Vacation Love - How Trips Just Find Me

This is what happens when I go on vacation
Giant ice cream cones.   Everywhere.

This time last year I had approximately ZERO trips planned for 2012.   Appalling, I know.   I was too busy focusing on Tanzania and Israel.  I knew I couldn't have big trips like that again this year.   My budget wasn't going to allow it unless I just opened my suitcase and found a pile of money  (I keep hoping this will happen, but in the meantime I'll keep my day job).   I figured that some kind of trip would come up.   It always does....being open to opportunity is what makes my travel calendar the thing of fun and beauty that it is.  

In June of last year my mom surprised my sister and I by offering to take us to Greece this year.   The only answer is yes.  Shame on you if you look a gift vacation in the mouth and say no.   Then last fall I booked comp rooms for Lake Tahoe.   I lived there for two years after college and it is one of the most beautiful places I've been.  I haven't been back since I moved away in 2002....because I keep going everywhere else.   (happy disclaimer: I work for a hotel company and one of the best benefits is free stays).    So then I had two trips going in to 2012.    I thought that was pretty good.   I still had some vacation time to play with, but wanted to work towards my goal of only taking trips this year if I can pay in cash (which was why Greece was not an option until it came as a gift).   

Earlier this month my mom and aunt decided they wanted to go California.    They said I should go with them for a long weekend.   Now, this was not part of my plan or budget.   And then an offer I couldn't refuse:  if I arranged the hotel rooms, they would buy my plane ticket.   Victory #3!  

Then two weeks ago I went to the informational meeting at church about the youth mission trip.   This is my third year as a youth sponsor.   My first year we went to Guatemala - there was no doubt I was in!   Last year they went to Galveston, TX, but since I was going to Israel a week later, that was not an option.   This summer we are going to Joplin, MO.   I checked my vacation balance and my work calendar and ta-da, trip #4 is on the books.   I'm a big fan of the volunteer vacation, so even though we'll be helping with tornado relief work, I'll be someplace new and not at work, so by definition...it's vacation!  

In reality I have now exhausted my vacation time.   Until September when it starts all over again.  Who knows what opportunity will pop up next?

I can't wait.

Memory Lane: Sunset in Monterey

There are so many things to love about living in Colorado.   However, we have a lack of sunsets that sink into large bodies of water.   Every time I go to California (or somewhere that faces west into the water) I can't stop taking sunset pictures.    I'm not as big a fan of sunrises - simply because it implies that I'm awake and functioning before the sun comes up.   I love the happy dogs in this picture that are simply enjoying life.   My Chey dog hasn't really ever had the chance to be a beach dog.   I wonder what she'd think of the opportunity to run free into the ocean.

Memory Lane: Antigua, Early Morning

We only spent a short time in Antigua at the end of the Wellshire Mission Trip in June 2010.   On this particular morning we got up before the youth and walked to Cafe Barista for some caffiene.   The streets were empty of people and we had the colorful buildings to ourselves.

Memory Lane: Mt. Rigi, Switzerland

I've discovered how to create collages on Picasa...a whole new avenue of photo posts await!

The Debut of Traveler in the Kitchen

I've added a second blog to my collection:  Traveler in the Kitchen.    Moving forward, I'm going to be posting most of my recipes, restaurant reviews and other food obsessions there.   I hope you'll hop over and take a look.   Of course, right now, there is only one recipe posted, but you know there will be more to come!    All my current foodie content on The Pursuit will stay here as well as all future posts on travel, HR, being a tourist in my hometown and other fun ramblings and writings.  

Thanks for reading,
Jenni

Recipe: Coconut Toffee Bars

I didn't have a specific plan to make these.   I didn't see the recipe somewhere and bookmark it or print it out for a future sweet treat occasion.   Rather on Thursday night I wanted to make something to take with me to visit friends.    I still had some Bits O' Brickle from my second time making the Cinnamon Toffee Blondies.   On the back of the package was a recipe for Chewy Toffee Almond Bars.    Sadly, I didn't have any plain almonds, only BBQ flavored and that wasn't a taste combination I was willing to try.   So I axed the almonds and added some almond extract to the base layer and was good to go.   If you have almonds, check out the original recipe and know that it goes in the same places the coconut goes.

What you need
1 cup butter/margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/3 cups Bits O' Brickle toffee bits
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes

What you do
Heat your oven to 350.   Line a 13x9 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.  

Beat butter and sugar and almond extract until fluffy.   Gradually add flour, beating until well blended.  Use your floury hands to press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.    Bake 15 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

While the base is baking, mix corn syrup and toffee bits in a small saucepan, heating and stirring until the toffee bits are all melted.   Add 1/2 cup of the coconut to the mixture and then pour the toffee mixture onto the baked crust.     Sprinkle remaining coconut on top.

Bake an additional 15 minutes or until bubbly.  Cool completely in pan, then cut into bars.

Walk Softly and Carry a Sharp Knife
I let these cool on the counter overnight and in the morning when I pulled them out of the pan to cut them, I had a problem.   The toffee layer was pretty hard and it was a challenge to cut them.   However, once I had them cut and in a Tupperware container they softened a little bit.  By the time we enjoyed them with some red wine in the evening, all was well, just watch out for crumbs.    Also delicious with your Saturday morning coffee. 

What the World Needs is Bigger Breakfasts (and more proverbs)

Carrot Cake Pancakes

This week on the radio the am show on KS 107.5 was talking about a study where two groups were on a low-carb diets.   One group got to have cake (or other desserts) with their breakfast.   Over the course of the study, that group lost more weight and  kept it off longer. 

I've known for years that Key Lime Pie is a great breakfast.   Now I have validation.  

I love breakfast.   I do not like getting up in the morning.   I give myself the minimum time to shower, dress, walk the dog, and roll out the door.   Breakfast is handheld like a banana or a cereal bar.   I can't go without breakfast or my attitude goes downhill.  Not having breakfast just convinces your body that you're starving, so it holds on to the fat and your metabolism doesn't get a jump start.    

This study made me think about that proverb that goes something to the effect:  Eat Breakfast Like a King, Lunch Like a Prince and Dinner Like a Pauper.  Not only is it an intersting proverb, it makes some nutritional sense.  If breakfast is your biggest, higher calorie, meal your body has fuel for the day and you have all day to burn it off. 

I was visiting friends yesterday and brought dessert to their house.   She told me that she and her husband have a 90 day goal to not eat dessert after 7pm.   That, along with a conscious effort to get some kind of exercise every day, taking the stairs, swimming, or even pushing a stroller, is paying off.    I mentioned this study and the quote about eating breakfast like a king.    She shared with me a Russian proverb that has the same message:  Eat Your Breakfast Alone, Share Your Lunch with a Friend, Give Your Dinner to Your Enemy.   She said that she used to do this - enjoying a big breakfast, a salad for lunch and fruit and yogurt for dinner.  

I'm intrigued on a couple levels.  

• Going out for breakfast is a much better value than going out for dinner
• It opens up a whole new world of recipes that I hardly ever use - and not just baking (my personal preference)
• I usually get home after 7 or 8 on weeknights and having cereal, fruit, yogurt or a bowl of soup is a quick and easy dinner

I'm pretty sure this doesn't justify donuts.  At least not every day.