Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Splendor of Simplicity...

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"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
~ Hans Hofmann

spent some extra time in the "dome of silence" today
a.k.a. "the prayer vault"
a.k.a. my shower.

As the steam rose and the water ran down my body, drowning out the noise of the world around me, I reminisced over some of the tranquil moments from our camping trip that we had just returned from while celebrating my husband's birthday... and I couldn't help but feel so exceedingly fortunate to have had the opportunity to take a break from the tyranny of appointments and schedules...and to be surrounded by the glory of creation and beauty of such variety and abundance.

My "mental vault" had been overflowing, and this trip was exactly what I needed 
to d-e-c-o-m-p-r-e-s-s.

Every day that we spent in Jemez Springs felt like a Saturday....a quintessentially lazy Saturday - the kind you hope for but never plan for.......There was a richness in the air, a vibrancy in the mornings that I reveled in as I laid awake in the early hours of each day listening to the resonance of the river running outside my canvas abode. My thoughts were quiet, my mind was at rest, and as I stretched out beneath cozy layers of blankets atop a surprisingly firm air mattress, I could hear the sound of my own heart beat above the cricket symphonies that permeated through my zippered window. Refreshing.

What a glorious weekend it was. Hands wrapped around disposable cups of coffee with irish cream sipped ever so leisurely, fellowshipping with friends, whipping up tasty nibbles, starting a new book, sitting around the campfire with kindred spirits night after night, contemplating under starry skies, dreaming outloud, listening to great music, smiling alot, laughing even more.

I have once again been reminded of the splendor of simplicity...and I am longing for those placid moments once again, because it's those moments that allow the yearnings of my inner man to rise up, that allow me to inhale the quiet rousings of my soul.

And now that I've been home trying desperately to "catch up" (is there really such a thing?) on work, household responsibilities, returning emails, calls, responses to threads, posts that I'm behind on, and a variety of other commitments...I've come to realize that the noise in my life has risen to a louder decibel (and I'm not talking about my children). I've resolved that I simply don't like being bogged down with too much busyness - and - I am prompted to be very intentional from here on out about making more time to UNPLUG and to purpose it in my heart to spend much MUCH more uninterrupted, undiluted time getting out amidst creation and letting my soul breathe.


It was Laura Ingalls Wilder who said "It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."


So, Sweet Bellas, in the spirit of simplicity, I'll close by sharing my recipe for an effortless summer salad that is equally as easy to make as it is to pack up and take on a picnic or some lovely rendezvous in the great outdoors.
And I hope you do.


Edamame, Raspberry & Walnut Spinach Salad with Manchego Cheese &
Honey Lemon Mint Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients:

4 Cups of Fresh Baby Spinach
1 cup of shelled edamame
1 cup of fresh raspberries
6 tbsp of chopped walnuts
slivers of shaved Manchego Cheese to desired amount

Honey Lemon Mint Vinaigrette Dressing:

3 tbsp of lemon juice
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp of honey
2 tbsp of fresh mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of olive oil.

In a blender, add first 5 ingredients, blend for 4 to 5 seconds, take lid off and add 1 cup of olive oil while blending appx 10 seconds more, pour over salad.
Mangia!

14 comments:

  1. She's Back!!!!!! I'm so happy to see you back in action!! and that salad is gorgeous, with those lovely raspberries!

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  2. Welcome home! We missed you. The salad is lovely, but even more so is your reminder on what's important in life.

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  3. So glad to see you back my dear! thank you for all your sweet comments on my blog. I wish I could give you a big hug! You are such a dear friend. Sometimes I can't believe we've never met. someday...anyways, I was whisked away by your post today. so nice. I love camping out. so free and so refreshing for the spirit. the salad looks like what I want for dinner. YUMMERS!

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  4. Stopping by on Bernice Woods suggestion and glad she did. As someone once said, No one ever said on their deathbed, 'I sure wish I'd spent more time at work!'
    You certainly have your priorities straight!

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  5. Hi! I am a new follower from the Mom Bloggers Club

    Hope you can stop by and visit my blog!
    I am hosting a Tuesday Twitter Hop and would love for you to enter
    http://shining2save.com

    Have a great week!
    Kari

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  6. Your eloquent words resonate with my heart and soul as I find myself often wanting less activity and more solitude. Yes, you do have your priorities straight! Thank you for sharing more of your beautiful writing talents with us, not to mention giving me a great idea for a refreshing summer salad :) ~ Your friendship is a gift from God! His blessing upon you dear friend!
    Lorraine xo

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  7. Thanks for visiting my blog! I really relate to you and I know I am going to enjoy reading your lovely blog!

    Peaceful Wishes!

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  8. My sweet bella, O'how I miss you! I feel the LOUDNESS in life and your words take me to a peaceful place. Thank you for that. Really wish we would have found you guys in Jemez- Until then, Your salad makes my mouth water and sends me a gentle reminder, I NEED TO WATER THE GARDEN....

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  9. Let's all just take a moment to rejoice in the little things. I'm glad you had such a relaxing weekend!

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  10. My first love is Jesus…then my wife of 45 years…then cooking. I really enjoyed looking over you blog. I am now a follower of yours. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become a follower of my blog as well.

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  11. Oh, that does sound like a lovely weekend. And, this a lovely salad. Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! Just like a certain mangia-bella I know. ;) Love you, sweetie!

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  12. First of all sweetie, I love how you can combine a food blog with such moving words!

    I am so glad you had a chance to get away and enjoy that time for you and for your family! I love camping (as long as I know it is NOT going to rain, lol!) and I love sitting by the water! How SWEET!
    I know, when i was on my recent vacation, the thing that is nice is that you only have a few things to concern yourself with, instead of the 100+ at home. What to eat, when to eat, whether to take a walk or take a nap! Now, I know you have little ones, so you still have to care for them, but the noise in our head is so much quieter when we can get away.
    I am glad you were able to have that and best wishes as you try to bring some of that peace home to reality!
    Hve a wonderfully simple day!

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  13. I'm so sorry to hear about your baby being sick! Thanks for stopping by today, keep in touch!

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  14. sorry to hear you don't feel well:( you're so sweet to stop buy and drop a line. If I were nearby I would come and bring you tea and scrumpets:) I've got the sniffles myself...poo. Let's get better together. Much love, L

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