tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86861244098598800322012-02-29T15:35:48.380-06:00The eclectic adventures of a culture-seeking, travel-hungry, kitchen-crazy nurseLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.comBlogger731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-86922070991667907032012-02-24T17:34:00.000-06:002012-02-24T17:34:24.320-06:00

The weekend of November 3rd, 2011 was a big one indeed. We got engaged, decided I was moving from my hometown in Tulsa all the way to Maryland, and bought our first house together. Keeping in line with how I like to do things- as soon as possible. We were visiting Frederick, Maryland on a house hunting trip after Darren had been promoted to a position there. He knew I wasn't going to move

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1Frederick, MD, USA39.4142688 -77.410540939.3651993 -77.4895049 39.463338300000004 -77.3315769tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-68739845398692695212012-01-02T21:50:00.002-06:002012-01-02T21:58:22.684-06:00

I've had a lot of people asking me when I'm going to start blogging again. Well I am back! A lot of life changes have occurred in the past few months, some good some bad, and blogging became too much to keep up with. As D so wisely said, it shouldn't become something that felt like a chore. So, here I am refreshed and ready to go! Now, I'm going to share some exciting news with you! On November

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-7544852257751356142011-09-18T22:46:00.001-05:002011-09-18T22:48:52.678-05:00

The first step is admitting you have a problem... I have an addiction to Pinterest. And I don't feel bad about it. For those of you who are not familiar with Pinterest, it is an amazing website that allows you to make virtual pin boards of all of the beautiful, interesting, inspiring or tasty things you find on the internet and  to see all the things other members have found- organized by

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-86024545453552190922011-09-12T23:06:00.000-05:002011-09-12T23:06:45.265-05:00

I'm back! I wont bore you with excuses of my absence- I just hope you'll keep reading! Forgive me, pretty please. This past weekend we celebrated my lovely mother's birthday: (She'll kill me if she sees this!) It just so happened that Summerside Vineyards' 10th annual harvest party fell on the same weekend offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate with family and enjoy some of my

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2Vinita, OK, USA36.6386937 -95.154133936.6132092 -95.19361590000001 36.664178199999995 -95.1146519tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-34216016596723789862011-07-28T11:00:00.000-05:002011-07-28T11:00:11.157-05:00

Here is a spirit with an exotic appeal- Veev Acai spirit made with antioxidant-rich acai berries straight from the Brazilian rainforest. Blended with acerola cherry and prickly pear, the nutrients in this liqueur are 100% natural. And it tastes great! Though it's not for sale in the Green Country yet, I was able to try a sample. I opened the bottle and bravely took a whiff, expecting an

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-13699959735984741082011-07-27T21:41:00.000-05:002011-07-27T21:41:19.057-05:00

I have foliage! Well, it's at least going to be foliage. After two months of faithful watering, this little bugger has done as promised. And only a couple weeks off schedule. See that little green bit poking out the top? Some day that will be a big, strong fruit-bearing tree. At least in my dreams. If I get one full leaf out of it I will count this as a success! And check out this pig tail it's

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-14921189157045759442011-07-25T09:00:00.003-05:002011-07-25T09:00:06.798-05:00

At times, I wish I could be transported somewhere far away. Somewhere where the simplest observances of daily life become noticeable and interesting again. Typically, this requires visiting a culture different from my own- that's where travel literature comes in to play. With in moments of opening the pages you can be picking grapes in the hills of Tuscany or climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. A

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-20169102464539166352011-07-22T09:00:00.000-05:002011-07-22T09:00:09.701-05:00

Seeing animals in the wild, whether it's a bunny in the backyard or a monkey in the jungle, is one of my favorite things. That's why the Palo Verde boat tour on the Tempisque River in Guanacasta, Costa Rica was my favorite part of the trip (see the rest of it here). All the girls put on their big, floppy sun hats and we climb into the covered (thankfully) boat. Less ten feet from the dock, we

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-54834356481742797832011-07-20T20:56:00.001-05:002011-07-20T21:34:54.743-05:00

