Buttery Salmon

I don't do this very often...
as a matter of fact I have never done this...
but since I have only had a blog for a few months
that's understandable,

anywhoo.....

I found this recipe that is soooo good,
I have to share it.

Now if I spend 4 hrs on a meal
I expect it to be spectacular.

But when I have a recipe
that only takes 5 minutes to prepare...
and 10 minutes to bake
I'm thrilled when it turns out perfectly delicious.

That's what kind of recipe this is.
It takes maybe 20 mins. from start to finish
and it's good enough for even the president...
well, lets say former president.
(We won't go any further with this topic of conversation!)

I got this recipe from Mark Bittman.
He's my favorite chef of the hour.
(I say this cause I change often)

If you don't have his book,
"How to Cook Everything"
you seriously need to get it.

It's a serious cookbook.

I'm not gonna write the whole recipe out...
just gonna explain how to do it. Super easy!


Salmon Roasted in Butter

Turn oven to 475 degrees.

Put 4T of butter in roasting pan
and put it in the oven while it preheats.

Take your salmon and salt and pepper it good.

Take the pan out of the oven after the butter has melted.

Put salmon in the pan flesh side down.

Put in oven for 5 mins.

Turn salmon over and add whatever fresh herbs
you love. I added thyme and chives.

You can even add some freshly ground Parmesan cheese
if you like.

Put it back in the oven for 3 - 6 mins.
depending on the thickness of your salmon.

Take it out and enjoy.
So simple and easy and rich!

Enjoy!

My Father's Child

The Lord showed me something today:

"But love ye your enemies,
and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;
and your reward shall be great,
and ye shall be the children of the Highest:
for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful,
as your Father also is merciful."

So, when people dont treat me right...
I should treat them with love and do right to them.
And I already knew that, of course...
What Christian doesn't know that?
But oftimes, there isn't a lot of motivation on my part.

But what He really showed me
was the next part:

If I act like that, people will begin to say,
"She's acting like her Father."

That's what I want, more than anything.
To be like my Father!

Shopping?

We went into town yesterday for my Mom's Birthday dinner.















There's my weird family - Mom, middle right.

Since we got into town early
we figured we would do a little shopping.

There were 3 men in my car -
So, this is their idea of shopping...



















This is my idea of shopping...




















Their idea...




















My idea...
















Get the picture?

Not that I don't enjoy an occasional stroll
through the hunting stuff...

But it's always the same.

They head over to the ammo...

I check out all the shoes I can't afford...

I go see if they are done...
still checking out the ammo.

Then I go look at all the sports clothes
...I can't afford...

Go over to see if they are done...
Still checking out the ammo.

So, I go check out the pistols
...all of which I can't afford...

I see the guys baseball caps
jutting up above the ammo aisle.
Well, Aaron's is jutting
I take it on faith Russell is over there with him
considering he really isn't tall enough to jut.
(Is that a word?)

I wander over to the shotguns...
Looking for the one I want...
...that I'll never be able to afford...

I wander over to the ammo aisle
and they are still over there discussing ammo!
Rows and rows of little boxes all different colors
Vying for their attention.
What on earth could they possibly find to talk
about for 30 minutes over the ammo boxes?

Then.............................

We leave without buying any ammo!

Whatever...

City Mouse/Country Mouse

So, the reason I call my blog "City Mouse, Country Mouse"
is because I have lived so many places in my life
and have enjoyed them all.

There are things I love about the City,
And there are things I love about
living in the country.

I love the desert,
the mountains,
and the ocean.

I live in the country now,
and love it.
I love having animals
and land
and room to breathe.

I love looking out my window and seeing
Sawtooth covered with snow.
When missionaries come they always say,
"Wow, you really got it tough here..."
The Lord has really blessed us
with a beautiful place to live.
And I'm very thankful for that.

I grew up in the city and have great memories of it.
Believe me, I know all the negatives.
But we were happy.
I had a great childhood
full of loving adults.

I love being able to run 2 blocks down
and get milk.
(I am now 45 mins from milk, and
if I can't have my milk, I get very grumpy)
I love being downtown and seeing
the street musicians and putting
money in their hats along with a tract
and hopefully be able to tell them
about how wonderful Jesus Christ is.
I love the lights and all the weird people.

But I've learned...
it's not about the place.
It's not about where you live.
It's about being where you know God
wants you to be.

