2011 has been a roller coaster of a year for my family and I, one I wish I could have stepped off of before the year began. The year started as a blur, my mind in a complete fog. We buried dad New Year’s Eve and the following months would prove to challenge me in unexpected ways which I’m still dealing with and slowly processing. Mom moved into our “cozy” home, a home my husband and I bought eleven years ago. When we bought this place it was a complete fixer, pink bathroom tile included. It was a seller’s housing market back then and even the dumpiest of homes commanded premium dollars. But we were newly married with a determined vision. Together, we would roll up our sleeves and work on remodeling our house one room every year as our budget allowed. The sweat equity would eventually pay off as years went by. All my cake decorating experience would serve me well when it came to smoothing out drywall puddy. As a contractor friend once told me, if you can frost a cake smooth, smoothing drywall will be a cinch for you.
Slowly but surely our ugly, dumpy home started to transform into something beautiful and permanent. We gutted rooms, opened up walls, designed our kitchen, and added finishing touches like crown molding throughout the house. The process in which our home turned into a butterfly from a lowly caterpillar has been a remarkable journey of perseverance and celebration. This has been the only home my three children have ever known and our plans were to stay here until they were old enough to move out on their own. But sometimes life circumstances have a pesky way of changing plans.
After dad’s death mom came to live with us. At first it felt like we were hosting a guest. But her extended stay became a reality check that our “cozy” home with one bathroom suddenly has become too cozy. Three adults plus three children plus one bathroom equals a lot of waiting and conflict. Over the years Rob and I discussed pushing our home back and expanding our house. Although this option would address the bathroom issue, it did not make sense from other perspectives, especially from a financial point of view. Over the years I would “window shop” homes online to see if any homes peaked our interest within our price range. It would take a special home to tempt us to leave ours. Last month I spotted a beautiful home which caught my eye. I forwarded the link to my husband who laughed the whole thing off. We had been through this song and dance before with two other homes in the last few years. He gave me his typical response, “Oh ya, that’s a nice home. What’s for dinner?” But I insisted, we, at the very least call our realtor to go take a look. So we went to look at this house without any real seriousness to it other than to satisfy my curiosity. The home was as beautiful as I thought it would be with plenty of space for a growing family including mom. This made my husband very nervous. I think he was secretly hoping I would walk through this home and that would be the end of our discussion. But this wasn’t the case. The next thing I knew we were signing real estate forms making an official offer which was accepted by the seller. The following week our current house went on the market and we received a full price offer the same day it listed. Pricing to sell really does work despite the current (depressing) Seattle real estate market.
So we’re moving – Rob, the kids, mom, and me. Our new home is not very far from where we live now except we will live closer to our daughters’ school. We close right before school starts and we are busy packing our belongings, de-cluttering items, and savoring our last few weeks in this home we’ve come to love along with our amazing neighbors. In fact, it is bittersweet we leave our neighborhood solely based on our neighbors and the strong sense of community we’ve been a part of for over a decade. They will be a wonderful unexpected gift to the new owners of our house and have a special place in our hearts forever.
In the mean time, I’ve been doing less cooking around here. We’ve been trying to keep our house clean and I’ve been preparing really quick and easy dishes to keep me sane through this process. Although it has been a little quiet around here on Savory Sweet Life, once we move into our new home I promise I’ll get to posting more regularly. In the mean time, here is a recipe for Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad. I’ve been enjoying this salad for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is something about ripe cherry tomotoes and mini “pearl” mozzerella balls I have found to be irrisistable. Add slivers of fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper, and this salad represents the essence of summer. Enjoy!
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh "mini" mozzerella pearls
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 18 basil leaves, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Add the cherry tomatoes and mozzerella cheese to a medium bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and mozzerella. Add the basil, salt, and pepper, and gently toss all the ingredients.
vanessa jackson says
Very easy recipe and very tasty. I saw the recipe on pinterest.
Thanks,
WeLoveChicken says
I love this kind of salad, these ingredients match perfectly. I use to make something similar, but as a big garlic fan, I add some garlic to my salad.
bev zdon says
good luck in ur new home that means new baby love this salad n every one else did thanks
marie says
A must to try, looks divine.
