Birmingham, AL

Two very important things today: first, a potluck all-star dessert. Brown butter peach berry crumble, anyone? Second, a breakdown of my favorites in one of the coolest Southern cities, Birmingham, AL. If you’re in need of a simple but scrumptious dessert (or an itinerary for a day in Birmingham!), you’ll love today’s post. No time to waste- let’s dive in!

Peach Berry Crumble

Let’s start with the main event: this brown butter peach berry crumble. The recipe is an excerpt from my first book that I’m incredibly proud of, Her Daily Bread. If you haven’t heard about the book, you can learn more here and here! If you have heard of it, you may know that I’ve been sharing one recipe from its pages every month this year. This crumble makes the 7th recipe, and, man, it is definitely worth the wait.

Here, peaches, strawberries (or blueberries and blackberries!) combine and bake together into a bubbling fruit mixture. On top, a brown sugar and butter streusel bakes comes together with butter and salt; the end result is out of this world. While this isn’t the fanciest or prettiest recipe on this site, it’s one that rocks. Summer fruits and the warm flavors of cinnamon and brown butter shine here, making an unassuming, approachable treat.

I love to serve this brown butter peach berry crumble for casual group dinners. A scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream balances out any tart fruit flavors and cool down an otherwise warm treat. This is a great recipe you can batch and serve even for larger crowds, although even a little goes a long way here. If you get a chance to make this recipe, do let me know what you think! Now, on to my Birmingham faves!

Birmingham, AL

Birmingham was my first home away from home. I moved there a number of years ago to attend college, and at one time, I thought I’d live there forever! While plans changed, my love for the city never died. I often have people ask my about my favorite places to eat and things to do in Birmingham, so I thought I’d share a few with you here today.

The croque monsieur at ChexFonFon, the on-tap selection at Diplomat Deli, and a feast of appetizers at East West.

Where to Eat in Birmingham: Lunch

Chex FonFon My Favorite place for pommes frites and fancy lunch cocktails!
Brick and Tin Delicious seasonal food in a beautiful quick-service environment.
Diplomat Deli Sandwiches and craft beers come together in this divey cult fave.
Little Donkey Tacos, mars, and outdoor seating? Yes, please!
Saw’s BBQ Alabama is serious about barbecue, and this is definitely the best in Birmingham.
The Essential A hit among foodies, this new American spot always serves beautiful and flavorful dishes.
Olexa’s A great place for a girly brunch or champagne lunch!

Where to Eat in Birmingham: Dinner

Automatic Seafood Regulary regarded as one of the best restaurants in Bham, this is THE cool place for seafood.
East West Asian fusion cuisine in a hip downtown area.
El Barrio The ambiance and Mexican-inspired food here is hard to beat.
Rojo This is my pick for casual late night Tex Mex.
Gian Marco The undisputed best Italian food in the city.
Slim’s Pizzeria A newcomer to Birmingham with pizza that holds its own.

Barbecue at Saw’s, cocktails at Paper Doll, and rolled ice cream downtown.

Where to Eat in Birmingham: Bakeries

Continental Bakery Come here for artisan breads and good coffee!
Edgar’s Bakery Take-home baked goods and lunch options too!
Pastry Art The legendary baby bites sold here are to die for.
Magic Muffins A casual breakfast option that never fails.
Olexa’s Hands down, the best vanilla cake I’ve ever had. Order warms slices or whole cakes to go!

Where to Drink in Birmingham

The Collins Bar Fun cocktails in a spunky environment.
Paper Doll Craft cocktails in an upscale environment.
Neon Moon Don’t miss karaoke night in this college student fave!
Avondale Brewery Beer drinkers will love this watering hole!
Innisfree Pub This divey place is a weekend late night fave.
Juniper A newcomer, this gin bar has beautiful inside and outdoor seating.
Pi lcrow Cocktail Cellar Another trendy can’t-miss option for cocktails!

A concert at Avondale, shopping at the Summit.