It's about finding joy in the blessings God gives you.
Not the blessings you work out for yourself.
We don't always get to live where we want
or do what we want to do.
Sometimes God takes us on a different path.
Sometimes He wants to see if you are
willing to put yourself last and Him first.

That's where true joy is!
Being where He wants you to be...
Doing what He wants you to do.

Give up what you love...
for what He loves.

The Wonder of Your Love

If I could be an artist,
I would paint you up in colors,
And my easel would be this ol' heart of mine.
Grey would be your garden place,
Silver tears upon your face,
And red would be the wonder of your love.

From a song by Pat Terry

Full House

My house is full!
Literally...

Since we have been home from Florida
my house has been full
one way or another.

Aaron is now home from college.
(YAY)
Alex and Lizzie moved here...
stayed here for a few days
(with 2 cats and 4 kittens)
My brother Blane stayed for a few days
(He cooks for his rent)
Adam and Heather come for an occasional slumber party...
Brother Lutrick was here for a week and a revival...
We had missionaries from Puerto Rico and Spain.
Not to mention a young guy who we all know
and love (who will remain unnamed),
who can't seem to remember where he lives.
And this has all been in one month!

So, now I have to make extra food...
Wash extra clothes...
Make and remake beds...
Vacuum constantly...
AND keep the cats away from each other
all at the same time.

So even though its lots of extra work...
I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love having those I love around me.

If my house was perfectly clean all the time...
It would mean there was no one around to mess it up.
I really like having an orderly and clean house
But I adore my family
and am so thankful for them
and that they are all around me.
And next year we will add a little girl to the group.

So if you come over and my house is a mess...
You'll know I'm happy to have a full house

And if I'm not happy...
It's because I don't have a reason for
a messy house...
I'm just lazy.

Louis L'Amour Blogs

You know that lady that made every recipe
in Julia Childs Cookbook...

Well, I've decided I'm going to do that also.
But instead of making Julia recipes...
I'm going to read all of my new
Louis L'Amour book collection
in order...one by one.
Then I'll blog what I especially
like about them.

Hondo is first.
I have technically already read that...
But since I am going to blog on this
I'll read them over and in order.

So when I'm done...
You'll know.

Dentist Office Conversation

"So, you're gonna have to have that wisdom tooth pulled."

"Why?"

"Well cause it could get food and bacteria in there.
Then you'll have to have it pulled."

"So, I should have it pulled because I might get a cavity
in there and then will have to have it pulled?"

"Yep."

"Well, how about we wait til that happens, and then
have it pulled."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hygenist to Dentist:

"2 and 3 Lingual"
(I'm guessing at this word.)

"Yes, I agree."

Is this some special Dentist language?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"We love it when you and Mr. Hoover come."

"You're so funny!"

Not really sure how to take that considering
we weren't trying to be funny.

Love

You know what I think people
don't realize?
You have to love people.

You don't have to make them be like you...
You don't have to be who they want you to be...
You don't always have to give them your opinion...
You just have to love them.

If people know you love them
they will listen to what you have to say.

No one was ever changed by
someone else's self righteousness.
Love is what changed the world.

"For God so loved the world..."

Boy Mommy/Girl Grammy

When I was pregnant with my first child
I was certain I was going to have a girl.
After all, my sister was a girl...
why would I have a boy?

When Adam was born
I was in shock.
I told Dr. Waldman,
"But, I don't know what to do with a boy!"

"You do the same things you do with a girl."
"But, I don't know what to do with his little thing
when I change his diaper???"
Panic welling within me!!!

So when I was pregnant with the second one
which, by the way, was ridiculously close to the first one,
after I was done crying...
(You'd have to have known Adam as a one year old!)
I knew it would be a girl.
After all, my sister was a girl...
and I had already had one boy.
Certainly I wouldn't have another one.

When Alex was born
I was a little less shocked.
Perhaps a little disappointed
that I didn't have a girl.
But he was healthy and happy,
and I was thankful for that.

When I got pregnant with the third child,
I did not even consider having a girl.
I just assumed it would be a boy.
All Hoovers are boys...
and mine are no different.

I love boys
and have since come to grips with the fact
that I was a boy Mommy.
And I'm good with that.

When my daughter-in-law first said she was pregnant
I told her she was gonna have a boy.
"Don't even expect a girl."
"It'll never happen."

There she is

But secretly inside, I was hoping beyond hope
for a girl.
I long to buy frilly, lacey dresses.
Pink...anythings!

Today we found out that Feather is gonna have a girl.

See ya later...
I'm going shopping!