So I really, really love big cities. I always think I want to live in them. But my gosh, the South is just gorgeous. I would miss the slow pace of life, the flowers, grass, trees, houses.
My flight was filled with studying and soy. Joy, that is. I tried the banana flavor. It wasn’t bad! I tried to concentrate on the flavors and I did like them, but I still don’t think these are something I would purchase regularly.
Also had a cranberry juice and seltzer mix on the plane.
Then I found this guy at baggage claim!
Unpacked a bit. Ashley hooked me up with the best swag of the trip! She works in the fragrance department of P&G and managed to give us a few “samples” – read full-sized perfumes. I am in LOVE with D&G’s Rose The One and also got Flora by Gucci.
Matt poured a bit of beer for us all to enjoy with cocktail hour.
Naughty, naughty bears!!
It’s hard to come home from a weekend of indulgence and NOT celebrate the reunion of family. It was just a night to have a fun meal and a bit of wine. Can’t turn it down for the sake of “health” because it is healthy to be happy and wine makes me happy.
Matt made the dinner tonight, financed by my dad.
Blackened Chicken Tacos!!
Lettuce + Salsa + Pepper + Chicken + Avocado + Cheddar
[The plain yogurt was very much missed 🙁 ]
+ Grilled corn with Garlic Gold
I made a single taco and a taco salad (my fav) with a little of everything.
x2
After dinner, my dad brought out some cake + cupcakes from our family friend Martin’s birthday this weekend. We all shared them around the table
The carrot cake was AMAZING!!
Going to hydrate and hit the sack early tonight. I’m exhausted!
First, gotta give these bears a bath and get their teeth brushed. Too much candy and honey while I’ve been gone!
Evan Thomas says
That looks like one hell of a welcome home meal!
I’ve always lived in MA, but off in the less urban parts, so as much as I love having access to places like Boston, I don’t think I could live without a lawn and quiet places to walk/run
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Beautiful pictures, the south looks amazing.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I always find that I like to celebrate a little when I get home from a trip too 🙂
Have a great night!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Oh my, those tacos look fabulous! I love the big chunks of avocado. And those cupcakes- I want to reach through the screen and just scrape off the icing 🙂 Welcome home!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
wow, i love the idea of blackened chicken tacos! delicious. and i totally miss the Southern way of life…Colorado is amazing and there are a lot of similarities, but nothing beats the attitude in the south! love it!
Amanda @ Vegacious says
What a wonderful homecoming!
Marilou @ Mostly Healthy says
Must be awesome to come “almost” home to a nice dinner like that 🙂 Must be nice to see the bears as well 😉
Olivia R. says
Flora by Gucci is my signature scent! I absolutely loove it! It has such an amazing smell even hours into the day, it sort of changes as it settles on your skin.
A few weeks ago I had a dream that my mom bought me a bottle of garlic gold oil and I woke up really dissapointed that I didn’t have any. I have yet to try it!! Where can you get it?
Kath says
Fun dream!! You can buy it from OpenSky – free shipping through tomorrow!
http://shopopensky.com/katheats/buy/garlic-gold-garlic-gold-garlic-gold-oil-and-meyer-lemon-vinaigrette-bundle
Caitlyn @ A Spoonful of Life says
It looks like bears got a little wild while you were gone! Now that momma’s back…LOL!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Welcome home! Thanks for being honest in your review of the soyjoy bar!
Ashley @ Nourishing the Soul says
Never thought I could live in the south, but you make me want to try!
Ash Bear says
🙂 Thanks for the shout out and I’m so glad you like Rose the One! It’s quickly become my favorite as well especially for summer. I’m glad you had a safe trip back. Your view of the South is my view as well. I am focusing on enjoying NYC while I’m here because I know one day, I’ll have grass and flowers again. But, until then, you, Matt, and the bears always have a place to stay!
Kath says
🙂 And you too! Come visit Cville!
Mom says
The Bears would be fine house guests, I’m sure. Their dad just lets them get a little wild around here, but I’m sure he would expect them to behave very nicely in someone else’s home.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
welcome home!!
It was so great to meet you and hang out at BlogHer — thanks so much again for the straight-iron, can’t WAIT to use it 😉
xo
Kath says
You too Shannon!! Hope to see you again soon
tanyasdaily says
beautiful flowers….and yummy desert!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Kath I love when the bears make an appearance! They are so friggin cute.
