Biscuit Takeover

In the food pyramid of Kristen, biscuits are definitely one of 5 food groups.  I adore those belly-sinkers and will travel a bit for them.  Tonight, it was to Artifact Coffee in Hampden.  A few months ago, they held a restaurant takeover in which Toki Underground in DC, came in and sold their homemade Ramen for 4 days only.  I unfortunately found out about it after the fact, so no ramen for me.  

After the success of that takeover, they decided to hold another one.  Luckily for me I heard about this one in time. Tiffany Kyle, who owns 4 restaurants specializing in biscuits.  And oh my goodness, has she got it down to a science. Absolutely delicious!

On the menu were about 5 different biscuit sandwiches, and about 10 different toppings for the biscuits, a few sides and 3 desserts.  But honestly, who needs dessert when you can just have chocolate sauce on the biscuit?!  There were 3 of us, so we all tried a different sandwich: Fried chicken, with spicy honey and pickles, Breakfast with scrapple, dippy egg, and jam and mine with ham, cheese and greens.  Mine was to die for and I would have fallen for the chicken too if there weren't any pickles on it.  I didn't try the breakfast one because - eww scrapple!  You also had the choice of type of biscuit: creme fraiche, sweet potato or gluten free.  We all went for the creme fraiche - how can you go wrong with a classic?  Then for dessert there were more biscuits (don't judge - this was a once in a lifetime biscuit-fest!)  We had tasso gravy (not bad), apple butter (kinda like apple sauce), honey butter (could have used more honey and less butter) and last but not least, chocolate sauce (To. Die. For.).

All in all, it was an absolutely perfect evening and I can't wait for the next event at this cute little coffee shop!  I probably won't be able to eat again until Sunday as I'm pretty darn stuffed right now.  But if the next takeover is anywhere near as amazing as this one, please count me in!

Camera-gate 2013

When people take gorgeous photographs, I usually assume the shots required a few quick adjustments here and there.  Then of course, the photographer was ready and able to take Pulitzer prize worthy photos of all things beautiful.  Upon further review, I was so very, very, very wrong.  Like I said the camera practice is not going as well and as quickly (what can I say?  I'm impatient!) as I'd hoped it would.  After a full month with the darn thing, I still haven't figured out how to change it to manual. 

Now don't think I haven't tried.  I've read articles. I've browsed Pinterest.  I've been scouring this site daily (which by the way is my new fave!  This woman should be sainted, but I digress...) But knowing what to do when you do go manual and actually figuring out HOW to go manual are 2 different things.  You'd expect the user's guide (I was about to use the word manual but it got a little redundant) to give you some pointers at least.  Alas, no such luck.  It tells you just about everything else, in every language imaginable but not what I want it to tell me. 

I still have quite a bit of time to figure this out.  England's not for another 3 months (and 5 days - not that I'm counting or anything).  However, I have seemingly mastered the visually interesting shots.  For those who may not be in the know, according to the Kristen dictionary, a visually interesting photo is "off-kilter to add personality." (See exhibits A-D below)  Random, I know, but my favorite way to take a picture : ) 

This one isn't visually interesting per se, but it's a really cool "uppy shot" aka a photo taken looking up at something.  (I never pretended to be clever about these names...)

Summer in the City

The residual grumps from the never-ending rain that has finally ended, still remain.  But after a beautifully sunny and gorgeous day, they should be blowing out soon.  I think (knock on wood) it's time to focus on all the fun things that will be occurring this summer and start checking these babies off the list!

1.  Bestie Shopping day in Georgetown complete with Frozen Hot Chocolate (and of course lunch, but who cares when there's Frozen Hot Chocolate!?) at Serendipity 3. - Part of my birthday gift that I'm so looking forward to!
2.  "Taking Steps" by the Colonial Players in Annapolis - Second part of my birthday gift.  I'm loving this exploring of Maryland theatres that I've somehow lucked into this year.  Nothing beats Broadway or the West End, but we really do have some great artists here.
3. Dr. Oliver Sacks at 6th&I Synagogue in DC - I'm in awe of this man.  He's done some of the most fascinating research into the mind and how it works.  "The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat" is one of my all-time favorite books.  Getting the chance to hear him speak is definitely a highlight!
4. "Once" with Arthur Darvill on Broadway complete with summer day in the city with a great friend.  - We already have reservations at a cool Cuban place and are working on finding some sweet treats to occupy our time.  What's better than spending a whole day in the city that never sleeps?!
5. OC day with the Mama - A summer tradition that never fails.  Boog's and Thrasher's for lunch, beach time, outlet time and of course Dumser's for dessert.  Yum!

And of course so much more fun once Fall hits (Officially under 4 months until the big trip - 3 months and 29 days to be exact...: )  I'm sure there'll be more to come but for now, let's get this fantastic summer started! Now do you see why I was so eager for the rain to leave?