'tis the season for salads

I'm hosting a dear childhood friend this weekend.  So far, we've chatted the night away over a home-cooked meal, and it's been oh so good for the soul!

Tonight's dinner was simple grilled tilapia, roasted asparagus, and this summer salad that is ta-sty:



Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing
(Hey, Cooking Light, ever considered a creative name for a recipe?  You should try it sometime.)

1 c. uncooked orzo

1 c. frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed and drained
12 grape tomatoes, halved
3 green onions, sliced
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c. low-fat buttermilk
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, divided
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. light sour cream
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 peeled avocado, cut into 8 wedges
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Cook orzo according to package directions.  Drain and rinse; drain well.  Place orzo, corn, tomatoes, onions, and black beans in a large bowl; toss.

Combine buttermilk, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and next 8 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk.  Drizzle over orzo mixture; toss.

Top with avocado wedges (2 per serving); garnish with remaining cilantro and parsley.

Don't be turned off by the buttermilk dressing bit.  Instead, run and make this as soon as you can.  I mean it!

thankful thursday #24

I'm breathing a sigh of relief today, thankful for so many people, so much richness in my life.

It's not lost on me that others here in the Deep South are searching hard for gratitude, so today's Thankful Thursday is bittersweet, to say the least.

After yesterday's tragedies, I'm obviously thankful for my own safety, and for the sparing of the people close to me, who live in these devastated communities.

I'm grateful to see and hear stories of folks who were blessed with mercy, reaching out to those who need help and sustenance.

On a lighter note, I'm thankful to have my luggage back in my possession, unpacked and tucked safely on its shelf!  Needless to say, it's been a frustrating three days going in circles with American Airlines (and no, I don't feel badly about calling them out).

I can't remember a more profound Thankful Thursday!  What're you appreciating today?  Go on, be grateful!

a better tomorrow

It's been a day that will go down in the history books, they say.

The weathermen have been on air for well over twelve hours straight, and unfortunately, they are beginning to report fatality confirmations.

I've mourned natural disasters before, but never have I feared one the way I did today.  Watching the footage of the mile-wide twister ravaging through Tuscaloosa was surreal; it's what I would expect (and prefer) to see in a Hollywood production.

Yesterday I was pretty bummed that my luggage didn't make it back to Birmingham, after our flight cancellation.  This morning I was frustrated that even if I did have my hair dryer out of that luggage, I'd not have been able to use it anyway, thanks to the severe early-morning storm that stole our power for the better part of the day.

In fact, I was preparing to blog about the ten reasons why this week hasn't been my favorite.

Nothing like a big dose of reality to bring my world back into perspective.  Houses are demolished; businesses are destroyed; families are devastated.

Let's remember the folks in Alabama who had their worlds rocked today.

And let's look ahead to a better tomorrow.

cancelled

It's the word you never want to see on the "Departures" board at your connecting airport.

Alas, it was our fate today in the Dallas airport.

Instead of coming on the later flight five hours later, we rolled the dice on an earlier flight to Montgomery, intending to top off our trip with a one-way rental car drive back to Birmingham.

In a random twist, however, a complete stranger offered my colleague and me a free ride from Montgomery to Birmingham, in lieu of the $150 rental car.  She was traveling there anyway, and appreciating the kind gesture (and knowing I was not alone, and accompanied by a male), we accepted.

I admit we got off to a rather comical start.  The husband-chauffer had apparently not been forewarned of his wife's invitation to transport two strangers (awkward).  The 1980-something BMW had no air conditioning and those wicked hot, furry seat covers (who uses those?).  And, I worried that our hostess might not ever stop talking.

But to her credit, she was generous.

She was so generous, in fact, she said if we wanted to eat at Whataburger, they didn't mind stopping.  We also made a quick stop at her son's school, so we could switch out vehicles with him, and ditch the BMW for a four-door pick-up truck with air conditioning.

How many times today did we say, "Oh gosh, no, we're great.  We're just happy to get back to Birmingham as soon as we're going to!"  (Yi-yi-yi.)

But in the end, we were beneficiaries of genuine kindness.  In fact, when we met her son, she introduced us as "some more hitch-hikers I picked up!"  And her son cheerfully responded, "Again?" and hugged her neck.  They were a sweet family, and Elizabeth was delightful.

Miraculously, we got back to the Birmingham airport only two-and-a-half hours after our original flight would have landed.  Not too bad, considering the memories made between Montgomery and Birmingham on interstate 65.

I'm so glad I got to be on the receiving end of someone's kindness today!

