I don't know about you, but I'm feelin' 2022!

🎉🍾🎊

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Happy New Year!! 

 

I hope you are enjoying a restful second week of the New Year, sipping on Trader Joe's Winter Wake Up Tea (I seriously recommend if you don't have this in your tea cabinet yet), and trying to will the classy champagne hangovers from last weekend away like I have been. 

 

I know we are all majorly shocked about the passing of the icon Betty White, and we at Carolina Muse send all our love to her family and fans, along with all those who may have struggled with grief this holiday season. 

 

Of course, one never can ignore the age-old New Year's question: "What are your New Year's Resolutions?"

 

As much as I have always seemed to bat this question away, I have found myself seriously pondering it the last few days. With that in mind, I have been thinking on what exactly I could do better this year, so here goes: 

• Read 60 books this year 

• Do the NYTimes crossword puzzle every day, and try to finish it without looking up any clues within 1 minute (that might be ambitious, but hey, gotta start somewhere)

• Write every day

• Learn more recipes, for both cooking & baking

Speaking of cooking & baking, I asked our lovely staff members at the Carolina Muse to share some of their favorite recipes they like to make during the holidays for this issue. So in case you also had to learn more recipes in YOUR New Year's resolutions, and you wanted to get to know the Carolina Muse team a little better, below are some fun recipes to try this year! 

 

Of course, I should let you know that since our last newsletter, there are a few news updates to keep an eye out for:

• We just released our newest issue!! Check out our website to view it and find details on how to get your own print copy! 

• We're selling very reasonably-priced ads for our upcoming issue😋 Reach out to carolinamuse.arts@gmail.com with all inquiries.

• Don't forget, we have the perfect additions for any remaining holiday presents: STICKERS!

  • Purchase one for $3, and each additional sticker is just $1! 

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🦃🍰 FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD! 🍗🍛

(anybody else get the Oliver Broadway reference? Or was that too niche?? Sorry, not sorry)

 

Over the last few weeks, I collected recipes from members of the Carolina Muse team and asked them to tell me a little bit about their recipes and what makes each one so special to them. 

 

Madison shared with me her mom's overnight French toast casserole, which she makes the night before Christmas. Her and her family chow down on this lovely dish Christmas morning as part of their family holiday traditions! 

 

Ingredients for the French toast: 

Great Harvest Bread cinnamon chip bread

8 large eggs

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons rum

3 tablespoons butter

Ingredients for the sauce:

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 bananas

2 tablespoons rum

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

 

Directions for the toast:

1. Slice bread 1-inch thick and arrange in a greased 13x9x2 pan. Place cubed bread on the top of the slices, and fill in any cracks with the bread

2. Beat eggs, add milk and rum, and blend well

3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread 

4. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight 

5. The next morning, uncover casserole and dot with butter

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until puffed and golden-brown

Directions for the sauce: 

1. Melt 1/2 stick butter and add 1/2 cup light brown sugar, stir to mix

2. Add 2 thinly sliced bananas, 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional) and 2 tablespoons rum.

3. Cook over medium heat until warm and sugar is completely dissolved

4. Serve on the French toast

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Henry shared with me his favorite holiday recipe, a Sausage Casserole, which his mom used to make during the December holidays. He said that he loved it so much he used to eat it for every meal of the day when she'd make it. 

 

Ingredients: 

1 lb sausage

1 package crescent sheet

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

5 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Brown sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks

3. Unroll crescent sheet and spread onto the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan

4. Evenly spread sausage over the dough. Sprinkle the cheese on top

5. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over the top of your casserole

6. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until eggs are set and crust is golden.

 

 

Amanda sent me the recipe to her family's favorite vegan mac and cheese. She explained that she's the only vegan in her family, and this was the first recipe that everyone agreed to try after she went vegan. It turned out so well that now they make it for all family holidays! She told me how special it is that her family was willing to eat her vegan recipe despite not being vegan too, and it turned out so well that it became a staple!

 

Cassidy sent me the recipe to her family's traditional German Hefekranz! Cassidy's grandparents are from Germany, and they've been making their hefekranz since she was little. She shared that she has happy memories sitting with her parents, eating it, dipping it in coffee, and chatting 😊

 

Last but certainly not least, I attached some of my own gluten-free oatmeal and white chocolate cookies that my family adores. I have always loved baking, shamelessly inspired by the cinematic masterpiece that is the 2007 Pixar film Ratatouille. However, during my senior year of college, due to some severe dietary issues I had been facing for years, my doctor placed me on a permanent gluten-free diet, which, if you know anything about gluten-free baking, inspired many tears over ruined brownies and laborious pie crusts. 

 

One of the gluten free recipes that has stuck in my family is my oatmeal and white chocolate cookies, which are perfect on a cold winter day. Pour yourself a big glass of milk and enjoy the love that these cookies seem to radiate.

 

 I hope all of these lovely treats will fill you and your loved ones up during the next few cold months, and I wish with all my heart that you accomplish all the resolutions you set out to complete for 2022! 

   

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NC Events 🍂

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• January 22-23, 2022, Pineville Winter Wonderland Pop Up Market  → This Pineville, NC event features shopping from a diverse group of local artisans, boutiques, makers, and more

• January 27-30, 2022, Blowing Rock Winterfest → This fun Blowing Rock, NC winter festival involves a chili cook-off, polar bear plunge, ice carving, shopping, pinecone decorating, candle making, duck derby, wine tastings, and more!

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SC Events 🍁

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• January 29, 2022, 12-5pm Greenville Art on the Tracks → This Greenville, SC event will host a variety of vendors who will be showcasing and selling their art. There will also be "music, entertainment, family fun, food trucks, and more"

• January 13-23, South Carolina Restaurant Week → Support your local businesses by participating in South Carolina's 11-day restaurant week! Celebrate with the whole state by enjoying special menu items, discounts & promotions and learn a little more about your local entrepreneurs! 

   

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CREATIVE ARTS INSPIRATION

from our team

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