It's summer time around here.  My market jaunt today filled my camera with blasts of my favorite colors, favorite vegetables, favorite things.  My schedule is kind of goofy right now so the only thing I filled this morning was my camera and not my shopping bags.

 

These carrots were at the market a couple of weeks ago but fit in today's colors, so here they are.  Most of the produce in these snaps comes from Gaining Ground Farm.  Aaron and Anne raise beef, grow flowers, and have loads of produce that gets more and more beautiful and perfect each season. 

 

Monday, July 16

Chicken Marsala with Noodles 7.95

 

Tuesday, July 17

Spinach Cheese Empanadas, Black Beans + Cuke Mint Sauce 7.95 (GF)

 

Wednesday, July 18

Maryland Pot Roast Madeira 8.95

 

Thursday, July 19

Beef Burger with Goat Cheese and Fried Okra 8.25

 

Friday, July 20

Herb-roasted Salmon with Tomato Pie 9.25

 

**************

 

Monday, July 23

Chicken Florentine with Caesar Salad 8.95

 

Tuesday, July 24

Eggplant Parmesan with Linguini 8.25

 

Wednesday, July 25

Grilled Flank Steak and French-style Red Potato Salad 8.95 (GF)

 

Thursday, July 26

Stuffed Pork Chops with Corn Pudding 8.75 (Pick up by 4 pm)

 

Friday, July 27

 

Wednesday, July 18

Chicken, Brown and Wild Rice, and Sherried Mushroom Sauce

Whole: 35 Half: 17.50

 

Wednesday, July 25

Local Squash and Cheddar Gratin

Whole: 32 Half: 16

 

 

Friday, July 20

Zucchini, Roasted Pepper and Shaved Parmesan Lasagna

Whole: 38 Half: 19

 

Friday, July 27

Fried Eggplant, Basil, and Ricotta Lasagna

Whole: 42 Half: 21

 

Maybe we'll make the Gaining Ground dinner a Southwestern-themed one.  I don't know about you but I ADORE tomatillos and I also love southwestern food and fresh things fill me and so does making a whole dinner for you from produce that my friends have grown. 

 

And then, as you well know, our cooks turn all this into the most delicious lunches.  It has come to our attention (a friend of ours calls this a "belated glimpse of the obvious") that you might very well like to have our food later on in the day. 

 

SO consider this your first hint that we're moving in this direction.  "Laurey's after dark" or something along those lines.  We'll have what we always have, but we'll also have small plate sorts of things and a family night and fun inspirations based on the offerings of our farmers. 

 

Or maybe we'll do a Middle Eastern themed meal with Gaining Ground.  Have you ever sliced these beauties in half, brushed them with a bit of oil and soy sauce (or hoisin sauce) and grilled them?

 

Did I ever tell you how much I love fresh things from the garden? 

 

 July 21, 2012

 

Hi there,

 

Today is a big day for me.  For months and months I have been training and planning and fundraising and getting my body and mind and spirit ready to go to Iowa.  The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa starts tomorrow.  10,000 riders are gathering today, putting their bicycles together, hopping on the shuttle buses, going to their campsites, making sure everything is in order.  200 riders are gathering at the Livestrong area, putting their bicycles together, greeting each other, meeting the new members of the team, reacquainting themselves with the friends they made last year. 

 

I am not there.

 

I did not get on the plane yesterday and I did not spend last night in Omaha.  I am not on the shuttle and I am not putting my bike together today.  I am not going to meet the folks on the Livestrong Team and I am not going to ride across Iowa tomorrow and for this whole next week.

 

I am not doing what I had planned to be doing this week.  When I signed up for this ride I did not know that I would need to have another round of chemotherapy treatments.  I asked if I could wait until after the ride to start and was told that I could not.  So last week, instead of packing, I had my second of 12 treatments.  This week, instead of riding, I am recovering.

 

The decision was very hard.  I held out hope that I could do the ride even if I was in treatment.  But the truth is, I cannot do both.  RAGBRAI happens every year.  Giving 100% to recovery has to happen now.  So that’s what I am doing.  It’s actually fine.  Good.  I made it through my second treatment with no unexpected discomfort.  Mostly I just slept for three days and am gradually emerging.  Today I feel just about normal and am so grateful to this body of mine that is doing such an amazing job of undergoing this onslaught with such grace. 

 

I got a phone call from the Executive Director of the Livestrong Foundation the other day.  Unbelievable.  A personal call from Doug Ullman to me thanking me for being such a great fundraiser (thanks go to you for that, by the way) and also, on behalf of Livestrong his expression of personal sadness that I have to have more treatment.  And he gave me his cell phone number (!) and said to call if I needed anything.  He told me that he was sad I am not riding but that I am still very much a part of the Livestrong Team.

 

I know I will go to Austin in October to celebrate with all the Livestrong Teams from all the Livestrong events all over the United States.  That will be amazing and is a consolation to me right now.  Well, that and knowing that staying home and resting and meditating and praying and exploring and believing are the very best things I can be doing for myself right now. 

 

Okey doke friends.  This is my last time to ask for your support for my Team Livestrong ride across Iowa.  I am writing on Saturday and I do feel an ache in my heart knowing I am here at my desk rather than in Sioux City.  But I also know that focusing on my treatments is key and I just cannot be there on this ride this year.

 

But, I've told you before, I am so deeply moved by how much Livestrong has helped ME during this scary time of more chemotherapy.  If you have thought of supporting me on this ride, now is the time.  I am not riding, but I am (they tell me) still on the team.  That fills my heart.