Sweet Savannah

   As a Southern girl, I've learned to appreciate the simple beauties of the South: homecooked meals, sugary sweet tea, kind people with thick accents seeking refuge from the hot sun under huge shade trees.  While I enjoy the peace and quiet of the country as much as anyone, let's face it...I do love to shop.  Southern cities are the perfect combination of that slow-pace for which the South is known for living, mixed with the hustle and bustle of city life. 
   Now, I've spent quite a bit of time in New York City and I've also been to London, so I can safely say I've experienced the "big city."  While New York and London are great for shopping, fine dining, museums, or strange people-watching, they are downright exhausting.

Lovely shops on the Riverwalk.

Spanish moss and cobblestones.

   Savannah is a place I have always wanted to visit.  From everything I'd seen in movies and on television, it looked absolutely beautiful, and I must say that once I arrived, it did not disappoint.  Was there traffic? Yes, but no honking horns or angry drivers.  Crowds? Sure, but no pushing or shoving, just polite people going about their days.  Locals didn't treat tourists as inconveniences, but rather as new friends.  Spanish moss and magnolias line the streets, and every few blocks there is a beautiful square...a place for tourists and locals alike to rest in the shade, catch up with friends, or grab a bite to eat.

Free entertainment in Chippewa Square.

Just a casual stroll in Savannah.

View from our room at the River Street Inn.

I wasn't sure what I'd find when I arrived in Savannah, but after only a few days there, I was sure sad to leave.  I can't wait to get back, take a stroll down Bull Street and stop at each square, all while sipping a peach tea and wearing a fabulous hat.

Fountain in Forsyth Park.

Found my dream home!

An Easter culinary creation

I generally hate to cook. It's not that I can't cook, or that I'm a bad cook, I just find it a bit stressful. That being said, I do love to bake. Okay, maybe I prefer cooking things that just aren't that good for you: cakes, pies, cupcakes, muffins, brownies...anything sweet (and usually high in calories). Because of my fabulous baking abilities, my family usually puts me in charge of desserts each holiday (at least, that's what I tell myself). This Easter, I wanted something that celebrated the arrival of Spring, so I decided on coconut cake, with a twist. I used Duncan Hines strawberry cake mix with vanilla icing, topped with coconut and fresh strawberries.
  

The "cast of characters." Peeps can be used around

the cake stand for decoration.



Needless to say, it was a hit. It's also my personal belief that all cake tastes better when blended with a pink mixer (which my husband refuses to touch).  This was the ideal cake trifecta: simple, delicious, and fattening.



Top with fresh strawberries...perfect!

Can you think of a better time than Easter to break out the pink appliances?  Neither can I.  Trust me, though, this is only about a third of my collection (including the pink coffee pot, which I don't think I've ever actually used, but it's adorbable sitting on the counter).