A little about me, and a little about food

I’m back home. After a hectic first day back at work, looking back at the photos from my visit home makes me want to go back. I used home twice, but it’s not really like that even though it’s nice to go back and visit my hometown. I grew up in Memphis, a small city. When I meet people and told them I’m from Tennessee, they usually assume I’m a country girl. Well, I don’t like to wear shoes, but I’m not really a small town girl. Now, though, my parents have moved north of the city and indeed have their own little country paradise.

The backyard, with a wandering cat they call PawPaw drinking from the bird bath.

Here, we have three cats, but I’ve always considered myself more of a dog person. Alex said that I needed to get all my doggy desires out of the way during this visit. My mom has a sweet, playful tugging dog named Mac.

My father holding the dog, holding his beloved stick.

During the visit, I cooked with my mom. We even ate a stir fry with peanut sauce and tofu one night, a super-quick meal with tacos made from Boca crumbles, and barbecue-sauced tempeh. All these things went really well with fresh local corn (about 20 minutes of the drive to their house is through cornfields), the reddest tomatoes I’ve seen all year, and fresh red and green bell peppers. Oh yeah, and watermelon and strawberries. There were produce stands everywhere along the roadside headed out to my parents home, and Memphis, like Cincinnati, is buzzing with talk of farmers’ markets. My father brought home a gigantic zucchini that I’ll tell you about later, he gave it to me to take home and cook. I conquered the beast!

My mom also made a key lime cake, which Alex was particularly excited about because I almost never make desserts – and on the same page was a recipe for a pinto bean pound cake. I think I may have to try that. I love beans.

I also went out for a few meals, which I'll also tell you about soon. I had the pleasure of meeting Bianca from Vegan Crunk for lunch and got some good tips on where to eat while I’m in town. I had fun, and if anyone reading happens across Cincinnati, I’d love to meet you and have a good meal. (When I mention this, eyes usually roll just before a polite smile is forced, but I tell you – people underestimate the ’Nati!)