IMAGINE A WORLD…

Where all of your projects were completed BEFORE the deadline…way before.

Where plans don’t change and disappointments don’t happen.

Where people can all cook…really well.

Perhaps my rose colored glasses are permanently stuck to my head, or maybe I’m just really, really happy.

WHY, you might ask?

I’m lounging on the couch with a fever and a nasty “virus” (according to my dr.) that is neither fun nor relaxing. Because of this plague, I missed an event yesterday that I’ve been looking forward to–and working toward–for 6 months. Frustrated by my sickness and hard work poured into this project, I was ready to scream, stomp my feet, and start throwing things around in anger. Instead, I just teared up.

The event is an annual to-do sponsored by the City, called Project Homeless Connect. It serviced hundreds of homeless in the community plus others that we might never know it helped. What a BRILLIANT IDEA, putting all of the social agencies in one big room, a one-stop shop for anyone off the streets who needs food, housing, clothing, a pair of glasses, a haircut, medical services, education, substance abuse treatment, counseling, job training, etc… BRILLIANT!

But I learned something really important. The show went on without me. And it went on REALLY WELL, too. People were assisted, volunteers did all they could, agencies gave out invaluable resources. It was really great. It didn’t need me.

However, I feel this little secret bit of gratification because all of my hard work payed off…I just didn’t get to see it in person. But I’ve been getting emails and phonecalls today from people who were so glad of how the Project went. As a social worker and a minister, I recognize that there will be times when I will NOT see the fruit of my labor and not be a part of the end result of my work. That’s okay, because I know I did my best. And the people who needed yesterday got what they came for. What a blessing.

On one other little note, Mountains Beyond Mountains is an AMAZING BOOK!

And, to keep it food related, I made THE MOST SINFUL DESSERT IMAGINABLE
 after sub-par Tex-Mex with my friend Melissa from North Carolina. Melissa is amazing…someday I’ll share more about her. There are 2 Melissa’s in my life, and they are so different and so fun!

Okay, back to the sin..

I was sitting at this popular Mexican restaurant and thinking, ‘Wow, this enchilada and taco are really not as good as people think.’ So I started dreaming about dessert, and this is what happened…

BAM! The BANANA BOMB

Step 1: Fry a sliced banana in olive oil.

Step 2: Fry 2 white flour tortillas. (sensing a theme?)

Step 3: Assemble & add some whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top.

Step 4: Drizzle honey over pile of sugar happiness to give a “sopapilla” feel.				This heart attack on a “special plate” is ready for devouring!

Okay, so this is what it is not:
1. healthy
2. nutritious
3. low fat

This is what the Banana Bomb is:
1. Freaking fabulous
2. Tasty
3. An occasional treat
4. Super awesome
5. Full of cinnamon, honey, banana-y, chocolatey, whipped goodness!

So the “good” outweighs the “bad,” and it DID make me feel special. My friend/mentor Carla gave us this plate, and it has been used a couple of times for special occasions. We mark on the back the special occasions with a special pen. The honey jar is one my grandmother (Mama) gave me years ago–it’s from a trip we took to Meridian and a farm in Laurel, Mississippi. I was missing her and thought this was the golden opportunity to open up this bad boy of honey happiness. After all, wouldn’t she be proud that I added fruit (and named the recipe after a fruit) to this concoction??? Haha, maybe…

So cheers to a great evening with a wonderful friend, at a crappy Mexican restaurant. And cheers to loving life and feeling special!

~Laurel