my second home

Unlike last week, this week I am enveloped in a warm, cozy blanket of southern sun. I'm back in Charleston and am quite happy about it. Although it's difficult being away from my family, I've come to find that regular trips to the beach, long walks along the water (which I'm lucky enough to live a block from), and hours talking and laughing with the friends I love temporarily cures my homesickness.

But I've also learned, from being away for a month, that Charleston is almost like a home to me. It's not the "where I'm from" home, but a home I've made all myself. It seems weird, but the thing that made me think about Charleston as my home was the scent of the air. When I got off the plane, it was the humid, warm, and salty air that brought back so many happy memories. Here is where the first chapter of my adult life began, and while I will always miss my family when they are away, this city has plenty of beauty to keep me content.

snow

 Today I'm grateful for staying home long enough to see the first snow of the year. There is something magical about fluffy flakes falling from the sky, covering the otherwise unpleasant grey roads with a soft blanket of untouched snow. I almost feel bad stepping in it.

Seattle

Today my mom, sister and I made a trip to Seattle. Rather than going downtown, which we are bored with lately after our many Christmas trips, we went to the U-District. This neighborhood is more quaint and cozy than the busy and hectic downtown area. The thing I love most about it are the cafes. After walking around a bit, we discovered a pretty little restaurant called Grace Kitchen. They have fresh coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. I went with the eggplant & goat cheese sandwich on cibatta bread. Just thinking about it makes me want another one. And isn't that chandelier beautiful? Grace Kitchen is so modern and sleek but has touches of antiquity and warmth, like the brick walls and chalk boards.

We're going back tomorrow to walk around in the daytime. The sun sets so early in the winter, which is probably the reason I'm not a fan of this season. After Christmas, winter gets old quick!

a day at home

        My mom and sister live in an old small town in Washington state. I have about one week left of break before I head back to the old town I live in on the other side of the country, so I'm trying to enjoy every second of my time left with my family. Today, my sister and I took a walk to a cafe downtown. We soaked up the antique feel of the city and the friendliness of the community while sipping lattes and playing with the camera. I am slowly letting go of the holiday season and am already eager for warmer weather.

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a fiber-full sandwich

                 


             I'm a big sandwich lover. I'm also a vegetarian, so the go-to turkey sandwich I used to make isn't an option any longer. One day I decided to put together all my favorite veggies together and I created a very healthy and delicious vegetarian sandy, as I like to call them. If you aren't vegetarian, merely substitute the tofurkey with real turkey. I also think this would be good with honey glazed ham.

Ingredients:
-Cucumber
-Baby spinach
-Feta cheese (I use Mediterranean-style from Trader Joes)
-Hummus
-Tofurkey
-Whole wheat bread (in the photos I used flax seed bread, which is equally as healthy and tasty)

Steps:
-Toast two slices of bread and spread an even amount of hummus on each.
-Cut up some cucumber and put it on top of one of the bread slices.
-Place a couple slices of tofurkey (or real meat) on top of the cucumber, sprinkle feta cheese on top.
-Pile on the spinach, I use a lot because I love it.
-Cut in half.

Note: This sandwich has a lot of fiber, so if you aren't used to eating fiber, you may want to lessen the amount of spinach you use or drink an extra amount of water with it to avoid an upset tummy.

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