I have a small Winston Churchill obsession. It started about two decades ago and has culminated with me naming my dog after him.

Lately, I’ve been listening to some of his most famous speeches. I needed to hear what a great leader in a crisis sounded like—because I wanted to be that in my own little world.

I highly recommend listening to a few. No one is asking us for blood and toil, or telling us to fight on the beaches. But we are being asked to do hard things right now. And Churchill knew—hopefully more than we ever will—about going through hard things in scary times.

We held Michiel’s “Celebration of Life” service on the Sunday afternoon before Martin Luther King Day. It was the only day that those of us flying in to Seattle from around the country could all be there.

Before any of it happened, I’d had plans for the holiday. It fell on my birthday this year, and I’d intended to fly back into Charlotte after a long weekend with friends in Austin and go straight to a meeting at my church. It was going to be the first time a group of us with plans to plant a new church were gathering together.

Instead, I caught a red eye flight home from the hardest day of my life and arrived in Charlotte just after 6 a.m., exhausted and devastated. My mom had to have a minor surgery that day and so I had my birthday lunch in the waiting room of Novant Medical Center with my dad.

But I held on to my plans for the church gathering. I’d expected a simple meeting, but when I arrived, they said that we’d be walking over to our small sanctuary for worship. I almost left. “Worship” sounded emotional and I didn’t want to break down in front of all these people I didn’t know.

As we stood to sing, they began to play, “Your mercy never fails me, all my days I’ve been held in Your hands, From the moment that I wake up, until I lay my head down, I will sing of the goodness of God.” 

And I realized that I didn’t want to cry—something I’d done continuously that week. I found that every part of me wanted to praise the One who is “so, so good.” I’d felt His presence everywhere that week. I knew with certainty that He’d been there in every one of my darkest, hardest moments. And being able to stand there praising Him felt like relief—like a cool salve on the most painful burn. God created us for His glory. We were designed to praise Him.

I’m sharing this now because I know that many of us are going through dark times. We’re anxious and not sleeping well. Work—if we’re lucky enough to have it—is stressful and hard. Companions in our homes—if we’re lucky enough to have them—are driving us crazy. And, underneath it all, we’re all so scared—of loneliness, of loss, of sickness, of death.

But here is what I know: We can praise His goodness even when we’re in the middle of things we don’t understand. He is our refuge. His mercies are new every morning. And He is faithful. In Psalm 28:7, it says that He is our strength and our shield. “My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

When we’re trapped in our homes and tired, worried, and scared, praising Him may feel like the opposite of what we want. But it is exactly what we need. And whether that looks like helping others, joyful music, or simply a bowed head, it’s what He wants for us.

Not because He needs it. But because He knows our hearts were designed for it. And because He really is so, so good.

Yesterday I went on Audible to download a new book and noticed that multiple apocalypse themed books were trending in bestsellers. Which are basically the opposite of what I want to read right now. We’re stuck inside our homes in a situation that none of us feel especially good about—I’m looking for an escape.

So, I’m currently reading The High Season and listening to Big Lies in a Small Town on Audible. (One’s a chick lit-y novel set in the Hamptons and the other is a mystery set in an NC beach town. Can you tell I miss traveling already?)

If you’re also looking for something to take your mind away from the here and now, I’ve put five of my recent favorites in the “escape from reality” category below.

The Family Upstairs

This book kicked off a serious Lisa Jewell reading spree for me. I’ve enjoyed all of her books, but this one was such an imaginative mix of characters in a perfectly creepy story. There’s a cult and murder and history and mystery with a little bit of romance weaved in, and it all takes place in London. It’s dark, but it’s thrilling and totally captivating.

What Alice Forgot

This book seriously got in my head. The premise is that a woman wakes up from a bump on her head thinking she’s 29, happily married, and pregnant with her first child. In reality, she’s forgotten ten years and she’s actually 39, getting divorced, and has three children. I like all Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies) books, but this one is my favorite.

The Secret Keeper

I love Kate Morton books for the way they jump between past and present—and bring historic events to life. Like many of her books, this one is set in the English countryside and alternates between modern day and WWII. In it, a child witnesses a horrific event in 1961. Only she and her mother know about it. Now, it’s modern day and her mother is dying, and she begins to investigate what happened and why it happened. There are so many plot twists and they’re all so good.