And that my preconceived judgments about this woman and our drive were, well, cancelled.

thankful thursday #23

Tonight I attended a Maundy Thursday service at an Episcopalian church here in town.  Coming from a Methodist upbringing, and now attending a Baptist church, I always enjoy experiencing Holy Week services in churches of all traditions.

Last year, when my Baptist church decided they would have a Maundy Thursday service for the first time, I had to giggle at the folks who had never heard of such a thing.  C'mon folks!  Branch out!

Anyway, St. Luke's did a beautiful job of emphasizing Jesus's final mandate to his disciples to love one another.  And not just to love people, by the way, but to love them from a place of authentic humility and service to others.

It was so important to Him, and so radical, in fact, that He demonstrated that kind of love by washing the feet of His disciples.

Tonight, the congregation participated in its own celebration of the foot washing.  I confess that when I read that in the order of worship, I thought it would be symbolic.

Instead, my two dear friends and I literally washed each other's feet.  It was a little bit funny, because of course we didn't really know the protocol (who does?!), and the water was freezing cold.  And, the ladies assisting in the ritual probably cringed when we poured the entire pitcher of water into our bowl (in observing other participants, I think we were supposed to be more frugal?).

But ultimately, it was stretching, and humbling, and sweet.  I'm thankful to have friends who'd do that with, and for, me.

Happy Maundy Thursday, folks.  What's got you feeling thankful?  Go on, be grateful!

get ready

This week is, hands down, my most favorite of the year.  It's not because the weather is practically perfect; it's not because of a much-needed vacation; and it's not because of favorite friends coming to visit.

Rather, it's because of a passionate sacrifice that changed everything.

Several years ago, my pastor encouraged our congregation to read about Christ's final days on earth in preparation for Easter.  Thanks to the gift of the New Testament, I experienced Holy Week in a new way.

The emotional roller coaster of those days is a wild ride, but when you go to the places of darkness, and anger, and sadness, and mystery, Resurrection Sunday takes on an entirely different meaning.  It changes everything.

The best way I can describe it is that Easter morning to me now, is like Christmas morning when I was five.

This Sunday morning, I hope you find yourself experiencing Christ's powerful victory over death in a way you never have before.  I hope you're forever changed!

Get ready, people.  He is risen!

breathe again

My small group and I are engaging in Purge Fest 2K11.

Priority number one is to clean out the unnecessary stuff we've accumulated (purge the evil!), and if we make a few bucks to put toward our summer mission trip, that'll be icing on the cake.

Nikol began her purging weeks ago, and, very true to her project management background, is systematically going room by room through her house, pricing items along the way.  She's good like that.

I, on the other hand, procrastinated until today and finally tackled the dreaded little corner of my dwelling: my closet.

I have a great closet -- spacious, effective shelving, organized.  Probably intended for a couple to use together.  In other words, a single person should have space to spare.

Alas, I've apparently felt the need to fill it up over the years.  To the brim.

Oh, my stars.  Sca-ry.





So I started purging like crazy and wrestled with these things along the way:

1. Why did I ever think it was a good idea to keep dry cleaning hangers?
 
2. I'm embarrassed by the amount of clothes that I wore only a couple of times.
 
3. I'm more embarrassed by the amount of clothes I've had for a couple more than a few years.
 
4. How many spare pairs of tennis shoes did I really think I might need to have on hand?  Ridiculous.
 
5. It's disgusting to know the amount of material things that take up space in my world.
 
6. Why did my heart hurt a little bit when I threw away one of my most favorite pairs of shoes, even though the soles might as well have had holes in them?  For the love, Robyn, let them go.

Two hours and many a trash bag later ...





... I can breathe again!

tracks of my tears

I've spent all night in my "safe place" because we've had severe weather sweeping across Alabama.  All's well, except for the fact that Dateline and Friday Night Lights -- the only saving graces of Friday night television -- were eighty-sixed, thanks to the live weather coverage.  (All.  Night.  Long.)

Time-wasters of the night included rampant games of "Words with [some] Friends," and checking on other friends who lived in the ever-moving red "polygons" on the weather maps (they're so technical, those weathermen).

I wanted to be motivated to at least post a blog entry, but I was uninspired.  Then at some point I saw a homemade video someone posted on Facebook that made me get a little teary, and I was inspired.

I've mentioned before that I'm not a big crier (although there are a handful of ugly-girl cries I claim).

But you know those moments that sneak up on you out of the blue?  Grip you.  Give you the lump in the throat.  You know the tears that spill over, no matter how far your eyes look up?  When you wonder how badly your mascara is running.  When you can't find the Kleenex!

They're subtle tears on the outside, but sometimes deeply profound on the inside.  Got me thinking about what those are for me.  The things that prick my heart, and call up my tears.

