Sunday is Special

You make known to me the path of life;
   in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Love this style, too!

Another new-to-me (but hardly novice!) designer is Sis Boom, and just look at these gorgeous fabrics!  I would love to get my hands on a copy of her new book - Girl's World..... just take a peek!!

Fish, Anyone? (2 of 10)

So........
I know I pledged and all, but week two was a D.I.S.A.S.T.E.R.  Remember how I said I don't like fishy fish? Well, I didn't have time to go to my tried-and-true fish place where I buy sole that's wild caught in the USA in week 2.  Thinking that it wouldn't matter that much, I grabbed some pre-packed fish that was farmed in the U.S. from our tiny local grocery store (a friend aptly calls it "Shifty Foods").  I took it home and whipped up these delightful-looking Fish Tacos with Cucumber Relish,

Photo from Real Simple Magazine

and let me just tell you, it was BAD.
It was really terrible.
My husband and son choked them down, but they were so FISHY that I couldn't do it.  The whole experience was so bad that I couldn't even bring myself to THINK about buying fish for several weeks! Ugh!!!!!!
But after I worked up my courage again (AND bought some decent fresh fish!!!!) I tried the recipe again, and the results were much different. Much happier.
So without further ado, my evaluation is:  These were really good.  They were the first fish tacos I've tried to make, and since this is a new genre of food to me, I felt very adventurous. :)  The cucumer relish was delectable - I used baby cukes from Costco and they were scrumptious in all sorts of other recipes too - and so easy.  I see it reappearing in our future quite often.  This was so easy - you've got to get some good fish and try it!
Husbandly evaluation:  "They were yummy." (He's busy right now, so I might add to his commentary later. ;)
Let me know if you try these!

Love this style!

This is such pretty stuff from a new-to-me designer Amoretti. I really love all the beautiful clothing fabric and patterns on their site!
And just look how the designer talks about clothes:

"I believe that you shouldn't have to choose between beautiful clothes and practical clothes. That dressing up should be easy. That being a lady isn't old fashioned. And that 'ladylike' most emphatically does not mean 'fussy.'"

Can I just say...... LOVE!?!

Apricot Pork Chops

These are great with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh snow peas.... Yum!

7-8 thin-sliced pork chops (no bone)
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp cooking oil
small jar apricot preserves (Grocery Outlet has some organic preserves right now that are delish)
1 cup white grape or apple juice
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp corn starch
salt and pepper to taste

Heat skillet over medium, add oil/butter together. Salt and pepper both sides of the pork chops and cook in skillet about 3 minutes per side.  (Don't overcook!)
While chops are cooking, combine preserves, juice and garlic powder in separate bowl.
When done, remove chops to plate and drain all but 2 tbsp drippings from skillet. Pour fruit mixture into skillet and whisk in corn starch. Cook at medium heat for several minutes, whisking often until sauce is thickened. Taste sauce and add salt/pepper as needed.  Add pork chops back into sauce and turn off heat, allowing the chops and sauce to sit for 3-4 minutes before serving.  Sauce can be served on the side and/or directly with pork.

Cute little skirt for a sweet little lady

 

I made this sweet little shirred waist skirt for our sweet little friend's 4th birthday and included a tiny rosette for her curly hair. So fun! I love the summer stripes!

how to keep on keeping on!

There's a link to a super-encouraging article over at Seeking Kindness today....