Where to Stay in Birmingham

Valley Hotel This new hotel is a perfect option for weekend trips to hotel. A safe neighborhood, food options within walking distance, and a location just minutes from the airport.
Grand Bohemian This Marriott hotel is great for people looking for a boutique hotel option with a great restaurant in a great neighborhood.
Elyton Hotel For people hoping to stay downtown, the Elyton is without a doubt the best option!

What to Do in Birmingham

Nose Around on 18th Street in Homewood
Catch a Birmingham Barons Baseball Game at Regions Field
Buy Local at Pepper Place Saturday Market
Stroll Jemison Trail
Hike Red Mountain Park
Catch a Backside View of The Vulcan
For Kids: Birmingham Zoo or McWane Science Center

If you like today’s peach berry crumble recipe you should try:

Stone Fruit Skillet Cobbler
Skillet Fruit Pancake
Cherry Pound Cake
Peaches and Cream Trifle

Brown Butter Peach Berry Crumble

Print Recipe

This brown butter peach berry crumble features baked summer fruit under a brown butter brown sugar crumble!

Author: Kate Wood, taken from HER DAILY BREAD
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 Servings
Category: Dessert

Ingredients

For the crumble:

½ cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon table salt

For the filling:

2 cups peeled, pitted, and chopped peaches (from about 2 large ripe peaches)
2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of table salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 and lightly grease an 8” or 9” baking dish. Begin to prepare the crumble by browning the butter. Cube the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place it into a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Stir regularly as the butter melts, bubbles, and begins to foam. Continue stirring continuously and looks for small, amber-colored flecks begin to form on the bottom of the pan. Once the butter is fragrant and golden brown, remove from heat immediately and pour into a large heat-safe bowl. Stir in the sugar and add the remaining ingredients, stirring just until combined into thick clumps. Place in the fridge to cool briefly while you assembly the filling.
Toss together the filling ingredients and pour into the prepared baking dish. Crumble the topping over top of the fruit and bake in the preheated oven until the crumble is golden and the fruit beneath is bubbling, about 25-26 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.

A Mommy and Me Trip to NYC

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A Mommy and Me Weekend in NYC by Wood and Spoon. An itinerary for the restaurants, shopping's activities, hotels, and what to do for a girl's weekend in NYC with kids! My favorite spots for shopping, sightseeing, broadway shows, and more to do with young girls. Read about it on thewoodandspoon.com

Dreams really do come true. Not to be dramatic, but when I found out I was pregnant with Aimee, I started dreaming of stuff like this: mommy and me trip to NYC. Finally, just a few weeks ago, that dream came true. Aimee and I traveled to New York to celebrate her 8th birthday with my mom and nana; it was nothing short of memorable, and I will, from now on, be recommending a similarly special trip to everyone I know. Today, I am going to share my favorite girly spots in the Big Apple so you can have your own kind of trip. Let’s get started!

Where to Stay

For this trip, my hotel decision was based on two pieces of criteria. First, the hotel had to be centrally located to our (mostly) midtown itinerary. Second, it had to have loads of girly touches. While there is no shortage of fabulous hotels in NYC, I’m not sure there is a more suitable option than where we ended up: The Whitby. Located a couple of blocks from both Central Park and Rockefeller Center, The Whitby is a brand new boutique hotel designed by Kit Kemp. A celebration of color, pattern, and design, the hotel is a feast for the eyes and senses. Located in a quieter section of midtown, I found the Whitby to be a charming respite from the city. The hotel room are ultra-luxe and the attention to details is endless.

We enjoyed a few meals, including a room service breakfast, at our hotel. The dining room at the hotel restaurant is stunning and refined. From the fresh pastries and great wine selection to the charming English china used at afternoon tea, I found myself continually amazed by the details. While some may think a hotel like this is not suitable for children, I thought it was the perfect venue for our special occasion.

Where to Eat

My goal here was simple: fun approachable food or fancy pinkies-out dining. Every meal had to check one of those two boxes. So it’s not surprise we found ourselves at a bunch of touristy venues I ordinarily wouldn’t land in on a trip to NYC. Still, we were really pleased everywhere we went and found that everything exceeded our expectations.

