a taste of home

On Friday I got to spend a lovely evening out in LA with my big cousin Sheryl. She was in town for work and staying at a hip hotel just down the street from me! So we met up there after work and shared a glass of wine and then went off for dinner. I was finally able to get into a restaurant I've been dying to try: Gjelina in Venice. And wow, it was just as good as I had heard--maybe even better. We shared an incredible meal--several different small plates and of course more wine. Lots of wonderful conversation--everything from our careers to boys to our family and of course my past year. It's always so grounding and truly wonderful to have someone close to me from home come to visit--especially family. So thanks cuz, I SO enjoyed it :)

I also gave my mom's pumpkin pie recipe a whirl today. All in all it tasted good but I think my oven temp is a bit off and so while it appeared done, I think it could've used 10 more minutes--but that's what a trial is for. I brought the pie to Mike & Nikki's for sunday dinner and we all agreed it was a tad undercooked but tasted good. So hopefully I'll be ready to perfect it for the family Thanksgiving dinner...I'm headed East for that and taking the lead on pulling the whole meal together. Just a tad nerve racking but at least I know the dessert will be good--I've got the apple pie down and the pumpkin is on its way.

Back to Monday--gosh the weekends go so fast esp since I'm still adjusting to not having all the free time I had this past summer. It's all good though, enjoying being busy again, but not too busy...I'm finding just the right balance and it feels good.