Lauras Choice

A Blog from Laura Kubicki

You Light My Life.

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You Light My Life

Hello Everybody!

Well it’s post Mother’s Day and I wanted to check in on all of you Moms to say I trust you felt celebrated, appreciated, and all the other “a-teds” a mother should feel on that day!  I know from all the FB postings and what nots you joined me in receiving your share of special brunches, lunches, dinners, cards, flowers, spa days, and what have you from your adoring first priorities and loves of your lives.

This was one of my favorite gifts.  I received it from my nine year old son Jack. He made it at school, and gave it to me Monday morning after giving me his card and gifts on Mother’s Day.  He was a little bashful and embarrassed for having forgotten it on Sunday.

“I love you more than anything Mom” he said

…and he purposefully walked into the kitchen through the hubbub race we call Monday mornings, and quietly and shyly presented it to me, complete with a warm, full, two-arm, Jack hug and sparkling blue eyes that he got not from me, but from his Dad (mine are brown).

And I’m sharing it with you because of all the lives you light, including mine.

I hope you had a very Happy Mother’s Day.  Keep letting that beautiful light of yours shine…

 

 

 

Easy Kiwi Berry Fruit Flowers

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Hey there!  Feeling Springy?  You already know how much I luv luv luv flowers.  Well,  I found a really cute food flower idea on Pinterest that I thought I might share with you because…

They’re Springy.

They’re Pretty.

They’re Tasty, Healthy, and Fun To Make!

How can you go wrong with that?

And they’re really so simple.  To be honest at first I wasn’t sure about the prep.  I’m not the world’s craftiest.  And if you’re like me I assure you they are easy peasy and you can of course do all different types of fruit this way – Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Honeydew, Apples, Pears, Mangos…what have you!

I call them Easy Kiwi Berry Fruit Flowers.  Aren’t they cute???

Easy Kiwi Berry Fruit Flowers

I used these with great success at my Mom’s recent Surprise 70th Birthday Bash.  They definitely created a “WOW” factor on the table with the other food and the guests and family just gobbled them up.

And as you might surmise, they’re not just for parties!!  My kids lllllllooooovvvvveeeee them too.  Check this out.

First you wash, dry, and peel the kiwi and berries.  Next you slice the kiwi (or your fruit of choice) and shape them with any cookie cutter shape you like.  (My mother-in-law gave me a bunch of vintage shape cutters ages ago and they were perfect for this – thanks Mom!)

Shaping Fruit

Be sure to save fruit pieces you don’t use for these pretty babies.  Throw them in your salad that night, or add to any fruit salad ideas you have or you can do like me and…

Eat them!  

See those "scraps"? Eat them!
See those “scraps”? Eat them!

Now once your berries are dry, grab a toothpick or skewer of your choice, stack the fruit, and hold together with said pick.  I liked the look of a couple different types of berries for plate presentation and the white platter really set them off.

Done!

Kiwi Fruit Flowers

Fruit Flowers Platter

There you have it.  Pretty little edible spring flowers.

Wonder what other shapes one could make?  Hmmm.  Makes a great kid/kitchen edible craft idea too!

Happy eating!  Hope you enjoy!

 

 

Spring Fling!

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Pansies

Hello Friends!  Welcome to today!

I just HAD to share these beautiful flowers with you!  I absolutely LOVE flowers!  Look at that marvelous, saturated, velvety, color!  Heavenly.

Jack, Joseph, and I were at Salem College today.  Jack takes piano lessons there and while he’s doing that, Joseph and I do homework.  And when that’s done, we walk around on nice days, climbing trees and looking at the beautiful flowers that are offering up their full glory free for our eyes to see and our hearts to enjoy this time of year.

Here’s Joseph in said tree…nice outfit son-shine!

Is that a monkey in a tree? You bet!
Is that a monkey in a tree? You bet!

And here are some breathtaking azaleas – just look at that orange!!  What a color combo!  So. Very. Gorgeous!

