Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Chicken Thighs, Mushrooms and Swiss Chard

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Thai red curry, coconut milk, fresh vegetables and delicious spices combine with chicken thighs and homemade chicken stock to make this rich and satisfying soup. There are a lot of ingredients in here and so it does take a good bit of prep time but it’s worth it. Plus, it makes a lot so you’ll have leftovers!

My first two times making this soup I used fewer vegetables and served it over buckwheat noodles. It was good but I prefer it without the noodles and with more veggies. You can try it either way! Continue reading →

New Year’s in the Outer Banks

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On November 29th, we were standing at the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, California. One month later, we were standing at the Atlantic Ocean in Rodanthe, North Carolina. Coast to coast in such a short time span – what a treat!

The theme of the first half of 2016 was “new home” with us selling our home and buying a new one. The theme for the second half of 2015 was “travel” because we simply couldn’t get enough. So it made perfect sense to take a little trip to the Outer Banks and ring in the New Year with my mom, stepdad, sister and all the dogs.

Off season on Cape Hatteras is quiet and peaceful. Many things are closed and nearly all the tourists are gone. It’s a great time to relax and enjoy the empty beaches and mild weather. The first few days were cloudy and rainy, but warm so we had some fun time on the beach. Our last day was cold but sunny and we saw a fabulous sunset on the ferry from Ocracoke Island to Cape Hatteras. Enjoy the pictures and Happy 2016! Continue reading →

California Road Trip: San Diego

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I know I’m a bit behind on getting this final post of our California trip done, but here it is! Whew!

On Thanksgiving morning, we left Solvang early and got on the road. We drove through the hills back over to the Pacific Coast Highway, headed to San Diego. This would be the last leg of our trip and we were both excited to explore the city and its many unique neighborhoods. 

We stopped off at many spots along the way, including several beaches, to take in the sights and revel at being in this glorious place. Every corner we turned gave us another amazing view. And we loved each one! Continue reading →

Sweet and Sour Pork with Steamed Rice

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I remember first falling in love with sweet and sour pork at a Chinese restaurant in London’s Chinatown. I loved the sticky, sweet and tangy sauce, the crispy pork, and the special treat of pineapple chunks. Comfort food at its finest. 

Fast forward 10 years and my love for the dish remains, although I’m less enchanted with with the overly sweet, vegetable-less versions from Chinese take-out spots. Instead, my husband has a version that his family has been making for years that’s simple yet impressive. We enjoy eating it throughout the year and even making it for guests. This recipe will undoubtedly become a staple in your kitchen, too. Continue reading →

California Road Trip: Big Sur, the Central Coast and Solvang

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Our first few days in San Francisco, Point Lobos and Monterey were amazing and as our evening ended in Monterey on Monday, we grew more excited for the rest of our trip.

We woke up early on Tuesday and were greeted with cloudy skies and light rain. On our day to drive through Big Sur and down the coast. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I stood in front of the window of our hotel room in Monterey, stamped my feet and pouted like a baby for 5 minutes. I then pulled myself together and set my mind to making the best of the day, regardless of the weather. After all, we had raincoats! Continue reading →

California Road Trip: San Francisco, Point Lobos and Monterey

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California dreaming. I’d been doing it for a long time. The weather, the natural beauty, the cities, the endless blue ocean, the wine, the food…it was time to make it a reality in 2015. Sean and I had both been before, but about 20+ years ago as kids. We were ready to experience this beautiful place again as adults. This is the first of three posts about our California road trip. Continue reading →

Birthday Weekend Getaway in the Mountains

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This was our 4th annual trip to the mountains for my birthday weekend. Hard to believe how fast the time has gone by! We had started going to the North Georgia mountains and getting a cabin – we did that for two years. Then my dad bought a small vacation home in Damascus, Virginia and although the drive is longer, it’s free. We also like that we go through Asheville, North Carolina and can stop on our way up or on our way home. 

As with every year, my birthday seems to fall on the first real cold snap of the season. The chilly weather is perfect for snuggling up with Sean and the pups and watching a movie and also nice for a brisk walk along one of the many and easily accesible trails in Damascus. Continue reading →

Buford Highway 201: An Intermediate Guide

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This is the second post in a 2-post (for now) series on the amazing, delicious and unique neighborhood of Buford Highway in Atlanta. The first post covered great spots for beginners. This post is going a little further into the unusual and so I’m calling it an “intermediate” guide. 

Of course, every person’s experience is going to be different so some of these may be very ordinary to you. I’m basing this on my own experience as well as feedback from others with whom I’ve dined at these spots. Continue reading →