Now That You Explain It Like That....

Well, hmmm...now when Chelsie explains the "pink socks" situation in such a wonderfully descriptive and heartfelt way, I find myself, shall we say, softening toward the pink socks. I'm all for team comradery and I am definately all for girlie, so it stands to reason that I should be all for pink socks right? I am not yet 100 percent there, but maybe with a little time I will come around!

Two weeks ago Chelsie sent a pumkin-cream cheese muffin home with me. AND? Well I had the same muffin just the day before from Starbucks, a rare indulgence on my part. So I was in the perfect place to make a comparison, although I already knew who the winner would be! Chelsie's was so riculously moist and fresh-er tasting. I could really taste the pumpkin in it That was the first flavor that registered, unlike the Starbucks muffin in which the first flavor to register was sugar. (For the record, I have nothing against Starbucks.) And knowing Chelsie, I'm sure it was a much healthier option in comparison. So I am placing my vote that Chelsie post the recipe asap! :)

Speaking of salads now. I humbly admit that I have become pretty adept at creating a ...creative salad. On the average day I eat at least one salad a day as a meal, and usually another one as a side with a meal. So after all these years of salads, I've had to get more creative. Now when I say salad I mean a fresh vegetable, and fruit assembly of ingriedients, and not a mixture of any sort slathered with mayo and oil and whatever! I just personally cannot consider that a salad. Although by definition: SALAD: food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens...I guess a salad could be anything really! I love organic, fresh, preservative-free foods, and salads fit the bill. So here is our favorite from this summer!


Heirloom Tomato Salad w/Garlic infused Olive Oil(serves 4)

4 T. extra virgin olive oil
3 small garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 lbs. heirloom tomatoes* (any combination), halved or quartered
1/4 C. Chives cut into 1 inch peices
1/4 C. fresh basil, leaves torn if large
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Heat oil and garlic in a small saute pan over medium-low heat. Cook until garlic is golden (about 6 minutes). Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

2. Arrange tomatoes on a serving plate, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the garlic oil, and sprinkl with chives and basil just before serving.
* I try to get an assortment of heirloom tomato varieties with bright colors and interesting shapes, it makes for great presentation and it is always a favorite at the events we've taken it to!

To Continue...The Story of the Pink Socks

Melissa is an inspiration to me as well. She has a vey special gift of letting you know how much you mean to her by crafting these every so thoughtful hand made cards, that words cannot describe. They find you with tears streaming and feeling very loved. Her way of always making me laugh, is incredible. But, let's boast a moment about Melissa and her amazing God given talent for making the most amazing salads! You might think leaves, dressing, ehhh it is all the same...No! Her salads are out of this world crazy good. She puts together things you would never think of and it works! Umm, and I am still waiting on the strawberry salad...

How did the pink socks come about? Well, let me give you some background... I was one of the girls who watched and cheered on the guys as we stood around hoping the P.E. teacher did not make us play. Now, I play on our church softball team. How did that happen? Last year I was minding my business keeping score for the team, when I was hit straight to the back of the head by a foul ball. After that I figured I might as well play if I can get hit just sitting here and how bad could it be? Primarily this is a guy's sport in my opinion, so I had to girlie it up. Keri and I were talking about needing a distraction since we were not very versed in the ways of softball. She talked about striped softball pants, and well pink socks just came to me. I wanted to support the ladies that were playing and help figure out what our distraction should be and well pink socks became the way to do that. The pink socks have become an entity of their own in our softball team. Men, yes men ask me about them all the time and say they would wear them. Melissa...on the other hand...does not care for my pink socks. I am working on her, I will wear her down...She will come to love the pink socks too.