Breakfast on the go this morning – I was in a rush to get out the door!
Vanilla B’More smoothie with tart cranberry sauce
And a slice of Apple Scrapple with sunbutter as toast
Lunch was a split effort between Karen and me. She brought in BBQ sandwiches from the new Ace Biscuit & BBQ here in town. They opened this fall and serve pastured pork, biscuits and soul food for breakfast and lunch.
I ate 2/3 of the BBQ sandwich, which was really, really delicious. The pork was tasty and I loved the Virginia-style BBQ sauce Karen picked out from the selections (Western Carolina style is hard to beat!) The Virginia sauce was thick and rice and had a hint of spice – like there was some apple cider involved.
The best part of this sandwich was the fluffy grilled egg bun. So much better than a floppy white roll.
I made salads for the green part of the lunch. Mixed greens with veggies and TJ’s white bean hummus.
This went into the crockpot for dinner. A soup mix by Frontier, which we sell at the bakery.
While the soup simmered away, Matt, Maze and I were busy drinking milk (Maze) and eating cookies (K+M) at the Beyond The Flavor cookie swap!
Sarah, Andrea and Megan organized a gathering open to the public – come one, come all and bring cookies to share! The event was attended by an intimate crowd, and the cookies were all creative and delicious. I brought my bourbon balls and came home with a baggie filled with everything from peppermint meringues to coconut lime cookies provided by the host Paradox! Most of the recipes for the cookie swap will be posted on Beyond The Flavor soon.
While we were there I also sipped on some decaf coffee
I ate a few cookies at the party, so dinner was a mug of black bean soup with greens mixed in and Greek yogurt on top –
And cookie tastes for dessert! I had a nibble…ok a bite… ok a BIG bite of every one. Favorites were Megan’s peppermint meringues and Anita’s double chocolate chunks with sea salt!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Mmm I love me some good BBQ! A quality bun always make a huge difference too. I’ve been loving trying out everyone’s cookies these days too – so fun!
lisa fine says
Yum. I keep reading about all of these cookie swaps…but don’t have any to go to myself. (Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.) 🙂
I do think some cookie making is in order before the weekend, so I’ll have to look up some recipes. Any suggestions? I’m thinking about gingersnaps or something with chocolate…
K says
A gingersnap chocolate chip hybrid super-cookie? 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
That BbQ sandwich looks so good right now. I need to make more sauce. It’s so warming now that it’s finally getting chilly outside.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
So now I want BBQ, I had a fleeting craving last week but after seeing that, it’s back. How fun with the cookie swap. Now I want to organize one for next year. I’m too beat to get on it this year. LOL
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Haha I’d do the same – take a bite of each to taste them all!
[email protected] of Pace says
Do you miss carolina bbq since you left?! Gotta love a north carolina bbq sandwich!
Morgan says
The cookie swap looks amazing! I would have had a hay day in there…double chocolate chunk with sea salt?! Oh my!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
What a variety of cookies!
Eating 4 Balance says
That morning smoothie looks delicious! So creamy.
And that cookie swap sounds fun. I can’t wait to make some Christmas cookies.
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
So fun to see the BTF Cookie Swap featured here! I was hoping to go, but had to stay at work till 6… next year 🙂
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Holy cow! I really, really want to do a cookie exchange!! I did one at work a few years ago and it was a lot of fun trying other people’s favorites. That vanilla smoothie also looks delicious – love the cranberry idea on top.
ashlynn says
The title of your post immediately made me think of Christmas as a kid setting out milk and cookies for santa. Are you excited for your first christmas with Mazen? Do you have any traditions you plan on carrying on with him or new ones that you’re excited about? I have two brand new nieces this year, and our family is beyond excited for christmas with them.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I would love to go to a good old fashioned cookie swap! I am always traveling in December and don’t do them, but gosh, now I want to. I also realllllly want to make your bourbon balls. They’ll still taste good in January 🙂
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Looking forward to my cookie swap this week!
[email protected] says
All of the cookies look so yummy and different! Cookie swaps are great because you get to try a variety of cookies you might not normally make!
Annette @FitnessPerks says
BBQ meat is always pretty tasty! And cookies…YUMMMM
JoJo says
I’ve never been to a cookie swap, didn’t even know such thing existed. But that is so genius!
