Quick and Easy Dinners

Well, that's the name of the game in our house these days... either that or easy and looong (ie. something done in the slow cooker)

I really like fish, but am still in novice territory as far as cooking it in new ways... I think I have my teriyaki salmon recipe down pat (let me know if you're interested) but that's one of the only ways that the husb. and I both really enjoy.... until lately.

I'd like to introduce:

Southwestern Salmon –

I made this as a sandwich… kind of po-boy meets Philly steak sandwich. However this stands well alone or with some rice or pasta.

Serves 4
4-six ounce salmon fillets. I cut mine into 6 ounce strips so they would fit on our hoagie rolls
1 green pepper, sliced into half rings
1 red pepper, sliced into half rings
You could slice up some onion rings too, but Noah doesn’t really like them, so I don’t
4 tbsp Italian dressing
2 tbsp water
Make a little spice rub for the salmon:
1tsp chili powder
1tsp dried cilantro
1tsp dried cumin
1tsp dried basil
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Lay down some foil in a baking sheet, place the salmon down and sprinkle the mixed spices on the salmon. Give it a rub and a flip so both sides are seasoned.
Layer the peppers on top of the salmon
Drizzle the Italian dressing and water on top ( I just eyeball it… enough so the fish will stay moist.)
Seal the salmon up in the foil and bake for 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

The peppers are delicious with a melt in your mouth flavor and the salmon is spiced without being too spicy. I wished I had a nice glass of chardonnay to go with it. Bummer, maybe next time.

Now, if you’re adventurous enough to try a little something extra, (extra prep work AND extra calories), dress your sandwich with a fancy mayo:
Chipotle mayo: mix ½ tsp of chipotle pepper sauce (or adobo) to every 1 tbsp of mayo ...a little goes a long way, and I just put the rest of the can in a ziploc and toss in the freezer so I can break off a chunk and thaw it the next time I need some.
Cilantro mayo: mix chopped fresh cilantro (a few stalks worth) for every 1 tbsp of mayo

Now, if I could just remember to grab my camera and take a picture of my food instead of the adorable 4 month old, we'd be in business.

What's your quick and easy dinner?

Ethan's Alter Ego

Alright, so my son doesn't really have two identities. But not many people have been lucky enough to bear witness to his just-out-of-the-bath hairdo. This kiddo has some crazy cowlicks and hair on top that seems a mile long. It's like a baby mohawk with a little side swoop. Without any coercing it usually looks something like this:

Or this (plus quite the attitue to go with):

However, most of our friends and family see him once his hair has settled into the normal little boy look... this picture was actually pre-bath today. A little sweat and grease keeps his coiff in place, right?

Ethan "Talking"

He's such a cutie... and for the last week or so, he has a great time spending most of his waking hours making these little noises. I can't get enough!

I did not think this would happen so quickly

Haha, no... don't jump to conclusions y'all.

It started when Noah asked me to fix a pair of his pants. I got out my sewing machine and sewing kit (some people have frilly sewing baskets, I use an old tool box)

Then something happened. What started as an innocent fix-it project turned into this:

And this:

And this:

Of course, in order for all this to happen, you need this:
I packed up my sewing stuff, quilting tools, fabrics neatly in bins last September, thinking it was possible I wouldn't be pulling it out again for months??.... years??

But, I'm so glad that I've had the desire to jump into a new project (which has now become 3 different quilt projects, of course) and that Ethan is a relatively easy baby who will play with his toys on a blanket for a few hours in the evening while I can fuss over design, layout, piecing, etc.

I was inspired by this stacked coin quilt, and am hoping to do 3 different quilts based on this design.


So, while I didn't think I'd be quilting again this soon... it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

Happy 100th Day Ethan!

Yes, Ethan has been alive and well for 100 days! Fanfare please!

Unless you are a primary grade teacher, you may not know that 100 days is something to be celebrated. Most classes count the days of school and the kids love getting to 100. (the teachers like it even more because that means you're over the hump with only 80 more to go!)

So, I'm channeling the 2nd grade teacher in me, and recognizing his accomplishment.

Way to go, buddy.

Amazima - Katie's children

I was awestruck as I ran across this blog yesterday. Take some time to read about what one young woman is doing in Uganda:
Take some time to read through her experiences.... I've copied some from her blog, but there is so much more, plus pictures. Pictures of the children she has taken in, and of those who she is still striving to help. To step out in faith and care for even a few of the millions of children who are homeless, hungry, and sick is an inspiration. I realize that I am blessed by God to be safe and healthy in my more-than-enough home. It's easy to look at any of the so-called hardships I think I have gone through and feel sorry for myself. But they are all nothing. Nothing compared to the devastation that 147 million orphans in this world go through.


