I swear every time I come back from a trip I sit down to write my post and these words speak in my brain: “Home. Home on the range.” [Well, either that or “Take me home, country roads.”]
And then I try to think of something more creative to say!
My drive today was half horrible and half wonderful.
The first half – the Baltimore + Washington half – looked like this:
My GOSH the drivers there are crazy. I actually witnessed a small accident spurred by a policeman whizzing by. Then a car came into my lane and almost hit me. Then trucks were making me claustrophobic. And the construction on the Wash Beltline and I-66 was downright scary.
The second half of my trip was beautiful, rolling hills. Gorgeous countryside. And a stunning sunset over the Virginia landscape. [Not actual photo taken while driving! Credit: an old KERF photo.]
I heart my countryside.
I made a wonderful pit stop to say hello to Pablo at Great Harvest Warrenton and stock up on 5 loaves of bread for Christmas!
I also heart my husband, who had this meal waiting for me when I got home!
Homemade (from whole canned tomatoes) tomato sauce a la this recipe. Plus eggplant parm (aka eggplant baked in the oven) over whole wheat shells and chiffonade spinach!
More chez on top!
Donner was excited to see me!
Sipping on Pero while I unpack and reorganize this house. Doesn’t this look a bit like Rudolph!?
The next three days are going to be busy but fun!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
That dinner sounds right up my alley! What a nice treat to have when you got home from your trip. And you are right – DC traffic is terrible! It got voted the second worst in the country, after NYC.
Katherine says
Beltway, not Beltline 🙂 Driving it in traffic is not fun, though, for sure. It looks like you had a good trip. It’s so nice that you got to see your grandmother for her birthday!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
You have such a good hubby making dinner like that for you!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
DC traffic is the worst! Its the worst part about living here.
Matt is so sweet to have dinner ready! Looks delicious 🙂
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
oh my – that traffic sounds crazy! but glad to hear you got hoem safely – and what a wonderufl meal to arrive home to!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Yah…drivers are psycho up here! Glad you made it home safe ‘n’ sound. Lovely dinner, Matt!
Meagan says
I HAVE THE same Christmas ornament!! Gotta love Crate and Barrel!
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
Haha love excited donner:)
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I love the OLD car photo!! And I ate eggplant parm today too… only it was the restaurant variety.
Glad you’re home safely. It’s always such a wonderful feeling to sleep in your own bed again after a trip.
stacey-healthylife says
Dinner looks amazing. Good luck with your holiday planning and prepping.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Hehehe love that reindeer.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Driving in DC is cray-zay, which is why my daily roundtrip commute is 2 hours on a GOOD day. :/
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
nothing like holiday drivers on the roads…glad you made it home safely.
and with gorgeous dinner waiting for you! 🙂
Melissa @ I Never Imagined says
Hi Rudolph! Hehe. Glad you made it home safe 🙂
VeggieGirl says
STELLAR meal!
Hang in there with the busyness, dear Kath!
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
Yum! That is one good sounding dinner!
Joy says
Yes, the beltway driving is VERY scary! I almost get in at LEAST one accident a day. And yes, the construction is scary too! I have been living here for three years and there is ALWAYS construction 🙁 Glad you made it home safe and sound. BTW, your gma is adorable! So cute!
Nicci (NiftyEats) says
Aww, I’m now craving eggplant which I haven’t eaten in months…beautiful meal.
Christine (The Raw Project) says
What a sweet hubby and wonderful dinner. Glad you survived the drive, holiday traffic is a nightmare.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
How about Willie Nelson. . . “on the road again. just can’t wait to get on the road again. . .”
Hannah says
Such a wonderful husband! What a lovely dinner 🙂
Kelly Michelle says
hmm sounds tame compared to my daily commute, you would hate driving in Miami! I told someone the other day it is like playing Russian Roulette every time I get in the car. The worst part is if someone does hit you there is a 99% chance that they 1. won’t stop, 2. won’t speak English if they do stop 3. most likely do not have insurance
Alaina says
Oh, that traffic sounds awful. I’m glad you made it home ok! Enjoy your evening and next few days! 🙂
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Glad to hear you made it back home safe- despite the crazy traffic.
