A couple of new additions...

to Sarah's Simple Servings...and coming up next is the big winner of the week... Dan's delicious home-made Crab Rangoon! Just thinkin' about it makes my mouth water!

Chicken Risotto Soup

I have been CRAVING soup like crazy lately! This soup really hit the spot and provided leftovers for lunch for about 3 days...and I didn't even get tired of it! It tasted better each day as the flavors melded together. I did simmer it for about 10 minutes longer than the recipe calls for, the rice was still a little too hard after 15 min. I made these garlic cheese biscuits while the soup simmered, or add some oyster crackers (my kid's favorite!) and voila! Your dinner is DONE!

*You could make this corn-free by using a corn-free thickener instead of cornstarch, or no thickener at all and it'll taste great!

Grilled Salmon with Ginger Honey Glaze

(adapted from Woman's Day Eating Light Magazine)

This one was SO FAST, FRESH and FABULOUSLY delicious!

Total time-start to finish-2o minutes.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lb. fresh salmon fillet with skin (keeps the fish in tact during grilling, but flakes away easily from skin when serving)

salt and black pepper to taste

2 T. light teriyaki sauce

1 T. honey

2 T. minced fresh ginger OR 1 t. ground ginger

2 med. zucchini sliced fairly thick (about 1/2 in.)

2 med. yellow summer squash (also sliced about 1/2 in.)

2 T. olive oil in a small bowl (for veggies)

coarse salt/sea salt (for veggies)


How to make it:

1. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper.
Combine teriyaki sauce and honey and pour evenly over the salmon.
Spread ginger over the top.
Let stand about 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat grill. (I used our George Foreman table grill)

3. Wash and cut veggies (I used zucchini and yellow squash, but you could use others like, portobello mushrooms, eggplant, or even asparagus)

4. Lightly spray George Foreman with non-stick cooking spray, and place salmon on grill. Close cover and grill 3-4 minutes- should flake easily with a fork when finished cooking. Remove skin before serving.

5. Either dip, or brush veggies with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse/sea salt and place on grill. Cook veggies between 3-5 minutes (depending on how firm you like your veggies).

Reviews: The whole family enjoyed this one, pumpkin about polished off the entire filet of salmon (he'd put an alaskan grizzly bear to shame!) and even sweet pea was willing to try a bite of everything. Next time, I plan to set aside a little bit of marinade for sweetpea, she will try about anything with a side of "dip".

This recipe will provide 3-4 adult portions, and is FULL of protein and Omega-3 fats that are so good for growing brains...and big ones who are forgetful :).

Having a major lack of creativity...

with my blog posts lately! Lots going on in the last month, and soon I'll post a re-cap, but until then, another meme. This one's full of random stuff about me...and I promise, the next post will be a little bit more interesting...at least I hope it will be!

25 random things about me…

1. When I was in Junior High, I wanted to be one of the “fly girls” on In Living Color…I‘m showing my age now!


2. Would love to dance again… for now Zumba classes at the YMCA will have to do!


3. At Falls Creek youth camp, summer of my sophomore year, I sensed God’s call that one day I would be a minister‘s wife…put it out of my head over the years, read about it in my journal years later…God led Dan to pursue ordained ministry some time after we were married….confirmation.


4. For some reason, I always thought I would have a brood of boys…and was SO surprised when we found out we would have a daughter.


5. A rockin’ bootie jam will almost always resolve a headache or ease my tension…a little weird, isn’t it?


6. I love to travel and can thank my parents for that one…I think we visited about 70% of the U.S. by car (Hawaii by plane) before I was 18 years old…


7. It relaxes me to purge and organize our home…when our space is cluttered, my brain just will not function properly!


8. My daughter is God’s best medicine for my need to have a clean, organized house…unfortunately I’m still not cured and sometimes get frustrated by my futile attempts to keep things tidy.


9. I think that the Spartan Cheerleaders on old school Saturday Night Live are about the funniest thing ever!!!!


10. We’re considering home school for Graham’s Kindergarten year.


11. I’ve gone to physical therapy weekly for back and neck injury from a head-on collision with a drunk driver almost 5 years ago.


12. After said accident…I had the opportunity to share our story with thousands of people at a local event…related to child advocacy/car seat safety…that was very therapeutic…I still hope that something good will come out of that very difficult time.


13. I hope and pray that our children will know, REALLY know and live in light of God’s love for them.


14. I’ve been a teacher of children with profound mental and physical handicaps (my favorite), also taught Kindergarten, and second grade…prior to becoming a mom.


15. Teaching in Memphis City Schools was by far the hardest and most frustrating job I’ve ever had.


16. I think I really should have gotten into risk management as a profession…because I’m neurotic about thinking of the dangers in most situations. I pray that I won’t scar my kids for life with this neurosis!


