Think Pink and Retreat!

"Ahhh" by Jerri Finch

It has been a long week and I have decided today is the perfect day to retreat. 
I am throwing up the proverbial pink flag and saying "ah, ah, no way, I am staying put".



TODAY I AM GOING TO....

REFLECT ON ART 
and the wonderful exhibit I went to see in London yesterday. 
It is what sparked my idea to retreat. 
More on that here.


PLY MY CRAFT
 and attempt to add a few more stitches into my son's needlepoint 
Christmas stocking which I have been working on for the last ten years! 


CLEAR THE CLUTTER
out of closets and accept that summer is here and it is time to put away the winter clothes. 
I say this with hesitation because it is England after all.


DIG DIRT
and pop in the pink impatients and nasturtiums 
that have been sitting by my back door for the last five days.


THINK HEALTHY
and put Miss Claire to the test with one of her favourite meals.  
It is easy peasy and should be a good intro to her cooking lessons with Mom.

Salmon Steaks 
with hot pesto and tomatoes
serves 4
4 salmon steaks, 175 g each
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp soy sauce
350 g baby plum tomatoes, halved
extra basil leaves to serve

Basil Pesto
2 garlic cloves, peeled
55 g pine nuts
4 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan or aged pecorino cheese
55 g fresh basil leaves (no stalks)
150 ml extra virgin olive oil
55 g unsalted butter, softened
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put the salmon in a shallow non-metallic dish. Put the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce in a measuring jug, mix well, then pour over the steaks, turning to coat.  Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
To make the pesto, put everything in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth as you like. Store in a jar with a layer of olive oil on top to exclude the air. Keep in the refrigerator until needed, making sure that each time you use it, you level the surface and re-cover with olive oil.
Remove the salmon from the marinade and put in a foil-lined pan. Cook under a preheated grill for 4 minutes on each side, brushing with the marinade once on each side. Remove from the grill and keep warm. Put the pesto in a saucepan and heat gently until warm and melted. Carefully stir in the tomatoes. Serve the salmon on warm plates with the pest tomato sauce spooned over, then topped with basil.


To ensure I stay on track, I will be back with an update at the end of the day :)
PS.. proverbial pink flag is a notion concocted by Jeanne
I have a tendency to do things like that:)
UPDATE:
Phew... Nothing like putting it in writing to make you get a move on it! 
Happy to report that my closet is just about there.  Claire did a great job....the salmon was delicious. She made brownies too, all went well until I came in the kitchen and saw huge gashes in the brownies. She had used a chopstick to see if it was done :) Impatients and Nasturtium are in along with a few other herbs. My needlepoint is coming along... I am thinking this may be the year that I finally finish it! and I am still thinking reflecting on the art exhibit I saw yesterday.
This was so much fun I am going to do it again today!!
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend!!


Images: 1, 2, 3, 4&6~me, 5, 6, 7


Comments

  1. Good for you! Sometimes we just need to stay close to home and dig in. Then we can go about the pleasures of summer- feeling like we've really accomplished some important things! I'll have a day very much like this on Friday...afterall my DH will return Saturday. Your evening meal sounds delicious... I'll bring the wine and dessert~fresh strawberry pie......

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  2. Hi Jeanne. Could you send me one of those proverbial pink flags please? They sound like just the thing!

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  3. great ideas! love the sounds of every one. we had salmon last night and i thought - really must have this more often! thanks for the recipe : )

    jx

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  4. Dear Jeanne,
    Well, if you achieve all of that today you will have been going some !! I love your salmon recipe. We eat salmon a lot and other fish. It's our favourite, so this one will go into the recipe collection.
    ..........and, thank you so much for putting my giveaway on your sidebar. You are so lovely.
    Have a wonderful day.

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  5. Have a wonderful day "retreating"...I'm doing it on Friday.

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  6. Jeanne - that list doesn't sound very restful to me...! Have fun & hope you manage to get it all done! x

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  7. Ahhh good for you Jeanne...I wish I could retreat today but I am instead working and have been back to the dentist again! The saga continues. Lou x

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  8. I'm going to adopt your 'pink flag'...in my mind almost, but not quite 'surrender'.
    Unfortunately, hubby is not a fan of salmon (I LOVE it)...so I will try your recipe with swordfish...what do you think?

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  9. Hi Jacqueline

    I think it would work easily with swordfish. It is a warm pesto so might be a nice addition to the thickness of swordfish.
    I love swordfish too, especially with a mango salsa. I will have a look for my recipe for that one too. You might like it.
    Happy cooking :)

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  10. Yes, we all need those wonderful days in which to relax and unwind. The recipes were a treat, I'll most certainly be trying them out! Hope your day was well spent, and wishing you well for the week ahead :D

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  11. Sounds like the perfect day in everyway my friend..enjoy! xoxoxo

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  12. Love intentional lists, love staying home and love your darling PINK FLAG idea.

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  13. Dear Jeanne:

    As I chomp on tomatoes and read this post, it seems the perfect way to unwind and listen to our tiny voices within which get softer as the clutter inside increases.

    Enjoy your 'me' time and be rejuvenated for the week ahead.

    Sending you tons of energy and warmth from here.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  14. You are an inspiration! My closets are in dire need of a little organizing. As for the needlepoint stocking, yes, I can relate to that one too. I'm happy to report that I've been working my way through unfinished needlepoint canvases for the past two years, and making good progress. I told myself I need to complete what I have in the basket rather than buy anything new. Love the stocking you are working on! ~ Sarah

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  15. Even throwing the flag you are the best! Good for you for taking a little you time!

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  16. Even throwing the flag you are the best! Good for you for taking a little you time!

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  17. Hahaha. I love that Claire used chopsticks to test the doneness of the brownies. Sounds like something I might have done, once upon a time.

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  18. Your recipe sounds delicious and I can imagine in combination with basil pesto must be a great dinner! I will proove it maybe tonight or tomorrow (for the exciting match between Germany and England... :))
    Have a nice week-end, Beate

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  19. Hi jeanne,
    Good for you and we must have been on a similar cosmic wavelength because I posted about some inspiring pinks and I'm sending then your direction... especially the Rose and the ice cream!

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