Des Fleurs

I've been thinking, I had a conversation with a friend the other week about where I would live if I could live anywhere in the United States. I instinctively said that I would love to move back to the Northwest (I also said a little too quickly that I didn't want to stay in Utah--probably a bad move since they are from around here). But as I thought more about it I thought about two things.

First, I am a firm believer that everyone is entirely to blame for their happiness or unhappiness. Its probably cliche to say that you choose your attitude, but really you are entirely as happy/creative/interested/more adjectives as you choose to be.

Also,

I thought about how I am graduating and probably leaving this place, and all the things I will miss about it.

And actually I did have a third thought. It goes along the lines of the Matisse quote

"Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir."

Portland has a more obvious quirkiness about it, but it's exciting that there are new and interesting places to see and experiences to be had everywhere if you are looking for them.

Some of my thoughts were inspired by this picture from the infamous Portland Waffle Window:

Doesn't this 3B waffle look delicious (that's basil, brie, and bacon!). I love Portland for its quirky places like this but although Portland is more overt in its uniqueness I've found some favorites right here in Provo (Please do not read further if you are hungry!):

Sammy's is one of my favorite places to hang out (late at night preferably), they are known for their pie and cupcake shakes (just think about a whole piece of pie or an entire cupcake in a milkshake!), but they also have great burgers and sweet potato fries. They also usually have a great soundtrack going and the people who work there are all really friendly. My tip: ask for Carmel for your sweet potato fries instead of ketchup or fry sauce--trust me, its

good.

and yes, those are entire cupcakes (from another great place, sweet tooth fairy bakery) in the shakes.

One of my other Provo favorites is pricier, but well worth the money in my opinion. Communal is a small restaurant that tries to use local organic ingredients as much as possible, and they really know what they are doing. This restaurant also has a great atmosphere albeit more sophisticated. I went a little crazy on the pictures, but I really had to hold back not to put them all up.

oh, po

tatoes au grati

n.

ah, steak with blue cheese butter

Although I usually enjoy vegetables I usually don't rave about them; but this acorn squash with apple and thyme was definitely worthy of one.

And you can ask Jacque and she will tell you that I was kept talking about this painting.

This post

is already pretty

long so I will stop with just two of my favorite places to eat, but expect more of my Provo discoveries to come. And maybe even some adventures from Denver, that place I am going this weekend!