Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

This year my sister-in-law started a new family tradition for Thanksgiving and invited us to participate. We would write down the things we are thankful for from the past year. Each year at Thanksgiving, we'll make a new list, review our previous list and remember those things from years' past.

It was pretty difficult to write my list. Not because there aren't so many things to be thankful for but because I haven't had a very grateful heart lately. {That's a hard confession to make.} I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I want so many things for our home and our life here. I think I've been distracted by what I want instead of thankful for what I have.

It was good to reflect on all the blessings and good things in life. Here are a few of the things from my Thanksgiving list.

- Mike's unconditional love

{I'm sure there have been many times over the past few months when I made it really difficult for him to love me}

- Our parents' hard-work & help in getting us moved

- My sister-in-law & brother-in-law being so supportive of our move to Los Angeles and that they are so close by.

- Movie passes & sour patch kids

- Our niece, Grace...and the rest of our family. :)

- Leaving InterVarsity staff in a good place

- Moving across country & making the transition without using our credit cards

- My new job

- Diet cokes & french fries

- Friends both near & far who send love & prayers our way

- That God's grace & peace rules my heart.

Fish Tacos!

A couple of months ago {I can't believe it's been that long}, I mentioned we had fish tacos. It was my first time using tomatillos, and I was pretty pumped to try something new. Our friend Janna came over to hang out, eat good food, and play Mario Bros on the Wii. It was such a fun night with her! We've been friends with Janna for several years now; we worked together for InterVarsity in the Southeast. She moved to Pasadena this past spring to start her master's degree at Fuller and pioneer a new InterVarsity chapter at Pasadena City College.

I found the recipe from Better Homes and Gardens in May.

1 1/2 lb. cod or halibut fillets, but into 1-inch pieces {I used tilapia}

2 fresh tomatillos cut into 1/2-inch pieces {2 cups}

2 tsp. olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp orange zest

1/2 tsp lime zest

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl toss together the fish, tomatillos, oil, garlic, orange peel and lime peel. Season with salt and black pepper; set aside.

2. Cut six 12-inch-square sheets of foil. Place one-sixth (about 2/3 cup) fish mixture in center of each square. Fold diagonally in half in a triangle. Fold edges two or three times to make a packet. Place packets in single layer on a large baking sheet.

3. Bake fish 10 to 12 minutes, until packets puff slightly (carefully open a packet to check fish doneness; fish should flake easily with a fork). Meanwhile, in dry skillet warm tortillas over medium-high heat until soft, about 15 seconds per side.

4. To serve, divide fish mixture between two tortillas. Top with Cabbage and Chile Pepper Slaw. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

I didn't use the slaw for ours, but am interested to try it. We just had ours with plain shredded cabbage tossed in vinegar and guacamole. The flavor of the fish was very light & tasty. If you like spicy tacos, I think the cabbage & chile pepper slaw would add it.