The week in review...

I've decided that I don't have a particular style of post. I am forever apologizing to you, my dear readers, for how unconventional I am being. This week has been especially crazy for me even in the midst of the restful days I've had off of work. I really want to talk about it, and writing always seems to help. So here's a bit of what has happened this week. All of it is food related in some way (or maybe I can just make everything about food...you decide).

The first thing that happened this week was a baby bird flew into the bushes by our house, causing the upstairs tennant to have a small heart attack (figuratively...everyone is out of the hospital, it's ok, nobody went to the hospital in the first place...relax!). So, bird was retrieved from the bushes and caged in a small box outside. It looked like this.

So, we (as in me and my house mates and visitors) researched baby starlings and their care, and found out that it needed catfood and a heating pad and gateraide to survive. So, I procured said items, and got an old shoe box and towel for the bird to nest in and made it a new little home. It even let me feed it with a straw! What an awesome experience! 

Pretty stinking cute! If that doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what will. So, I had an overnight guest in my room. But the problem was, he or she kept trying to fly away. It was at that point that I considered the possibility of the bird being a fledgling. And it was then I knew I had to let it go. A bird should not be caged if it is trying to learn to fly. It has to fly or die trying because it is a bird and a bird without flight is like a person without a heart. It can live, but the existance is pretty pointless.

The next day, after I let the bird go, I finished my book, The Secret Life of Bees by Susan Monk Kidd. It was a really good read for me. Not only did the story revolve around three sisters who kept bees for their honey (how can a story about honey ever be wrong?), but also talked about racism, forgiving yourself and others for past and present wrongs, and dealt with the fallout from abuse. I didn't cry, but maybe that was because I was too much in awe of the Mexican food that helped me polish off the book.

If you are EVER in Newberg, you have to eat the Mexican food that the locals call the best in town. And it doesn't come from one of the three restaurants that line the strip of downtown. No, my friend, it comes from a taco truck. GLORIOUS! That's all I have to say! Here's a picture so you'll know you found the right place.

And in case you are wondering, this place is called Pastorcillos Tacos. I can't give you the phone number, but you can look it up on google. You found me; you can find them if you want them bad enough. They're that good!

What makes them so amazing? Aside from tacos for $1.50, they have an assortment of combination platters that are simply phenominal. Everything is warm, fresh, and delicious. Oh, and I ordered the torta with chicken. I was in HEAVEN, and eating it so fast, I got half way through before I remembered to take a picture so I could show you what I mean by amazing food. Here's what amazing food looks like in Newberg.

You're jealous now, aren't you? That little baby had beans, avacado, sourcream, jalepenos, lettuce, chicken, and rice all on a soft white bread with a sauce that would make the Lord Jesus glad he created the earth (ok, maybe I need to stop reading Southern novels for a bit and act like the Northwest girl that I am). But you get the picture. It was incredible. Emphasis on the EDIBLE.

Well, inspired by that meal, I have been cooking Spanish food all week. I made chicken empanadas for my sister when we had lunch together, and for the weekly potluck I share with my fellow gardeners after we have taken care of the community planting and weeding, I made a Spanish Tortilla. It's a really easy dish to make, just takes a little bit of time and effort is all. The group liked it so well, they asked for the recipe, which I obligied by sharing this link. You want to know what you'll be getting yourself into with this one? Check out the picture below. This is the view from my frying pan, anyway.

As we were enjoying the view of the garden and eating, one of the gardeners asked, "What's one thing you've learned this week?" I couldn't think of anything at the time, but now, my brain is on overload just thinking about everything I have learned. I learned how to feed a baby bird. I learned to let that baby go and fly. I learned that sometimes, we need to forgive ourselves more than anyone else in the world. I learned that there are some amazing jewels hidden in Newberg just waiting for me to enjoy them, that sisters are great friends even if it's hard, and that I have something unique and valuable to offer my community. Most importantly, I learned that being myself, even if it is a little too much or over the top at times, is worth it. I'd rather be loved for me than for what I pretended to be. So here's to a great week of learning, growing, cooking, eating, caring, and letting go. I can't wait to see what the next adventure will be.

Oh, and the garden looks spectacular by the way! I brought home lettuce and a smile from my gardening night. So much fun. Eden looks like this.

 Until next time, happy eating!