Thursday, September 01, 2022

A Beautiful Fall Day

Insert imaginary photo of darling daughters with steaming cups of drinks

The girls and I went out for our breakfast study. We are out of If:Table conversations and haven't started another study yet. I took other conversation cards, and we also discussed the fall schedule.  Allie and I will meet alone on Thursdays. Stacia and I will meet alone early Friday morning - we plant to hopefully be back before GG wakes up. We've enjoyed the past 2 months meeting together - but there is something precious about one-on-one time too. We'll probably mix it up this year. We'll see....but this is how we'll begin. 

We got home just as Arielle and the boys pulled up. They needed to get out of the house...and we are working at our place becoming a known and safe place for Little Buddy.  It was fun to see them. We played with playdough, visited loudly with GG, had snacks from Bachan's basket (z bars purchased for grands), the little guys perfected their duet and then they did many laps around the house. The went home tired and ready for naps. I hope. 
Little Buddy and Danny

At some point Danny wandered away from the keyboard. Little Buddy continued to play with me...and even snuggled in and took my hand to play. I felt it a personal win. 

Benny began running.... around and around they went.  Here are a few shots...

Run, Benny!

Danny & Benny

Sweet boys

Well, GG GOT his paper.... but it is still far too wet to read. I called and they'll credit him a day's paper. 

We had lunch. I visited with Nolan. GG went down for a nap. Michael ran to Spenard's and Lowes, the girls and I ran to get our eyebrows done, Alex got home from work as Nolan left for work and they transferred GG oversight...Yes, I do sometimes feel like those kids running around and around and getting nowhere fast...but expending lots of energy! LOL 

Photo to show eyebrows LOL 

When the girls were done with school - afternoon tea magically appeared on the table...tea and scones. It's time to bake some more tea treats for the freezer. It was POURING rain and we talked about hygge, embracing the season, how much the girls are enjoying their classes, and I bounced a few women's ministry ideas off of them. 

Allie went to work on chores, Nolan went to work, Stacia trained and played with Millie, Alex played video games, Michael installed an outside motion detection light, and I made Potato Cauliflower Cheese soup for dinner.  Mom Mary was right - candlelight really DOES make everything nicer. 

I think we'll either read a chapter from Inkheart or watch a video clip....we shall see.  Millie continues to pout about Stacia's divided attention this fall. I swear she's part human. 


Honey Mustard Salmon (Air Fryer)

Josiah sent a quick message one day shortly after fish camp 22.  It included a photo of a yummy looking piece of salmon....7 minutes in the air fryer.  WHAT? 

I knew I needed to try this...my doc would like me eating salmon at least 3x a week, red meat once a month and chicken the rest of the time. The rest of the family gets tired of salmon that often. I don't like to cook a huge batch and eat the same thing day after day...but if I can put one fillet in the air fryer and have it done in 7 - 10 minutes?  That's EASY to do when the family is eating something like pork loin or beef roast. LOL

The technique is simple. 

Pre-heat your air fryer by turning it on to 400 for 5 minutes if you don't have the pre-heat option. I don't. 

Turn heat to 390 degrees or leave at 400.  Recipes vary. 

Spray or brush a bit of olive oil on the fryer. 

Season fillet. 

Place skin side down and air fry for 7 - 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillet. (Josiah said his took 7 min, but OURS take 15 min or so being so much more massive than his salmon - evidently. ::snort::)  ::wink::  7 - 10 min. 

That's it. I've done it plain and with lemon and onions. I've sprinkled Old Bay on the salmon. I've brushed mayo and spices on it.  Tonight - I did this combo. 



INGREDIENTS

Salmon fillets (about a lb)

2 T honey

2 T Dijon Mustard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS

Combine sauce mixture.  (Either marinate in 2/3 of the sauce, or brush sauce on salmon)

Preheat fryer. 

Air Fry 7  - 10 min. 

If you chose to marinate, drizzle the remaining sauce on the salmon before you serve. I didn't marinate this time...just brushed it all on top and Michael and I really liked it.