Endings and New Beginnings

I am so sorry that I haven't posted in a long while.  We have been busy with Carmen and Stephen's graduations.  Finally have a moment to post some pictures of all of the events that have kept us occupied for the past several weeks.

First was Stephen's graduation.  He has attended Liza Jackson Preparatory School since Kindergarten.  This hit me emotionally far more than I realized it would.  Alex, and Nico have been consistent friends through middle school, and we are thankful for their friendships.  Stephen is going to be (hopefully) the Stylemarchers at Choctaw High next fall.  He has had a rough year, but survived, and we are all truly thankful.

Carmen graduated with Cum Laude Honors, National Honor Society, French Honor, International Baccalaureate program, Yearbook staff, Wheelettes Service Club, Indian Scholar, and Anne T. Mitchell Award recipient for 4 years.  Lots, that meant she worked hard (not really - she is really gifted in a lot of areas, which irritates me and Stephen.) and awarded for her work.

Carmen will be attending Auburn in the Fall, with some scholarships (Yeah!!).  We are transitioning this summer (I guess), and will be busy with getting her ready to be on her own.  

So, again, thank you for your patience.  I will be updating more now (hopefully), but haven't been cooking, let alone time for posting.

Have a great summer!! 
Blessings.

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Tory came for a visit last weekend.  She is a gluten-free girl, as is her sister Serenity.  She makes herself at home here, and I am truly thankful for that.  She normally makes peanut and chocolate chip cookies, but this weekend was shorter.  She likes Mexican type/flavored food, and we had some fiesta cheese, and corn tortillas.

I thought about doing a little something extra for her, so I came up with this:

I drained and rinsed a can of black beans, and corn.  

Added 1/2 chopped onion, and some red pepper.

Also added a little bit of cracked black pepper,

Added a little bit of garlic, and some lemon juice (to add a little freshness).

Tory ate on this all weekend, and she said she really enjoyed it.

Carmen made some fish tacos with it, and some of the leftover mackerel that we had.

Just a tortilla filler, but it turned it into something special.

Enjoy!

Spanish Mackerel & the Gulf

Stephen had the pleasure of going fishing with our friend Tommy and his son Larkin.  

They caught about 10 Spanish Mackerel's, and brought all of them home for us to eat.

 Tommy sent this picture via his phone, blurry, but still a good photo of the boys.

Tommy filleted the mackerels that they caught for us. 

We kept them cold until ready to cook that afternoon.

I rinsed them, and patted dry.

I used garlic infused oil, pepper, and lemon juice, and let marinate for about 1 hour.

I placed them on parchment paper on a baking sheet, and broiled for about 12 minutes.

The mackerel turned out moist, and really flavorful.

I served it with some sauteed kale and Pancetta.

It was really yummy.

Fresh fish is the best, especially from the Gulf.

Enjoy!!

Memory Verse #9

Yes, I missed #8, and to be honest, I won't go back to it. 

I am using Beth's this time.  It spoke volumes to me this week.

So...Memory Verse #9:

"Rely on the Lord!  Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 
The Net Version

I must say, that this version was the only one that used the wording "rely."  Most of the others used wait, and that is fine, but more fitting for me this week is rely.  To rely:  1. to be dependent (on) 2. to have trust or confidence (in).

I can rely on Him today, and tomorrow, for many things, for ALL things.  To be dependent upon Christ is easy, to have trust or confidence is easy as well.  Not in our brothers and sisters, they can help, but to rely on Christ, His strength, awesome.

Have a blessed week my loves.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann