Weekend Round-up

nice weekend, over too quickly. Full of friends, food, flowers, food...and some more food.

Friday night I had 2 lovely, lovely girls to my home for dinner. I was one of their Community Group leaders for a long time and have seen them grow into beautiful, mature Christ loving women. All 3 of us have had hard years so we ate good food (basil pesto and pork tenderloin, preceded by Mark Bittman's Rosemary-Lemon White bean dip. It was delicious, healthy and so easy), and talked and lamented and laughed. I loved it.



Saturday started at Pepper Place, my favorite summer activity. It is berry season in Alabama and I bought some big, juicy Blackberries as well as peaches and blueberries. Berry season makes summer in Alabama worth the heat...almost! Spent a few hours working for our One Day Sale, which was not as bad as I thought it would be. How can it be bad when I am surrounded by books?

Saturday night found Amanda and I cooking yet another recipe from The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper (highly recommended); Salmon Pan Roast with Garlic Shavings and Basil on Fresh Greens and Warm White Bean Salad with Fragrant Garlic and Rosemary. Oh. My. Goodness. It was delicious. Both having purchased new SLR cameras with our incentive money, we walked to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to practice a bit. It was a humid night when the greens are so green and the colors pop. Took some good shots I think. Finished the night with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream (good despite the fact that the peaches tasted a bit like garlic having been cut on the same cutting board...oops).



Sunday started having brunch with a new friend at my favorite place, Chez Lulu. He and I talked about food and books and Southern culture. Had the brunch special (Ham and Brie cheese Strata beside garlic cheese grits and fresh fruit) and ordered both Blackberry and Blueberry pies. the best in town in my opinion. Go get some quick-the blackberry pie is around for a very limited time. As in, this batch of blackberries and that's it. I may go back this week for more! Spent the rest of the day napping and hanging out.



I should be at church right now, but I am not. I am not sure why I am so reticent to go these days. Maybe the fact that everyone knows me and my story? Lately I find myself yearning for anonymity. The past 3 years have been painful and that is no secret at church, as much of the pain has had to do with the church and it's members. I know that is what happens when you live in Community, but I am not loving it right now. I am hopeful that this is a stage and I will be back soon. I have gone and left so many times recently that I am sure noone is surprised!



well, the first weekend of summer was a success. I hope that yours was as well.

I love a rainy night

Have you been to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens lately? Oh, you really must go soon. It is so beautiful right now. I know that it is always beautiful, but now...oh my. The Roses are all in bloom and the rose garden is such a sensual, sweet experience. There is just something about roses, isn't there...the way they shamelessly bloom so beautifully and then, just as quickly die and stay on the branch, daring you to look. The saturated colors and soft texture. The way the petals may fall off as soon as you touch it, or the fact that the heads look so inviting, while the stems are thorny and rough.

She is a temptress, the rose. i can't get enough.

I go through phases with her. Sometimes, I find her too prissy, too easy to love and quick to hurt. A little too seductive. Other times, I walk through the gardens and literally stop to smell every type, occasionally rubbing my cheek against her soft petals and breathing in. I stare in wonder at all the different kinds, each different but all possessing that rare, yet ordinary beauty that is a Rose.

Really, please go to the gardens. You won't regret it. The roses are not the only thing blooming. The herb garden smells like the best, freshest restaurant, and the Lily garden is just stunning. I am convinced that there is healing power in just breathing the air in the tropical greenhouse.

It is open sunup to sundown and I find myself wandering through there after work, right before dusk. It feels like the park is all mine to enjoy...as though it has been bestowed upon me.

I am willing to share.