coming!)

5. go shopping! the stores are open...the roads are slushy...

4. google yourself

3. google someone you're dating

2. download songs from grammy performers on itunes: lady gaga and elton john, taylor swift and stevie nicks, beyonce, pink, t-pain, jamie foxx, dave matthews band, doug e. fresh, bon jovi, eminem, black eyed peas, green day, lady antebellum, the zac brown band...and more!

1. you tube "the channing show," where a closet door falls on a little girl (no harm done).

ice, ice baby

if it was cold where you woke up this morning, just think of the poor revelers on miami's south beach who experienced record low temperatures of 36 degrees. by now we've all seen the picture of the frozen orange in florida, and we're wondering if the price of tropicana will inflate like gasoline did after hurricane katrina. but there's good news on the horizon. according to weather.com, the last bit of cold air from canada will settle over the southeast and northern florida tonight, and a true warm-up begins tomorrow afternoon...whew! so dust off your party dresses and hang your mittens: 50 degrees is going to feel like a heatwave.

move over, pumpkin pie

traditions create a sense of comfort and nostalgia, but we sometimes can't silence the cynic inside who says traditions can be predictable and downright boring. so this year why not shake up your thanksgiving fiesta by offering a new dessert (gasp!) in place of the grande dame of thanksgiving, pumpkin pie. we found this delightful little recipe on marthastewart.com, and we can't wait to test it out. not only do we love the tempting flavors of this gingery fruity dessert, but also the presentation is way more chic than your classic pumpkin pie:

ingredients:

- 2 bags (12 ounces each) cranberries, fresh or frozen

- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar

- 2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger

- 1 bar (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature

- 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

- 2 cups heavy cream

- 2 homemade or store-bought all-butter pound cakes (12 ounces each) cut into 3/4 inch-thick-slices

- candied orange zest, for garnish (optional)

directions:

1. in a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, 2 cups granulated sugar, ginger and 2 cups water. bring to simmer over medium; cook until cranberries begin to burst, 8-10 minutes. let compote cool completely.

2. make cream filling: using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, brown sugar, remaining granulated sugar and vanilla on high until well combined. with mixer on medium, gradually add heavy cream; continue beating until soft peaks form.

3. arrange 1/3 cake in 3-quart serving dish. spoon 1/3 compote over cake; spread to sides of dish. dollop 1/3 cream over compote; spread to sides of dish. repeat twice, ending with cream filling. cover, refrigerate at least 2 hours (or up to 1 day). garnish with candied orange zest, if desired.

4. surprise everyone at thanksgiving with the new dessert, and enjoy!