Food

365 days of blue lollipop road; day 7

1.7.14

The BLR for today is food again! What can I say, this girl likes to eat:

My go to favorite appetizer (that I often make a meal out of) is granny smith apples, Cabot Vermont white cheddar, (specifically the Hunters Sharp in the plaid wrapper) and baguette crostini with olive oil, black pepper and sea salt. This with a glass of pinot grigio = YUM. Somehow it tastes even better while watching awards shows and other things like The Bachelor/Bachelorette with a bunch of girlfriends. (Don’t judge, even us “non-TV watchers” like a little fashion, drama, and trash entertainment on occasion!) A little over a year ago, I was introduced to some specialty olive oils and balsamic vinegars from a place called Olio. This is where my apple and cheese life changed forever. I added a drizzle of Olio’s chipotle olive oil & cranberry balsamic to my favorite app, and voila! Heaven on toasty bread. (Seriously de-lish.) If you want a snack that’s a total crowd-pleaser, take this to your next get together.

So now an explanation as to why I keep playing with things like my food to make letters and what all this “356 Days of Blue Lollipop Road” is:

3 years ago, I went to a breakfast talk that featured a guy named Noah Scalin. He talked about how he created a project (Skull-A-Day) sort of by accident. He’s an artist/designer and was walking through the park one day, found a skull, took it home, snapped a photo and posted it online, then the next day added something funky to the skull, posted a photo again, and then continued to “make a skull” a day for 365 days, documenting and sharing the project daily. That project turned into millions of followers, and this awesome book and encouraging concept on a way to stay creative and “unstuck.” People from all over the world have been inspired to spend a year “making” something too and sharing it with others. Noah has featured a bunch of them on his Make Something 365 site.

Since meeting Noah at that talk, I’ve thought a lot about doing my own 365 project. I loved hearing about how during Noah’s Skull-A-Day year, he spent more time than usual with family and friends coming up with different skulls to make. He made skulls out of bread with a baker friend, out of an old TV another friend donated to him, he snapped shots of gum melted on the streets of NYC that made out the shape of a skull, and so on. He talked about how committing to create something original on a daily basis made him stop, take in his surrounding more, and be more aware. It made him “unplug” and get old school crafty. It made him excited to dream up ways to take otherwise useless/used items and give them another life. It helped him connect with people around him. I love that, because adults seem to forget to take a minute each day and “get lost” in a book, a moment, a time, a place, a person we are with. When we were young, everyday is an encouragement-fest to be anything you want to be! Paint, draw! Go, run, play! Make new friends, find an adventure, use your imagination. Noah’s thought for creating a thing consistently everyday reminds us how important it is to stay unstuck and out of the drone zone that’s easy to fall into.

So! In an effort for me to stay unstuck and creative as I have a home base now (because you know I’d rather be on the road, but I’m still trying to figure out how to make that work), and to feel like I am still “traveling” in my everyday, and also to keep encouraging all of you out there to stay curious, explore beyond everyday surroundings, and be fearless in pursuit of goals- I have started my own 365 project. I am “making” a BLR a day for this entire year of 2014. Whoop!

Here’s the fun part. I want YOU to get involved and hop in the party boat too! I want YOU to make  your own BLR and send it to me so I can share here. (Email submissions to Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com)

Rules:

THERE ARE NO RULES! Write BLR on your face, bake, slice, glue, draw a B, L,, and R, paint it on a shirt and take a photo of yourself wearing it and doing something fun, use some sidewalk chalk, sharpies, pencils, pens, cardboard boxes…whatever!

Blue Lollipop Road to me is a place where I feel free. A time I feel inspired, and remember what really matters. It’s enjoying a simple and seemingly insignificant moment as totally awesome. It’s when I’m with someone I love who makes me laugh and feel special. The road of life is a different color to each of us. It’s all about spending time doing things that are important to you and being with people you love. So my question is; What does your road look like? I’d love to know how and where you spend your time. When do you take a minute to indulge in letting yourself feel passionate about your “thing.” How do you have fun, stay creative, and keep yourself unstuck?

Let’s get crafty and stay out of the drone zone together! Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

My road is a blue lollipop road. What’s yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #CheeseRules

0
0

a freeze and thaw december

‘Tis the season for holiday travel!

I’m en route to Chicago now (BRRR…) and no surprise a major delay on my flight (BOO…) so I will miss a lunch date at one of my most favorite Windy City chow spots, but at least I have the rest of a long food, love, fun-filled wedding weekend to look forward to. (Maybe I didn’t really need those pretzel encrusted pancakes with white chocolate sauce today anyway. I do have to fit into a pretty tight dress on Saturday night.) I cannot wait to be back in one of my favorite ever cities!

In an effort to balance out the chill, we are going to the Carribean for Christmas! (Whoop!) Nothing says Happy Holidays to me like a sandy beach, warm sunshine, a tropical drink, and a super-awesome, fun, cute man to frolic and adventure with. Thank you, Santa!