I was reading your bio today and I didn’t know you went to Winthrop for your master’s! I attended Winthrop for my freshman year (August 2008-May 2009) of college before transferring! What a small world! 😉
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
LOVE donner! 🙂
Stephanie says
Ugh traffic in the DC/NoVA area is atrocious, I’ve never had a good experience with it! You couldn’t pay me enough to want to live up there :/ Glad you got to come home to some relaxing scenery and a delicious dinner!
Rachael says
Not looking forward to that drive – I’m headed up the coast from Asheville and am already growling about DC traffic…
I continue to be impressed by Matt’s kitchen skills – the sweet things he does for you are always nice to read about!
Camille says
Gosh, isn’t getting home after a trip just the best? Glad you made it home safe!
Amy K. @ onehealthypeanut says
Oh my gosh that does look like Rudolph!!! So funny!
Dee says
Dinner looks delicious!
And yes, it does look like Rudolph!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
so sweet of matt to have dinner ready for you! hubbies are the best 🙂
Pat Kilmain says
I finally made it to Great Harvest (Anchorage) last week and stocked up. I had my first GH in Bozeman, MT years ago (my sister lives there), and it’s just the best!
[email protected] says
Mmmm, eggplant parm is so delectable! I had Indian eggplant last night that really hit the spot!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I hear that! Busy, busy, busy until Jan. 2nd lol
I love eggplant <3 Just had it the other day. It's so underrated!
Cassie says
I am so impressed (by impressed I mean jealous of) with Matt’s love for cooking delicious food AND healthy eating!! Can he be hired to train other husbands who may not share the same traits?
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I saw the red dot in the mug and thought it was an imperfection until I read the line about it looking like Rudolph. 😉
Heidi - apples under my bed says
mmm that dinner looks absolutely, positively delicious!! the wholewheat shells looks really yummy, I’ve never had pasta like that – only wholewheat linguini/spaghetti (long pasta). shells are such fun!
Heidi xo
jen says
“a la” which recipe? (the sauce) thanks!
also, does the spinach wilt like that? it looks like it might hold up better?
Kath says
Sorry – Mom’s Homemade Tomato Sauce made with canned whole tomatoes: https://www.katheats.com/?page_id=294
Lauren says
So glad you got home safely and gosh, Matt is such a keeper. That dinner looks awesome!
Gena says
Well, go Matt, having such a nice dinner laid out! Delicious and so abundantly green.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Your dinner looks fabulous! What a nice treat to have (a delicious) dinner all ready and waiting. 😀
Mimi says
At first I thought that your drink actually had a red dot in it!
Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun.blogspot) says
Your hubby is my hero. I want that dinner! … 🙂
R. Reed says
I jsut came across your blog, it is lovely!
We moved from southern California to rural southeast Arizona in 2001 – what a change of life!! It made me smile you describing how you felt on the freeway driving. I feel the exact same way when we go “home” now. I have to admit that truly I don’t even enjoy going back anymore, our home is here now and i feel completely discombobulated when we are there in the traffic, hustle and bustle and just general chaos that is southern California. Give me my open skys, lack of “real” trees and dust anyday compared to that 🙂
Katie G. says
Yep, sounds about right for Baltimore/DC…that’s my daily commute…ugh.
Wow, awesome dinner, way to go Matt! I must say, my boyfriend did have dinner ready for me when I got home last night- whole wheat pasta, spicy sausage sauteed with beans and veggies, with feta on top! He knew I had to work late- such sweeties!
Lindsey @ Enjoying Healthy Foods says
That looks great!!! I might have to try to make that!!!
Brittany says
Hi Kath-
Question for you: Do you mix anything into your Pero drink? I’ve never had it before, but I’d like to try it!
Thanks,
Brittany
Kath says
Sometimes I mix in some milk, but I really don’t think it needs it. A wee bit of sugar is nice too!
Brittany says
Thanks! I’m excited to try it.
Kiran says
Nice dinner table ensemble! So fancy 😉