Hello there. What's with the lack of recipes, you ask? Well, I've been in Texas for the past week visiting my lovely family and friends. I've missed them. I've missed the Texas skies. I've missed my old stomping grounds. I'm such a nostalgic sucker, always yearning for the past.

I've been in the Dallas area for most of my trip since my family lives here, but I did drive down to Austin for two days to visit some of my wonderful friends from college.

So what have I done? I've stayed up until 2 in the morning talking, reminiscing, and drinking Ruby Redbirds with my friend of 13 years. I've been stuffing my face full of meat: burgers, tacos, sausages, mom's bbq ribs, meat-filled kolaches, and the like. I've gone to a cocktail bar inside a hostel, hidden behind a sliding bookcase. I've marched in a gay pride parade with three amazing friends down 6th & 7th streets in Austin. I've danced at a crazy outdoor dance party. I've met up with old friends after years gone by and felt like it was just yesterday that we last saw each other. I've made my little brother a key lime pie. I've been rejected by my family's feral cat (it's okay, she's not as cool as my cats). And most of all, I've been enjoying my time with the people I love, because ultimately, isn't that the only thing that really matters in the story of life?

Enjoy the pictures, I'll be back with recipes asap, I promise.