With Rob traveling all summer, I've gotten super lazy in the kitchen--most nights I just eat bunless hot dogs (super exciting) or open a can of tuna or, worse, order some really unhealthy takeout. Then, on Friday mornings when Rob is home, I have no groceries, so we go out for most meals. It's not a great pattern.

So when Terra's Kitchen reached out to me about doing a post together, I was pretty excited. I never knew how I felt about the whole recipe/grocery-delivery idea, but at this time in my life it sounded like exactly what I needed. And on top of offering gluten-free and vegetarian meals, they had Paleo options too; which sealed the deal for me.

I created an account, picked my meals, and set a delivery date. Just a few days later my Terra's Kitchen vessel arrived and I was really impressed by how organized the whole thing was--it has a little door you open up and cooled shelves with all your groceries. Everything comes individually packaged--even the recipes! I had it delivered on Thursday so that when Rob came home Friday we would have a whole weekend of meals already planned for us.

Things I've eaten (so far) this week:

• Southwestern Steak + Sweet Potato Bowl (pictured in this post--the meat was grass-fed and organic!)
• Tilapia Salad with Arugula and Apples (such an unusual but delicious combination)
• Grilled Chicken with Radish Apple Salad (I'm a sucker for anything topped with goat cheese)

I feel like I'm a pretty good cook and do lots of creative things in the kitchen, but sometimes I just get burnt out. I love having these recipes and being challenged to try new things (like use lime zest in my salad dressing--delicious). So often I just rotate the same two or three basic recipes, so it was really nice having three or four new ones that are still quick (30 minutes or less!), easy, and healthy, but also a little more exciting. And I didn't think having the groceries delivered and pre-packaged would make much a difference, but it totally does--it makes cooking feel exciting!

I'm definitely going to be ordering more meals once we get settled in California! If you want to try Terra's Kitchen for yourself, use the code ITALIAN30 for $30 off your first order--and let me know which recipes you pick! 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Terra's Kitchen. The opinions and text are all mine.

Happy Friday! Now that my cookbook giveaway is over (if you won we'll be mailing your copies out soon!), I'm back to posting links every other week or so. Enjoy!

To Read: 

• This is such an interesting grammar "rule" that I have literally never thought about. I love reading stuff like this about language.
• Rush Limbaugh warns that federally paid "lesbian farmers" could invade your town. Hilarious.
• Waiting for Cancer. This piece really spoke to me, especially as I approach the six month mark of my last checkups.

To Watch: 

• Who's billy goat is this? My friend Raquel sent me this video and we laughed so hard about it.
• I've been really enjoying this makeup YouTube channel lately.
• I could listen to Rose Leslie talk all day.

Wish List:

• I mean, who doesn't need a $500 sweater?
• I'm thinking about adding some high-top Converse to my shoe collection, but how do I keep white ones clean?
• Speaking of shoes, it's bootie season! I'm all about these cute ones, especially with a price under $100.
• Can I have this watch please? 

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Rob will be home tonight and this weekend we're going to be running around getting ready for the move! It's coming up fast and I have a lot of feelings. Until then, though, I'm just taking a deep breath and enjoying our last week in North Carolina.

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Early yesterday morning after coming home from the gym I poured myself a hot cup of coffee and sat on the back porch, enjoying the cool 66 degree temperature and that dreamy dew that settles gently onto the grass until it burns off in the still-summer afternoon heat. Ender won't step into the wet yard unless someone goes with him so together we hopped off the deck and took a few steps around, both of us searching for the green S-shaped toy he sometimes likes to chase after if I throw it enthusiastically enough.

My birthday was on Sunday and every year it hits me with the same combination of emotions--excitement for another year and another autumn; gratitude for the past twelve months and all the people in my life who love me so well; and a healthy dose of nostalgia, every time.

I spent the earliest part of the weekend in Roanoke getting ready for my friend Raquel's wedding, and with a bridal party that consisted of both our childhood friends and college roommates, I was overwhelmed with the realization that some relationships really do stand the test of time. High school lunches on the stage of the cafeteria--for whatever reason we never sat at a table and would all sit on the floor with our backs against the wall and our lunches on our laps. We went to Miller School every summer and belted out Disney songs on early-morning trail runs in the middle of the woods.

And then we grew up a little (but not a lot) and went to college, where Caroline joined our tribe and we'd drink big disgusting bottles of Arbor Mist and drag ourselves to the dining hall for weekend brunches or big family-style pancake breakfasts in our own apartment. We've had falling outs over the years but we always found each other again and we've always been a family. 

I had a moment as I passed out sparklers to Raquel's wedding guests after the reception where I realized that no matter where we live, these people and the love we've shared for so many years can't be taken away from us. It was 11 PM on Friday night and we all stood in the center of the market downtown in Roanoke, where I grew up, and the air was cool and it felt like fall was finally on its way. The sparklers started sparkling and left that holiday haze of smoke that smells like summer and a little bit of sulfur, and for the first time I imagined us in California for however many years and felt totally at peace.

The next day we drove home to Charlotte and planned a pretty last-minute Labor Day cookout at our house with our friends down here. Everyone came and we grilled burgers and roasted s'mores and passed around the season's first pumpkin beer from NoDa Brewing Co. After everyone left, Rob and I cleaned up and kissed in our kitchen and as the sun set I felt so proud of the life we've built here.

It is going to be so hard to leave--that I know. But remembering where we came from and all the friendships we've nurtured over the years despite the distance was enough encouragement to keep me focused. California is far. But our hearts are big.

I'd like remember that when we hit the road.