Strawberry Basil Lemonade

A few years ago we went to a great restaraunt in Chicago and I ordered this.  The Basil and 

strawberries help to sweeten the lemonade naturally.  I used the opal basil and it also naturally 

turns pink.  Here is my version.

1 ripe lemon (roll on the counter to soften) and squeeze into a 2 qt pitcher

Fill with ice, and add a tablespoon of Agave nectar, 

a handful of ripe strawberries and a few stems of sweet basil.

Allow to sit in the refrigerator so the sweetness develops for 

an hour or so.  Stir, taste and adjust the sugar if needed.  

Serve over ice and garnish with basil and a perfect strawberry.

Enjoy!

You Can Always Go Home Again

Its always bittersweet when you have to leave a place that you love.  Sometimes you don't know what you've got until you leave.  Colorado is so beautiful but there is always a price that comes with beautiful places (very high rent and unaffordable housing.)  Family is a hard thing to move away from.   When joyous occasions happen or sad painful ones, your heartstrings pull a little harder each time. Home is always where your heart is.  Trust me I've left mine pieces of heart in several prime locations but the pull of family wins every time.  I moved from Colorado to Hawaii in 1986 and back to Indiana in 89.  Now my daughter Rose and her husband Drew are in route to IN as I write.  They are closing on a home in Mishawaka tomorrow.   They were ready to settle down (and I pray…start a family).  Colorado didn't have many options.  

I know exactly what they are feeling and I hope that the love of family puts that smile back on their face and fills their hearts with overwhelming joy.  

Me and my little sis circa 1985 Montezuma, CO (wish I
still owned that jeep!)

mother and daughter last summer in Summit County, CO

Drew hiking with us in Greeley CO

Rocky Mountain National Park

Thought for the Day

As you walk

and eat

and travel,

be where you are.

Otherwise you

will miss most

of your life.     Buddha

   When we were visiting my adventurous son in Hawaii last January he was suppose to meet us at a certain beach that issues only so many parking passes.  So we kept waiting and  waiting for him to arrive when all the sudden I spot him on a paddle board.  He ended up having to go to the next beach and he always has his "fun gear" with him.  So he just paddled on over with a backpack full of food and phone etc.

He asked me if I would like to try the paddle board.  I really did want to, but I let fear get the best of me, and made all the excuses…"you don't have a leash, what if I loose it?"  yada yada yada.  Finally I did try and had better luck on my knees.   I was still afraid to go to far.  Jeramiah put me up front on my knees and he paddled me around the bay.  

I really don't know to many young men who would do that for their mothers so it meant the world to me and I had so much fun.  Better to try and fail then to miss a chance at something new and exciting.          

  

Interior Design

It all started with an idea to paint, and now all the sudden we are doing a total remodel of our kitchen.  I love the process, the planning, sketches, choosing materials, colors, textures new appliances etc but the best part is when you walk in and see it all put together after months of dreaming.  That won't happen until May (if I'm lucky) but it is in motion.

My husband Ed is also in the remodeling business, so it's been fun working with him to redesign the kitchen to fit our needs.  You don't need a fancy kitchen to cook great food but it sure does inspire you to cook!   Here is a peek at my mood board.  I'll share the finished product in a few months.  

Your Actions Show Your Character

One day after hanging out with Jeramiah and a few of his peeps on the beach, he started running around like a mad man picking things up here and there.  When he came back to us I asked him "What in the heck are you doing?"  His answer was "Picking up trash."  Then he turned to his friends and told them,  "When I was a little boy my mom would always make us pay our dues for getting to play at the park by picking up trash.   

As a mom that was thrifty enough to stay home with my 3 children I took advantage of parks, the library and museums quite often.  I wanted them to be thankful not to me but of what we are privileged to have available to us for learning, playing and growing.  

They all make me proud by their actions and sometimes its the smallest things in life that mean so much.   They soon add up to big things!  So glad it stuck with him, and who knows how many others are influenced?

Saturday Pondering

My favorite thing 

is experiencing life 

through the eyes

 of my children.

     

Jeramiah 

Rosemary

Weston

Creamy Polenta with Spinach, Mushrooms and Onions

One of my favorite restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii is in a quaint town called Hulaloa that sits above Kona.  It started out as a Japanese community, and when I went there 20 some years ago there was one gift shop that sold woven Lauhala mats, and purses etc.  Now it's home to many beautiful art galleries a historic pink hotel and a favorite open air cafe.

Ed and I enjoyed our choices so much the last time we were there four years ago that we ordered exactly the same thing (The tuna melt for me and the Brie Burger for him).  I started eating tuna again after that trip and duplicated the dish many times.   Laura ordered the Polenta dish and it looked so wonderful that I couldn't wait to make it at home.  I added spinach to my dish for added nutrition and color.  I added my recipe at the bottom of this page.  Its so easy and as they say in theIslands  It's Ono! (delicious).

I wish I had taken more pictures of the inside.  It's planted with lush foliage and has beautiful
statues and coi ponds.

Our dear friends who were in Hawaii at the very same time.

     

Creamy Polenta with Sautéed Mushrooms, Onions and Spinach

3 cups of water +1 reserved

1 tsp salt

1 cup cornmeal

2 tbs butter

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

1 carton mushrooms of your choice, sliced

a large handful of cleaned baby spinach

thyme, salt and pepper to taste

Boil 3 cups of water with salt.  Add the cornmeal to the reserved cup of water and stir.  When the water starts a rolling boil add the cornmeal mixture, stir until smooth, reduce heat to simmer and cover.   Every few minutes stir the pot to keep from sticking.  

While thats cooking…

sauté your onions until transparent in hot oil.  Then add in the mushrooms.  It takes some time, but when they start to brown add salt, pepper and thyme.  When everything is the desired color (browned) add the spinach.

Turn the heat off of the cornmeal and add the butter and cheese.  

Serves 4