Tart

Closeup of a fruit tart I made the other day. The purpose was to use up a bunch of blueberries we had in the fridge, but my wife doesn't like blueberries, so I made her side with strawberry jam...



Oh yeah, and I used a new thing on the blueberries--roasted lemon peel. Idea courtesy of Chocolate and Zucchini.

Oprah

I realized in a conversation yesterday that I deeply distrust anything related to, or endorsed by Oprah. Is that wrong?

Them Belgians...

... really know what they are doing.

The Farm Market

Since my garden is a huge disappointment this year (thanks to Phil the groundhog who lives in our backyard), I have had to turn elsewhere for my produce. I feel sort of like Kramer in the episode where he gets banned from the fruit stand.

Anyhow, I have located a pretty cool "farm market" that is keeping me going for the season. I guess it is a farm market instead of a farmers market because none of the folks there are actually farmers. Mostly high school kids. But, most of the produce purports to be local and they have a great selection.

I picked these bad-boy up on a recent trip:




And turned them into this:



It was good.

We went out to my favorite restaurant tonight for my birthday, which is always a treat. While scanning the menu, I found myself shying away from usual favorites from the gulf like shrimp, oysters, and flounder thinking that they couldn't be as fresh or local as they have been in years past. Shame on me, and shame on BP for making it so. I'm so glad that the wells are (supposedly) capped now, but still so sad for the devastation.

Delicious Bass

From a farm-pond trip a couple of months ago.

The Bass:




The Fillets:


The Dinner:


Grilled Black Bass over Quinoa (now my 2 year old son's favorite grain) with an improvised (and spicy) Sriracha Remoulade.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the Bass held up on the grill. I'll definitely be rolling this out again. I've got a freezer full of bass to work on...



I should also apologize to both of my loyal readers. I have been in an unreasonably busy season for the past few months, between family (a good thing) and work (not such a good thing, but glad I have a great job). Anyhow, this is a post I've been meaning to make for a while, and I'm trying to get back to regular blogging.

Alabama Spring Stripers

Untitled from yuhina on Vimeo.

Video montage by my friend Mark. He is having a great spring...

Via

Living in the new

Over the years, I'm sure I have read almost all the words in the Bible at one time or another. But, I decided a couple of years ago that I should also read it all the way through, cover-to-cover. I have gone at no particular pace, but I did commit to read some every day, at least for a few moments before retiring to bed. Keep in mind, I am not doing this in lieu of a true study, but in addition to my regular studies of specific books or topics.

Recently (I told you there is no particular pace), I made it to the new testament, and all I can say is what a relief! The OT can really be a drag. I don't mean that I am trying to ignore the many important things found in the old testament. But, I do mean that it is a pretty tough read--especially Numbers, Deuteronomy, and some of those minor prophets.

More importantly though, it must have been a real drag to toil under the Mosaic Law of the old testament, which we now understand existed to demonstrate that we cannot attain or atone for much of anything by our own efforts. Drudging through some of these old texts really drives home the point of grace.

The crisp and direct writing of the new testament personifies to me the way that Christ gave us freedom by fulfilling the law. Turning this corner from the old to new testament has been like an awakening, like a breath of fresh air, like the advent of spring. Refreshing and divine.