Scallops

I recently made this scallop recipe I have never eaten scallops before so I was really unsure I would be able to call it a success.
It was! I would change baking them in the oven to sauteing them in the pan with the sauce when has reduced, but otherwise a really tasty dish.
I also made extra sauce so there would be enough to coat some brown rice noodles. Yum.
trying something new paid off this time! In my kitchen that isn't always the case (ask my brother in-law about the meatball incident and you will know what i mean.)
No pictures this time as i am still trying to find a camera charger that works.

Ingredients

• 16 sea scallops, rinsed and drained
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 3 pinches ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• lemon wedges for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Place scallops, melted butter, garlic, and shallots in a bowl. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine. Transfer to a casserole dish.
3. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle on top of scallops.
4. Bake in preheated oven until crumbs are brown and scallops are done, about 11 to 14 minutes. Top with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

My list for 2010

This year I am writing it down and publishing it for all to see in hopes that the idea of accountability will spur me into accomplishment.

*Learn to make gluten free bread with new GF bread machine.

* Make/keep a bi-weekly meal calender

* Learn too sew

* Sew curtains for my house

* Make my basement work for me

* Get into shape (loose weight and tone up)

*Go to the gym 3 times per week (should be a sinch with new Kroc center membership)

*Be able to run in 3 mile increments with out stopping to walk

* Blog twice a week (at least)

* Print and frame pictures regularly (at least 3 times per year)

*Read 3 books per month and report on them.

* Live without refined sugar (Ok just mostly)

* Do one educational activity with Owen per day (no less than 30 minutes)

* Take more pictures

* Ask God to do something humanly impossible, pray and wait, expecting Him to follow through

* Keep a food journal

* Go on a date with MG at least twice a month

* Find a good baby sitter

* Buy an upright freezer

*Freeze things ( pesto, bolognese & enchilada sauce, fruits and veggies, whole meals, bread)

* Learn to can and can things like jam.

* Look to the Word of God first for counsel in hardship and then to my husband

* Make breakfast for my family everyday (that means getting up before 7:30)

* Find ways to serve the people I love then do it

* Make and keep a chore chart

* Finish Owens first year scrapbook (yikes)

* Paint the inside of our house

* Make hospitality a priority

* Frame some of Owens art

* Make my own kefir from scratch

* Make a photo calendar and book

* Make Christmas cards for friends and family (I have never done this and always wanted to)

* Try 2 new recipes a month and report

* Be more intentional about the way I live and the things I spend my time on.


Now I am not saying that all (or any) of these things will be accomplished only that I will be trying my best to do them. I am hoping to report back when I have the opportunity to cross an item off the list, or to report progress (or lack there of) when progress is made on an "ongoing" type goal.

I look forward to this new year and am hoping it will bring new discovery and joy in unexpected ways.

3

Owen you are three now. Well technically your three and almost a month- but since your loving momma cant keep up with her blogging and breathing at the same time- this is my tribute to you being three.
This is going to be sappy and poorly written because its coming straight from my heart and lets face it I am sappy and I don't write well.

I cant believe you are 3!! The time has passed by way to quickly (the way all seasoned mothers told me it would). I continue to fall more and more crazy in love with you every day. Its funny that you after only 3 years have extracted more love from me than I knew myself capable of producing in an entire lifetime.

We do spend all of our time together so I guess its not strange but for me to know you like the back of my own hand (better than that really). I never anticipated knowing another person the way I know you. I know your reactions before they come. I can tell in the morning if its going to be an easy or a hard day for you just by taking you in. I know your smell, your voice, and the feel of your tiny hands (all perfect). I know each smile and each furrow. And still Little, you suprise me with your newness on a daily basis.

You are full of compassion sensitive to the emotions of others the way few children are, You are contemplative and wild, You are inquisitive and passionate about the way things work. You love with a fierce undiscriminating love that your Father in heaven is most definitely proud of.
I am proud of you
I love being your momma
I love you.
momma

The ultimate omelet. Turkey, Gouda, mushrooms, and avocado on top. Thanks to a friend I am back on my healthy (eggs in the morning) wagon. That expression "on the wagon" is a funny one. According to a reliable source back in the day of the pioneers (and wagon travel) when prisoners were being transported, if they were well liked by their guards they would be let "off the wagon" at night for a drink around the fire. If the guards disliked them... well they stayed "on the wagon".
So I am not sure what this says about me. ( comments welcome)
But thanks Haley for the yummy suggestion of putting turkey in the omelet.
I enjoyed every last healthy bite.

Sweet Tooth

The best doughnuts in town From Easy orchards They have this great little produce market and gift/kitchen shop. As well as a wonderful pumpkin patch that we visit each year. They always give the kiddos one of their fresh handmade doughnuts and a cup of hand pressed apple cider after the hay ride and the tour of the apple orchards.
Owen loves a good doughnut... well he has only ever had these doughnuts but they are good and he knows it.

This is the way I get to take pictures of Owen now. From behind while chasing him. I am his own personal paparazzi. I say things like "Owen this way" and "smile at your Mommy" but nothing seems to matter he runs and says "no take the pictures Mommy come on".

So this it. the pumpkin patch.

Autumn:fall, fruitage, fruition, garnering, gathering, harvest-time, harvesting, ingathering, intake, output, produce, reaping, repercussion, result,

This Autumn has turned out to be intensely yet joyfully busy. Owen and I have started a new weekly bible study/preschool program, we also started our job working as child care providers for a drug court program 3 time per month and, our family is part of a new missoinal community starting up through our Church, and Michael has been taking two college courses after working ours.With all of this new activity and our regular activities we have basically been full to the brim with life.

Some days I feel like I am barely keeping my head above the water when I realize that I am living a truly fruitful life. I am grateful to be a mother who stays home with her crazy awesome little boy. I am thankful beyond belief for a husband who has a tenacious love for me and a special gift of patience. I am blessed to see that God works in trials, and that I am firmly in His grasp.