Greek Shrimp and Spaghetti Squash

Greek-Style Shrimp and Spaghetti Squash

1 spaghetti squash
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound watercress
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup crumbles feta cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts

1. Prick spaghetti squash with a fork and place in a large kettle. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. Drain and slice the squash in half. Remove the seeds and cool.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute crushed garlic cloves. Add peeled, cleaned shrimp, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add watercress, chopped tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and pine nuts. Stir until well heated, about 2 minutes.
3. Scrape the squash lengthwise to separate the strands. Pour the shrimp mixture over the squash to serve.

Makes 4 servings.

This is our new favorite meal, and oh so healthy and light. The spaghetti squash gives a bit of a crunch with the shrimp mixture. It is delicious. I used Spinach in place of the watercress. Watercress can be hard to find and may be a bit more bitter. This is must try especially of you like Greek food. Let me know how you like it!

Stats Are In

Evan had is 9 month check up on Monday. All is well and our little boy is growing strong and mighty. Here are the stats:

Weight: 18.5 pounds = 10%
Height: 29.25 inches = 70%
Head Circumference: 47 = 85%

So our baby continues to be LONG and LEAN with a big Lucas head. I asked about his low percentage of weight and the doctor had no worries. He said that at this age is when they really start looking at the parents as genes will kick in and the child will start taking after the parents. So if Mama and Daddy are thin, they expect the baby to be as well. We had no shots this time, only a finger prick, in which Evan looked at nurse Judy like "Are you for real? What the heck was that?" No crying just a look of confusion. As Dr. Davey and I chatted, Evan enjoyed ripping up the paper bed liner only eating a few bites of it as well as the cotton ball used on his finger. Good times. Now we start introducing more finger foods and start weaning off all pureed foods. Exciting for Evan, a little sad for Mama. I so enjoy making Evan's food I'm not quite ready to quit. He's growing so darn fast 1 Year is right around the corner. GASP!

Apricots = Yummy Goodness

I love making Evan's food. It gives me so much joy to prepare yummy food for him and see all the vibrant colors homemade food creates. Making baby food is so easy and fun too. All you need is a food processor or blender, a 1/2 hour of your day, and some love.

These apricots came from the Lucas farm. We were down there for a family picnic and saw that the tree was full and ripe. My eyes lit up thinking of all the yummy food I could make for Evan, for free!
I washed and pitted them. Then layed them out skin side up on a baking sheet with about an inch of water, and baked them till the skins were golden.
Then it was time to peel off the skin and plop them into the food processor. A few spins and lovely puree was created.
I save the plastic containers that store bought food is in and reuse them for my own food. My neighbor has been kind enough to save hers and give them to me as well.

Thanks Great Grandma Kate and Great Grandpa Ned for the delicious apricots! Evan's eyes got big and he had a huge smile after the first bite. There's nothing like freshly picked fruit.

nudges and pushes of encouragment

This last Sunday we learned about the mating rituals of Eagles. Eagles will mate for life. The Female, when she spots a Male she's interested in, will pick up a large stick and then fly really high and drop it. The Male eagle will then fly down and catch the stick before it hits the ground. If in fact this happens and the Male does catch the stick, the Female knows he is a suitable mate. When Baby eagles are hatched and it is time for them to learn to fly, the Mother will stand on the side of the nest and flap her wings so fast that the wind from it will pick the Babies up off the nest encouraging them to open their wings and practice flying. If after a few trials a Baby is lazy and does not open it's wings the Mother will push it out of the nest. But right before it hits the ground, the Father swoops down to catch the Baby and bring it back up to the nest. They will repeat this until finally the Baby opens it wings to fly.

So how does this story pertain to God and us? Our God is with us for life he will never leave us. He stands beside us sometimes creating a wind to lift us. He encourages us to flap our wings for his kingdom. This maybe out of our comfort at times; and in those times when we become lazy he may push us out of the nest to awaken us. And just when we think it can't get any worse and it's over, he is there catching us and bring us back to the nest. This may continue until we are strong and focused enough to fly out on our own. May we sing praises to our God of encouragement, of help, and of constant love. His plan is greater than ours and his teachings mold us to be his holy children.

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63: 7-8

Froggie Legs

A few weeks ago we took Evan swimming. As you can see he thoroughly enjoyed it. How blessed we are to get to see Evan find joy in so many firsts. It gives me a glimpse of how God feels to watch us discover his creation.

The Finer Things

"There's nothing finer in life than true love and a home-grown tomato." -Gary Ibsen