Silver Linings

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We’ve only been home from Aruba for a week and a half, but I miss it.

Aruba sky and palm trees

Our vacation already feels like a long-lost distant memory, but it’s only been 10 days.

I was going through my photos and was lusting after the beach.

Aruba beach with ships

Then again, don’t we all lust after a white sandy beach with turquoise water?

Well, some people claim they don’t like hot weather or are they’re not a “beach person” but I’m pretty sure being here is better than a trip to the dentist.

Aruba beach down coast

But let’s look at the silver linings of being home.

Food that I can only buy here such as Pepper Jelly is one such silver lining because I love this stuff.  A dab of cream cheese and a dab of pepper jelly on just about anything from crackers to carrot sticks and I’m very happy.

Jar of trader joe's hot and sweet pepper jelly

Another silver lining is that I’ve really been enjoying cooking and baking this past week in my kitchen.  Not having to sweat to death when cooking is nice, too.  (No A/C in my 85F+ Caribbean kitchen)

Having a dishwasher is a perk.

Kitchen

And it was nice to eat White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cookies in bed while watching the Real Housewives, Patti the Millionaire Matchmaker and Andy Cohen Reunion two-part episodes, and Top Chef Texas episodes that I missed while I was gone and that were piled up on my DVR.

Stack of white chocolate snickerdoodle cookies

Eating cookies while laying in bed with Bravo reality shows cued up is almost as good as laying on the beach.

Aruba beach sand with beach chairs and umbrellas

I’ll count it as a silver lining.

And on top of that, it’s been absolutely gorgeous in San Diego the past few days but on Wednesday is was especially nice and unseasonably warm and in the low 80s.  It was glorious.

Pink flowers

The other silver lining is that Skylar did wonderfully on her first day at her new school yesterday.

Her teacher left a note affixed to her lunch box that said, “Skylar had a great first day!” which was such a relief to me.  Also hearing Skylar recount the events of her day and be so excited by it all, but also fairly un-phased about the change, was fabulous.  I couldn’t have asked for a better first day and the comments I got from all of you on the post were really, really appreciated.  I was a ball of nerves yesterday!

Have you experienced any silver linings or bright spots today or recently?

I know the winter weather, the post-holiday doldrums, being back at the grind can be kind of humdrum, but hopefully something has given you a little pep in your step.

Looks like the NuNaturals Stevia Giveaway is a silver lining for some of you.

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Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Comments

  1. I just took a similar picture of my toes overlooking the Caribbean water!

    I’ve been home only 2 days, but I already miss it!

  2. Oh my goodness, Averie! Are you okay? I am so sorry. As a mater of fact, I just came back from a run where took a tumble, too, so I feel your pain. We must be in sync. ;)

  3. Cream cheese and pepper jelly are a match made in heaven!!

    The snow is melting and it is the warmest winter we have ever had (as far back as I can remember), so that is a silver lining in itself.

  4. I love the Pepper Jelly with cream cheese, so simple and so good!! I would miss Aruba too, it looks so beautiful!

  5. Aruba just looks INSANELY perfect! Oh my goodness. I’d be missing it too. Although, you’re in San Diego where we have life pretty easy, huh?

    Those cookies look amazing! Where is the place you’re living in now?

  6. Gorgeous pics, but SD is pretty nice too. :-) Silver lining for me is a short week and unseasonably dry and warm weather for the weekend.

  7. OMG, that looks beautiful! We are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow and I can not wait for the warm weather, fruity drinks, and beautiful beaches. It was 20 here today in NYC, burrrrrr! I am so excited to get back to warm weather!

  8. Glad Skylar’s first day went well, what a cutie!

    SoCal’s weather has been AMAZING this week! Every time I walk out of my apartment I wonder if I’m in Mexico! :)

  9. Hehe we watch the same shows ;)

    I’m also back from my vacation and the bright spot I have is that it’s nice to be back to a familiar daily routine!

  10. During our Jamaican honeymoon last month, we were already planning our next trip so I know how you feel. It’s like everything in between my travels is fluff. Ok maybe that’s an exageration :)

  11. I love a sandy beach, white or not…I love turquoise water & laying in the sun. I’m definitely a beach person, and those photos from Aruba definitely make me happier just looking at them!

  12. So glad Skylar’s first day went well. Kids are so much more resilient than we are I think. Plus, she just seems like one happy kid. What wouldn’t other kids like about that? :)

  13. oh definitely a silver lining. I am beach bum for sure, i lived in hawaii for that reason! But now that we are in NZ i do my my own kitchen. I don’t miss the cold! haha.

  14. I am leaving to go back to college in 2 days. I have to make the 1000 mile trip from NY to AL and am totally dreading it and getting back into school zone. However, I only have one semester left! So, what am I complaining about? After all, I’m sure next year I will miss being an undergrad :)

    1. Trader Joe’s but you can find pepper jelly in most grocery stores in the condiments section by asian sweet and sour sauces; or sometimes the jelly aisle.