The instant when I realize someone isn't feeling included, or maybe has never felt included, and I know it's a loneliness they live with more than anyone should.

A photographic montage with sad music playing.  Seriously, folks, even in the movie Up.  The animated photo series of the couple who grew old together?  Over the top.  Too much.

Missing the past.  Sipping the bittersweet taste of nostalgia.  The time when grandparents still lived, when we still played in yards and on playgrounds, and when we didn't have adult decisions to make.

Watching authentic worship.  Participating in authentic worship is powerful, but do you ever see people being overwhelmed during praise and worship?  There is almost nothing sweeter on this earth.

Speaking of worship, singing praises -- traditional hymns, contemporary songs, sacred choral music, who cares -- those are some of my most throat-lumpy moments ever.

Celebrating people.  Graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, retirements.  Those are such tender moments, and I wonder why we wait for those "big" days to honor people well.

Subtle gestures of support and affection.  Have you seen a mom comfort her grown child with her hand on his back?  A little girl wrap her arm around her daddy's neck in church?  A husband who grabs his wife's hand when he knows she's upset?  Be still, my heart!

Those are the tracks of my tears.  What are yours?

thankful thursday #22

Sometimes, you get to see something that's one-in-a-million.  Maybe not literally so, but far-fetched enough to make you go, "Wow, did I really just see that?"

A few years ago, Georgia played in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta, and at half-time, Dr. Pepper was sponsoring one of their one million-dollar throwing competitions.

The guy made it!  The crowd went wild, and I seriously remember getting chills!  It was so fun.

I have a coworker who's definitely of the class-clown variety, and he and our boss trash-talk regularly.  The latest bet was that if he successfully shot one out of five half-court shots at a designated time and place, the boss would buy iPads for the guys in our office.

Today at 2:15 the shots were going down -- at my alma mater! -- and the pressure was on.  Several of us went to watch.

He. Got. It.

Y'all, the second shot!  Nothing but net.  It was so exciting, and I didn't even have a dog in the fight!

I'm sure glad I get to have those unexpected moments now and again, where we laugh out loud out of sheer disbelief, and recount how amazing the shot was, and tell the story over and over.  They're just fun.

If only I'd have scored an iPad ... now that would've been something to be thankful for!

What one-in-a-million sights have you seen?  Go on, be grateful!

sew crafty

the dilemma
I've been on the hunt for an affordable case/bag/what-have-you to carry and protect the new camera.  I'm not sure I'll ever invest in anything crazy expensive, considering I'm not quite over the purchase of the camera itself.  But even if I did, with literally hundreds of varieties of cases and bags on the market, I can't begin to know yet which type will serve me well.

the "solution"
Sometimes I fool myself into thinking I can be crafty, and in a weak moment of my research, I walked right into the trap: "I can totally make something that will be functional.  And for much cheaper."  (Famous last words.)

the other dilemma
By entertaining the DIY line of thinking, I was thus making myself vulnerable to the antics of the sewing machine.  Mom and I have had many an ugly-girl laugh over my sewing expeditions, because I don't use patterns and my projects are completely winged.  I admit I feel great pride when a project is completed, but the frustration along the way will make you want to slap your mama (not mine, though, because she laughs me through it).

the (loose) vision
I decided I could sew some padded linings, that could be inserted into one of the million unused bags I already own.  Think bumper pads that go around a baby's crib.  Simple materials, small scale.  This was doable.

the process
I started with some poly foam, about a yard of fun fabric, and the bag.  (And you'll note some Velcro in this pic, but it never made an appearance in the process.  Ah, the greatest plans ...)



In pretty typical fashion, I employed the eyeball measuring method for the size of a base piece, and four side pieces, and sewed covers for each one.  (You can do so much with the pillowcase pattern!)



These pieces all got placed inside the bag, so it made a cozy little nest for a delicate piece of photography equipment.



The final step was definitely the least developed: the dividing pieces.  Although those sides are nice and padded, I still wasn't loving the idea of my camera sliding around in the bag.  So I made these little guys to be adjustable, and I hoped they would fit the bill.



And I think they're doing pretty well so far!

the good news
Love that I spent only $8.00 on the fabric and foam.  And I love the fabric.

the not surprising news
The 36-hour hiatus from the process to address the fact that I had left out Mr. Velcro along the way.  He wasn't overly necessary, but I had really wanted to include him initially.  It's never a surprise that I have to a) problem solve along the way, because I didn't remember a critical step, and b) take my sweet time figuring it out.

the happy sigh of relief
It was a good little weekend project, and the best news -- other than the fact that I didn't throw my sewing machine off the balcony -- is that my camera has a safe, happy home.



