He adds hot sauce... I add PEACH SALSA!

My little lesson this week was to [try to] savor the moments when my Mr. is away.... YES, savoring is better than sulking. This time that he left town for a few short days, I pulled out my recipe book and started looking for recipes that pulled me in. Sometimes, the dishes that combine fruits and vegetables turn him off... so what better time to try them?

I settled on Peach Salsa, a delicious cure for almost any bland dish... and its full of fruits and veggies! I love this dish because it adds color to every plate of food... My mama was always an advocate of pretty plating. She'd say, the first test of good food is visual appeal.

So.... I'll stop selling and just tell you what I did.

Chopped lots of tomatoes (about 6 or 7 roma tomatoes to be exact...)

Then added some chopped peaches, onions, green pepps, and even some chopped pears...

All together, then I added a dash of lime juice, orange juice, ginger, curry seasoning, salt, and two cups of sugar (little brown and little white granulated)...

Brought it to a boil, then let it simmer for an hour and a half...

 <-- and this is the finished product!

Even better over pan seared Tilapia! Yum! After all that, of course I offered a taste to the Mr. ... he still prefers hot sauce but I got a "that's pretty good" out of him.

The most beautiful season of all...

It's FALL...por fin! I pulled out my box of sweaters and tried on a few. They fit, they are warm.... Not as warm as my first cup of Apple Cider. Yum! The spicey smell drives me wild and tickles my soul. Almost as spicey as the smell of crisp color-changing leaves in the air. Beautiful! So refreshing that I walk to the mail box and linger on the way back... almost as refreshing as the feeling of finally turning off the AC and opening the windows at home. I love fall... love the way you add pumpkin and ginger to all recipes just because. Love the trucks of chopped wood along the sides of the road and patches of vegetables at farmers' markets... Fall is without a doubt the most beautiful season of all.

Smile when you're weary, and keep going...

Y'all, I am TIRED, and the end of law school has been a long long time coming. Class is a drain and the readings have never been more boring. In fact, I'm in class at the moment! Yes... this moment - the 8:12 p.m. moment!!!

BUT through it all God is good! So, instead of whining, I'm going to smile and count down the days until graduation.

For those of you who know what I mean by weary, here are some encouraging thoughts to push you forward...

Weaping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~Henry Ford

Don't Quit.

It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is best from the top. ~Arnold Bennett





God ALWAYS has a plan

Great news! Today I was offered a spring externship with an organization that provides legal services to artists and entertainers. Right up my alley, huh?

A while ago I posted a blog rant about believing in your dreams and daring to think outside of the boxes that other people create for you... At Vandy, the standard encouraged is Law Review --> Corporate Law ---> boring business stiff firm unappealling... must I continue?

I'm so thankful that God is blessing my faith to think outside of the mold. Of course, I can not wait for the Spring!

Celebration of Cultures [featuring Elmojazz!]

Well, unfortunately my plans changed many times today, and STILL I had to miss my stroll through Centennial Park. BUT, hopefully you were able to enjoy it. If not, the fun continues in Nashville's Centennial Park at the Celebration of Cultures. Admission is free and there are lots of artisans and musics groups to enjoy. In addition, they have food vendors with a variety of treats from around the world.

RIGHT NOW my favorite Nashville band - El Movimiento - is playing their lively latin jazz tunes. Check out their new CD and listen to free samples of their music at ElmoJazz.com. You should also make time for  a live performance by adding your name to their mailing list to find out what gigs they have planned.

Psalms 19:14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

This was my family's meditation this morning. We take for granted that as Christians, the things that we say and do are representations of the God that we say we serve. Still, it is futile to try on our to "be good." 

This is why my simple prayer today was for God to change the nature of my thoughts and desires. What a journey... 

Feliz Sábado! (Ex. 20:8)

Sabbath Radio (My Personal Favorites)

My mom is coming to visit this Sunday and I am soooo very excited. I've been thinking and planning for a few weeks now... I must admit, I'm a little worried that after all the build-up I may fail to make 3 days in Nashville seem as spectacular as I imagined it will be.

Now that the time has almost come I am past the planning and into the cleaning phase. Today, I took things back to my SDA roots - turned on my favorite gospel Pandora station, grabbed the Pledge and gave the apartment a good Friday afternoon cleaning! Imagine the feeling - gospel in the air... lemony fresh scents... and clean apartment!

It's Bliss!

Ok so you may not be as excited about the cleaning as I am, but I still wanted to share the goodness. Try these Pandora stations for hours of guaranteed inspiration... Feliz Sabado!

Bee Bee & Cee Cee Winans
Yolanda Adams
Shae Norman