Life

A Book + Brunch

As I have gotten older I have realized that my friends have become my chosen family. These are the girls that not only know my stories, but have helped me write them. One of life's simple pleasures is getting together as a group once every month or two. We call it our Book Club, but in reality we are much more than that. 

We always pick a book, but usually have to remind ourselves that we are supposed to discuss said book. This month's topic, Conversion by Katherine Howe, slipped through the cracks with a unanimous thumbs down and instead focused on the scrumptious brunch held in Lauren's lovely abode. 

Thank you girls for making life just a little bit sweeter.
(Pictured top left to bottom right: Lauren Matthews, Marshelle Coyle, Brenda Chupp, Michelle O'Brien, Becky Armstrong, Cecilia Joshi. And a big shout-out to Amy Golden and Angela Ayers. We missed you!)

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Unplugged

Nothing rejuvenates my creative spirit better than an unplugged, nature-filled weekend. What a joy it is to see books in hand and hours spent with sticks, rocks, and dirt instead of every kind of electronic device known to man.

We camped and hiked at Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky. Some of the most beautiful designs exist in nature and our discoveries in this part of the world was not disappointing. Exquisite patterns found on the inside of the arches were absolutely mesmerizing.

Our favorite moments were the hike up to the top of Natural Bridge, and of course constructing the perfect sticky concoction of chocolate and marshmallows. 

One thing that I have to share with you is a stumbled-upon Pinterest recipe that is PERFECT for camping. If your family has varied likes and dislikes as mine, it can be quite a feat finding a meal that pleases everyone. This Lime-Marinated Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla recipe is especially perfect after many hours spent traveling and setting up camp. It's super easy because you marinate and cook the chicken ahead of time, freeze it, and by the time you reach your destination, all you have to do is assemble and heat it up on the grill. They loved it so much that they asked for me to make it again once we got back home. 

Lime-Marinated Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lime, juiced
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
zest from 1/2 of a lime
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into large strips
tortilla shells
shredded cheese (I used the "Mexican" blend)
Combine first 7 ingredients in a shallow dish. Add the chicken, cover and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours. Heat a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add chicken and marinade to pan and cook until juices run clear. Remove chicken and shred with a fork. Freeze until ready to use. Layer cheese and chicken on tortilla, fold and wrap individually in aluminum foil, place directly on grill until cheese is melted. Garnish with chopped scallions and sour cream.

 

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