One highlight worth mentioning was our afternoon brunch at The Plaza. For us, a formal tea there was a bucket list item, and while it was certainly pricey, I am so glad we did it. Another highlight was our lunch at Laduree. Aimee adored the glass cases of macarons, and the food (and cocktails!) was delicious. Here’s a list of places I’d recommend.

Tea at The Plaza
Serendipity
Laduree
Tavern on the Green (watch Mr. Popper’s Penguins with your kiddo before you go!)
While We Were Young Kitchen
La Lanterna di Vittorio
La Mercerie
Tick Tock Diner

What to Do

There is SO MUCH to do in NYC. It’s kind of overwhelming, right? I knew that a detailed itinerary would help us maximize our time and ensure that we spent our limited weekend having fun. Given that this was Aimee’s first trip and she’s still pretty young, I wanted to do fun stuff. We will save the museums and history for the next trip. If you’re looking for something in a similar vein, check out my recommendations below!

The Color Factory
Museum of Ice Cream
Catch a Broadway Show (I recommend “Aladdin” or “The Lion King” for kids!)
Tea at The Plaza
Carriage Ride Through Central Park
Catch a Bicycle Carriage to See Times Square at Night
Shopping at FAO Schwartz, the LEGO store, or Stoney Clover Lane
Get a Blowout or Manicures at Nordstrom

Our Itinerary for a Mommy and Me Trip to NYC

If you’re looking for more travel guides, check out my recent trips here! For more on my (more adult) faves in NYC, look here!

Our Walt Disney World Favorites

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Sugar Cookie Pops and our Favorite hotels, meals, desserts and how-to tips for Walt Disney World!

How’s that saying go? You can take the girl out of Orlando, FL, but you can’t take the Disney out of the girl? Well, for today’s intents and purposes, let’s pretend so. A few weeks ago, Brett and I took the kids back to my hometown of Orlando, FL for a trip to Disney World, and, it felt so good to be back at a place that once was home. Per usual, I got so many questions about Disney from friends on Instagram that I thought we might take today to map out a few of my personal faves. Let’s get to it.

We should start with a disclosure: everyone does Disney different. There are some people who are one-and-done kind of visitors and others who go as often as possible. There are some that like the shut the parks down everyday, and there are other (raises hand) who are really just there long enough to eat as much Dole Whip as possible. Regardless of what camp you fall into, Disney has changed so much over the past couple of years that even those of us who have been nearly 100 times need a little help. With that being said, I highly recommend doing your own research prior to any trip to Disney, and but if you are interested in a few of our Walt Disney World favorites, here they are!

Walt Disney World Favorites: Hotels

Disney’s Riviera Resort. This is my current favorite Disney resort. Fresh paint, loads of suite options for those traveling with little ones, and an overall more quiet and polished vibe make this a comfortable place for kids and parents alike.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Have you seen the beautiful new over-water bungalows at the Polynesian? They’re to die for! Plus, proximal location to the Magic Kingdom makes this an easier option for those traveling with young kids.
Animal Kingdom Lodge. You know what never gets old? Waking up to seeing giraffes, antelope, and zebras outside of your balcony. My kids love this resort for the animals, and Mom loves it for the dining options.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. I know most people will roll their eyes at this one, but I do really love a Four Seasons hotel, and this one, one Disney property and with shuttles on location, makes luxury accommodations possible even on a Disney trip.

