Hello everyone! Let me tell you… last week was anything but ordinary! My mom came to visit me for a whole week, and my step-dad was in town on business as well. I know I’ve mentioned my stresses about being financially dependent on my parents on my blog before. Recently, I’ve been having to make conscious effort to stay away from bleak utilitarian ways. Whenever I’m around my mom I’m reminded that it’s nice to treat ourselves just because, so her visit couldn’t come at a better time.
My parents enjoyed the delicate candies I made.
Moms are wonderful at French braiding!
A loaf of freshly baked bread...
And this is what happens on the way home.
Chocolate!
And...
More chocolate!
What surprises are in here?
Mmm truffles.
Tiramisu, cookies and cream, blueberry cheesecake, dark chocolate sea salt caramel, and black forest cake.
A blast from the past.
And one of the best ideas I've come across: honeycomb covered in milk chocolate.
My mom got some filled chocolates to try too.
I love that she enjoys so many things about life.
And she has a taste for colorful food as well!
She's the queen of salmon.
More colors!
I made Aggie’s Last Minute Sesame Noodles for me and my parents to enjoy during the week. I loved the sesame oil in this dish! It felt special when I packed this for me and my mom in my little lunchbox, since she went to my classes with me while she visited. I also packed some for my step-dad to take with him to work. He was also in town on business that week. It’s quite a rarity that my parents are in Richmond at the same time, so I wanted to treat them as much as I could!
Since my mom was in town, she whisked me away to Trader Joe's.
I usually make my own hummus, but since my mom was in town I wanted her to try the Triple Layer Hummus. There are no Trader Joe’s stores in Florida so this was a little special something something.
And she brought something special up from Florida... papaya from our tree!
Simple, delicious, and convenient "mush"
This is Joy’s recipe for gluten-free chickpea and apple slaw. I accidentally processed it in the food processor for too long, but it still tasted delicious! Tangy and sweet, like what the recipe says, with dried cranberries and a Granny smith apple in the mix.
On a slice of "Seeduction" bread.
Oh my goodness this is the kind of bread that is so good that you could finish the whole loaf without putting anything on it.
My version of a bento box--Rotkohl (German recipe for red cabbage), leftover red lentil burger tipped with vegan mayo, avocado slices, and coconut milk basmati.
Random, yes. Delicious, yes. YES!
While my mom visited she also made her classic recipe and one of my favorite desserts: tiramisu.
Proud of her creation!
As she should be.
We were looking forward to having the girls over that night!
Beautiful ladies all around!
Dainty dishware was appropriate.
The best tiramisu my mom has made to date!
And a night isn't complete without dancing, or salsa in this case!
But wait, was there more fun to be had?
Précisement, mes ami!
We went out to dinner at one of my favorite hang out spots, Balliceaux.
It has the neatest decor.
To start off we ordered tandoori fried cauliflower with a chickpea salad and pickled cucumbers.
I want to learn how to make cauliflower taste this good! The chickpea salad and cucumbers added a refreshing touch to the crispy battered cauliflower.
I also ordered a cup of roasted pumpkin-mushroom and barley soup.
This tasted so much like a soup my grandma use to make when I was little!
I couldn't put my finger on which recipe I'll have to ask my grandma for.
Aromatic steamed salmon with black bean paste, scallion-celery stir fry with house made bacon, and fragrant jasmine rice for the sir.
I’ve never heard of cooking celery. Curious, eh?
Southern fried Twin Oaks tofu with red beans and collard greens for the queen.
Twin Oaks makes the best tofu EVER! And the way that they prepared it here was reminiscent of a typical southern dish with fried fish. I thought it was adorable that my mom, queen of salmon, decided to get this vegetarian dish. I may have done some influencing though because I also wanted to try this, but I had something else in mind for myself…
A hearts of romaine salad with a creamy hazelnut dressins and crunchy ZUCCHINI BREAD CROUTONS!
As soon as I saw the words “zucchini bread croutons” I knew that would be my choice. Oh my goodness. If salads could be desserts this would be it. I kept gushing about how wonderful of an idea it was to do this! It was so delicious that I sat there thinking of all of the wonderful breads I could make into croutons. The waitress exclaimed, “you can make them out of any bread!” And right she is. Next time you have a sweet bread in your home, I advise you make them into croutons. Actually, I urge you!
After dinner we met up with some wonderful people.
My mom got a taste of Ipanema's homemade soy ice cream and their vegan apricot almond blondie.
We had a feeling that the dessert made us extra hyper.
The past week was a memorable one indeed. It was so much fun having my mom go to my classes, and she got to see what her daughter does in art school. I’m sure a lot of parents would like to have that experience. She got a better understanding of what my life is like for most of the year. Looking back on her visit I see that she’s become a more flexible person, or maybe she just really likes being around me? I think it’s both!
p.s. I’ll be announcing the winners to my last two giveaways very soon, so keep an eye out for that! My apologies for keeping you all waiting.
You are SO incredibly beautiful
So is your momma. What a lucky bunch you are
Aww, I love the idea that you both have such a good effect on each others moods
.
All gorgeous ladies, and the food looks amazing too!
You’ve never heard of cooked celery? In my house we have it raw, stirfried and boiled. Maybe we’re just extreme celery people though.
xo
This was such a happy post
I’m glad you spent all this time with your mom–and had many delicious foods and memories to share.
xx
Oh man, that last photo of you and your mom is so precious – loving the smiles
I always say this, but the relationship you share with your mom is truly beautiful!! I love seeing you together. It always warms my heart and soul.
So glad she was able to come out and spend the most romantic weekend with you. Who says Vday has to be all about the mushy romantic stuff. I say, it should be about celebrating LOVE. You and your mom share a love that not many can mirror.
Oh and one more thing Vday is all about…..CHOCOLATE!!!! LOL, you certainly knew this already though.
Love you!!!
You have such a wonderful relationship with your mom!I love that last picture–it makes me smile!
Zucchini bread croutons sound amazing. I never thought of making croutons out of sweet bread, but why not?
damn that chickpea apple slaw looks so lovely!! and gluten-free!!! <3
i miss the taste of Crunchie Bars. I remember always getting them for Halloween as a kid and throwing them out cuz i hated them..but later i ended up really enjoying that spongy candy filling. its definitely a different texture but once u get used to it, its quite yummy!
my mommy is my hairstylist and when my hair was longer, she always put french braids in my hair. the flowers in yours are so cute! i love when people put little touches like flours or beads in their hair as an accent piece
hehe Dancing!! cue the Salsa music
It's always so much fun seeing pictures of you with friends and being your happy free-spirited-self. it may sound weird, but ever since ive followed your blog, ive used you as an example for myself of how much more spontaneous and unguarded i need to be. ive always admired your passion and zest to embrace life and celebrate it! Thank you for that!
xoxo <3
Glad you had such a great visit with your mom.
You’re both so amazing. And the night out on the town looks like it was a ton of fun!
You and your mom are too cute together! And more Vosges? Jealous! I keep hearing about Twin Oaks tofu and neeeed to try it someday. I’m on a mission now!
YUMM that bread looks really good!!!
http://wp.me/p1hJ4d-8Q
You and your mom look like sisters!
And I looovee all the chocolates!!
I love reading your recaps! So many fun activities! J’aime bien ton beret
(I always wished I could pull off the beret and red lipstick look…but alas, it just doesn’t work for me).
Aww, I hope to meet your mom one day! She seems so vibrant, I see where you get it from! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful visit with your parents. The zucchini bread crouton idea is pretty brilliant, I’ll have to remember that!
Your mom rocks! U are SO lucky to have an amazing bond like that with your mom, cherish that girl : ) I know you do!
I would love to try your moms tiramisu, It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I am so glad you and your mom had a wonderful time together and so wonderful she got to go to classes with you and see what you are doing : )
U are too beautiful, love the hat ; ) I also LOVE the french braid and the pretty clip ; )
Love u! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
what a fabulous week!
hihi
oh gosh the chocolate is out of this world katharina! I love kinder chocolade and that honey thing. you have a fine taste my friend!
you look absolutely beautiful in every picture and you are glowing. it’s so wonderful to see.
I really need to skype with you soon. I read a lot about the ‘cortisol’ the stress hormone that you were telling me about. I think it is what is causing my stomach issues. I would really love to chat with you about this if you don’t mind. let me know
Ich hab dich lieb meine suesse maus!
<3
You and your mama are SUCH a beautiful duo! It looks like you two had a blast together. Your chocolates never cease to make me drool. Oh, and I’m gonna need to buy your mom a ticket to Atlanta to come make me her tiramisu STAT! Let her know for me
Yessss…. it was an awesome week… I am so proud of you mein Schatz… Du bist an inspiration!! I loved it and enjoyed every single minute of that week, going to your classes with you is something probably most of the parents wish to do one day, but never get to do… I hope I wasn’t annoying ja ja ja… Bussilein meine suesse maus
mom
Hey love! i keep checking in here waiting for a new post- see how much i love your site hehe
just saying hello and hoping all is fabbbuuullous! btw i love ur moms comment above <3
i want to live in DC and be your friend.
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