Winter in Paradise

My favorite thing about Elin Hilderbrand books is always the setting. And while I love her novels set in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, this one set on St. John is my favorite simply because reading it makes you feel like you’re on the tiny Caribbean island. Sure, there’s also plenty of mystery and romance—the main character’s recently deceased husband had been living a double life with a second family—but it’s the transportive nature of it that makes this one an especially good choice right now.

The Royal We

I’m late to the party on this one, but I finally read this novel that can really only be described as Prince William and Kate Middleton fan fiction. It’s the story of “Rebecca Porter” and “Prince Nicholas,” and it’s light and fun and feels like reading the grown up version of a fairy tale. It gets a little long in parts and understand that this is the same kind of guilty pleasure of occasionally reading a copy of US Weekly, but we could all use a little guilty pleasure right now, right?

I don’t like uncertainty. I mean this on both a micro and a macro level. Like, I like to make reservations for dinner and I like to have goals for the year. I like to know what’s on the schedule for today and I like to have a plan for the future.

So, like pretty much everyone right now, I feel very uncomfortable with all of the ambiguity and uncertainty around the current state of things. Which is why I’ve created this list of things I know right now. This is my anchor for today. Maybe these will help you? And maybe you can make a list of your own.

Spring is coming. This thing that seems to be stopping everything else can’t stop the seasons. Sunlight and flowers and birds chirping and fresh cut grass and lush green trees and warmth are all on the way.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13.8) There’s so much changing right now, but not one thing has changed about His love for us.

Stories are a great escape. Whether you prefer yours on Netflix, podcasts, or in the pages of books, there’s something amazing about the way a story can take our minds a million miles and a thousand years from where we actually are in the moment.

Technology can connect us. I have had more conversations with my family and face to face time (virtually) with friends around the country in the last week that I typically have in a month. All that talk about how technology isolates us seems so 2019.

Food is amazing. I’ll be honest, I’ve ordered vegetable seeds to plant a garden to prepare to feed myself if this comes to a Great Depression (see “I like to have a plan for the future” above). But in the meantime, I’m letting myself indulge in the things that taste really good right now. It turns out that cheeseburgers are delicious regardless of whether or not you’re in a crisis.

You can always laugh. And an unexpected side effect of the virus is the internet being especially funny right now. Michiel, my friend who passed away in January, could—and would—laugh at the most irreverent things at the worst times. I loved that about him. And I think of him when I remember that you can always laugh.

We were given today. I think we’re all trying to “just get through this.” But even the darkest days should be appreciated. We only get so many sunrises and sunsets in our lives. I don’t want to wish any of them away.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38) Not isolation. Not coronavirus. Not job losses or stock market crashes. Not poverty. Not depression or loneliness. Not fear. “Neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future.”

We need each other. Whether it’s your kids or spouse or the neighbor next door who could just use a conversation over the fence or across the balcony, we are craving community—and you can be that for someone. A sense of purpose in helping others is grounding.

There’s opportunity here. Winston Churchill said “Never let a crisis go to waste.” For me—for today—this looks like tackling some bigger work projects, giving extra time to a creative side project, and making my backyard look better than it has in years. Tomorrow it may just look like more rest than usual. There’s no wrong or right way to seize an opportunity—it’s just a good reminder to know it’s there.

 

Two months ago my best friend died. It has been the loneliest two months of my life. Not only because I lost the person I shared my life with every day, but because grief, by its nature, emotionally isolates us.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this the last few days as I’ve physically isolated myself from the world. It occurred to me today that in the strangest way, I feel less lonely now than I’ve felt in these last two months. Physically, I’m no longer around people. But emotionally, we’re all in this particular pain together.

As I took my dogs for a walk around my neighborhood tonight, people I’ve never met called out hello from their front porches and drivers nodded with smiles as they drove past. A little girl—who must be a handful at home for her mom right now—pedaled by me on her tricycle, announcing that she wasn’t allowed to go to school and that her pink helmet was for unicorns.

