Goal Updates

Photography-  I haven't started this goal yet.  I am waiting on a few books to come in on inter library loan.  If If am not able to get them I will purchase a few next month.  I can't wait to get started on this one!

{Jet streams one very cold morning at sunrise.}

Scriptures-  I suck.  Really truly I stink at this one.  I must work harder.

Cooking-  This one has gone pretty good so far.  I have gone out of my comfort zone to use different foods than I have before.  I still haven't tackled any of the trickier terms of cooking but all in due time.  I have to remind myself that I do not have to accomplish everything in January. :)  I have all year.

{I love this picture!  It makes me happy and it makes me want to eat more Kale.}

Trust-  Amazingly admitting I have an issue with trust has been the biggest blessing!  I have a few things that I have been working on and truthfully they are just not the issues I thought they were.   I think this is one of those "mind over matter" topics for me.

House of Order-  I am coming right along with this one.  I have tackled the unorganized linen closet, gone through the bookshelves and purged what I don't want/use, switched rooms with the kids, and organized all the bedding storage.  I am feeling pretty fantastic with everything in its right place.  That's not to say the house isn't a mess because it is.  I have 4 kids ya know.  But it takes only a minute to get everything picked up.  Next step in this goal:  Paint our bedroom, build some shelves for the kids room, and make curtains for the bedrooms.

{These bright boxes were on clearance for less than a dollar at a local store. Easy to store all of our extra random toiletries.  Each is labeled and the lid stays on.  So far the closet has stayed nice and tidy AND we have been able to find everything.}

{Our new bedroom.  The paint has to go as I am not a fan of the blue.  The shelf in the corner is actually 100 yr old kitchen cabinets from the old house we lived in.  I screwed them together to make a cute corner cabinet.  Not sure if I will leave the distressed paint or not.}



Knowing my blessings-  This last 2 weeks have been really fantastic.  I have found that the more I look for the blessings the more there are.  I know that sounds silly but I think that a lot of times we get so wrapped up in all that is wrong that we can't clearly see what is right.  I know that I have a lot  to be thankful for in my life but when I let depression wear on me, I just don't see it.  This week even when I was struggling I felt myself looking around, taking a deep breath, and thinking "Man I am so blessed and for that I am thankful."  This has been a huge step for me because for months now I have been so very doom and gloom.  I am glad I am returning to the land of the living and the optimistic. :)

{A banner I made for over the piano as a little reminder.  Every time I walk into the kitchen it makes me smile.}

Have a great week everyone.

Goal Updates

Photography-  I haven't started this goal yet.  I am waiting on a few books to come in on inter library loan.  If If am not able to get them I will purchase a few next month.  I can't wait to get started on this one!

{Jet streams one very cold morning at sunrise.}

Scriptures-  I suck.  Really truly I stink at this one.  I must work harder.

Cooking-  This one has gone pretty good so far.  I have gone out of my comfort zone to use different foods than I have before.  I still haven't tackled any of the trickier terms of cooking but all in due time.  I have to remind myself that I do not have to accomplish everything in January. :)  I have all year.

{I love this picture!  It makes me happy and it makes me want to eat more Kale.}

Trust-  Amazingly admitting I have an issue with trust has been the biggest blessing!  I have a few things that I have been working on and truthfully they are just not the issues I thought they were.   I think this is one of those "mind over matter" topics for me.

House of Order-  I am coming right along with this one.  I have tackled the unorganized linen closet, gone through the bookshelves and purged what I don't want/use, switched rooms with the kids, and organized all the bedding storage.  I am feeling pretty fantastic with everything in its right place.  That's not to say the house isn't a mess because it is.  I have 4 kids ya know.  But it takes only a minute to get everything picked up.  Next step in this goal:  Paint our bedroom, build some shelves for the kids room, and make curtains for the bedrooms.

{These bright boxes were on clearance for less than a dollar at a local store. Easy to store all of our extra random toiletries.  Each is labeled and the lid stays on.  So far the closet has stayed nice and tidy AND we have been able to find everything.}

{Our new bedroom.  The paint has to go as I am not a fan of the blue.  The shelf in the corner is actually 100 yr old kitchen cabinets from the old house we lived in.  I screwed them together to make a cute corner cabinet.  Not sure if I will leave the distressed paint or not.}



Knowing my blessings-  This last 2 weeks have been really fantastic.  I have found that the more I look for the blessings the more there are.  I know that sounds silly but I think that a lot of times we get so wrapped up in all that is wrong that we can't clearly see what is right.  I know that I have a lot  to be thankful for in my life but when I let depression wear on me, I just don't see it.  This week even when I was struggling I felt myself looking around, taking a deep breath, and thinking "Man I am so blessed and for that I am thankful."  This has been a huge step for me because for months now I have been so very doom and gloom.  I am glad I am returning to the land of the living and the optimistic. :)

{A banner I made for over the piano as a little reminder.  Every time I walk into the kitchen it makes me smile.}

Have a great week everyone.

Whad'ya say?

If you have read this blog for any length of time you surely know I stink at grammar, punctuation, and all manner of upper level writing skills.  In my defense I was not taught most of the information commonly thought to be important to higher level writing and communication.  If I was taught proper grammer it clearly did not stick.  So because I know I am not alone in my horrible communication skills I thought I would share.

PS.  I chose a highly recommended grammar program for the kids. No worries here. ;)

Whad'ya say?

If you have read this blog for any length of time you surely know I stink at grammar, punctuation, and all manner of upper level writing skills.  In my defense I was not taught most of the information commonly thought to be important to higher level writing and communication.  If I was taught proper grammer it clearly did not stick.  So because I know I am not alone in my horrible communication skills I thought I would share.

PS.  I chose a highly recommended grammar program for the kids. No worries here. ;)

Cooking: Eggplant

I have said before that I haven't met a vegetable I don't like but that isn't entirely true.  I have been very neutral to eggplant because I haven't had the guts to try it before.  This little vegetable (actually its a berry, who knew?) has been intimidating to me.  I remember as a kid my mom breading and frying it and that just seemed so gross.  All my thoughts of eggplant are coated in breading and fried.

I picked up one of these pretty purple beauties at the store last time I was there.  It has sat on the shelf glaring at me every time it was passed by for something more approachable.  Today I went grocery shopping so it was time to clear out all the "stuff" that hadn't been used this week.   And there sat the eggplant glaring at me yet again.  It almost seemed to taunt me "Come on wimp get over your aversion and cook me....or are you just going to toss me and be a lame-o."  Really when a vegetable acts like that, it's like a triple dog dare.  I don't know about you but I never pass up a triple dog dare.

So today I got over my eggplant aversion and there was no breading or grease involved.  My friend google passed along a few needed tips and a couple yummy blogs.  And tonight we feasted on eggplant.

Tip 1:  When grilling eggplant slice it in 1 inch strips and coat one side heavily in salt.  This will "sweat" the eggplant by drawing out the juices that make it bitter.  Let it soak for at least 20 min.  Wipe salt off and rinse with cold water.  Pat dry.

{The liquid is the "sweat" of the eggplant.  This starts to ooze from it within a few minutes of putting the salt on}



Tip 2: Pay attention to the slicing recommendation of 1 inch.  I thought that sounded to thick so I went for about 1/2 inch.  It fell apart and was a pain to remove from the grill.

Tip 3:  I am sure there is another tip out there for this tip (and if there is pass it my way please) but skin the eggplant first.  It is prettier with the skin on but when grilled this part became tougher and would cause the eggplant to be pulled from the sandwiches.

Tip 4:  Eggplant is a pretty bland vegetable.  It absorbs flavors easily and because it is a sturdy vegetable it will marinade well. 

{Basting the simple oil mix on the eggplant}



Tonight I choose to make eggplant sandwiches because they seemed harmless and fairly familiar to everyone.  I got the general idea from Chef Chloe but did my own take on it with what I had in the fridge. So with out further ado here was our dinner tonight.

Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches:

1 eggplant (blemish free and firm)
3TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP lemon or lime juice
1 tsp minced garlic
Pepper (to taste)
Basil (to taste)
8 Slices of bread
Butter or Earth Balance Spread
Sun dried Tomato Hummus (Prepared or Homemade)

{Grilling in a cast iron grill pan}



Cut eggplant in 1 inch slices lengthwise, coat with salt and "sweat" for a min. of 20 minutes.  Rinse salt of with cool water and pat dry.  Mix oil, lemon, garlic, pepper, and basil together.  Baste eggplant with olive oil mixture.  Place on grill.  Cook until grill marks are very apparent.  Flip and repeat. While eggplant is grilling, butter 8 slices of bread.  Turn oven on Broil.  Place bread on a cookie sheet and place in oven for about 2 minutes or until butter has melted and bread is browned on the edges.  Remove from oven and spread hummus on 4 slices of bread. Remove eggplant  from grill and immediately place on hummus covered slices.  Add topping and Enjoy!

*Sandwich Fixin's:

Sliced Tomatoes
Sliced Cucumber
Sliced Sweet Onion
Olives
Sliced Red (or yellow, orange or green) Peppers
Lettuce
Radishes
Avocado
Mayo
Mustard
*Really anything would work on these sandwiches.  These were the veggies that needed to be used up in my fridge tonight.

Okay another admission.....I never have eaten Kale either.  I have bought it in the past with every intention of getting to know this healthy green but then I don't use it.  I have no previous meetings with this veggie I just haven't been truly motivated to try it.  Ian picked it out last time we went shopping and just like the Eggplant it has been glaring at me.  So tonight I used it all up.  All of it.  One whole bundle was eaten by this family. And no one complained.  Or not to loudly anyway.  Here is what I threw together.

Chopped Kale Salad:

1 bunch Kale de-veined, rinsed and chopped
1 large handful baby Spinach
1 med Red Pepper diced
1/2 can olives coarsely chopped
1 handful coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1 handful coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 head chopped broccoli
Walnuts (optional)
Italian Dressing

Prepare vegetables as directed above.  Combine in large salad bowl and toss with dressing. Serve.

{De-veined Kale is a very pretty sight!}



Tip 1:  De-vein the Kale.  The middle vein is really tough and is kind of a pain.
Tip 2:  It needs something yummy like dried cranberries thrown in.  Raisins and even apricots would taste yummy.
Tip 3:  The walnuts are optional but a nut is needed.  They add just the right amount of crunch and texture.  Toasted pine nuts or toasted sesame seeds would be yum-o in this salad.  Really really yummy in fact.
Tip 4:  The Cilantro is optional because it adds a different flavor.  I loved it but Dean didn't.  If you aren't a huge cilantro fan just leave it out.
Tip 5:  An avocado dressing would be so very yummy on this.  I plan on trying it out next time.
Tip 6: I think this salad would be better if it chilled for an hour or two to let the dressing really mingle.

{Not a good pic, the sun went down while I was cooking.  A very veggie packed yummy dinner.  This one will go on the new menu plan I am making up.}

Family Friendly Rating:
2 Thumbs up (Those who actually ate it loved it.  Ian was in a rotten mood and wouldn't eat anything at all.  Lauren was nearly asleep so she passed on the dinner experience also.  Laina inhaled it and Dean and I loved it.  We plan on making it again and playing with some different marinades.)

Cooking: Eggplant

I have said before that I haven't met a vegetable I don't like but that isn't entirely true.  I have been very neutral to eggplant because I haven't had the guts to try it before.  This little vegetable (actually its a berry, who knew?) has been intimidating to me.  I remember as a kid my mom breading and frying it and that just seemed so gross.  All my thoughts of eggplant are coated in breading and fried.

