Random February

Photos that didn't make their way into any other posts this month. 

Friday, February 3, 2023

This was the screen saver on Deb's TV at book club this evening.  LOVED it!  It was just perfect and set the tone for our group perfectly.  :D

Sunday, February 5, 2023

I enjoyed a little bit of puzzle time.  This one is eeBoo Piece and Love Marrakesh.  If you like puzzles I have a blog where I keep track of the puzzles I have completed.  (It is currently WAY behind, but I plan to get it caught up this spring.) 

We ordered beef from our wonderful neighbors, the P family.  You should, too!

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Jonathan attended the Ag Rho Brother's Dinner at the house.  He was to dress in a suit jacket and tie so he borrowed one of Marvin's.  Turns out he has again changed and none of his dress clothes fit.  Not even his suit he got for Mama's funeral.  Looks like he needs to go shopping.  Of course I had to take photos - he looked so nice.  

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Dear Edwina came for a visit - we were so glad!  

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

I got my new Instant Pot grill/air fryer.  Jury is still out.  It isn't the greatest air fryer, but I really like the grill feature.  Grilled steaks on it this night.  They turned out pretty well.  

this photo shows the nice grill marks

February 16, 2023

Daddy went to his dermatology appointment.  Dr. C asked one of his residents to take this photo of he and Daddy.  I love that!  Very nice photo - and glad we got a copy.  :) 

Jonathan noticed we had some snow geese and regular geese out in Newman's field.  Haven't seen them much lately - and I love seeing them!  There weren't many this time but I was glad to get a glimpse. 

Okay, this made me so happy!  STILL does!  Marvin and I spent all day Thursday (didn't have Mav because Brianna's school was canceled due to weather) organizing and rearranging parts of the utility room and the pantry and kitchen.  And even some in the mud room!  Wow!  It all worked out so well and we got SO much done!  We took every item off all these shelves and out of the whole pantry.  We sorted and tossed outdated items, put some things in the donate pile, and the organized and put the rest back.  I finally used those canned goods racks I had ordered and they work beautifully!  Oh, I wish I had taken a before photo.  That would make this all way more impressive!  Ha!  I find myself walking into the utility room to gaze at this beauty!  Everything has a place and everything IN its place!  Hallelujah!

I completely moved locations on some of this stuff... and I like the new locations really well. 

I LOVE these canned goods organizers!

I love these fabric bin organizers. 
These are the half size.

There is a full size fabric bin organizer on the bottom shelf. 
I use these throughout the house. 

another fabric bin organizer on that top shelf

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Jackson was able to get some cows and they are now in the cattle pens at his place.  Plans have had to change a bit for Jackson and I am so proud of how he is determined to make the best of it.  They sure look nice, don't they?

Friday, February 24, 2023

guys filling the seeder so Jackson can spread seeds
in the fields and around the barns

Monday, February 27, 2023

Julie found this crawdad at the mailbox... ugh.
I only like seeing these (boiled hot!) in SW Louisiana!  :D 

February Puzzles

Preview of puzzles from the month of February 2023 - see more detail at Puzzles, Books and More blog...

Puzzle #9 of 2023

Finished February 7, 2023

eeBoo Piece and Love Marrakesh - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #10 of 2023

Finished on February 9, 2023

Falcon Corner Shops The Hairdresser - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #11 of 2023

Finished on February 9, 2023

Bits & Pieces Pioneer Puzzlers - 300 pieces

Puzzle #12 of 2023

Finished on February 10, 2023

MasterPieces Heartland Oceanside Trolley - 550 pieces

Puzzle #13 of 2023

Finished on February 11, 2023

Vermont Christmas Company Venice Cafe - 550 pieces

Puzzle #14 of 2023

Finished on February 12, 2023

Falcon Corner Shops The Toy Store - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #15 of 2023

Finished February 15, 2023

Falcon Greetings from Scotland - 1000 pieces 

Puzzle #16 of 2023

Finished February 19, 2023

Bits & Pieces Marvelous Garden - 500 pieces

Puzzle #17 of 2023

Finished February 28, 2023

Ravensburger Scenic Overlook - 500 pieces

Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

February 2023

This slaw is a must with both the Shrimp Tacos with Lime Sweet Chili Sauce and the Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema.  I serve all three of these recipes together and think you will want to as well!  (and don't forget to get a can of mexicorn to dollop on top!)

Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

3 Tbsp. lime juice

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. sugar or splenda (I used 2 splenda packets)

1½ Tbsp. rice vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

⅓ cup chopped green onion (can use a few shakes of minced onion if you have to)

⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro (can use a few shakes of parsley if you have to)

8 oz. coleslaw mix (green cabbage and carrots)

4 oz. shredded purple cabbage

(Note - I just used a regular bag of coleslaw mix in place of the last two ingredients)

Add the coleslaw mix, cilantro and green onions into medium size bowl.  In a small bowl, add lime juice, olive, oil, sugar/splenda, rice vinegar, salt and pepper and mix together.  Pour dressing over slaw mixture, stir well.  You may serve immediately or put in the fridge to chill. 

You can see this slaw on the Shrimp Tacos with Lime Sweet Chili Sauce

You can see this slaw on the Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema

Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema

February 2023

These were soooooo good!  I made them alongside Shrimp Tacos with Lime Sweet Chili Sauce and Cilantro Lime coleslaw and you will want to make them altogether, too!!  Also note, this avocado crema is incredible as a dip for tortilla chips and veggies (or to just eat with a spoon directly from the bowl!)  Ha!

Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema

Fish filets of your choice (we used breaded this time but will also use non-breaded)

can of mexicorn 

Cilantro Lime coleslaw (see recipe here)

corn tortillas or fajita sized soft flour tortillas

For the Avocado Crema

1 avocado

¾ - 1 cup Crema (you can use plain greek yogurt but the crema (table cream) makes it over the top delicious!)

⅓ cup cilantro

juice of one lime (more to taste if you like)

a couple cloves of garlic (more or less to taste)

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1-2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar (to taste)

salt and pepper to taste

a couple dashes of hot sauce (optional)

Cook the fish accordingly (I air fried our breaded fish filets).  In a food processor add the avocado, crema, cilantro, juice of lime, garlic cloves, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Pulse several time to thoroughly combine ingredients and make it the creamy texture. This is where you can add more ingredients, including the hot sauce, if you like. Taste and adjust as you like. This sauce is fairly thick, but if you want it thinner you may add more of the crema, vinegar, lime juice or even a teaspoon of water. 

To assemble the tacos, layer the tortilla with avocado crema, fish, cilantro lime coleslaw, and mexicorn.  

I will say that this avocado crema is one that you can add things to and just taste as you go to see if you want more of any one ingredient.  You can bring the flavor up or down by adding ingredients.  If you are marinating your unbranded fish, you may want to bring the flavor down to showcase your marinade.  If you are using breaded fish filets, you will want to bring the flavor up a bit.  So just play around with it.  

Shrimp Tacos with Lime Sweet Chili Sauce

February 2023

Oh my goodness... these were soooooo good!  And I made them alongside the Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Lime coleslaw.  Yes, you should make ALL these recipes together!

Shrimp Tacos with Lime Sweet Chili Sauce

18 oz. SeaPak popcorn shrimp

**6 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce**

3 Tbsp. Crema (you can also use sour cream if you prefer)

squeeze of lime

fajita sized soft tortillas

2 cups Cilantro Lime Coleslaw (see recipe here)

1 can Mexicorn (optional but oh so good!)

Cotija cheese (optional for topping)

**Note - you can substitute the following for the sweet chili sauce if you need to.

6 Tbsp. hoisin sauce mixed with 1½ Tbsp. rice vinegar and a few shakes of red pepper flakes**

Cook the popcorn shrimp according to the package directions - I air fried ours.  In a small mixing bowl, combine the sweet chili sauce, crema and a squeeze of lime juice.  Stir well until combined.  To assemble the tacos, place cooked popcorn shrimp on the tortilla, add ⅓ cup cilantro lime coleslaw (see recipe), add a spoonful (or two!) of the mexicorn and drizzle with the sweet chili sauce.  Serve immediately!

This photo shows both the sweet chili lime sauce and also the avocado crema which
we served with the fish tacos.  But both sauces work on both types of tacos...

A lovely Sunday

Sunday, February 26, 2023

A lovely Sunday, indeed!

After church (great sermon, as always) we headed to Daddy's house to get tables set up for an early lunch.  We gathered around 11:00 am in order to get Anna and Matthew on the road for home sooner than later.  Storms were coming in down there later in the evening and we wanted them safely home before they hit.  It worked out just fine.  Julie picked up MiCasa and brought it out.  Brenda was even able to join us - which was wonderful.  

Mav was showing his muscles.  Conversation was flying around the table and I think this was Mav's adorable way of trying to get in on it!  :)  

Matthew was telling about how his new school, Hickman High School, (starting next fall) has Kewpies (or naked babies!) as their mascot.  SO many questions arise from that!  :D  Mav piped up that it should be "Go Dog Go".  Good idea, Mav!  :D  

Uncle Jonathan helped Mav get the
2 Yoda's off Grandpa Jack's shelf

Maverick, Jonathan, Marvin, Hannah, Jackson, Brianna,
Daddy, Brenda, Anna, Julie, Matthew

Maverick, Laura, Marvin, Hannah, Jackson, Brianna,
Daddy, Brenda, Anna, Julie, Matthew

It will be SO NICE when we get to see these two more often. 
So glad they are moving closer to home. 

I know Julie is glad, too!  :) 

Okay, this is adorable!  Megan does videos for Lerner Books, the company she works for.  I looked it up and there is another one that is soooooo cute and fun!  Oh, that Megan.  I just love her so much!   (I am embedding a couple of her videos at the bottom of this post - so cute!)

Daddy, Anna, Brenda

Daddy and Brianna - she has entered her 3rd trimester!
We will meet our new little grandson in less than 3 months!

Daddy with Hannah, Brianna and Anna

Jackson, Jonathan, Matthew, Hannah, Maverick, Brianna
Daddy, Anna

Mav was going to kiss the top of Grandpa Jack's head.  :D

Later in the afternoon, Lora came to visit her horses.  I was able to walk out and actually visit with her this time!  She is at the very beginning stage of starting to build her house.  So exciting!  Happy she is back in town! 

Later on in the evening there were a lot of tornadoes down in OK.  They came really close to both Kerry and Candace's house and also Rachel and Stephen's house.  Thankfully all were okay, but there is quite a bit of damage down there and close by.  And there were some pretty tense moments.  Susanna, Korin and Candace in their underground shelter (Kerry took the photo).  Rachel and Stephen were huddle in an interior closet.  Pretty scary.  :(  Thankful they are all okay. 

 

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