Walt Disney World Favorites: Meals

Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is probably my all-time favorite Disney restaurant- Middle Eastern cuisine in a comfortable, kid-friendly environment. Don’t miss the bread service with all the dipping sauce- SO GOOD.
Rose & Crown at Epcot. This was my parents’ fave as a kid, and old loves die hard. Now, as an adult, I come here for the fish & chips and a pint.
Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort. Fine dining at Disney is rarely actually fine dining, but at Topolino’s, it really is. The pastas are housemade and the cocktails are a welcome addition after a long day at the parks.
Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom. Why would someone who lives in Alabama go all the way to Disney for barbecue? Let me just say, the smoked meats are actually really good, and the intoxicating smells from the smoker literally draw you in. Don’t miss this quick dining spot.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn at Magic Kingdom. My kids love a burrito bowl. LOVE one. With most of the dining at Magic Kingdom consisting of burgers and chicken fingers, a little guacamole is a welcome change of pace.
Tusker House Restaurant at Animal Kingdom. If you are set on doing a character meal, I love this one at Animal Kingdom. Moroccan flavors in an indoor/outdoor dining setting make this for a really enjoyable meal.

Best Themed Dining

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre Restaurant at Hollywood Studios. One word: TELEVSION. If you’re traveling to Disney with kids, let them zone out at this drive-in while you relax for a minute.
Restaurantasaurus at Animal Kingdom. Again, this one is here for the kids. My boys love checking out the dinosaur bones on the wall, and this mom appreciates any dining option that keeps them busy for a few minutes.
Biergarten at German Pavillion Epcot. It’s a meal AND a show! My husband loves this meat-heavy menu, and I love the beer flights.
Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom. If you’re traveling with a little princess (or want to feel like one yourself!?), could there be anything better than dining INSIDE of Cinderella’s castle? I think not.

Best Disney Desserts

Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom or Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Animal Kingdom
The Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
The Frosè at Bar Riva at Disney’s Riviera Resort
Funnel Cakes and Nutella Waffles at Sleepy Hollow Inn at Magic Kingdom
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop at Disney Springs
Crepes from The France Pavillion at Epcot
Milkshakes from 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios

My Best Tips for a Great Disney Experience with Toddlers

Make a Plan.

So much time, energy, and waiting can be saved by knowing what you want to experience in the parks. Even as a seasoned Disney veteran, I always take time prior to a trip to look at the park maps (I even print one offline!) and make note of what rides, shows, and experiences my kids will want to check out. You can even take this a step forward by cross-referencing wait times (available daily on the Disney app!) with your list to determine which rides will get busy.

Get Genie+.

This most recent trip was our first time using Genie+, Disney’s new system which has essentially replaced the old fast pass system. Now, for a daily per person fee, you can have access to shorter wait times. Be sure to buy the Genie+ pass in advance and log in at 7am EST sharp to get your first round of passes. I highly recommend research Genie+ and Lightening Passes to noting which rides you want access for PRIOR TO your morning at the park.

Rise and Shine!

I used to think that people who got to the park before it opened were crazy, but now, I am among those people. Nothing makes riding rides easier than getting there 30 minutes prior to park opening times and being prepared to HUSTLE. For example, if a park opens at 9 am, I typically try to get my family there by 8:30, and we move fast to ride as many rides as possible during the first two hours of operation. Again, make a plan and knock out as much as you can in those morning hours.

Get a Lunch Reservation.

I’m sure other people feel differently about this, but by about 11:30, my crew just needs a break. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more unnerving to me than trying to figure out where to eat, where to sit, and how I can take a break for a few minutes after a morning of hustling. Lunch is a great opportunity for taking a seat, getting out of the elements, and zoning out for just a few minutes. Your body and brain need this.

Know When to Call it Quits.

Brett always jokes that one day he’s going to make a website called “Meltdowns at Disney,” because for as much joy and magic as the parks bring, it also just makes people lose their minds a bit. That’s why my policy is always to know when to throw in the towel. I don’t want to ruin a perfectly great day by pushing my toddlers (and my sanity!) beyond it’s limit. The kids will have just as much fun swimming in the pool or watching endless Disney cartoons back at the hotel. If you don’t squeeze it all in, that’s ok. At the same token, don’t be bummed if you can’t ride every single ride! The kids will have a blast watching parades, exploring the park, or even use jumping in muddy puddles.

Pack for Every Forecast.

Florida weather is unpredictable. Come prepared for everything.

Don’t Forget the Snacks.

