Roasted Acorn Squash with Chorizo Sausage and Pineapple Jam {w/ recipes}

I'm not a vegetarian - 

I love bacon.

And a good steak.

And oh boy, a roasted chicken? Yes sir-ee and more gravy please.

- but lately I have been cutting a lot of meat out of my diet. And I like it.  

I used to think that you had to have meat to make it a meal, but there are so many other ways to have a balanced, protein-rich diet.

I have embraced flexitarianism.

It’s like Food Network Star contestant Nikki Dinki says, “I like my meat on the side.”

hellogoodbye {w/ life}

2013 has seen many changes in the With household, most notably, a change of scenery.

Last month we sold our condo. The condo that we spent countless hours renovating. The condo that we bought while engaged, and moved into after our wedding. The condo that saw us laugh, cry, rejoice, mourn and celebrate. The condo that was our first home. 

Needless to say the experience has been bittersweet.   

More changes are ahead. A new home, someday soon hopefully. But for now, we're enjoying this in-between stage of life. 

. 

Loaded Baked Potato Salad {w/ recipes}

There's something you should know.

I don't like potato salad. 

It's true. I've never cared much for the stuff. At family reunions when my grandma tried to force feed me her famous potato salad, I respectfully declined with excuses of not having enough room on my plate or that I'd have some later. And in instances when excuses weren't accepted (Grandma is very persuasive), I spooned a little on to my plate and ate it. But not willingly.

Adventure is Out There {w/ travel}

Are you a planner when it comes to your vacations? Or do you take spontaneous get-aways? I've always been a planner. As in, tickets are booked 6 months in advance. But sometimes its fun to just get up and go.

***

Steven and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary (June 21). Five years went by incredible fast, and this particular anniversary came up even faster than the others, at least it felt that way. We started talking a few months ago about how to celebrate, but didn't make any plans.

I wasn't sure if I could get away from work since I'm still fairly "new" to my new position and a coworker had already requested time off. We thought about having a "staycation" in downtown San Diego or flying up to Napa for the weekend, but we knew those would be great options because we had already done them. And five years felt like it deserved something original. Something we would remember on our 50th anniversary. A true adventure.

Independence Day Festivities {w/ entertainment}

Heading to a BBQ tomorrow? That's the plan for many Americans. And maybe just now you're realizing that invitation also asked you to bring something to share. Whoops.

Not to worry, here are some simple sides and desserts that are sure to please.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Pudding

a hidden oasis... {w/ travel}

I know this isn’t a very new trend, but man, succulents are really popular right now.

If you told me this ten years ago I would have chuckled, 

and silently wondered how boring cactus plants could ever be interesting enough to be trendy.

You see, I’ve grown up in Southern California, where cacti and succulents abound.

I never thought of them as beautiful or unique, 

but only as dry, dull and pokey. 

Interesting how opinions can change.

Now I absolutely love them and have half a dozen little pots around my house and backyard. 

I wonder if my opinion of them has truly changed (I am 10 years older now) 

or if I’m just jumping on the bandwagon. 

My thought is probably a little of both. 

But somewhere along the lines of life and trends and style and what is “popular”, 

someone decided that succulents were cool. And that someone was pretty smart.

I Won!

Well folks, I won my first giveaway.

Starbucks and a cute octopus necklace... definitely unique and a fun conversation starter! Thanks Sarah!