The Rest of the Story ~ 10 New Things

Here are my "10 New Things To Do This Summer."

Inspiration came from this.

~ The Two of Us ~

1. Try 10 new recipes.

I've made 3 new dishes and this one is next.

2. Run a 5k a day.

3. Read the Gospels, working my way from John back to Matthew.

4. Take a cooking class.

5. Participate in a Women's Summer Bible Study.

I have taught these and facilitated studies in a church setting, but I have never participated in one in some one's home. Tonight is the first one. Update: It was great! Lots of cool women that I look forward to getting to know and the first video segment was by Kay Arthur, whose teaching style I truly enjoy. Of course, I cried when it came my turn to introduce myself and tell about my family. I have a wonderful husband and three great kids ~ one in Heaven. Today makes 6 months. Who wouldn't cry? I cry a lot these days. But I'm also very thankful that I laugh more than ever, too. God's gift to me in the midst of grief.

6. Run a 10k at midnight.
This is the one!

7. Paint a canvas.
I like this. The Thrifty Designer made it. (Scroll down her post to see her canvas.) Thanks, Thrifty Designer for responding to my email and pointing me in the right direction to copy you!

8. Make one of these. Update: I made it today! Mine is a vintage journal. It was trial and error. I'm going to do another one and do a better job!

                                              

                                                                           

9. Vlog once a week.

I hope I can achieve this. I'll need one of my kids or my husband to help me out.

10. ? Leave some white space for spontaneity.

Who knows what may come up this summer. I'm leaving some space for the unknown. Looks like I'm PLANNING to be spontaneous!

Just showing off my new dress that was a gift from my cousin, Joy. She is my longest best friend.

BFF

Ten Things

My daughter, Audra, and I were talking about a book she read in which the main character, June Parker, sets out to accomplish a list of 20 things. The twist is the list is not hers. It belongs to a new acquaintance, Marissa, whom she met at a Weight Watcher's meeting. Inspired by her 100 pound weight loss, June offers Marissa a ride home. There is a car accident and Marissa is killed. In an attempt to move past her guilt and honor the young woman, June vows to achieve each of Marissa's goals of

"20 Things To Do By My 25th Birthday."

Inspired by the story line, I decided to make a list of:

"10 New Things to do this Summer." I made my list in random order as I thought of things I would like to accomplish this summer.

#1 Try 10 new recipes.

I have already made 2 new recipes, one of which I am sharing here with you. This weekend I wanted something desserty to accompany the strawberries and cream I had on hand.

I decided upon crepes. I used Alton Brown's recipe but, as I usually do, I tweaked it a bit.

But first let's look at the fish tacos I am craving lately. I have made fish tacos in the past but I am trying to perfect it. So far, this is my best effort.

Grilled Tilapia ~ seasoned with McCormick Grill Mate's Seafood Rub, Old Bay and a squeeze of lime on each fillet.
Corn tortillas ~ fried in a bit of oil in a non-stick pan, just until they get to the beginning stages of crispy.
Slaw mix ~ (Trust me. With fish, it's better than lettuce.)
Sauce ~ 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream, shake of cumin, shake of red pepper, shake of onion powder, chopped cilantro, and a good squeeze of lime. I started with this and added more of everything for extra sauce.
Red onion ~ add to slaw mix
Cilantro ~ add to slaw mix
Lime ~ just squeeze away
Dress slaw with sauce. Make extra sauce 'cause it's just that good.
Corn tortilla, sauce, fish, slaw w/sauce, squeeze of lime. Make two at a time so you don't have to wait on your second one.

We ate this with a side of black bean and corn salad or salsa. Call it what you will. If you eat it with tortilla chips, it's salsa. As a side dish, it's salad. This is a recipe I got from my friend, Jen. It is my second new recipe for the summer. I'll ask Jen to share this recipe when I feature her in an upcoming blog post. 8 more to go!

Crepe~tastic!

Go here for Alton Brown's Crepe Recipe

My tweak: I used buttermilk in place of "milk." I always figure if "milk" is good, "buttermilk is better."

I filled the crepes with: cream cheese, powdered sugar and a good squeeze of lime. Lay crepe flat, spoon the cream cheese mixture down the middle, a line of whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Roll crepe and dust with powdered sugar. Top with more strawberries.

~A Bonus dish for Tasty Tuesday~

Blueberry Cobbler

Preheat oven to 350*
Put a stick of butter in your big cast iron skillet.

Let it melt in the oven while you do this:

Mix 1 cup of self-rising flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of milk (I use buttermilk.)

When butter is melted, gently pour batter into skillet. Add your fruit of choice to the batter.

DO NOT STIR.