It reminded me in its own way of the videos of the Italians singing from their balconies and the Parisians applauding the healthcare workers from their windows. We are all in this together.

Our world had become so increasingly divided in recent years. From political divides in the U.S. to Nationalism in Europe, we were literally building walls to separate us from our neighbors.

And now this virus has arrived and it doesn’t care about our arbitrary borders. It doesn’t care about the color of our skin or where we were born or what country we call home or who we voted for in the last election. And in the strangest way, it’s making us care less about that stuff too.

It’s horrible. And it’s destroying livelihoods and lives. And I’d never want to minimize that. But as a person who knows too much about feeling alone,  I think there’s something really beautiful about the way we’re coming together.

We may have been forced to shut our borders and shut our doors, but everyone I know is reaching out. And in the midst of all this sadness and uncertainty that makes me grateful for the goodness in people—and, for the first time in a long time, hopeful for our future.

 

 

*As the coronavirus has brought my social life to a screeching halt, I have some extra time on my hands. So, I’m taking a break from my regularly scheduled travel and food programming to talk current events. And probably to share a lot of dog stories. 

It’s January in North Carolina as I’m posting this. It’s cold, dark, and I’m jealous of all the animals that hibernate. So, I thought I’d share one of my favorite warm and sunny spots I visited last summer. Lets imagine it together.

Picture this: A tiny island in the Bahamas. It’s filled with pastel-painted colonial homes, picket fences draped in bright fuchsia bougainvillea, and views of the azure Caribbean around every corner. There’s always a breeze in the hot, salty air—especially if you’re lucky enough to find yourself on one of its coral pink sandy beaches.

It’s a favorite for celebrities—most notably, Prince Charles’ goddaughter, India Hicks, calls the island home (and owns a shop there called The Sugar Mill). And while it has its share of glamour, it still feels old-fashioned and authentic in a way that’s not always easy to find in the Bahamas.

Everyone seems to know everyone on the island that’s called Briland by the locals. And touches like the colorful handpainted signs directing you to the Dilly Dally shop (“Dilly Dally Dis Way” and “Dilly Dally Dat Way”) all over the small streets the wind around the island give it a playful charm.

Travelers come here to rest and relax in style. While you’ll find one nightclub (Daddy D’s where there is an actual Daddy D) and a few upscale resorts and restaurants, this island feels more… is there a word for “Old Money Bohemian?”

STAY

Sure, you could stay at one of the island’s gorgeous beachside resorts like The Dunmore, which is known for its pink sand beach and retro restaurant filled with old black and white beach photos. But the most photogenic spot on the island has to be the Coral House.

This historic cottage overlooking the harbor is easily the best Airbnb experience I’ve ever had and seriously could not have been more gorgeous. Do yourself a favor and click through the photos of it here. (And follow it on Instagram here.) It’s cozy and bright, and has beautiful spaces for outdoor dinners, poolside cocktails (it even has its own cute little bar!), and cooling off with a good book on the couch.

It’s easy walking distance to plenty of spots, but you’ll want to rent a golf cart to explore anyway.

DO 

You’re going to want to spend most of your time here near or on the water. This is in part because that color blue is irresistible. And in part because there’s no better way to cool off in the hot Caribbean sun.

Spend an afternoon on the pink sands beach (there are plenty of public access points where you can park your golf cart). Or reserve a boat for the day from Da Salty Pig Adventures where the friendly Capt. Bruce will take you to pristine white sandbars and to the local version of Pig Island to swim with pigs.

If you’re in the mood to shop—or just need a break from the sun—you’ll also find some charming boutiques on the island. Stop by Dake’s Shoppe or Blue Rooster in Dunmore town for fun finds.

However, the best souvenirs may be in one of the small open-air huts along the road, A and A Hidden Treasures, which sells customized straw bags and hats. The trick is to go early in your trip so they have plenty of time to customize the exact bag you want to take home.

EAT + DRINK

There aren’t many restaurants on the island, which actually makes it a great way to see who your fellow vacationers are during your trip. While we were there (for one of my friend’s weddings*) this other wedding was also happening. It’s such a small island that we ran into that group at every single restaurant we visited. So, fun people watching.

