and i have to say, i'm fine with it, at least for the moment. i wouldn't mind if it let up later, so that we could keep our plans with donna and jamie for tonight. we're planning on going to a showing of fireproof at the local college. then tomorrow, i was planning to go to the estate dispersal shop (which is only open once a month) and then tomorrow night, we have cooking club! we haven't been as consistent lately with cooking club, so i'm glad we're having it, and hopefully, we'll get back on track. i've missed it.
i do love good food. i don't think i appreciated the beauty of food until i worked with terri troia. she really taught me to look at food differently. she was practical...not fussy at all, but she had this gift of making even the most common foods look and taste wonderful. i don't think i've ever thought of food in the same way. she would talk about the beauty of a bowl of fresh lemons, or even a well grilled chicken breast. she's the friend i've mentioned before, who could taste a dish at a restaurant, and come back to the cottage the next day, and recreate it. she's also the friend i've mentioned who could walk into my kitchen right now, and put together a great meal with what i have on hand. it's a real gift. she inspired me. now i look at a salad with fresh produce and i see the beauty and appreciate it. i love food presentation. not that i'm that great at it, or always make it a priority. i think that's why i love cooking club so much. it's a time set aside to really focus on the whole process, from preparation, to presentation, to dining. i also appreciate the art of fine dining, in a way that i doubt i would have even gotten without my years at carey cottage. a well set table, good food and company make one of the best settings for great conversation. there are few things i enjoy more than sharing a beautiful meal with loved ones.
tom and i had a beautiful salad a few nights ago-
simple, not fussy at all, but so tasty.we don't always eat healthy. last night we shared an order of mini corn dogs and fries. oops. i haven't been baking much at all in the last few years, with the kids gone. yesterday, i was organizing my recipes, and as i was sorting through all these great looking recipes, it made me want to cook and bake. i found a recipe i had printed a while ago, and decided to bake some cookies in honor of valentine's day-
i took a plate of them to our small group last night...but i still have this huge batch tempting me here today. i MUST workout. and be strong. here's the recipe if you want to try these: outrageous chocolate chip cookies. i know i found this recipe on a blog, but i can't remember whose? sorry, i like to give credit, but i'm at a loss.
another food related pretty:
my beautiful handmade pear from kelly. i smile every time i walk by this beauty!~
this makes me smile too-
the pretty pink roses tom brought me lastnight. they are soooo pretty! huge heads and they smell divine! sometimes, i like to put fresh flowers in our bedroom, rather than the more public living spaces. i love walking in our room throughout the day and smelling the overwhelming scent.
and how could i NOT smile when this goofball turns up in almost every house shot?
scooter has more nicknames than you can shake a stick at....scoots, goofball, stinky, brownie butt, baby girl, little man (tom thinks she was supposed to be a male)....and the list goes on. she is a funny one.
k, i'm having problems posting, so i should probably move along. if i don't get here tomorrow, happy valentine's day! and God bless!
YUM! those cookies look good!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | February 13, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I told Chip to skip on the flowers this year and take me shopping for a new rug for our dining room instead.
But now that I see your soft pink roses, I am sort of rethinking my statement. Those are beautiful! I may have to try that cookie recipe too. =) Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend. I'm sorry I didn't get a card out to you in time. I love you anyway. xoxo
Posted by: Jody Ferlaak | February 13, 2009 at 11:55 AM
andy's mom just sent us the fireproof dvd for valentine's day - they really enjoyed it. happy heart day, my friend. :)
Posted by: melanie | February 13, 2009 at 01:15 PM
your blog is like a beautiful gift i get to unwrap every time i visit. so much goodness. and chris tomlin's singing my favorite song while i read. love it. xo
Posted by: stephanie Howell | February 13, 2009 at 07:01 PM
I love the picture of your room, with the quote and the stunning photo within the photo. Great work as always!
Posted by: Meg | February 13, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Happy Valentine's day!
Posted by: Jodi | February 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I bought Fireproof for Johnny for Valentine's Day :) We never made it to the movies to see it but I bought the book...which we'll hopefully read/do later.
Anyway...I figure with the moral and his being a firefighter....he would like it :)
We'll share with friends who also have been wanting to see it.
Those cookies...OMGOSH! Yum!
Posted by: Maureen | February 14, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Hi there, I'm Anne, I was just blog surfing and came accross your site! I had so much fun looking around! I LOVE the quote above your photo : ) Take care, Anne.
Posted by: Anne Thompson | February 14, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Oh my goodness! I LOVE this blog! And I LOVE that picture with the words above your nightstand. As I'm typing this my 7 year old is singing along with the music playing on your blog. There is nothing better than hearing your child singing "How great is our God!!" If you don't mind I would love to post this blog under my favorites! ~Lissa
Posted by: lissa | February 15, 2009 at 02:52 PM