Thursday, October 18, 2012

Girlfriends,Fun,and Grilled Veggies !!



"Girls just want to have fu- un !" Oh yes ! Our group,the Beach Bunnies does a lot of zany adventures,from being a lawn chair drill team in a parade in Aptos,to renting antique cars and driving them down 17 Mile Drive,to going to a street dance and pet parades,you name it ! One of our Bunnies was having a very special birthday,so after taking her out to lunch at a restaurant on Cannery Row,we went across the street to a shop that was filled with Old West costumes ! We chose costumes from saloon girls,to proper ladies,to Annie Oakley garb and had our photograph taken ! We probably laughed for a solid hour !! Here you can see a photo of some of our better sides !
   There's a picture of some of us in Carmel right before we sat down to eat outdoors on the charming patio of a restaurant called Portabella.You can watch the people walking by on Ocean Street as you dine there.For dessert,we shared an apricot bread pudding that was rich and scrumptious ! I would suggest sharing desserts in Carmel,as they are so delicious and one shouldn't have too much sugar ! Here you can also see "Bella and Fifi " in the kitchen,having just prepared grilled marinated flank steak,grilled summer vegetables,wild rice with dried apricots and toasted pine nuts,and a baby greens salad with oranges,blueberries,walnuts,and shaved parmesan cheese,with a champagne vinagrette dressing ! Ooooweeee !

                                               Grilled Summer Vegetables

zucchini squash,green and yellow,or other types of squash
bell peppers,green,red,yellow,orange
eggplant
whole garlic cloves
red or yellow onions
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
fresh herbs,basil,parsley,or tarragon

   Wash and slice the squash and eggplant about 1/3 inch thick, the peppers in 1 1/2 inch strips,and the onions about in 1/2 inch slices.Put all the vegetables in a large bowl.Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over all.Add salt and fresh ground pepper.Get your hands in there and toss until all the veggies are coated.The veggies may now be cooked in a large skillet on the stove (two skillets if needed),or they may be placed on an indoor iron grill stove top,or cooked on the bar-b-que.Some people use a grill basket for the bar-b-que.Watch carefully and turn the veggies over when they have grill marks or some browning on one side,and cook the other side until charred a little.Place the veggies on a pretty platter or bowl.A little balsamic vinegar may be drizzled on top,as well as a sprinkling of chopped  fresh basil,parsley,or tarragon.Place a sprig of basil on the side to decorate.

   love.....Having a friend or a group of friends is on of the healthiest things we can do.We laugh together, support and council one another in good times and bad,pray for each other,and spend time together.If you don't have a friend or a group of loving,wise friends,I would suggest attending a church,going to a class,a Bible study,a singles or couples group, or doing activities with people who share your interests.No man is an island,we can't do life alone.We need other people to help us stay on the straight and narrow road,to help keep us healthy,and to laugh with......hee hee !

                                  Well,adieu for now...Jesus loves you and so do I !