New Playlist

Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love music. So, I just built a new playlist at the bottom of the blog with some of my old and new favorites. Enjoy!

Fireproof (Trailer)

We just saw this movie this weekend and it was so powerful. It's really refreshing to see that someone in Hollywood is still making movies in defense of the family. What was even cooler to see was that the theater was still packed two weeks after this faith-based film opened. There definitely is strength in numbers!

National Gaurd song by 3 Doors Down

Having two military men in my family, it's hard not to bleed red, white and blue. I have so much admiration for both their dedication and their patriotism. Every time they play this little music video at the movies as a promo for the National Guard, I think of them.

Not only do I think it's well made video - it's also a pretty catchy song. And I highly respect 3 Doors Down for lending their talent to such a good cause. The song is called "Citizen Soldier."

Waxing Poetic

ARLINGTON

The heat screams out in open isolation
Asking the daylight to embrace it’s red blur.
Freedom sweeps in too quickly for this bleeding heart.

Chrystilline tears scorch like rug burns
Metallic, but somehow
Uninhibited, inviting –
Time replaces the fleshy embrace.

The band of women
Living inside
Bring bright shooting colors of hope.

I will leave behind the broken
Kneeling beside crucifix finalities.
And make bitter promises sweet
Memories.

Aunt Jill

THEN...This was taken on my wedding day

almost 3 years ago.

...

NOW - look at this shot. This was taken in August in Seattle - look at the difference! That baby isn't Annalee anymore!

Mai Pham Recipe - Coconut Curry soup to DIE for!

Makes 6 servings

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons chopped shallots
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons minced lemongrass* (from bottom 4 inches of about 3 stalks, tough outer leaves discarded) (I use a lemongrass paste I found at Fry's)
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Thai yellow (I use RED) curry paste*
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek*
2 13.5- to 14-ounce cans unsweetened coconut milk,* divided
5 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)*
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cups snow peas, trimmed
2 cups 1/2-inch cubes peeled red skinned
sweet potato (yam; from about 1 large)
3/4 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs, thinly
sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime (a few drops of lime juice for each serving)

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add next 4 ingredients; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in curry paste, curry powder, and chili paste. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk (scooped from thick liquid at top of can). Stir until thick and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk, broth, fish sauce, and sugar; bring broth to boil. Keep warm. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep chilled.

Cook snow peas in large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 20 seconds. Using strainer, remove peas from pot; rinse under cold water to cool. Place peas in medium bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil. Add sweet potato and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Using strainer, remove sweet potato from pot and rinse under cold water to cool. Place in small bowl. Bring water in same pot back to boil and cook noodles until just tender but still firm to bite, about 6 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to cool. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead.

Let stand at room temperature. Bring broth to simmer. Add chicken; simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add sweet potato; stir to heat through, about 1 minute. Heat noodles in microwave in 30-second intervals to rewarm. Cut noodles with scissors if too long. Divide noodles among bowls. Divide snow peas and hot soup among bowls. Scatter red onion, green onions, cilantro, and chiles over soup. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

*Available at some supermarkets, at specialty foods stores and Asian markets, and online from adrianascaravan.com.