I love California. I’ve lived all over the world, but California is AWESOME, and I’ve called it home longer than anywhere else, so I now consider myself a Californian. There! I said it! I chose a place to really call home! Wild!
How could I possibly choose between 7 different wonderful homes?! Well let me lay it out for ya…
- Where else can you wear flip-flops all year-round? California has GORGEOUS weather…we’re talking 60 degree “winters.” :)
- It’s hot, but not humid. You can straighten your hair and trust it will stay that way all day long.
- There aren’t that many bugs. We don’t have annoying little gnats that try to dive-bomb into your eyes and nose when you just want to enjoy a nice stroll.
- This one may sound trivial, but in California you can purchase any kind of alcohol 24/7. I mean, what if it’s a Sunday, and you forgot to pick up some gin for that delicious mixed drink you’re taking to that party later?! …other states have restrictions! It’s crazy, and I say, it’s silent prohibition!
- They created Yogurtland and Trader Joe’s. You’re welcome.
- We have a breath-taking coast, beautiful beaches, and the laid-back beach culture that follows. :)
But then there are all the things I really do love about the East Coast too…
- They have seasons. I think the fall in Virginia is simply enchanting.
- There are epic summer thunder storms.
- They have FIREFLIES!!!! :D They are so magical! They make everything happy :)
- Their silent prohibition is a hard one to come back from, but the DC brunch culture is pretty darn fabulous.
- They created Great Harvest Bread Company.
- You can experience the beauty of the Cherry Blossom Festival!

And here’s where we come full-circle…I am a Californian, but I only truly feel at home with my southern food roots in the (south)east. I love grits, but most Californians have never heard of them, let alone tasted them! Then there’s boiled peanuts (<3), hushpuppies, fried okra, chess pie, and cream pies, liiiiiiiiike…
The Banana Coconut Cream Pie that I made for my parents before I moved out to the East Coast!
The recipe is from Joy the Baker’s new cookbook which I am in love with!!! It was a silky custard cream pie topped with luxurious whipped cream with a nice sweet crunch from the toasted coconut and delicious graham (isn’t that spelled weird?!) cracker-coconut crust!
**French phrase for fun:
J’adore la Californie, mais j’aime aussi la cuisine du sud.
I love California, but I also love southern food.
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