I picked up one of these pretty purple beauties at the store last time I was there.  It has sat on the shelf glaring at me every time it was passed by for something more approachable.  Today I went grocery shopping so it was time to clear out all the "stuff" that hadn't been used this week.   And there sat the eggplant glaring at me yet again.  It almost seemed to taunt me "Come on wimp get over your aversion and cook me....or are you just going to toss me and be a lame-o."  Really when a vegetable acts like that, it's like a triple dog dare.  I don't know about you but I never pass up a triple dog dare.

So today I got over my eggplant aversion and there was no breading or grease involved.  My friend google passed along a few needed tips and a couple yummy blogs.  And tonight we feasted on eggplant.

Tip 1:  When grilling eggplant slice it in 1 inch strips and coat one side heavily in salt.  This will "sweat" the eggplant by drawing out the juices that make it bitter.  Let it soak for at least 20 min.  Wipe salt off and rinse with cold water.  Pat dry.

{The liquid is the "sweat" of the eggplant.  This starts to ooze from it within a few minutes of putting the salt on}



Tip 2: Pay attention to the slicing recommendation of 1 inch.  I thought that sounded to thick so I went for about 1/2 inch.  It fell apart and was a pain to remove from the grill.

Tip 3:  I am sure there is another tip out there for this tip (and if there is pass it my way please) but skin the eggplant first.  It is prettier with the skin on but when grilled this part became tougher and would cause the eggplant to be pulled from the sandwiches.

Tip 4:  Eggplant is a pretty bland vegetable.  It absorbs flavors easily and because it is a sturdy vegetable it will marinade well. 

{Basting the simple oil mix on the eggplant}



Tonight I choose to make eggplant sandwiches because they seemed harmless and fairly familiar to everyone.  I got the general idea from Chef Chloe but did my own take on it with what I had in the fridge. So with out further ado here was our dinner tonight.

Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches:

1 eggplant (blemish free and firm)
3TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP lemon or lime juice
1 tsp minced garlic
Pepper (to taste)
Basil (to taste)
8 Slices of bread
Butter or Earth Balance Spread
Sun dried Tomato Hummus (Prepared or Homemade)

{Grilling in a cast iron grill pan}



Cut eggplant in 1 inch slices lengthwise, coat with salt and "sweat" for a min. of 20 minutes.  Rinse salt of with cool water and pat dry.  Mix oil, lemon, garlic, pepper, and basil together.  Baste eggplant with olive oil mixture.  Place on grill.  Cook until grill marks are very apparent.  Flip and repeat. While eggplant is grilling, butter 8 slices of bread.  Turn oven on Broil.  Place bread on a cookie sheet and place in oven for about 2 minutes or until butter has melted and bread is browned on the edges.  Remove from oven and spread hummus on 4 slices of bread. Remove eggplant  from grill and immediately place on hummus covered slices.  Add topping and Enjoy!

*Sandwich Fixin's:

Sliced Tomatoes
Sliced Cucumber
Sliced Sweet Onion
Olives
Sliced Red (or yellow, orange or green) Peppers
Lettuce
Radishes
Avocado
Mayo
Mustard
*Really anything would work on these sandwiches.  These were the veggies that needed to be used up in my fridge tonight.

Okay another admission.....I never have eaten Kale either.  I have bought it in the past with every intention of getting to know this healthy green but then I don't use it.  I have no previous meetings with this veggie I just haven't been truly motivated to try it.  Ian picked it out last time we went shopping and just like the Eggplant it has been glaring at me.  So tonight I used it all up.  All of it.  One whole bundle was eaten by this family. And no one complained.  Or not to loudly anyway.  Here is what I threw together.

Chopped Kale Salad:

1 bunch Kale de-veined, rinsed and chopped
1 large handful baby Spinach
1 med Red Pepper diced
1/2 can olives coarsely chopped
1 handful coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1 handful coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1 head chopped broccoli
Walnuts (optional)
Italian Dressing

Prepare vegetables as directed above.  Combine in large salad bowl and toss with dressing. Serve.

{De-veined Kale is a very pretty sight!}



Tip 1:  De-vein the Kale.  The middle vein is really tough and is kind of a pain.
Tip 2:  It needs something yummy like dried cranberries thrown in.  Raisins and even apricots would taste yummy.
Tip 3:  The walnuts are optional but a nut is needed.  They add just the right amount of crunch and texture.  Toasted pine nuts or toasted sesame seeds would be yum-o in this salad.  Really really yummy in fact.
Tip 4:  The Cilantro is optional because it adds a different flavor.  I loved it but Dean didn't.  If you aren't a huge cilantro fan just leave it out.
Tip 5:  An avocado dressing would be so very yummy on this.  I plan on trying it out next time.
Tip 6: I think this salad would be better if it chilled for an hour or two to let the dressing really mingle.

{Not a good pic, the sun went down while I was cooking.  A very veggie packed yummy dinner.  This one will go on the new menu plan I am making up.}

Family Friendly Rating:
2 Thumbs up (Those who actually ate it loved it.  Ian was in a rotten mood and wouldn't eat anything at all.  Lauren was nearly asleep so she passed on the dinner experience also.  Laina inhaled it and Dean and I loved it.  We plan on making it again and playing with some different marinades.)

Exercise Part 1

My love of food, my age (30 is a mere 6 months away!), and my general laid back life (no that is not code for lazy) have made it so I must get off my butt this year!  I made the comment to Dean today that I would love exercise a whole lot if I could look in the mirror say "Hey I want to be this size today", go do a few sit up and BANG it was done.  Unfortunately  that is not the case and I have to say it saddens me.  I have no patience nor motivation.  This has been a life long struggle for me.  I would rather read a book on exercise than actually do it.  Sad I know but there you have it.

Last night after watching some incredible yoga videos I decided to get working.  I warmed the ol' muscles up and amazingly did very well.  I am not to far off from accomplishing my goal pose.  As I figured my back flexibility is long gone.  However I was able to do a fairly decent split.  Not too shabby if I may say so! 

So tonight we are pulling out the yoga DVDs and doing a little yoga session.  I am so excited to actually be working out.

Google Image

{This is my favorite pose ever.  I used to do this when I talked on the phone as a teenager.  I think that kind of goes against the point of yoga but I was 15 so the rules didn't matter! }



Exercise Part 1

My love of food, my age (30 is a mere 6 months away!), and my general laid back life (no that is not code for lazy) have made it so I must get off my butt this year!  I made the comment to Dean today that I would love exercise a whole lot if I could look in the mirror say "Hey I want to be this size today", go do a few sit up and BANG it was done.  Unfortunately  that is not the case and I have to say it saddens me.  I have no patience nor motivation.  This has been a life long struggle for me.  I would rather read a book on exercise than actually do it.  Sad I know but there you have it.

Last night after watching some incredible yoga videos I decided to get working.  I warmed the ol' muscles up and amazingly did very well.  I am not to far off from accomplishing my goal pose.  As I figured my back flexibility is long gone.  However I was able to do a fairly decent split.  Not too shabby if I may say so! 

So tonight we are pulling out the yoga DVDs and doing a little yoga session.  I am so excited to actually be working out.

Google Image

{This is my favorite pose ever.  I used to do this when I talked on the phone as a teenager.  I think that kind of goes against the point of yoga but I was 15 so the rules didn't matter! }



Cooking: Step 1

A friend of mine set me up with a special little goal notebook last week so that I can keep track of my progress on my yearly goals. Sweet huh! :)  Anyway, I wanted to share my journey here as well.  Maybe someone else will grow with me this year.

This weeks objective:  Learn to cook fish properly (ie not dried to a crisp!)

