Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Winter + Chocolate + Heart Melt

I have missed being part of the Hodgepodge group the past couple weeks so it is good to rejoin
for

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

I really can't recall a time that I experienced any of these.  However, I was being a bit critical of something the other night and had to apologize for that, so maybe that qualifies for telling myself to "chill."

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

Face-Time  with our youngest granddaughter the other night.  She melts my heart anyway, but just seeing her and hearing her tell about things going on in her life at eight, really melts my heart big time.  I miss being with her and all our grands.

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton  

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?


Last week a friend of mine and I had planned to visit a small town in another state a couple hours away and because the weather was so nasty, we decided to not go.  This change in plans was a real inconvenience because I had really looked forward to the day and she would not be able to reschedule this week.  But, Hubby helped me turn this inconvenience into an adventure by agreeing to go with me this past Monday.  We had a great day together and the "adventure" will be the topic of a future blog post.  Stay tuned!

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

Hands down a Wendy's Chocolate Frosty!  Love it!!!
5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.

A symphony!  Life is good.  Because my foot is healing well, I've been able to go back to the gym and return to Handbell Choir and Sanctuary Choir.  We have spent time with friends.  Hubby and I have enjoyed doing things together that is important to both of us. The Lord continues to bless richly for which I am most grateful.

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?

"White Christmas" is the first that comes to mind.

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

I would miss most our home.  God gave us this house eight years ago and we love it.  And of course, I would miss our friends.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby and I enjoy a good salad and I found this recipe the other day in a cookbook given to me by a dear friend for my birthday - The New Southern Table by Brys Stephens.  It is super quick, easy, delicious and good for you.
Kale, Apple and Pecan Salad with Black Benne Dressing
I did not make the dressing but used one of our favorites that we get from Whole Foods.
Dressing:
3 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar, 1 med. shallot, Kosher salt, 2 Tbsp. honey, 3 tsp. Dijon mustard, 3 tsp. black benne seeds, 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Salad:
1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces plus more for garnish
In a large bowl toss 24 ounces kale, stemmed and thinly sliced and 2 apples cut into matchsticks, (I used one large Honey Spice) with the dressing and garnish with pecans.  I also used toasted sesame seeds.  Season to taste.

I served this salad the other night for guests with Lentil Soup and cornbread and it was a perfect first course.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth "Libby" Day
Elizabeth "Libby" Day

Hello, My name is Libby. I enjoy reading good books, painting, blogging, spending time with friends and whatever my "Heart" leads me to do. Welcome to Beauty Without Within.

11 comments:

  1. Good frosty, 28 degree, morning from South Carolina!

    Loved the blog today. The Wednesday Hodgepodge posts really make me think! They really help me examine my own responses to situations and circumstances in my life.

    The salad was gorgeous, and I couldn't help but wonder how it would pair with a Wendy's Frosty? Hmmm. Could we have the lentil soup recipe sometime? Love lentils, and haven't cooked any for quite a while. My apologies, Mrs. Lentil.

    Warm hugs!

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  2. Lentil soup is a favorite here. I might have to make some this week, now that you've got me thinking about it : ) Facetime is great! I enjoy seeing my girls while we chat, and it's been a fun way to get a tour of my oldest daughter's new home. Not exactly like being there in person, but still pretty good.

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  3. Oh how I love to Facetime with grands. It doesn't work well with Melody though as she is in the country and her wi fi doesn't work well sometimes. I am loving the looks of that salad. My favorite salads always contain nuts of some kind (though pecans are best!) and fruit (though again, apples work best!) Thanks for the recipe! Enjoy your day!

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  4. Isn't FaceTime the greatest invention ever? I love it! Oh, my...that salad looks delicious, Libby! Might have to try it soon!

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  5. Glad your foot is doing better. That salad looks really good. I usually only make basic garden salad but I bet the crunch from the nuts and apple is a good addition.

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  6. The salad looks yummy!
    I hope to convince my kids to Skype now that we live halfway across the country from them.

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  7. So happy that your life is a symphony right now, keep it up! I said White Christmas too. Love it. Your salad looks and sounds delicious.

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  8. OK... reading all the Hodgepodge answers has made me want to stop at Wendy's on the way home!

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  9. Oh, yes, FaceTime is so, so wonderful and would love to have had something like that when we lived so far from my parents.

    Isn't it wonderful when our lives are like a symphony!

    Good looking salad for sure!

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  10. The salad looks really good!
    Facetime/Skype is just amazing, isn't it?
    Thanks for visiting!

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  11. The salad looks delicious, and I too love the Skype time available to visit grandkids. What would we do without it.

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