Blessings of Early Summer

This week has been full of delicious adventures and dinners. 

Thursday

Kicked off my first day of summer with popsicles for breakfast. I then went hiking five miles to Raptor Ridge with Becky and her sweet dog, Sophie (we have matching merle Great Danes, so fun) It was great to finally get out in the woods with her again. We've both been bogged down with school and haven't visited in a long time.

Late Spring in Washington is a dream.

I met up with a newly-returned-from-China, Elizabeth Russell. We biked down Chuckanut to where Josh was house sitting for the week. He hosted a fantastic BBQ at which many dear friends were present. It was a great excuse to finally make these.

Grilled apricots with chevre, tarragon, and basil.
Drizzled in honey, orange sauce. Mmm.

Unfortunately the apricots were a little under ripe, but they tasted fine after we drenched them in the honey syrup. We had a really good time. 

Friday
I had a really slow, restful morning in the kitchen and listened to Tim Keller. http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/struggle-love

Roasted carrots. Grilled asparagus. Baked chicken. Pine. Fresh breeze. Sunshine. 

Truth. 

Cleared the fridge and found an abundance of red peppers. My favorite soup to make is a super creamy red pepper and potato soup for the winter. However, it was so warm and gusty outside today I felt like trying something lighter for summer days. 

Tossed this together for breakfast.

Fresh Pepper Soup

3 Red peppers

1 Yellow onion

1 Roma tomato

1/2 Poblano pepper

3 Cloves garlic (minced)

2 Tbs olive oil

1 Tsp sea salt

Dash of cayenne

4 leaves fresh basil

Sauté chopped veggies in olive oil till the onions are clear and tender. Stir in garlic and cover veggies with just enough water to be fully submerged (you want this soup THICK) Don’t over cook. Blend soup when fully heated. Garnish with fresh basil. I like to add a lot more cayenne, too. 

Oh. It was so good. I *may* have eaten the entire pot. 

Fuzzy head. Happy morning face.

I went for a long walk downtown in sun and talked to my sister Grace on the phone. She quit her job on Monday and just found a new one when I had called.
"I've been having the most perfect days!"
"Oh, Grace! Me too! We are so loved!"


I've been thinking a lot recently about excess and blessings. Sometimes I just feel really spoiled. I have a beautiful home, a fun and great paying job outdoors, friends who are truly authentic and loving, a closet full of pretty clothes, a fridge full of healthy food, a huge and wonderful family, time and resources for adventures, a supportive church community, mountains at my doorstep...whoa.


I think the difference between being spoiled and blessed is knowing that we are completely undeserving of the gifts Papa lavishes on us. When we lose our awe and appreciation of all that He's given us and come to expect those things, we become spoiled. I am certainly aware of how good He is to me. I'm so thankful to be the creature of such a ridiculously extravagant God.