Sweet and Peppery

Last March I purchased several herbs with the intent to "grow my own food."  After re-potting and several attempts at relocating, my basil plant flourished.  I was given specific directives by the AMAZINGLY helpful staff at Shades of Green and I have abided by them diligently.  They told me basil does not appreciate temperatures under 68 degrees.  Given the (however tardy) change in weather the time has come to create something with the copious leaves I was blessed with.  

Rather than freeze the leaves, I decided to make pesto.  I used a recipe from Everyday Italian by Giada de Laurentiis (the second sexiest woman in television...is it weird they are all chefs?).

www.giadadelaurentiis.com

I doubled the recipe since I had over 4 cups of basil leaves.  Admittedly...I over-toasted the pine nuts by about a minute or two but it was not terribly detrimental to the overall flavor.

Next time I will be more mindful about picking the leaves, washing the leaves and allowing them to dry a little more thoroughly.  I tried to soak all the water off them by dabbing them over and over.  They flattened out quite a bit and I just felt sad to see their fluffy spring-i-ness eliminated.  In the end it makes no difference.  However, I imagine excess water could do some damage to the overall finished product.

My food processor and I are slowly entering into a special relationship...similar to the one I've got going on with the Kitchenaid Mix Master.  I grated the Parmigiana myself and it was so fresh and buttery...it was a perfect final addition to the recipe.  

I used part of it over a block of cream cheese for an event I hosted at CBCST last week.  I also lightly coated whole wheat pasta and used it in my crispy chicken wrap.  It was delicious...if I do say so myself and I TRULY believe the fresh aspect made it 100% yummier!  The best part was the satisfaction of growing, creating AND consuming!  Being "green-ish" DOES, in fact, feel pretty sexy!

Back to Square One and Not Ashamed

The inception of this blog is no secret. I needed to mend a broken heart and find my purpose again. I had to find a way to FORCE myself from traveling down Avenue Bitter, permanently and instead make a left hand turn onto Get Up Off Your A** Drive! This blog was step one, campaigning was step two, reading The Shack was step three, forgiving was step four, Bible Study Fellowship was step five, Children's Bereavement Center was step six, The Story was step seven, Janie Worth was step eight....

I am back to square one. It is time to sink or swim. And friends, I am going to fly. Getting back to this blog is step one, actively seeking a campaign (I think I've got one) is step two, taking my tears to the chapel at lunch is step three, Oak Hills Community Church is step four, Silent Auction is step five, Bible Studies are step six, seven AND eight....and I am so excited and humbled to see how many more steps unfold for me through His grace.

I am ready to do the work that needs to be done. I am ready to face the hard realities and shine the light in the shadows I have been ignoring for years. This life is a gift and it is my responsibility to God is to live it to the fullest. It is also my responsibility to live it honestly and with honesty....most importantly to myself.

The last time I was in "this" spot I could not have imagined the majesty that would enter my life. Through mascara stains and swollen eyes I look forward to the gifts that await me.

Today I celebrate Sara, Christine, Jace', Danica, Becca and Rupa for giving me the desire to smile and laugh even when I really didn't want to. I can't be with them and NOT be happy. Today they were God's gifts! And Lisa was God's texting angel. Though a new friend, she has been one who has put a smile on my face every day this week! I am so blessed!

I came across this blog through a blog I previously posted about. The theme is green these days, as you can tell. This blog is a little more practical and offers information that is relevant to green household living. To visit this website click here. And let's just admit it....the design is just precious and catchy! I love it!

"You must always know how long to stay; and when to go." -Patty Griffin

(This is one of, if not my favorite quote in all music.)

Happy Saturday friends. I am off to bed. I am excited to join a Single Adult Bible study tomorrow morning. It will be my first visit! Then off to Bandera, TX with Cory! Road trip! Then...Emmy time with my gals. A full and exciting day.

A Steaming, Heaping Pile.....

"Rory, you are a person of great heart and great character. And that combination will always win the day." -Richard

The composting is finally a success! A winning combination of dead leaves, plants, coffee grounds, fruits, vegetable, egg shells, compost starter, a little moisture, a big plastic storage bin, a drill (the BEST part), patience, daily mixing and lots of friendly advice has led to the infancy of beautiful, brown, earth-i-ness. I can't wait! I was so proud I called Ciara (my composting goddess) and she said, "You must be good at turning rotten stuff into good stuff!" My response was, "Let's hope both literally and figuratively!" I know most won't understand the simple joy of my compost bin but this week's success has brought me an inordinate amount of joy. During tough times, it really is the little things, isn't it?

Happy Friday, friends. Today was extraordinarily enlightening and filled with self reflection. As a result, I am exhausted and going to lay my head down and not think as I drift off into sleep to the sweet lull of...you guessed it...Gilmore Girls. May you all have dreams as sweet as Star's Hollow.