So tonight I am going to tell you about my small step on the Cooking front.  A little back ground is needed here though........Our family does not eat much meat.  Five years ago we decided to eat a vegetarian diet and managed to do that for 2 years.  Dean and I loved it, Ian thrived, and Caitlin was pretty indifferent (but she was 2 so hardly surprising).  I had a rotation of recipes that were fantastic but heavy on the cheese and dairy products.  Not a bad thing really but I am not a fan of commercial dairies and the amount of hormones and chemicals that get pumped into those animals.  I should say here that our choice for a vegetarian lifestyle had nothing to do with the welfare of the animals.  LOL that sounds harsh but at the time our choice was based solely on health reasons.  Later the treatment aspect played into it but only mildly. Dean and I have never eaten a lot of meat during our marriage even before the veggie days. Needless to say I don't have a lot of experience cooking meat other than the simple taco/spaghetti routes. 

Okay moving on.  When I got pregnant with Lauren I craved steak.  I craved steak in my dreams, in the grocery store line, in the bathroom while doing my make-up.  It was all I could think of.  I ate beef jerky by the truck load, we had steak for nearly every meal for almost a month, and when I needed a snack I went to the beef.  To say I was low on iron was an under statement of the century. (Now before you claim that it was because of the veggie diet, it wasn't. It is because of my own body during pregnancy and my monthly cycle)
So since the beef fest of 2008 we have eaten meat but only 2 times a week or so.  Ian still won't touch it, Caitlin only eats chicken, and Lauren would rather sing than concentrate on food.

So....when I went grocery shopping the other day I set the goal to stay away from the meat department and a good portion of the dairy.  I loaded the cart with more fruits and organic vegetables than most families eat in a month and I have to say that felt pretty dang good.  The kids were squealing that they get to have turnips and parsnips.  They were all but opening the bags to get the fruit and Ian picked out Kale as his "must have" veggie.

Then I turned my cart toward the bread isle and there I saw it.  The meat department, but not just any section of the meat department but the seafood section.  It drew me like one of those little bug zappers that turn purple and buzz when they get a juicy but.  I couldn't help myself.  The Salmon called my name. :)
So in the basket went 2 lbs of Salmon and a couple pounds of Mahi Mahi.

Now that long winded diatribe to get to the point.  Fish, I love it as does every single person in this house, but I had no clue how in the world to cook it.  In the past I was always to nervous of it not being cooked properly that I would end up cooking it way to long.  Then it was just dry and rubbery and may as well have been a plastic toy from the dollar store for the appeal it held.

That is no more.  I went to the book that is to be my guide during my cooking year and found the fish section.  Oh this was great!  I actually followed the directions.  I cooked the Salmon for only 6 min on each side (It was about 2 inches thick) and until the juices ran milky.  Yes milky.  Okay that has always creeped me out.  There shouldn't be anything milky about juices in my fish but they were right. 

Milky Juice=Freakin' Awesome Fish!

Dinner 1:

Broiled Salmon (with butter, lemon, thyme, garlic, and salt and pepper) 

Tossed Salad with Feta cheese and Italian Dressing

Family Score:  Enthusiastic 2 thumbs up from everyone!

Dinner 2:

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad  (I used leftover salmon, not smoked.  I also used red pepper instead yellow or orange.  I think yellow or orange would have looked better though.)

Tossed Salad

Family Score: 2 thumbs up in between lots of chewing!

Cooking: Step 1

A friend of mine set me up with a special little goal notebook last week so that I can keep track of my progress on my yearly goals. Sweet huh! :)  Anyway, I wanted to share my journey here as well.  Maybe someone else will grow with me this year.

This weeks objective:  Learn to cook fish properly (ie not dried to a crisp!)

