Midnight Swim

"The water brought an unexpected pleasure to the skin, a jubilant rhythm to the blood, a strange intellectual clarity that enabled him to recieve any message the sea might send.  But all at once he noticed how absolutely alone he was.  It seemed to him that the tide was rising, that the shadows of the moored boats around him were taking on life.  An inexplicable fear came over him.  For the sake of his own self-respect he swam a few more strokes, but without taking his eyes off the spot where his clothes lay on the sand.  This spot was his one link with the world, his only security." (The Cypresses Believe in God by Jose Maria Gironella)

My husband and I have been taking regular night swims, partly because its the only time that we can both go out together.  I have to say that I never initially want to go out - being tired from the day.  I'd much rather just throw myself on my bed and never move again, but I'm always happy once I'm in the water staring at the stars.  With a clear sky above, and clear water around you, one can almost imagine you are swimming around in the universe.  I always go toward the populated area because I'm afraid of snapping turtles and other scary things in the night!  I'll definately miss this once we move to our new place in the city, but at least the ocean will be right down the road.  Hurrah for the east coast!  

Let's Do Lunch

Coconut Chicken Pasta

For this Thai-inspired dish, I like to use rice noodles, fresh herbs, a little lime juice and garlic.

1 box Rice noodles or Bean threads if you want something different
Can of coconut milk or 2 cups of boxed coconut milk
Chicken Bouillon (I recommend the Better Than Bouillon, which is like a paste)
grilled chicken cut into pieces
fresh basil, chives, and/or lemongrass chopped fine
2 cloves of garlic
juice from half a lime
Salt and Chili pepper

Add the noodles to boiling water and cook on low for about 8 minutes.  Be careful with rice noodles because they tend to overcook much faster than wheat noodles and you don't want your dish to turn into a bowl of shreds!  Heat up a saute pan on medium and add the chopped garlic with a little oil (coconut is best, olive is yummy).  Let the garlic fry for two minutes, and add coconut milk and chicken.  If you use the canned milk, you are going to get a creamier sauce (which I personally prefer) but if you use the boxed kind, the sauce will be a bit thinner and you will want to add some cornstarch or arrowroot powder to thicken it.  Once the milk is hot, stir in a spoonful of chicken bouillon.  Add the lime juice, salt and chili pepper to taste.  Add the herbs last, right before you serve. 

Valentine Honey

Garden Variety Bouquet and sketch

Role Model

One of my favorite Role models - a modern man who lived true to himself. 
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Turin, Italy, 1922
(1901-1925)

"Young people today who are looking for a role model will find someone to identify with in this vibrant young outdoorsman who combined a deep love for Christ, a desire to serve the needy, and a mission to imbue society and politics with Christian ideals."

(http://www.bettnet.com/frassati/)

Dream House Wish List

First the House.  I'm really intrigued by tiny houses lately.  Part of being a minimalist means having less space to have to fill!  I love the idea of being able to afford something pretty and since it is so small, buying only the best for everything inside.  I would buy a piece of ocean front land and put it there, and then I could go surfing or sailing everyday, spring to fall.  I'd have a cozy little house, but I'd be close to nature too.

2.  Swedish Stripe Cotton rug by Dash and Albert.  I mentioned before how I love rugs.  Well, I fell in love with this one.  Its so simple and yet does so much for the room that you put it in.

3.  The Dolphin Explorer Boat Toy for my babies.  So much fun in the tub, the sink, the rug.  And so cute too.  I'm forever looking for pretty toys.  27.99 at Petit Tresor.

4.    Diptyque - L'Eau des Hespérides Cologne - 100 ml
I've seen Diptyque everywhere but was never interested until now.  I have to say that that bottles are very lovely with their Art-Nouveau label.
I've been wearing it lately from a sample, and it always makes me feel like a mysterious lady ... 

And ok, so you may say that, what does perfume have to do with a house?  But I say everything - it provides a lovely scent to the atmosphere, a decoration to a table and pleasure to the person living inside it!  
 

Water Lily Garden

  My daughter and I went kayaking the other morning and discovered that the lake has become a garden too!  We picked a bouquet of water lillies and put them in a big bowl.  And then I did a sketch of them later.