Green Thumb...

I was going to lie and say that I grew this gorgeous herb garden from seedlings...but those of you that know me, would know that it wasn't true (I bought it with Amanda at the farmers market). I don't exactly have a green thumb- the houseplant/gardening world is a mystery to me...in fact, I think it's quite overwhelming and that makes me anxious. Some plants are just so fickle. With all of that said, I'm excited to report that I've had some minor success with a plant. I bought a Serrano pepper plant about 3 weeks ago. At the time of purchase there was one lonely and sad looking pepper, but as I type this there are currently 12 good sized peppers growing, along with several new buds. This is both exciting and unexpected...like I said before, I'm no plant growing sensei. I may have to accredit this success to Chad, he's been plant-sitting for a little over a week...and he is in fact a plant sensei. He tends a gorgeous Phalaenopsis Orchid and has the ability to harvest underwater plants from local lakes and then replant them in his aquarium. I find this amazing. Pepper plant photos upon pickup...

Surgery and Salmon...

People bring lots of food when they find out someone is sick, or has had a surgery, or there's been a death in the family. For me, food is much more than fuel for the body- it's a universal language. Everyone eats, regardless of religion, race, or location. Food is comforting- it brings people together. And most importantly (in this situation), food helps people over come stresses and obstacles - it nurtures not only the body, but the soul. (That sounded much less ridiculous and sappy in my head...c'est la vie).

My mom had a lumpectomy last Tuesday- I came home for the week to help with her recovery, feed the family, and just be all around supportive. Lucky for me, we've been overwhelmed (in a good way) with random dishes and gifts of food. My favorite offering thus far, the salmon pictured above. It had been gutted, wrapped in a newspaper, thrown in a plastic sack, and sent home with my sister. I can't wait to eat it.

Assholes that refuse to eat corn on the cob...

That's what my sister (Samantha) and I are...or so I'm told. We don't like the corn in our teeth- and we were spoiled as children, my grandma always cut the corn off the cob for us. We've been ruined. To this day, when I visit home and corn is on the menu, I insist it be cut off.

Why!? I'll tell you why...

Recent developments in my life have lead me to make a few resolutions to myself:

1. Get back to daily hikes, gym outings, or just general physical activity...I miss nature and jogging. (I've been ridiculously stressed as of late- my mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I moved and started a new job, among other things...needless to say, I've been all sorts of unmotivated).

2. Stop hording recipes...and start TESTING and adapting them. (For over two years I've bookmarked ambitious and not-so-ambitious recipes from various food blogs/websites/etc- it's time to start putting them to good use...the goal is one sweet, and one savory recipe trial per week...we'll see).

3. Improve and hone my photography skills, food photography in particular.

4. Start blogging. I'm an avid blog reader...I'm jealous of gorgeous blogs like Nordljus and Cannelle et Vanille (as well as many others), so I figured it's time to stop admiring (well, continue admiring) and start my own...besides, I need an outlet for all of the recipes I'll be testing, and photos I'll be taking. I'm not going to lie, my passion for food will probably dominate this blog, but I hope to include other info and updates. My obsessions are varied and constantly changing, I'm sure my posts will reflect that.