Its the Grilling Life for Me

It's the grilling life for me - because I don't have to do it! Years ago, our friend gave us his old grill and my husband refurbished it this spring in anticipation of the 1/4 side of grass fed beef we ordered.

Whereas, when I cook I often just make it up as I go or alter a recipe much to his chagrin because sometimes it doesn't turn out so great or sometimes I just can't duplicate it again! He on the other hand, follows recipes to a T. So before we grill we/he looks up an exact way to do it.


Enter the zucchini. I can't say I have ever had grilled zucchini. We definitely never made it before. But we are sold. I think this is the best way to eat it. For several reasons:

• It cooks quick.
• You don't heat up the kitchen sauteing it for 20 minutes.
• You can actually feel like it is filling rather than eating limp cooked to death zucchini.
• There is some substance to it.
• Flavor even with minimal spices, whereas sauteed seemed to need a lot of spice to get a good flavor.

Then, there was the asparagus. Same results. Same reasons. Good stuff.

The recipe: brush veggies with olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper, garlic powder and Italian spices You could use a variety of spices. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.

We are sold on grilling veggies and I am looking forward to trying some other veggies this summer. It should be a tasty summer of grilling with a lot less sauteing!

This was Father's Day dinner.
Yum.

Raspberries

There is something so satisfying about picking raspberries. I have never had the opportunity to pick them before. My parents came over and we toke the little boy, who was more interested in playing with sticks than picking berries. He did manage to pick and eat a few.

The ripe berry pulls effortlessly off the cone it was once firmly attached to. The not so ripe berry requires a little more tugging. The berries were just beautiful and tasty. The bushes were still plentiful so you didn't have to hunt too hard for ripe berries but if you did turn over a few leaves there was a mother load waiting to be picked. The weather was cool and before you knew it we had 10+ pounds of berries. And the little love of my life had the playground on the farm all to himself too!  I left the field feeling very satisfied. Fresh berries to eat for the next few days and fresh berries to freeze for days to come!

History Recycled

Several years ago, when my grandpop's cousin Mary passed away, I picked up 2 items that had been her's at a yardsale.  One was a navy blue dress coat that fits me perfectly. It is vintage and still in excellent condition.

The other item was a white chenille bedspread. I used the bedspread for many summers. It had gotten too tattered, stained and worn to continue to use so.... I decided I would cut away the bad parts and recycle the good portions for a baby blanket or something.

Well I recently found a good use for it. My mom picked up a  rocker for $3 at a yardsale. I didn't use a rocker with my son, but my acupuncturist/chiropractor said that the rocking motion is excellent for the nursing body. So we shall see how it goes with baby #2.

I covered a kitchen seat cushion that we gave up using. For the back I just used quilt batting. It is just enough cushion for bottom and back! I am so tickled that I was able to come up with a good use for Mary's blanket and that I didn't have to spend anything to add cushions to my rocker. So I guess you could say I recycled something somewhat historical - that makes me happy too.

The White Bird

This little guy looks like a white dove to me. He was hiding out under our truck. He has been hanging around our house for the past week. Flitting around. Watching over us... So it would seem. As out of ordinary as it is, I can't help but think it is a sign of some sort.

White doves are often associated with peace. I think I could use an infusement of peace or at least a reminder that:

The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 That's a big task for a little bird, but I guess he is doing his job...