But it really didn’t matter how long it took.  Walking, talking + photographing [...]]]> After the tasting pavilion even on Saturday, Teri, Sarah, and I set off to the Ferry Building.  What was supposed to be a 1 mile walk, turned into a 3 mile walk.  No pointing fingers at the iPhone navigator for that adventure…

But it really didn’t matter how long it took.  Walking, talking + photographing are three of my favorite things.  The quality of light had me taking photo after photo.  Teri + Sarah were a good 1/4 mile ahead, while my nerdy photographing self, straggled behind.

The Bay Bridge + surrounding area, through my eye.

    Dear bird,

Thank you for being so timely. 

Sincerely,

girl behind the camera 

We made it to the Ferry Building, where the photographing + eating continued.

There would have been photos from Friday, but someone forgot their camera battery charging in the hotel room.  Nice one.

Saturday morning, I taught one of the breakout sessions, which was an honor + so much fun.  I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to stand up and teach fellow bloggers about photography.  I focused on camera basics, and will have a few posts about the details of that in coming weeks. 

Snagged this photo of me teaching, from Kath!

If anyone else has a photo, do you mind letting me know?  Thanks!

The only other update I have for you is that on Friday, at the first Foodbuzz event, the blogger award winners were announced.  The excitement from the night, has still not worn off.  I was in complete shock to be announced as the “Best Photography” blog.  I want to thank you for your continued support + enthusiasm towards what I love.  It really means so much.  Can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store!

Ashley

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I wish there were more photos to [...]]]> While a big part of this weekend was centered around food, what I’ll remember most are the faces.  Some were familiar, most were new, a famous one thrown in for fun + some that were missed. 

I wish there were more photos to share, but somebody [me!] forgot my camera charger in the hotel room the first night.  Way to go, photographer.

Another update coming soon!

Ashley

photographed in this post: Mama Pea, Teri, Megan, Heather, Diana, Ali, Kath, Courtney, Danielle [high school friend, now working for Alaska Seafood].

p.s.  Any thoughts on these books?  Looking for some new reads after The Happiness Project. 

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Oats for breakfast.  Quick + filling!  Always does the job.

Ginette’s studio apartment is adorable.  She has the most lovely natural [...]]]> Just arrived in SF from Berkeley, and currently catching up with Teri, Mama Pea, and Megan.  I should be ironing my dress for the event tonight, but instead, here’s a quick update. 

Oats for breakfast.  Quick + filling!  Always does the job.

Ginette’s studio apartment is adorable.  She has the most lovely natural light that floods into her kitchen. 

Coffee on the side!

Flowers + chocolate for Ginette!  p.s. if you’ve never had that dark chocolate bar from Trader Joes, you must try it.  right now.

Went on a tour of the Berkeley campus.  If you squint you can see the Golden Gate Bridge in the far left-middle of the photo. 

Such unique trees!

Lovely Ginette.

An amazing Squash Soup from the restaurant Venus.  Highly recommended!!  Topped with apple chips.  Such a good idea!

Local amber ale, that was extremely smooth + flavorful.  If I could only remember which brewery it was from…. Miss you already dear friend!! Excited for the weekend to start!

Ashley

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Precisely why I made them mini sized.  One of these little guys will [...]]]> By the looks of the comments, it seems no one exhausted their sweet tooth on Monday.  Congrats!  However, prepare to be sweeted out by these.  This is by far, one of the most sugary treats you will find on this blog. 

Precisely why I made them mini sized.  One of these little guys will do me in.  But that doesn’t make me stop at just one.

Forget the bars.  Forget the mess of cutting.  Just make these.  You’ll end up saving time and they look so cute.

And who can deny cute food, especially involving peanut butter + chocolate?

Truth be told, I was never the biggest Reese’s Cup lover.  Give me chocolate.  Give me peanut butter, but if I want something sandwiched together, there better also be caramel in the middle.

I would have gladly traded a Reese’s Cup for a Milky Way, box of Milk Duds or a Kit Kat.  And was it just me, or were Reese’s Cups always greasy?  Who wants greasy chocolate?

This recipe is free of grease, and bring a little more pizzazz than the traditional Halloween treat. 

The sea salt really takes things to the next level.  Also, the brown rice cereal I snuck inside.  Love that texture.  And why not top it off with more chocolate?  I bought a scoop of naturally colored m&m-type-chocolates in the bulk bins, from Whole Foods, specifically for this purpose.  For the vegan version, I plopped a few dry roasted/unsalted peanuts on top.  No lack of crunch here!

