Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.
Lisa Weed
What does family mean to you? To me blood isn’t what makes a family a family, it is love. I have friends that I have known my whole life that are family. I have known my WpgBesty for 37 years, Drew for 39 years and my CharleswoodBesty for 26 years! Even if we don’t talk for years… they are in my heart, they are family. I would be there for them if they called. Anytime. All the time.
My In-Laws aren’t family by blood but they are family by love. I am so lucky to have a MIL and a FIL that I truly like and respect. I married into a family that has taken my family and made us feel like a part of theirs and vice versa. My SIL and BIL have given me wonderful friendships plus a beautiful and talented niece and 2 funny and smart nephews 💗.
My Sis married a man that fits right into our family and has his own loving family on the East Coast that we have scooped up and have become our East Coast Family. My Bro did the same and chose a partner with a family that has accepted him and us as an extended part of their own family, opening their doors and arms to us whenever we are in Winnipeg. They have both given me nieces that are bursting with personality, humour and talent.
I am a lucky lady.
My extended family has had a rough few years after we lost our Nana and my Mom. Women are the traditional keepers of the family and leaving 3 brothers behind to keep the family together has been a challenge. We are spread out across western Canada so that is a challenge as well but we manage to keep in touch through social media and pre-COVID visits. I wish we could see each other more and that my cousins and I were as close as we were growing up but the love and loyalty that holds us together is strong and we all have each other’s backs no matter what. On Dad’s side, he and his Bro (my uncle) have had a much closer relationship since Mom passed and that makes me very happy 💛.
I have been thinking about family a lot lately. The pandemic has made me really think about what is important going forward. This summer has been great as I have finally been able to visit with Dad, my In-Laws, My SIL, JQ, my Cousin from Edmonton and her family, and my Sis and her family. I missed them.
On Friday my Sis, BIL, SweetPea and CabbagePatch arrived here in the Valley, for good. The relief I feel is palpable. I wish my WHOLE family was close by but this first step has allowed me to exhale a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. It is that feeling I get when my Ninja and both my Girls are safely tucked into their beds and we are all warm and snuggled under the same roof. That feeling. That we are all going to be OK because we are all together.
Family is safety, loyalty, laughter, and adventure. Family is always being there for each other no matter how far away you are. Family is not saying a word but saying everything. Family is a shoulder to cry on and the boost of confidence that you need. Family is the advice you didn’t ask for and the forgiveness you’re too afraid to ask for. Family is acceptance when you screw up. Family is a hand to pull you up when you fall. Family is there when you are working towards your goals and when you have accomplished your dreams. Family is there when you need a place to stay or when you need to borrow a car. Family holds your hand when you’re scared and gives you a push when you are hesitant. Family accepts you. Family laughs with you, not at you. Family understands you, plays with you and challenges you.
Family is love 💗.
I’m not a huge fish fan. Ninja and HBear are though so this week I made salmon for them! I picked flavours that I know because I’m not that familiar with salmon. Both Ninja and HBear said it was super delicious and wished that I had made more! I even tasted it and thought it was delicious… for fish 😆.
Honey Garlic Salmon
Adapted from Diethood
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, divided
4 salmon fillets
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon spaprika
1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
chives, sliced
Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
In a small bowl combine cumin, paprika, Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix until incorporated.
Season salmon fillets with prepared seasoning and transfer to skillet.
Cook the fillets for 4 to 5 minutes, or until cooked three quarters of the way through.
In the meantime, combine honey, soy sauce, and lime juice in a bowl; whisk until well combined.
Flip the fish over and add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. (If working in batches, at this point you want to place all your fillets back in the skillet.)
Wait until butter melts and add minced garlic over the fish.
Pour the prepared honey soy sauce over the fish and continue to cook for 2 more minutes, or until cooked through and sauce has slightly thickened. Spoon the sauce over the fillets while cooking.
Remove from heat.
Garnish with sliced chives.
This was a FANTASTIC week! My Mom’s cousin dropped off a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her garden, the Girls got gorgeous haircuts from Rosey at Rome & Kai, we walked to Starbucks for a treat, went back to school supply shopping, packed for our mini holiday next week and supported A&W’s Teen Burgers for MS fundraiser. We cuddled, bought new dance equipment and HBear received a very special present from my SIL! She bought her a special memento to remember her time at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet this summer 💛. Our COVID numbers have gone through the roof here in the Okanagan Valley. It is VERY concerning and hopefully new health regulations will be announced soon.
On Friday, my Sis and her family arrived! They are officially British Coloumbians! Is that what we’re called? 😆 Whatever the name is, we are and now THEY are too! SBean is just SO happy to have her BestyCousin, SweetPea, living here now. She has so many plans for the 2 of them 😂. We joined Dad & J and we all went for a hike to Naramata Falls on Saturday. It is such a great family hike with an exciting payoff! On our way home we stopped to wine taste at Singletree Winery and Ruby Blues Winery. We came home and had a wonderful family dinner and then we did a Craft Beer tasting while we podcasted.
On Sunday we did a little wine tasting in Summerland at Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery and Lightning Rock Winery. After we sipped a little wine we headed to Medley Organics Farm for a Sourced Pop Up Dinner with The Paisley Notebook. It was AMAZING! We went for a farm tour with the owner, Jerome, had craft cocktails from the The Bar Travelling Man and then Aman cooked us a phenomenal dinner that we ate on the hillside with a stunning view. We started with dessert, honey & cumin ice cream topped with fresh peach compote. Next we had tomato based chicken dish with peppers, eggplant and just off the grill roti. Then we had shishito peppers, garlicky kadhai-spiced mixed beans and house made yogurt. Our last course was like a dessert with fresh cherry & heirloom tomatoes in a tomato chutney vinaigrette and fresh made paneer. It was amazing to experience our Valley with my Sis and BIL. I can’t wait for all the adventures to come 💛.
0 thoughts on “Family Is & Honey Garlic Salmon”
Yum! That salmon looks delicous! I have an airfryer salmon recipe that I use a ton, so I will have to give this one a try!
Jenna ♥
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