can my life be any more pathetic?

[JJ40]

Last night, I went to my balcony and picked basil for my first pesto ever.

I just wanted to share with you all the immense THRILL I felt as I walked into the kitchen with a handful of basil leaves!!!
It was the most exciting moment of my day!

I know we're supposed to enjoy the little things in life...but it seems a little sad that basil instills that much joy in me!!

Julie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Peeps]

I'm so jealous - this is the second year I've tried to grow basil on my balcony but something keeps eating it and I have yet to get a whole leaf! I just have munched on stems (haven't figured out what is munching since I never SEE any bugs on it - very frustrating!). Enjoy your basil!

[Pat]

I can definitely relate! I grow a few herbs on my deck and I love to step out the door and cut fresh herbs to cook with. If I were wealthy and had a full-time gardener, I would grow at least one of everything. There is just something about eating something you have grown!

[SusanL]

Congratulations!! Julie, it will be the best pesto you ever had!! It is such a fullfilling concept that you grew it! Fortunately, my DH shares my garden's bounty with joy, it may be psychological, but my homegrown is always the best!! I am lucky to have two neighbors that share my gardening treasures. You go girl!!

[Vanessa]

Its a great feeling to pick up herbs and veggies one grows. Its the small things in life that bring the most joy. Enjoy the pesto!

[Jewel]

If you're pathetic for getting jazzed about basil, then I'm a complete lost cause for staring at my new belly-button in the mirror this morning with tears in my eyes.

It's the little things in life that make us happy, you know that! Snip away!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Wendy w]

Congratulations Julie! I can't wait until my basil gets bigger! You are not alone!

[BlueMoose]

Valeriek.....

I tried that pesto a couple of weeks ago (my 1st) and it was delicious!

Life is about the small things... last night it was the smell of graham crackers and strawberry yogurt on my little guy's face.

Chrisi http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Grace]

You do have it wrong - your life is anything but pathetic! You've found the key to happiness and a wonderful life. Like Gail said, it's those who haven't figured this out that have the pathetic lives. Good for you, and ENJOY your basil!!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Melina]

Gail, if you keep posting good stuff like that, you're going to lose your standing as a fire-breathing dragon.

JJ40, good for you, for feeling the thrill! Don't lose sight of it. I grow basil on my window sill, and if I could have had a parade when I picked the first leave, I would of. When the pesto picking time came, all I could manage was playing an Andre Bocelli CD. It at least created a familiar environment for the pesto, and it did a little tingly something for me too. The wine didn't hurt either.

Enjoy your basil; enjoy everything.
Melina



[This message has been edited by Melina (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Julie A]

Julie,

How did the pesto come out? what was your recipe? This is so exciting!

No, you're not pathetic - just the opposite. Growing herbs and vegetables is one of the true things in life. What's pathetic is getting excited over a 1/2 hour sitcom.

Julie

[Gail]

It's part of "stopping to smell the roses" (or in your case, basil) and you're looking at it from the wrong point of view, JJ40.

Pity those who don't find joy in what you did. You've got it all right.

[comabri]

Originally posted by JJ40:
Last night, I went to my balcony and picked basil for my first pesto ever.

well you can't just leave us hanging... how was your first pesto ever????

[SandyM]

Originally posted by Gail:
Pity those who don't find joy in what you did. You've got it all right.

EXACTLY. I feel the same way every year, pulling fresh produce from my garden (when the deer haven't beat me to it). Nothing compares. And I will never take it for granted.

[valeriek]

Julie,

I'm planning on doing the same thing tonight!! I'm so excited. I'm going to make a roasted red pepper pesto pizza (I know I got the name wrong) by using my home grown basil. This is my first year growing my own and my plant is growing like a weed. I'm amazed at how big it has gotten (and I don't even keep in on the balcony - it is in my apartment!). I have been thinking about it all day in anticipation. How sad is that!

[lorilei]

Is there /anything/ in life more satisfying than a good big whiff of fresh basil?

Gee, I can even get that thrill opening a package of store-bought basil in the midst of winter http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif No JJ40, you're not alone. Nor are you overreacting. I'm half convinced that basil triggers the release of "happy hormones"!

There's simply nothing like it -- well, except maybe a big old whiff of a freshly peeled garlic clove! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Zinnia]

The feeling of going outside to the balcony, or garden to reap what I sow is pure excitment to me too! No matter what day it is or what I am picking/cutting, it is a feeling of joy..I agree with everyone http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif.
I am so glad to be able to it, (I don't find any herbs compare-able at the store anymore), we are eating something that I grew, know where it comes from, and I hear (occasionally), "did u really grow this?". It's an awesome feeling isn't it? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

[JJ40]

Thanks for all your kind words! It was truly a wonderful feeling to create a yummy meal with herbs I had grown all by my little old self.

Valeriek, the pesto I made was for the red pepper pesto pizza also! It was excellent-- I'm having the leftovers for lunch today. I can't explain the thrill I got while watching the roasted red peppers, basil, and garlic whirling around in my food processor!

I must say that CL has really opened up a whole new culinary world to me. I'm finding so much happiness in cooking and food--in a healthy way! I'm so grateful to CL and this BB...you all have been so supportive and wonderful. Thank you!

Julie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Pat]

I also get excited in the winter when I pull out my frozen basil to use in recipes!

[Rae]

I love growing basil on my deck too. It makes me feel a little "earth motherish" even if I live in an apartment, in a city. I have been picking some for tomato and cream cheese bagels all week. I'm always amazed how we can possible survive long winters without all the incredible fresh produce we feast on during the summers!

Pat - How do you freeze your basil? Is it similar to fresh after defrosted? I have dried mine in both a dehyrator and used Martha Stewarts rock salt method, but hadn't thought of freezing it. How does it turn out?

[EllenL]

Thanks, JJ and everyone else for demonstrating that there are some people who also enjoy the simple things in life! I know it doesn't seem like the height of sophistication to be excited about growing herbs on the balcony, but we can't help it if it gives us a thrill!

Add oregano, mint, lavendar, dill, sage, rosemary, and thyme to my list of balcony pots. Cilantro however did horribly---went to seed right away.

And if you really want to see me out of control, just watch me when I discover wild blackberries when I'm hiking and pick some!
I feel like Martha Stewart has nothing on me then (even though I didn't live in a New Englnad farm house that cost millions!)