After two full weeks back home in the States, we’ve been back for over two weeks now and I’m finally sitting down to reflect. While the trip itself was packed with meaningful moments, most of our time was spent doing what matters most — being with family, reconnecting with friends, and soaking up time together.
Rather than trying to recap every day, I wanted to highlight a few standout plates and places that made this trip especially memorable. Food has a way of anchoring memories, and this visit was full of moments worth revisiting — one plate, drink and table at a time.
Pennsylvania: Rest, Reunions, and a Slow Start
We kicked off the trip with a very long travel day to Pennsylvania, which meant the first few days were all about resting, resetting, and easing back into home life. That included lots of quiet time, dog walks, and plenty of delicious food.
One of the best reunions was with my girl — my black lab — who has settled beautifully into life with her cousins and truly become part of the pack. Those early days were filled with family, catching up on life, and enjoying the comfort of familiar routines.
This stretch also included a perfect Thanksgiving dinner — complete with mimosas, rum punch, and all the festive foods — along with the warmth and togetherness that make holidays at home so special.
Delaware: Friends, Family, and Full Hearts
From Pennsylvania, we headed to Delaware for what turned into the busiest part of the trip. We started with a long-overdue friend get-together. We were surrounded by close friends and their kids, and the house was full of fabulous food, amazing energy, and nonstop conversation and laughter.
This visit included another Thanksgiving celebration paired with an early Christmas, all rolled into one unforgettable day. It was a true family-style gathering — a table full of food, a blaze of festive family games, and the kind of love that only comes from shared history and deep connection.
A Celebration Worth Savoring (Bottomless Brunch)
One of the best “plate” highlights of our time in Delaware truly deserved its own moment. We celebrated two of my favorite people who had just gotten married with a bottomless brunch at Spain Wine Bar, that was equal parts celebratory and indulgent.
The setting, the service, the menu, and the view over the water made the experience truly magical. From peach Bellinis to cava, tequila, and beautifully crafted mocktails, the drinks were just the beginning. Our server dove straight into the food, sending out tapas in a slow, perfectly curated order — moving us effortlessly from savory to sweet (most pictured below).
We started with fresh bread and the jam of the day — orange marmalade — alongside a cheese board, fresh fruit, and crab deviled eggs. From there, the plates kept coming: bacon-wrapped dates and tender flank steak topped with a chimichurri sauce and a sunny-side-up egg.
Next up were grilled chorizo, smoked Black Forest bacon, and classic biscuits and gravy, followed by crispy fried potatoes served with tomato sauce and creamy garlic aioli, Spanish croquettes, and rich goat cheese polenta topped with shrimp and seafood gravy. The chorizo and cheese hash brown tots were so good we ordered a second round — and somehow never got a picture (😂).
We rounded out the savory selections with avocado toast topped with a fried egg, crab Benedict, and Serrano Benedict before transitioning into a short but very satisfying sweet finish. Spanish-style French toast topped with fresh fruit, Catalan cream, and local maple syrup was joined by churros with caramel drizzle, pumpkin pie, and a simple yet perfectly executed waffle.
It was one of those meals where everything hits just right — unhurried, indulgent, and the perfect way to celebrate love, friendship, and being together.
In Between Moments: Catch-ups and Comfort
In between the bigger gatherings, the days were filled with simple catch-ups that made being home feel complete — meeting friends for drinks, cozy meals out and in, and even a workout coffee date. Stopping by my previous workplace was also a comforting reminder of how familiar everything still feels and how connected I remain, even from afar.
Mixed into all of that were quieter moments too — spending time with my cats, who are very well loved and taken care of, and sneaking in a quick session of pickleball. Small moments, but the kind that ground you and make a trip home feel just right.
Back to Pennsylvania: One Last Round
We wrapped things up back in Pennsylvania with more quality time — family dinners, an annual Christmas shopping day in Hershey, more dog walks, and a beautiful family get-together that felt like the perfect way to close out a heart warming trip.
The shopping day in particular came with some great restaurant highlights worth sharing, including a delicious lunch at First Watch. Their great 2 For You deal was a no brainer — who doesn’t love a choose-your-own combo of salad, sandwich or soup? We all ended up going that route, but the real indulgence came first. Freshly made donut holes served over a bed of cream cheese sauce, drizzled with chocolate, and topped with strawberries and powdered sugar were impossible to resist. A shared pitcher of blackberry bramble sangria rounded out the meal perfectly.
After lunch, we made our way to Snitz Creek Brewery for a few drinks and a quick snack before heading home. The atmosphere was cozy and festive, with Christmas lights glowing near a crackling fire. We enjoyed ourselves so much that one round easily turned into two — an easy, joyful way to close out such a full day.
Closing Thoughts
This blog took me longer to write than expected, simply because returning from such a deeply heartwarming trip brought up so much emotion. Reflecting on each moment — both big and small — kept pulling me back, reminding me how much I wanted to return almost as soon as we left.
It was a powerful reminder of how lucky I am to have a place that feels so deeply like home — no matter how much time has passed — one I know I’ll return to again one day soon. For now, I’m incredibly grateful to continue this chapter from the UK, embracing life in a different way — one filled with new places, new experiences, and of course, new plates along the way.
Plates n Places 