Italian Pasta Salad

I'm often frustrated about blogging in the summer. I compile brilliant posts while weeding the garden or sitting by the creek, but few words find their way out of my brain. Life is full and busy, and I struggle to write about it in a way that feels profitable. I don't want to just add to the noise on social media, plus I'm facing the deadline for several projects, which sucks my desire to show up here. 

But I'm finding that I miss writing about food. Summer food is so much fun. This blog started by sharing my favorite recipes, but I've lost that aspect the last few years. When Ed was on a very strict diet, I didn't have the energy to be creative about any other food. But probably the biggest deterrent is the photos of mouth-watering food that I see online and in cookbooks. I love beautiful photos of food, but I'm not a photographer. 

What I really like to do is share food with people. I enjoy people around the table. Since I can't have you all over, the next best thing is to share a favorite recipe. 

So, the next few weeks, I'm planning to share what we are eating. If I snapped a photo on my phone, I'll share it, but don't expect anything spectacular. I promise that a good photo isn't needed for it to taste good.

This recipe for Italian Pasta Salad came from my sister's work at a deli and made a huge amount. This spring I've made some large batches for several events, but I managed to cut it down to a bit more manageable size, though it still serves a crowd.

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Don't like olives? Skip them. Enjoy broccoli? Double the amount. Don't have any tomatoes? It will still be delicious. 

This salad is perfect combined with grilled chicken, but I've been known to eat a meal entirely of this salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

1 box (1 lb) dry spiral pasta

2 cups chopped broccoli

1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup diced red onion

1 cup shredded carrot

1 small can (2.25) sliced olives (drained)

1 cup chopped pepperoni

1 cup diced provolone cheese

1 cup diced red pepper

1 bottle of zesty Italian dressing

Cook pasta until barely tender. Drain and cool. Add all ingredients to pasta. Toss. Best flavor if allowed to sit for a few hours before serving.

If you don't want to buy dressing, here is my favorite homemade Italian dressing which works great for this recipe.

Italian Dressing

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp honey or sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp paprika

Blend together with whisk, blender, or food processor.

Here is some other favorite summer recipes that we've been enjoying this month.

Easy Method for Freshly-Squeezed Lemonade

Four Homemade Salad Dressings

The Best Ice Cream Dessert

This Blessed Life

I haven't known what to share in this spot. For several weeks I wanted to just listen, choosing to stay off almost all news and social media, and look for some wise Christians who understand race issues because they live it daily, and listen to them. 

Meanwhile, life at my house has been full. I love the long days of June. It is almost startling how many hours we have in a day when we don't have schoolwork to accomplish. We've been sewing dresses for my brother's wedding, painting and replacing flooring, and spending hours out doors. 

Here is a glimpse of the last month.

I love how boredom sparks creativity. My son spent hours shaping a bow from a few simple materials. Sadly, it cracked after a few uses, but now he knows how to make the next one better.

The girls did a bedroom makeover, painting the walls and rearranging furniture. My brother-in-law helped pull out the old carpets and install vinyl flooring. I love the final result, but in the middle of the project, when it accidentally became a much bigger project than expected, I wondered why I wasn't content with forty-year-old carpet. But when several men interrupted their Friday morning to come to my rescue, I was reminded of how blessed I am with support.

The boys' room got the same flooring with a lot less drama. 

In the last ten years, our pasture has grown up into an impossible jungle of honeysuckle and briers. In 2017, Ed set the goal of getting some goats to work on clearing the undergrowth. Of course, the summer of 2017 held different plans. Since we were forced to stay home this spring, my boys thought it would be the perfect time to get goats, especially since my brother is staying here and could help. 

A friend lent us three goats, another brother gave us electric fencing, and Project Goat began. Each week we move the fencing to another spot in the pasture. My brother has to use the chainsaw just to make a spot to place the fencing. 

But in that one week, these three goats can eat it bare. It is amazing at how they clear out the brambles and grapevines. I'm seeing parts of the pasture that have been buried in undergrowth for years.

A sultry afternoon is a chance to take our dog swimming in a nearby creek.

My six-year-old learned to ride a bike.