Spring Azaleas

Oh and by the way…do any of you know what the bluish/purple flowers are?  They hang down and have a beautiful, unique type of star shape to them and they have a nice fragrance too.  I’m going to have to look them up…

Or maybe I should wait because you know what they are…

What are these????
What are these????

I’ll wait to see if you do and if not, I’ll look them up and let you know!  How’s that???

And so…Joseph and I had some excellent, springy, “Mommy and Me” time enjoying the trees, the flowers, the weather and each other for a little bit today.

Here’s Joseph…

Joseph with flowers Salem College

And here’s a selfie of us together with Joseph showing off his new lost tooth!  Two gone on top now!  My baby’s growing up…

Joseph and Me
Joseph and Me

And that’s all today – it sure was beautiful complete with sunshine, brilliant spring colors, and each other…and we were so thankful to be able to meander around together for a few stollen moments – our very own little “Spring Fling” if you will.

Hope you’ve gotten or are able to squeeze a spring fling in for yourself – in spite of any obnoxious allergies that we all seem to have during the blooming season!  Sniff sniff…allergies – BE GONE!

And you, be well my friend – happy spring!

 

Lemon Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry

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Hi Guys!

Guess what!  It’s PEAK Asparagus Season!  Yup.  Asparagus season starts in February and goes til June, but now in April is at its peak.

Which means it’s plentiful.  It’s delicious.  And you should be able to get it at a better price than usual!  Which makes it a terrific quick, healthy, side to a meal.  We eat it A LOT with grilled chicken, fish, steak…you name it.  And it’s a snap to prepare!
Speaking of snap…lets get started.

Start by simply ‘snapping’ off the tough bottom ends.  Some people cut it off, but it naturally snaps off right where it should, so do what you like there :o)!

Next, add a TBS of oil (I use EVOO) to a large frying pan on Med/High heat and throw in a clove of slightly mashed garlic.  Cook the garlic clove (a minute or so) until it browns slightly and turns fragrant – then remove.

Garlic Infusion
Garlic Infusion

You can use chopped/minced garlic, but it’s tricky on higher heat and you know if garlic burns it gets bitter and then you have to throw the whole thing away…just seems easier to flavor the oil briefly for me, but you choose!

When the oil is infused, add your sliced onions and asparagus.

Asparagus 1

Stir fry for a minute or two until the onions begin to soften and the asparagus begins to turn a bright green.

This is the time to add your salt and pepper and sprinkle in your sesame seeds.

Add Sesame Seeds, Salt and Pepper
Add Sesame Seeds, Salt and Pepper

Toasted sesame seeds add a delightful layer of flavor to this dish, but if you’ve not the time, just throw them in regular like I did here and it’ll taste just mighty fine!  Stir-fry another minute or two and when they’re nearly done (that’s tender crisp for me) turn of the heat and drizzle in a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and stir to coat.

Adding Lemon Juice
Adding Lemon Juice

And that’s it!  Pour into serving dish, add some lemon zest if you so desire and a slice or two for garnish and have at it!

This dish is so fresh and irresistible, I usually can’t help but to dig in immediately. Guests love it too, so it’s a great side to use when you entertain, and it’s so simple your kiddos can help with it!  This one’s a keeper – it’s sooo good!

Sesame Lemon Asparagus Stir Fry
Sesame Lemon Asparagus Stir Fry

So go ahead.  Dig in and make your mouth happy!!

Happy Asparagus Season friends – enjoy!

 

Lemon Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry

From: lauraschoice.com
Prep Time: 5 Mins Cooking Time: 5 Mins Total Time: 10 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 slightly smashed garlic clove
  • 1/4 C sliced sweet onion
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
  • 1 TBS sesame seeds – toasted are marvelous
  • 1 TBS fresh lemon juice – or to taste 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat 1 TBS of oil in a large frying pan over medium to medium/high heat
  2. Slightly smash 1 garlic clove and add to heated oil in pan.  Cook 1 minute or until slightly browned and soft.  Remove and discard.
  3. Slice asparagus and onions into one inch slices.  Add to infused garlic oil.
  4. Stir-fry 1 minute or until onions begin to soften and asparagus begins to turn bright green.
  5. Add sesame seeds and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir-fry another minute or two until just tender crisp.
  6. Turn off heat and drizzle lemon juice over asparagus.  Add to serving bowl and top with fresh lemon zest and slices if desired.