I used frozen blueberries dusted with a bit of extra sugar.

Bake until golden brown...about 30 minutes.
Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Go HERE for more Tasty Tuesday recipes!

An Elaboration & A Bonus 5

I feel the need to elaborate on parts of my list of 10 Things You Didn't Know About Me. Elaboration in red...

#1 I was born in Louisiana and have lived in 10 states or more. (I've lost count.) While my dad was born and raised in the same town in LA I was born in, I actually never lived there. My parents were living in Arkansas and my mother went to stay with her MIL to have me. I have, however, lived in these southern states: MS, GA, TN. I have also lived out east, way out west and in the middle of the map. Florida has been our home for the past 18 years.
#2 While a college student, I got lost in Romania and asked for directions in French. That impressed the 2 guys I was lost with! Hey - I impressed myself! I was a member of a touring choir called The Lee Singers. One summer we went to Russia and Romania. My guy pals and I got lost from the hotel our group was staying in. My college French classes came in handy that day since the Romanian policeman spoke French. "Pardon, monsieur. Je cherche l'hotel ________, s'il vous plait."

#3 I drove a rental car in Italy; I prayed a lot in Italy.

My husband was taking a business trip to Italy during the month of our 20th anniversary. Using sky miles, I accompanied him. Since he was only free during the evenings and a weekend, it was either drive the rental car or be stuck in a hotel all day long! Our hotel was not in the heart of a city so there was no walking to see the sites. Only driving. I prayed. I drove. I ate gelato. I'm pretty sure I got the Italian "finger" at least once. Prego!

#4 I attended a seminary; I prayed a lot in seminary.

I love God's Word. I love to teach. I am motivated to help people live their best lives. My classes centered around counseling.

#5 Two of my very best friends and I have communications degrees from the same university. (Birds of a feather...)
#6 I enjoy cooking but put off the dish washing, hoping someone else will do that part. (Sometimes someone else does.)

#7 The first time I saw my husband to be, I was in the choir loft and he was sitting with another woman. I thought to myself, "Stinkin' on it! Gina gets all the good looking guys!" Turned out they were just "friends." (Stinkin' on it...must be a Louisiana term.) "Stinkin' on it." Make sure you pronounce the word "on" like this "own." This may, in fact, be a Mississippi saying as my mother is from MS. Or maybe it was just a term we used in our family of 5!
#8 The last time I attended the opera, I had a secret desire to jump on stage and belt out, "O Mio Babbino Caro."
The last time I attended the opera, my 11 yr. old was not born yet! It may have been the 2nd time I ever attended the opera. While I did want to jump up and sing "O Mio Babbino Caro," I no longer sing the Italian arias that I rehearsed during voice classes. When I sing solos now it is likely to be a Yolanda Adams, Cece Winans or Vicki Yohe song. One of my favorite from Yolanda Adams is "Let Us Worship" and a favorite of CeCe Winans is "Jesus, You're Beautiful." Vicki Yohe's "I Just Want You" is one I love to sing, too.
#9 I started off as a voice major. (Now #8 makes sense!)

#10 The summer after I graduated from college, I interviewed a pilot for a local cable news show and he let me fly w/him and "steer" the plane.

Bonus 5 - I have homeschooled for 15 years. I teach in a Christian school part time. I am a homebody. I appreciate textiles. I organize my thoughts but my desk is a mess.

Ten Things You Didn't Know (about me)

#1 I was born in Louisiana and have lived in 10 states or more. (I've lost count.)

#2 While a college student, I got lost in Romania and asked for directions in French. That impressed the 2 guys I was lost with! Hey - I impressed myself!

#3 I drove a rental car in Italy; I prayed a lot in Italy.

#4 I attended a seminary; I prayed a lot in seminary.

#5 Two of my very best friends and I have communications degrees from the same university. (Birds of a feather...)

#6 I enjoy cooking but put off the dish washing, hoping someone else will do that part. (Sometimes someone else does.)

#7 The first time I saw my husband to be, I was in the choir loft and he was sitting with another woman. I thought to myself, "Stinkin' on it! Gina gets all the good looking guys!" Turned out they were just "friends." (Stinkin' on it...must be a Louisiana term.)

#8 The last time I attended the opera, I had a secret desire to jump on stage and belt out, "O Mio Babbino Caro."

#9 I started off as a voice major. (Now #8 makes sense!)

#10 The summer after I graduated from college, I interviewed a pilot for a local cable news show and he let me fly w/him and "steer" the plane.

So, do we have anything in common? Do Tell!

Check out the latest Kitchen Kudos recipe in the sidebar.

Banana Muffins with toasted pecans & dark chocolate chips