The Newman's: August 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

Mallard and Mrs. Quackles

Every morning on my way to work I pass a quaint little pond with ducks usually afloat, enjoying the summer sun. When Nate was driving me to work in the morning's we began to become very familiar with each duck, and their little quirks. I LOVE ducks. The way they waddle, the way they dip their head into the pond and disappear, the way they look when they drink the water (funny lookin' tongues, but mostly I looove their feet. They really just do it for me. So in passing, we noticed that two of these ducks were ALWAYS with each other. Smitten! In love! Never seperated for even a moment! I saw them trekking down the road together, sleeping side by side, and beginning a new adventure every day. So Nate and I grew rather fond of these duckies. It was inspiring to our own relationship :) Well atleast for me it was. So we named them. Mallard and Mrs. Quackles. Mrs. Quackles is much....~~fatter~~ bigger than Mallard, but we like it that way. Their love is unconditional regardless of outer appearances, and they make a darling duck duo! The problem now, is that for the past week I have looked and looked for the young couple far and wide, and I cannot seem to find them! It makes my mind run wild at the thought that something may have happened to them! Like perhaps one was hit by a car and the other died of a broken heart....or maybe they were being threatened by someone or something so they packed up their nap-sacks and skeedaddled. I hate to think I won't be seeing them every morning, so I won't give up hope. I've decided to post this message around the pond and Salt Lake Valley....

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE DUCKS?

Mallard (Pictured Left) and the Mrs. Quackles (Right) have gone MISSING.

Should Anyone find these said Ducks, please CONTACT: LINDSEY NEWMAN at the DUCK HOTLINE 1-800-QUACK, AND BRING THEM HOME!! Should these ducks act in any way hungry... ~~DON'T~~ FEED THEM! They are probably starving the poor dears. But NOTE: THEY HATE DORITOS, CHEETOS, AND DO NOT APPRECIATE THEIR BREAD SATURATED WITH PEANUT BUTTER (not good for the beak...) SO PLAIN OLD BREAD AND THE OCCASSIONAL WHEAT THIN WILL SUFFICE. (But don't offend the Mrs. by calling it a wheat THIN...just go with "wheatie". She's already self concious about being the plumper of the two.

We are waiting to hear any good news!! FIND MY DUCKIES!!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Daddy's Alaskan Halibut

My dad and brothers just recently went to Alaska on a fishing trip. They LOVED it, but so did the rest of us, because as they journeyed home to the land of little fish, they brought with them 370 lbs of fish. It even warranted a large new freezer to hold all of it! Beautiful Salmon, and my new favorite- halibut. Probably one of the uglier fish I've seen, but just like you can't judge a book by its cover, you likewise can't judge the taste of a fish based on it's overgrown, flat faced, mucky brown, crazy-eyed exterior.

It's eyes unfortunately migrate to the same side of it's head so the poor guys look like crazies.. tasty right?

Not only was this fishy fun for my pa and brothers to catch (they caught a 70 some odd pounder and he put up a fight!) but this fish is a culinary treat, as it can be cooked in a million different ways. I first tried it when my daddy made a parmesan crusted halibut. So when he sent me home with some halibut fillets, I decided to get creative. How often do you have fresh straight from alaska halibut goodness just sitting in your freezer? Not so often. So first I made a lemon seared halibut crusted in breadcrumb and butter. Divine. But tonight, Nate and I are certain was truly...a feat.

Halibut Tacos

Ingredients: Puree

1 bunch cilantro
juice from 5 limes
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 2 Tablespoons for cooking
1 small white onion
2 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno
1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon paprika

Fish:

salt
pepper
2 pounds halibut
1/2 cup white wine

To Serve:

corn tortillas
salsa
avocado
sour cream
limes
cilantro

I found this recipe while browsing ways I could creatively cook our halibut, and it is truly SUBLIME. Here's how it went...

Let's Get STARTED!!

First, organize your ingredients nicely so they look pretty in a picture.

Then, blend together all the ingredients listed in the puree in a blender

Cilantro makes for some excellent photography moments..

Blend your saucey!

Meanwhile, Nate and I made cilantro rice in our rice cooker. Just plain old water, rice, and a little cilantro for flavor.

Take your gorgeous halibut fillet.... and CHOP IT!

Start to brown the fish in olive oil, then add the white cooking wine (the very little alcohol always cooks out...we're not trying to make anyone tipsy)

Let the fish get nice and white!

Once the fish is cooked, add the puree and let it sit and simmer in its goodness!

Nate and Carter were on the edge of their seats!

Then Carter got hungry so I put Nathan to work :)

We like to use the small flour tortilla shells you have to heat on the stove, for added authenticity!

SO. Combine fish goodness with cilantro rice on a shell and top it with whatever you like!

We used tomato, avocado, and lettuce. We didn't feel like it even needed cheese or anything else!

I did add a little sour cream on mine to top it off, but Nate was certain that would ruin them.

This is Nate's "I can't even believe how seriously amazing this is" face. Really. He does it all the time. But this time, it was more intense..

Note the filled cheeks and sauce on the chin. That face of contentment right there- screams success.

We even took a couple up to Dan and Anna for another good review :) (we really wanted to show off our skills..) but they didn't answer.

So we ate theirs too!

Snooze ya lose, ya know.

Thank you daddy for going to Alaska, and being the provider of this deeeeeelicious dinner! We won't complain next time when you want to go again :) Muah!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Blessing Day!

Nathan and I blessed our baby boy on Sunday and it was SUCH a great experience! We were surrounded by family, a little crowded in our small apartment, but still ready to enjoy the spirit and stuff our faces. Carter was an angel and just stared up at his daddy and was obviously storing his first memory of all the beautiful words that were spoken. It was truly a great experience. My sister Karlie blessed her baby girl the same day but they live out of state. Carter and I were sad we couldn't all be together, so here are a few pictures for my sisters and family out of town, Pai who is concerned Carter can't remember her (yes he still knows you!), all of my good friends who are away, and for those that have not much better to do than look at blogs and cute photos (the category I belong in). Here is my handsome son all dressed up for the occasion!

Daddy with Carter on his big day!

He certainly isn't starving...

The shoes were just darling. And the buttons on the socks....I almost couldn't handle the cuteness.

Post-feeding face. A little drunk looking...

The rest are just Carter teasing the camera. We had SOOO much fun!!

What a little stud! Making all the righteous decisions so early in life :) I'm so proud!!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ode to the Man of My Dreams

It's hard for a girl to believe that she'll EVER find the perfect guy. Can it even be done? I know my qualifications were heavy...the man of MY dreams needed...