It's incredible how easily a week without posting can turn into months, and the passage of time barely registers until suddenly a new season is approaching. Well that's not really all that's changed since my last post... During my break from blogging, I've managed to (1) get accepted into graduate school; (2) leave my government contracting job; (3) pack up/toss more belongings than any apartment-dweller should ever have (no really...we filled up a U-Haul moving truck intended to move a small house/family!!); (4) relocate from the metropolitan DC area to a very different part of the great state of Virginia (that is, rural Blacksburg); and (5) start (today!) taking courses toward a master's degree in nutrition as well as becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). Sorta major changes, no? =D
But the other, wonderful side of this coin is finally setting foot on my chosen career path and so much more. For those who've never been here, the VT university campus and surrounding region is bursting with natural beauty. After living near the city, it's glorious to see so much green (the campus, the mountains, our yards!). While we no longer have large malls at our fingertips, I'm already excitedly planning excursions that bring us closer to nature such as hiking, tubing, and picking fruit. As I ease myself back into regular blogging (this post is the 1st small step), I hope to share images from these parts of my life in addition to what comes out of my kitchen. Speaking of the kitchen, the one in our new apartment is more than twice as large as our previous. Anyway, before I get too carried away, my point is that I was gone for a while but NOT gone for good. I'm starting a new chapter of my life in a big way, and I'm bringing my readers with me if you'll still have me!
Citrus Fruits for Glazed Cream Cheese Pound Cake from Herriott Grace
Spring Chicken Soup from Gourmet Traveller
Rainbow Beet and Goat Cheese Jewels from Frances Janisch
Table Spread Photograph by Matt Armendariz
Photographs Styled by Dietlind Wolf with/withOUT the Food (all photos from this post are very educational/inspirational)
Steaming Teapot and Tea Moving Photograph by Anna Williams
Lily Flowers and Pads Wedding Cake by Sweet Disposition Cakes
Deep Dish Greens with Millet Amaranth Crust from Clean Start Cookbook by Terry Walters
Passionfruit for Homemade Cordial from Drizzle and Drip
Breathtaking Wedding Dress Wedding Cake by Sweet Heather Anne
Shrimp Curry Photograph by Con Poulos
Cherry Lime Gooey Butter Bars from Bakers Royale
Preserved Cherries and Baklava Photographs Styled by Aya Nishimura
Raspberry Pistachio Ice Cream Meringue Cake from Call Me Cupcake
Spaghetti with Arugula Pesto from Williams-Sonoma
Lovely links and pictures.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Indeed, I don't know how people with kids and a full-time activity do it...
Cheers,
Rosa
So happy for you!! Keep on the path of your life dream...All the best for your future. Your blog is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Cathy
missed your posts! congrats on grad school :). just spoke to a colleague about stores in Blacksburg:
ReplyDelete'Gucci' Kroger on S Main St, World Oasis Market, famer markers on weekends, tiny stores called 'eats' and 'annie kays'
http://www.oasisworldmarket.com/
http://www.eatsnaturalfoods.com/
Thanks very much, Rosa, Cathy, and Sruti! Sruti, LOL at "Gucci" Kroger! That's the one closest to us, and it is pretty awesome. I'll definitely check out all the other recommendations. Thanks so much to you and your coworker! -Xiaolu
ReplyDelete