Frank, catching a sunset on Instagram.
1. Instagram. So I’m way late to the party on this, but I’ve completely fallen for Instagram, and it has been fun to see our goings on documented elsewhere. I have a love-hate relationship with social media (ironic, considering how much I love blogging), but I finally caved to Instagram’s call thanks to one key motivator – Frank. Frank is running the Inquiring Chef Instagram page and he’s already captured so many fun moments that I can’t believe we weren’t doing this long ago! Stop by our Instagram page to say hi!
Tea at Erawan Tea Room.
2. Good friends/Good times. There’s just been too much fun to be had around Bangkok lately. Two good friends left a few weeks ago and another two are leaving Bangkok for Japan in December, so we’ve been trying to pack in as many fun things as we can. Sweet Natalie has a Bangkok “to-do” list full of fun things to do before they depart, and I’m quite happy to be along for the ride. Next up – a monster shopping trip to Chatachuk and I’m lobbying for another dinner at Issaya. Recently we met up for tea at the Erawan Tea Room. Tea and snacks galore – yum!
Labor Day weekend at Anantara Si Kao.
3. Beaching. We spent Labor Day weekend with the aforementioned friends who are departing Bangkok so soon and another couple. No weekend time for blogging but plenty of time for lounging in the pool, drinking fruity cocktails, and watching spectacular sunsets. This was a repeat visit for Frank and I to Anantara Si Kao - here's my first post on the resort.
Image from BonAppétit.com
4. Recipes Old and New (just not yet documented). I have been experimenting a ton with new recipes that I’ve found on other sites and making a few of my old favorites. We’ve been eating well ourselves but not “feeding” the blog. Tonight Frank made that incredible Pasta with Chorizo and Chickpeas in the photo above.
5. Work, work, work. Not exactly as exciting as shopping trips and beachside champagne, but it’s the truth. Work has been crazy over the past few weeks, and I leave on Thursday for a trip up to Northern Thailand. Having a regular 9-5 job means blogging happens on evenings and weekends, but as long as my work days have been, I've been more inclined lately to save my evenings and weekends for simple dinners, this book
, the odd episode of Duck Dynasty, and hanging out with Frank.
I’ll be back at it soon - I’ve got loads of recipes that I’ve been testing and tweaking. I’m ready for fake fall, so there will surely be pumpkin and decorative gourds thrown in there for good measure. Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!
Karista
Jess, All excellent reasons for not blogging! 🙂 Looks like you are enjoying life and that's the most important. Speaking of tardy... that would be me. I've never gone so long without a post. Hopefully this week will end the tardiness. I just followed you on instagram. Love the pictures!
Jess
I thought you'd been quiet over there, Karista! But you DID move after all...you have a great excuse!
Liz
Thank you. Nice pictures and good for your hubby - nice job!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker
Great reason not to be blogging Jess! Sounds you had a great time while your friends were visiting. I'm looking forward to reading your recipes that you've been tweaking. Have a great rest of the week! 🙂
Jess
Thanks Anne! Enjoy your week.
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Yay to you joining Instagram. Nothing wrong with a little time off especially when it looks as exciting as yours.
Jess
I'm so loving Instagram, Claire - I'd been peaking in on your page for a while, but it's so much more fun to actually be on the site!
PolaM
I would also blog (even less) if I had half a good reasons as any of yours!
Jess
You've managed to keep blogging through some pretty busy times over the past couple years, Pola!
Isabelle @ Crumb
Any one of those reasons is a perfectly good excuse not to be blogging all that much, let alone all five of them!
We've all been through phases where there's a choice between living life and keeping up with blogging, and goodness me, who in their right mind would choose the blog? (Certainly not me.)
And now I'm running off to find you on Instagram. I'm totally addicted to it... such a fun way to capture moments on the fly.
Jess
You're so right, Isabelle - it's all about balance with this blogging thing! Loving Instagram - what a fun, low-maintenance way to keep in touch!
Ashley
It sounds like you've had some really fun stuff going on lately! I always meant to do a bucket list type thing before we left DC ... but well that never really happened haha oh well!
And PS I kinda love that you watch Duck Dynasty : ) We randomly started watching it after my sister-in-law's husband talked it up ... and now we can't stop!
Jess
You're close enough to DC that you could always take a weekend vacay up there if there are things you miss. I didn't do it before we left DC either, and I still have a list of restaurants I want to go check out and didn't get to.
Duck Dynasty...what can I say - I find it to be totally entertaining!
sally @ sallys baking addiction
All wonderful reasons to not be blogging, Jess. Especially #2. Take a break! And I am obsessed with Instagram!
Erin @ The Emerging Foodie
I've been wondering where you are! 🙂 I feel ya with the full time working and trying to manage a blog. Craziness! But I'm looking forward to all the fun new recipes you're working on!
Jess
It's so worth it, Erin, but sometimes a break is in order!
Allison
Glad you've been enjoying yourself! Your post makes me ache for Thailand again! 🙂
Jess
It's finally cooling off a tad which, as you know, makes it much more enjoyable. We've got lots of visitors coming this fall and that makes me remember all the great things about living here too! We miss you guys!
Tamara Coleman
Your trip looked like a lot of FUN and that sunset was beautiful! We all deserve a break! 🙂 I feel you on social media I actually enjoy Instagram but Twitter is quite confusing for me still. HA!
http://www.prettybitchescancooktoo.com
Jess
Ha! I totally don't get Twitter Tamara!
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
Sometimes a little break from the bloggy world is necessary! I've been on a bit of a hiatus for the last couple of months, and am *finally* making some effort to get back into it. It sounds like you're having a lot of fun (minus the bonkers times at work - I can relate to that too!) so enjoy it while you can!
Jess
You've had very good reason to be a little MIA, Katie. You're right though - I think we all need a break on occasian.