If you are a long-time reader, you might remember our frequent bike rides on the C&O Canal towpath in 2015 and 2016. We had spent many Saturday and Sunday evenings biking sections with the goal of some day completing the whole route. It had been four years since we biked the towpath, and it was such fun to go back. There is just nothing like biking along a quiet river on a summer evening.

Added fun to the towpath is the many caves to explore along the river.

My oldest had turned sixteen just after everything had closed down this spring. Finally, two months later, the offices reopened she was able to get her permit. When she drove home I thought I might not survive teaching six children how to drive, but she caught on quickly. I might enjoy riding in the passenger seat again.

Early May was so cold that many of our strawberries were frozen. But to my surprise, we are still getting a nice amount of berries.

We served another community cookout. This time restrictions were lifted enough that we could enjoy sitting with our neighbors and listening to their stories. 

The scooter gang who did our meal deliveries at the community cookout.

We visited some parks that had not been to for years. This one holds so many memories to me, but my children could not remember being there. We made new memories by fishing, catching salamanders, and grilling soft pretzels.

However crazy life may be in the world, if you have little girls who giggle contagiously at the simplest joys, your life is blessed.

Arise, My Soul, Arise

What do I write on a week that was personally busy and fulfilled, but contained so much pain for our nation? 

I have no words. Only cries. 

For understanding. 

For forgiveness. 

For restoration.

Then I remember Jesus, our Intercessor, who stands before the throne, pleading with His blood for our forgiveness.

I was in my early twenties when I first heard this song, and I'll never forget the joy-filled message of these words. 

I have no answers for the crisis in our nation except to turn to the Lord and plead His forgiveness for all the human race and the many ways we have walked our own roads instead of His way of love.

Arise, My Soul, Arise

by Charles Wesley

Hymns of the Church #296

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;

A bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears;

Before the throne my Surety stands,

Before the throne my Surety stands,

My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;

His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:

His blood atoned for all our race,

His blood atoned for all our race,

And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers; they strongly speak for me:

"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,

"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,

"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;

He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:

With confidence I now draw nigh,

With confidence I now draw nigh,

And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

There Is a Land of Pure Delight

At a quaint farmhouse back a long lane.  

I joined four friends for a writers' retreat this week.

Hours of conversation.

Amazing food such as a Belizian brunch.

Fragrant springtime blooms.

Solitude in God's stunning beauty.

I returned from those three days feeling refreshed down to my soul. I have never had an experience quite like it, and I'm still pinching myself to see if I was dreaming.

But now glad to join my favorite people again.

A retreat like this reminds me of how blessed I am. Yes, there are hard moments in my daily life, but I've been given so much joy. I don't even need to get away to experience friendship and love and beauty; I find it every day. 

Days like these with brilliant blue sky and puffy white clouds and smiling little girls are when I mourn for all that Ed lost. I wish he could be enjoying these blessings for a few more decades. 

But is that the right perspective? Ed never mourned for himself; it was always the pain of others that grieved him.

I want to enjoy the blessings God gives me to the fullest, but I don't think I need to pity Ed for missing springtime. I truly want to believe that "the best is yet to come.' And Ed got a head start.

This morning I was flipping through the hymnal and chanced upon this song. If I could stand with Moses, or Ed, I don't think I'd compare the delights of heaven to a May day in Pennsylvania. 

There Is a Land of Pure Delight

by Isaac Watts 

Hymns of the Church #988

There is a land of pure delight, 

Where saints immortal reign;

Eternal day excludes the night, 

And pleasures banish pain.

There everlasting spring abides, 

And never with'ring flow'rs;

Death, like a narrow sea, divides

This heav'nly land from ours.

Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood

Stand dressed in living green;

So to the Jews old Canaan stood,

While Jordan rolled between.

But tim'rous mortals start and shrink

To cross this narrow sea,

And linger, trembling on the brink,

And fear to launch away.

O, could we make our doubts remove,

Those gloomy doubts that rise,

And see the Canaan that we love, 

With unbeclouded eyes!

Could we but climb where Moses stood, 

And view the landscape o'er,

Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood, 

Should fright us from the shore.

God Himself Is Present

Wherever you are worshiping today, whether at church or at home, God is present. Jesus was called Emmanuel, God With Us.

This hymn has been a favorite for several years. Not only does it remind me of the presence of God in my own life, but it calls me to surrender.

