The Gulf -

Carmen and I last weekend on our beach.

The beach is beautiful this time of year.

I keep expecting oil to show up, but it hasn't.

The water is still a beautiful green/blue and the sand is 

still as white as ever.

I love this place.  

I love just sitting, and listening to the waves roll onto the beach.

Love the Emerald Coast.

You should come for a visit.

Enjoy!

Sauteed Pancetta with Kale and Pasta

I realized the other day, that I haven't posted a recipe in a while.  Sorry.  I also haven't been cooking, which explains it, eh?

Oh, well...one of our favorite (kids and I) dishes is pasta.  Sometimes all we do is add olive oil, salt and pepper, oh, and Parmesan cheese.  But, this is my new favorite way (especially when Kale is fresh, and the Pancetta is on sale).

Chop the Pancetta that has been thinly sliced.  Add to a hot pan, begin sauteing until edges are brown.  Add one sweet onion sliced, and 2 to 3 cloves of garlic. Once the onion is translucent, add the kale.  I have to add a pan full, stir, and let it wilt some before adding the rest of the kale (I typically use a 1/2 bag of kale).  Once the kale is wilted (this is your preference on how wilted), add to cooked pasta.  Salt and pepper to your liking, and add cheese.

This serving of pasta is artichoke and ricotta filled tortellini.

The salt from the shaved Parmesan, and the slight smoke flavor from the 

Pancetta was wonderful with the bitterness of the kale.

This is truly one of my go to suppers.

Enjoy!

My Baby Girl's Senior Year

I wanted to do something special with Carmen for her High School Graduating year.  She didn't care for the traditional school class rings, nor did I, only wearing mine for my Senior year in High School.  I considered it a waste of money, and not something to carry with you forever.  She did agree with me, but wanted to have something to symbolize her high school years.

I love Tiffany & Co. (what girl doesn't?)!  We looked online (their site is really wonderful), and had chosen this one but in pink sapphire instead.

We traveled to Atlanta this past weekend, just Carmen and I, for a whirlwind trip.  I thought that it would be special for her to have time with me (and selfishly - me too), and for her to "shop" at Tiffany. 

We went into Tiffany & Co, and went to the counter where her "ring" should be. Tried on several, and then discovered that they didn't have the pink sapphire in stock.  They could order it for us, and ship it, but that isn't why we traveled all the way to Atlanta.  (Yes, I know that it isn't that far of a drive, but driving longer than 2 hours for me is difficult and terribly tiring.)  Carmen really did want to be wearing her ring that very day.  It was disappointing, until I pointed out that her high school color was green, and they had that in stock.

  Yep! 

The box and the bag.

I truly think that Carmen would have been just as happy with just these two items.

Opening (excuse the quality of the photo - in a restaurant)!

Love her expression.

Do something special, and out of the ordinary for your children.  It doesn't have to be all the time, just once in a while. (oh, and it was actually cheaper than the traditional class ring.) It really speaks volumes for communication, and love.

Blessings.

Jerry Ann

Memory Verse #7

“Your heart’s been in the right place all along…You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 The Message

Too tired today to post more...attending the Priscilla Shirer Going Beyond Simulcast...and it has been a long day, but a fruitful one....and more tomorrow.

Happy April....
Love,
Jerry Ann