It’s a plate licker.

Pesto and EGGS?! Let’s discuss… one average California morning, I got the unexpected word that family was in town and stopping by for breakfast! Living a full country away from all family, we don’t get this news regularly. Flinging the fridge open for analysis, the view was stark, and thus results in Scrambled Eggs with Wild Arugula & Pesto. I actually surprised myself. They tout that necessity (or desperation) is the mother of invention. I’d concur, but after a quick google, invention appears to be a bit over-promised in this case. I’m obviously not the first. However, if you (like me) had never added a dab of pesto to freshly scrambled eggs, I encourage you to give this a try. Oh my… it’s a plate licker.

So, John and I just returned from a vacation that makes me sigh with delight. All family, all the time. Of course, we crossed the country to make this happen, but even the flight was relatively painless. Early both ways and luggage intact, I really can’t complain. After spending many glorious sunny & sandy days in Ocean City, MD with my favorite in-laws, we drove up to my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA for the wedding of my dear cousin Damon. Though I grew up in Atlanta, GA (9 – 24) and hold many ties to the south, the roots of my tree lie firmly in Pennsylvania, and honestly, the state makes me so proud. Have you ever driven through the rolling green hills of PA with its soft, welcoming trees stretched as far as the eye can see? Cows grazing quietly. Iconic barns that reflect the golden light of the rich evening sun. Our ancestors must have been in hog heaven when they rolled their carriages onto that magical land. Granted, the barns and cows probably weren’t around yet, but the blankets of trees must have been absurd! I hope they arrived in autumn.

My heart nearly burst as my family lounged with my brother’s newest addition, Sophie, on my uncle’s farmland in front of my beloved grandmother’s house that still smelled exactly like I remember. John’s first trip back to Pittsburgh with me, I felt so grateful to introduce him to a side he’d never really seen or touched. Hours spent delicately exploring my late gramma’s belongings compiled an amazing box filled with several Pyrex bowls, a favorite cookie jar, an old-fashioned rolling pin and a stack of well-worn recipes.

To top it all off, there’s a bonus round! My sister-in-law is days, possibly even hours, away from introducing the world to our growing family’s newest member. Though we wish we were there, we’ll be celebrating from afar. Happy days…

So here I sit, head swimming and heart full. The fridge, on the other hand, is once again frighteningly empty. Far too famished to head to the store… here we go again!