So tonight I am going to tell you about my small step on the Cooking front.  A little back ground is needed here though........Our family does not eat much meat.  Five years ago we decided to eat a vegetarian diet and managed to do that for 2 years.  Dean and I loved it, Ian thrived, and Caitlin was pretty indifferent (but she was 2 so hardly surprising).  I had a rotation of recipes that were fantastic but heavy on the cheese and dairy products.  Not a bad thing really but I am not a fan of commercial dairies and the amount of hormones and chemicals that get pumped into those animals.  I should say here that our choice for a vegetarian lifestyle had nothing to do with the welfare of the animals.  LOL that sounds harsh but at the time our choice was based solely on health reasons.  Later the treatment aspect played into it but only mildly. Dean and I have never eaten a lot of meat during our marriage even before the veggie days. Needless to say I don't have a lot of experience cooking meat other than the simple taco/spaghetti routes. 

Okay moving on.  When I got pregnant with Lauren I craved steak.  I craved steak in my dreams, in the grocery store line, in the bathroom while doing my make-up.  It was all I could think of.  I ate beef jerky by the truck load, we had steak for nearly every meal for almost a month, and when I needed a snack I went to the beef.  To say I was low on iron was an under statement of the century. (Now before you claim that it was because of the veggie diet, it wasn't. It is because of my own body during pregnancy and my monthly cycle)
So since the beef fest of 2008 we have eaten meat but only 2 times a week or so.  Ian still won't touch it, Caitlin only eats chicken, and Lauren would rather sing than concentrate on food.

So....when I went grocery shopping the other day I set the goal to stay away from the meat department and a good portion of the dairy.  I loaded the cart with more fruits and organic vegetables than most families eat in a month and I have to say that felt pretty dang good.  The kids were squealing that they get to have turnips and parsnips.  They were all but opening the bags to get the fruit and Ian picked out Kale as his "must have" veggie.

Then I turned my cart toward the bread isle and there I saw it.  The meat department, but not just any section of the meat department but the seafood section.  It drew me like one of those little bug zappers that turn purple and buzz when they get a juicy but.  I couldn't help myself.  The Salmon called my name. :)
So in the basket went 2 lbs of Salmon and a couple pounds of Mahi Mahi.

Now that long winded diatribe to get to the point.  Fish, I love it as does every single person in this house, but I had no clue how in the world to cook it.  In the past I was always to nervous of it not being cooked properly that I would end up cooking it way to long.  Then it was just dry and rubbery and may as well have been a plastic toy from the dollar store for the appeal it held.

That is no more.  I went to the book that is to be my guide during my cooking year and found the fish section.  Oh this was great!  I actually followed the directions.  I cooked the Salmon for only 6 min on each side (It was about 2 inches thick) and until the juices ran milky.  Yes milky.  Okay that has always creeped me out.  There shouldn't be anything milky about juices in my fish but they were right. 

Milky Juice=Freakin' Awesome Fish!

Dinner 1:

Broiled Salmon (with butter, lemon, thyme, garlic, and salt and pepper) 

Tossed Salad with Feta cheese and Italian Dressing

Family Score:  Enthusiastic 2 thumbs up from everyone!

Dinner 2:

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad  (I used leftover salmon, not smoked.  I also used red pepper instead yellow or orange.  I think yellow or orange would have looked better though.)

Tossed Salad

Family Score: 2 thumbs up in between lots of chewing!

A Thank You.....

Today we recieved an annoymous card with a monetary gift inside.  We have no clue who sent this as they did not sign the card or leave a return address.  So.........if you read this blog, know our address, and sent us a little something from Lubbock Texas (or the vicinity) we want to thank you.  Sincerely Thank You.  Your thoughtfulness has come at the most perfect time and is very much appreciated.


And if you weren't the one to send it this just shows there really are kind and wonderful people out there. :)

Have a wonderful week!

Goodbye 2010....Hello 2011

WOOT!  Anyone excited to see 2010 finally come to a close?  I definately am.  Talk about a long long long year.  Some good things came our way, such as watching Laina grow from a newborn to a nearly walking munchkin, painting the kitchen a bright happy color (green of all colors!), visiting my sister in Oregon during July, and all the little moments that happen.  Some really crappy things have happened too, the fear of losing our home, putting our house on the market at loss, the move to a (very cool) old farmhouse,  the remodel from hell, 4 cords of wood gone in 4 weeks, freezing cold, and the subsequent move back to our original home.

