Weekend Wrapup

Friday-I went to see my niece Kate's dance recital. She got an award that recognized the 5 years she has been dancing. She was in several dance pieces and did a spectacular job. I am so proud of her.

Saturday- I volunteered to help with disaster relief in Pratt City. The destruction is massive in this town. It so overwhelming to think that people have been working for a month and a half and things are still in such disarray.  I worked with Hands on Birmingham and got plugged in to this work site. We helped clean up Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. This was a huge church with a gym and everything. The only things left are the structure beams. We tried to salvage what we could and stick it into pods. We picked up debris and collected bricks.  If you live in the area or are able to take a trip they can use all the help they can get.

I snapped this quick. It felt somewhat
disrespectful to take pictures of another
 person's devastation.

 So Will and I were sitting around talking about our anniversary that is coming up in July. We were with another couple and I don't remember who came up with the idea, but we decided we should take a picture every year in our wedding clothes. Each year we will have a different symbol in the picture. This year we are planning to do a globe since we are headed to Africa.

I went in search of one at a flea
market in Leeds, AL.

I found this too.
Isn't this vase great? It is my favorite.

Sunday- I woke up and went to Starbucks. I know all you Seattle readers cringe, but we don't have the lovely assortment of coffee shops on each corner. Churches but not coffee shops. There are two cute older gentlemen that play the accordion and the guitar and they sing on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I got up and went to go see them, but I got there too late and they had already left. So I decided to stay and do a little writing.

I came across this piece of art hanging on the wall.

I don't understand what the artist is trying to communicate. You can't tell in the picture but all these people have committed some type of crime and it is listed below their picture. I don't know if they are at large or if they have been detained. It bothered me. Why do these people need their faces plastered on anything else? I get they have committed crimes, but it seems so undignified to have their picture on public display. Did they consent to this?  Maybe there is some other message that  I missed altogether. If you know please tell me I would like to think there is a more positive interpretation.

Back Porch Beverages-????

This probably the prettiest drink so far. The problem is we don't have a name. I got the recipe from a magazine and changed some of the ingredients and decided to give it a new name. Here are the possibilities we came up with Limoo (lemon in Farsi), Cosmopol-ain't, or Cosmopol-i-mint. Help us choose.

You will need the following ingredients.

Citrus Vodka (1 1/4 oz), lemon juice(1oz), simple syrup(1/2oz),
 pomegranate juice, and Sprite.

Muddle your mint and then add vodka, lemon juice,
and simple syrup and shake. Pour into glass and
add a splash of Sprite and pomegranate juice

Walah! Isn't it pretty?

Stacy and Nima joined us on the Back Porch.

Is the self-timer obvious?

Maybe a little.

Comments: We all thought it needed a little less lemon because it over powered the mint a little. I put more than a splash of pomegranate in all the drinks except for Stacy's drink. We all decided hers was the best. Take it from me all you need is a slight tilt of the wrist. Have a great weekend!

I can't take credit for this meal. I found the recipe, but Will made it happen. I like pesto, but only a little bit because basil tastes like liquorish to me. This is a great alternative recipe and it is very tasty.  We had some left over and we used it on a pizza the following night. 

Here is what you need:

• 1 bunch asparagus spears (about 1 lb), trimmed of tough ends and halved crosswise
• 3 handfuls baby spinach leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 1 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for topping
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

• 8 ounces of dried pasta or 12 ounces fresh -linguini, fettuccini, spaghetti Mix spinach pasta with regular wheat pasta for a medley of colors.

While the water is heating, put the pine nuts in a single layer in a large skillet. Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove pine nuts from pan and set aside. You will use 3/4 cup of the pine nuts for the pesto paste and 1/4 cup to mix in whole.
Cook asparagus for only 2 or 3 minutes, until the spears are bright green and barely tender. 
Add the asparagus, spinach, garlic, Parmesan, and 3/4 cup of the pine nuts to a food processor. Purée and, with the motor running, drizzle in the 1/4 cup of olive oil until a paste forms. Add the lemon juice and salt, taste and adjust seasoning.

Salt the pasta water well and cook the pasta until just tender. Check the directions on the pasta package. You'll need more time for dried pasta and less for fresh. Drain and toss immediately with 1 cup of the asparagus pesto.

Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, a dusting of Parmesan, and a light drizzle of olive oil.

Weekend Wrapup

 This weekend I had all the time I wanted to myself. I indulged in many craft projects, watched movies, and read. It was a relaxing weekend.

I made this for a friend who I later met for lunch. 

She wanted something to put in her dorm room.

I did a lot of this. We are slowly getting ready to move.

My friend Alex turned 31.

We went to Yogurt mountain to celebrate.

Our porch garden that Will planted has
some tomatoes. Salsa here I come.

I got around to sewing the buttons on my dress.

Made another bonnet.

Made some stationary.

I am going to try and send a letter a month when we are in Africa.

I am on a classic movie kick. These are the ones I watched this weekend:

I have never seen either of these movies. I had no idea that Wayne's World was mimicking The Graduate. Nor did I know that Simon and Garfunkel wrote the music specifically for that movie. Mrs. Robinson makes so much more sense now.

  I have a question. David Bowie what were you thinking? Labyrinth was the strangest movie. I wouldn't be surprised if kids were wetting the bed up into high school because of this movie. How was your weekend?

It's not goodbye...It's see you later

 Last week We threw a surprise going away party for Christopher Barefield who we call Bare. He is Will's best friend. You can imagine that Will is very sad to see him go(and I am too). We all ate at Fuego a local Mexican restuarant that has  $2 Taco Tuesday. This spot has become a somewhat regular place for several of us over the last year. One of the couple's decorated with a Justin Bieber balloon and tablecloth. He is one of Bare's favorite upcoming stars. We had a great time and enjoyed our time celebrating Bare. 

This is him walking up as we yell surprise.

We ordered him the Happy Hour special.

He drank it.

The whole gang.

Bare and Ivan arguing as usual.

Bare posing with his child obsession. 

Watermelon Situation

This week's drink is called a watermelon situation.You will need the following ingredients:

• 8 cups diced watermelon (about 1/2 of a small watermelon), plus slices for garnish
• 8 ounces lemon vodka, chilled
• 7 ounces simple syrup
• 1 (17.5-ounce) can coconut juice
• 1 lemon

Blend watermelon until smooth. Add vodka,
simple syrup, coconut juice, and one lemon.
Serve in a chilled glass with a lemon wheel.

Jamie and Clark joined us for drinks.

Here's Jaime.

Comments: This drink is really good. It is a tad sweet for me so I wasn't able to drink more than one. It is a colorful and fun drink to serve if you are having a summer bbq. The recipe makes plenty.

Memorial Day Weekend Wrap up

We spent the weekend in Troy, Alabama with Will's parents. I don't know if I have ever told you, but Will's family has a farm with buffalo. I decided I would give you a tour of the farm.

We walked around the land.

The roosters were talking.

The ol' John Deere a must have if you
own a farm.

Some buffalo heads.

The geese that think they are dogs.

The most adorable puppy ever. Meet Barrett.

Modoc and Bunny the ass.

Will posed with Modoc for a picture.

Here are some of the buffalo.

This guy was feisty. They are all
shedding their fur for the summer.

On Monday we headed to the Little Cahaba.

With the Hannons

Molly note Justin's 30th birthday koozie.