obložené chlebícky

Obložené Chlebícky are artful open-faced sandwiches. As our food tour guides Zuzi and Karolina said: the Czech version of fast food. Sorry I can't help with the pronunciation. Below are a caseful of these beauties at a deli in Prague. It's a fuzzy shot, but you get a hint of the variety and creativity available in these little sandwiches.

Swedish Inspired DIY

BEFORE

My friend and roomie, Amy, has great style mixed with cool mid-century pieces (see that teak coffee table). 

Looking for art to go above her sofa she hasn't found a pricey piece she is willing to commit to quite yet. So we devised a solution. To Amy's credit 2 cute pillows are missing from the "before" shot.

Best Quote of the Year (and a winner)

Is it Sexy Spaghetti night?

That's what the checker asked me at Target after I put these 3 items on the conveyer belt. My only purchases, I promise. Since then, I've burst into numerous spontaneous fits of laughter, by myself, tears rolling down my cheeks and everything. Sexy? Bwah! That cheddar cheese went into a very oniony quiche. Ooh la la. That Parmesan will soon be going to a friend in central asia that has no access to any Parmesan cheese. If I was going for sexy I would have bought a chunk of the real stuff at whole foods. Long shelf life--alluring for some I suppose. Now those knee highs, they just scream "come and get 'em boys!" I'm sure that's what the TSA screeners will be thinking as I pull off my boots to reveal Foxy Brown polished toenails under suntan hosiery. . . NOT. . . (my legs do much better on long flights if I wear compression/support hose*) It's so funny, my life is the opposite of sexy. I'll be on an airplane by myself tomorrow and then I'll be spending Valentine's day on another airplane with some girlfriends, heck I don't think we are even sitting next to each other. So tell me, is cheddar cheese some secret Italian aphrodisiac? If so, here's a scoop: It's on sale at Target RIGHT NOW!

And, the moment you've all been waiting for

Rachel you are the winner of the Envirosax. 

There's one sexy bag headed your way!

*I just found some compression socks that look like plain old black socks--Thanks REI--although the TSA screeners don't know what they're missing.

My #1 Travel Accessory (and giveaway)

Behold the Envirosax. During my 3 months in Europe, subsequent trips and day to day errands she has been my best friend, life saver, and never go anywhere without it gadget. She's made out of super strong material. Is lightweight. When rolled up is self contained fitting in the palm of your hand (no extra storage bag needed--that will quite frankly get lost anyway). And as if that's not enough, here are a few more benefits . . . 

Cheese Chocolate Chowder

It has been 1 year 7 days and 83 entries since I first posted to this blog. The past year has been full (see Ode to 2013 for a summary of highlights). I want to shout a giant THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all of you that have read, commented, shared words of encouragement.

With that said . . .  I'm still experimenting with the approach for this blog going forward. I'm not ready to close the door, pretty sure this travel bug is chronic and I still LOVE food. So, if you have any requests or suggestions: more pics (about 8,000 still reside on my phone), more stories, more food, more practical stuff --or if you've had enough--I would love to hear from you.

Now for some New Year's Resolutions courtesy of Seattle, WA and sponsored by the letter "C" Done & Done!