Commitments

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Looking ahead to the month of February and doing a quick count, I see I'm already scheduled for 23 hours of appointments, not including drive time. These range from everything from board and marketing meetings to teaching a class at the Greensboro Women's Center, attending a friend's book launch to my radio show, coffee with friends to Artist Dates. 

In the middle of each month, as I look at my growing list of commitments, I always swear to do better next month and not overburden myself. "I'll just say 'no,'" I tell myself. Doesn't happen.

Part of it is that I want to be at all these places. Board meetings and seeing friends and volunteer work is important to me. But so is writing and sometimes I feel like I let go of my time for that in order to "fit in" everything else, instead of the other way around. But I'm grateful I have the kind of work and schedule that allows me to fit in so many different things. I wouldn't want to stay home every day and just write. I'd go insane.

Balance is key. I keep hoping I'll just luck into it as I go, but it may be time to break down and put a bit more thought into what I can and can't commit too--even as it relates to coffee with friends or driving into town for a run. 

Gotta go. Got to get some work done before I shoot into Greensboro for today's appointments. =)

 

Did You Feel A Gust of Wind Blow By? Yeah, It Was Me

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I am one happy runner. Did a 10-mile run this morning at an overall 8:35 pace. Flying for me. Did the first 4 at an 8:20 pace, slowed down a little for an average of 8:30 pace by mile 6, and slowed down a little more after that for the 8:35 pace finish. Still, I usually run closer to a 9-minute pace so I'm thrilled. And really, really tired. Pretty certain I see a nap in my near future. 

Salmon Pastry Puffs

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When I saw her in November, my sister gave me a recipe book she'd put together for me, complete with subject index, pictures, and the necessary level of dumbed-down Dena directions. Still, I had to phone her yesterday for help.

"Guess what?" I said when she picked up the phone. "I'm going to make your salmon pastry puffs recipe tonight."

"You'll love it," she replied. "Best quick dinner ever."

"Riiiight," I said. "Hey, one question. Um, what's a puff pastry?"

After she walked me through where to find them ("Go to frozen foods near the pie crusts," were my marching orders) and stopped laughing at me (rude), she again emphasized what a delicious meal this was and that I could even use it for entertaining.

Maybe. I haven't had a lot of luck with salmon recipes so I didn't get my hopes up.

Oh. My. God. People--this is a life-changing recipe. SO GOOD. I ate myself sick last night but didn't want to waste an ounce of food. Delish, delish, delish. Definently a new favorite in the Harris household.

So Nicole, I hope you don't mind my sharing the recipe but it's too good--and too simple--to keep secret. Here it is, complete with my sister's italics which are code for "Dena, don't mess this up."

SALMON WITH PUFF PASTRY & PESTO

  • 4 pieces of purchased puff pastry, each cut to be just larger than a piece of salmon
  • 4 (4-6 oz.) pieces salmon
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup purchased pesto
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

On a foil-lined baking sheet, place the 4 pieces of puff pastry. Also place the 4 pieces of salmon, being careful to make sure they are not touching (don't cook them on top of the puff pastry.) Sprinkle each piece of salmon with 1 tablespoon of the sliced almonds. Bake for 10 minutes.

To serve, place each piece of puff pastry on a plate. Top each pastry with 1 tablespoon of pesto. Top the pesto with 2 slices of tomato each. Top the tomatoes with the salmon and serve.

Serves 4  / Prep Time: 5 minutes  /Cooking Time: 10 minutes