A waterfall of thoughts.

I feel like I'm still getting into the groove of this whole blog thing. It is a strange world, this blogging world. To put your inner most thoughts, deepest desires, private wishes out in the public arena of vast space. Odd. What does one hope to accomplish by doing this? Is it vain to think that others care what I, Annette, have to say about the world that surrounds me? I try and comfort myself in the fact that I'm really "blogging" to have an opportunity, an excuse, to write more. An excuse to feel more creative in my life and above all to hold myself accountable to something other than myself. All this is being shared to say that I am heading back to Colorado for a couple of weeks and may or may not have an opportunity to check in to this place. Of the few readers I have, probably mostly close friends and family at this point, I say adieu for the moment. Ta ta for now and I'll see you real soon.

The mornings are light!

The thing I most enjoy about these quiet mornings is the opprotunity for reverence and the possibilities of the day ahead. At this moment I can still choose and imagine a glorious day. In the evening is where the truth of the day comes forward. There I feel the weight of all that did not get accomplished. The disappointment of missed opprotunities. But the mornings are light!

"each cylce of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid; each cycle of the relationship is valid... the sea recedes and returns eternally." ~Gift From the Sea

Farro for dinner

Once during the work week my husband and I like to meet for lunch. I feel in love with a farro salad a local restaurant made. Each time we ate there I always ordered it. They typically change their menu with the season, which I think is wonderful, but it meant that I had to say goodbye to this lovely dish.

Tonight, however, I was missing the taste of farro between my teeth. Unable to satisfy my appetite by simply heading to a restaurant I decided to bravely make a dish without a recipe! For me this was a huge step. Never have I ever cooked anything without a recipe, aside from an omelet from time to time. And, if I don't say so myself, it turned out wonderfully!

Below is my attempt at creating a recipe for those who'd like to try it for themselves. (I apologize for the picture but I was so excited during the making and eating of this meal that I neglected to snap a photo until after the leftovers were being put away for tomorrow's lunch!)

Farro with Zucchini, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Heirloom Tomatoes
1 cup farro
5 cups water
1 zucchini sliced
about 6 shiitake mushrooms sliced
1 good sized heirloom tomato
1/2 can of white kidney beans
fresh basil
goat cheese to garnish

For Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 generous tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove
basil and fresh ground pepper to taste

Bring farro, water and a pinch or two of salt to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook covered for 50-60 minutes. (These were the directions posted next to the bulk bin. After reading some other recipes for cooking farro I may try soaking the farro first before cooking as mine turned out a little chewier and the individual grains looked smaller than I remembered.)

While farro is cooking, saute zucchini and shiitake mushrooms for about 5-10 minutes and set aside. Core and cut tomato in small bite size pieces and set aside.

For dressing mix olive oil, vinegar, garlic, pepper, and a few leaves of basil and set aside.

Once farro is done cooking, drain off the water and put in serving bowl. Toss in zucchini, mushrooms, tomato, white kidney beans, and some more basil leaves. (I am a huge fan of basil!) Drizzle dressing over all and mix until everything is thoroughly coated.

Serve with goat cheese to garnish!

Serves 3-4 for dinner.

(We served this dish with fresh ciabatta bread and some butter. A fresh green salad would also complement nicely. Next time I might also try a citrus dressing instead. We'll see I'm excited to play with this recipe a bit more.)

Illustated Outfits by Nancy Z.

I am genuinely inspired by this lady's amazing talent! The clothes are unique, her illustrations are beautiful. For me each one creates its own emotion and shares a little story.

Katie Herzig!

The end of June brought me to San Francisco, a ladies getaway vacation with my good friend Liz. We happened to catch Marc Cohn playing at Bimbo's. However the highlight of that evening for me was discovering Katie Herzig. From her first song I knew I would have to buy a CD. Her lastest release Apple Tree has been on repeat ever since I got home from San Francisco. Sweeter than This however is from her second CD, Weightless. Check out more of Katie's music at http://www.katieherzig.com/ it's lovely!