I’ll definitely be baking some cookies this christmas again though!
Jennifer says
So glad that you guys have a TJs in town now! You must try the Mediterranean Hummus! It is life changing for sure! Thanks for all your wonderful posts 🙂
Lisa says
Yum. I love how you balance indulgences with super healthy food. I agree with that philosophy wholeheartedly! 🙂
Rebecca @ Blueberry Smiles says
Wow, those cookies all look so good! Double chocolate chunks with sea salt sound incredible
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
BBQ and cookies? Looks just about perfect!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
YUM! Love cookie swaps. The only “swapping” I’m doing this year is baking a bunch of cookies for my family to enjoy at our Christmas Eve party. 🙂
[email protected] says
Coconut lime cookies sound good though anything with dark chocolate and salt and I’m in! Totally on the cranberry sauce kick now, think I’m the only one in the whole of Ireland!
Stephanie @ Food and Fitness 4 Real says
Since I did not get to attend a cookie swap this year, I plan on making several different kinds of cookies and delivering them to our neighbors. That way I get to taste lots of cookies but I don’t have TONS of leftovers.
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook says
What a perfect day! I posted about your stuffed pork tenderloin recipe today – it was amazing!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
just noticed the little KERF watermark on all your photos!
Brett says
I LOVE ACE BBQ WITH ALL OF MY FREAKING HEART. Girlfriend, why didn’t you eat the whole thing? Because you’re going to bring the rest to me today? That’s right, I’m coming walking today. No really, I am.
KathEats says
Haha. Just got full! Matt ate the other bite though 🙁 SEE YOU SOON!
Georgia Mae says
The photos on your blog are stunning! You inspire me to eat more vegetables. Your diet is so healthy and balanced, props to you!
Sara @ fitcupcaker says
I love bbq and cookie swaps! SO basically, I am in love with this post! Also, I went to a bakery near my house and they dont make bread I was so sad. I need to find somewhere that makes awesome bread like the pictures you have!
Jess says
I love how close you seem to be with your mother in law. She must love being so involved with seeing her grandson grow up.
I am mum to one son and I hope I have such a close relationship with any possible future daughter in law!
Jen says
Oh, it’s that time of year and life is too short – so take as many BIG bites as you want 🙂 I’m missing Christmas hard this year (away from home) so it’s nice to see a bit of traditions and cookie-swapping through your blog. Thanks 🙂
Elise @ Expeditions of Elise says
I love Christmas cookies. They are so exciting, especially unique flavors like the ones you got at your swap.
This morning I made a dough smoothie in a bowl for the first time and it was DELICIOUS! So filling. I also had some coconut butter on top, also another first for me. One of my best breakfasts in a while!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Cookie swaps are so much fun! I love seeing all the different varieties and being able to take the best ones home.
Cait's Plate says
That BBQ sandwich looks awesome…as do all those cookies!!
M says
Kath, what is a Vanilla B’More smoothie? Naners, yes?! 🙂 Super cute bowl!
KathEats says
A brand of Icelandic yogurt drink I found at whole foods
Eva @thehealthyparty says
I forgot about sun butter! I need to try that again! I’m hooked on peanut butter and need a replacement.
Avery Hudson says
Looks like a fun filled busy day! Thought this web link might be fun for you to try out whenever you have the time! I’m curious to know what items are your fav and the creation you make! There are sooo many awesome/creative options! Hope you enjoy this fun little link! http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/quaker-instant-oats.aspx#/create_your_own
Jodie says
I did a cookie swap this year, was very exciting. I did some cranberry/white choc chip cookies plus rocky road. Rocky road is not a cookie so was not sure if I was going “outside”the cookie rule…lol!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
The cookie swap looked like so much fun! I love the idea of having a cookie swap party. 🙂
Katherine says
I love Christmas cookies, too!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/2012/12/wkend-christmas-goodie-bake-off-handels.html
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Mmmmm…I remember christmas cookie swaps from my childhood. I loved trying all the different cookies that other families made at christmas time. My favourite will always be my mother’s famous Orange Shortbread…okay, and her Rum Balls! 🙂