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!

An Ode to 2013

It all started with a dream to travel the world

Quit my job and explore

December thirty first two thousand twelve

For one-fourth of the year in Europe I roamed

Czech Republic Sweden France Italy

Slovakia Switzerland two times Germany

Norway Denmark Luxembourg Scotland

Netherlands Austria Belgium England

Wanderlust clinging growing

I itch and scratch

Job free, three hundred sixty five days

Not the original plan, not complaining

Utah Hawaii DC Virginia

Colorado New York Idaho California

Snowshoes to snorkeling and two pierced ears, pain

Just a little, chocolate, gelato in the US not the same

Nine one-way flights, five round trips, my favorite mode oftravel

Feet and Train

One pair of boots carried me through

Resoled battered I sure wish they had drains

Black, houndstooth, plaid umbrellas

Silver and polka dots the latter the good fella

How many days ‘til the money runs out

hmmm, that’s no fun, let’s not count

The people the experiences precious time with: Christmassisters

College roommates

Supportive Family, Friends priceless.

My nieces and nephews in all their cuteness are the realhipsters

December thirty first I sit on a Seattle bound plane

What a beautiful year twenty thirteen

Sweets for Christmas

For the record I'm not a lover of cupcakes but when a cupcake is splendifurous I am in love.

The formula for a Perfect Cupcake =not too sugary butter cream frosting (no shortening-esque icing, bleck)+moist crumb+the right cake to frosting ratio+flavors that taste like the advertised flavor

With all locations being at least 2 states away Sprinkles is a day dream (do you hear that Sprinkles, just bring one to Denver already!) BUT, next week I will be in close proximity to my second love: Sweet Tooth Fairy