Burgers, Salad and Dear Friends

For the last few days, I have (surprisingly) been enjoying the camaraderie of an email recipe exchange.  I know, I know.  I too am hesitant to participate in forwarded email but when this one came in from a friend and colleague, Justine, I trusted that I would enjoy participating.  I met Justine nearly 10 years ago when I worked with her on a video project for the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association.  She was the filmmaker from Appalshop (www.appalshop.org) who helped us create a video on rural communities responding to domestic violence.  Along with her colleague, Rhonda, we traveled around the state in my old Jeep Cherokee as we interviewed women in shelter, a judge in western Kentucky and even a cop in Elizabethtown.  In between shoots, we’d listen to Ani Difranco cassette tapes, talk about feminism and ponder what we wanted to do with our lives.  I found a soul sister in Justine.  Even though she lives in Canada now with her family and our lives rarely cross, I know she gets me.  And my community of like-minded women–of loving support–is expanded with her in it.  In the last few years, we’ve talked mothering, working from home, and balance.  And just like 10 years ago when we first met, I find comfort in knowing another amazing woman is out there creating an authentic life for herself and her babes.

So, needless to say, I had to participate.  For Justine’s sake.  Because she’s dear and I like having her in my sisterhood.  

Justine shared this recipe with me:

Asian Turkey Burgers
(Amounts are approximate, as I wing it each time)
Ground Turkey (1 lb)
1-2 Tbsp of soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2-3 drops of sesame oil
1 tsp ground ginger

Mix and form patties (2 to 4 per lb), then grill as usual. I serve with a mix of mayo, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar & sesame oil.
Garnish w/ thin slices of cucumber and serve on sesame seed roll.

I added a recipe for a pear walnut salad memorized from Cathe Olson’s The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook:

Mix vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, dry fennel or oregano and garlic in a small jar to make a dressing.  Toss together lettuce, pear, walnuts and blue cheese; dress with dressing and enjoy!

Peace-full

Renewing words I love this week:

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” (anonymous)

I’m thinking either a mother or a saint wrote that.  Or an advocate working a double shift in shelter.

Weekend at Grammy and Papa’s

A few weeks ago, I created a new vision board, which I’m sure to tell you more about in the weeks to come.   In the center of the poster is the phrase “the family that plays together” along with pictures of dancing, cupcakes, farmers markets, and swimming.  We brought the phrase to life this weekend during a visit to Grammy and Papa’s house. 

Playing was…a girls night out to hear the Indigo Girls perform, the season’s first picnic at the park, yummy supper from the grill (thanks, Dad!), monster mask-making over breakfast (“can I have green eggs, Grammy?”)…as well as golf for the boys, ping pong for Harper, and magazine reading for mommy.  I’m eager to see how we live into play this week…it is Derby, afer all, isn’t it?!!

Friday Renewal

Do you too have moments in which you ask/say to yourself, ‘how blessed am I?’  How blessed am I to receive such abundance, to enjoy beautiful spring Kentucky weather, to have family and friends in my life….and, to be living into my life vision?

This morning, I enjoyed a bartered massage with Kelly at the Hara Center (www.theharacenter.net) and then stayed for hatha yoga and potluck community lunch.  The Hara Center is a special place and is birthing itself as we speak.  Kelly is creating a Center for a community of healing arts practitioners to share space, create events and experiences together, and to enrich the community.  With a babe herself, she welcomes kiddos to nearly all activities and today was no exception.  Our yoga class was delighted with 19 month old Chloe, who pranced around, cooed, and sat on her yogi mama’s lap….before welcoming her 15 month old friend, India, to join us for lunch.  Lunch too was divine…salad, rice and beans, veggies and hummus.

I have to admit that I almost felt guilty devoting a morning to yummy self-care when I had piles of work to do before the weekend comes.  But, so much of life in the last year has overshadowed mornings like this:  blessed, fill-me-up, soulful self-care and community.  How and why do I ever allow myself to go so long without days like this?  Remind me, dear readers!  I think the lesson for me today is to once again practice what I preach:  self- renewal.

And now I’m off to continue this incredible, nourishing day!  After picking up Harper early from daycare, we’ll head north to visit family for the weekend.  Mom has gifted me with tickets for a date to the Indigo Girls concert and Dad will be fishing with Harper for the evening.  Mmmmm…so much abundance, eh?

Have a beautiful weekend yourself…and here’s one more shot of the gorgeous tree across the street–I just can’t resist sharing!!

Streets of Pink

Spring has arrived!  After nearly a week of rain and chilly weather, today we are enjoying sunshine, blue skys and flowering trees.

Walks in the neighborhood, bunny puppets, groomed Goldens (our 14 year old Sophie!), flowers at the sink…what more could a girl ask for?

Spunk and Love

My Grandma Letha is a spunky gal.  Always has been and, I suspect, always will be.  One of my favorite stories of her is that she was the lone cheerleader for her high school basketball team as a teenager.  And, to top it off, she’d change into her band costume at halftime to march with the band.  Now that’s chutzpah!  Growing up, my house was right beside hers.  I’d spend countless afternoons climing trees in her yard, shooting hoops in the driveway, staying for supper or snacks, taking a dip in the swimming pool.  Sometimes, she’d get out her moped or roller skates and ride around the driveway with me. 

This weekend, we gathered to celebrate with her and it made me pause to notice all I love about her and how she’s blessed my life.  I love that I’d fall asleep holding her hand when I spent the night as a child.  I love that her eyes still sparkle when she’s about to say something ornery.  I love that she’s been married to my grandpa for more than 65 years.  I love that my wedding band was once hers.  I love how she makes cinnamon toast, chocolate chip cookies, and noodles. 

I love that she taught me how to be spunky…and loving…all at the same time.  Happy birthday, Grandma.

What I’m Loving Today

Every day offers me tastes of renewal…if I open to it.  Here’s my list of what I’m noticing–and loving!–today…

• pink fuzzy flip flops
• a call with my own coach, Lerae (www.souldesigns.ca)
• morning snuggles with Harper before getting out of bed
• Tazo “Passion” tea
• an invitation for a massage and yoga this week at the Hara Center (www.theharacenter.net)
• the launch of my Renewal Retreats site at www.renewtheretreats.wordpress.com

What’s on your list this afternoon?