What's Cooking?

If you have talked to me for more than thirty mintues then you know I enjoy cooking.  I am always on the hunt for a good recipe.  Speaking of the word recipe - I am so glad I finally learned to spell that word.  Recipe and Receipt tend to trip me up.

Well, anyway.... I thought I would occasionally share with you what's cooking at my house.  Here is what is on the docket for the week along with the URL for the recipe:

Sunday - Rosemary Chicken with Polenta and Asparagus

• http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-rosemary-chicken-breasts-10000001981777/
• I didn't use bone-in chicken breasts.  I used regular boneless, skinless
• Polenta is a type of grit.  Boil water, add polenta, then add a little heavy cream and parmesean cheese (romano, fontina - whatever is close by) and viola!

Monday - Pasta with Asparagus and Pancetta

• http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-asparagus-pancetta-pine-nuts-10000001963965/
• Pancetta is like an Italian bacon.  It doesn't smell up your house as much as traditional bacon and it is slightly leaner.  I used more than the recipe called for because I like a hearty pasta.
• I also went sans pine nuts - no reason, other than I didn't have any!
• In the sauce, I added the zest of the lemon.  I just can't juice a lemon and not zest it.  It seems unfair.

Tuesday - Chipotle Bean Burritos with Guacamole and Spanish Rice

• http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-asparagus-pancetta-pine-nuts-10000001963965/
• No changes here - they were really yummy.
• Lane is a meat eater and he even really enjoyed these.
• I am trying to incorporate some meatless options into dinner since it is a lot cheaper and quicker than cooking chicken or beef

Wednesday - Grilled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, zucchini squash, salad

• Grilled chicken happens a lot at the Montgomery house.
• It is easy, healthy, and best of all - Lane has to cook it. 

We have small group on Thursdays and eat with our group, which gives the chef a night off! 

In other related news, I am craving this dessert:  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pasta-with-asparagus-pancetta-pine-nuts-10000001963965/  Red velvet cake pops - say no more!

Bessie

Lane and I purchased a quarter of a cow last summer.  Bessie (that's not really her name) is at the processor as we speak.  Purchasing beef at the grocery store is expensive and in my opinion, it doesn't keep in the fridge very long.  We had some of the ground beef last summer from our neighbor.  It was delicious.  Friends came over for dinner and they said it was some of the best beef they had ever had. 

We put the deposit down last summer, paid the balance a few weeks ago and will pay the processor in about a week.  We had to choose the types of cuts and meats that we wanted from the processor.  That was a fun conversation - seeing as how Lane and I aren't cow experts.  We are really excited about getting the beef in about a week. 

The cows are all grass-fed beef, organic, hormone free and come from Georgia.  If you are interested in where we bought our quarter of a cow, you can visit http://foggybottomcattle.com/  The farmer's name is Donald and he is so easy to work with and takes only a few reservations of cows per year. 

I will keep you posted when the beef arrives. 

Come on Bessie!

Patio - Finished product

Well it brings be great joy to tell you that our patio is complete.  We bought a gas fire pit - can you say s'mores?  We have a sound barrier - the tan thing in the background - to block the train sound behind our hour.  We are pouring Miracle Grow on those guys to get them to grow.  I am so thrilled with the results and am looking forward to many a meal outside.  Below are some pictures:



Patio

When you are a newlywed I am pretty sure that every purchase over $350 requires hours of discussion, opinions and looks into the future.  Lane and I have talked about extending our patio for about a year now.  You can barely put a grill and lawn chair on the patio.  It is slightly larger than a post-it note.

We have had many car-ride/dinner discussions about whether or not to take the plunge and make our patio the best on the block. 

"What if we have an emergency?"

"What if we move?"

And the list goes on...

Well, in February we decided to take the step and "google" a contractor.  We found a few online and without any idea as to what we were doing, had them out for a quote.  I had no idea what this would cost, but I had a number in mind that Lane and I had come to an agreement on.

The first contractor came, gave a quote and well, that number in mind, way too low.

The second guy came and he was still higher than what we wanted to pay for cement.

After negotiation and going from stamped concrete to stained, we agreed on contractor number 1. 

And today is the day that they are pouring the patio.  It is so loud that I am pounding the keys so that you can "hear what I am saying." 

They jackhammered and sawed the concrete and all the debris and dust has settled onto my freshly mopped hardwood floors.

To my dogs, this is pure torture.  They have fled to the garage to escape the horrendous sound.  Maverick is so stressed, he probably won't eat for days. 

They are currently pouring Lava #365 outside my door and I am so thrilled.  I cannot wait to roast s'mores, have people over and grill on a patio that is bigger than a post-card.

I will post pictures when they are finished.

Meanwhile, here is the mess:

Giving Back

Today I had the opportunity to go to Woodson Elementary School in Atlanta.  Woodson is a Title One School in the Atlanta area.  Most of the kids that go there are being raised by single parents.  A lot of the kids, almost 40% of them have relatives incarcerated for violent crimes. 

A group of us from Chick-fil-A went to the school today to read to the kids, plant a garden, paint, and love on all the teachers and students there.  Here is one of my favorite shots:

Today I am reminded how truly blessed I am.  I grew up in a house with a mom and a dad, and had more than I ever needed.  I was loved, disciplined, educated, well traveled, and the list goes on.  So many don't have that. 

However, that lack of opportunity or the situation that they are in has absolutely no impact on how big their smiles are an the joy that is inside them.

It was a remarkable day.  We brought in the Chick-fil-A cows and had a blast with the kids.  I know our mission was to impact Woodson Elementary, but I think everyone walked away touched by an incredible afternoon.

Below are some of my favorite shots:

In summary, the day was about giving back but also about being aware of the needs.  There are people in our own backyard that are in need, and "to whom much is given, much is required."

I am challenged to be aware of those in need around me.  I will choose to make a difference. 

Day 21

We completed day 21 of the fast at 6pm on Sunday.  You should have seen us on Sunday afternoon.  We hit about 4:00 and the time seemed to stand still.  We decided to watch a movie so that the time could pass.  At 6:00, we dashed out the door, both of us craving red meat.  We went to Ted's and enjoyed burgers.  As if that wasn't enough, we went to Starbucks - ate two desserts each.

And by then, I think we were stuffed and felt sick!

It was great to finish something together - something so challenging but, rewarding.

Glad that is all behind us.  And yes I have had coffee the past two days.

Glad to be back on the regular eating wagon.

The Final Stretch

We are in the final week of the Daniel Fast.  It has been rewarding to do this fast together, but it has not been without its challenges.  I have learned to make baked potato chips within the guidelines of the fast.  That was a good dinner.  Lane and I went to Thai Spice for a date night and ate a tofu dish.  It was fun to try new things and do this challenge together.  I don't think that God is through speaking to us, however.  I am looking forward to the next few remaining days of the fast to see what God has in store.