Nesting . . . yes, that is the word that I want to use when referring to the fall season. I want to nest. I want to stay home and work on things that have been neglected in the busy-ness of the summer season. Most especially I want to explore new recipes. Here are more top 5 recipes that I can’t wait to try out. What are you looking forward to making?
Food
The Fall List
I have shared with everyone a lot of the places that I love to visit during the fall. The list is mostly made up of places that I can clearly see the transition from summer into fall but there are other places that I love to visit at the start of fall for one big reason . . . kids are back in school and the crowds are less.
What places do you what to visit once the crowds die down?
- Disneyland or any theme park: Let’s be honest . . . it is a lot of fun to go with kids especially if it is their first time BUT, theme parks are fun for adults too and more so when you know you don’t have to worry about height restrictions, losing someone to the crowd, or having someone eat the churro you have been craving for a solid year or more.

- Cannon Beach or any coastal town: The beach is at its peak during the summer. Hot temperatures helps regulate your body against the coolness of the water but don’t you just hate planning a day at the beach to have it dashed to pieces because you can’t find a parking spot, a place to lay your towel down, or even a place to bob in the waves without getting hit by someone’s surf board, boogie board, paddle board, etc.? If I have to wear a wet suit to avoid hypothermia, then so be it.

- Hawaii or any island: I lived in Hawaii and I absolutely love it anytime of the year but I loved it the most when people went back to the mainland for the majority of the year. Paradise can feel an awful lot like Los Angeles when there are a ton of people.

- The Grand Tetons/Yellowstone or any National park: This is sometimes hard to do when not the summer months because some parks close for season but if you can manage to find the small window of opportunity between Labor Day and the season closing, you will love it! The significant drop of cars driving in the parks is reason alone to wait until summer has passed. The park rangers and all other staff providing services in the park are more “chill” and you feel like you are stepping into a wonderland (what a national park should be) instead of getting on a ride at a theme park.

- Salt & Straw Ice Cream or any locally celebrated establishment: Got to love the internet but . . . ultimately that is how everyone learns about the unique things to do in a city they are visiting. Local establishments are great and the locals like them but not when we see a line longer than three blocks. I live for the off-season and the hours of day when even locals are busy with work and school to go and visit the places that I see on the internet as well.

Make it Cold and Creamy
Just in case anyone is wondering . . . I love ice cream. I love that it can be extremely simple or complex. Take for instance the difference between country vanilla and Tahitian vanilla. Then you can add anything to it. You can purchase rocky road or top your chocolate ice cream. You can put it on a cone or in a dish. You can mix it up and have a shake or malt. Sky is the limit! So here are a few fun thoughts I had about ice cream while I was eating my favorite: Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter. Yum!
- Okay, first thing first. Where did it come from and who do I have to thank? Ice Cream History from Wikipedia.
- What are the top 50 ice cream flavors? Thanks Ranker for your ever-changing list and to ActiveBeat for you list!
- Where can I eat ice cream in Portland? Thanks RedTri for your list that I will be exploring as the summer continues on!
- What kind should I make at home next? This Sea Salt & Honey No-Churn Ice Cream looks fantastic from Kitchen Treaty!

- What should I serve it in?Thanks for the bowls Williams-Sonoma!

Favorites of Pinterest
Hey Everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful week especially since it was a short week. I had a great time on the 4th; enjoying it with friends, fireworks, dogs and a campfire. The best part about this week is that work will be over tomorrow. I had the hardest time getting up on Tuesday and heading into the office. Apparently so did everyone else since the freeway looked like an early Sunday morning. I think we should officially declare July 5th a holiday as well. If your holiday celebrations really don’t start until after the time you are normally in bed; that makes it an automatic holiday the day after. Can I get an Amen?!
In light of how quickly this week got away from me and the fact that I have so much going on in preparation for a friend coming to stay with me for the next two months; I decided to share my top 5 favorite pins I made on Pinterest this week.
- I am kind of digging this hair color right now and since I have a hair appointment in a couple of weeks . . . one can never tell.

- Yes, I am feeling the need to make zucchini bread but I would like to try something a little different then the usual. In steps this recipe.

- I love this quote because too many of us in the world are trying to achieve perfection but to what end?

- Call me crazy, (only because it is summer), but I am on a vegetable barley soup kick.

- Having something nice to come home to . . . ahh . . .