,After last weekend's Porter Peach Festival, we were itching to bring home some delicious Porter peaches of our own. Though the bushels of peaches sold at the festival auction were tempting, we decided to follow a hunch and the trail of cars that followed the road-side signs to Livesay Orchards. And I'm so glad we did. We arrived at the largest peach orchard in the state to a crowd of people 

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-74339287213453572192011-07-18T22:47:00.000-05:002011-07-18T22:47:39.807-05:00

The peach has a short window in which to find that perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy specimen. So it's no wonder that the Porter Peach Festival in Porter, Oklahoma was crawling with visitors even with temperatures soaring into the 100s.  For the past few years I have been itching to go to the festival, held the second weekend in July a short drive from Tulsa, and this past weekend I got to try all

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-10673424356139669472011-07-11T22:19:00.000-05:002011-07-11T22:19:06.851-05:00

After working up an appetite whiffing golf balls at LaFortune park, D and I decided to try the Thai restaurant on the corner- Bamboo Thai Bistro. With its plain facade and strip mall local I learned not to judge a book by its cover. Things are not always as they seem! Though its name professes it to be a bistro, I was shocked to find that it actually looked like a bistro inside. The interior was

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-57322690996619069702011-07-08T17:11:00.001-05:002011-07-24T20:17:17.724-05:00

I've kept you in the lurch for a while on my Costa Rican vacation. Let me tell you- it was wonderful! At the end of a lot of vacations, you're ready to come home and resume normal life- not this one. I don't think I've worn a watch since I've been back! We traveled to the Guanacasta region on Pacific coast for a wedding and stayed at the beautiful, all inclusive Villa Cascada. The accommodations

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2Guanacaste, Costa Rica10.543002683186613 -85.718250649658229.795820683186612 -86.31382264965822 11.290184683186613 -85.12267864965821tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-16008040211003061992011-07-06T17:57:00.000-05:002011-07-06T17:57:29.931-05:00

So, I had my appendix out last Friday. Luckily I caught it very early- that's the beauty of working with doctors! Aside from getting the IV put in, the bed rest has been the worst part- and it's at least for a whole week! Normally, I look forward to time at home and wish I had more of it. Time to clean, cook, organize, and put together my long overdue scrapbooks. But when you're forced to stay

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-57386172873095051832011-07-06T12:34:00.001-05:002011-07-06T13:04:55.438-05:00

I realize I have been apologizing for my absence a lot lately... will you forgive me? Between my Costa Rican getaway, shopping for a friend's wedding dress and D's family reunion I haven't had much time to be inspired. And then I had to have my appendix out. There is nothing fun about a week of bed rest! The avocado is alive! Turns out I have a green thumb- at least chartreuse at this point.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-76344877266372355452011-06-10T08:00:00.032-05:002011-06-10T08:00:17.426-05:00

In the northwest of Belgium lies one of the most charming placed I have ever visited: Bruges. With its series of canals and gorgeous architecture, this city should make it to your next European vacation. I was able to visit Bruge in high school as part of a school trip touring both France and Belgium. Our host, my French teacher, was a Belgian transplant- a darling and vivacious woman whom I

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-82394357687154840652011-06-07T08:00:00.001-05:002011-06-07T08:00:01.180-05:00

I love Italian food. If I had to pick a single cuisine to eat every day for the rest of my life- Italian would be it. I recently have subscribed to Bon Appétit Magazine and their Italy issue was the first to arrive last month. It was packed with fantastic recipes from pasta to pizza to delicious desserts- unlike most magazines, this one will earn a permanent place on my bookshelf. My favorite

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-22922131532053437992011-06-05T16:18:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:25:44.500-05:00

I have many great memories of my time in Rome- a good number involve food, no doubt. When we weren't traveling, weekend nights were spent at our friends' apartment; we talked and laughed into the wee hours of the night with our new-found friends abroad while enjoying a big jug of wine and a great antipasto platter.  In the evening, we would stroll down the cobble stone streets to the GS, Rome's

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-64859251402888371312011-05-31T21:45:00.000-05:002011-07-07T11:47:13.181-05:00

