Visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

The Mighty Muffuletta Recipe

February 28, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

New Orleans is one of the greatest food destinations in the world, and the muffuletta sandwich is one of the most quintessential foods in New Orleans. Although many imitations exist, there’s nothing better in my book than the original Central Grocery muffuletta recipe. Here’s my take on the muffuletta sandwich recipe, inspired by Nola Cuisine, […]

Muffuletta Olive Salad Recipe

February 27, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

In the movie, “Swingers,” Trent attempts to charm a woman by bragging that his buddy is “the guy… behind the guy… behind the guy.” Applied to the iconic New Orleans muffuletta sandwich, the olive salad is most certainly “the guy… behind the guy… behind the guy.” It’s the integral piece of puzzle. Or… as long […]

King Cake Macaron Recipe for Mardi Gras

February 24, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

It’s been two years since I posted a proper macaron recipe and even longer since I celebrated a proper Mardi Gras. Put ‘em together and whaddya got? Here’s my King Cake macaron recipe just in time for Fat Tuesday. The King Cake is an essential part of any Mardi Gras celebration. Honoring the Three Kings […]

Breakfast at the Farmhaus

February 10, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

It was the middle of February up in Leelanau County, and we were facing a week of hurricane-strength winds and several feet of snow. Knowing the roads would be terrible in the impending blizzard, we hit Hansen’s to stock up on food and snacks, before hunkering down in the Modern Farmhaus to get our hygge […]

Whistler Photos via Instagram

February 9, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

Whistler is in my top 5 favorite getaways. I’ve spent a couple weeks there and barely even scratched the surface. Here are some Whistler photos from 2016’s visit, courtesy of my dumb cell phone and Instagram.

2007 Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello

February 3, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

Earlier this week, my old UVA compadre, Alexis Ohanian, posted a heartfelt Open Letter to the Reddit Community, discussing the role immigration has played in his own family. It’s a great piece, and I’d encourage you to read it for yourself. (Don’t skip the comments!) One thing he mentioned was the experience of witnessing people […]

Barack Obama’s 2009 Presidential Inauguration

January 20, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

Here are some photographs I took at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. Eight years ago I sat alongside 1.8 million people in the before-dawn darkness on the National Mall. Temperatures were in the low 20s (°F), and sitting on the ground made it even colder. It was so chilly that we were huddling […]

How to park overnight in Whistler Blackcomb

January 12, 2017 · by Justin Hankins

If you’re traveling to Whistler in the winter and staying for an extended period of time, you’ll soon discover that hotel rates for overnight parking in Whistler push beyond $39/day. That’s ~$300 bucks for a week’s worth of parking you could otherwise spend eating waffles and feeding Whisky Jacks! Boooo! Unfortunately, the cheaper day-lot Whistler […]

The time I made a bouquet for my friend’s wedding

May 6, 2015 · by Justin Hankins

Last week I received a text from a long-time cheerleader of my work: “I’m getting married! Can you believe it?? We’re going to the Justice of the Peace. Reception later this year. Wanna take a photo?” The message was from my friend, Rhiannon, whose path crossed mine by chance back in the spring of 2009. […]