Shrimp Scallop Curry

The elixir of life, the way to a man's heart, manna from heaven--no matter what you call it, food is a part of all of us. It defines us culturally, brings back childhood memories, and is sometimes the best escape from a down right hard day. With a busy home, and an even more chaotic schedule I am constantly on the hunt for easy recipes. Not necessarily the pre-packaged and processed kind. But ones where the ingredients are real and fresh.  This recipe is the latter. I promise it won't disappoint!

Ingredients

1 tbs butter

2 tbs minced ginger

4 garlic cloves, crushed and minced

1 tbs curry powder/red curry

1 ½ lbs uncooked shrimp, deveined and peeled

1 lb sea scallops

6 green onions, roughly chopped

1 cup cream

1 tsp lemon zest

1 ½ c. of white rice, cooked

½ cup chopped cilantro

Directions

Warm butter in large skillet over high heat. Add ginger, garlic and curry powder, sauteing until fragrant (2 min). Add shrimp, scallops and green onion. Saute seafood, flipping scallops before proceeding to the next step (4 min). Add cream and lemon peel, simmering until shrimp and scallops are opaque in the center and the sauce has reduced (5 min). Season with salt and pepper. Mound rice in a bowl, top with curry and cilantro.

Enjoy.

Opinions in this post are my own, however compensation has been given for the writing of this post. 

Our week..

 ...through Instagram...

If pictures could speak I'm sure these ones would say,"Does Brecken own any other clothes?" What can I say--he's attached to his yellow striped shirt.

Four Months.

My Dear Baby Girl.

I seem to have hit a rough patch. The littlest indiscretions seem to send me into a fit of rage and my idle mind has become my worst enemy. Feelings of inadequacy along with guilt and even passing judgement towards others have seemed to be weighing heavily on my mind. 

In some of the darkest moments, your sweet smile has gently pulled me back to realization that God only places upon us as much as we can handle. You really are a sweet soul. Laughing often and smiling always, seem to be your defining personality traits--of which I am thankful for.

I've often wondered why I was given two children with such different personalities and now I know why. Your brother is a fighter. Full of energy and humor, he goes from dawn until dusk.You, on the other hand, have brought a sense of peace to our lives. When I hold you in my arms I am overcome with so much love.

Oh, I love you.

Scotcharoos

• 
  
• 1 cup corn syrup or dark agave syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter
• 6 1/2 cups rice cereal
• 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• *Batch can also be doubled.

Directions:

Butter a 9x13 bake dish. In a large pot melt butter and corn syrup/agave over medium heat. Once melted mix in peanut butter and sugar. Slowly melt over medium high heat. Remove from heat and mix in rice cereal. Pour mixture into buttered bake dish. Press down firmly. Microwave chocolate chips and butterscotch chips for two minutes. No more. Mix well then pour over rice cereal. Set aside to cool. Refrigerate if necessary.

Enjoy!

Today.

Today...

I will savor the squeals and laughter coming from my bubbly boy during gymnastics. 

I will cuddle and mug on my little bean.

I will open a door for a stranger.

I will tackle the dirty laundry which seems to be breeding like rabbits in my hallway.

I will layer my lashes in a new mascara.

I will turn off the television and build castles with Brecken.

I will take my animated duo to the park.

I will kiss John. 

I will find some new inspiration for Fall. 

I will relish in the beauty of now.

What will you do today?

pray.

 Eleven years ago I was driving to early morning seminary. The radio's music was abruptly interrupted as a radio DJ delivered the horrific news that a plane had a crashed into one of the Twin Towers. I still remember thinking, "Why would a prop plane fly into a building?" Little did I know what had actually happened.

Over the next few days school assignments were replaced with students sitting dutifully in their desks watching the news and born out of this devastating event were a series of discussions entrenched in the weary realization that our country would no longer be the same. The events that followed were an affirmation of how sheltered our lives really were in rural north-central Montana. With no real connection to the attacks all we could do was watch the television, listen to the reports, and pray for the survivors and victims. 

Mayor Rudy Giuliani said it best, 

"The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. 

Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. 

We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and 

religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. 

We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom."

Today, I pray for all those families affected by 9/11. I hope that they may still find comfort and solace. Today, I think of them. 

Enjoy Today.

Yesterday, was rough. A visit to the doctor's office where I had to slap myself from passing out and a long drive home made for a long day. Brecken was in good spirits though. As soon as I picked him up from preschool his keen sense recognized that I didn't feel well. When we arrived home we cuddled on the couch, and as I drifted in and out of sleep he then played quietly on the floor. When I finally awoke he was sitting in front of me holding a roll of paper in one hand and water colors in the other. Poor thing just wanted to play. So as I sat on the floor nursing Addy, Brecken painted away, jabbering in his own language, occasionally laughing at a joke only he understood.

His curiosity for creating was mesmerizing to watch--his tiny fingers trying to paint as carefully as possible all the while as his chicken legs bounced up and down with glee. It was one of those moments I wanted to capture in time, freezing each frame so that one day when it's rainy and dreary I can open it up to bring in some brightness. 

How serendipitous that of all days I should have also come across this quote.

 "You will never have this day with your children again. 

Tomorrow, they'll be a little older than they were today. 

This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. 

Smell and touch them; study their face and little feet and pay attention.

Relish the charms of the present. 

enjoy today, mama. it will be over before you know it." 

-jen hatmaker.

Labor Day.

There is something to be said about long weekends. The extra day the hops on the back of Sunday provides a sense of rejuvenation. It's a day spent ignoring the obvious--like hair brushing and looking at the clock. Not that I really brush my hair on other days of the week... Labor Day, always seem to be a great reminder of the changing seasons and the welcoming arrival of knee-high wool socks, riding boots, hot chocolate, and the crackle n' crunch of leaves on the ground. The crisp bite to the air that made a surprising arrival this past week brought with it a final farewell to summer nights too. 

As a last jubilee in honor of summer we ate at our favorite restaurant in Bozeman, shopped for fall necessities, went to the blessing of our friends' baby, and had a final BBQ. Oh, summer how you will be missed. You brought us a new baby girl, a move to the country, and a summer full of wonderful travels and memories. Stay cool 'til next year dear friend.