Moving to Virginia

Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you know that there won’t be a recipe this week, or next Tuesday either. Our family is in the middle of moving from Pensacola, Florida to Norfolk, Virginia; in fact, today is the day where the movers come and load up all of our boxes. Later this week we’ll start our extended drive through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina before settling into our new home in Virginia late next week. Along the way, we’ll stop and visit our friend Sarah (aka The Paleo Mom) and her family, and a couple other friends who live near the route we take.

After 17+ years in the Navy, and over a dozen deployments, I’m fairly competent at moving across the country – but it still leaves me with a sense of melancholy each time it happens. When we first moved to Florida in 2014, we were a family of three; upon leaving, we’re a family of four, with Elliott joining us about a year and a half ago (the picture above is the photo I took with the boys for Father’s Day this past weekend). We’ve made a lot of great friends, and one of the many wonderful things about the age we live in is that they’re only a click/text/Skype away.

From a cooking and writing perspective, I’ve hit a few milestones over these past few years – I wrote my second cookbook, made the NYT bestseller list, started a third cookbook, and embarked on a book tour that spanned three months and 13 states. I’m excited to see what Virginia has in store for our family.

So I’ll see you folks in a couple weeks, once the hubbub of moving has died down and I can acclimate to my new kitchen. In the meantime, be sure to enjoy the summer weather – and while you’re at it, check out some of my favorite summertime recipes:

Ahi Poke
Gazpacho Cold Vegetable Soup)
Ital Stew
Grilled Romaine Salad
Vietnamese Chicken and Cabbage Salad
Huli-Huli Chicken Wings
Argentenian-style Tri-Tip with Chimichurri
Pad Priew Wan Goong (Thai Sweet and Sour Stir-Fry with Shrimp)

15 thoughts on “Moving to Virginia”

  2. Best wishes on your move and thank you for your service. My son (an ensign in the Navy) recently moved from Charleston to Saratoga Springs, NY. It isn’t an easy process! Look forward to your new posts and recipes. Joan Stevermer

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  3. Yay you are going to love it here!! I moved to Virginia Beach in 1998 due to the military and decided to stay. Welcome!!

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  4. Russ, Welcome to Virginia!  I live in Williamsburg and used to work in Norfolk and Va. Beach.  (I work at home now as a book editor.)  There are a lot of great places that you and your family will enjoy once you get settled in our area (now known as Hampton Roads; called Tidewater, Virginia in the “old days”).  My youngest brother was in the Navy for 8 years but never managed to get stationed here.  He was in FL, NY, and San Diego and toured the NF base when he visited.  He also came for the NAS Oceana Air Show (in Sept.).  Maybe they do a similar air show in Pensacola, but I’d imagine your boys would enjoy this one.http://www.oceanaairshow.com/

    If you do any local book signings or events, please spread the news.  I belong to a local writers group known as Chesapeake Bay Writers, and if you’d be interested in speaking at a meeting anytime, I bet they would love to have you.  If you’re interested, let me know and I can tell you more about the group and put you in touch with the officers.  There is a book festival in Wmsbg. in October that could be a good venue for promoting your books because it attracts a mix of tourists and locals (link below).http://www.williamsburgbookfestival.org/

    Good luck with the move, and let me know if I can help with any further info about the area. Best,Tanya

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  10. Virginia is the “sweet spot” of the east cost! I look forward to your take the local dishes (red-eye gravy comes to mind).

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  12. Exciting news! I can’t wait to hear your recommendations for great local food/places to eat etc…
    It’s a good thing you’re already used to the heat!
    ~Jackie

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