Having a home base is good and all, but lets face it- travel rules and the road will always call. (For me anyway.) I love watching people, I love new experiences, new foods, and exploring everything possible. I can’t imagine that ever changing. As I sit here in the hustle and bustle of the busy CLT airport, I feel invigorated and alive. So many places to go, so much to see, so little time…

Travel Channel, Discover Channel, Travel company X- when are you going to hire me already? 🙂

What makes you feel invigorated and alive?

#CantShakeTheTravelBug #TravelJunkie #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad

0
0

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BLUE LOLLIPOP ROAD!

YIPPEE!!!

Today is Wednesday October 16, and this makes b-day number 5 for BLR. Let’s celebrate!

Cupcake anyone?!

She-Daisy Cupcakery Cupcake

This is the perfect time to write about the above de-lish treat (sun drop pound cake with a sun drop glaze and lemon buttercream) that Wendi, Owner of She Daisy Cupcakery gifted me a few weeks ago after she bought a pair of my vintage Frye boots. (Craigslist rocks.) So yeah, I took a treat from a stranger. (I seem to keep breaking all those rules our parents told us to live by.) Wendi was a blast to talk to. She quit a career that was blah, followed her passion to the land of things sweet- and voila a cupcake company! Another good story about a random encounter with a hard-working, inspiring person who followed their heart. I love being able to share about these kind of people here.

Without a doubt the best part of these past 5 years on the Blue Lollipop Road, has been meeting new people, the kindness of strangers, and spending time with those already in my life that I love. What else is there, really?

Ahhh- yes, the people I’ve met along the way, who share similar interests:

Million Mile Joe

Hood River, Oregon travel people

Allen & Judy Kirkwood on Alaska Ferry Boat

Meet Jack Burrows: Blue Lollipop Road

…the cities I’ve fallen in love with:

Chicago skyline from my apartment

Toronto view

…my various office locations:

Blue Benn Diner Office

Coffee Shop Office

Finger Lakes Office

My BLR Chicago Office

Coffee Shop Office

Coffee Shop Patio Office

…the food I’ve noshed on:

Chicago Brunch de-lish

Food truck tacos

Bongo Room Pancakes

Blue Benn Diner breakfast appetizer

…the places that’ve helped me find the way back to myself:

Thank you Argentina! I found myself again

…the signs that make me laugh:

Signs at The Chocolate Barn

Signs In Bathrooms

Upstate, NY Road Signs

Farmer's Market

Funny Signs: Blue Lollipop Road

Funny Signs: Blue Lollipop Road

…the excitement, energy, and adorable kids (and adults) who keep the Strong Mojo alive:

BLR Play It Forward Day 2012

Ben & Sam with blue tongues

The Carter Girls playing mini gold in BLR tees

Blue Lollipop Kids!

Caleb & Carter with blue tongues

Scott & Sierra love blue lollipops

…the adventure from coast to coast and beyond:

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

BLR-Mobile at the Alaska Border

BLR in Bermuda

The original Blue Lollipop Road: Cafayete, Argentina

Henna in India

Bermuda sights

Iquazu Falls, Argentina

London

"Crabbing" in Ketchikan, Alaska

…the lessons I’ve learned:

BLR inspiration

…the special friends I’ve reconnected with:

BLR Play It Forward Day 2012

BLR Play It Forward 2013

BLR PLay It Forward Day 2012

BLR PLay It Forward Celebration Cocktails 2013

…honoring lost friends by giving back to hometown female athletes, so they have the opportunity to go out and see a bigger world too:

BLR Memorial Scholarship recipients Hannah Patterson & Mercedes Chen

(Above left 2012 Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship recipient Hannah Patterson, and 2013 recipient Mercedes Chen at a recent soccer game:)

…events with good friends in beloved landmarks:

Cubs at Wrigley!

…the strangers out there who’re also on the Blue Lollipop Road:

BLR partners in crime

…the freedom I have found and felt:

Finding freedom on the Blue Lollipop Road

Finding freedom on the Blue Lollipop Road

…the truths I’ve come to know and trust:

Knowing what makes me richer

…the journeys and daydreaming in the sky:

Plane ride to Bermuda

…and on the road:

VA farm country

…the cheesy places I’ve been:

BLR-Mobile at South of the Border

…and the beautiful:

Napa hot air balloon mornings

…the nicknames I’ve acquired:

Nicknames

…knowing that there will always be bumps, so I better strap in tight:

Buckle up on the BLR

…never losing faith in things that I hope for:

I think so too

Things I wish

…and to wherever, and whatever- the road leads to next:

The Blue Lollipop Road

5 years ago today I drove down a road in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and “Blue Lollipop Road” popped ever so randomly into my head as I was brainstorming a best way to share my stories with more than just family and close friends. Who knew this is what it would become! I’ve managed all the above on a shoestring budget and with no plan whatsoever. I didn’t grow up with a trust fund, I never spent my childhood jet-setting the globe with my parents (I barely made it out of the state of Vermont until I was 15), I’ve never taken any writing or computer classes (I’m sure that is very obvious considering my regular grammatical errors and other:), and at the risk of sounding so cliche’- I’m just a small town wildly curious kid, that came from humble beginnings, learned in an heartbreaking incident at a very young age how short life is, and since then have decided that every day is a chance and a choice to live like I mean it. During my journeys on this Blue Lollipop Road, I’ve learned things that’ve absolutely changed my perspective and my life as a whole, I’ve seen places that’ve taken my breath away, and I’ve met people I wouldn’t have been able to in my wildest dreams- all because of this platform. Now that is something to celebrate!

I’ve written and shared here in and effort to keep myself in check and awake about what’s really important, to prevent myself from falling into the drone-zone, and to remember all the things that are possible. I hope by visiting here, you stay fired-up about life, like a kid in a candy store too.

Here’s to the next 5 years, and to going for it all.

What are you celebrating today?

#HappyBirthday #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #ThisIsWhatILove

0
0

in honor of national taco day…

…I thought I’d share a few photos from one of my favorite noshing spots in Chicago: Big Star.

Big Star Chicago

Even though I pretend to be vegetarian, I am all about Big Star’s Tacos al Pastor. In fact, I’ve always eaten that one so fast when I’m there- I don’t even have a photo.

Dear Cilantro & Pineapple

I love you.

~Diane

My veggie tostada shot will have to do:

Big Star Chicago

(To all of you carnivores out there…you win on this one. The marinated pork of a Taco al Pastor pretty leaves anything veggie in the dust.)

Besides great tacos, there are lots of good drinks and colorful, sassy employees at Big Star too:

Big Star Chicago

The bathroom is even fun:

Big Star Chicago

(I’m realizing I take a lot of photos in bathrooms. Funny considering I’m a germaphobe.)

Oh how I love and miss you and your food Chicago!

Where’s your favorite taco joint??

#NationalTacoDay #BigStar #ChicagoEats #FoodPorn

0
0

because today national doughnut day

Because I too believe good things come in pink boxes:

VooDoo Doughnut pink boxes

Because I think having to decide on what DE-LISH to pick at a place like VooDoo Doughnuts in Portland, Oregon is nearly impossible, but so much fun:

VooDoo Doughnuts Menu Portland, OR

And finally, because the only thing that could possibly rival my Oreo with Nutella obsession- is an Oreo doughnut drizzled with peanut butter. (With a side of a yet another doughnut rolled in Captain Crunch of course.):

VooDoo Doughnuts Captain Crunch and Oreo Peanut Butter

Yeah, that.

I had no trouble eating these both on my visit to VooDoo during the summer of 2010 During my Alaska or Bust adventure. Holy yum-fest. If I were only on the west coast right now…

Happy National Doughnut Day!

0
0

no wonder why tuition is so high these days

Nutella lovers unite!

It looks like Columbia students and I are in the same tribe. (The chocolate loving tribe that is.) Check out this article out today. Heads up all you college coeds: Add some Oreo’s to your Nutella obsession:

Diane noshing on Oreo's and Nutella

…and the university will be busting the budget even more to keep supplies in stock for your chocolate hazelnut cravings.

I say if you’re going to spend upwards of $60k a year for school, the least that institution should provide is an unlimited supply of whatever treat strikes your fancy and keeps you studying. (And smiling.)

 

0
0

we like mighty fresh foods

Another sponsor has stepped up for BLR Play It Forward!

Meet Mighty Food Farm:

Might Food Farm logo

We are so lucky to have not one but two local farms in our sponsor lineup for our big event. Yay for farm fresh food and Vermont Farms that help keep us all feeling playing our best and healthiest!

Thank you for your generosity Mighty Food! Your sponsorship is going to help us put on the best event ever! We LOVERMONT.

0
0

we are your team…

…for the Rand McNally/USA TODAY Best of the Road rally 2012!

Why?

Because we can finish a Ben & Jerry’s Vermonster no problem!

The Peacock's at Ben & Jerry's

Talk about being able to hang!

Welcome to the world of the Peacock’s. Sure, Mom and I had some help on this giant bucket o’ goodness, but we are not afraid and we like a good challenge! We finished:

20 scoops of ice cream

4 bananas

4 cookies

4 brownies

Nuts

Various chocolate toppings and tidbits

Hot fudge

Whipped cream

Boo-yah!

Mamma Peacock and I are ready to take on whatever other buckets of goodness are out there in Small Town America, so VOTE FOR US! Team Blue Lollipop Road!

Where do you want to send us to find the good treats?

0
0