The first few days of Spring have been all about savoring.
We had my father in law in town from New Zealand and soaked up every minute of family time we could.
No agenda. No rush. No plan. No worries.
That’s the one of the many things I really enjoy about these Crazy Cotters. There will never be a plan. There will never be a “rush” of the day. We spent hours around the table eating good food, sharing stories, and catching up.
The weather was perfect to show him around the trails, the evenings last longer so we could sit outside and chat over a glass (or 2) of wine, and I couldn’t help but realize how much I (we) needed to just step back from life’s “agenda” and enjoy/savor the time we had now.
Maybe that’s the whole point of the “spring forward” time change anyway. To savor the last bit of day together…………. supper.
sup•per (ˈsʌp ər)
n.1. the evening meal, often the principal meal of the day. supper – a social gathering where a light evening meal is served;
Just the word in itself makes me feel at home.
So maybe your supper is just two people, maybe it’s 10! Maybe it’s crazy loud and chatty. Maybe it’s calm and collected. Either way, it’s about the time and the people you share it with, am I right?
The last day my father in law was here, we grilled out. He made his famous curry ribs (which I’ve begged him for recipe on multiple occasions), and I prepared a ginger and garlic haddock fillets. The meal, of course, was delicious, but the supper itself was savored for hours!
[print_this]
Garlic and Ginger Spiced Haddock Recipe- quick version
Ingredients:
- Fresh Haddock or other white fish fillet
- sea salt
- 1 tablespoon chipped garlic
- olive oil
- 2 teaspoon ginger spice
- balsamic vinegar
- crushed black pepper
- avocado
Directions:
Mix together ¼ cup oil, 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and your spices. Whisk and then pour over fillets (about 2 fillets). You can also marinate them in the mixture for 20 minutes if preferred. Bake or Grill at 425F to 450F for about 10 minutes or less. Depends on how thick your fish it. 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Once removed, place on steamed spinach and add fresh avocado. Add more crushed pepper is desired.
[/print_this]
Here are a few of my favorite suppers to savor this spring! Each unique and full of flavor!
*This is a sponsored opportunity with Foodie.com
Have a Marvelous Monday!
Favorite Spring time supper?
[Tweet “Spring Time Supper ideas via @LCCotter #fitfluential #glutenfree #supper”]
Cheers,
LC
P.S.
Here’s a great devotional about Balance. It really put things in perspective for me this week.
“I think God has already outlined in scripture His secret for finding balance and what our priorities are to be. If we don’t start our big dreams, goals and plans for life or the day by resting in Him and seeking His priorities first we quickly wear out and stop bearing fruit.”
The best meals are the ones that last for hours with a couple bottles of wine and great company.
I vacationed with my family in Croatia awhile back and those dinners were an easy two to three hours long every night, and it might be my favorite part of the entire trip. The Adriatic Sea wasn’t so bad either. 😉
can we all go back there? like now.. I need a vacay
Yes let’s do it. I need a vacay like crazy too, and two to three hour dinners sound like bliss to me right now.
I never make/eat haddock… I need to try! Also you’re right – nothing like a relaxing spring supper with a glass (or two!) of wine!
You know I love to savour 🙂
I love slow dinners outside and we have actually found a way to do that year round with heaters now! Food makes conversation so much better!
okay, i am for sure coming to visit then!
I always look forward to supper as a chance to spend time and re-connect with my hubby after a long day. There is something so comforting about knowing he is going to be there for me at the end of every day no matter what!
love that! and it’s crucial, ya know?
Favorite spring time super is anything on the grill.
yes! or your bacon wraps! hehe
It is most definitely “about the time and the people you share it with” – what a lovely visit yall had – so many cherishable moments! And that haddock sounds amazing!
I’m going to start calling it supper now. Ha ha. One of these days we’ll sit and be able to “savor” together. 🙂 HUGS!
I’m really looking to some warmer, Springlike weather here in PA. It’s snowing again today, and cold. Yuck!!!
maybe you need to visit, yes? warmth!