17. Speaking of that! If I could change one thing about myself, I would be braver, more of a risk-taker…


18. Among so many things that make him God’s best for me…Dan helps me to put my fears aside and go for it (whatever “it” may be) -so thankful for him.


19. Last year, I trained and ran the Susan G. Komen 5K in honor of a dear friend. For me, this was a big accomplishment because I’ve never been a runner, and tend to be undisciplined when it comes to regular exercise.


20. Haven’t run for exercise since the race…case in point!


21. I’m so entertained and inspired by facebook and blogs…thinking I need to set a timer to limit my time so that I’ll be more productive!


22. My tongue gets itchy when I’m nervous.


23. As a child I could not eat fresh fruits and veggies, because I was allergic to a fungus that grows on them?? SO glad I’ve outgrown that!


24. I love Oedy family dance party. It makes me very happy.


25. Born and raised in Texas for my first 22 years…and still think it’s the greatest place to live….which is saying a lot since I only live 5 minutes from gorgeous gulf beaches!

I have...

...recently seen this list on another blog I enjoy reading...should you get the itch, please do your own!! The items in the list in bold are some of the things I have done in my 32ish years...and some I hope to do one day!
(photo taken on my 32nd b-day last month!)




1. Started your own blog :)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (heck yeah, we only live 3 hours away!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (does rockin' in my daddy's boat in a storm count?)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (baby got back :)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt-AWESOME!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance-after an accident with a drunk driver
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching...on that trip to Hawaii
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter...that trip to Hawaii again! :)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar...do the fish eggs on top of sushi count??
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House...stood outside of it
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Fun times...

(pictured top row L-R): Nichole, Paeton, Matt, Dan, Graham, Tom, Jen, Emma (in the pouch), Nancy, Sarah
(bottom row L-R): Raeghan, Hannah Reece, Colton, Taylor, Jacob, Roger, Logan


...just returned from a trip to Sea World with the WHOLE Oedy family this weekend...the kids had an absolute blast hanging out, caravaning to Orlando, and being at the hotel together. In fact, they woke up this morning fussing about how they missed the cousins and wanted to ride in Uncle Tom's bus (van) again! Dan and I did not grow up around extended family, and feel very thankful to enjoy these times where our children view their nine (age 8 and under) cousins as their closest friends and preferred playmates.

Now I'm downloading and organizing photos (check the link at the right for new albums in the photo collection), looking around at my house that is a growing disaster area since we've returned, and trying to regroup for the next trip! WHEW!

We're in quarantine this week...hoping to stay healthy so we can visit the Tuttle's this weekend on our way up to Charlotte. Looking forward to the moment when we will rejoice with the Tuttles in person for this miracle that God has worked for Heath, as he continues to make steady progress.

Dan's getting in gear to spend the week in class at Gordon Conwell. I'm looking forward to relaxing at the Lodge...with plenty of opportunities for some quality time with Graham and Hannah Reece while Dan's in class. Simple pleasures will fill our days... I look forward to preparing a meal with Dan, then sitting down as a family for dinner...bundling up outside in the rocking chairs...cuddling up for a movie after the kids hop into their bunks. Did I mention-no internet access at the Lodge? As much fun as it is to be connected....I think this could be a welcomed break.

The last month turned out to be a flurry of activity. Honestly-I long for ordinary days of laundry (did I seriously just type that???) & chores, with intermittent story-times, lego building, car races, and dress-up. I'm realizing that these days with Graham and Reece, all to myself, are QUICKLY FLEETING. They're growing up so quickly... and that flurry of activity is gonna last for much more than a month! So on Thursday, we'll drive....and I intend to make the most every single minute of the journey.

Hope for 2009...

Dan had the opportunity to preach at the New Years Eve worship service tonight... the text he discussed was John 3:22-30. My verse, my hope for this new year, echoes John's (talk about a guy who really "knew-his-role") sentiment in verse 30..."He must become greater, I must become less"...

I've decided to write down this verse, post it in our bathroom, and every day think, have I intentionally put my selfish desires aside to allow Jesus to stand out? It's hard not to be this self-serving, look-at-me, fame seeking person...because frankly, I get easily sidetrracked and lose focus on eternal matters, so caught up in the temporary here-on-earth. Oh Lord, please help me to become less...and even in this hope, I'm reminded that "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." Can't do it for myself. Gotta rely on God alone...

Ended the year feeling so grateful to be sandwiched between two precious ladies. One dear friend, Marian, witnessed her husbands death just months ago when he was struck by a truck as they were traveling by motorcycle together...the other a precious 82 years-young woman, Carol...who is alone and losing her home because a mortgage broker mislead her to purchase an interest-only home loan....we worshipped, wept, and sang these words together...

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk in the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will CHOOSE to say
Lord blessed be your name

Whether you're in a valley of grief, a peak of plenty, or somewhere in the middle...may the hope and encouragement we find in a living savior...who understands our weakness and loves us dearly....gently lead and guide you as you seek Him in the coming year!