I've Never.

I pride myself on trying out new recipes or coming up with a good meal, but I think most people who enjoy cooking feel the same way. So if I see or hear of a new kitchen gadget, I like to try it too.

For (3) weeks in June, Joseph's mom and sister were in Europe for a school trip, so it was up to me to do all the cooking around the house. And since Joseph's dad bought a smoker, I thought I would see how well it worked, especially since I had never smoked anything before.



I decided to use it for Father's Day. It wasn't that hard to use at all. Joseph's dad showed me how to turn it on and I took care of the rest.


I even made my own pork butt rub! It had a lot of Spanish paprika, some cinnamon, brown sugar, among other secret ingredients ;)


Another thing I have never made before... Cole Slaw! I've never had one that I really liked until I had Grandma Moore's. Her's tasted different and had a nice texture. I asked her for the recipe and served it with the Smoked Pulled Pork... which I add Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce to, and served it as Sandwiches. Yum!

On different night, I made this home made spaghetti sauce with pasta and a fresh Summer Salad with stuff from Joseph's growing garden, yummmm!

Luna Bistro+Catering.

Have you heard of...

Luna Bistro+Catering

It's this cute new place in Des Moines East Village. Since visiting the week it first opened, we've tried to make it there every week or every other week at least. The decor is super cute and the food is amazing. Here is what we had...



For me? The Pork Cheek Tacos. AH-MAZING! I split each taco into two and had four smaller tacos (well I shared them of course). I learned from the chef/owner Chris that they had served them at this years Winefest, and obviously they were a hit.


Shannon had the Porchetta Open Faced Sandwich. Never heard of it? Try it! Slow roasted porchetta-style pork chop over bread. Yum!

And finally Joseph had the Hangar Steak Sandwich. Uh, delicious! The only negative part was that there wasn't more! The steak was cooked perfectly, and the lemon parsley olive oil was refreshing.

They served lunch daily and have a small wine and beer list. It's cute, cozy, and offers a great lunch option. If you happen to stumble upon it, at least stop in for a small plate and glass of wine.

You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Grandma's Braid Bread.

Does your family have a recipe that has been passed on from generation to generation? Or is there anyone who makes something special every time there is a family gathering or special occasion?

When I think of someone or something like that, I think of my Grandma (on my mom's side) because every Christmas she makes her amazing tamales. I have yet to taste anyone's as hers. The only down side is that she lives in Arizona, so I either have to go there or she has to fly here for the holidays. I've had her show me how to make them, but I forgot to write down the recipe, she does it by memory.

For Joseph's family, it is tradition to have Grandma Moore's Braid Bread at Thanksgiving. Last year for the holidays, we stayed in California so we asked Grandma Moore if she would share her recipe with us. I made it and it turned out okay. It looked like hers, smelled like hers, but didn't taste like hers... even the texture was a little off.

So, a couple weeks after moving back to Des Moines, we asked her to show us how to make it and we would document it. I told Joseph that we should all get together and learn how to make it, so Sophie joined us and this is what we learned.

We learned that this particular recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. As we stood around her kitchen listening to every instruction, you could see and hear how dear this recipe is to her heart.

She told us how she remembers having this bread often during the Great Depression. She remembers her mom making it, the smell of it baking and then eventually learning how to make it herself.

Every detail of her recipe is important, and not written on the recipe card. She told us how she knows when the yeast is ready to be added to the flour and eggs. How it should taste, and feel after its been all mixed together.

Even the eggs had to be added and let sit for a certain time.

The thing that reminded me about my Grandma, is that like her, Grandma Moore doesn't go by the specific measurements that she has written down. There isn't a specific measurement she says, because she does the recipe based on how it feels in her hands.

"More flour" she says!

Once she feels like the dough is ready, she shows us how to knead it. And you better believe that she has her own way of doing it.

Once she shows us, Sophie and I both try it out.

Grandma Moore wasn't shy about telling us that we were doing it wrong, and re-teaches us. Explaining her pull not push-or-smush method.

Once she was satisfied with our kneading, she told us to separate the dough into (3) equal parts. We had to make them into long "ropes".

It was then time to braid the three pieces together.

...and voila! The finished unbaked product.

I would have taken a picture of the fresh out-of-the-oven product, but that was prime eating time, just warm enough to spread some butter on. And believe me, it didn't even make it off the baking sheet, it was eaten that quick!

