Gourmet on a Paper Plate
We HIGHLY recommend Mark's place to stay and enjoy the ICW in Supply, NC. You are just a short drive to Holden Beach and Ocean Isle, NC. The sunset on the ICW is spectacular, the owner so helpful, and the amenities are out of this world!
Link:
Video.movMy youngest daughter made this video for our anniversary. Thank you Valentina. Thank you Victoria for managing the home so we could get away! We love you!
Your getaway list
If you are using this for your getaway, we recommend taking the time to bring items that support connection and romance:
Print out pictures from your dating years, marriage, and current events. You could also bring your wedding album! Place the pictures around the house.
Candles
Massage oil
His and Hers perfume/cologne
Things that make you feel pretty, relaxed, and handsome. Treat yourself!
A deck of cards and other fun games
Download the Gottman App of questions
There are a variety of questions from spicy to getting to know your partner's thoughts and feelings about life in general.
There are so many date night books available now. If you Google or check out your favorite book store, you will find an overwhelming selection. We've used ideas from others to create unique dating nights.
Set some goals ahead of time. What do you hope to get out of your time away? How can you support each other's goals?
Gourmet on a Paper Plate Copyright February 14, 2021
Cook and Cherish
Cook and Cherish
Parish and I are away on our anniversary getaway! We've been married for 32 years. During the many years of marriage, we've spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, creating, and cleaning up. We enjoy dining at a formal table with family and friends, snacking in the prayer garden, grilling on the patio, and picnicking in the bedroom. Parish has a great sense of humor. He made a comment one night that we experience "gourmet on a paper plate" while we were enjoying a meal in our bedroom together. My youngest daughter laughed and encouraged us to start a cookbook, and call it "Gourmet on a Paper Plate".
This week we are studying the book Cherish by Gary Thomas. We did this Bible study in 2017. We are enjoying remembering and reading our notes from that time. 32 years brings a lot of memories and understanding.
Each day we will share highlights from the book along with a recipe. We hope that you can use this e-book to encourage your marriage, to try knew recipes together, and to grow closer in a fun and thoughtful way. We encourage you to buy the book, Cherish, for deeper insight into how to cherish your spouse.
Bon Appetit!
Parish and Anna
Some ideas on how to use this e-book:
Read through the recipes so you can meal plan and shop.
Engage in one Cook and Cherish a day and have a week of fun.
Engage in one a week, or once a month, or whenever you can. You don't have to be away to engage in the cooking and connection. Pull this e-book up for a date night!
Buy the book Cherish and follow along in the chapters.
Create your own recipes! You can try ours or add to the fun! Keep a journal of your experiences.
How about including your children? The recipes can be used for cooking together as a family, and the devotional time for the couple. The greatest gift you can give your children is a marriage that is always putting each other first. How can you share what you learn with your children? Imagine how this would help them in their future relationships.
Day One
We enjoyed watching the sunset from our back patio of the house.
Taking the time to dress up for a date day. I love my FARMASi make up.
Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast Tacos
Cook
On the way down to our getaway in North Carolina, we decided to look up new recipes and to create the grocery list. I searched "fun Keto recipes" and found this one from Keto Kitchen. They also give you the hyperlink to "Keto Taco Shells". We recommend watching the video so you can see how to make the shells. We tried using cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella. They recommend using mozzarella. Our first attempt was a fail. We could not get the cheese off of the Reynolds wrap. Thankfully, the owner had parchment paper. That made the difference. Use parchment along with a cooking spray. You could make the shells ahead of time and store them in your refrigerator for up to two days. Make this fun! How can you divide the directions to help each other make this delicious breakfast? We watched the video together, Parish made the shells, and I made the bacon, eggs, and cut up the avocado. We played music and enjoyed making a hearty breakfast that turned into a brunch! We added sour cream on top for an extra creamy flavor and freshness.
