Yes.....Yes I Did

I have a thing for cute coffee shops.  It is a life dream of mine to someday own one.  So... whenever I'm in a new place I scout out the town for a family owned coffee shop.  

I was visiting my friend Raven in Summerville, SC last week. (She and her family use to be our neighbors, but then moved :(  We miss them dearly).

 The "old town" section of Summerville is super cute with many cute little boutiques and restaurants.   As we were walking around I saw a cute coffee shop called ....

I knew I had to stop back after lunch to get something.  

Raven, Claire and I had lunch and then I needed to start heading home, but not before I stopped into Single Smile Cafe. 

As we were walking in, the "Specials" chalkboard caught my eye. Now, for any of you that know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of bacon!  

I've tried chocolate covered bacon,

I've tried bacon flavored sunflower seeds

I've tried bacon flavored jelly beans

 I've tried all sorts of bacon,

 and it never disappoints.  

Never in my life would I have imagined a 

BACON LATTE!!!

This was like a dream.... my two favorite things in the world rolled into one! 

I stepped right into the cafe with a spring in my step. I was a little skeptical though about how it would taste. I went up to the counter and asked,

"How is the bacon latte?"  

The cute little Asian woman behind the counter told me that people loved it! I asked if I could try a little sip before I ordered a whole cup of it.  She said that I would have to order a small.  

Ugh....did I want to waste my money on something I wasn't sure was going to be good. 

I ended up going with the safe bet of ordering a Caramel Macchiato... my drink of choice. 

The ladies and I then had a seat at this huge table.  We were chatting it up when suddenly.....

I hear Raven say,

"Oh look!"

As I turned my head to the left, there was like what seemed to be a beam of light from heaven.  The little Asian lady was walking toward me me a small little espresso shot glass filled with the Bacon Latte. 

She said, "Here you go....Bacon Latte!"

I was grateful. 

Extremely grateful.  

Over the top grateful.  

  The first thing I did was smell it... and sure enough it smelled like smokey bacon. Then I took a pic of it. And then.....I tasted it. 

OH.MY.LANDS.....

Pure genius!  It was absolutely the most amazing taste that has ever crossed my palate.  I had Raven taste it, and she agreed that it was really good.  

I have no idea how they made it, but I can't say enough about it.  So... if you are ever in Summerville, SC make it a point to stop at 

Single Smile Cafe

100-A South Main Street

Summerville, SC

Because blonds have more fun....

Starbucks has a new BLOND roast... I knew they would come around :)  

I love traveling, and love collecting Starbucks' city mugs!

Where's the best place you've been?

Which one am I using today??  BARCELONA!!!  One of the best cities I've been to!

Stevenson Ridge

On our way home from Pennsylvania, John and I stopped in Spotsylvania, Virginia for a night.  We stayed at the Stevenson Ridge.  I have a thing for Bed and Breakfasts, so I started searching online for some that would be a short drive off of Interstate 95.  

Stevenson Ridge is all we could've asked for after a hectic holiday season.  

"Stevenson Ridge is an 87-acre historical property that offers a premier special events facility as well as lodging in restored antique structures.  The Inn includes seven private cottages from the 18th and 19th centuries ranging from 1 to 2 bedrooms."  

I am a sucker for ambience, romance, and cleanliness when it comes to places to stay. So I was looking for something that had all of these things.  Now, at Stevenson Ridge, you have seven different houses to choose from!!!  We ended up picking the Log House. 

There was a lit Christmas tree on the front porch ya'll!  I was already hooked as soon as we pulled up.  Then we walked in and immediately felt at home.  The Log House was so cozy.  It has two floors and is just decorated beautifully with a genuine log cabin feel.  The bottom floor has a bathroom, living room, and kitchen as well as two fire places.  The kitchen had every amenity that you would need.  Upstairs were two bedrooms and a bathroom with a huge shower.  Plus, guess what?  There were two more fireplaces. That means there were a total of four fireplaces all together.  Absolutely spectacular!

The Stevenson Ridge doesn't make breakfast for you, instead, the innkeepers will deliver breakfast baskets to your house.  Ours included muffins, fruit, orange juice, yogurt, milk.  

Jennifer, the innekeeper's daughter, was great and was willing to help us with anything. 

Here are some more pics I took.  The other houses you see are some of the options you have to stay at the Stevenson Ridge. The big white house is absolutely stunning!

 Visit their website!

http://www.stevensonridge.com/

We loved it here and plan on going back some day. My only regret is that it wasn't snowing when we were there.  It would have been beautiful!

Fredricksburg and Spotsylvania.... go there!!!

John and I stopped in Fredricksburg and Spotssylvania, VA on our way home from Pennsylvania.  Phew.... what a mouth full.  Anyway... it was beautiful. 

Today I will share a review about a bistro we ate at, and my next post will be about the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at.   (Can't wait to share it with you!...It was so extremely beautiful!)

Bistro Bethem

Here is my review that I posted on TripAdvisor.....

Bistro Bethem is a very cute and cozy bistro. If you go, I recommend making reservations. 

My husband and I were there on a Thursday night around 6 and by the time we left the place was jumping. 

Our waiter, Derek, was one of the best waiters we ever had. He was very attentive and always two steps ahead of us. We didn't have to ask for refills or for take out boxes because he was thinking ahead. He made a very good impression. 

Our appetizers included oysters and grilled romaine heart with feta and sweet onions. Amazing! My husband and I both ordered the Cheeseburger. It did not disappoint!

The menu at Bistro Bethem changes often.
The restaurant is filled with local artists' work. The lighting is just right and the atmosphere is splendid.
Parking wasn't too bad for on street parking. The prices are perfect for the quality of food you get.

2011 Top Five

2011 has been a year of blessings!  I thank the Lord for the ways He has shown himself this year.
Here are five of my favs...

#1.  Getting Married to John!

#2. European Honeymoon

Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Rooftop in Barcelona, Spain

Cruise on Norwegian Epic

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy  Duomo

Rome, Italy 

Rome, Italy

Pompeii, Italy

Pompeii, Italy

Palma, Spain

Palma, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain  Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain   Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain



#3.  Family Vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC

#4.  Singing the National Anthem at a Sporting Event (Lifetime dream of mine)

#5.  Many laughs and smiles