Because It's Just Too Beautiful Not to Post

Well, back to the airport again. This time, I was dropping off my better half. One the way to the airport, we got to talking about flying. I think Scott mentioned how terrifying it really can be when you really think about it. (to which I murmured, "I'd rather not at the ungodly hour of 4:30). This then led to my discussion of a recent video I watched about two ladies who flew for the first time.

With all my flying woes and travel stories lately, I hesitated to watch this video for fear that it would give me another thing to fear during travel. However, it kept popping up on my Facebook news feed, so I figured it must be pretty good. What I found was not disappointing.

Sometimes it is easy to see the negative in things, like traveling, flying, work, other people, or just life in general. And then that negativity can lead to anxiety, worry, and flat out terrifying thoughts (aka: plane going down). But watching this video gave me a much needed fresh perspective. I found this video inspiring. I hope it inspires you too. All you have to do is insert something that you have considered mundane or boring or even terrifying. Then watch this and realize that sometimes those things that you do all the time, others don't get to experience, so you might as well relish the moment and enjoy it from a different perspective. Because God's handiwork does look pretty beautiful from that angle.

Until Next Time Be Blessed…...

With a Side of Brussels Sprouts

Well, I suppose I have officially hit adulthood or something because I officially admit to liking brussels sprouts. You know, those things kids usually turn their noses up at. But alas, my "nose turning" at brussels sprouts has ended, thanks to a very tasty recipe from one of my favorite restaurants in Greenville, SC that we eat at occasionally when we travel there for work.

So since I thought some of you might like to get on the brussels sprouts bandwagon, I thought I would share three of my favorite brussels sprouts recipes for your tasting pleasure.

Before getting to the recipes, I should mention that I originally priced sprouts at the grocery store and they were a little more than I wanted to pay. But then one day I was at Costco browsing their produce and saw a large bag for only $4! So, if you are looking for somewhere to buy your sprouts at a more affordable price-try Costco! (I realize that when you divide how much a Costco membership cost over the price of everything we buy there in a year's time, combined with the fact that I can never seem to get out of there without spending $100 may not make the items purchased there "cheaper," but enlighten me….) (I should also mention that I realize I shop at Costco when we are feeding a mere two and not a family of oh say ten or twelve, but we go through a lot of food, and I cook for four most meals….that is a different blog for a different day, but it basically sums up to the fact that my husband is on some protein kick where he only eats a can of tuna (gross) and yogurt for lunch and is starving when he gets home) (I should also note that when he says he is "starving" I sometimes (most of the time) remind him that African children are starving, he simply hasn't eaten in 4 hours….)

So without further adieu, the recipes:

1) The Lazy Goat Recipe: This is the recipe that turned my taste buds onto brussels sprouts. Were it not for the lazy goat and their delicious brussels sprouts, I would not have gained the courage the branch out, try them, and play around with the following two recipes below. I have only made this recipe once because some of the ingredients are pricey, and it takes a little bit of time. But if you have the time and money, it is well worth it. Also, I made it with asiago and bacon to give it a slightly less expensive flair, and that was good too!

Side Note: if you are ever in Greenville, SC, give The Lazy Goat a try-it is on the river, has a nice atmosphere and, is very delicious! It is a little pricier than my usual dining dig, but I like to simply eat appetizers and there are enough to share and fill you up! A few of my other favorites are fried goat cheese and toasted garlic shrimp. Oh and olives. I like to get olives. I'm salivating as I write. Why is The Lazy Goat so far away???? Where is that lazy goat when you need her?

2) Soy Sauce Brussels Sprouts:  I made these with pork chops rubbed in soy sauce and brown sugar, so it was a good side for that dinner (along with some brown rice). Very tasty.

3) Balsamic Vinegar Brussels Sprouts: These are the ones I cook most of the time. They are super tasty and SUPER easy and quick. I cook these probably once a week with some seasoned chicken (my favorite is to marinate the chicken in Italian dressing) and some couscous. SO yummy. I usually just cut up half a bag, toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and balsamic vinegar and bake them for 15-20 minutes. They are delicious!

