Welcome! I’ve been talking about creating this blog for a long time. I wasn’t sure if anyone REALLY liked my food, enjoyed my pictures, or cared about what I have to say. Then I realized, how much do I love reading other blogs? Hmm…too much! We’re nosey, right? So, welcome to a snippet of my life and a few of my favorite things: food, photography, travel, my husband Andy, and soon to be little Ruf (due July 17, 2012).

FOOD: My love of food and cooking started as a kid. My mom thinks I learned from my grandmother, but considering she lived 3000 miles across the country and I only saw her once a year if I was lucky, I’d say I learned to cook from my mom. My love of cooking came from my Grandmother.

We had a home cooked meal EVERY night. So, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it is pretty darn close. Mom may not have cooked fancy or intricate recipes, but it was “Mom’s” and it was good.

I make a lot of recipes but can never seem to leave one just as it is. I never remember exactly what I used or did so I’m also using this blog as a recipe index. It drives my husband crazy because he’ll ask me to make that “pasta sauce” again. Umm…I don’t remember what I put in it but I”ll try.

Some of my best recipes come from digging around the fridge and pantry. If it’s leftover, I’ll find something to do with it. Leftover veggie dip? Perfect sauce for chicken. Hodgepodge of chocolates in the pantry? New dessert! Leftover pita bread? Pita chips.

My favorite food to eat and cook is Tex-Mex. I love it so much, my husband thinks I’m half Mexican. I lived in TX for a few years and am now obsessed with Tex-Mex. I hope you like it too.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I’ve always loved taking pictures. My friend’s stopped taking their cameras because they could always count on me bringing mine. I recently got a DSLR and have thoroughly enjoyed learning to use it. I still have A LOT to learn!!

TRAVEL: I can’t get enough! My love of travel comes from my dad. As a kid, he moved us to England for two years. While living there, we traveled all over Europe. In high school and college I was able to visit Australia, Russia, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. I was hooked! After college, I started working for a hotel where I got free stays! Two years later I started working as a meeting planner for a non-profit which has allowed me to travel all over North America and use my hotel points for international travel.

My most recent “big” trip was our honeymoon to Thailand. While I wouldn’t go back (I’ll blog about that someday), it was an unforgettable experience.