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…

1. Where else can you wear flip-flops all year-round? California has GORGEOUS weather…we’re talking 60 degree “winters.” :)
2. It’s hot, but not humid. You can straighten your hair and trust it will stay that way all day long.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. They created Yogurtland and Trader Joe’s. You’re welcome.
6. 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…

1. They have seasons. I think the fall in Virginia is simply enchanting.
2. There are epic summer thunder storms.
3. They have FIREFLIES!!!! :D They are so magical! They make everything happy :)
4. Their silent prohibition is a hard one to come back from, but the DC brunch culture is pretty darn fabulous.
5. They created Great Harvest Bread Company.
6. 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.