Summer's Swan Song

It's a rainy weekend, which is making me think that summer is coming to an end.

And I guess since everyone's back to a normal schedule and school is back in session, that the sweet freedom of days lounging by the pool are gone.

But, I'm kind of getting in a scarf and leggings mood, so I say bring it on fall! Oh, and soup! I'm pumped to make some delicious soups this fall.

No Take-Out Needed

Raise your hand if you like Thai food.

Did I just make you raise your hand infront of the computer screen? I hope so.

Because I am a fellow lover of curry.

The intense complexities, dozens of spices and hot yet cooling flavors are tantalizing. And who doesn't like their meal served on a steaming clump of fragrant rice? Yum!

Although I am a lover of eating at Thai restaurants, I don't get to as much I would like.

Popcorn Party

I'm not a very crafty person.

Although I've probably pinned as many craft projects and home decor ideas as you have on Pinterest, I haven't done even one of them.

I like the idea of crafting but usually wait until a friend shows me the ropes before I try anything. I'm also not the straightest scissor cutter, which kind of kicks me out of the craft club.

I got to be a part of some amazingly crafty food with my friend, Julie, the other day.

We were making cake and cupcakes for her daughter Berkeley's fourth birthday party!

Poppy Seed Chicken for the Soul

Here's a picture of a usual day in the life of my kitchen counter.

There are loads of fruit and veg just sitting out waiting to be eaten, along with the granola I made last week, some defrosting bread, a few bills and lots of random papers.

I'm always in awe when I go to someone's house and their counter is completely clutter free.

How do they do it?

It's Graaaaanola!

There are a lot of people in the world who don't eat breakfast.

And I have never been able to relate to those people.

I have always been a healthy breakfast eater, whether it's a hearty bowl of cereal, yogurt or biscuits and eggs. It's gives me energy and is another meal that I really enjoy.

A Slice of Home

There are some foods that you cook or eat to take you somewhere or remind you of a certain time in your life.

Some days I want to drink a cup of Earl Grey tea with sugar and milk and reminisce over my four months living in England.

Some days the spices and simplicity of a Mexican street taco whisk me back to many youth group mission trips and a family Thanksgiving spent in Manzanillo, Mexico.

And some days I want a slice of sweet and tart key lime pie with a big dollop of whipped cream to take me back to the summer evenings of my childhood growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

My family's key lime pie recipe is definitely a dish that takes me right back to the perfect end to summer dinners at our family table.

Creamy and Dreamy

It's pretty exciting doing something that you've never done before.

The thrill of figuring out how to do it.

The anxiety in wondering if everything will work out right.

The pressure to succeed.

And, yes, I'm talking about cooking here.

A Cup of Kindness

There's been a lot of hate swirling around our world this week.

I can usually avoid a lot of this but this week it has been taking over our speech, actions and a lot of what we are saying on the Internet.

This week made me appreciate this food blog as a place where I can write and share things that enrich my life and, I hope, the lives of people around me. I love that food blogs don't cover current events and don't have to be based on a political stance.

Overall, food blog writing is a very neutral, peaceful thing for me.