Honey Nut Salmon

 You must try this recipe...it is so delicious and the bonus, you ask???  It is very easy to prepare!

 I purchased a salmon fillet and went on the search for a recipe and came up with this one, which happens to be Weight Watchers!

4-5 tablespoons of chopped almonds (you could use pecans)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/4 cup honey

Mix the above ingredients and place in a large Zip-Lock bag along with the salmon and allow to marinate for at least an hour

Remove salmon from bag and place on a greased, foil lined pan

Save the marinade for basting

Place salmon in preheated 425 degree oven and set the timer for 5 minutes...pour half the marinade over salmon and return to oven for another 5 minutes.  Pour remaining marinade over salmon and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and season as desired...I used freshly ground pepper, chopped chives fresh from the garden, a little dill, and some lemon rind.

Do enjoy~
Linking to:
 http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2012/05/summertime-blooms-with-linking-party.html

 The first three pictures were taken on Friday evening, May 4th, 2012. 

 The evening was beautiful and clear, perfect for viewing the bright moon.

 The remaining two photo's were taken on Saturday evening, May 5th...the sky was partly cloudy but oh my, the moon was spectacular!

 As I have mentioned before we live in a wooded area and seldom have any noise at night...other than coyotes...but this particular evening there was rap music playing quite loudly in the vicinity...should have been a bit more serene!
Hope you all were able to take in this awesome sight in the evening sky...how blessed we are!

Poke Cupcakes/Cook For The Cure

 The decision was made with a few questions in mind of the treat I would share on the Cook For The Cure plate...mentioned in an earlier post.

 Cupcakes in a jar was new to me but I decided to press ahead and I am pleased with the decision.

 Intimidated I was but please don't feel discouraged...cooking in glass jars is easy and the end result is pleasing to the palate and eye!

 Poke Cake:

1 box Classic White Cake Mix

Prepare according to box instructions

Fill 4 oz. glass canning jars a little over half full with batter and bake at temperature suggested for 18 minutes and check to see if they are done with a cake tester.

I didn't fill mine quite that full but would the next time.

Cool on a wire rack.

Poke Mixture:

1 small box jello (flavor of your choice)

Add one cup boiling water to the jello and dissolve thoroughly.  Then add one cup cold water and mix well.

With a fork, toothpick, or skewer in hand, start poking holes in the cupcakes.  

Pour jello over the cupcakes gently...you won't use all the jello.

Place cupcakes in fridge for at least three hours.

Frosting:

1 small box instant White Chocolate pudding mix

1 cup milk

1 container cool whip (medium size)

Mix the pudding with milk until completely smooth and thickened.  Now blend in the Cool Whip.

Using a piping bag and tip of your choice, pipe the tasty frosting on your cupcakes.

I made just twelve jars and then 12 cupcakes in liners.

The Cook For A Cure plate is pictured below...I lined it with a doily and then placed the jars on...but first I decorated the jars.  I used linen that I cut in strips and fringed a bit.  I wrapped the strips around each jar securing with double sided tape and then wrapped twine around and tied into a bow.  The finishing touch was...flower shaped buttons that I cut the shank off and then hot-glued onto the bow.

I am so excited to watch the journey of this plate...each time it changes hands, Kitchen Aid donates $5.00 to Susan G. Komen For The Cure!

Slug

 I just couldn't resist posting this...

We had a stormy day yesterday, with heavy rains, strong winds, lightning, thunder, and hail; forcing us to stay inside.  There was a break in the weather, so Maggie and I went out to get the mail and she spotted something...she said it's a slug Granny...eeewwww!  But she would have picked it up since she has a fascination with bugs and creatures.

I am not fond of slugs myself but I thought this one was unusually large...what do you think?

Turkey Vultures

 These pictures were taken through our kitchen window and are not very clear, nor do they do justice to the size of the turkey vultures.

 It has been about three years since I have seen any of these birds...there were three in this grouping going from tree to tree just looking for their dinner.

 I was taking my Mom home the other day and sure wish I would have had my phone or camera with me...there in her yard was a vulture snacking on an expired opossum...gross for sure!

 We never know what is lurking around our neck of the woods...thankfully I have not been up close and personal with the bear that has been spotted locally.

Papa Cardinal

 We have a burning bush by the living room window that the birds seem to love, especially the cardinals and chickadees.

 It is so calming and peaceful to watch the polite chickadees take just one sunflower seed from the birdfeeder and fly back to the safety of the bush and munch away.

The cardinals are so beautiful and they always announce their arrival with singing!

How blessed we are to witness nature right out our windows.

I think I spotted a hummingbird a couple days ago so better get the feeder out so we can enjoy them also!

Mango Lassi

 Happy May Day!

 This is the perfect start to celebrate May Day!  And besides that the local grocery store had mango's priced at 10/$10.00 this past week. 

 Mango Lassi:

1 cup plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1 cup chopped Mango

2-4 tablespoons sugar

Whipped Cream, optional

Cardamom or Nutmeg 

Fresh Mint

Place yogurt, milk, mango, and sugar in a blender and mix very well.

Pour into desired glasses and have fun garnishing with whipped cream and whatever else you desire.  Cardamom is quite expensive and nutmeg will do in a pinch.

I have a lot of mint right out the front door so didn't have to go shopping for that...so handy!

Hope you enjoy this taste treat along with May Day!  

Happy Birthday, Pastor Jim!