My daughter’s girlfriend moved across the country. A recent college graduate who is putting her faith in herself and taking that huge leap. I commend her.
For all the young adults who put themselves on the list – for those individuals who learn early on that to pursue their dreams is not only a love note to self but also a love note to their family, they get it…
They get that they are worth the journey, worth the effort, worth the energy, no matter how gritty their trek, no matter how twisty the road…which brings me to our oldest child, Lauren. Lauren (aka Lucy) is doing just that…
She. Is. Trekking!
Lucy was a motivated little girl with a dream…a very big, very real, dream. A very big, very real, goal – to work in a field which would allow her to share her artistic expressions. Whether through her music, her photography, her acting, or any combination of the three, it was going to happen, and for Luc, it needed to be in the city that never sleeps…
Guess what? She hasn’t slept in ten months! After graduating from college, she made her way… Lucy lives and works in the Big Apple. She is taking one day at a time and moving along in a fashion that is all her own. Her outer life is a true reflection of her inner life. YES!
She understands that the road might be bumpy and the challenges great, but if she doesn’t try now, if she doesn’t run toward her calling, she’d be running away from it…and that’s not Lucy! Yeah, she’s cool like that.
So… to every parent whose child is pursuing their goals, designing their journey, and living their dreams – Bravissimo!
We are so blessed to have a front row seat! There is no better show in town!
Here’s to you, Lucy! We love you!
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!
This calls for something fancy…I mean this girl has fancy nosh written all over her!
I’m thinking Caprese Crostini with a side of Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe…
Caprese Crostini
Okay…it must be said, and you can quote me…
Every great meal begins with a little piece of bread and butter.
Then, to take that little piece of bread and butter and toast it into a simple little crostini….Heavens…
Crostini
Ingredients
1 large baquette sliced into 1/3 inch-thick slices
6 tbsp. unsalted butter at room temperature
Directions
Place the rack in the upper third of the oven and turn on broiler.
Spread both sides of the bread with butter.
Arrange slices on a baking sheet and broil for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
Caprese Topping
Ingredients
2 dozen cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, lengthwise
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
8 oz. fresh mozzarella cut into little pieces
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
Directions
In a medium bowl, toss together the tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
Pile the tomatoes and mozzarella pieces onto each crostini.
Garnish each with fresh basil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Pomodoro = Tomato
Mozzarella = Mozzarella
Basilico = Basil
Delizioso!!! = Delicious!!!
Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe
Could an appetizer be any simpler?
Ingredients
1 cantaloupe
10 – 15 slices of prosciutto
Directions
Peel and slice the cantaloupe into 1/2-inch semi-circle slices.
Wrap a slice of prosciutto around each wedge and arrange on a platter.
Cantalupo = Cantaloupe
Prosciutto = Prosciutto
Mangia!!!! = Eat!!!!
Buon Compleanno, Sweeta!!! = Happy Birthday, Lucy!!!
nicole says
Catching up on some older posts- this one is amazing- in every way possible!!! From Lauren to the food- doesn’t get any better then this! xoxo
Annie says
It was like Christmas seeing all of your sweet comments this morning…thanks, sister! 🙂
Lucy says
I’m the luckiest girl… The most beautiful lady gave birth to me 23 years ago! I love you so much. Thank you for this post mama. And those pictures are amazing! Can’t wait to try the recipe out. Xo.
Annie says
Happy Birthday, Sweeta…Cannot wait for us all to be together! Soon! Love you!
Karen Edwards says
We are wishing Lauren a very happy birthday! What a gorgeous picture of Lauren. Great post too, Ann. Your crostini looks awesome!
Annie says
Thank you, Sweeta!
Lucy says
Thanks Karen!! ♥