So that's all for the sprouts recipes! Side note: I had no clue brussels sprouts had an "s" on the end of "brussel" until this blog. Which led me to thinking of saying that three times fast before signing off….and made me think of how grateful I am that I don't have a lisp because that is a hard word to say…...okay enough shenanigans…….

Happy Cooking and Until Next Time….Be Blessed………….

My Jet Plane Is Back

Well, I am sure that most of you have been on pins and needles since my last post just wondering if I made it home safe.

I had a wonderful week in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for work. I should clarify: things are always good once I get to my destination. I love my job, and I always love the time I get to spend with my co-workers. Not only because we all work well together, but because it is the nice change-up from my typical days working from home by myself. It is just the getting there that can sometimes be anxiety-filled.

Best rest assured, I made it home safe and sound. It was not without a few mishaps, a delayed flight, and a run through the airport, but other than that, it was relatively smooth sailing. So thanks for the prayers and encouragement as I made my way to North Carolina by way of 35,000 feet. It was felt and much appreciated. Despite the smooth sailing, I did come away with a story:

I was sitting in the gate area waiting to board the plane. As I sat there reading my book and "minding my own business," the lady came on overhead announcing that the plane was too small to fit rolling bags in the overhead bins (side note: this typically means prop plans, which are not my favorite, but this time I was lucky that the plane was just small). Anyway, we were told to please check any rolling bags at the gate and to remove any items we needed from the bags, as well as lithium batteries for safety reasons (can anyone explain why lithium batteries are a safety hazard underneath the plane but not in the cabin-this has always confused me and slightly terrified me) (also, who carries lithium batteries on a plane anyway….I digress…..)

Luckily, I had already checked my bag at the previous gate. But those around me started unloading things from their rolling bags (such as medicines and stock piles of lithium batteries) that they didn't want to go under the plane. Thus began my people watching. In addition to my neo-flight anxiety, frequent traveling has also given me a new affinity for people watching in the airport. Yes, I am the girl that stares (actually I have always been the girl that stares and mom would always say, "Amy don't stare," but we will blame it on the frequent traveling as of late). But honestly, people fascinate me and sometimes do the oddest things in public places. And I am of the impression that you can't miss a beat because as Dad always says, "Stories are all around you." Boy isn't that true. So I stare.

Anyway, the couple sitting across from me gained my attention. They starting pulling all sorts of things out of their rolling bag, like medicines (they literally had enough to fill an entire pharmacy), books, and even a purple plastic bin. I wondered how that fit in the rolling bag small enough to fit in the overheard bin in the first place, but that is neither here nor there. It was in this moment when the man said to the woman, "Will you hand me my purse?" And said wife reached inside her carry-on bag, pulled out a purse, and handed it to him. And he put it on like a purse (a cross-body purse if you must know). And I stared, slightly in amazement and slightly in shock and slightly in embarrassment for him. Now, I have heard about a man carrying a murse (man bag for those of you that are behind), but this was not such item. A murse is almost like a satchel, a book bag, a laptop case, or even a briefcase. And most men who carry a murse call it a "bag." And carry it as such. And that is completely normal for a man to have a bag or satchel. Nothing odd about that.

Not this bag. And not this man. He called his bag a purse and wore it like one. And did it unashamedly. As if it were completely normal for a man to call his "bag" a purse and wear it as one. I kept wanting to say, "It's a bag!!! Please call it a bag! Wear it however you want, but call it a bag!!!!!" No such luck. But hats off to him….I actually admire his confidence and ability to be comfortable in his own skin…despite societal norms….

So, there is my story of the man that carried a purse and called it such and wore it as such. And did so proudly in gate D18 of the Atlanta Airport.

See…traveling isn't all about anxiety. It can be fun too….and funny…and enlightening…and if nothing else, it gives me something to write about on this blog…because stories are all around you….

Until next time be blessed…….