2010 was a year filled with trials for us, and while right now I am a bit bitter about a lot of them, the year was one of personal growth on the part of Dean and I.  While I wish we could take back a very large portion of the year I am greatful that we were able to learn and experience all that life has to offer.

This year I look forward to accomplishing the goals I have set for myself.  I have added a couple more....

1- Read the scriptures everyday:  This will be tough because sadly, they are the best sleeping pill I have ever had!  I am out within a minute!  So my goal is to read them in the middle of the day while I am cooking lunch. :)  Can't grow spiritually if you don't put forth an effort right?

Source: Google Images

2- Exercise daily:  Ohhhh how I dread this one!  I have no motivation when it comes to working out.  While I love the feeling of being in shape and being healthy I absolutley despise the work it takes to get there!  I am going to get off my butt though and make an effort.  I have my lovely Jazzercise video (that really is fun!), a yoga video that I love, and I am currently roaming craigslist and freecycle for a steal of a deal on a treadmill.  Not only does my body need the exercise but my mind desperately needs it.  I need endorphins and I need them very very badly!  I want to be able to do the yoga pose below by the end of the year.  While this looks fairly easy, I assure you it is not.  I have a bad lower back because of all the c-sections.  No abs=bad back.  So my goal is to work on my abs and my back flexability so that I can stop feeling like an old lady!  Ok its not that bad  but close.

Source: Google Images

3- Trust:  I will let that one be self explanatory but I will say that this one will be life altering for me and I am looking forward to it.


So here is to 2011, may it be a year filled with lots of learning, fun times, and personal growth.  And just a small, small plea.........please let it  be a smoother year for us! ;)

Goodbye 2010....Hello 2011

WOOT!  Anyone excited to see 2010 finally come to a close?  I definately am.  Talk about a long long long year.  Some good things came our way, such as watching Laina grow from a newborn to a nearly walking munchkin, painting the kitchen a bright happy color (green of all colors!), visiting my sister in Oregon during July, and all the little moments that happen.  Some really crappy things have happened too, the fear of losing our home, putting our house on the market at loss, the move to a (very cool) old farmhouse,  the remodel from hell, 4 cords of wood gone in 4 weeks, freezing cold, and the subsequent move back to our original home.

2010 was a year filled with trials for us, and while right now I am a bit bitter about a lot of them, the year was one of personal growth on the part of Dean and I.  While I wish we could take back a very large portion of the year I am greatful that we were able to learn and experience all that life has to offer.

This year I look forward to accomplishing the goals I have set for myself.  I have added a couple more....

1- Read the scriptures everyday:  This will be tough because sadly, they are the best sleeping pill I have ever had!  I am out within a minute!  So my goal is to read them in the middle of the day while I am cooking lunch. :)  Can't grow spiritually if you don't put forth an effort right?

Source: Google Images

2- Exercise daily:  Ohhhh how I dread this one!  I have no motivation when it comes to working out.  While I love the feeling of being in shape and being healthy I absolutley despise the work it takes to get there!  I am going to get off my butt though and make an effort.  I have my lovely Jazzercise video (that really is fun!), a yoga video that I love, and I am currently roaming craigslist and freecycle for a steal of a deal on a treadmill.  Not only does my body need the exercise but my mind desperately needs it.  I need endorphins and I need them very very badly!  I want to be able to do the yoga pose below by the end of the year.  While this looks fairly easy, I assure you it is not.  I have a bad lower back because of all the c-sections.  No abs=bad back.  So my goal is to work on my abs and my back flexability so that I can stop feeling like an old lady!  Ok its not that bad  but close.

Source: Google Images

3- Trust:  I will let that one be self explanatory but I will say that this one will be life altering for me and I am looking forward to it.


So here is to 2011, may it be a year filled with lots of learning, fun times, and personal growth.  And just a small, small plea.........please let it  be a smoother year for us! ;)