Start your day at Cocoa Coffee House, a cute little cafe on the second story of a bright yellow home just down the street from the Coral House. With fresh pressed juices, acai bowls, and avocado toast, it’s a good spot to start a day spent in a bathing suit.

Across the street is The Boat House restaurant at Valentine’s Marina, which is a breezy dockside restaurant with tasty fish tacos and potent cocktails that make an ideal midday meal on vacation.

But the best lunch destination on the island may be Sip Sip, whose name is local slang for gossip. Sit on the umbrella-covered deck, order the lobster quesadillas and spicy margaritas, and settle in for people watching with a backdrop of pink sands beach and the turquoise Atlantic Ocean beyond.

If you’re looking for an elegant spot to indulge in the local seafood, make reservations at Rock House. The restaurant is part of a 10-room luxury hotel housed in an old colonial home overlooking the harbor (just steps away from Coral House). And its spectacular sunsets make this the perfect place to end your day.

Getting there: You’ll probably have to fly through Miami to get to Eleuthera—it’s a pretty tiny airport. From there, you’ll take a taxi to a speedboat water taxi, which will take you to the island.

*I feel I should also share that my friend Erin’s wedding was AMAZING. She had this beachside bonfire one night and her ceremony was on this incredible white beach. And seriously every single detail (down to these place settings at her rehearsal dinner) was just like a ridiculously gorgeous dream.

In honor of wrapping up 2019, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite travel spots from the year. (Honestly, I’ve been meaning to do this for forever, but doing things in 2019 got in the way of blogging about them.) Anyway, let’s kick this off with San Francisco.

I got lucky enough to visit the City by the Bay twice this year. So, I’m sharing a few spots from each visit—but mostly from the Memorial Day weekend trip I took with five friends to SF and Napa that was all around eating amazing food, drinking incredible wine, and spending an afternoon in the sun at BottleRock Music Festival.

SF Eat + Do

There are about eight billion amazing places to eat and things to do in San Francisco. These are just a few of my latest favorites. 

Bar Agricole: It’s known (and awarded many times over) for its contemporary design and its bar program. As a sucker for beautiful spaces and great cocktails, I loved it. (Tip: It’s hard to see from the street, so look carefully for its discreet entry.)

Hog Island Oysters: It may be a bit touristy, but this waterside seafood restaurant continues to be one of my top picks. My favorite time to go is for Saturday brunch after wandering around the always-amazing Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. (Tip: They don’t take reservations, so get in line early.)

Noosh: Eater.com named this Mediterranean restaurant in Pacific Heights one of the most anticipated restaurants in the country before its opening last spring—and it lived up to the hype. It’s bright and modern and made for Instagram. The kebabs are amazing, the hummus is ridiculously creamy, and the pork flatbread with egg and roasted garlic will blow your mind.

Liholiho Yacht Club: If someone had told me that a Hawaiian/Indian/Chinese restaurant that plays rap music and is known for its spam fried rice would be one of my favorite meals of the year, I would not have believed them. But this place is incredible. Reservations are notoriously hard to get, but you can snag last-minute seats at the bar. This is the kind of place where you should come hungry and open-minded—and definitely order that spam fried rice (pictured above).

The Presidio: This military-post-turned-park offers a look at local history and panoramic views of the bay. Have lunch (and a margarita) on the patio of Arguello behind the historic Officer’s Club and then take a walk along the water all the way up to the entrance of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Mission Dolores Park: Start with a shopping trip on the nearby Valencia Street—there are tons of great shops including one of the country’s only Everlane stores. Then, on a sunny afternoon, buy a bottle of cold wine and go stretch out on the warm grass to people watch in this bustling park known for its sweeping views of the city skyline.

Napa Eat + Drink + Do

I cannot pretend to be a wine connoisseur and I didn’t make reservations early enough to get into French Laundry. But these were a few of my favorites from my latest trip to wine country.

Bouchon Bakery: There are plenty of ways to taste renowned chef Thomas Keller’s food around Napa, but this charming order-at-the-counter bakery in Yountville is probably the easiest and least expensive. Get there early—the secret is out and the line is always long—and pick up pastries to enjoy before a day of vineyard visits.