4 Keto Taco Shells (See below)
5 slices of Bacon
4 large Eggs
4 tablespoons of Cream
¼ teaspoon of Salt
Pinch of White Pepper, ground
1 tablespoon of Butter
½ an Avocado, diced
Chives to taste
Cook the bacon to your desired crispiness, either in the oven or pan-fried. Keep 4 slices warm, and chop the 5th into small pieces. Set aside.
In a small bowl, add the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper. Whisk well.
Place a nonstick frying pan over high heat and add the butter. Once the butter starts to sizzle, pour in the eggs.
Use a heat resistant spatula to continually move the eggs around, until they are softly scrambled.
Remove from the heat.
Fill your cheese shells with a slice of bacon, followed by ¼ of the scrambled egg mixture, then top with the diced avocado, chopped bacon, and chives.
Taco Shells:
2 Cups of Mozzarella Cheese
Preheat your oven to 200C/390F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Balance a long-handled wooden spoon over two mugs to set your shells (you can also use aluminum foil to make a mold or line the edge of your dish drainer with parchment paper).
Make 8 equal-sized piles of cheese, leaving plenty of room between them for spreading.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese has stopped bubbling and is brown (you may need to cook 1 cookie sheet at a time depending on how much space you have to set the shells). If your cheese isn’t cooked enough, your shells will be chewy instead of crispy.
Use a spatula to gently remove the cheese and place over the wooden spoon, leave to cool for 3-5 minutes, until set.
Once cooled, fill with your favorite Mexican toppings, such as; Pork Carnitas, Guacamole, and Pico Di Gallo.
Cherish, Chapter 1
Do you remember your wedding vows? You may remember words like love, commitment, respect, and honor. This book takes us from words that embrace duty to a word that will deepen your relationship with your spouse--cherish.
Love and cherish compliment each other.
"Learning to truly cherish each other turns marriage from an obligation into a delight. It lifts marriage above a commitment to a precious priority." (Thomas, 2017, p.17)
When you cherish something you will go out of your way to showcase and care for that which you deem worthy to be cherished. A fascinating result is that others will value and take notice of the cherished object or person, too. You shine the light on that which you cherish. In a survey of a few men, they were asked if their wives loved them. They all said "yes". Then they were asked does your wife like you. They all said, "no". (Thomas, 2017)
We watched the Antiques Road Show last night. Someone had wine glasses that were worth 8,000 a piece. Can you imagine? Another lady bought a pearl necklace for 50 cents thinking it was costume jewelry. You guessed it! They were real pearls with real diamonds and worth 5,000. Something that may have been thrown in a junk drawer immediately became a priceless and cherished object. The one guy said, "I guess I better take better care of these glasses."
When you fell in love, you were drawn to each other and made commitments to love and to cherish. It seems we treat each other like costume jewelry until we truly take notice of what we have. And, yes, sometimes it takes others to remind you, an event, or maybe just a place of apathy and discontent to spark you into a renewed discovery.
"In one sense, love is the nurturing aspect of marriage while cherish is the 'tasting' aspect of marriage. Love meets the need; cherish tickles the tongue." (Thomas, 2017, p. 26)
One of his discussion questions:
"Describe a season in your relationship when you felt especially cherished. How did it affect the way you looked at yourself and your relationship?"
Day Two
Old Bay Seasoned Leg Quarters
Old Bay Seasoned Leg Quarters
We found leg quarters in a 10lb bag for 49 cents a pound. We often will go shopping to see what meats are on sale, and then we adjust our recipes! This recipe is easy, quick, and delicious.
Select as many leg quarters as you need for your meal. We chose to do 4 servings so we would have leftovers. We used a cookie sheet with Reynolds wrap.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. The reason you pat the chicken dry and add a little olive oil is so the skin will be crisp instead of steamed/flabby skin.
We used Old Bay seasoning; however, you could select your favorite seasoning for this next step.