Thank you Grandma Moore for teaching us how to make your special bread. When the day comes that you can no longer make it (which we all pray is never, or at least not anytime soon), I hope we can continue your tradition.This post is for you, love you!

Mayan Sacrifice.

Can you think of a better idea to celebrate our return home, the Kentucky Derby, and the start of summer than a Mayan Sacrifice themed party?!


The official kick-off to the party was a Mint Julep and race track betting. (Unfortunately, my horse did not win)


The DJ arrived just in time to start the real party!


There was plenty of food, friends, and of course, fun!


It's unbelievable how many people are ready and willing to do crazy flips and tricks off the diving board.


Say Cheese! :)


A few seconds after this picture was taken, the hula-hooping contest began!


Did they purposely coordinate their outfits?? We'll never know for sure.


Kind of a cool picture, right? I think so. It pretty much summarizes what most people remembered (or didn't remember) from the all day, all night party.

Chicago.

Since I hadn't seen my family in over (6) months, Joseph and I drove the 4 hours to the Chicago-area to visit my mom, dad, sisters, and friends.

The weather was odd while we were there. One minute it was bright and sunny, and then cloudy and humid, and finally a huge storm rolled through!


We just kind of hung-out, grilled, and shopped. It's always nice to visit there.


One of my favorite people in the world: Becky! We can sit and talk on the phone or in person for hours on end. We've been friends since our Freshman year in high school and haven't stopped talking since. She's one of my best friends. (Those are my glasses she has on!)


My little sister is kind of a rebel.
Random piercings? Check.
Fire Red Hair? Check.
Multiple tattoos? Check.

But I love her all the same.


And this little guy? My god-son!
Isn't he so adorable? I always have to pay him a visit and when I drive out to Chicago.


Not a very flattering picture of me but still cute all the same.

Diego to Des Moines.

After a three day stretch of non-stop driving, it was nice getting "home" to Des Moines. First thing we did? We went straight to Lucca for dinner in the East Village with Joseph's mom and to visit Sophie too!

The next morning, I continued my daily routine* of a morning run (2.2 miles) and oatmeal for breakfast.

(*for those of you still wondering, yes, to date I have lost about 14 pounds since leaving San Diego. Hard to imagine right? Ugh. It feels good being right back where I was three or four years ago)

The next couple of weeks consisted of visiting our local hot spots. Carl's Place? It may be a total dive bar, but a lot of Des Moines' trendsetters pay a routine late night visit here.

Martini Night? Yes, please. Wednesday night is The Lift's weekly hot spot because of their 2-for-1 Martini's.

I made a new friend at The Lift for Cinco de Mayo: Scott! He's in a band, no big deal ;) His girlfriend Kristin is really sweet too!


First Farmer's Market of the year? DEFINITELY. I have yet to visit a Farmer's Market better than Des Moines'. Not even San Diego's Little Italy Mercato stands a chance to ours here! (Although, it my favorite in SD)

Packin' It Up.

Working until the very last minute (seriously, until the day we left).... probably not the best idea!

10.) Packing and Saying Our Final Goodbye's


As we started to pack the first and even the last boxes, it still hadn't hit me that we were leaving. I just thought in my head that we were moving to a different apartment or going on a long road trip that for some reason required we bring all of our stuff with us.


Still, looking at this picture, I can't remember feeling sad, just ready to get on the road. It didn't phase me that we were moving ourselves and all our of belongings across the country. Looking back at this picture, I really miss it. I miss our old apartment, our old/new friends, our old hang-out spots, and my old job. There's something about Des Moines that hasn't filled that void yet, but I am determined to find it :)

Oh San Diego, how I miss thee and all of the people, places, and memories that are still there too! I can't wait to return and relive all of those experiences. Until then, farewell and thank you.

As I have always said, I am terrible at Goodbye's, so we'll see you later ;)

Farewell Party.

There's nothing better than throwing a big party and having all of your friends come... but it if its a farewell party, it isn't quite the same.

9.) Throw a Farewell Party @ Nunu's (For old times sake)

A little part of The ExDes Group. What cuties, eh?

Sarah & Joseph.


A little part of the Sushi Deli crew.


Awwww, Shannon! She's always there to party ;)

Of course, our last rendezvous had to be at Nunu's with these three!


Classy to Trashy.


I wish Erin and I had more time to become closer, but I'll await her arrival to Des Moines. Yes Erin, I am expecting you to make the trek out here, there is a lot going on in Iowa :)