A Return to Thanksgiving.

This is the first year i've been in the with family and in the United States for Thanksgiving in three years. As my favorite holiday of the year, it's been a bit rough having to explain Thanksgiving to people in London, trying to explain the history, trying to explain why you need so many different vegetable sides. But the hardest thing of all was not having my mom by my side to ask advice and have someone else to share the cooking with. This year was a return to the norm, and a return to Thanksgiving with family and friends, and my was it wonderful.

Home Cookin.

Tis the season for pomelo eating and busting out the most well loved martha stewart cookies magazine of all time.

Grandma's Apple Cake.

This weekend i borrowed my Grandmother's recipe book. For some reason i'd been craving an apple cake she used to make all the time when i was little. After a trip to the orchard to pick up a bushel of apples to make apple butter, i thought i'd use some leftovers to make this cake. It was also a great excuse to write down the recipes of hers i love the most.

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Grandma's Apple Cake

3 c flour

¼ c orange juice

1 T baking powder

2 c sugar

4 eggs

2 ½ t vanilla

1 t salt

4 apples peeled and sliced

¾ c sugar mixed with 1 t cinnamon

Place all ingredients in large bowl except apples and cinnamon sugar. Mix until just combined. Pour half of the batter into greased tube or bundt pan, add ½ the apples and cinnamon sugar, repeat. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until tester comes out clean. 

Slowing Down.

(evening drinks staples, mom's birthday, a visit to the apple orchard, my favorite alley, bffs)

Since i've been back home, there's been a lull here. A lull because things have finally slowed down after months and months of going nonstop. Going to France, and Greece, having best friends visit, and packing up life in London to move back across the pond. It was all amazing, but it left me exhausted beyond belief. I don't think it hit me until a few days ago when i realized no matter what i was doing during the day i was still tired. Slowing down has been nice, but hard. I've forgotten how to not be running around all day long, and i think it's important to remember. What a crazy time the last few months have been.

To Be Home.

Being home means being greeted by this lovely lady. My how i've missed my dog. 

Home.

Little Brother.

Things have gotten dusty around here. Everything has been a whirlwind between going home and working nonstop. But something must be said about my little brother, and how amazing it was to be able to see him graduate on time after an insanely hard year. It meant so much to me to be able to see him go to his senior prom, and walk up on stage and get a diploma, and to know he'll soon be at sarah lawrence. I can't wait to be in the same country as him next year.

Instant.

Home.