God Himself Is Present
by Gerhard Tersteegen
Hymns of the Church #135

God Himself is with us:
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple,
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone God we own,
Him our God and Savior;
Praise His name forever.

God Himself is with us:
Hear the harps resounding!
See the crowds the throne surrounding!
Holy, holy, holy,
Hear the hymn ascending,
Angels, saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear to us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy church now raises.

O Thou fount of blessing,
Purify my spirit;
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Like the holy angels
Who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee,
Let Thy will Ever still

Rule Thy Church terrestrial

As the hosts celestial.

Gladly we surrender

Earth's deceitful treasures,

Pride of life, and sinful pleasures:

Gladly Lord, we offer

Thine to be forever, 

Soul and life and each endeavor.

Thou alone

Shalt be known

Lord of all our being,

Life's true way decreeing.

Amen.

Click over to the blog to view the video if you are reading this by email.

Well Done

This weekend marks one year since Ed's death. I thought about sharing one of Ed's favorite songs or maybe one of the hymns we sang at his funeral, but instead I'm sharing a song that I don't think Ed ever heard.

I first heard it sung this winter for Clayton Shenk by his school students. In the months since then, our family has listened to this song so often that even my little girls can be heard singing it.

I miss Ed every day, but when I listen to Well Done I can't wish him back.

If reading this by email, click over to the blog to hear the song.

Quarantine Family Challenges

At the end of March, when quarantine was just beginning, I was chatting with my youngest brother and sister about the coming weeks. We knew that without social events, the children would need activities to stay busy. We wanted ways to connect as a family, even if we couldn't get together. We decided to face these challenging times with some intentional challenges.

And so began our Quarantine Family Challenges, now on their seventh week.

Each weekend, myself or one of my siblings, set several challenges and messaged them to the rest of the family.

 Frying fresh-caught trout

Sometimes the goal of a challenge was to spend more time outdoors.

Identify five wild flowers or plants.
See how many different birds you can identify this week.
Plant a tree or bush in memory of COVID-19
Camp overnight in your backyard
Find something in the wild and eat it
Find the North Star.
Remember the Lord's faithfulness while watching a sunrise

Running a 5k

Some challenges encouraged us to get more exercise.

Take a walk and smell a flower
Run or walk 5 km in place of the Red Bud Trail Run and post your time
Bike 5 miles
Play a family game of kickball or croquet

Some challenges prompted family laughter

Act out a Bible story.
Take a family picture in a tree.
Record and share a family vlog about life under quarantine

A few of the challenges led us to learn or try new things.

Learn about a country that you previously knew nothing about.
Upcycle any object.
Make something you've never made before
Learn a new song on an instrument (if you play one)
Log your first Geocache find
Memorize a new Scripture verse

Planting a new bush

Some challenges encouraged us to reach out to others.

Call an older person
Share food with your neighbor
Send a letter/card to an elderly person

Some challenges were challenging (at least for a few of us).

Whistle a tune with somebody in harmony.
The whole family do a day without Internet or data
Write a line of poetry
Try a day with no arguing among siblings.

The Quarantines Family Challenges have met all their goals. It has pushed us to do and try new things, gave us a connection with family even from a distance, and provided a needed focus to unscheduled days.

Many of us find that we are stronger together. This is true all the time, not just during a quarantine. If you have a goal that you want to pursue, find a way to be accountable.

Here are some examples, all of which can be done while not meeting face-to-face:

• When I wanted to get to bed earlier a few months ago, I texted a friend each night when I turned out the light. 

• A few years ago, a friend and I had one day a week that we read nothing but our Bible - no books, no magazines, no internet. I couldn't have done it alone, but I could with a friend.

• One of my friends has a daily writing goal. Each evening she texts a friend to tell her if she met her goal.

• Another friend who wanted to be more consistent in Bible reading, texted a friend every day with the reference that she read.

• Last month, my sister bought identical copies of four books and sent them to my daughter and a friend. After they read the book, the three has a discussion about the book by email.

Whether you goal is to more reading, exercise, weight loss, decluttering, or practice an instrument - if you tell a friend about your goal and set a way to regularly check in, you are much more likely to make your goal.

Have you made any quarantine goals? What ways did you find to connect with family and friends?