When I leave on Friday and don't show up again until Wednesday, it's because I'm having a really good time doing whatever I'm doing. Usually whatever I'm doing is drinking wine, hanging out with my dog, cooking with my mom, eating with friends, laughing, sitting on my parents' dock, watching movies with my dad, and did I say drinking wine already?

First stop: my brother's apartment at Longwood. He has a guitar-shaped spoon holder in his kitchen. So very Sean.

The second stop was Hampden-Sydney for Homecoming festivities.

Then we all ventured to Roanoke for the rest of the long weekend. Fall Break and Smith Mountain Lake, I love you both.

There's my mom, working on dinner for eleven people. 

It was my sweet dad's birthday on Sunday. And Shawna's was on Friday. They both got to blow out the candles.

"The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family." 

--Thomas Jefferson

Some memories from another great lunch at yet another wonderful Oregon restaurant. 

I had a salad and shared a pizza with my mom.

The salad was simple but delicious. I've been making it at home ever since. 

Field greens, a simple vinaigrette, goat cheese and hazelnuts. 

The pizza was good, too. Margherita is my favorite no matter where I am.

And let me tell you about this drink.  

Because who doesn't need a lunchtime cocktail with bacon on it?

Yeah, I said bacon. A spicy, herby Bloody Mary served with a crispy strip of bacon. 

Amazing and weird and totally delicious.

It might be worth the flight across the country to have this meal again. 

Or maybe they'll just give me that Bloody Mary recipe.

Last week, we had quite a bit of time to kill while we waited for our flight back to Virginia. So, as my friends and family often do, we searched around for a Japanese restaurant so we could have some sushi for dinner.

I'm so happy we found this place.

The staff was friendly, the dishes were delicious and beautifully presented, and they have the coolest cocktail menu. They even give you a few little bowls of edamame for the table, sort of like a more exotic version of chips and salsa you might get at a Mexican place. If you live in or are ever visiting Portland, I hope you stop by. It was seriously some of the best food I've ever had. I was sad we had to leave it on the West Coast and I miss it already.

Masu Sushi

406 SW 13th Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97205

503.221.MASU