Let me just tell you.... these nuts are impossible to find.

This whole fiasco started on our first day in London. The very second we stepped off the train platform at Waterloo Station, to be exact. I have very little, to no sense of direction. Nathan had been to London before, so I instantly gave him the google maps app on my phone to search for our Air b&b. Our air b&b was located about 1 mile away. Nathan had his backpack and was ready to go. Me? Not so much.

Interjection: Here is a travel tip for you. Don't bring a rolling suitcase to Europe. Cobble stones are not user friendly.

Long story short, we passed a bar called the "Hole in the Wall", took a left and saw the London Eye, then another left. After 45 minutes of walking around, we ended up back at the "Hole in the Wall." We were left laughing for a few minutes then headed back out.

We finally reached our Air b&b. Slightly exhausted from the jet leg, but ready to head out to the city and get some food. Our final destination? The Millennium Bridge.

After chowing down on some amazing Korean Boa, we made our way to London's pedestrian only bridge. We watched the most phenomenal street performers, and took typical tourist photos while "trying" not to butcher bad attempts at British accents.

There we were: standing on the (oh so Nathan talked up) bridge. As we walked across, you could smell cinnamon and sugar roasted nuts. Nathan's eyes lit up larger than I've ever seen. He was so excited and wanted these treats so badly! We realized neither of us had any cash on us besides american debit cards, so he walked away. You could secretly tell he was disappointed.

Fast forward to day 4 in London. Our last day before leaving for Scotland. In other words, we are into 4 days without these roasted nuts. So, I thought to myself "We have an hour before we have to catch our train, so I'm going to try and surprise Nathan with getting him these nuts he loves." The problem is there was only one suspected ATM in a 2 mile radius, so I dragged him through the London waterfront, down some side streets, and into a back ally way all in the attempt to try to impress him and play it cool. Then of course, like any proper modern romantic comedy: it failed. Miserably.

There was no ATM where google maps said there was (we've all been there with Map Apps). By now, it's 30 minutes from when we need to be at our train and I can tell Nate is getting worried. So I spoiled the surprise and told him what I was trying to do. You could tell how much he loved the gesture but still left empty handed. So we grabbed a taxi and headed to the train station.

Fear not though: I hatched an evil plan (or maybe it was the excessive amount of whiskey and cider flowing through my veins). Anyways, I was way to determined and stubborn to give up that easily. We were planning to be back in London for a morning before our flight home. I plotted to get pounds (English currency) and take him to the bridge again to get these nuts.

Fast forward again: we are back from Scotland and making our way to the Millennium Bridge once again as our familiar stomping grounds. I planned to stop and get nuts this time with 5 pounds in my pocket.

We finally made it to the bridge and it was too early for any vendors to be on the bridge so we walked away again without nuts. At this point we had both given up and were anxious to get home. Nathan dropped me a hint: Multnomah falls in Oregon (about 30 minutes away from where we live) had the same roasted nuts.

When we arrived back in Portland, I had two goals: much needed sleep and find these Roasted Nuts.

So I drove to Multnomah Falls. Clearly I want this guy to like me or something. But there were no nuts like Nathan had said, so I got out of the car and enjoyed the scenery instead.

I had completely given up. Then I had an idea: "I'm just going to google how to make these." Anyone who knows me, knows my cooking skills are minimal. When I say minimal, I mean toast.... that's it. So, I got all the ingredients, and laid out the nuts on a baking sheet covered in cinnamon, sugar and butter. How much more healthy can you get?

Here is a quick peek at the recipe I used.

They seemed to turn out semi-ok, but nothing like the google picture. I packed them up and took them to surprise Nate. HE LOVED THEM! (or at least pretended to).

Either way, let's be honest... he's stuck with me now like sticky, roasted almonds.

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