I have arrived.

In Austin, I mean.

After spending four days in a car with a good friend, I am finally here. The room is full of my stuff, piles and piles of things stacked on top of more things, as I shove my way into my sister and brother-in-law’s life.

Imagine me dancing into your life with jazz hands. That is how I feel– HERE I AM!! I shout as I wiggle my way into their world. Hound dog included. I suppose it is a nice package to find? Maybe?

Needless to say, the road trip was long. Really long. It also involved surviving on mixed nuts and carrot sticks. We had one real meal when we found ourselves in a small kitchen in Colorado where our friend’s Matt and Kelsey threw together homemade pizza (dough included). They even made a kale salad on the side and my own vegan pizza. Best hosts ever.

It is funny when you see someone after not seeing them for a year, and both of your lives have been flipped upside down. You have taken on new adventures, new people, new lives– and all of it is so good. Seeing such joy and new plans for the future lifted up my soul. What a good stop along the way to my brand new adventure.

And now here I am. Laying on an air mattress covered in sweat and dirt and one too many bug bites (perhaps the West Nile is already seeping into my blood– is that how it works?). I moved to Austin in such a rush in anticipation for a farm apprenticeship. Today was the first day. I spent the morning weeding and chatting with people who know, love and can’t help but spread the knowledge about this town. The restaurants to try, the swimming holes to go to, the hikes to take. These are good people. This is a good place.

I saw a spider bigger than I cared to see, and crickets flew at me from every direction. I harvested peppers that taste like sweet and smell like honey. I drank more water then I have in a long time and dealt with the 95 degree heat like a champ (everyone else commented on how “cool” it was…oh man).

Yes. I think I can handle this life. I think that I can nestle down into this town, make myself a life here. A life filled with fresh produce and eggs, a life with bikes on the front porch and a black dog who just can’t seem to stop panting.

Welcome home.

Homemade Pizza Dough

* adapted from Gotta Little Space to Fill blog

This dough is awesome. It only takes 10 minutes to rise, tastes like heaven, and watching my friend Matt hurry around the kitchen and show off his bulk flour and yeast was the cutest. I will think of this recipe with a fond heart.

1 packet yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
cornmeal

Preheat oven to 400F. In a large bowl, combine the yeast and warm water and stir until the yeast dissolves. Add the flour, salt, honey and olive oil; stir to combine using first a wooden spoon then your hands. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle baking sheet with cornmeal and press dough into it to your desired thickness. Top with your toppings and bake for approximately half an hour or until crust is golden, toppings are heated through and cheese is bubbly.