Meal Planning Mondays with Recipe for Slow Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Jalapeño

I haven't posted a weekly menu in over 3 years! I honestly could not believe it when I went searching for my last menu post and I had to keep going further and further back. It's funny how life can move us off our path without us really even noticing. I created this blog to share recipes, to share my passion for being in the kitchen, and to inspire you to make real food for your table. I have also enjoyed using it as an arena for sharing family moments and travel. It's my online journal and I love all of you for reading it and indulging me. It makes me particularly happy when I receive an email from one of you commenting on a post or telling me that you have made a recipe that I've published. I have absolutely loved hearing from all of you over the years! In addition to the family themed posts (precious newborn days and funny and cute kid moments are in our future, so yeah, there will continue to be family posts...how could I not?!), I'm ready to also get back to this blog's original purpose...food. No promises on frequency, but here's to a valiant start with a return of a weekly dinner menu post plus recipe. 

Dinner Menu, Week of January 12th:

(We have a standing Friday night pizza dinner while Jack plays soccer and on Saturdays we get take-out or go out, so these days will be skipped in the dinner planning.) 

Monday: Black and Ranchero bean and cheese burritos with salsa verde

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce; roasted broccoli

Wednesday: Mojito salmon; garlic herb linguine; power greens salad

Thursday: Egg, spinach, and cheese wraps; Citrus slices

Sunday: Slow roasted salmon with fennel and citrus (see recipe below); roasted fingerling potatoes; arugula salad

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the FoodStephanie Lamarroasted salmon, Weekly Dinner Menus, Salmon with Fennel and CitrusComment
Over the Hump with My Growing Bump

I think most of you must know by now...but I will go ahead and publish the news here for record keeping's sake. As of this week, I am 22 weeks pregnant (the more than halfway point!) and for what seems like months already, there has been no way of hiding this growing baby bump! All three of us are elated about the anticipated arrival of a baby boy due to join our family in May! Jack frequently hugs and kisses "his brother" (my belly) and talks to him often. It makes me a little giddy to think about that growing relationship of brotherhood and what I hope will be a fierce lifelong love and companionship. A few quick updates on my pregnancy so far...

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the FamilyStephanie LamarPregnancy, Second Trimester, Kerry Park ViewPoint, SeattleComment
Five Years (60 Months)

Dear Jack, You are FIVE years old! And, life with you is such a treasure and full of so much fun! You love Legos and currently have converted your train table to a Lego building table. Every day, there is at least one Lego creation being built. I try my best to keep them organized and color sorted, but they inevitably end up in a rainbow heap by the end of the week. We are now reading chapter books at bedtime; currently, we are reading the first Harry Potter book and you love to listen and ask a lot of questions- I think the question asking is what you use to stay awake. Usually, you fall asleep after five (or fewer) pages and it is so sweet to watch you sleep...when you are still, I'm reminded of how little you still are. You continue to be quite opinionated, creative, and very good at telling stories. Your name always attracts a lot of attention. People love to call you by your full name- Jack Lamar- and often say you are going to be famous one day, maybe the President or an actor. I think movie Director is more your style and I think that would be something you would love doing as you do it so well now with our stories and our play. You are also still very sweet and cuddly and give the best kind of kisses and hugs. You are a great friend and are well loved at school by peers your own age and those who are much younger. You love to be a big helper, you get shy in busy situations with a lot of stimulation but are quick to warm up, and you still want Mama and Dada to go everywhere with you which makes us proud and so happy.

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the FamilyStephanie Lamar5 years old, birthdays, JackComment