Ad Hoc: Sure, it felt strange for a Southerner to travel all the way to Napa for buttermilk fried chicken, brisket, and mac and cheese. But this family-style restaurant (another by Thomas Keller) was the perfect kind of cozy and offered much-needed hearty fare to soak up a day of wine drinking.

Gott’s Roadside: I know this is technically a chain. And it’s definitely not Thomas Keller. But I really love this casual burger and milkshake joint. Gott’s is North California’s answer to fast food with a menu that includes organic produce, sushi-grade fish, Impossible Burgers, and local Napa wines all with a 1950’s diner vibe. After days of spending way too much money on fancy meals and drinks, this felt just right.

Cakebread Cellars, Scribe Winery, and Caymus Vineyards: These were my three favorite wineries/vineyards from this trip. Each of them were gorgeous and had incredible wines. You’ll want to do the tour at Cakebread, lunch at Scribe, and a tasting on the patio at Caymus. Scribe was by far our favorite (because we’re very basic and it was an Instagram dream). It was an almost-too-picturesque place for a light lunch on the breezy terrace eating vegetables straight from their garden and an afternoon drinking too much of their crisp rosé.

BottleRock: As soon as our day at this music festival ended, we were talking about returning again. It was so good. In addition to great music (we were there primarily for Mumford & Sons, which put on an incredible show), the food and drink offerings are next level—it is, after all, smack in the middle of wine country. So, instead of your typical festival fare, there are booths and demos from Michelin-starred chefs and wine from some of the best vineyards on earth and over-the-top cocktail bars. It felt like Disney World for adults, and was one of my favorite days of the entire year.

 

Recently, a friend pointed out that while I often post about where to go in other cities, I’ve never written on here about where to go and what to do in my home town of Charlotte. This is, of course, because if you’re interested in that kind of thing, you should be purchasing 100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die.

While you’re waiting for it to arrive (via Amazon Prime!) though, here’s a list of my favorite spots around town right now. Because Charlotte is growing insanely fast, this list is subject to change (possibly tomorrow), but for now, here are the most fun, tasty, cool, and, yes, Instagrammable spots around the city.

STAY

Kimpton Tryon Park: Kimpton hotels are always great (dog-friendly and stylish!), and this one is no exception. Request a room with views of Romare Bearden Park and plan on at least one sunset cocktail at its see-and-be-seen rooftop bar, Merchant and Trade.

The Ivey’s Hotel: Housed in a historic department store building smack in the middle of Uptown, this hotel has equal parts character and style (think exposed brick walls and luxe linens). Pro tip: Its cocktail bar, Sophia’s Lounge, shares a kitchen and a chef with next door’s 5Church restaurant, which means top quality fare alongside your drink.

EAT

Soul Gastrolounge (All Time Favorite): This edgy small plates restaurant opened up one month before I moved just down the street from it ten years ago. And for ten years, it’s remained my favorite Charlotte restaurant. There’s seriously nothing on the menu I don’t love, but—like everyone else who has ever tasted them—I’m obsessed with the watermelon pork belly tacos.

Haberdish (Best Brunch): There’s not a bad time of day to venture to this bright and airy NoDa restaurant, but Southern brunch on their popular patio is just the best. Leave the diet at home and order the deviled eggs, fried chicken biscuit, and a classic Bloody Mary.

The Stanley (New Favorite): It’s hard to get reservations, but the marble bar is the best seat in the house anyway. This got a well-deserved James Beard nominee nod this year for the country’s best new restaurant.  Order the surf and turf (a magical dish featuring layers of beef tartar and fried oysters).

Kindred (Worth the Drive): Sure, it’s in Davidson (30 minutes north of town). But this little college town is adorable. Take a stroll down its charming Main Street before dinner. And then prepare yourself for what will undoubtedly be one of your best meals ever. The Milk Bread lives up to its national rep in this unbelievably innovative and chef-driven restaurant.

Lincoln’s Haberdashery (Casual lunch): Part gift shop, part wine store, part bakery, part coffeeshop, and all amazing, this trendy spot is known for its sandwiches on freshly baked bread. The grilled cheese with gruyere and shallots will change your life.

