Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Honey Soy Broiled Salmon

Ingredients

  • 1 scallion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 pound center-cut salmon fillet, skinned and cut into 4 portions
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Whisk scallion, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and ginger in a medium bowl until the honey is dissolved. Place salmon in a sealable plastic bag, add 3 tablespoons of the sauce and refrigerate; let marinate for 15 minutes. Reserve the remaining sauce.
Preheat broiler. Line a small baking pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Transfer the salmon to the pan, skinned-side down. (Discard the marinade.) Broil the salmon 4 to 6 inches from the heat source until cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with sesame seeds.

How to skin a salmon fillet: Place salmon fillet on a clean cutting board, skin-side down. Starting at the tail end, slip the blade of a long knife between the fish flesh and the skin, holding down firmly with your other hand. Gently push the blade along at a 30° angle, separating the fillet from the skin without cutting through either.
To toast seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Matt and I REALLY LIKE salmon.  Matt makes this special sauce that he usually grills our salmon with, which is so good (another post).  But, I had just found this recipe and so I told him we were going to give another recipe a try... knowing the stakes were high.  To my surprise he said "this may be better than my way!" No honey, nothing is better than you taking care of dinner completely.  All that to say - give it a try.  I served it with fresh steamed broccoli.  A little brown rice would have been great too.  And a little plug for our good friends in Alaska - buy wild!  It isn't always more expensive.  I found two filets of Wild Alaskan Sockeye at Fresh and Easy for $5. 
Bon Appetit!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Trials

Trials. I am thankful for them...no really, I am.  In fact - the other day I told Matt I wanted more.  I know this is a lesson the Lord is teaching me.  How do I know? Well, it seems like every corner I turn there is a message about trials, living in the presence of Jesus and drawing close to him.  Stuff about things that relate to trials and conversations that take me to the spot where trials are being examined.  With every message I am more and more convinced - I want more!


We are studying James with the ministry we are involved in at Compass. James barely lets you get out the gate before he hits you with this :  


Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds

Count it joy - JOY - really? I question...that can't possibly be what he means.  Maybe James is saying have a good attitude, look on the bright side, put on a happy face?? Study some more and conclude. Nope that isn't what he means, he is saying to find joy in your trials.  Rejoice, take delight, be glad!  My friends, this is possible.  I hope you believe me.  Let me do a little more convincing.  James goes on to say:

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

The reason I can rejoice and be glad about trials is that they are good for me.  Who doesn't want to be steadfast?  I sure do.  I can rejoice because I know that God is doing a work in my life.  He has seen fit to stretch, pull, move me from comfort so that I can grow.  I want more!  I don't want to stay the same.  My goal in life is to be more like Him and if trials is what it is going to take - well then bring them on!  When I think back about the tough times in life I can see marked growth.  

I no longer react to similar situations the way I once did.  
I can encourage others who are going through what I did.  
I trust Him more to work things out.
My faith grows more and more solid.
I become less anxious about what will happen.
I know God more. 

The last is probably the greatest treasure to come from the depths of the valleys.  

I know God more.  

I have learned more about his attributes.  I long for heaven more and to be in His presence.  To the very smallest degree, I can fellowship in His suffering. With each trial He increases and I decrease (John 3:30). How is that not good? Now, don't let me fool you. I have not arrived and am not the picture of peace in the midst of a storm.  However, God in his mercy is allowing me to see trials for what they are.  A joy.

Can I get an amen?

Quick and Tasty Pork Chops

I am so excited to have a BBQ again!  At least twice a week I create a meal that Matt must grill :)

This recipe is actually for the oven, but I found it to be quite tasty on the grill.  I think next time I would let it marinade in the mixture a couple of hours before and then make another batch for basting while on the grill.  We grilled some sweet corn along side it and it was awesome. It would also be great with grilled asparagus or squash and would be excellent on chicken as well.  Hope you enjoy!



Ingredients: 

(Mix together)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 4 pork chops
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Miss Madison turned 1 this week and we got to celebrate! The Matthews came down and we headed to lunch in San Clemente with the Kalubs.

We had cupcakes of course - from Sweet Arleen's in Westlake. They were delicious! The peanut butter cupcake with the fudge frosting - spectacular!

Melissa and Stacy with the sweet babies.

Mr. Cade (9 months)

"Happy Birthday Buddy!"

The Birthday Girl!

And Louie came too!

Friday, September 17, 2010

My sweet husband!

He took the time to contact family and friends, have them send a photo and a phrase or message about me, formatted them into these cute cards, purchased a serving piece from my favorite set, and arranged to have it sitting in the center of our table at dinner...all because I turned 30!
***
LOVE HIM!
***
So, do I have thoughts about entering another decade? Sure. I have all sorts of questions and wonder about what the next 10 years will hold. The events of the last 10 were pretty spectacular. I graduated from college, purchased my first truck, earned my teaching credential, taught 5th grade, married a pretty great guy, sold the truck, was baptized, found out I had cancer, endured 2 surgeries, moved to a new city, got a new job, cancer gone (Praise God!), travelled, and became an aunt to name just a few.

But really I hope in the next 10 years my faith grows stronger, I memorize more scripture, have more conversations that matter, pray better, serve more, give often and fix my eyes on the author and perfecter of my faith. All that I have and all that I experience, be it challenging or easy, is because He chose the path for me. So the next 10 years will be exactly what they are supposed to be to. My job is to pursue holiness with everything in me. Pray for me.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Louie Goes to Arrowhead

Louie is no stranger to travel. He has been up to LA with us a number of times, stayed with my parents for a week and took a day trip to Oxnard. Let's just say he makes himself at home wherever he is. This trip to Arrowhead was no different.

lounging on the grass

a little work on the computer

oh yeah - we were there too!

just a cool shot


treats from Three Dog Bakery

a ride on the boat

...what a life

Monday, September 6, 2010

Mission Conference '10

70 families
120 kids
6 days
5,000 meals
2 field trips
144 hours
1 pool
10 sessions
1 giant relay race
80 orange rash guards
1 In N Out Truck
lots of sand
too many conversations to count
hundreds of photos
and so many memories at the Mission Conference 2010!
We consider being part of this conference a privledge and an honor. These families are modern day heroes to Matt and me...you know...the kind of people you want to be like. Take a look at this great slide show from the week. Credit goes to Lukas Van Dyke for his amazing photography!