"It is my 16th Birthday and I am eating sushi at my favorite restaurant with my parents when I tell them that I would like to explore the possibility of taking a year in between high school and college to do mission work. This is unheard of in my family and they say they are not sure and will think about it. I am nervous, but somehow I know it is right. He changes their hearts.

I graduate high school having made the commitment to teach Kindergarten for a year at a school in The Middle of Nowhere, Uganda. In August I get on the plane. I’m apprehensive and I cry most of the way because I miss my Mommy and my boyfriend. I am eager, but so uncertain. I trust Him. I teach 138 children how to speak English and to love Jesus.

It is October and I am just not sure I can do it anymore. I live in the smallest room I have ever seen in the back of a pastor’s house. I am more uncomfortable than I had bargained for. No one understands, not people here, not people at home. I am tired. But I am prideful and I am not going to quit. I don’t like this. But I know He has a plan. I learn, I grow, He is there.

It is December and God has spoken very clearly about opening a ministry that sponsors 40 of the orphaned children in the village where I am working. This involves moving into a different house, ALONE. It is big and I cannot imagine how God will fill it up. I am lonely and I am anxious. But I am still trusting. He fills the house, and we now have 400 children sponsored.

It is January and I am looking at a little girl, crushed under a brick wall with no one to care for her or her younger siblings. I offer to take the three home with me until we find them a better placement. I am not really sure what to do with them, but I know they are God’s children. They stay.

It is three days later and the littlest looks at me and calls me mommy. My heart might break in two. Something clicks. I am even more scared than I was the day I stepped on that plane, but I KNOW. Today I have 13.

I have to deliver a baby, give a boy stitches, pull a tooth, give and injection. I am petrified. But no one will do it if I do not. He is present, He holds my hand, they are all fine.

It is March and a lame little girl is brought to my gate. She is undoubtedly mine, but I am still anxious. What if I can’t do it? I don’t know what to do with a special needs child, especially as my 13th child. I am criticized and ridiculed. I wonder. I trust and praise God for her sweet little life. She starts to walk.

We keep taking in more children until there are 400 in our program. There is no way we will raise enough funds, but by now I have stopped worrying. He has always provided. Blessings rain from the sky, and all 400 children go to school. "

from http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

So as I tuck my own precious child into bed in just a few short minutes, I'll pray for him as I do every night. But I'll pray for Katie's children as well.

Quick visit

My dad came out from Minnesota to visit with the three of us. Noah was unfortunately slammed with work, and couldn't spend a lot of time with us, but I know my dad loved spending time with Ethan, and had a great time as he acclimated to being Grandpa. We spent most of the time just doing errands and holiday shopping around town. We also went out for dinner at our neighborhood pub.

Also, I stole a few photos of my grandfather from my dad, as I don't have a lot of them of the last few years of his life. He passed away a year ago, and today would have been his 91st birthday. I know he would have loved to meet Ethan, as he is the first boy born into our family in 55 years!

Grandpa Howard:

Pictures of the day

Although it's 3 days shy, we'll call this 2 months. When people ask how old Ethan is I feel like I've been saying "almost two months" for the last few weeks. I guess I'm going to have to get used to not saying almost, since Ethan will hit the two month mark on Friday. Here are a few photos of our sweet, sweet boy. I love him so much.

When Dad dresses me

I do love it that Noah enjoys spending time with Ethan. He's the master burper, bather, and diaper changer and he really makes my job a lot easier by picking up the slack when my hands are full. The one caveat is when it comes to dressing Ethan, he seems a little lost. Now, this seems to be a recurring theme from the stories I hear from other friends about their husbands, so this isn't intended to throw my hubby under the bus. If anything, I think it's adorable.

Usually I just set out 2 or three outfits next to the changing table because a) its easy to grab if I need something quick b) if there's something that he hasn't worn yet or might grow out of soon, I might want him to get some wear out of a certain outfit and c) if Noah's changing Ethan, he doesn't have to guess on what will or won't fit him, since there are different sized items in the dresser and I do most of the laundry, so I know what fits and what doesn't.

Let's just say that today, there weren't any outfits set out. And while the pants and shirt weren't the most complimentary to each other, I don't really care. What did make me laugh was Ethan's pants. Notice the tag:

Just the first of many dad inspired outfits. I wonder what other fashion statements we have to look forward to!

Thanksgiving

How could I forget to take pictures of Ethan's first Thanksgiving!!?! We slept in a little later than anticipated, packed our bags, and braved Thanksgiving day traffic and drove to Noah's family's house. After quite a long drive, we arrived at Noah's Grandparents house, and left our camera in the truck. From there on out, the thought didn't even cross my mind, and the truth is that Ethan slept through most of the evening. I did manage to get a great shot of Ethan and Roxanne the next day... sooo, sorry Ethan, this is the closest thing to a picture of your first Thanksgiving: