Sunday Inspiration

Goodbye Tibi, Milly and Lilly...

...hello Simms, North Face and Smartwool!!!

Yep, we are leaving the sunny south and heading out west, where the air is crisp, cool and the deer and antelope play. I can hardly wait to see some snow capped peaks and hear the rushing headwaters of the Arkansas River. Since this is a spur-of-the-moment trip, we have nothing planned...which I find quite nice. I know Bryan will do some mountain biking, we will fly-fish, hike and maybe whitewater raft. I hope everyone has a wonderful week, weekend and next week--I'll be back Monday the 22nd!

Swimsuits to Fleeces

Yesterday was a somewhat crazy, yet relaxing day. Bryan has been fighting a summer cold and awoke worse than the previous days and decided to stay home. That made me a happy wife, but of course it through my normal routine for a loop and I didn't accomplish much. We've had our vacation to the beach planned since March, and in truth that is what I have done with the majority of my time this week...pack. A friend and her husband built a new beach house last year and this is the first chance we've gotten to go and stay. On Tuesday night I shot my friend a text telling her to call me when she had a chance so we could get codes, keys and talk about watering plants. Let me just say that all week I've had a gut feeling that something wasn't right. My suspicions were confirmed when I found out that there has been a water leak problem that they have been trying to solve and the plumber finally said that the upstairs shower and surrounding walls had to be ripped out...starting Monday. Well, there goes our vacation, right down the drain, wall and wherever else it has leaked. Everyone feels bad and knows this is a situation that nobody could have foreseen. Within moments Bryan and I looked at each other and said, "Colorado." I grew up going in August, Bryan and I have gone in August, and last year he took his brother in August. Honestly, it is my favorite time of year to go and escape the southern heat-we have both mentioned it numerous times the past two weeks, that we wish we were going. Long-time family friends have a cabin where we like to stay. Luckily, the cabin is available!! I'm waiting for a phone call this morning to confirm everything, but it's looking like I'll be putting my swimsuits back into their drawer and pulling my fleeces out of storage!! I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: A Lady

Zippin' Around

In celebration of our friend Matt's birthday, on Sunday a group of us went and checked out the new Rowdy Adventures- Zip Line Adventure Park. I have not been on a zip line in years, but I always enjoy the excitement that they bring. A new attraction to the area, I'm thrilled to have this outdoor activity drawing tourists to southwest Arkansas.

With over 15 lines, this one was definitely my favorite since we zipped over the river. Bryan got some good action shots of Paul on this one.

Hot, hot, hot it was, even starting at 10 a.m. If you are in the area, I highly recommend it for a fun time!

Fresh Basil Pesto

Fresh pesto can be key when cooking pasta or pizza. When our basil plant began to flourish, out went the store-bought pesto and in came the homemade pesto. This recipe is super easy and full of flavor.


Ingredients:
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese (optional)
Directions:
Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.


Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth.


Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

***I like to freeze mine in ice cube trays. After they are frozen I pop them into a ziploc bag for storage. On the rare occasion when you have leftover wine, pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze and then use next time you need some in a recipe.

Magazine Material

Bets are being made within my own little head on how long after I post this I will receive a phone call and hear a shrieking voice on the other end saying, "Oh my goodness, I cannot believe you wrote about this on your blog!!" Yep, she is going to kill me. That's all part of being an older sister though, right?

A couple of months ago I had a quite amusing conversation with my dear sister, who announced with much disdain that she might be on the cover of The Key, our sorority's magazine which is published quarterly and sent to Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae and collegiate members. I began squealing with delight until she said, "Hannah, I'm running in the picture." At this point in the conversation I exploded into laughing hysterics. Why? Well, to put it nicely Em is not the runner in the family. Tennis star? Yes. Runner? No.

The conversation went by the wayside and I had completely forgotten about it until I received a text from a friend that said, "Tell Emily congrats!!" and saw a picture of the cover of The Key. In about half a second I pushed a few buttons and heard my dear sister's sweet voice say, "Hello." "OH MY GOODNESS YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY ON THE COVER!!!" I screamed into the phone. Laughter exploded from the other end...apparently I was on speaker and everyone in the room heard me. See, she had just asked me a few days earlier if I had received the magazine. I thought it was a tad odd, but she replied that headquarters was wondering how long it was taking the magazine to reach certain places. WRONG. Anyway, here is the picture...my cutie pie sis who is most certainly magazine material...even when running!