Yes, I am still alive. Spring time has been keeping me very busy. Which is also the reason I had to make time to do nothing. Doing nothing is very good sometimes. In the mean time, I've been on an avocado kick- they're so delicious! I've been putting them on sandwiches, in wraps, making guacamole and eating them salted, straight out of their peel. As fun as I find it to whack its big seed with

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-7598671858133229562011-05-20T09:00:00.001-05:002011-05-20T09:00:07.322-05:00

There was a No Reservations marathon on last weekend; I couldn't help but be sucked in for a good part of my Sunday. An episode about Santiago, Chile really surprised me- with its skyscrapers it was a lot bigger and more modern than I expected. After that episode, it has made it to my ever-growing to-travel-to list! Check out that view!  The Andes Mountains make the Rockies look like ant hills in

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-26683194367414821022011-05-18T16:35:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:28:31.942-05:00

If you're not paying attention you just might miss the best thing to ever happen to you. With nothing more than a small, metal sign hanging by the road, you could easily miss your turn into Lunabread as you drive down 15th Street. It wasn't a flashy store front or extensive ad campaign that brought me into Lunabread. It was simply their bread. I had passed their stall at the Cherry Street

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-16038098098553704422011-05-10T19:53:00.000-05:002011-05-10T19:53:47.286-05:00

My sage plant, though beautiful with its velvety leaves and purple blossoms, is starting to take over its pot. I love sage, but I don't think I would use as many leaves as it has now in an entire year- and it's still growing! I was wondering what to do with it until I saw this article in last month's Martha Stewart Magazine. With very few ingredients you can make beautiful handmade soaps in the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-26322773860308106402011-05-08T22:22:00.000-05:002011-05-08T22:22:20.352-05:00

Oh, how I love spring. The days get longer, things are green again, and you can grow delicious things right in your back yard. This is what's growing on my back deck: From Garden Trug I picked up some sweet basil, and lavender... And some thyme and dill...Also cilantro, Italian parsley and mint from Urban Garden... Let's not forget the tarragon I got at the farmers' market:  Little did I know,

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-13790929266530719942011-05-06T08:24:00.000-05:002011-05-06T08:24:40.015-05:00

Just a quick trip to the Atlantic coast. It's been ages since I've been to the Outer Banks in North Carolina but I always remember it fondly. The sandy dunes make the beaches there picturesque!     The Whalehead Club Cape Hatteras Lighthouse    I remember the cute Sandpipers all over the beach. Wright Brothers National Memorial Hope you enjoyed the trip to the beach!

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-78492057882182803952011-05-04T18:30:00.001-05:002011-05-04T18:31:17.025-05:00

It all started with a pot of boiled peanuts in a tiny Manhattan apartment. Two James Beard Awards later, Matt and Ted Lee have become the go-to guys for Southern food- satisfying home cooks with both the comfort of grandma's fried chicken as well as fresh, updated southern recipes for modern living. During their trip to Tulsa, I was able to steal some time with this captivating duo to learn more

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0Tulsa, OK, USA36.1539816 -95.99277535.9697771 -96.18924249999999 36.3381861 -95.7963075tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-89115932898093089852011-05-01T20:14:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:28:31.943-05:00

Though far from short on trips to Brady Tavern, I have yet to make it to the end of the meal with room for dessert. While dining at their chef's table back in the kitchen for my birthday, I figured it was not an option at this point- I would manage to fit a sweet treat in somehow! And a perfect night to indulge it was as numerous diners allowed for greater sampling of the dessert menu! Though the

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-40016748474912907572011-04-29T13:13:00.000-05:002011-04-29T13:13:40.127-05:00

Last night at Tulsa's iconic Philbrook Museum of Art, Book Smart Tulsa held yet another fascinating and successful event. The star of the evening was James Mauro, author of Twilight at the World of Tomorrow: Genius, Madness, Murder and the 1939 World's Fair on the Brink of War. In typical Book Smart Tulsa fashion, this was not just a book signing- this was an experience. Entering the museum, you

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-50164107593995449232011-04-29T11:23:00.000-05:002011-04-29T11:23:03.945-05:00

