Strawberry-Picking – and a Low-Sugar Freezer Jam Recipe!

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Ah, spring. I love the flowers in bloom, the warmer days but nights that are still cool, thunderstorms, and the start of the plethora of produce that the sunshine brings. Of all the wonderful things about spring, I think I love strawberries the most. I remember my dad taking me and my brother strawberry-picking in Ohio when we were little kids. Sweet, juicy strawberries that I would pluck and eat despite me dad scolding me not to – the idea of pay-by-weight was not something I could comprehend back then, lol!

I’d heard there were strawberry patches north of Atlanta so Sean and I planned a day with several of his other friends who have kids and we borrowed our little “niece” Val from my best friend, Cherish. Val loves strawberries like me, so it was the perfect outing for us. <3IMG_4658 Continue reading

New Bites: Empire State Pizza and Growlers

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Sean had been at a birthday party for a friend and overheard folks talking about a dive pizza place with a large craft beer selection. After I started my new job a few weeks ago, Sean pointed out that the place was near my office and we should to check it out. So one Friday after work he came to see my new office and then we drove to Empire State Pizza and Growlers. Continue reading

New Bites: Dinner at Amara Kitchen and Bar

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This is the first post in a new series I’m starting here on My Homemade Life called “New Bites.” I often want to showcase the great and delicious restaurants we’re eating at and recipes we’re making at home, so I hope you’ll all enjoy this new project. This is not a restaurant-review initiative – I am NOT being paid to or given free things for my feedback. This is simply MY personal experience trying new restaurants and recipes as a beloved hobby and part of my life.

First up is our dinner experience at Amara Kitchen and Bar – a new Indian-American restaurant in Inman Park, Atlanta. We snagged a Scoutmob Hand-Picked deal for this outing, which was a deal that let us sample a few different dishes and drinks.  Continue reading

Uncle Jeff: In Memorium

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This is my favorite photo of me with my Uncle Jeff.

The day before I started my new job at FIS, my Uncle Jeff passed away in hospice up in Ohio. My dad was with him. Jeff had been in hospice for several weeks and in a nursing home for several years before so it wasn’t unexpected. But it’s still sad and I’m still going to miss him – honestly, as I have even since he went into the nursing home and got sicker and sicker to the point where he couldn’t come home for holidays and then later, when he didn’t remember me anymore.

Last weekend, I flew up to Ohio for the calling hours and services. My Uncle Jeff was a special human being and it was important for me to be there. It was also great to have the family together again. I wrote a few words and read them during his service. They are below, along with his obituary – and some photos of our family all together.  Continue reading

My Brother Moved to the Outer Banks, NC!

IMG_4302IMG_4290That’s right – my brother and sister-in-law are following their dreams and living at the beach! It’s so incredible and I’m so happy for them. They saved, stuck with it through setbacks, swallowed their pride and landed same-day job offers for each of them at The Outer Banks Hospital. They moved at the end of March and with me knowing I was going to be starting a new job mid-April, I had to get out there to visit them and see their new place the first few days of April. They have an adorable little house in downtown Manteo on Roanoke Island. They can walk to shops, restaurants, grocery stores, movie theatre, barber shop, waterfront, marina, lighthouse, etc. We had such a blast during my visit and I’m already looking forward to my next trip. Here are some photos. Continue reading

India 2017: Holi Festival, Ranthambore, and Jaipur

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The middle part of our trip in India had us at Ranthambore National Park and Jaipur. Before we left Agra, our tour guide Raj arranged for us to participate in a mini-celebration for Holi complete with white outfits, powder colors, music and traditional treats at the hotel. This festival is rooted in the positivity of good winning out over evil and celebrates the larger thought that “everything is going to be ok.” We had a lot of fun doing this with other hotel guests before getting on our way.

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