Kathy Deane says
This salad looks amazing. Can’t wait until I host book club again to serve it.
Karla says
I can’t wait to try this recipe in a couple months, but I must say I enjoyed your story even more. It’s sometimes nice to hear that not everyone’s life is cookie cutter perfect, and I relate to this story with moves and life changes that abound. It sounds much like my life right now. I’m going to try this recipe because I have done a similar salad with vinaigrette. – I love Newman’s Own Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette. It’s the best out there in my opinion. 🙂
NFL Snapback Hats says
Slowly but surely our ugly, dumpy home started to transform into something beautiful and permanent.
Kim says
your story is so heartwarming. I just found your site through pinterest and I love it (and the recipe by the way!). I hope your move and your family are all adjusting! Moving is tough all the way around! I look forward to reading more from your blog. 🙂 thanks.
Reecea says
I found your recipe for Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad on Pinterest. Hubby and I had it as dinner salad last night. We love it. Thanks for sharing.
Sailaja says
Congratulations on your new home.
Gosh! That picture is so tantalizing. Exactly my kind of salad – simple yet flavorful.
Susan Huebner says
Beautiful salad, Alice. May God’s peace be upon you and yours in your new home! Susie
adrene says
September has always been my way of starting a new year rather than January 1st, and you are off to a great fresh beginning…an opportunity to declutter and purge. Congratulations on your new home and space, and wonderful memories! I am looking forward to more posts as you become settled.
This is one of my favorite side dishes and sometimes a meal…..Love it!
Thanks for sharing your incredible talents.
Amazing Marshmallows Author says
Great salad… reminds me of one I recently ate a few days ago (and made a marshmallow design for)… I’ll have to try this recipe out…thank you for sharing!
Sweetly yours,
Amazing Marshmallows
http://www.amazingmarshmallows.blogspot.com
Rob @ Howtocookhero.com says
Wow, I saw an almost identical recipe posted just a day or two after yours. You might want to check a copyscape. Your presentation is far better, though!
It looks like you beat them to the punch, and credit where credit is due. Looks great.
Meghan says
I made this last night for a pre-dinner treat and compliments were flowing. It was delish! So easy and so tasty!
Strawberry CAKE says
Alice, so excited for you and your family! I love this salad…slurp…I just drooled all over my key board!
Liz D. says
Hi Alice,
Congratulations on your new home. I hope you will find peace and happiness there.
Last night I made your chocolate chip cookies, exactly as in the recipe, and they are the BEST! Not easy for me to admit, but better than mine. Thanks.
You Go Girl! says
This looks heavenly – such a perfect summer dish. Your pictures are great!
Good luck with the move!
Andrea Jasmin says
Great reading Alice…Best of luck on your new home! and what a wonderful experience for your children to get the opportunity to live with Grandma.
This is my go-to summer recipe. fresh, delicious, flavorful. And these pictures make me want some now!!
Julie says
JUST what I want to make (and eat) at this time of year! Love the mozzarella pearls!
Liz says
You have had a crazy year. It is hard how a busy life equates to less time in the kitchen.
Jessica says
What a touching story – good luck with the move. I live in Seattle and had both of my daughters while living in our current house. Will be sad to leave it someday – so many memories in such a short time. Love the recipe as well!
Helene says
Just looking to make a salad just like this tonight!! thanks!
Do Dallas Cheap
Elizabeth says
Having been through selling a house in the past few years, I know the turmoil that can come with it being on the market for a few weeks. You are lucky that it sold so fast! The stress of couple after couple coming into your home, having to keep it clean 24 hours a day with kids running around, having to leave your home for a few hours every time there is an appointment….it gets to be quite draining.
Congrats on the new digs and I bet your new neighbours will offer something equally welcoming as the old. I imagine you could seduce them with a few of your concoctions and you’ll be everybody’s favourite new neaighbour!
This salad is one of my all time favs, and this version looks just fabulously simple and delicious. Perfect for those nights you need to throw something great together quickly but don’t want to compromise on quality.
alice says
Thank you everyone for all your supportive comments. It’s been quite chaotic here but we are all looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.
xoxo,
Alice