It sounds like a perfect weekend! I love enjoying quality time with family and great grilled food.
the best of both worlds, right?
So glad to see you have a family weekend that involved some down time and time to enjoy the things that truly matter in life! Cheers beautiful friend…I’m so grateful for you! XOXO
New Zealand? So cool. Glad you had time to relax. Every time I see your view it makes me miss ATX!
You had a lot of vitamin C in your house this weekend…………
(I would be REALLY impressed if you got that – that would mean, my brain let you enter!!)
The start of spring is the perfect time for slowing down and savoring. Curry ribs sound absolutely fabulous.
i just love curry every day. 😉
This looks delicious Lindsay! It’s not feeling quite so springy here yet but I’m so ready for the sunshine and outdoor dining (now if only the snow would melt so I can get from the door of my gated patio to the BBQ!) Sounds like life has been great in Cotter land these days! 🙂
First off, can I come over for dinner??! That view from your porch is ridiculous. And I love everything about this post and that you had a chance to savor your time for family. We do need that rest and relax time, right? And I do appreciate the devotional too. Balance is a tricky thing.
yes, always welcome!
I love this post! There is something so special about enjoying good food with family and friends, I love the community that is created when spending time with people around “super time”. Looks like a wonderful weekend!
sounds like a PERFECT WEEKEND friend!!! I cannot wait for it to be warm enough for eating out on the patio!! curry ribs sound dellllish as does your haddock recipe!! I wish I was there 😉 sometimes that semi-forced slow down is just what we need to uh, slow down but also realize we NEEDED to 🙂 XO
amen sister. isnt this weather in new england is ridiculous! more snow coming this week?! i will say i have grilled twice in the last month though, so happy about that. LC, definitely going to make that haddock recipe (along with a glass of sauv blanc) when it warms up!
Right, Kim?! we have been grilling as often as we can lately, just to get the feel for spring at least!
see, you all need to be like the birds and fly south for the winter
It sounds like you had such a perfect time with your father in law!! It makes me want to fly over immediately, sitting outside with you guys and sipping on some good wine. Oh wow, I would do pretty much for that right now. The meal looks heavenly too!
i wish you were there! We would have enjoyed good conversation and just relaxed. thinking of you! <3
Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! Family visiting is oh so nice. My future in-laws live in Kansas, so when they come to visit us, I soak up every minute!! Favorite spring time meal… Grilled chicken, grilled veggies from the farmers market!
Spring time suppers are the best! Something about sitting outside on the porch with a glass of chilled wine that makes the meal taste so much better! Sounds like the perfect weekend!
Is there a difference between dinner and supper? Are they the same thing with a different name? Or are they totally different. Either way, as long as there’s food and family/friends, I’m a happy camper 😀
so dinner is actually the main meal of the day. supper is more a social event and lighter. Back in the old days, dinner was actually what we call lunch. yes, i’m a nerd and know this. Here –>http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/d68.html
It is always wonderful to spend time with family. It sounds like you had a lovely time.
it was needed. You know how that goes. xxoo
My favorite spring time meals include the vegetables of the season. Asparagus, leeks, etc. I get excited just thinking about them.
Thanks for linking to that devotional….loved it!!
I love that you savored the time with you Father-in-law and enjoyed it around a table (especially an outdoor table). I know that on a normal day even though we usually eat dinner/supper as a family we usually are up and running within 20-30 minutes!!! Hopefully at least by the time school is out we can return to the time of just “being” especially in the evenings!!
A PERFECT FAMILY WEEKEND!! I love this!!
I love this! I think so often we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to slow down and just enjoy those around us. There is always somewhere to go, something to do and before you know it the day is gone. I think I will challenge myself to slow down and enjoy the MOMENTS this week.
Visits with family sure are wonderful, aren’t they? I’m glad you guys were able to grill out and just enjoy that time together. xoxo
A weekend spent relaxing with no plans and no worries in the company of family and delicious food sounds absolutely perfect – the best way to celebrate the start of spring!
