Strawberries

Strawberries are getting into their prime and I'm hooked. I've been enjoying strawberries sliced with splenda at night and freezer jam from last year that is still fabulous on toast. I've clipped a few new recipes and tried one tonight. It was delish!

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

1 c. finely chopped strawberries
1 avocado chopped
2 T. finely chopped red onion
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
½ t. grated lime rind
2 t. fresh lime juice
½ t. sugar
2 t. finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper, optional (I didn’t use)
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and toss gently. Serve immediately. Great with grilled pork tenderloin (how I used it), chicken, fish or tortilla chips.

I served it over the pork with sides of steamed zucchini with parmesan and fresh corn on the cob. It was a delightfully fresh, spring/summer dinner!

More strawberry recipes to follow.

I Could Be Prejudiced

Madison and Kyle in Seattle

Ethan in Alaska

Oliver in London

Rylee, Ammon and Cohen in California-thank heavens 3 are close!

Alexa, Kaden and Sienna in Alaska

Isobel, with the British accent, in London

I might be prejudiced but aren't these some of the cutest grandkids ever????? Life would be perfect if I lived near all of them!

Amazing

That is how I would describe my day. I have been working nonstop for a few weeks and have been tired with an aching back. I had today and the next two days off so decided to just relax today. I started off with sleeping in until 10:00 in the morning!!! It was fabulous. I got up, put some clothes on and went for a walk. It was beautiful today, clear sunny and in the 70's. I decided that I would go to the book store and buy some books and just sit on my deck and read. I stopped in at Safeway first and got some groceries and noticed in an empty store they were having a book sale for the friends of the McKinleyville library. A bag of books cost $2. I bought 4 bags full, gave them $20 as a donation and have tons of reading for the summer. I got home and started reading some magazines on my deck looking at the beautifull trees behind us. Then I face down and got a little nap. It was a shorts and flip flop day and so everyone knows I was in heaven. One thing about living in Humboldt County, you never take good weather for granted. I finished the day off with delicious shrimp tacos on the deck. They are truly amazing too!! I think I'll have the same day tomorrow, if the weather cooperates with a different meal though. Hooray for beautiful days!!!


SOFT SHRIMP TACOS WITH TROPICAL SALSA
Salsa:
¼ c. chopped green onions
1 t. chopped cilantro
1 T. canned chopped green chiles
1 T. lemon juice
1 ½ c. chopped fresh pineapple
Mix together, cover and chill
Tacos:
Cooking spry
1 c. yellow bell pepper strips
1 c. sliced red onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 ½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 c. chopped tomato
½ t. ground cumin
½ t. chili powder
2 T. chopped cilantro
8 flour tortillas
1 ¼ c. shredded jack cheese
Spray nonstick skillet with cooking spray and add bell pepper, onion and garlic. Saute 2 minutes. Add shrimp, tomato, cumin and chili powder, saute 3 minutes or until shrimp are opaque and done. Stir in cilantro. Warm tortillas in oven. Spoon ½ c. shrimp mixture in each tortilla. Top with cheese and salsa.

London

I haven't had time to post about my trip to London because I got home Sunday, got right back to work on Monday and had a rough time with jet lag. I've just been too tired. It was so fun seeing Lindsey, Alan, Isobel and Oliver. The weather wasn't the best but the company was great. It was also nice because Chris was in London that week on business so we saw him a few times as well. Things we did this trip:

1. Went to Hampstead Heath (great park) and then had delicious crepes.

2. Shopping

3. Eating at Nando's-I always love this place.

4. Lunch at a 2 Michelin star restaurant. Ymmmm!

5. Going to possibly the BEST mall I've ever been to. London's new Westfield Mall. So modern, spacious and huge!

6. Watching the movie Young Victoria with Linds after dinner at an Italian restaurant where we spent most the time laughing and watching this soul pasta dish that sat on the edge of the oven for over 30 minutes. I kept saying that it was probably mine. We waited and waited for our dinner and it never came. After talking to the waitress we noted the pasta finally put in the oven and guess what? It was mine! I would have returned it but it was actually quite tasty and had amused us for over 30 minutes.

7. Playing hide and seek with Isobel and tea parties. One funny story. She heard Lindsey call me Pammy Lou at lunch time. At night we play a couple rounds of hide and seek before she goes to bed. She always announces where she will be hiding. I hear her say, "Find me in the bathroom Pammy Lou!" It was hilarious and she speaks in a full on British accent. So, so cute.

8. Cute Oliver has the sweetest, cutest disposition ever. I love looking at him.

9. I finally read the book Life of Pi. I had tried it before and couldn't get into it. Finished it and loved it!!

10. Love spending time with Lindsey Lou (and family). Lindsey is just so much fun to hang out with. We laugh and laugh and have the greatest time. Wish she lived closer!!

Rudolph

I've always had one thing I hate when I'm in the sun. My nose turns red. I try and remember to put sunblock on it, especially when I'm wearing sunglasses and in the sun. Yesterday was the first time I was in the sun in sunglasses (watching Ammon's first t-ball game). I woke up this morning and noticed the dreaded red nose and thought, " I hope it's not too noticeable." I walked downstairs and Ammon yelled, "Oh my goodness, it's Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer! Can you take me to the North Pole, Rudolph? " We laughed so hard we were all crying.