It's the day of the royal wedding so, of course, I am thinking about princesses, castles, and tiaras. Enjoy these photographs of the picturesque county of Kent. Scotney Castle  Leeds Castle  The White Cliffs of Dover Rochester Cathedral, England's second oldest cathedral Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn Groombridge Place, recognize it from Pride and Prejudice? Ingtham Mote Hope

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-69569138090904453752011-04-24T23:42:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:26:06.116-05:00

What do you do with your Saturday mornings? If you haven't been to the Cherry Street Farmers' Market- set your alarm next weekend! This is well worth the early rise! This was my first time to visit the farmers' market- I know, I know. But before entering the working world, I'm not sure I saw Saturdays before noon. Now, I am sure to make it a weekly habit! I recall the market in years past being

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-75608636080070962052011-04-22T09:00:00.001-05:002011-04-22T09:00:07.090-05:00

This week's travel lust is neither picturesque nor exotic. The Disney World for grown-ups- this is every adult's playground: Las Vegas. I can't help but long for the neon lights and cheesy, themed hotels. I don't know what's come over me- maybe I just need to let my hair down... ...or spend some time relaxing. Regardless, I am hell bent on going to Vegas this summer. And I have my eyes set on The

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-64057412797501143242011-04-20T20:32:00.000-05:002011-04-20T20:32:12.994-05:00

Last month while I was visiting Colorado, I had the privilege of dining at restaurant Kelly Liken in Vail. Focusing on seasonal American cuisine, this Top Chef season 7 contender wowed our taste buds with a delicious palate of flavors from tender roasted vegetables and sweetbreads to rabbit and potato-crusted trout. The table was constantly passing around its plates so that everyone could try

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-3957286904701446262011-04-15T09:00:00.001-05:002011-04-15T09:00:10.098-05:00

I no longer have to lust after visiting this local- I was there at the beginning of the month just in time for the cherry blossoms to be out! Check out some of the photos from my trip! The first stop on my trip was to the National Museum of American History- I had to see Julia Child's kitchen as soon as possible! Click here to check it out! I also stopped by to see Dorothy's ruby slippers and a

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-65096180921606155932011-04-12T11:54:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:26:19.053-05:00

Before my recent trip to Washington, D.C., I began planning what sights I wanted to see. Besides the obvious landmarks and cherry blossoms, I wasn't sure what museums the city had to offer. And then it hit me- Julia Child's kitchen is in D.C.! I immediately started jumping up and down and telling anyone who would listen. I would be seeing my gastronomic idol's workspace- the place where Julie

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-39450302463344101632011-04-11T23:02:00.001-05:002011-04-12T21:15:30.742-05:00

Popping into the airport newsstand on my way to Washington, D.C., I debated whether or not to pick up the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine. In the end, I decided it was a good way to spend my $5- and I am sure glad that I did. Settled into my window seat, I pull out my crisp, new read and start flipping through the pages until something stoped me. The most beautiful of lobster rolls- a food

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-66735894707379709352011-04-08T09:00:00.000-05:002011-04-08T09:00:10.933-05:00

There is something absolutely enchanting about the South. Whether it's the buttery accent, the good food or purely the Southern charm, it is some place I have dreamed of exploring and Savannah, Georgia would have to be one of my stops.  A short distance from the Atlantic coast, Savannah sits upon a river bearing the same name. The city is brimming with charming squares in which to sit and soak

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-42985621027151103832011-04-06T22:25:00.003-05:002011-07-21T22:26:06.116-05:00

Looking for an exotic spice to add to your collection or a hard to find herb to complete a recipe? Head to Spiceology in Tulsa's Farm Shopping Center at 51st and Sheridan! Opened at the beginning of the year, the owners of this specialty store get their herbs, spices, and seasonings straight from their sources and bottle them in the shop. From more familiar seasonings such as anise and oregano

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-48474643713342015762011-04-01T09:00:00.001-05:002011-04-01T09:00:04.611-05:00

This week's Travel Lust is not about a place I wish to go but a place to which I wish I could go back: Rome, Italy. I am so thankful I was able to spend a semester there in college and have some of the most amazing experiences. Rome is a magical city. Enjoy some of my photos I took when I was there! There is always something ancient lurking around every corner in Rome, like Largo Argentina.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-72918627732615109272011-03-30T16:58:00.000-05:002011-03-30T16:58:10.950-05:00

My quest to broaden my culinary horizons continues. This week's foreign food: fennel.  I know very little about fennel. I've eaten it once or twice and I can identify it in the grocery store- that's about it. When it came to choosing my next foreign food, this dish was mainly inspired by a delicious lemony goat cheese I'd had, not the fennel itself. Shame on me! Now that I've tried my hand at

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-65788417142572254162011-03-25T11:36:00.000-05:002011-03-25T11:36:37.911-05:00

120 miles of the Greek mainland lies the beautiful volcanic island of Santorini.   The stunning whitewashed buildings with pops of bright blue fulfill any fantasy you had about Greece. Sitting atop rugged cliffs, it's a straight plunge down to the Aegean Sea. I don't think I would mind plunging into the Aegean. If you're in Greece, you need to see some ancient ruins. Head to Akrotiri and see

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-44178917990030968802011-03-24T09:00:00.000-05:002011-07-21T22:28:31.944-05:00

Can't think of a place for dinner this weekend? Why not enjoy delicious Pan-Asian cuisine at Yokozuna in Tulsa's Blue Dome District downtown! From sushi to Pad Thai to chicken ramen, Yokozuna has an excellent mix of everyone's favorite Asian cuisine under one roof. Along with great food, Yokozuna's atmosphere provides the urban experience you want when visiting Tulsa's revamped downtown. I love

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-73939373894860917512011-03-21T18:14:00.002-05:002011-03-21T18:14:29.411-05:00

I'm rearranging...

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-90613779692627794532011-03-21T09:00:00.001-05:002011-07-21T22:28:31.947-05:00

The other day, a coworker was telling me all about this little place that had the best fish tacos in town- he even compared them to those you would get beach-side in San Diego. These had to be good- and I needed to try them! We headed down to Maria's Mexican Grill at 61st and Garnett and easily found the restaurant nestled in a small shopping complex. There were a lot of things on the menu that

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-53836942732336767712011-03-20T22:22:00.001-05:002011-07-21T22:26:59.837-05:00

I have found my personal heaven- it lies on Pearl Street Mall in Downtown Boulder. It's called Peppercorn. Founded in 1977, Peppercorn crams into 12,000 square feet every kitchen item you could possibly dream of and plenty you have never seen before. From hard to find and imported pantry items to kitchen gadgets and cookware- they have it all. There's even a bed and bath section as well! Food

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-13348934012697995332011-03-18T09:00:00.001-05:002011-03-18T09:00:08.832-05:00

Portland, Maine- the largest city in the northernmost New England state. Think lobster rolls, light houses and sea views. I hadn't really given much thought to visiting Maine until I saw photos of the state's stunning coastline and now it's a must see. I would go in the summer, of course! Old Port is a charming warehouse district that connects to to the city's water front. Portland Head Light, on

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-51248764866296563632011-03-17T09:00:00.001-05:002011-07-21T22:27:19.524-05:00

St. Patrick's Day- a day of green beer, corned beef and pinching complete strangers. What's not to love? Here is a collection of events around town, festive recipes, and drinkables to help you celebrate the Irish in you (or not). Get Your Party On Follow this link to find a list of St. Paddy's day events around town. Always a good time: McNellie's, Arnie's and Kilkenny's. Leon's announced their

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-87041425629069612752011-03-16T12:21:00.001-05:002011-03-20T22:44:04.939-05:00

I've decided to start a new column: Foreign Food. For this column, I will be cooking a type of food that is new to me or incorporating an ingredient or technique I have never used before. Join me on my journey to gastronomic enlightenment! For my first foreign food: the coconut macaroon. Crisp on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. The perfect little cookie. I've added lime to the batter

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-55622511412095757452011-03-15T13:21:00.000-05:002011-03-15T13:21:28.858-05:00

