Ready..Get set... Thanksgiving!

Look at the link HERE to find to tasty look'n recipes for this Thanksgiving! This was taken from Pam Smith's e-newsletter. Mrs. Smith is a Christian dietitian who has a wonderful, realistic perspective on food and health . Enjoy browsing through this. There are quite a few succulent selections to choose from.

Hills of fire and a Blood-red sky

Needless to say tonight's post is not the original one I was intending to post! In short, there is a fire in the sage brush hills behind my home. Here are some pictures. I am going to try and get the film clip to work too. (Kristin...I wish I was a bit more artistic in my pyro-photography!)

Note that the house isn't on fire! It is the hill behind the house that is aflame! The perspective is all off!

This last picture unfortunately doesn't show the detail, but the the little "swishy" in the sky is a helicopter dropping retardant/water at night. I have never seen a fire 'copter' do this except when they drill in the summer.

We got a false call to evacuate around 7:00pm. It ended up being a miscommunication. It turns out we heard the Police's bullhorn from several streets up. Whew (though it still is a bit close!)! I have to say that I dread the very idea of putting ALL of my quick-packing back into my room tomorrow. Then again, it doesn't seem so nasty of a job considering that I still have a house to put them in! God is kind.

Here's a mid-November resolution...

Ready for it? Here it is: for the next month I am going to attempt to post on my blog once a week. Honestly, posting creative and inspiring thoughts is difficult for me to do in midst of a busy college semester; however, I feel like a robot if I don't create something (especially with words!)!

Steam powered, baked fish

As some of you know, my current job has changed from caring for a 17 month-old to adult com- ompanionship care. I have truly been enjoying the job.

About a month ago I helped prepare a lovely salmon lucheon. It was a regualr fall-ish feast including salmon en papillote, french bread, ceaser salad, and fruit. Did I mention that there was gingerbread with sauteed apples in a sweet sauce? I think I am forgeting something....oh yeah, there was Cool Whip too!

Salmon en paplillot (en pap- e`- yote) by the way, is a f French word for cooking salomon in a parchment paper envelope. (Truth be known you can cook anything en papillote). The whole power behind of the parchment paper package is steam. Once you put a dalop of butter in the package, steam is garenteed. Here is the recipe. If it looks too camplicated for you, at least try the marinade! Mm...mm...good!

Salmon Special (or en papillote style)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sherry
1 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoons fresh ginger root, grated
¼ cup butter, softened
1 Tablespoons minced shallot (about 1 medium)
1 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley
4 4-ounce Alaska salmon steaks or fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)
Pparchment paper (for en papillote stylel-

1. Combine soy sauce, sherry, garlic and ginger in flat dish or gallon size zip-lock plastic bag. Place salmon in marinade; turn several times to coat. Cover, if needed, and refrigerate for 1 hour, turning salmon over after 30 minutes.

2. Cream butter with shallot and parsley; cover and set aside. Grill salmon on oiled hot grill, turning once during cooking, about 6 to 12 minutes per inch of thickness. Do not overcook. Serve each salmon portion with dollop of seasoned butter.

Note: If cooking en papillote style: Follow instructions through 1. Then cream butter with shallot and parsley. Place fillets in the parchment paper heart and smear the butter spread onto top of salmon. Roll the edges of the parchment together (think fluted edges of a pie crust) and set of a baking sheet. Bake ate 375 F for 12-15 min.

Servings: 4

You Know You Need to Give Up Your Tanning Lotion When...

...the guy next to you in class asks if you have been carving alot of pumpkins!!

Sniff! Good-bye summer glow. I'll stop pretending.

What am I up to...?

Here it is in all of its glory. My desk (and life) as of 10 minutes ago:

So now, ask me again how I stay out of trouble?

Simple things...

Yes it is the simple things in life that spread the smile onto our faces. It is like the mom I saw at the bus stop today. As I zipped by in my car, she ran back and forth on the sidewalk in an insane pattern. She held something tightly--a young child. The little boy she clasped, extended his arms out from his sides as if he was an airplane. Back and forth they went, both smiling and laughing. Who knows how long they flew in their bizarre flight pattern. While the other waiting bus riders sat slumped on the hard hot benches, this woman was taking the opportunity to enjoy her child and the often overlooked simple joy of being alive. Thank you little boy's mom, you put a smile on my face!