Thursday, June 21, 2012

Colorful Summer Meal

So, I am not much of a salmon person (it's a little too 'fishy' for my taste), but this is a delicious recipe! My mom introduced me to this fabulous spice mix. Here are the directions from the McCormick website:

Asian Sesame Salmon

1 package McCormick® Recipe Inspirations Asian Sesame Salmon
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 pounds salmon fillets

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix honey, green onions, soy sauce and all of the spices except red pepper in small bowl until well blended. Stir in red pepper to taste, if desired. Place salmon in foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. Spoon honey mixture evenly over salmon. Roast salmon 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork, basting occasionally with honey mixture.

I think this salmon pairs perfectly with our favorite green beans and twice baked potatoes.

Lemon Butter Green Beans

1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed and halved
1/2 Tbsp butter and 1/2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbs lemon juice (more if desired)
Salt and pepper

Bring large skillet of water to a boil. Add green beans and boil for 8-10 minutes. Drain and return pan to heat. Add butter and olive oil and melt completely. Add green beans, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss and add more seasoning or lemon juice if desired. We like to serve these sprinkled with sliced, toasted almonds.

Twice Baked Potatoes

4 baking potoates
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbs butter
Salt and pepper
Cheddar cheese slices

Clean potatoes, prick with fork, and bake in oven or microwave until fork tender. Cut in half and scoop out potatoes into a mixing bowl, leaving potato skins in tact. Combine hot potoatoes, butter, milk, salt, and pepper with electric mixer until smooth. Add more milk, butter to get desired texture, and seasoning if desired. Scoop potatoes back into skins and top with cheddar cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven until heated through and cheese is melted (10-15 minutes).

Summer Bucket List

I think I have the best job in the world for two main reasons ... JUNE and JULY. It's been a tough work year for me, so when June 1 rolled around, I took a big, deep breath and let all the stress of the school year float away with Ella's bubbles.





It's been a great summer so far. Ella and I love sleeping in a little later, enjoying a long breakfast together, lazy days at home or an adventure somewhere, and not having a care in the world. I especially enjoy Ella's long afternoon naps that allow me to check things off my to-do list, read, or take a nap myself. Later in the evenings, we have been going on long walks/runs together on the trails to our local park, Sheridan's Frozen Custard (it cancels out, right?), or to live outdoor concerts by our house. I have been working on this Couch to 5K Running Plan to gear up for the Color Run in the fall and have been toning up with my 30 Day Shred DVD. I feel great and am so relaxed and happy. Just the other day, Eli told me he really likes "Summer Abby". Turns out I do, too.

I wanted to take advantage of every day I had with Ella this summer, so I created a Summer Bucket List full of things that we wanted to do together - everything from storytime at our local park to the new aquarium, catching fireflies in the backyard, and building robots with coffee cans. Here are some of our favorite adventures so far:

Deanna Rose Farmstead




  







Picking blueberries at The Berry Patch with some friends









Swimming and picnics in the backyard



  


Tuesday evenings at gymnastics





stamps at the end :)

and watching "moomies" at home in the nice AC


It's a rough life ...



Mama and dada have their own Summer Bucket List. #1 - lots and lots of outdoor concerts! Our first one of the year was a local music festival featuring my favorite band ... Foster the People. I felt like a 13 year old at a Justin Bieber concert. It was awesome.




In two days, we are hitting the road for Charleston, SC for a week of fun and sun with my sister and brother in law and my little brother (who lives there). I can't even begin to express how excited I am for this trip ... ocean views, relaxing on the beach, historic Charleston tours, kayaking in Shem Creek, fresh seafood, and a little bit of Southern culture and charm. Wahoo!

Summer Buck List item #13 ... build sandcastles on the beach. Stay tuned!
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