I’ve been missing Florida since I drove back up to Richmond. Everytime I go there it’s like my bond grows a little stronger. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Florida for a very long time, and I think I’m starting to finally come to terms with that crazy state. Luckily, I’ve been able to keep busy and not feel too broken-hearted. Packing has been on my priority list this past week.
- Matilda made herself comfortable among the mess.
- Look what I found!
- How do I get out of here?
I’ve been catching up with friends, and my days have also been filled with nice long walks in the city. Since my dad had been in town this past week, we would meet up in the early evening and just walk around aimlessly. I also had an unexpected event happen to me. I went to take Matilda out for a walk one morning and saw that my tire had been slashed. I also noticed that 3 other cars had their tires slashed too. AAA brought my car to a tire shop and I was told that 22 other cars had been hit in the area over the past couple of days. How can people do that? I was glad that everyone who helped me through the situation made it less stressful. I was proud that I didn’t freak out and I was able to carry on with my day. This experience made me realize that I can be thankful that the majority of people aren’t that coldhearted.
Anyway, on to happier things. Like celebrations! So far this week I’ve celebrated 3 birthdays and a few other things. I didn’t realize the end of July was a popular time to be born.
On my second night back I went to stay over at one of my closest friend’s house. Her family is like my second family and I use to live with her for most of my summers during high school. So obviously I can go through their fridge and pantry without a problem. She was in the middle of making some dinner when I got there. While she was finishing up I was looking to see what they had in store for me!
- Cauliflower over pasta with sauce and feta. Toast with almond butter, peach slices, and cinnamon.
First time I went to Trader Joe’s was with her and she picked up a jar of almond butter. She didn’t love it, so it’s just always sitting pretty in her fridge waiting for me to take spoonfuls!
After dinner we celebrated our reunion/wedding vows!
- Mudslides!
- Here’s to a happy marriage! Bahaha she said it looked like she was all up in my business in this picture.
- Look what this bear got her hands on.
Kelley told me about this kind of Jager she got that was honey flavored. I love honey, and she knows I love honey, so of course I had to try some. It seriously tasted like I was drinking straight up honey, but I could tell there was alcohol because it burned a little. What a yummy digestif though.
- Then we had pina coladas and I made her take a shot of the honey Jager.
We just caught up on each other’s lives and passed out watching something on TV.
The next day I was celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday. I didn’t realize that she was younger than everyone we had graduated with! Anyway, the dinner was at this restaurant on the water in the neighborhood I use to live in.
- I love how they preserved the nature and there are trails throughout.
- The view you get from the restaurant.
- Some of my beautiful friends.
- This is what happens when things don’t go her way. Just kidding!
- The waitress trying to tempt her to buy more drinks.
- Yummy pizza!
So the pizza I ordered had pears, gorgonzola, mozzarella, red onions, and pistachios. The sweetness with the contrast of the distinctive gorgonzola was delicious! And the addition of pistachios was definitely purposeful as well. The restaurant’s speciality is seafood, so there were very little vegetarian options. However, the choices they had were exciting and thoughtful. Obviously they didn’t leave my tastebuds hanging.
- Aw, I’ve missed her!
I met a lot of new people that night, and it was perfect outside. I headed home later, and I made a pact to see my old friends more often and build on new ones as well.
The next day I went to Trader Joe’s and I brought my list of recommendations with me. So far whatever I got that you guys passed on to me has been delicious. Everything is worth raving about!
- Blobs of goodness.
The triple-layer hummus and corn salsa on their tortilla wraps. The PB&A mixed nuts bag is almost non-existent now. Such a great idea and so addicting!
I also went to another grocery store and found Jamfrakas bars on sale for…
- Get out of town!
Later on I went to a friend’s house for a farewell get together. He’s done with school now and headed off to New York.
- Bye Berto!
Lately my stomach has been feeling funky and I’m not quite sure why. I know that sometimes when you go to a new environment it can throw things off for you. But this usually never happens when I go back and forth between Virginia and Florida. So I’ve been trying to stick to comfort foods. Like breakfast for dinner!
- 10-Grain Cereal, chocolate protein powder, coconut oil, cinnamon, and mandarin oranges + PB&A mixed nuts
I’ve also tried some more Amazing Grass products. I think I really enjoy their chocolate flavored stuff more than the others. I’m just going to dip the regular WholeFoods bar in something chocolaty because the Chocolate WholeFoods bar was good! So good! It reminded me of chocolate covered raisins.
- Nom nom nom
- Amazing Meal Pom Mango infusion + ginger ale = yummy!
Hey Holly! You like my equation?
I’ll update you guys later with my weekend antics and other eats. I was reunited with one of my closest friends and she’s leaving today, but she’ll be back on Thursday! Some of my friends celebrated the beginning of a gallery they just started, and it was one of their birthdays as well. But the most exciting news is that me and Kim move into our new place on Saturday! The kitchen in the apartment is awesome, and I can’t wait to go cray cray with the baking and cooking. I hope you all had enjoyable weekends. I for one, can’t believe it’s Sunday!
What piece of advice would’ve you given your past self?