Yesterday was a gorgeous here – about 75 degrees, clear and sunny. (Sorry Texas, Oklahoma, & California.) Robert decided to join me in an early trip to the farm to pick up our weekly share. Good thing he did, or else I would have been there twice as long picking beans. Most things are already picked for you, but some things are PYO. (Pick your own) So….we picked raspberries, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, basil, and BEANS. There were so many beans that you could pick extra and buy them for a bulk rate. We picked exactly three extra pounds for $3. And they were beautiful! Green, purple, and cream and purple swirled. (Don’t know their real scientific names, so I’m making them up.) Also in our share were…onions, corn, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, arugula, Swiss chard, green onions, cucumbers, a gigantic watermelon, and a cantaloupe.
After that we headed downtown for some browsing through our town’s weekly farmer’s market. The only things we bought there were three garlic bulbs, a quart of jalapenos, and get this….some fresh ginger! ($16 per pound! Look in front of the tomatoes.) Oh, and one very gluten-ful pecan sticky bun for the only gluten-eater in our family. Usually, while eating some glutinous goodness, he will say something like…”This is really terrible. Just awful – you are not missing anything.” Which is always a lie, of course – to ease my jealousy, but after devouring this treat, he admitted it was the best sticky bun he had ever eaten. I didn’t mind at all, especially since I was able to indulge in a grass-fed-cow’s milk yogurt and peach smoothie while cruising through all of the absolutely beautiful vegetable displays. (Yes, made fresh, on the spot.)
I was in such veggie heaven, so mesmerized by the colors of our haul, that I carried it all out to our backyard, arranged it all on the picnic table and proceeded with a fruit and veggie photo shoot! I am not sure what this says about me, but it made me very happy.
And then we got busy washing, chopping, and eating!
Kayla had her friend Maddie over, and since the weather couldn’t have been more perfect, Robert worked on a campfire out back, (while simultaneously polishing off his sermon on the laptop) so that we could have campfire meals or “Hobo Meals” which is what we always call them. (Pretty sure I obtained that term from my Girl Scout camping days.)
The kids and parents all loaded up a foil packet with ground beef patties, potatoes, carrots, beans, and squash, lots of butter, and salt and pepper. (Actually, some packets were mysteriously void of squash and beans.) Then we buttered up some corn and wrapped it in its own packet. Onto the coals it all went, and 15-20 minutes later everyone had their own personal meal. Dessert? Roasted marshmallows, of course. Delicious!
We had to get started on this project a bit earlier than our usual dinners, because we had a very special show to attend that evening. Cindy, our beloved church worship leader and friend, was playing at a local cafe. Everyone in Krum family was looking forward to getting a special drink (steamers, root beer, iced tea, americanos – the works!) and hanging out with church friends and listening to Cindy. Yes, we hear her every Sunday morning, but you really can’t ever get enough of this talented lady.
Seriously, I want to give a disclaimer at church each week: Warning! This church has unusually talented musicians. PLEASE do not expect this same level of expertise in other congregations. You are sure to be disappointed.
Familiar worship songs, to James Taylor, to Taylor Swift : ) – she covered it all – and even a few originals. Other friends and worship leaders, Eric and Lois, and even Cindy’s housemate, Kate, joined her for some of the songs. All so gifted….
She played to a full house, (who’s surprised?) and was her usual fun, easy-going, talented self. It was a fun and memorable time for all – thanks, Cindy!
Wonderful day of fun and favorite things…. a needed encouragement.
Up next:
Kayla’s Sermon Interpretation Drawing
Eat, Pray, Love book/movie review
Summer Re-cap
First Days of School