A big meal to celebrate with family is the best. Welcome home!
Mom says
The men let the Bears get a little wild while we were gone. I’m just glad no one was hurt. Bocker has been telling me some scary stories. The others tried to hush him but he said, “No! I’m gong to tell Grammie the truth.”
Chelsey says
gotta love home after a long weekend!!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
I totally agree with you about wanting to live in a big city….but knowing in the end you’d miss the south!
Kaci Higgins says
Glad you made it home safely! Your whole trip looked like a dream for all nutrition lovers! 🙂 That taco dinner spread looks so yummy, but I would miss the plain yogurt too. Gotta have the creamyness. 😉
Jenn says
I just blogged about D&G Rose The One today! I just got it over the weekend and I love it, such a pretty scent!
Heather says
ITA, I could NEVER not live in the south! I would be devestated (not to mention i SO wouldn’t fit in and people would make fun of how I talk!)
[email protected] says
“SOJOY” actually sums up this post. especially the garden flowers. so much joy <3
Maggie says
Oh, “Mom.” LOVE your comments 🙂 So bummed to have missed you this weekend in NYC, Kath, but glad you enjoyed it!
Eileen says
Great-looking reunion dinner! I do the same thing with tacos, LOL … one regular, more in a salad.
I feel like I sold the South short. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool northeasterner, and it’s very hard to break out of *this* way of life, but I think it would have been great to give another region a try for college, or a first job after college.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Those pictures made me feel like I was actually in the South!! Wonderful 😀
Oh, and I loved the pic of the “naughty” bears. Had me laughing!
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
I really like D&G perfume but have never tried Rose The One….is it new?
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Glad you made home safely 🙂 And I agree- cities are awesome but nothing beats the South’s scenery
Emilyeatsclean says
Welcome home!! Glad you had a good trip! That corn on the cob looks DELIC!!!
rebecca lustig says
mexican themed nights are the BEST nights!!
Erin says
I love the idea of living in the South but I’m really happy where I am, just outside of Washington, DC. I think part of why I love traveling is being able to pretend to live in other cities and countries, and see what that would be like, but I’ve lived here my entire life and can’t imagine leaving.
Stephanie says
I just had that beer on tap and I must say it is marvelous. It’s one of the few quads I’ve had, and its very nice and smooth.
I love seeing what beer you guys have! Does your husband one day want to start his own microbrewery?
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
The flowers are so pretty! You take beautiful pictures, Kath. 🙂
Exercise and Eat says
Agree- LOVE the South!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Those flowers are gorgeous. There really is nothing like living in the South.
Seriously, the bears get me every time. Makes my day 🙂
Samantha says
K,
I haven’t found a way to have kasha that I like until now. Thanks for that granola recipe! Its truly scrumptious! Hard to stop munching on!
S
Samantha says
p.s. Soyjoy bars are nar-nar! Eww!
Sarah for Real says
Haha, you’re too cute!
Emily says
Hi Kath!
I love reading your blog. I was just wondering if you could offer any advice/tips for packing lunches to bring to work. I know that back when you were working at the hospital you packed lunches. I am about to start my first “real job”, I just graduated college in May. SInce I am going to be living on my own, this whole cooking entirely for myself thing is new. I was just wondering if you had any tips for the lunch packing because I am thinking I am going to be bringing my lunch to work most days 🙂
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
What gorgeous photos! I can totally see why you love it there!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i wish i knew people who lived in the south to visit – i am just a tourist, but i bet growing up/living there is another experience…
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
Awww great of Matt to meet you at baggage! I hope you had a great time 🙂
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Kath, those pictures of the flowers and other shots of the yard are stunning! Your parents’ house has awesome lighting. I’d frame some of those images as gifts. 😀
Those tacos look delish!
Jenn
Hannah says
That corn looks amazing… sometimes summer feels very far away when I’m reading food blogs from the other side of the world!! Good on you for having the wine – I don’t see why a moderate amount should ever be thought of as a “bad” thing.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Free perfume!! I am way jealous. I’ve been wanting to purchase Flora for months.
healthyteacher says
I took forgranted how beautiful the South is….until I moved. And, suddenly, all was brown. Oh, the desert.
Mama Pea says
Welcome “home.” You smell fantastic. 🙂
Camille says
The South is beautiful. It is actually one part of the country I have never been to and always wanted to see!
