I love the Sunbeam

Gus and I both followed the sunbeam in the living room all morning and it was lovely! I'm reading Water for Elephants for book club. It's so nice to read something written well and store away insights for a future discussion! Sometimes I'll read something and really wish I were still in school so I could write a fantastic essay pointing out the ironies, motifs, themes and how the writer uses such-and-such as a metaphor for human spirit.

In my other reading, I'm reading about manners - thanks for the initial inspiration, Mari! The subject was also spurred on by my study of Esther. It's been great to delve deep into the story and find what qualities Esther must have possessed that contributed to her favor. It certainly convicts me of my ever-present pride and realize I have a long way to go in terms of putting others first - one of the basics of manners - caring enough to make others feel at ease.

So, I did it again - I was at the commissary, inadvisably hungry! This time, I brought home spicy sweet chili Doritos, french pastries, and Pringles. I stopped myself before the mascapone cheese (with intention of making Italian dessert with strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and marscapone cheese). Yea, it sounds amazing! But I remembered that I didn't have any strawberries and had already driven past the farmer's market that had already packed up. I got this idea from my new favorite cookbook: The Essential Mediterranean Cookbook. It not only has Greece, but Turkey, Italy, France, and North Africa!!! With pictures!!! I found it for $5.99 at my local Borders. What a find! Had the vanilla ice cream, topped with 1 tsp espresso grounds and 1 Tbsp whiskey the other night - YUM! Try it, it's good.

Another reason I love Florida: produce everywhere at the stands on the sides of the road! Citrus galore! Oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruits (red and white), pomellos, lemons (made fresh squeezed lemonade!), and more! Strawberries, the best tomatoes Rob and I have ever eaten, onions, squash, green beans (amazing flavor! prefer them fresh). I mean wow! It's awesome. Not to mention the temperature outside is in the 50s/60s and SUNNY! I love it.