And that, friends, will fulfill my crafting quota for a nice spell.

getting your hands dirty

The Little Sister and I spent some time together yesterday.  It sure was hot outside to be only April, but it was way too pretty to stay inside.

Inspired by last week's going green, we started with this ...



... and ended up with these little cups of happy.





I'm not really one for playing in the dirt, but in a controlled sort of way, it was a little bit fun!

Today I went to my first meeting for the mission trip I'm taking to Peru this summer.  We learned a couple of praise songs in Spanish (whoah, those need to be seriously reviewed over the coming weeks!); we met the people we'll serve with; and we began evangelism training.  It was time well spent.

While practicing small group facilitation, we happened to read Luke 10, the story of Jesus sending out His disciples to labor in His harvest field.  There's a lot of work to be done out there, He said, but few laborers. 

The work to be done is important.  Life-changing.  But it's hard.

The getting-your-hands-dirty kind!



God, remind me that You call us to be faithful to work in Your harvest field, no matter how dirty our hands get!

thankful thursday #21

"It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home."
- Author Unknown



On my 25th birthday, I shared a conference table with a seller and a bank representative, and I signed on the dotted line to buy my very first (and very own!) little house in Mississippi.

It was a labor of love in a lot of ways, and when I moved away four years ago, I transparently confessed that I wasn't emotionally prepared to let it go.  (Yes, God and I had a lot of talks about material possessions!)

So I didn't let it go.  I was fortunate to find a responsible tenant, and so began my adventures in long-distance landlording.

Several months ago, I decided that when my tenant moved out this summer, I'd try to sell my little house.  Try to find the perfect buyer who'd love it the way I do.  Try to find those hearts that would make my little house their home.

Today I had a curve ball tossed my way, I'm certain intended to keep me on my toes about remembering Whose plans are really the most important here!  We'll see what happens.

So to say the least, this Thankful Thursday is so timely!  When my flesh is pulled to worry and restlessness over the what-ifs, my spirit turns toward gratitude and gives me a dose of healthy perspective.

I'm thankful I've even had the opportunity to own a home at all.  Think!  Think of all the people in the world who will never, ever get that chance.

I'm grateful that while my house is old, old, old, it's got some good bones!  I've not had any major repairs or disasters to manage from afar (yes, I'm knocking on wood as I type).

And, how glad am I, for having had only two tenants over a four-year period so far, who've both been responsible caretakers of my house, and more importantly, low-drama?

So much to be thankful for, and this barely tips the iceberg!

What makes your cup of gratitude run over today?  Go on, be grateful!

five

Today I ran five miles for the first time in ... well, I don't remember how long.  It was a little peace of mind, knowing the Peachtree Road Race and the one half are coming down the pike.

I won't be increasing the mileage too much too soon, because a) my body will probably violently rebel, and b) I don't wanna burn out.

As they say, slow and steady wins (in my case, completes) the race.

In honor of the five mile marker, here are five random tidbits that have surfaced this week in my world ...

1.  What protective gear is best for my new camera?  Do I get just a simple "slipcover," so I can keep the camera in another bag?  Should I get a bag that is padded to protect the body, the lens, etc.?  Or, should I buy a padded insert that I can throw into one of the billion bags I already own?

2.  Mini Cucumbers.  I love a crisp cuke on my salads, but a regular-sized one is too big, and leftover chopped cukes lose their spunk.  I found these the other day in the grocery -- about 6 or so come packaged together -- and they are my new fave!  One of these little guys is the perfect amount for a single salad.

3.  Babies abound!  Our family and extended family will be welcoming not one, but two babies this fall, within six weeks of each other! (Congrats, Molz!)  The soon-to-be grandmothers are simply beside themselves, and it's such an exciting time for everyone.  I'm guessing the summer calendar will welcome baby showers before too long.

4.  Naan.  Have y'all had this middle eastern flatbread before?  Drizzled with a little olive oil, and warmed up in the oven?  So yummy with that single salad.

5.  "Blessings."  If you haven't heard this new song by Laura Story, check it out.  It's so great.

Hope your week is shaping up to be a happy one!

going green

There's no better way to ring in spring than a day trip here ...



... to hang out with some of my favorite ladies ...



... (plus Mom, whose photos are on someone else's camera) ...

... and to try out my new camera!

First we munched on brunch at a little cafe ...



... where I sipped on some black assam tea (hadn't ever heard of it!) ...



... that I saw later at the  Edible Garden!  That was my fun tidbit of the day.

The sky was the bluest of blues; the flowers were happy and bright; and the colors were popping, like they wanted to make an extra-special entrance into 2011 ...

... and that's a pretty perfect way to go green!