On a recent trip to Colorado to visit my dearest friend from college, Emily, we decided to get a little wild. We could spend our day tooling around the cute shops in Vail, lounging around fire pits and sipping hot toddies. Instead, we decided to go out of our comfort zone and go snow shoeing. Note: No one was harmed in the making of this blog post.  Neither of us had ever gone snow shoeing but

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-84644288653913405282011-03-11T09:00:00.001-06:002011-03-11T09:00:12.484-06:00

Istanbul, Turkey. The only city in the world that resides on two continents- both Europe and Asia. This now booming metropolis once served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires and dates back to hundreds of years before Christ. Even if you're no history buff, you can't help but be in awe  of the city's impressive past. You have probably heard of the Hagia Sophia. Now a

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-25407973515968857102011-03-09T09:00:00.001-06:002011-03-09T09:00:11.582-06:00

Another successful event from Book Smart Tulsa! An estimated 700 fans forfeited Mardi Gras celebrations to meet the fabulous Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drummond, at The Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa. Her latest book, The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels-- A Love Story, tells the story of her meeting Marlboro Man, winding up on a cattle ranch and their first year of marriage. There

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-39696876794268684052011-03-08T09:00:00.001-06:002011-03-08T09:00:04.858-06:00

As promised, I'm here to show you how to make the lovely sauce in which I tossed my gnocchi. Feel free to use it over the pasta of your choosing- it's quite delicious! I wasn't sure what I was going to call this sauce until I smelled it simmering away on the stove. I felt like I had been transported back to my time abroad in Rome where I had many delicious dinners with good friends. So, I named

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-71499282915147978242011-03-07T09:00:00.001-06:002011-03-07T09:00:03.956-06:00

If you've never had freshly made gnocchi, you're in for a treat. Derived from an Italian word for "a knot in wood", these little potato dumplings are Italian comfort food at its simplest. Sure, you can get pre-made gnocchi at the grocery store, but if you want them to taste like the delicate little potato pillows they can be I suggest you make them yourself. Like the frittata, gnocchi can be

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-73792501179525570472011-03-06T18:04:00.000-06:002011-07-21T22:28:31.948-05:00

Oh brunch... the joyous pastime of any good weekend. This week,  Caz's Chowhouse was on my radar.  Caz's, located in Tulsa's Brady Arts District downtown, offers delicious comfort food in a sophisticated atmosphere. Best of both worlds, no? This chowhouse is a perfect place for a casual brunch, an after church get together, or even a nice dinner before one of Tulsa's numerous downtown

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-7926004584354376312011-03-04T09:00:00.001-06:002011-03-04T09:00:07.816-06:00

Out of all of the places in the world, I cannot imagine anywhere more incredible to visit than the Amazon Rainforest.  With the majority of the forest residing within the borders of Brazil, this natural wonder is home to the second largest river in the world, the Amazon. The lush climate of the rainforest lends itself to the millions of species of plants, animals, and insects found there. I can

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-85045084762927183102011-03-02T09:00:00.000-06:002011-03-02T09:00:10.306-06:00

Book Smart Tulsa brought another great author to town- Yann Martel, author of the beloved Life of Pi and his most recent Beatrice and Virgil. Now, don't be mad at me- I forgot my camera. But this is pretty much what it looked like: This book signing had a very different feel than that with Elizabeth Gilbert- largely due to the difference in genres I suppose. Martel, unlike Gilbert, did not read

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-62285646199551982812011-03-01T17:52:00.000-06:002011-07-21T22:28:51.115-05:00

When I was studying abroad in Rome, I had on my bucket list to see an opera in the country of its origin. But, alas, when it came down to how I was going to spend my Euros, weekend trips around the continent sounded much more appealing.  I believe I saw an opera once when I was in second grade. The fact that I can't remember must say something to an eight year old's attention span, especially

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-33949737480112092262011-02-27T21:52:00.001-06:002011-07-21T22:28:31.948-05:00

I love brunch. To me, there is no meal more luxurious. You get to loaf around all morning, arrive at the restaurant whenever you please, you can still have breakfast, a cocktail and, if you're lucky, you get to sit on a sunny patio and linger into the afternoon. This particular brunch outing brought me to Dilly Deli... Dilly Deli is a charming eatery in Tulsa's Blue Dome District that features

