Welcome to April...April 9th, that is.
I'm lazing on my postings for the Cruelest Month; and let me tell you, if we're speaking weather-wise, April has been somewhat cruel. With all of the warmth and sun, I thought Spring good times were just around the corner, but April is a prankster! We've had lots of April Showers intermixed with moments of hot, clear skies and cascades of hail. Were this Iowa, I'd be waiting for the sirens and heading to the basement. I am sure this will even out soon and we'll be back in that Northwest I love.
♥
The countdown continues as Nathan now has only 6 school days left! (two 3-day weeks) The end of the school year is such an itching feeling, I remember. Spring/Summer is on the horizon and all you want is to have that warm, carefree day now. Keep going, Nathan, you're so almost there!
Since this is the first completely clear day we've had in a while, I walked downtown to have coffee with a friend and took some photos on the way back. Experimenting with my camera settings....it seems like my photos are a bit grainy, which I find confusing, especially in white light outdoor shots. Sometimes I like the effect on the colors and texture, an aged or vintage kind of look. Even somewhat painterly...?* What do you think?
♥
The countdown continues as Nathan now has only 6 school days left! (two 3-day weeks) The end of the school year is such an itching feeling, I remember. Spring/Summer is on the horizon and all you want is to have that warm, carefree day now. Keep going, Nathan, you're so almost there!
Since this is the first completely clear day we've had in a while, I walked downtown to have coffee with a friend and took some photos on the way back. Experimenting with my camera settings....it seems like my photos are a bit grainy, which I find confusing, especially in white light outdoor shots. Sometimes I like the effect on the colors and texture, an aged or vintage kind of look. Even somewhat painterly...?* What do you think?
(I live in a very charming place, don't I? If only this was my street.)
(This dash of olive green treeline between blues reminds me of a painting.)
*The close-up photo of the flowers I posted at the very top looks to me like wallpaper...those blush pinks and sepia tones are so lovely...the same colors I am seeing in Spring Fashion lookbooks!
And lastly, I bring you: Wednesday evening dinner.
I can't decide if this looks appetizing or disgusting, but I can tell you it was delicious.
*Baked salmon in a spice broth over wild rice*
Adapted from the Baked fish recipe from 5 Spices, 50 Dishes
1.5 lbs fish
1.2 tsp coriander seeds (I used ground)
3 T canola oil
3 large shallots (I used yellow onion)
1/4 tsp grated fresh ginger (substituted powdered)
1 clove grated garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 C water
1/2 tsp salt
1 roma tomato, chopped
Preheat oven to 350°
Cut fish into 3" pieces.
Toast coriander seeds over low heat, cool, and grind.
*I used ground and threw it in with the rest, below.
Heat oil over med heat, add shallots, stir til golden.
Add ginger, garlic and cayenne, stirring constantly.
Add water, salt and coriander, bring to boil.
Place fish in single layer in casserole dish (I used our dutch oven!) and top with tomatoes. I also used some zucchini. Pour spicy broth on top and bake until fish is cooked, 10-15 minutes.
I served ours over delicious wild rice.
Yum!
3 comments:
Love the spring time pictures! Makes me even more excited to come and see it in person. :) Soon, I tell you! Less than 3 weeks!!!
That salmon dish looks interesting, but sounds yummy! I'll have to give it a try one of these days.
You'll be proud of me - I bought some tofu for the first time and am going to cube it up, marinate it in olive oil, garlic, s & p, and bake it. The iowagirleats.com foodie blog makes a couple of variations and she and her husband are hooked - I can't wait to try it out!
Have a great weekend. Hopefully your weather stays clear and not so cruel. :)
I want to be there with you, walking beneath those lovely pink blossoms! I can't complain: the Iowa weather has been lovely so far. The perennials are poking out, wondering if it's safe to emerge. I still recall a spring a few years ago when we had an ice/snow storm that ruined the budding lilac bushes, so no lilacs that year.
What a great adventuresome salmon dish--good job!
Love, MOM
Shelene- haha, 'interesting' is a kind word...it looks weird! But I swear it was tasty. I hope you had good luck with the tofu! It can be hard to do well (still working on that myself) and even then it's an acquired taste. A good protein alternative though!
Mom- There were daffodils here, but a crazy storm wiped a lot of them out. I hope the lilacs and lilies of the valley bloom there for you!
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