Wei-Wei says
Those flowers look so beautiful. Naughty naughty bears, though… 😛
Wei-Wei
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Such a fancy lookin meal to return home to! You must’ve been missed 🙂
jassy says
family meals are nice especially on a sunday 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
We had grilled corn for dinner too – love it!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Love taco nights with my family! They really feel like such a celebration even on a normal night! Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Priscilla says
The North is just as gorgeous Kath. Try traveling more- upstate NY, just an hour or so north of the city. Also Maine, Vermont, etc. Gives the South a run for its $.
Erica says
Agree…..I just love the South. :). I never want to leave.I am not a huge fan of those Soy Joy bars…I really want to like them but they always seem sort of ho hum to me. What a spread to come home too! A gorgeous dinner for sure. Hope you’re settling back in.
Priscilla says
And I find it fascinating how different people are! Really, whenever I go to the South (in this case, Savannah all the time) I can’t wait to get the hell out after a day or so. Nothing is as wonderful as the life, the buzz, the wonderful organism of a city to me (preferably NY ;)) Also, am happy without the giant bugs.
Maggie says
Haha, same! <3 my Manhattan home. (But I do appreciate Kath's lovely pics!)
sweetersalt says
Love making taco salads with the little leftover “nibs” of broken taco shells!
Priscilla says
On another note thaks for giving Soy Joy a try- I also have a hard time liking them but you made a good-faith effort. =)
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I would miss the country life too. I love visiting a big city for all of its charm and for all that it has to offer. But give me the country, and that’s where I’m at my happiest. 😀
amanda says
Yummy dinner. I love grilled corn
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full says
“…it is healthy to be happy and wine makes me happy” LOVE IT! I miss the South, but definitely not the brutal summer heat 🙂 Come winter I will be wishing I was back in Durham!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
You’re so kind about saying how you don’t like SoyJoy. Personally, I can not contain my hatred for them!
Joanne says
Love the flowers and I’ll take all the food. Delicious eats.
I’ve tried SoyJoy’s and can find so many better options. I recently discovered the
lemon Lara bars. To die for!
Lynn @ My Sweet Season says
Ahh I love tacos 😀 I want to have tacos 3 times a week hahaha
I can’t believe you got free perfume! So lucky! I hope you enjoy them 😀
Cassie @ Back to Her Roots says
“Can’t turn it down for the sake of “health” because it is healthy to be happy and wine makes me happy.”
Such an incredibly healthy way of life. I love it!
Faith says
I feel the same way about the South. Every time I leave for a trip (even to visit other gorgeous places), I am reminded of it’s green beauty upon our plane’s descent. You can’t beat it.
Allie @ CookReadRun says
OMG! I wear The One and love love it. I had no idea they have ROSE The One. I guess I’ll be headed to the perfume counter on my lunch break teehee. Thanks for that!
And your grilled corn looks bomb!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I guess there’s no place like home 🙂 Looks live a great healthy welcome home meal!
melissa says
Gorgeous photos! I think the secret to living in a big city is to find the little areas of lush respite. It’s not something you can do in a weekend,it takes time to find little parks and places just outside the city for easy escape–that said, I understand why not everyone wants to spend most of their time in a concrete jungle!
Stacey @ Tipping the (Kitchen!) Scales says
Wow, it does look really beautiful there.
R @ learningasichop.wordpress.com says
I love that you use Peter Rabbit plates!!
Vanessa says
Hi Kath!
This is totally not related to this post..But I would love to get some suggestions from you. For work I am getting sent to NY to work for a month. Now I work in a kitchen, so yea I’m surrounded by food. I was just wondering if you had any suggestions for some good breakfast ideas or snack food that would travel well. The hotel is in not a very great area and I work long hours so the only way to get some good food would be to take a cab or the train. I know I could always eat something at the restaurant in the hotel but the idea is to save money!! I was thinking, almonds, granola bars, maybe some healthy instant oatmeal? Thanks!
Kath says
My ideas are as good as yours. If you check back to my breakfast and lunches from January – June of this year, most of them were all packed and not refrigerated. Larabars (or homemade versions), sandwiches, dried fruit, trail mix, whole fruit, etc all work really well.
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
Those tacos look delicious! I love the South, too…as much as I dream about living in Washington state or somewhere in the Pacific NW, I know I could never really leave the South! 🙂