That devotional is perfect for me today!
So love this Lindsay!! I wanted to be there right with you guys & savor & forget about all the crap in life right now! 🙂
That sounds like the perfect weekend! And that fish… mmmmm! Isn’t Sizzlefish the best? 🙂
Sounds like a nice visit with family! I bet it had you itching to go back to NZ 🙂
My favourite springtime suppers include quinoa salads, and anything Mexican!
I love to slow down and savor this time of year. I know it’s important to do that all the time, but this time of the year feels like such a breath of fresh air after winter. So glad you guys were able to enjoy that time together.
Love, love, love this. Not just the recipe, but the fact that your in laws from New Zealand came to visit. I love that you savored every moment, fueled your body and soul with happiness. The first few days of spring are my favorite – signs of God’s beauty peaking through. Happy Monday, friend. I hope your week goes well! XoXo
I’m still stuck on the Maudie’s Chips n Salsa picture!
I love everything about this! I love grilling out during the Spring and then eating supper out on the patio. It’s not too hot and the fresh air feels so good after being cooped up all winter. I’m so glad you all got to enjoy some time together. The relaxation was definitely needed. xoxo
I agree on the whole “supper” thing. It just feels so warm n’ fuzzy, doesn’t it?
Yeah for good family time, I love it!
My fav Springtime meals usually include roasted asparagus and grilled salmon
YUM look delish! Fav spring supper-anything grilled! Love being able to cook outside again!
I saw that picture of you two on facebook and just STARED AT IT.
you radiate happy.
Great devotional. I needed that today. Kids are better and we are getting back into balance after a very unbalanced few weeks. I can’t wait for savoring spring. It isn’t quite here yet in NY.
Ooooh lovely! Sounds like the perfect weekend to me! One question, why is the kiwi holding up 3 fingers? Just curious 🙂
My mum often calls it supper, and sometimes tea….which to me doesnt make sense as we are British so it could easily be confused….but cute either way!
Looks like you chose the perfect dinner, I really need to get on the fried plantains, I hear so much good about them! I went to TJs and purchased lots of healthy snacks for when my “one dessert/sweet treat a day” starts again in a few weeks. Time to knuckle down!
haha i should explain that. He’s holding up 3 because he won 3rd plan at the vineman tri back in 2010. The big bottle of wine was our part of his purse prize. We opened it to celebrate his dad being in town and for his upcoming race season.
I’m almost certain Ive told you this on numerous occassions, but you have such a empowering & wonderful outlook on life, Lindsay! You make all of us see different scenarios in a way we never thought was possible. So again, thank you!
Also, I’m so happy you were able to have such a loving weekend w/ your FIL. Family time is the best.
I love the lighter fare of Spring meals 🙂 I have never had Haddock…or maybe once…I need to try it again!
Will most definitely be trying this out- whenever haddock is on sale at Whole foods!!
When is your husbands first race (and sorry if I missed that). Hoping my hubs has signed up for one that he’s doing!
Um….amazing word Supper. Can we claim it down under? YES?
And please steal that recipe.
Love it!! Dinner time with family is absolutely the best. I eat pretty much similar in spring as I do in the summer, mostly because the weather here in FL barely changes much 😉 Grilled veggies are my favorite!
favorite spring time supper would have to be anything made on the grill.. not because i love grilled foods so much (they are tasty though!) but because that usually means eating outdoors with jonny and family or friends and THAT is wonderful!!
Love that devotional and it’s right in line with what the sermon was yesterday at church! Someone’s speaking to me…
Also love a supper where folks linger. I think Europeans have this down (and perhaps Kiwis, too?) yet in the U.S., it doesn’t happen very often. Glad you had such a nice time with family.
What a wonderfully relaxing post! Our weather was clearly not as nice as yours! Oddly, my weekend was crazy non-stop busy but in the most relaxing of ways. I cherished every single little moment…cooking, time with my kids, a run date with my husband, great workouts…savoring the time.