18 Thursday Mar 2010
Posted in Naomi
I love this kid.
This morning while I was getting Naomi ready for the day, I watched her “spin jump” around her room wearing nothing but her too-baggy Elmo underwear. And I wanted to freeze time. And snuggle her. And protect her from all the heartaches she may ever have in life. But I know I can’t. But I can thank God for the simplicity of life now, and pray for strength and wisdom to walk with her through the heartaches when they come. And I’ll keep snuggling her as long as she’ll let me.
18 Thursday Mar 2010
I know figuring out what to make for dinner is always a challenge, whether you do it one day at a time or plan for several meals ahead of time. I like cooking, and I like trying new recipes, but meal planning is always a challenge. One of the things I’ve loved about having a subscription to Real Simple is lots of new recipes. Some I’ve loved, some I haven’t, and some I don’t even want to try. But here are 2 new recipes we’ve tried lately that I thought I’d share because they’re super tasty, super easy, and super fast week night dinners! Had I known they were blog worthy dinners, I would have taken pictures for those of you who have to have a visual accompanying your recipes.
The first recipe I found on allrecipes.com. It’s for Tilapia, but I’m sure could you put it on other fish varieties, or even chicken (just adjust cooking time). And I modified it slightly thanks to the helpful suggestions on the website.
Mediterranean Tilapia
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
1 tablespoon capers, drained
2 tablespoons kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
3 tablespoons crumbled feta
2 tilapia fillets
1 tablespoon oil from the jar of sun-dried totmatoes
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers and feta. Set Aside. Place the tilapia fillets side by side in a baking dish. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the fish flakes with a fork. Check after 10 minutes so as not to overcook, or the fish may be dry. During the last 3-5 minutes of cooking, top the fish with the tomato mixture. Serve.
I also think some fresh parsley chopped up in the tomato-olive mixture would be good, but I haven’t tried it yet. Serve it with a green veggie and some rice and there you go- Dinner is Served!
The next recipe is from the January 2010 issue of Real Simple.
Skillet-Poached Huevos Rancheros
1 16-oz jar salsa
1 15.5-0z can black beans, drained and rinsed
4 large eggs
salt and pepper
2 scallions, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 small flour tortillas, warmed
1/2 cup sour cream
Directions:
In a large skillet, combine the salsa and beans and bring to a simmer. Make 4 small wells in the bean mixture. One at a time, crack each egg into a small bowl and slide it gently into a well. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, covered, over medium heat, 3-5 minutes for slightly runny yolks. Sprinkle with the scallions and cilantro. Divide among plates and serve with the tortillas and sour cream.
I didn’t have scallions when we made it, and I also think some crumbled cotija cheese would be good on top, but didn’t have that either. We did, however, have avocado and lime which was a good addition.
So there you go. Nothing fancy but maybe a couple ideas for the next time you’re figuring out what to make for dinner. Now I need to meal plan too. Might add these to the list again!
04 Thursday Mar 2010
Posted in general update, on the serious side, random things
I’m currently in the middle of total fixation on an MIA measuring tape. Can’t find it anywhere. I hate that. I’ve pictured it in at least a dozen places, none of which contain said bright yellow measuring tape. I’ve found 3 small ones. Somehow we’ve managed to collect small, orphaned (or kidnapped) ones and I’m not sure how it happened. But I need the big one. A 10’ measuring tape is of no use when measuring my overwhelming and out of control- but promising- back yard. Dang it.
Anyway, there’s been silence on the blog once again. It just seems that all the things I’ve been thinking and learning and struggling through and pursuing, just aren’t fit for the world wide interwebs just yet. And I fear becoming one of those people that only blogs about my house and my kid- though both provide plenty of material letmetellyou. So it sits quiet.
So how ‘bout a somewhat vague and serious at times bullet-pointed “update” instead?
I’m pretty sure there is more I could write- thoughts on the Vancouver Olympics, my complete frustration with the grammar error in Outback Steakhouse commercials, or how I’m tired of cleaning up pee, etc. but I’ll leave it at that. I must get on to other things this afternoon so that I can workout and get that massage!
Cramerville 