Sautéed shrimp

This weekend has just been what my heart needed; family time, rest, a good book, a few good meals and a hearty amount of laughter. My parents celebrate their birthdays a day apart so on friday(my moms actual birthday) we had a combined birthday dinner for them; of which they hosted. That's how they roll; give give give. The best part about this is when we give them minimal gifts they act like we've given them a million dollars. Its so precious to encounter. A pair of socks, cashews, pickled jalenpos and my dad acts like we just gave him an all expensive paid trip to Florida. 

Friday night was spent sitting on their deck laughing and enjoying watching the kids playing in the yard. It was so relaxing I didn't even realize I was still there at 8:30pm; I usually promptly exit family dinners at 6:30pm to get home in-time for bedtime but not Friday, it was that peaceful!

Finally bedtime was done and I curled up with my book that just arrived in time for the long weekend. I was so encouraged; this book feels like a game changer.

Christine Caine

Unashamed

"like me, you've probably spent years covering up your shame wounds so why would you now want to uncover them and look at them? When you are suffering from shame, the last thing you want to do is make yourself vulnerable. Your vulnerability is one of the reasons you were suffering from shame in the first place so why would you want to open yourself up for more? 

Because what we don't reveal can't be healed. Our wounds need treatment, and the only way they'll be healed is if we aknowledge them, uncover them, and hold them up to the One who can help. "

Sunday came and Jeff had it off (yay)! I play the game of "what do I make my chef husband" it's a fun one. One of which I sometimes win and sometimes lose! Today people - I won! On this healthy eating streak I've been on for 5 days inclusive; everyone wins.

First things first I pulled out my trusty small blender and in the jar I put:

Fresh dill

Apple cider vinegar

Light mayo

Water

Salt

Pepper

Jeff's jalenpos

I blended that up and voila!

The salad consisted of:

Spinach

Orange pepper

Tomato

Perfectly ripe avacodo

Now for the star of the show....

Jeff coated raw peeled deveined shrimp with this rub and sautéed them in chili oil. Can we say yum?

I should add the bag of  shrimp were one of the many "put this in your freezer" items dropped off randomly by my dad...he loves his grocery store drive-by drop offs!

Liam was napping and I sat with Aubrey as I ate this delicious so satisfying salad. I tried to breathe as I inhaled it!

Now for supper...

This salad dressing was so good we decided to use it again.

I cut up napa cabbage with green onion and lightly coated that with the dressing.

Jeff then topped our salads with perfectly seared salmon. His trick is he doesn't flip it. The salmon has a ridiculously  crisp side and the middle has a touch of  pink. Again, breathe! 

I love that food can heal. Why do I forget this? So much healing took place this weekend. Sometimes we just need to pause and breathe.

Happy Victoria Day!