Never ordinary
Annie & Alison Newsletter #17
How are you, friend? I hope your last three weeks have been full of rest and wonder.
My last three weeks didn’t contain much rest, but they sure brought wonder and awe of the many special people in my life. Over the past month, I proudly watched my little brother graduate from college. I ate a rare meal with all 5 Benson family members present, and savored every moment. I witnessed my brother-in-law marry the love of his life, and warmly welcomed a new sister-in-law to the family. I explored Minneapolis with my best friend since Kindergarten who came to visit me. I sat on my balcony, eating spiced watermelon (recipe below) with a dear friend as we discussed the Bible and how to read it. I drank coffee slowly with my husband one morning before he went to work. I gathered around a large table for four days of meetings with 9 incredible new coworkers (yes, I have a new job!). I took delight in holding my friend’s 8-month old as he gnawed on a teething ring. I am filled to the brim with good people in my life.
As I reflect on these encounters, one refrain continually comes to mind. In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”
Every person I know, and every person I don’t know, is extraordinary. A sacred, eternal, fully known and fully loved individual. Priceless. When I actively remember this fact, which I try to do often, it utterly changes the way I operate in the world. I go from being lost in my own petty worries and thoughts, to letting my mind marvel at every person that passes me in the grocery store. I wonder about how they fill their days, where they find meaning and purpose, and whether they know how loved they truly are. I’m also challenged to treat the guy who cut me off on the freeway with dignity. It’s not an ideal, it’s reality.
I want the truth of Lewis’ words to transform me. Hopefully they inspire you, too.
Amidst lots of travel (10 airplanes worth!) and various events, I miraculously found time to cook. In order to maximize my pockets of availability, I tried a new strategy, whereby I cook multiple Alison recipes for one cohesive meal. I’m calling them “All-Out-Alison Meals,” and I’ve laid them out below (in order of when I made them):
All-Out-Alison Meal #1
Spicy Marinated Anchovies with Potato Chips (Appetizer)
Baked Summer Squash with Cream and Parmesan Bread Crumbs (Side)
Scallops with Corn, Hazelnuts, and Brown Butter Chermoula (Entrée)
Upside-Down Apricot Tart (Dessert)
All-Out-Alison Meal #2 (served with grilled chicken)
Others
All-Out-Alison Meal #3
97 recipes cooked, 128 to go.
During these weeks of cooking…
I learned… that Chermoula (ch-er-moo-la) is a kind of relish used in seafood dishes in many Arabic countries. It typically includes garlic, cumin and coriander, among other spices. Alison’s chermoula also uses red pepper flakes, cumin, and paprika. I also learned that there are two kinds of scallops: BAY and SEA scallops. I used bay scallops in the Scallops and Corn recipe, without realizing I was supposed to use sea scallops. I purposefully sought out sea scallops for the Scallops and Spicy Beans recipe, and it made all the difference. Sea scallops are noticeably bigger, far less fishy (not in smell, but in taste at least), and garner a more satisfying sear.
I watched… Alright, fine. I watched two episodes of The Bachelorette. I’ve watched a handful of seasons over the years, and the only way I enjoy them is if I watch with a friend so we can make incessant commentary about how ridiculous it all is just to make ourselves feel better for watching it in the first place. Plus, it’s fun. For the record, my money’s on Greg and Michael A.
I listened to… one of my all-time favorite movie soundtracks on repeat. Sleeping At Last wrote music for the documentary, “Many Beautiful Things.” I’ve actually never seen the film, but the score is comprised of 36 instrumental tracks that tell a musical story. I usually listen to this album when I’m trying to read or write.
I read… Inspired by Rachel Held Evans. I truly can’t get enough of her words. In this book, she explores her own journey of wrestling with the Bible. I found so much hope in this book, and highly recommend it to literally everyone. Literally.
In case you need to hear it today, let me be the one to tell you that you are anything but ordinary.
xo,
Annie
