The Flourishing Abode – A merry heart has a continual feast

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I just love to experiment in the kitchen, try new foods, and explore different flavors! I’m planning once a week to share a food tip here on my blog from my culinary adventures. 🙂

Today’s ideas are simple to prepare, elegant and delicious! The key is excellent quality ingredients.

And in particular, Westphalian Ham.

This photo is from a special tapas meal I made for my family. It is so simple to prepare and yet SO delicious! I was going to use Serrano ham until I found out how expensive it was (To give you an idea, a whole ham could easily cost you $200. YIKES!), and then considered prosciutto and eventually we settled on using Westphalian.

Now, its still not a low cost ingredient by any means, but its significantly less than Serrano, and with any of these hams, you really only need a small amount.

Trim the stalky ends off the ends of fresh asparagus spears, and wrap each in about 1/2 a slice of Westphalian ham. Brush with extra virgin olive oil, and put into a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes- make sure you don’t over cook it! You want the asparagus tender, but still firm enough that it doesn’t droop. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper.

Devour.

And, even simpler, yet still ridiculously delicious: wrap balls of cantaloupe with small pieces of Westphalian ham, and spear with decorative toothpicks. This is from the same tapas meal- both my husband and I were blown away by this flavor combination!

Check out these fun foodie finds on Etsy, have some fun in the kitchen and get cooking!

31-03-2011 April Starr food

Do you ever feel like you have so many activities going on in your life and so many possessions that they’re getting in the way of doing what you really want to do – and what you really need to do?  Do you ever feel like you’re putting in a lot of effort – but for what purpose?

I made this typography photograph recently, and it describes what I have been doing.  I have been working on getting rid of activities and things that just suffocate from what is really important

What is your purpose in life? What is most important to you? Are other things in the way?

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

29-03-2011 April Starr bible, motivational

I recently went down to Georgia to pick up a dining room table that used to be my grandparents’ years ago.  I also got some neat items that were my great grandparents’, and some hymnals and other items that were my uncle’s.

So many neat things!

But my poor apartment is starting to get cluttered and I can’t properly appreciate the things like these that have and really love because there is a lot of just general “stuff” distracting and crowding. 


Knit Cotton Dishcloths by ImpossiblyAlice

SO! I am going into purge and clean mode! Simplify, donate and clean out.  Considering that we may be moving before too long, I’m looking at it this way – if I’m not willing to “pay” for space on the rental truck for an item, I’m not going to keep it.

And one of the perks of spring cleaning? Decorating!  Maybe if I get enough done and get rid of enough, I will treat myself to a small something-I-really-love from this treasury I made of decor from Etsy.  This is the feel I would like my home to have. (And can you tell I love maps??)

15-03-2011 April Starr etsy, home decor, style

As harsh icy weather slams much of the country here in the doldrums of winter, its easy to get hit with cabin fever! So here are a few photos I took at the local university gardens (back when it was warm) to cheer your day.

You know, I am very thankful that God made seasons. I would not want to live in the hot days of August all year, nor would I want it to be perpetually February. They say variety is the spice of life, and I am thankful for the variety of seasons! And I will be especially thankful for Spring when it comes. 😉

And on that note of looking forward to warmer weather, I am headed to FL tomorrow – WooT! I’m going down for a series of Bible lectures, and I’m looking forward to being able to wear short sleeves!

03-02-2011 April Starr bible

I am excited to be starting this new blog! A little about me … my first and foremost identity is as a Christian, to serve God. Next, I am a stay-at-home wife to my wonderful husband, and mother to my three year old daughter.

I love to express my creative side in a variety of ways … I make jewelry from items that had a practical use in the past, I hunt for unique vintage finds, and I enjoy making illustrations. I also love to write, read and cook!

This blog will probably be various and sundry bits of all things I love. 🙂

Not the most recent photo, but this is our family. 🙂

01-02-2011 April Starr blogging

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