Simply a Beautiful Day

As many of you have gathered by now, I’m a list maker, a planner. Making lists, having a plan, knowing what to expect from one day to the next is my security blanket. Most people who don’t know me intimately assume I’m a lot of things that I’m not.

Spontaneous springs to mind. That would be less accurate than most people think, given the fairtale courtship that led to a life-long marriage. Hubby and I met at a job interview. After three weeks of working togehter, we had drinks on a Monday and were married that Saturday. A five-day courtship is spontaneous. Spontaneity is something Hubby and I seem to bring out in each other. He is practical by nature, and I the constant list maker. Hubby and I have spent the better part of 40 years holding hands and leaping into the great unknown. Any time we have time to think about things, Hubby weights the pros and cons while I let panic set in. I’m really afraid of my own shadow most of the time. I need a sense of stability and security in an otherwise upside down world. Even if it’s only an illusion.

And that is why I make lists. Ask me what I’m making for dinner three weeks from now, and I’ll tell you. When Kiddo was growing up, I had a list and a plan and a schedule for everything. I’ve gotten must better at being less list orientated. When Hubby and I were first married, a road trip involved me going to the bookstore, researching everything there was about where we were going and everything along the way of significant. I got maps and highlighters and knew down to the mile marker where we’d stop for gas or something to eat or spend the night. It was planned and familiar. The first time we took a road trip with friends, they suggested we stop to eat ahead of schedule, at a place I had not researched. Oh no, I explained, that’s not on the itinerary. If it is not on the itinerary, it is not happening. Hubby said welcome to his world. Everything in it is alphabetized and organized, and planned down to the smallest detail, leaving little to chance. Don’t ask me to explain our whirlwind marriage or the the speed boat we bought on a whim. While we no longer have a boat, that leap into marriage without looking first is still just as strong.

Now I bring all of this up because recently I mentioned to Hubby that I had an entire menu worked out for our Filet Mignons that were a Christmas Gift. Hubby looked at me like I was crazy, reminding me I had already made an amazing meal with the filets. No, silly. That was last year. I’m talking about this year. He actually had to bring me out to the freezer before I would accept that fact that we already had the steaks, and that I had shared the recipe as part of my Fourth Sunday of Advent Post. All I can say is thank God, I was looking a month down the road. There was plenty of time to plan an entire new meal. Over the course of the next few days I’ll share with you what I came up with, beginning with the vegetables.

Air-Fryer Herb de Provence Asparagus
1 lb Asparagus
2 teaspoons Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
2 teaspoons Herb de Provence or to taste

Set Air-Fryer to 400 degrees, time 10 minutes. Let fryer heat for about 2 minutes.

While the fryer warms, trim woody ends from the asparagus. Lay out on a cutting board, drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and Herb de Provence. Toss asparagus to coat in oil and seasoning. Pause Air-Fryer, remove basket insert. Spread asparagus out in the basket.

Let fry for 4 minutes, pause, remove basket to shake and turn asparagus. Return to fryer, continue to air fry for the remaining 4 minutes.

Transfer asparagus to a serving dish or small platter. Serve with the meal and enjoy.

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He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.