A backpack full of lollipops, Goldfish, and trail mix has gotten my family through many a waiting line. Disney is not the opportunity to make sure your kids get in all their fruits and vegetables- pack some snacks for insurance, and know they’ll get back to a normal routine at home.

In summary, going to Disney World is a lot of work, but it can (and should be!) loads of fun too. Move at your own pace and do what works best for your crew. These tips are just some that have worked well for our family, and I know there’s a good balance in there for you too. Be sure to share any of your Walt Disney World favorites with me! I would love to hear all about them. Have a magical day!

Orange Beach

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I’ll be honest: Florida people are snobs about beaches. I grew up in Orlando, and somehow, a bit of arrogance came attached with that. Floridians believe, with deep conviction, that their beaches are the best. Mostly, they’re not wrong, but moving to the Deep South taught me something: Alabama has great beaches too. Now, with the Gold Coast just 3 hours south of us, we enjoy the white sandy beaches of Orange Beach. Today I’m sharing all of my favorite recommendations for OBA, so let’s dive in!

Why Orange Beach?

Orange Beach, located on the Gulf Coast just west of Pensacola, is a diamond in the rough. It amazes me that I can hop in a car and drive a few hours south of my rural, middle-of-nowhere hometown and be on white sands. Turns out, I’m not he only one amazed! I’ve met people from as far away as Texas and Chicago who traveled to Orange Beach for a getaway. With fewer people than many of its neighboring beaches, it truly is a hidden gem.

Where to Stay in Orange Beach

The only thing better than owning a beach house is having friends who own a beach house. That’s our story. We’ve been fortunate enough to stay with close friends on most of our trips to OBA; it’s no wonder I look forward to those weekends so much. Even so, we’ve had the opportunity to scope out a number of condominium/rental options in Orange Beach, and I thought I’d share a few favorites.

For People Who Love a Great Pool

The Caribe Resort is where you want to be. With nearly 300 rental options, 6 pools, a lazy river, and a number of other amenities, it’s a destination in and of itself. Try out their on-site restaurant, Cobalt. It’s where Brett and I ate after we got engaged.

For People Who Need Amenities

10/10 would recommend Turquoise. Two buildings on the beach boast a number of indoor and outdoor pools, beach access, on-site dining options, and more. We love Turquoise for a winter beach trip too- less crowded and heated indoor swimming.

For People Who Can’t Sit Still

Check out rentals at The Wharf! These new condos are walking distance form live music, dining, shopping, movie theaters, and more!

What to Do in Orange Beach

Don’t miss out on the obvious. The beaches are truly white sand and stunning. Numerous local companies offer guided deep sea and inshore fishing tours as well. (Brett can’t get enough of snapper fishing in the summer.) The wildlife is stunning, too! You might be lucky enough to see dolphins from the shore, or you could opt for a boat tour instead. Beyond that, here are a few faves.

The Wharf

This is definitely THE place for shopping and entertainment. Live music, fishing competitions, boats shows, and more happen here. Plus, there’s a number of coffee, dessert, and dining options too. My kids love The Wharf for its Ferris wheel and arcade. You’re sure to find fun here.

OWA

Part theme park, part water park, OWA is a destination. Garner some Disney World-level energy and bring any antsy kiddos here.

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

This one goes out to all my sporty friends who need to exercise on vacation (not me). These seven trails span 15 miles and make nature and wildlife more accessible than ever.

Where to Eat in Orange Beach

Don’t you know this is my favorite part of our vacation time? One of my favorite parts of Orange Beach is its casual yet delicious approach to fresh regional foods. Here are a few of my favorites:

Breakfast

Brick and Spoon
Buzzcat Coffee and Sweets
City Donuts
Tacky Jacks

Lunch

Anchor
Fisher’s Downstairs
GTs on the Bay
Pirates Cove
Sunset Grill

Dinner

Fisher’s Upstairs
Playa
Voyagers
The Gulf
Moe’s BBQ

Bars

Flora-Bama
Flora-Bama Yacht Club
San Bar
The Gulf

Don’t miss the cotton candy sunsets and green waters of Orange Beach. Message me any of your favorites, and I’ll be sure to check them out next time!

