#83: Make Pesto

Homemade pesto thanks to Farmville. I broke out the Moosewood Cookbook and found a recipe in there that I altered a bit to fit what I had. Be warned, this is super garlicy!

What you need:
3 cups packed basil
1/2 cup walnuts (recipe calls for pine nuts)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
a squeeze of lemon
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

What you do:
1. In a food processor, chop the basil and garlic.
2. Add in the walnuts and while the machine is going, add in the olive oil.
3. Gradually add in the cheese and continue to blend.
4. Stir in salt, pepper and lemon and store in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.

This makes a decent size batch, so you might consider cutting the recipe in half.

So far, we have used it on pasta, chicken and to make flatbread pizzas on pita....and we still have enough to feed a small army!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

July Self Portrait

July was a good month. It was good for the soul, for the heart and for clearing my mind.

I had some much-needed phone conversations with a good friend, who, for the first time in a long time seems so amazingly happy.

I took a day off from work to go hang out with my nephews. We played and ate lunch, changed diapers and even read stories.

I purged a lot of stuff I hadn't seen in years and was happy to give it a new home.

I spent an evening at The Plot with a buddy catching up and eating sandwiches. This making me believe more than ever in Norfolk and our growing Arts District.

We left our house for a trip to the farm for a weekend of fresh air, which was tremendously therapeutic.

I finally faced the fact that (neither of) my Grandma(s) would not be attending our wedding, and while it stung for a week, I finally found the inspiration in that repurposing one of their dresses would allow for both of them to still be with us that day.

I took pictures, I created, I cooked, I baked, I laid out in the sun. All of these little things that seem so everyday, I let myself take time with them. Take them in, enjoy them, and in return I feel more at peace.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 3

Perhaps one of my favorite parts about the weekend was seeing the main house, which is more than 250 years old. I have heard so many stories about this place in the three years I've known Ryan, and none of them did it justice. The original house has been added onto many times, but the short door frames, square nails and human-sized fireplaces still remain. I also love this Buddha that I met in the flower garden.

This kitchen is just fantastic. It's the best "country farm kitchen" Pinterest would turn up in a search, but I'm pretty sure neither homeowner knows what Pinterest is. On the left is the oldest Silver Maple Tree in all of Virginia. 

As I mentioned in the previous post, Ryan's parents own a winery that was on their property. This was the old wine cellar under the house that is just wide enough to roll a wine barrel through. No one has been down there for years, so now it looks like something out of a fairy tale. Or The Walking Dead. 

A Koi pond and portrait of Tom.

We got a lesson on how to grow shiitake mushrooms and a little reading nook.

Who needs to go to the Farmer's Market when you can go straight to the Farm? We walked away with several pounds of tomatoes, fresh basil, cabbage, peppers and cucumbers (#6).

  

What a great weekend with friends and lots of pretty photos to capture it all. Thanks Farmville, see you next July! #60: Photo Story, check and check.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 2

Saturday morning we took a drive (#58) to Charlottesville to visit five wineries and a brewery. We were on a mission and nothing was stopping us!

We had a gourmet picnic (#76) lunch at Trump Wineries, thanks to Jenn & Landon. Whole grain everything ciabatta bread with marinaded portabella mushrooms, Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and mustard...yumm!

The view at Trump was probably my favorite, plus it was the only one I hadn't been to before. We had quite the animated sommelier, who taught us quite a bit about the wines and the Trump family in general.

Ryan at James River Brewery, located in Scottsville, Virginia. Ryan was the best host, who played the Designated Driver all day and lead the adventure in an 18-seater bus! The quaint brewing company offered a small bar and lounge room with just enough room to fit in a keyboard and a guitar player. But the beer was tasty and the small-town crowd was super pleasant (#70: Visit a Brewery, off the list).

Virginia Wineworks/Michael Shaps

Tom O'Grady, our tour leader for the day. Tom had owned and operated a winery on his property for more than 20 years. If we had any questions regarding wine - or anything - Tom had the answers.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Farmville Part 1

This weekend we packed the Rabbit and headed to Farmville for a few days (#43: Freebie). Our friend Ryan's parents live on more than 40 acres of land, with a 13-acre lake and we spent the weekend enjoying every aspect of the property. I always forget how much I miss the country until I'm out there, breathing in the fresh air and not worrying about one thing besides having fun with my friends. 

This is truly the house that Craigslist built. Ryan's father, Tom, found most of the materials through the site, the kitchen cabinets for $200 and a lot of the wood was found on the property or through local means. The house we stayed in, The Pine Chalet, was built less than 5 years ago. The Oak Chalet, which his parents are currently vacationing to, is more than 30 years old. And, the main house is more than 250 years old. 

Fresh flowers from Brawny's (Ryan's mother's) flower garden. 

Each meal was hosted by a different couple staying the weekend, and let me tell you we ate like royalty. Pizza, omelets with fresh veggies from the garden, a Mexican feast, cinnamon roll breakfast casserole and more! We spent some time playing games & relaxing on the porch (#29), then Mike maintained the camp fire and we made smores (#22).

And who couldn't forget the "motorbikle" that kept the boys entertained all weekend while the girls were able to cook, chit-chat and drink wine!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating.