As I've stated previously, this winter has been particularly freezing (!) and dark and depressing for me. Spring and Summer cannot come soon enough, and I've ordered multiple seed catalogs in the mail so I can sit and drool over all of the lovely things I'll be growing when it warms up. But in the meantime, while it's still in single digits ( on a good day) and dark by 4:30 pm every day, I needed some kind of pick me up. So, with our dinner the other night, I made this recipe that is always refreshing on a hot afternoon. Sure, its not as good as veggies straight from the garden, especially those wonderful late July/ August tomatoes..but it'll do in a pinch.
Simple Italian Tomato-Cucumber Salad
5 Roma Tomatoes
2 Cucumbers
2 Sprigs Fresh Basil
5 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic
Sea Salt and Pepper, to taste
Cut tomatoes into wedges. Cut Cucumbers into 1/2 inch pieces ( or smaller if you like). Tear small pieces of fresh basil, and mince garlic clove. Add rest of ingredients, mix well. I think chilling for a few hours results in the best flavor, but can be served immediately as well.
At times I've experimented with what I've had on hand- anything from Italian dressing, to Balsamic vinigarette- but the original recipe so far has tasted the best.
Well, this came a bit sooner than expected (!) but yes, we are expecting. Hopefully we will have a sweet little boy or girl in early August. As of right now my husband and I are both committed to not finding out if we need to buy pink or blue, but I'm sure the temptation will be tough to resist as time goes on. The last month or so I've been pretty ill, with all day sickness and then a bug we both came down with, on top of that. As I'm nearing the close of the first trimester, I'm starting to feel more human again and have a little more energy. So here goes a wild ride, I'm sure..I'm quit excited, and thankful..and nervous!
Despite being a bit shocked with the news at first...we are both very grateful, because it has come to light that getting pregnant could have been very difficult. During a routine ultrasound last week, it was discovered that both of my ovaries are covered in cysts, and that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. For a lot of women who have this, ovulation happens rarely and conception is difficult. ( Think Jon & Kate Plus 8- Kate has this disease and that's why they went to fertility treatment) I'm a bit apprehensive to see what this will bring in the future, because PCOS raises one's risk of diabetes, heart disease and other ailments..and also increases chances of gestational diabetes. So, right now I'm trying to eat as heathily as I can, and stay very active. So despite maybe feeling a little unprepared as we've only been married 4 months..I know we're very blessed.
Hello, everyone ! I think I've finally decided to re-enter the world of blogging after a much needed hiatus. The Christmas season came and went in a flurry, and now we're locked into the dead of winter. This morning when I woke up, it was -17 degrees. Normally I really like winter, but this year- I'm over it. Spring can't come soon enough.
Both of us have come down with various bugs and I think we're finally on the other side of it. I can't wait to jump back into reading the many lovely blogs out there and hopefully putting some good thoughts down.
