Simple Salad and Sunset

This past weekend was the Servant's Heart banquet at our church, an outreach to cancer patients and their caregivers in our area. Our appetizer for the event was caprise salad, a refreshing blend of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. But I overordered on the mozzarella.

So right about now, I'm thinking about a delightful margherita pizza, with a tangy sauce, slices of fresh mozzarella and tomato and a sprinkling of basil on flatbread. That'll make a wonderful dinner.

But my favorite use of fresh mozzarella is caprese salad. Traditionally, it's a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese topped with a tomato slice and a basil leaf, drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with some coarse ground black pepper. But I prefer mine a little different.

First, we need some yummy tomatoes. Like these campari tomatoes. Very tasty. You can also use cherry tomatoes or whatever variety you prefer.

Cut into bite-size pieces and tossed them together with some cubed fresh mozzarella. 

 

Then add some chopped basil, a bit of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and some fresh ground pepper. Maybe even a splash of balsamic vinegar. Toss it all up and voila!

A light and refreshing lunch that's not only easy, but oh so delicious.

So our weather has been quite squirrely lately. Temps will approach 80 one day and then be stuck in the 40s the next. I saw my first wildflower over the weekend and a tree trying to bud. We've finally had some rain, but not the soakers we need to fill the lakes, ponds and tanks before summer hits. I'm praying for a wet spring. However, the rain has provided us with some beautiful sunsets.

 I do love it when God does some sky-painting.

So what's the weather doing where you are? And what's your favorite thing to do with fresh mozzarella?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

Celebrate, celebrate!

We are celebrating at our house big time! What are we celebrating? This:

Mano O is OFF blood thinners. After six months of no dark green veggies, he can eat them again without worrying it would affect his medication. I've never seen a man miss broccoli so much!

So how do we celebrate? With a dish full of broccoli, kale and spinach. We are trying to reduce our meat consumption so steak is out. We are also reducing carbs. And I had a hankering for pizza, lasagna, etc. All those good Italian things.

So Italian Veggie Bake it is.

1) Saute your choice of three cups green veggies in an oven-proof skillet in a little bit of olive oil, just until tender.  I used broccoli, spinach, and kale. Adding zucchini or summer squash is a great addition or substitution for the broccoli. You want the base of this dish to have some heft.    

2) Add a cup and a half of spaghetti sauce, stirring over medium heat until heated through.

3) Take dish off the skillet and lay slabs of a cut fresh mozzarella ball across the top. Note: Shredded mozzarella or even thin slices just doesn't do it for this dish.

4) Place in the oven under the broiler until the cheese starts to bubble and turn golden brown. Safety note: Be sure to use an oven mitt to take it out! Don't ask me how I know.

5) Serve using a slotted spatula or spoon so most of the moisture is removed from the dish. 

Now ManO loved it. And for a guy who is a meat eater at heart, that's saying something. The slab of  pseudo-meat sealed the deal without being tofu!

Now I had something else to celebrate.  At RWA, I received two requests for my manuscript. So I figured I best reward myself for putting on my big girl panties and pitching. What to do, what to do? It hit me. After San Antonio, I had to retire my favorite tote bag.  It continually snagged all my new knit dresses. Not a happy camper.

Now I am a purse fanatic. It isn't about having  a bunch of purses but about having one that will last forever and meet my very picky specifications.  Leather. Always leather. Now that alone was a difficult requirement. I would have had an easier time if I was a vegan.

My dream tote also had to be big enough to carry my favorite notepad folder of all time. Zipped, sleek and perfect for holding pitches, schedules, and a legal pad. So a large bag was in my future.

But it still had to be stylish, in a color that would pop against my new standard wardrobe of black, gray, brown or white.

I stalked TJ Maxx, Steinmart, and all the on-line outlets with no success. I may want to spend hundreds on a leather bag but I sure wasn't going to do it.  I wanted a purse with out the baggage of guilt at blowing our budget.

I stopped into our small local Belks on a whim. There it was. The fossil bag I'd seen on sale earlier in the week and still too expensive just marked down another thirty percent. SOLD. The purse fairies were so kind!

The color is  called "orchid" but it's actually a dark raspberry red.

So what about you? Are you celebrating back to school? A weight loss? Just summer coming to a close? What have you rewarded yourself with lately?


 
   

Friend-ly Reunions

This has been the summer of “friend-ly reunions” for me.  I’ve had the joy of visiting with people who make a big difference in my life’s journey.  Some for the first time in person and some for the first time in a while.  

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can never get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.  -Amy Li
 

This picture evokes too many captions to mention. It was tough for me going from an only to the oldest!  

They called us the Easter Eggs because we had different hair color even before hair dye came into the picture.

My sister Ann is visiting this weekend.  We are having a blast but missing our little sister Mary.  Sniff. If I don't comment quickly enough, it is because we are out having too much fun antiquing.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.  ― C.S. Lewis

Piper and I met at last year's Moonlight and Magnolias but cemented our bond over Royal Baby news.

Mary and I have been writing buddies for a while now but roomed together at RWA. And we didn't kill each other! 

Speaking of sisters, I just got back from RWA in Atlanta where I was united with writing pals, Piper Huguley and Mary Curry.  I keep saying they are sisters of the heart but they also are encouragers of the first order.  

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.  - Albert Schweitzer

My friend Renee and her husband Tommy. Why yes, they ARE dressed like Rhett and Scarlett!

Another great thing about going to Atlanta was seeing my friend from divinity school days, Renee, and her husband. They recently moved back to the East Coast from California. Encouragement is also a theme of our relationship through all our various adventures in ministry.

“It was only high school after all, definitely one of the most bizarre periods in a person’s life. How anyone can come through that time well adjusted on any level is an absolute miracle.”  ― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

     Back in the day, we rocked Gunne Sax. I am in the middle seated. Donna is at the end kneeling.

Earlier this summer, my friend Donna traveled all the way to Outer Banks from California to be with her  East Coast family. Then she drove eight hours round trip to see the infamous screened porch project and me. Now that is a good friend.  I think we started talking the moment she arrived and kept at it until she departed.  We talked surviving high school, our faith journey and more.  Just picked up where we left off.

Like fine cheeses, we have aged pretty well. Donna better than me!

I fixed something quick and easy for our visit, not wanting to waste time cooking when I could spend the time visiting.  It is tomato season here and I decided a caprese salad would be the ticket.  My variation involved miniaturizing the ingredients. Everyone knows anything is cuter when it is tiny. I added fresh bread and brownies from the local bakery and voila. Lunch!

This was the perfect lunch for sustaining hours of talking!

Marinated Caprese Salad

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

1 container mini mozzarella balls

1 package romaine lettuce, torn up

1 bunch asparagus

1/3 cup olive oil

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 T Italian spices or dry Italian dressing blend

Shaved parmesan cheese

Mix the oil, vinegar and spices. Pour in a bowl. Add tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Stir, cover and refrigerate at least one hour.  

Toss asparagus in a tablespoon of olive oil and a dash of salt. Roast for 20 minutes at 350.

Arrange romaine lettuce on a plate. Place still warm asparagus spears across lettuce. Top with tomatoes and mozzarella.  Shave parmesan over salad.  Serves 3-4.

I've learned over time it is better to have an easy meal when you know you're going to be yacking. Small bites, carbs to keep you going, and plenty of water to drink so your mouth doesn't get dry.

So, what about you? Have you had friendly or family reunions this summer? Is there one reunion you wish you could set up?