An Awe-Inspiring Privilege.

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Hi There!  Did you think I forgot ya?  I beg your forgiveness as I’ve been a bit incognito the last few weeks – and I have absolutely no good reason other than…

It was Spring Break (glorious – hear the angels singing)?  And we were…at the beach.  And I had time to contemplate things like…

how much I LOVE SEAHORSES!

Let me introduce Spartacus.  My favorite seahorse lamp – ever (and no I don’t typically name furniture and other ‘things’). However, I didn’t know they made seahorse lamps until recently and when I saw him, I loved him and knew I had to have this guy and he just had to have a name.  I think he’s regal.

Spartacus
Spartacus

And this, is a picture of actual seahorses we saw at the Aquarium located in beautiful Pine Knoll Shores, NC, while spring breaking.

Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium Seahorses
Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium Seahorses

I just think they’re so dang cute.  And I mean come on – how can you not be amazed, befuddled, and impressed by a uniquely alien looking, yet graceful sea creature – where the boys have the babies!!!

Seahorse 2

Well actually, while that does amaze me – the truth is – I’m one of those weird, wacky, women who loved the “having” a healthy baby part.  The actual push ’til your eyeballs are popping out of your sockets and your handed a tiny, wrinkled, human creature ‘having’ is what I mean here.

And so now you know – I’m officially crazy.  Off my rocker.  Certifiable.  Or maybe not.  Hang on…let me qualify my statement…

My pregnancies?  Not a lot of love of that period of time for me (although I know many who LOVED being pregnant – GOD BLESS YOU).  No, for me, it was simply a means to an end ’cause I wanted that baby!  Why didn’t I like being pregnant you ask?  Oh,  that ‘hang over’ nausea feeling that leads to – well you know.  Then there’s the weight gain, the back pain, the reflux, the ankle swelling and water retention, a whole host of other issues women can face, and frankly….no wine (whimper), which made the whole nine months a less-than-happy-go-lucky memory for me…

But having the baby, my baby.  That was awesome.

I got that indescribable feeling many women report, a huge rush, like a feeling of overwhelming pride, of awe and amazement.  It was for me a true miracle….the miracle of having another human that was going to be at least a little bit like me (poor child), that no one has had before and no one ever will again.  That I loved.  And although I try always to share, I never would want to trade that experience for anything.

I happen to like the current role Daddy plays in all this – it’s an amazing thing if you really think about it.

To quote Alice von Hildebrand, a famous Catholic philosopher (who was introduced to me via FB by my dear childhood friend Jennifer Macintosh. Be sure to check out Jen’s awesome and thought provoking blog at wildflowersandmarbles.com)

“A man and woman collaborating with the Eternal God in creating a new human being is an awe-inspiring privilege not given to the angels – not even the highest of the seraphim!”  

Wow.  Now I’m not Catholic (full disclosure), but that’s how I felt.  It’s how I feel about it now.  An awe-inspiring privilege.   

Having said that, I’m still quite impressed by those darling little Daddy seahorses!  And how nice of them to call to mind this awesome privilege I was blessed with.  Thanks little guys (and girls) for reminding me of just how much family means to me, to us, to life.  

And how important and special all of us truly are.

So if you get the chance to visit an Aquarium – and if you live around NC and you haven’t been to the one at Pine Knoll Shores yet – it’s a great place to go.  We go nearly every time we’re at the beach.  And (despite the constant push toward the gift shop by my boys) we love to see the various fish, the otters, the alligators, the snakes, the sea turtles, the jellyfish, the sharks, and of course…the seahorses!

Seahorse 3

Giggle.  I just love ’em.  Toodles!