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

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Black and Blue Margaritas and our Trip to the San Diego Zoo

There may be a million typos in this post about today’s black and blue margaritas, because we have been traveling and my brain is still in a fog. This past week, we spent some time as a family in California visiting the San Diego Zoo. If I’ve never said it before, I’ll say it now: vacations with kids are a lot of work. Don’t get me wrong- good times were had by every one of the animal lovers in our house, but I’m definitely still recovering.

Black and Blue Margaritas by Wood and Spoon Blog. These are blackberry blueberry margaritas, the recipe which is from my new book Her Daily Bread. Get the how to on this refreshing summer marg on thewoodandspoon.com

If you’ve never been or have been considering going to the San Diego Zoo with little ones, let me be the first to cheer you on. With over 1600 acres of California real estate, the zoo and accompanying safari park are more like amusement parks than anything else. Gift shops, restaurants, and hundreds of species from all over the planet round out a destination that is somehow simultaneously fun and educational. Over the past year, my kids have turned into full-on animal enthusiasts, and the zoo was the perfect indulgence for their growing little minds.

Where We Stayed

Because the zoo and safari park are in two different areas of San Diego, we opted for two different hotels during our trip. Our first leg was spent near the zoo itself, and we stayed at a nearby Marriott on Coronado Island. The second leg was dedicated to the safari park and visiting friends in LA, so for that time, we found a Park Hyatt that was killer for kids. With water slides, multiple dining options, and even a Top Golf Swing Suite, this hotel was a destination in itself. We would 100% go back in a heartbeat.

My Best San Diego Zoo and Safari Park Tips

Do not try to do the zoo and safari park in a single day. Not only are these parks far apart locationally, it’s also physically taxing. I’d recommend setting aside two days to see both.
Consider getting a membership! We actually saved a good deal of money by purchasing one adult and one child membership. Not only do you get discounts on food, merchandise, and some of the tours and safaris, but you also get a few guest passes and tickets discounts with some memberships as well!
Pick a route and stick with it. You can download maps of the park on the zoo website, and I highly recommend scoping out a route ahead of time. The parks are both very expansive, and I found it helpful to have a plan that didn’t require much backtracking.
Download the app! The San Diego Zoo app was extremely helpful for navigating the parks and exploring the animal options available.
Consider additional excursions. We did both an inside look tour and a safari during our time at the zoo and park. I would 100% recommend the safari but would probably skip the behind the scenes option next time. Do make time to ride the double decker bus at the zoo though!

For more information on hotels, the zoo, and other San Diego attractions, I highly recommend checking out this and this site. I found her local intel to be really helpful and 100% on the nose. The San Diego Zoo is truly a great spot for young families, so keep it in mind for your next vacay! Now that we’ve gotten the travel talk out of the way, let’s get to the main event: black and blue margaritas!

Black and Blue Margaritas

These black and blue margaritas are a simple summery drink recipe from my new book, Her Daily Bread. I was eager to include a margarita in the drinks section of the book, and this one is a great way to include fresh summer produce. With muddled blackberries and blueberries as well as a honey simple syrup, these margarita is flavorful, refreshing, and beautiful, too! Let me tell you how to make it.

We start with the syrup. Water and honey come together on the stove until dissolved and smooth. Once cooled, the syrup is muddled with berries before fresh lime juice and silver tequila are added. Shake in a tall cocktail shaker filled with ice until chilled and then serve. This recipe for black and blue margaritas can easily be batched, so come thirsty or invite a friend to join.

With summer kicking into gear, I hope you’ll give these margs a try. If you have any great kid friendly vacation destinations, shoot me an email to tell me about them! In the meantime, happy baking and have a great week!

If you like these black and blue margaritas, you should try:

Mai Tai Margaritas
Ginger Margaritas
Pinot Ritas
Rose Margaritas
Sparkling Margaritas
Honey Basil Margaritas