DRINK

Bardo (Cocktails): I know there are a ton of bars in town focused entirely on cocktails, but I seriously think that Amanda Britton, the mixologist at this tiny, eclectic South End spot, is doing it better than anyone else. Her drinks are inventive and seasonally-focused, and it’s hard not to order every one on the menu just to taste.

Dilworth Tasting Room (Wine): I’ll be honest. I know almost nothing about wine. But I do know some things about charming white-string-lit gardens and heaping plates of cheese and charcuterie. And this cozy wine bar tucked into the Dilworth neighborhood offers both those things.

Craft (Beer): I recently heard we have more than fifty breweries built or in the works right now around Charlotte. That’s insane. I could obviously do an entire additional list for breweries, but if I want a great beer in a chill atmosphere, I always opt for this cool little bar in South End.

Undercurrent (Coffeeshop): Charlotte has hopped on the coffeeshop craze with the rest of the country/world and while there are so many excellent options (Basal, Not Just Coffee, Hex), I just really love this one. The matcha latte with oat milk and avocado toast is my favorite (very green) order.

NoDa Company Store (Vibe): I didn’t really know where to put this on this list, but as it’s my absolutely favorite place to go have a cold glass of prosecco on a warm afternoon, I felt I should mention it. If you can, snag one of the porch swings on the side or a picnic table out back. This is the kind of place you’ll end up spending a few lazy hours.

SHOP

Moxie Mercantile: This cute little gift shop (next door to Undercurrent Coffee) is the best place for fun barware and super stylish locally-made jewelry.

Paper Skyscraper: More gifts! This Dilworth institution has been Charlotte’s favorite gift shop for forever, but it’s so on-trend it feels like it could have opened yesterday. Its books, cards, and candles are my favorites.

Mint Museum Gift Shop: Museum gift shops are the best part, right? Housed on the ground floor of the Uptown museum, this gift shop has the coolest finds like fashion books, chic stationery, NC pottery, and jewelry. And they have the best kids’ gifts in town—hands down.

Sleepy Poet Antique Mall: If you’ve got a rainy afternoon in Charlotte, there’s no better place to wander around than this massive antique mall filled with booths that range from records to vintage clothing to mid-century modern decor. On Saturdays there’s usually a food truck or two in its parking lot.

Capitol: To be clear, I can’t afford anything in this store. Not one single thing. I spend all my money on the aforementioned food and drink. But man, if you love designer clothes and shoes—or, like me, just love looking at them—this gorgeous SouthPark store is worth a visit as a fashion tourist destination if nothing else.

DO

Ritz-Carlton Spa (Best Indoor): Book a $45+(on weekdays) or $100+(on weekends) treatment at the luxe spa housed inside this modern Uptown hotel and you get access to the spa’s gorgeous penthouse pool and facilities. (I don’t understand the Himalayan Salt Room, but I love it.)

US National Whitewater Center (Best Outdoor): I wish I could rename this place because visitors and newbies see this name and think “I don’t want to go whitewater rafting,” but oh my gosh it is so much more (and better) than that. I like going for kayaking on the river, walks on the trails, beers next to the water, dinners on the decks, yoga in the woods, and live music in the grass. It’s my favorite place in Charlotte and literally never disappoints any visitor.

Seasonal Spots: In the summer, go for one of the open swim days at Carrigan Farms Rock Quarry. It’s the perfect family-friendly day outside. In the spring, spend an evening at a Knights game in BB&T Ballpark. I don’t care about baseball even a little bit, but I love games in this city center park. In the fall, plan on at least one hike through colorful leaves on a sunny day at the nearby Crowders Mountain (Kings Pinnacle trail is tough towards the end, but so worth it for the view). And in the winter, don’t miss Olde Mecklenburg Brewery‘s German Christmas Market. It’s cheery for even the Grinchiest of us.

Looking for more? I believe I may have mentioned purchasing 100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die. I’d also recommend checking out Charlotte Agenda and perusing the #exploreCLT hashtag on Instagram. Enjoy Charlotte!

After watching this TED talk, I’m ready to for Stacey Abrams to give up on the Georgia Governor role and just go for President. But maybe wait until 2024 when like 47 other Democrats haven’t already announced their candidacy.