Farm to Feast :: organic fellowship

my discipleship group wound down today…as we prep for a summer filled with camps, swimming, camping, and beach, this incredibly awesome group of 6 women (with 21 kids amongst us!!!), are taking a little hiatus.

so we all met at a friend’s in Newport Beach.  Kim is a talented and uber creative-in-the-kitchen woman who hosts a monthly cooking/eating event called Farm to Feast.

when you walk up to the home, you notice that these are large lots…..horse lots…with people riding horses on the trails in front of the homes….and as you walk closer, you see chickens scratching in the dirt….

and you ask yourself “am i really in Newport?!”

yes, you’re in Newport, and yes, these are the real housewives, my friend.  except we’re not all housewives.  most of us pretend to be, but the truth is that we’re working, busy, trying-to-find-balance moms….of 21 kids.

as you enter Kim’s rustic and charming home, you immediately see her pretty and inviting kitchen.

as you belly up to the gorgeous dark gray quartz kitchen counter, you’re taking in the aromas, colors, and delectable foods you’re about to enjoy.

she’s a gracious hostess, is calm as all get out, and walks you through each dish as she casually prepares it.  i’d be a hot mess and would have had a few things prepped.

she starts by explaining that the fresh water she’s pouring has fresh pansies and basil from her garden, and that the water is also infused with orange blossom water.  YUM!!!

then she pours you some hot tea.  i wouldn’t say that i’m a tea lover per se, but after today, i’m sold on this most delicious hibiscus caffeine-free tea.  look at how cute the tin is!

Kim even has a cupboard full of what’s sure to be the most incredible teas you’ve ever tasted.

and right next to that cupboard is another that has as many different types of cooking oils as one would ever need.  reminds me of macguyver in a way….she has just the right ingredient to make the food taste perfect and look pretty.

exotic salts, sugars…and what i’ll lovingly call potions.  b/c let’s be honest, you’ve got to be a serious foodie to have a little vial of orange blossom water!  🙂

she then casually pulls out her cuisinart…that’s right, she hasn’t even pulled out her cuisinart ahead of time!!

she’s that intentional about wanting to teach her friends how easy it is to prepare a healthy meal without panicking or freaking out in the kitchen.

and then she’s on her way and before you realize it, you’ve eaten a 59 course meal…but you don’t feel gross like you would after you eat a cheesesteak wiz with (for all my philly friends).
  

Kim’s dishes are organic, fresh, light, simple, and pretty.

she emphasizes simple for every dish.  no need to be heavy or go overboard.  keep it simple.

once the brunch is over, you part ways and she reminds you to check your email for all the recipes!

really?  who does that?

Kim does that.  you can tell that she’s a woman of integrity, sincerity, and a deep love of food.

what a memorable and meaningful way to wind down our bible study.  we learned that eating with friends releases endorphins and oxytocin, which makes you feel good.

and i felt great as i walked out today.

in fact, i felt so good that i went out back to say hi to the chickens and horses…and let my mind wander about how cool it would be to have a secret stash of potions to drizzle into waters and onto scrumptious looking foods.

the friendships and love that i’ve developed with my girls are powerful.  i didn’t know a few of these women before we started, but God intended for us to be together during this season.  through our connected walk, they taught me to slow down, catch my balance, and stay focused on what’s important.

i cherish our times of laughter, tears and vulnerabilities.