Together you will season the chicken. One of you separate the top skin from the meat with your hand. Think of slipping your hand into a pocket. Once you have the "pocket" open, your cooking partner will add the seasoning to your personal taste to the underside of the skin. Some of the seasoning will naturally be on your hands, so pat the rest on the top. We also sprinkled more on top and patted it around the chicken.
Put in the oven at 375 degrees with skin side down first for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip them over to cook the rest of the way. Total cook time is 60-80 minutes. Remember use a meat thermometer. Chicken should be 165 degrees. Every 20 minutes baste the chicken with the juice in the pan. Also, when the chicken is done, you can add a splash of lemon juice to each leg quarter for a fresh taste!
We served our chicken with fresh steamed asparagus and my husband's Hollandaise sauce. I have never had any restaurant compare to his Hollandaise. It's killer.
On another night we decided to cook more chicken! We changed the seasoning to the following, and truly enjoyed this version best!
Salt, pepper, parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme
Hollandaise Recipe:
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoon of lemon juice
1/2 cup of butter
Take egg yolks and lemon juice and whisk them together in a sauce pan on low/warm heat.
Key: do not cook the eggs before the butter melts. Take it low and slow.
Stir constantly. Take the first 1/4 cup of butter (half a stick) and cut into pads of butter. Add to the sauce pan with the egg yolks and lemon juice. Stir it up!
Keep stirring until butter is melted. Then do it again. Take 1/4 cup of the butter and cut into pads of butter, add, and stir. You keep the temperature low or warm until all is melted and keep stirring for about 5 minutes as the eggs thicken into the butter. It's not the time that matters but the consistency of a thin custard.
We heated some leftovers up for breakfast the next morning. Leftovers can be tricky with the butter separating, but it's still delicious!
Cherish, Chapter 2
Cherish, Chapter 2
Today's reading was on looking at your spouse as the ideal for beauty and partnership. How do you celebrate, revel, and build on the choice that you made many years ago?
When we compare our spouse to others or always concentrate on the negative, we will never be satisfied.
As you age in your marriage keep the promise that your spouse is like no other in beauty, and they take your breath away.
When we do this, the world is influenced by our passion and joy, we are content versus disappointed, and our children are nurtured. They see a couple that is committed and in love.
How do we establish a new commitment to contentment?
How can we recognize that it is unrealistic to expect our spouse to excel in everything and be everything to us?
What is your prayer for your marriage with these concepts in mind?
Anna: Lord, help me see myself as beautiful in my aging, and to see my husband as complete and beautiful.
Parish: Lord, continue to help me see my wife as my only--the only woman that defines beauty and completeness. All my intimacy "stock" is in her. There is no other.
A refreshing golf cart ride in the rain! Take time to laugh and enjoy nature!
Video.mov
Victoria gave us his and hers perfume from Farmasi. We love the sent, and we enjoyed trying something new! Check out their products by Victoria Lamb.
We had lunch in Holden Beach at Provision Company. They are known for their shrimp burger! It was quiet, delicious, and a great view.
Day Three
Cast Iron Seared Denver Steaks with Saucy Sautéed Mushrooms
Cook
STEAKS
We decided to cook Denver steaks in our favorite 12 inch Lodge cast iron pan. We always take the pan with us when we travel. You can't go wrong with cast iron. There is nothing magical about the pan itself, but taking care of it over time helps with seasoning. The pan that is well used and cared for over the years will age to perfection.
Seasoning your Steaks
Season both sides with your favorite seasoning. Allow the steaks to sit in the seasoning for about 20 minutes. We used pepper, salt, and sometimes Montreal steak seasoning.
Getting the pan ready
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Set the pan inside the oven. You can place the pan in the oven while it is preheating. Once you get to 450 degrees, you are ready to cook. Keep oven on! You will return!
Pull pain out of the oven and place on medium to medium high burner. You may want to open a window because there will be smoke!
Cooking the steaks
Add a tablespoon of your favorite oil for high heat cooking. We use avocado oil or extra light olive oil.
Swirl the oil around in the pan to coat the bottom.
Add the steaks and sear them 2 minutes on each side.
Then, put the pan in the oven (450 degrees) four or more minutes to finish cooking. This will depend on how rare or well-done you want your steaks, how thick they are, and the fat content of the beef. Use a thermometer to select your ideal steak. We left in the oven for 5 minutes and it came out medium rare.
Let rest on your gourmet paper plate for about 5 minutes to let the juices re-absorb into the meat. My husband likes to keep the "red carpet" on the plate for flavor. It's not blood, it is a result of the Maillard reaction.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR LODGE CAST IRON PAN!
Here is a link to Lodge so you can learn how to clean and season your pan.
MUSHROOMS
8 ounces of mushrooms (see picture above)
We bought already sliced mushrooms, but you can decide if you want them whole, sliced, and the kind of mushroom.
Wash them, cut them to your desire.
3 tablespoons of butter on low heat to melt in a sauce pan
Toss mushrooms in and cover. They will soak up the butter as they are cooking. Add some olive oil if needed (1 Tablespoon)
Add salt and pepper to taste
They will cook for about 15 minutes. They will be cooked down and soft. The moisture will be drawn out of the mushroom. That's why you keep lid on the sauce pan to allow the mushrooms to cook in their juices.
Pour 1/4 of a cup of the mushroom or steak juice into a separate cup or container and add about a teaspoon of corn starch. Stir this until there are no lumps and then add back to the mushroom mixture. If there is an excessive amount of liquid continue to cook the mixture down prior to adding in the corn starch mixture.
Add 3 Tablespoons of Sherry or juice from the steak if you prefer. This will add that extra flavor.
Take the top off the pan to help with reduction.
One afternoon Parish put together cheese, meat, salmon, vegetable, and olives on a cutting board while I took a nap on the hammock. I needed this nap, and waking up to the special treat was a joy. What do you have in your fridge? It's amazing how you can take what you have and make it look appealing.
Cherish, Chapter 3
Cherish, Chapter 3
Chapter 3 is all about the why and how of "showcasing your spouse".
Gary Thomas invites us to consider "showcasing is all about making the beautiful yet more beautiful." (p. 52)
Romance is fun and good, but to cherish we go out of the way to know our lover's strengths and weaknesses. Cherish takes it one step further by setting your spouse up for success and cheering them on. Specifically, talk about an aspect of your spouse that you could complain about or be irritated. For example, if you married an introvert, instead of trying to make them an extrovert at social gatherings, stand beside them and create a safe place for them to enjoy the event. "Love is giving for the sake of our spouse's becoming." (p. 52)
Imagine a male dancer who swings the ballerina into a breathtaking lift into the air! All eyes are on her. Imagine playing second violin in the orchestra while your spouse is first violin.
Parish and I talked about what qualities we could make more beautiful in each other. How about you? How can you showcase your spouse's beauty in the coming months? How can an irritant become a way for you to love deeper? In order to do this, we have to move from being self-absorbed to serving each other. This will bring great joy as you discover new ways to dance and play music.
(Thomas, 2017)
Day Four
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
We love spaghetti squash! There are so many creative things you can do with this vegetable. This recipe helps you enjoy the pasta taste without all the high sugar carbs. My husband will sometimes leave the squash in the vegetable "bowl" and add yummy ingredients like tomato sauce or the ingredients of this featured recipe. We decided to remove the squash and serve in a real bowl for this creamy, divine dish. We added some red pepper flakes to the top of the squash for color and a little heat.
We served the squash with Kielbasa and my husband's homemade sauerkraut. He ferments his own kraut which is pretty awesome. Before we left, Adelaide, my granddaughter helped him put all the kraut into the jars. We love to share if you want to try some!
(see picture above)
Ingredients
2 spaghetti squash medium sized
1 Tablespoon olive oil enough to brush the insides of spaghetti squash)
salt and pepper to taste
4 Tablespoons cream cheese
4 teaspoons sour cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more to garnish the top
Instructions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Poke each spaghetti squash with a knife on all sides (about 10 times or so) to allow steam to escape while cooking.
In order to make it easier to cut the spaghetti squash in half, place squash on a microwave-safe plate and cook in the microwave for 1-2 minute.
Cut each squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
Brush the inside with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place squash halves on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 40 minutes.
Place each squash half on a serving plate. The squash will be very hot.
Using a fork, scrape the strands of flesh away from the skin.
Add 1 Tablespoon cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of sour cream and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese to the center of each squash half.
Gently stir the ingredients into the strands of flesh until they until melted and the strands are coated.
Enjoy straight from squash or scoop onto a plate.
Top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Video.movSweet Adelaide making Kraut with her Ace (Parish)
Cherish, Chapter 4
Cherish, Chapter 4
We collected seashells at Holden Beach.
Notice each other.
Do you feel invisible in your marriage? Men and women both seek attention and validation, and when we feel neglected or overlooked, we experience feelings of hurt and resentment. Are we turning toward each other and "outbidding each other"? From the Gottman Institute, Gary challenges us to "out bid each other". We highly recommend the Gottman Institute. We have completed the 30 day challenge and read their articles and blogs to improve our marriage and communication. What is a bid? The little things you do each day to connect emotionally. Phone calls to say, "I love you", notes, chores that help the other person's work load, small tokens or gifts. Remember to know what your spouse finds pleasing or supportive. We also recommend The Five Love Languages survey so you can know your spouse's love language. A quick Google search will get you the survey and materials.
How can you ask questions to show your spouse that you are genuinely interested in what is going on in their life?
"Passive neglect in marriage can be considered a form of emotional abuse." (p. 72)
"What is a healthy way for a spouse who feels invisible to make the situation known? " (p. 73)
What can you do right now to start outbidding each other?
Double Chocolate Cake with Ganache
Double Chocolate Cake with Ganache
We are practicing low carb eating, but being away and celebrating our love and marriage, I had to make a chocolate cake. What inspired me was the Kitchen Aid mixer in the kitchen of the house we are staying in for the week. There is something about chocolate that not only says "yummmmmmmmmy" but also screams romance. This recipe is worth all the ingredients you will need and the time it takes to cook it. If you don't have buttermilk you can substitute milk with white vinegar. I also used mini-semi sweet chocolate chips because that's what the local market had on the shelf. One night Parish brought me a snack of small bits of chocolate cake with maraschino cherries. The juice from the cherries with the chocolate was yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
READY IN: 1hr 35mins
SERVES: 12-14
INGREDIENTS
3 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 1⁄2 cups hot brewed coffee
3 cups sugar
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1⁄2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
2 teaspoons baking soda
3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt
3 large eggs
3⁄4 cup vegetable oil
1 1⁄2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
FOR GANACHE FROSTING
1 lb semisweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 300°F and grease 2- 10 inch cake pans. Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper or parchment paper and grease paper.
Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In another large bowl with your Kitchenaid mixer and wire whisk, beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored about 3 minutes.
Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well.
Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. (Hint: Pour dry mixture onto a piece of grocery bag, roll into a funnel and add slowly into running batter).
Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove wax paper and cool layers completely. Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
Make frosting:
Finely chop chocolate. In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted.
Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.
Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, until spreadable (depending on chocolate used, it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency).
Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Cake keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring cake to room temperature before serving.
Day Five
Good morning! As Parish and I came together this week to write this e-book, we've enjoyed our conversations and cooking. This has been a challenging year (2020), and the start of 2021 has continued to be a work filled with unresolved concerns and healing. As I listen to my devotional this morning, I hear "Their eyes were opened." This is in response to knowing good and evil in Genesis. My eyes feel opened, and my soul is searching for restored hope and beauty.
Doing this together this week brought intentional focus on hope and our marriage. You have to do these things or life will consume you. We've cried, argued, laughed, shared our hearts, asked for forgiveness, and we will remember this week as a space to be human. So much of our life has been about surviving that we've been functional and desperate for change. We want to encourage you to continue in your pursuit of cherish and beauty by honestly sharing with you that we are unbelievably human--we struggle, stumble, and get back up again the next morning to face a new day. Write your story on your hearts, and cling to each other.
Cook
Cook
Oven Dry Rub Ribs
One rack of Pork Ribs
1 Tablespoon of paprika (sweet, hot, or smoked), we used smoked
1 Tablespoon of salt (course or kosher salt, sea salt, just don't use table salt)
1 Tablespoon of pepper
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
Optional:
1/2 Teaspoon of granulated garlic
1/2 Teaspoon of granulated onion
1/4 Teaspoon of celery seed
Bake at 300 for 2-3 hours
Mix the ingredients together and set aside 1 Tablespoon
Coat both sides of the rib with the dry rub and pat in
Ideally you place the ribs on a wire rack and rimmed baking sheet or dish.
We had to improvise. We took aluminum foil and rolled into "logs" to raise the ribs and create a rack. (see picture below)
Parish set his alarm for 45 minute increments to check on the ribs and brushed the ribs with a mop sauce.
Mop Sauce:
1 Tablespoon of the dry rub you created
2 -4 Tablespoons of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons of apple juice if you have it for added flavor
You can add a dash of bourbon (optional)
You know the ribs are ready when the meat pulls away from the end of the bones. You may adjust temperature and time in the oven based on the ribs you purchase and the consistency you like. If in doubt, the USDA recommends 145 degrees as the minimum temperature for pork. The ribs would be cooked at medium and have a rubbery consistency (i.e. not good) at this temperature. We recommend a temperature of 170-190.
Cherish, Chapter 5 and 6
Cherish, Chapter 5 and 6
We wanted to combine chapter 5 and 6. In some ways they compliment each other.
Chapter 5 discusses the Gottman's research. (see link above)
Disappointment leads to frustration which then leads to bitterness, and, lastly, contempt. (p. 77)
We humans are really good at scanning our partners with a critical eye.
If you've gotten into this cycle, do something about it.
"Cherish calls us to go to war against contempt." (p. 89)
The greatest weapon is thankfulness and our willingness to engage in cherishing our spouse.
Chapter 6 talks about all our hurts that we bring into a marriage. Cherishing can bring healing; contempt only increases childhood injury.
Tell your spouse they are safe with you and protect their healing and growth with words of support and actions that display patience and understanding.
Describe how your actions to cherish might support your spouse's healing. (p. 110)
The link at the top of this section provides an article for further research and support if you are struggling with contempt.
We went to Ocean Isle and enjoyed a great cup of coffee at Drift. This was Valentina's favorite spot when we vacationed here last year.
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Day Six
Day Six
Cook
Today, we would love to share a fun activity with you! Find a bird app that will listen to birds singing and identify them. The app will usually give you information about the bird, too. We downloaded "Song Sleuth". Parish is making the sound of the Mourning Dove. His favorite bird imitation.
Avocado Bowls
2 Avocados
2 -3 strips of bacon
2-3 Tablespoons of sour cream
1 Teaspoon of Red Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Old Bay
Lemon juice to "taste"- about 1 Teaspoon
4 Cherry Tomatoes (garnish on top)
Directions
Scoop out the avocado and place in a bowl
Keep the avocado halves
Add ingredients and mix (Remember you can adjust seasoning and amounts to your taste.)
Place mixture back into the "bowls"
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place on top of the mixture along with bacon strips. You may need to cut the bacon into pieces in order for it to fit.
Enjoy!
Towards the end of the week, we typically start eating our leftovers and getting creative! We enjoyed our chicken wings from a local restaurant, ribs, and the avocado bowls.
Wings and Fish Restaurant is a great place to eat if you find yourself in this area. We splurged and ordered The Admiral. It's a twice baked potato with lot of cheese, bacon, and seafood!
Cherish
This morning, we wanted to reflect on chapter 6, page 108 of the book. What spills out of your mouth day in and day out matters. What habits have you formed? We talked about how hard it is when you are stressed to manage emotions and words. I used to teach my girls the art of conversation when in conflict. We would practice the scenario or re-do the conversation. As they have grown, I've noticed they are truly gifted in meaningful dialogue and sharing their thoughts and feelings. How can couples practice meaningful words of cherish before the conflict? How can we practice? Page 108 shares the following: (I've adapted so that both partners could read to each other.)
Become the most wonderful spouse in the world by telling your partner--with your attention, your affection, and your acceptance-- You've made it across the finish line into my arms. I'm yours and you are mine. We're one. I'm thrilled with you. I love you. You can rest in my acceptance. I will recharge you with my affection. I won't pull away when I get to know you; I will draw closer. I won't disrespect you when I find the dark within you; I will pray for God to flood you with His light. I wont compare you to others because to me you are the only person of my affections; you are the standard; you are my one and only. I won't look at others; I won't touch another; I won't compare you to others. I will feast my eyes and fill my heart with my love for you (Thomas, 2017, p. 108).
Day Seven
It is always hard to say goodbye to time away from the busy! The challenge is always to go home and to make sure you continue to spend time together engaging in conversation and finding fun ways to connect.
Cook
Cook
Our last day, we went back to a favorite recipe of Huli Huli Chicken; the link is located above. We had two leg quarters left and adjusted the recipe using the spices we had! How can you adjust the recipe if you did not shop for ingredients ahead of time?
We did not have soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger, ketchup, or Asian Chili sauce like Sriracha.
We used powdered ginger, red pepper flakes, and our favorite barbecue sauce from our rib night. (Rufus Teague barbecue sauce)
Cast Iron Skillet Seared Salmon
Link:
Cast Iron Skillet Seared Salmon - Foodness Gracious
This recipe is a favorite because of the topping/side dish--tomatoes, butter, and tarragon.
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
2 fresh salmon filet’s- see notes
Kosher salt
cracked black pepper
Pompeian Avocado oil Spray
1 cup small cherry tomatoes halved
2 tablespoons fresh chopped tarragon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Lightly spray the salmon with the avocado oil spray.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Heat an ovenproof pan, large enough to fit both pieces of salmon over a high heat for about 1 minute.
Generously spray the pan with the avocado oil spray.
Place the salmon into the pan, skin side up and sear for about 1 minute.
Using a spatula, carefully turn the salmon over onto the skin side.
Add the tomatoes around the fish and sprinkle with the chopped tarragon.
Finally add the butter in two pieces to each side of the pan.
Place the pan into the oven and roast for 7-8 minutes.
Some of the cooking pictures are below. We enjoyed eating outside on the patio.
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The house had a display of tiger lilies--the flower used on our wedding day.
Cherish, Chapter 7
Cherish, Chapter 7
Don't quit! There will be times in your marriage in which you will want to quit. Young couples raising children and managing finances often find themselves disillusioned. Those times are when you need to remember your wedding vows, why you chose your partner, and create space for healing and support. If your marriage needs the work of a therapist, then find one and set the appointment. Get with couples who support marriage and can mentor you. Read books, have fun, and most importantly pray together.
We've been married for 32 years. This Christmas I wrote a letter to my husband on my blog about not quitting on each other. I would love for you to read this and reflect on how you could write a letter to your spouse to wrap up the week. Reflect on what you've learned and the promises you've made to cherish each other.
Video_1.movA video of reducing the Huli Huli sauce
Video.movWhile we were away, Richmond experienced an ice storm! It was fun to get pictures and videos of them playing in the snow!
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