Peanut Butter Crunch Cups [makes 24 mini cups] gf + vegan

• 2c chocolate chips
• 2T unrefined coconut oil [opt]
• appx. 1/2c crispy brown rice cereal
• 1/2c creamy peanut butter
• 1/4c powdered sugar
• 1/4t fine grain sea salt [opt]
• large sea salt/chocolate candy/peanuts

1. Line a mini muffin pan.
2. In a microwave safe bowl [or using a double boiler on the stove], microwave the chocolate + coconut oil for 30sec increments, stirring after each 30 seconds, until smooth.
3. Spoon a small amount [about 3/4tsp] into the bottom of each cup + sprinkle with about 1/2-1tsp of cereal on top.  Lightly press into the chocolate.
4. Place on a flat shelf in your freezer for 15 minutes.
5. In a bowl, stir the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and salt together with a fork until combined + smooth. 
6. Add 1t of the peanut butter mixture to each mini cup, keeping it centered.  No need to spread.
7. Top each cup with about 1 1/4tsp of melted chocolate to cover the peanut butter.  I lightly spread the chocolate around with a spoon.
8. Top with a sprinkle of sea salt, peanuts, chocolate candy, or whatever else you like.
9. Let set in the fridge or freezer and store in a sealed container.

*If your peanut butter is salted, you may want to leave out the 1/4t salt.  Mix together the powdered sugar + salt, taste, and decide if you want to add more.

*The coconut oil leaves a slight coconut taste, helps the chocolate thin out a bit, and have a smoother consistency.  If you don’t have it, omit.  Do not sub another oil.

*If using natural peanut butter, that can sometimes be oily, you may need to use 2T extra powdered sugar to stiffen a bit more.

Imperfectly perfect.

I just realized something.  I’m on vacation.  Cue the excitement!!  First stop, visiting my good friend Ginette at Berkeley.  We were in grad school together, for Architecture, and rarely get the chance to see one another.  Friday starts the Foodbuzz festival festivities, where I cannot wait to be reunited with old friends + meet new faces as well.  Here’s hoping time can slow down from now until Sunday.

The only thing missing?

Chris!

…and the peanut butter cups stowed in my suitcase.

Update! 

Here was the scene when I woke up Wednesday morning.  Snowstorm round 2!  By 1pm, it was sunny as could be and already half melted.  Crazy.

Picked up this book at the airport.  So far, so good, but I’m only about 30 pages in.  I’ll try to remember to give a little review of it when I’m done reading.  Definitely finding it very relatable.

I made it safe + sound to Ginette’s adorable studio apartment, and we talked each other’s ears off all night long.  Dinner was veggie sushi + then beers at a cozy local bar.  We passed by Chez Panisse on the way to dinner, which I was in awe of.  Alice Waters + her restaurant, Chez Panisse, was a huge influencing factor in discovering my passion for food.  It was quite the moment for me.

And now I’m at a little coffee shop, doing a quick email catch up + waiting for Ginette to be done teaching for the morning.

See you again soon!

Ashley

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We were still fine time wise and although I was pretty tired, I didn’t [...]]]> With an 8:20 flight and a 1hr 10min ride to the airport, being out the door by 5:30am was our goal. We made it by 5:38, but ended up hitting quite a bit more traffic then expected, on route to Denver.

We were still fine time wise and although I was pretty tired, I didn’t fall asleep in the car. Or so I thought.

I remember becomming really sleepy as we approached the airport. I saw the sign for Pena Blvd. which is the exit that takes you directly into the airport. It’s also about 10miles long.

All of a sudden, I wake up, from “not sleeping,” to Chris saying he thinks he missedhe exit. I said “you’re not on Pena? I saw that exit awhile ago!”. I literally must have fallen asleep right after passing the sign. Chris does about 90% of the driving, and I never worry about him falling asleep or anything like that. Where as with me it’s a different story.

He was so glazed over, that he completely missed the sign + exit and went a good 15 miles past. Luckily this is a quick trip, and we didn’t have any bags to check, but we were still nervous. We turned around, with the clock at 7am. We had a good 10min + the drive on Pena, parking the car, waiting for a shuttle, and making our way through the very large airport.

We made it to the security line by 7:25am, but the line was pretty long, and we still had to catch the tram to the gate. We got to gate A 48 at 7:55 only to find out the gate changed. The one time I don’t double check on the TV’s it of course changes. We start sprinting to the opposite end of the gate. Chris got a good head start and I was in flip flops, with my computer bag and rolling carryon. Quite the sight I’m sure. I resorted to a fast walk so I wouldn’t lose my sandals and finally made it to the gate. They just started boarding.

Phew.

Breath!

Now sprint to fill up my water bottle, go to the bathroom and buy a bagel for Chris. Thanks to the people who let me jump the bagel line.

Never a dull moment! Im sure you all have a similar story or two?

Moral of the story? Should have made that coffee to go!

I was planning on a delicious Jamba Juice smoothie, but resorted to eating some of my packed snacks instead.

Nut butters, protein powder, dark chocolate, oat bran, pnut butter granola bars, cranberries/walnuts/almonds, Mary’s crackers, and Love Grown Foods cocoa goodness granola.

The dogs are at home, being taken care of by K+E. Quick trip but I miss them!

Packing dress clothes in a carry on is always fun!

Oh and check out my sweet tan lines from my vibrams!

Time to get ready for the rehearsal!

Ash

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