Sunday, July 31, 2011

Stay Tuned!

Lately I have disappeared from the blog world, abusing my blog and my love of writing about travel.  My busy schedule has worn be down a bit making me lack the motivation to blog.  While I think this is a horrid excuse myself, I have also been thinking of a new idea and here it is--hosting my own mini-series about travel.

I have career dreams, and this one is a crazy one that I will always strive for even if I don't reach it.  I would love to host my own travel show on the Travel Channel opening the eyes of viewers to see beauty in very popular places, but also the "hidden gems" you wouldn't expect.

So here it is, my first episode.  It's short and give you a brief synopsis of what this series will entail.  More episodes will be coming regularly a few times a week.  Please watch, stay tuned, and feel free to comment or suggest things!  Enjoy!

Caitlin Takes on the World -Introduction: "Just a Small Town Girl"


Saturday, July 30, 2011

What's for dinner?

The age old question of what's for dinner.  This week I got to experience two dinners inspired by two different regions miles from where I live.

My aunt and uncle from Louisiana are in town for the week, and my uncle being born and raised Louisiana thought it was only appropriate to share his love of Cajun food.  My aunt served us all with some homemade jambalaya, craw fish pie, and Cajun shrimp.  Since I'm not a huge fan of fish, I passed on the craw fish pie--even though everyone else said it was absolutely delicious.  I did eat the rest though.  The Cajun shrimp was amazing, perfect kick of spices and southern zing, just how one may imagine Cajun food making your taste buds go wild.  The jambalaya was a nice pallate cleanser, neutralizing the spices of the Cajun shrimp.  Altogether, a wonderful southern home style meal.

This week, I also took my love of Italian food and created a delicious meal for my mother and I while my dad was out golfing (he missed out!). 

So for inquiring minds, here's my little recipe to make a delicious Summer Pesto Pasta.  Also a healthy meal!

You will need:
One garlic clove
Basil
Whole wheat thin spaghetti or capellini
Feta cheese
Cherry tomatoes
Zucchini
Pesto Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil

-Boil whole wheat thin spaghetti or capellini until it is al dente (moderately soft, still semi-chewy.)

-Peel & slice a zucchini, place round slices on a cookie sheet (sprayed with cooking spray).  Drizzle some olive oil over top, season with pepper and basil.  Broil in the oven for 10 minutes on eat side.

-Slice cherry tomatoes into fourths.

-Once zucchini is finished, let cool for 5 minutes and cut into halves or fourths depending on size.

-After pasta is drained, mix in enough pesto sauce to coat the spaghetti.  It's not meant to be overly covered in sauce.

-Mix in feta cheese, the cut cherry tomatoes, basil, fresh pressed garlic, pepper, salt, and zucchini.

Enjoy!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Where have I gone?

Where have I gone?  Somewhere you would think since I've disappeared from my blog for about a month.  Sadly, I have not gone anywhere except to work.  The energy and motivation to write great posts hasn't been as exciting as usual, mostly because I'm exhausted.  But I'm not here to complain.

This girl has some new and coming ideas to my wonderful blog readers (and in hopes to attract more!)  The past few days I have been gearing up to launch a photo site as well as a YouTube channel.  I will be bringing my readers beautiful pictures that yours truly has taken--and maybe a few I find of places I have yet to go.  I will also be starting a mini-series on my YouTube channel covering tips, ideas, jobs, hidden gems, and so on which are all travel related.

Stay posted and don't give up on me yet!  I'm finding more time to get back to it all and keep you all up on the latest in travel.  Get excited and enjoy any travels you have this summer!