Sweet Summertime

I absolutely love this time of the year as it brings so many fresh vegetables. The other night I wanted to make something special since Thomas had just gotten home, but I didn't feel like putting a lot of work into supper. I decided to tweak a dish my cousin Catherine shared with me, and it was amazing. Happy homecoming to Thomas!

Here is the recipe:

3 c cooked whole wheat penne pasta

1 T olive oil

1 zuccini, chopped however you like

1/4 c chopped green onions

1 clove of minced garlic

1 container cherry tomatoes

3 T chopped basil

handful of arugula

Parmesan cheese to taste

salt and pepper to taste

In a saute pan, heat olive oil and barely brown the garlic. Add zucchini and green onion and cook until tender. Add tomatoes and close lid, letting tomatoes cook until skin bursts. Add basil, arugula, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and pasta. Stir and serve immediately. 

I also served broiled fish on the side, but you could serve any simple meat that you'd like. 

Minnesota photos

Wildflowers were abundant

gorgeous cathedral in St Paul. Thomas actually took this photo while driving, so props to him!

Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, MN. One of THE cutest little towns I've ever been to!

Lake Minnetonka in the day

                             

this is what it looks like to cook for 4 linemen in an Extended Stay kitchen

                                

The paved pathways between the neighborhoods looked just like Narnia to me

Mall of America. It was too stressful for me, but Thomas ran around like a little kid. 

We can handle this place. For sure.

 Minnesowtah. How did I ever imagine I could love this place so quickly? Well, aside from the fact that they don't have any Krispy Kreme's and we didn't get to participate in National Donut Day yesterday, I love it.

It is probably a mean joke on Minnesota's part since I'm here during the most glorious time of the year. The temperatures are in the mid 70's and everything is GREEN. When I say green I mean green. I went for a walk yesterday and was fascinated by all of the walking trails that connect each neighborhood. It felt like Narnia, I couldn't stop walking and had to see more! Good thing I had about 8 hours to kill while Thomas was at practice. Yesterday was a short practice as they had to build a playground for a local elementary school. Thomas was on the "mulching team." I can't find any photos but will be sure to upload as soon as I get my hands on some. Anyway, Thomas is living in Eden Prairie near the Vikings facility these days and it is a great community. I'm already in love with the amazing local grocery store across the street, Cub Food. It is HUGE and is like a beautiful mix of Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Wal-Mart. Everything was so affordable! And fresh! And clean! And organic!

Can you tell I'm in the honeymoon phase of Minnesota? The average temperature here in January is 12. And that is the HIGH, not the low. Call back then and see how I feel about it.

 I cannot forget the amazing restaurants here. We are about 15 minutes from Uptown Minneapolis which is a fun area with tons of great food. We went to Stella's Fish Cafe the first night and had amazing edamame with a citrus soy sauce and walleye, a type of white fish they eat here. Their homemade tartar sauce was to die for. Last night we took a couple of the other players to Chino Latino's.  If you can imagine a fusion between Mexican and Chinese food, this was it. We were skeptical when the waiter told us the dishes could be shared between 2-3 people (hello, we're talking 3 linemen and a quarterback and ME!) But my GOODNESS the portions were enormous and absolutely delicious. Tonight we plan on dining at Biella's which has come highly recommended and looks fabulous.

We are trying not to get our hopes up about living here but it sure is hard not to. Please pray for a continued sense of peace and confidence that if we're meant to live here the Lord will work it out, and if not, we will be able to just enjoy visiting.

Oh, and pray for me as I reside with 2 offensive linemen in a 59 degree hotel suite for 3 more days. It is F.R.E.E.Z.I.N.G.