Song of the Week

I was having a no good very bad day on Saturday, just one of those kinda days that come along from time to time. So I said, I'll go to bed early and hike all day tomorrow, maybe figure something out, find something I'm looking for. So I headed out to Squaw Peak in North Phoenix and hiked a 4-mile loop, the Freedom Trail. It was beautiful and I got a really good run in. I was feeling good but still felt like I was looking for something more. So on the way home I looped around to Scottsdale and decided to hike Camelback. I ran the trail back and reached the park by the time the sun was setting. Sodom, South Georgia came on and I watched the beautiful colors, the red rocks, and found what I was looking for... just a little love.

As Andrea is coming into town this week, I figured this was an appropriate song of the week. She and I are NIGHT and DAY when it comes to a lot of things, in fact most things, haha, and especially so if you are talking about our music tastes. But a few years ago we heard this song for the first time and both fell in love with it. It communicated something to both of us that I can't explain, it just is. So whenever I hear it, I think of my Annie and the bond we've shared over the years that somehow escapes words, it just is.

Just ONE more day until the cousins get here, I am beyond excited for some quality family time. I think it's just what I need right now.

Iron & Wine
Our Endless Numbered Days
"Sodom, South Georgia"
_____________________________

Papa died smiling
Wide as the ring of a bell.
Gone all star white
Small as a wish in a well.
And Sodom, South Georgia
Woke like a tree full of bees
Buried in Christmas
Bows and a blanket of weeds.

Papa died Sunday and I understood
All dead white boys say, "God is good"
White tongues hang out, "God is good."

Papa died while my
Girl Lady Edith was born.
Both heads fell like
Eyes on a crack in the door.
And Sodom, South Georgia
Slept on an acre of bones
Slept through Christmas
Slept like a bucket of snow.

Papa died Sunday and I understood
All dead white boys say, "God is good"
White tongues hang out, "God is good."

Recipe of the Week

Recipe: ❊Seared Salmon with Cilantro-Cucumber Salsa❊

It was a big night last night at the Griswold condo, with another Suns/Jazz rivalry on the line!!! Turns out I played my cards wisely and won both wagers at the table. Lunch from my boss today, and a relaxing drive to see Mason Jennings in Tuscon tonight. Who could ask for a better day than that? Oh, and passing two speed tests yesterday and one today didn't hurt either, yay! And on top of all those wonderful things is the giddy excitement building by the day in anticipation of the cousins arriving to AZ for Thanksgiving! Just one more week!

Last night to celebrate the sweeping victory of the Jazz, we put together a nice salmon dinner which made the evening complete. All of my favorite things - sulking boyfriend, delicious salmon, the Utah Jazz, smack talk from Nate Dawg - let's just say I ate it up :)

I hope you try out this recipe because it's delicious! We served the salmon with a side of wild rice and a spinach salad. Can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, halved lengthwise again and thinly sliced
crosswise
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
• 2 on-the-vine ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper (capsicum), seeded and cut into 1-inch julienne
• 1/4 of a red onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander), plus sprigs for garnish
• 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 salmon fillets, each 5 ounces and about 1-inch thick
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Lime wedges for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and chopped cilantro. Toss gently to mix. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the honey, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Pour the lime juice mixture over the cucumber mixture and toss gently to mix and coat evenly. Set aside.

Sprinkle the salmon fillets on both sides with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the fish to the pan and cook, turning once, until opaque throughout when tested with the tip of a knife, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

Transfer the salmon fillets to warmed individual plates and top each with 1/4 of the salsa. Garnish the plates with the cilantro sprigs and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE:

Calories 243 Monounsaturated fat 4 g
Protein 29 g Cholesterol 78 mg
Carbohydrate 6 g Sodium 654 mg
Total fat 11 g Fiber 1 g
Saturated fat 2 g

Happy Birthday Little Gavy!

Today is my little guy's birthday! I am very sad to be missing out on the party, and so now I'm just sitting here reflecting on life over the past 3 years.

I think back to the moment I found out Misty was pregnant... I can't say I was surprised by the text that started with... "you can't tell anyone..." because I knew they wanted to have a baby right away. I was at a different period in my life then, and I remember making a commitment in that very moment that I was going to build a new relationship with my sister and be involved in her pregnancy, her life, and let her into mine as well.

The next 9 months were so exciting. I remember sitting with her at the ultrasound and seeing this little squirming tadpole that was soon to be my nephew. We picked out baby clothes, went to water aerobics together, I threw a baby shower, we decorated the nursery together, and then just waited on the couch eating bean dip during that last month, anxious for this mysterious little guy to finally get here.


I ran out of work as soon as I heard Misty was in labor and got to the hospital about 5 minutes after he was born. He was so tiny, so perfect. I think for that entire first year I saw Gavin almost everyday. Misty & Nate & I lived just a few blocks away from each other, and I would stop by during my lunch break or after work and eat dinner with them and play with Gavin. I loved watching him fall asleep in my arms, seeing the peaceful look on his face. I started babysitting him every Saturday while Misty would go to work, and I even loved him when he screamed the entire 6 hours she was gone. When I left last year, I knew when I came back to visit that Gavin wouldn't know who I am, which was true. He doesn't remember Aunt Val, and probably won't have a concept of who I am for a while. But I will always remember the time I had with him and how special it was to me.

I get to see the family in a little over a month now, and I am so excited to give the boys a big hug and kiss. They may not remember me, but I will forever have those memories and know how much they impacted my life. I love you Gavin! You are a very special part of my life, and I think of you and Misty often!

My favorite picture <3

Song of the Week

"Winter"
Josh Radin
We Were Here, 2006
________________________________

I should know who I am by now,
I walk the record stand somehow,
Thinking of winter
Your name is the splinter inside me
While I wait

And I remember the sound
Of your November downtown,
And I remember the truth,
A warm December with you,
But I don't have to make this mistake,
And I don't have to stay this way
If only I would wake...

The walk has all been cleared by now
Your voice is all I hear somehow
Calling out winter
Your voice is the splinter inside me
While I wait

And I remember the sound
Of your November downtown,
And I remember the truth,
A warm December with you,
But I don't have to make this mistake,
And I don't have to stay this way
If only I would wake...

I could have lost myself
In rough blue waters in your eyes,
And I miss you still

Oh! I remember the sound
Of your November downtown,
And I remember the truth,
A warm December with you,
But I don't have to make this mistake,
And I don't have to stay this way
If only I would wake...