"Crappy Tacos" (Fish Tacos with Cilantro-lime Crema)

Recently Russ took the three kids fishing at a friend's house. When I got home from work that night, I found a baggie full of about 3 pounds of crappie (pronounced "crop ee") that Russ had skinned and filleted. Because I'm not a huge fish fan, I decided to make tacos out of them. Our family loves fish tacos! Even if you don't like fish, and the sound of putting it in a taco sounds irreligious, I would be willing to bet that if you tasted these tacos, you'd love them!

Fish Tacos with Cilantro-lime Crema

First make the Crema: (measurements don't have to be exact)

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3 T. mayo

3 T. sour cream

1 t. zested lime rind

1 1/2 t. fresh lime juice

1/4 t. salt

1 garlic clove, minced

Next make the rub: (again, don't worry about being exact)

1 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. ground red pepper

1/8 t. salt

1/8 t. garlic powder

Sprinkle this evenly on both sides of about 1.5 pounds of mild fish (like tilapia, red snapper, crappie).

Place foil over a cookie sheet and lay fish evenly on the sheet. Bake fish at 425 degrees for about 9 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.

While fish is baking, shred lettuce or cabbage and slice or dice some avocados. Sometimes I sprinkle a little garlic salt over the avocados.

Serve fish with crema, lettuce and avocado in steamed corn tortillas. (I steam mine by putting about 6 of them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-45 seconds.)

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

My Little Evangelist and my Little Prayer Warrior

I have recently learned that Hud's teacher has started calling him his "Little Evangelist." Apparently he's been outspoken, should we, say about Jesus. This morning while Hud was snuggling with me he said, "I've asked all my friends and the people in my class if they've asked Jesus in their heart. But I've stopped telling them they are going to hell if they don't because Dad told me that's not really a very good thing to tell someone. So, now I just tell them that something really really bad is going to happen to them if they don't."
His best little buddy, "Z", is Muslim and apparently they have gotten into some pretty serious discussions about their beliefs. They always end up grid locked because "Z" is just as set in his beliefs as Hud is. This has caused Hud some serious anguish, as I think he is truly concerned about Z's soul. He also said this morning, "Mom, can you go to heaven if you never ask Jesus into your life?" I told him no, and he said, "I have told Z and told him, but he just won't do it." I encouraged Hud to keep praying for Z that one day he will trust Christ.

As for my prayer warrior, Josh has recently added his favorite Transformer, "Optimus Prime," to his ever-growing list of people to pray for! Hard to get onto his older brother for laughing during prayer when Josh lifts OP to the Father!

SNOW!!!

The camera just loves Josh!!! These are pics that my best friend, Rachel took while she was here in January. We've had the most unusual year for snow. We did not have one snow storm until Jan 9 and now we've had several HUGE ones. Thankfully this week's temps are forcasted in the 50's and 60's. I'm ready for spring!!!

The force was with us!!!

As you can see, it was all Star Wars this Halloween. The kids love Star Wars and so I decided to make them coordinating Halloween costumes.... might have been the dumbest idea I ever had! Apparently there is not a demand for patterns for SW costumes as I could not find any anywhere. Thank goodness for google! I was able to find some tutorials for how to make Jedi robes and such. Still, I was very glad when all three finally had their completed look.

Camping Out!

Our family discovered camping this fall and we all fell in love!!! Up until now we didn't feel like the kids were old enough to roam and play in the woods without constant supervision. But, this fall we decided to give it a try and we had a blast!!!

The best part about our beautiful campsite is the fact that it is private land that belongs to a friend so we're not having to share our space with anyone.
As usual, I didn't get enough pics. The area is so pretty and just behind our tent up a little hill is a beautiful little lake surrounded by the trees.

Here's Holli and Grace Linton. The Lintons are good friends of ours and we camped with them both times we came out here.

Grace had the best idea to rake up all the leaves for playing. The kids played and played for the longest time!!!

I said the best part about this place was the fact that it was private, well that might be the second best part. The BEST part is that directly behind me where I took this pic is a barn with electricity, a bathroom with shower, fridge and microwave!!! Makes camping a lot more fun!!

Every camp out must have s'mores!!

We can't wait for it to get warm enough to go camping again!!! Wanna come?

Josh turned Four!!!

On a sunny September Saturday we celebrated Josh's fourth birthday with some of his friends at a local park.

I took Josh to the party store and we looked at all the theme options. I picked out some Backyardigans, Toy Story, Go Diego, camouflage... when it was time to pick, he decided he wanted a "K State football birthday party."

Wyatt and Luke are two of Josh's good friends.

Sam was also there, along with one "officially" invited adult, Uncle Jeff.

Watch out! He's got his own sword now!

But the biggest surprise was a brand new bicycle!!!

It's a tad on the big side, but he didn't let that stop him from taking it out for a spin in front of everyone.

Happy Birthday, Josh!!!!!