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-64646250000455208112011-02-25T06:30:00.002-06:002011-02-25T06:37:26.071-06:00

This week's location may not have palm tree-lined beaches, but it is still on an island! I can't help myself- I like to be surrounded by water, I guess. As D would say, I like things that are old. I think that is part of what draws me to London. That and the chance of running into Colin Firth or Jude Law.  I would love to take a ride on bright red double-decker bus. Or ride in one of their

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-53206614730469030212011-02-23T21:04:00.000-06:002011-02-23T21:04:31.501-06:00

Last week, on my day on call, things were not looking so great. As the call team, we are required to finish all of the cases scheduled for the day. At mid morning, it looked like we had one doctor with two day's worth of patients. I was pretty sure we were never leaving the hospital. And then Dr. G came to the rescue (on his vacation day!) and saved our lives. I even got to leave before the sun

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-37797877714680113402011-02-22T21:01:00.000-06:002011-07-21T22:28:51.115-05:00

This past weekend, my lovely boyfriend agreed to see a play with me. I think he only acquiesced because a review compared the show to Jersey Shore. Snookie was mentioned- he was sold. None the less, we attended a matinee production of "Reasons to Be Pretty" put on by the Odeum Theatre Company- now in its second season. "Reasons to Be Pretty" chronicles the consequences of an adoring boyfriend,

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-14120408835987988632011-02-20T20:28:00.000-06:002011-02-20T20:28:00.116-06:00

This past Saturday, I attended my very first book signing put on by Book Smart Tulsa. It featured none other that Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love- now a household name. I wasn't quite sure what to expect out of this whole book reading concept- I could imagine it easily being a bore. But let me tell you- that woman was delightful. I didn't really care if she was talking about

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-54026785112194786592011-02-18T12:00:00.000-06:002011-02-18T12:00:00.770-06:00

Ah... the lovely island of Malta... No, no, no! I'm talking about the chain of three islands of the southern coast of Sicily. Though this island is a mere 120 square miles, it packs quite the punch of beautiful beaches, architecture, and history. Anything in the Mediterranean Sea is really right up my ally. Is it just me, or does the sun seem to shine brighter there? The most important thing to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-70349302691647138102011-02-16T12:00:00.096-06:002011-02-16T12:00:02.064-06:00

In a bout of cabin fever, I decided I needed to make mayonnaise from scratch. I headed to the grocery store the eve of our next snow storm to stock up on the ingredients: eggs, oil, dry mustard, lemon juice, and vinegar. Much to my surprise, the store was completely out of eggs! Can you believe it? We were truly in a state of disaster. I would have to work with the eggs I had left at home- this

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-35095606273263990362011-02-14T13:32:00.001-06:002011-07-21T22:26:06.117-05:00

Valentine's Day: A special day of the year to tell your loved-ones how much they mean to you. Also, a wonderful excuse to devour a box of chocolates. And I found the best box in town. Behold: Glacier Confection. If you're not careful, you might miss this small artisan chocolate shop located in Downtown Tulsa's Brady District. Its storefront is hardly representative of the beauty and perfection

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-53144166927831030232011-02-11T15:30:00.003-06:002012-02-27T20:27:35.729-06:00

It's still cold. There's still snow. I need to escape to somewhere warm. At least in my mind!   Ahh.... Key West. The southernmost  point in the United States. I can feel the sand in my toes already. Who could resist this 5 square miles of palm trees and white sand beaches? I love the bright- colored buildings that you find in cities by the beach. It adds so much charm! Wouldn't

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-86059883248944054182011-02-09T18:11:00.001-06:002011-02-09T18:47:16.453-06:00

Stop what you're doing, go to the store, and buy one of these: Meet the Calphalon Unison Slide Nonstick Fritatta Pan. My new favorite toy. If you have never had a frittata before, it's Italy's take on the French omelette. Instead of folding cooked eggs around a filling, the ingredients get mixed into the egg mixture and they are all cooked together. Oh yea, and it's about a dozen eggs large.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-71877220397257343212011-02-08T15:30:00.028-06:002011-02-08T17:51:37.861-06:00

Travel literature is one of my favorite genres to read- especially if it is set in Europe. Right now I am reading La Bella Lingua  by Dianne Hales. I purchased this book because I expected it to be centered around the Italian language in relation to her travels around the country and interactions with everyday Italians. Instead, it is more focused on the historical origins and evolution of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-50732464793425728052011-02-07T21:01:00.003-06:002011-07-21T22:28:31.949-05:00

Before heading to the ballet Saturday, we decided to treat ourselves to a fancy dinner. We wanted to go somewhere downtown that we hadn't been to yet and we could not have chosen better. I give you: Brady Tavern. Situated on Main Street in the Brady Arts District, this little strip of old brick buildings feels unlike any other place in Tulsa. Although I was looking out the upon the rooftops of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-32603341416221001502011-02-06T22:09:00.003-06:002011-07-21T22:28:51.116-05:00

Saturday night, I got treated to what is probably my most favorite of date nights: dinner and the ballet. Tulsa Ballet put on a great production of Taming of the Shrew that made even my boyfriend laugh! And on his own freewill, nonetheless! There were no tutus in this ballet- it appealed to a broad audience with its laid back feel and comedic scenes making it a wonderful ballet for couples to

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-91890307761915252282011-02-04T12:30:00.000-06:002011-02-04T13:03:20.482-06:00

I love to travel. But being new to the work force, I don't have a lot of time or money to fly to exotic places as often as I'd like. Or heck, even to the fairly ordinary places. So I give you: Travel Lust Fridays. Each week I will bring you to a new travel destination that I would love to explore, share some interesting tidbits about the location and, if nothing more, some beautiful pictures.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-14570980977485375672011-02-03T14:15:00.001-06:002011-02-03T14:25:53.256-06:00

My house is very, very cold right now. So, as the snow day progressed I decided I would need to do something to keep me from freezing to death.  Slaving away over a hot stove was just the ticket. It just so happened that I had all the ingredients I needed to make banana bread. I've been saving some very ...um... *ripe* bananas in the freezer and they were starting to look a little freaky. I

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-84302952995513782011-02-02T16:49:00.000-06:002011-02-02T16:49:53.883-06:00

I thought I would never see a snow day now that I am all grown up and have a big girl job. I mean, hospitals are always open! So when we got the prediction that there would be a blizzard rolling in Monday night, I was so prepared to dig myself out the next day that any Girl Scout would be proud. And then I looked outside Tuesday morning. Snow. Wind. Buried Car. Bad news. And that piece of

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-23042277282312884552011-02-01T14:43:00.001-06:002011-02-01T17:39:25.231-06:00

Yes, you heard me right. No, I am not crazy. Last year, I brought home some bacon biscuits from Dog Dish for Maggie. She was like putty in my hand. My dog that usually ran in the opposite direction when called was suddenly bounding toward me when I spoke her name. I needed more biscuits. STAT. I wasn't too happy with paying the price tag there so I decided to do some research. Happily, I found

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-36816127119645096492011-01-31T14:00:00.014-06:002011-02-01T17:38:42.165-06:00

Oklahoma weather can be likened to an menopausal woman with fluctuations as temperamental as the worst of hot flashes. The weather changes as quickly as it has arrived and the extremes can be quite amazing. This past Saturday, for instance, we had record breaking temperatures of 76 degrees! Hallelujah! I am not one for cold weather- one of the reasons I did not stay in Colorado after college.

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686124409859880032.post-92081344153416000002011-01-30T22:27:00.005-06:002011-01-30T22:58:06.131-06:00

I feel that any new blog probably begins in the same fashion- the telling of the blog's inspiration.So that is exactly what I will do.I am not one to gush personal feelings or information to complete strangers but after stumbling upon some very interesting blogs on various topics it got me thinking about all of the things I would like to be doing with my life. After a long 10-12 hour day of work,

Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01645432223004863835noreply@blogger.com2