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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 18, 2015

Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese

I was thinking recently about how often I find myself saying something to my children that would sound so  ridiculous to anyone else but makes perfect sense to me.

Things like, “Hey guys, we’re not going to pretend to be cheetahs while we’re at church, OK?”

And then there are those times when you’re having a simple conversation with your child, innocently answering their questions, never realizing that those answers could come back up sometime later.

Usually this involves embarrassment, hilarity or both.

asparagus-with-lemon-goat-cheese-pine-nuts-www.atthpicketfence.com_

Case in point…while making this yummy dish of Balsamic Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese, Toasted Pine Nuts and Pancetta for Easter, my son wandered into the kitchen just as I was opening the packet of pancetta.

“What’s that mom?”, he asked.

“Well, it’s called pancetta”, I replied. “It’s kind of like bacon. Expensive bacon.”

The word ‘bacon’ in our house is sacred. Revered. We love bacon…in moderation of course! He reached his hand out to grab some, I swatted it away (it’s expensive!) and that was the end of that…or so I thought.

We loaded into the car and headed over to my in-laws home for Easter dinner.

And as my father-in-law went to reach for the dish of Balsamic Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese, Toasted Pine Nuts and Pancetta, my son said, “Oh, hey Papa, just so you know that bacon is REALLY expensive!”

My father-in-law just stared for a moment and then we all dissolved into laughter.

And pancetta will now forever be known in our house as the “expensive bacon”.

asparagus-with-goat-cheese-pine-nuts-pancetta

My life as a mom seems to be divided into two categories. There are those big, huge moments. The ones that are videotaped and preserved in photos and talked about over and over again.

But, then there is the other category.

It’s filled with small moments. Small moments of laughter over a funny comment from my kids. Small moments of praying with them at bedtime. Small moments of going on a ladybug “expedition”. Small moments of cooking together in the kitchen and having water balloon fights and going for walks in the woods and losing my patience and asking for forgiveness. Of holding a little hand in mine. Of holding another hand that used to be little but now is almost as big as mine. Of snuggling and wiping tears and kissing “owies” and answering tough questions.

Balsamic-roasted-asparagus-with-goat-cheese-and-pancetta-www.atthepicketfence.com_1

And these moments, collected together end up being just as meaningful as those seemingly “bigger” moments. Perhaps even more meaningful. They are the stuff of my everyday life. The ins and outs of this roller coaster ride called motherhood. My journey to being called “mommy” was not easy. It was fought for. And it makes those moments (both big and small!) even more special.

As I was writing this post I began to notice something.

Every time I wrote out the word ‘moment’ I saw the word ‘mom’.

And I don’t think I will ever pronounce it the same again.

From now on, it will always be ‘mom’ent to me.

Print
Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese

Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese

Ingredients

  • Asparagus
  • Goat Cheese (flavored variety like lemon and herbs)
  • Pancetta
  • Pine Nuts
  • Lemon
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Olive Oil
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425
  • After washing and trimming off ends of asparagus, pat dry and place on foil lined baking sheet.
  • Drizzle 2 Tbsp. of olive oil over top followed by 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • Sprinkle with appx. 1 tsp. sea salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Using hands roll asparagus back and forth until all sides are coated.
  • Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes making sure asparagus is soft but still firm to the touch.
  • While asparagus is roasting, lightly crisp pancetta in a frying pan.
  • Toast pine nuts in small frying pan (do not use oil in the pan).
  • Remove asparagus from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  • Top with crumbled goat cheese, crumbled pancetta, pine nuts.
  • Squeeze juice from fresh lemon over the top.
  • Serve immediately.
3.1
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/roasted-asparagus-with-goat-cheese/
This recipe is copyrighted by At The Picket Fence

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7 Comments Filed Under: Easter, Recipes, Side Dishes, Spring Tagged With: Easter, Easter brunch, Easter recipes, recipes

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Comments

  1. dee says

    March 18, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    You are so spot on with your “Mom”ents and they will be cherished forever!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 18, 2015 at 1:24 PM

      Thank you Dee! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Barb says

    March 18, 2015 at 12:58 PM

    Well said Vanessa. I cherish my “mom”ents and my “grandmom”ents.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 18, 2015 at 1:23 PM

      Thank you Barb!

      Reply
    • Karen says

      March 21, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      Me, too, Barb!
      Blessings, Karen

      Reply
  3. Julia G. says

    March 19, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    Oh the magic of ordinary “mom”ent!

    Reply
  4. Kimberly M. says

    March 21, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    Oh my gosh I love asparagus and goat cheese. This sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing it. Will definitely be preparing this in the near future.

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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