Strawberry Spinach Salad

I was introduced to this lovely salad about 9 years ago. My big sister served this at my wedding shower brunch.  It was a hit then and still is now...do you think that after 9 years this could be considered a "timeless" dish?  This salad has made it's appearance at church events, summer parties, family gathers, casual meals with friends, holidays, and even one funeral.  If you want a "go to" salad that is super versatile and loved by many (not all since my picky husband won't even taste it) put this on your must try list for the summer; it's perfect for that backyard BBQ, lovely dinner, or a baby shower. 

Strawberry Spinach Salad

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar (I usually use cider vinegar)
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon minced onion
1 package fresh spinach-rinsed, dried, and torn into bite size pieces
1 quart strawberries sliced
1/4 cup slivered almonds
Crumbled Feta Cheese (optional)

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika,Worcestershire sauce and onion.  Cover and chill for at least one hour.  In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, and almonds.  Pour dressing over salad and toss.  Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Menu Monday 5/9

Well it's Monday again.  Finally, things are much better here, Kenley and I feel like new again.  Since last week was a little crazy with sickness and I had forgotten it was "teacher appreciation" week (I ended up with lunch a few times).  We ended up with extra leftovers and ate sandwiches...well we actually ended up going out to eat a few times: Thursday was "Cinco de Mayo" somehow turned into a ladies dinner, Friday night to celebrate my mom's birrthday and Mother's Day and Saturday I went to a benefit which led to eating a late lunch.  So I am recylcing a few items that didn't get eaten last week.  And also relizing that I need to learn to say "no" to going out to eat!

Monday-Going to a baby shower, Congrats Michelle=)...I'll be bringing strawberry spinach saladand mixed berry trifle

Tuesday-breakfast

Wednesday-baked crab and broccoli; kids will eat pizza or something?

Thursday-leftovers

Friday- Easy pot roast

Saturday-pasta dinner at church

Sunday-turkey cutlets with oven fries

You can find my menu and more like them at http://orgjunkie.com/blog

Happy Mother's Day

The Gift of  a Mother...

My mommy and me

My blessings and my mom

My blessing and me...

Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

 (Psalms 127:3)

On that note, Happy Mother's Day to all and to all a good afternoon!

mixed review on peanut butter cookies

A few days, which was intended to be a "great day"...kind of had some not so great moments.  It gets a little crazy in the morning when trying to get out of the house.  Kids are cranky, moms are cranky, and sometimes even dads are cranky, too.  And sometimes people (never me of course) say or do things they shouldn't...blah blah blah....right.  Well anyway, Camden had earned himself some time out minutes in his room when we got home for being a little more than "spunky" in the morning.  Kenley was an angel with white glowing wings, in the morning.  Now at daycare, she's been a different story.  We love our daycare lady (or as she refers to herself..the chicken fat lady)..."Hi Tracy, we love you!"  My precious angel, has been having a hard time being a good friend.  I know I model frienship so well for her, it's hard to believe.  Last week she was in trouble for in not so many words...telling her BFF Ella off.  They have been friends for almost 3 years or most of her life.  Kenley and Ella struggle with who is in charge and the battle for the leading role of the drama (or their lives).  So I tortured her with her writing a letter.  Now some will say you should never give writing as a consequence...it's not like her fingers were bleeding people.  Kenley had improved her behavior and I thought this little stunt was behind us...well I was very saddened by my report.  Kenley lied to Tracy and later wacked Ella in the head with a plastic gold club.  So needless to say I spoke with Kenley regarding her behavior and she had to write Tracy and Ella a letter.  Now before you go calling social services, here is how it goes Kenley must tell me what she wants to say, I write the letter in a highlighter, she traces in pencil, except for her name she must right freehand, we reread the letter together, and deliver to the person the next day.  Does it work, I don't know...it's just what I've got in my toolbox right now.  One would have thought I was seriously injuring Kenely with the tears and commotion she was causing, her hand hurt so badly (after writing the word Dear).  The letters are simple:  Dear Tracy, I am sorry for telling you a lie.  I will work on my behavior.  Love, Kenley
Dear Ella, I am sorry for hurting you.  I will not grab the golf club from you.  Love, Kenley.  As she's writing her letters I just want to make sure to seal the deal...I invite Camden to make some cookies with me.  She obviously can't join us until she's finished her task, which of course is taking WAY longer than I could ever imagine.  I decide to do something simple and easy. I went with these:
http://smoosy.blogspot.com/2011/04/eat-me.html?spref=fb from my friend Angie.  It's amazing how quickly that little girl finished those sorry letters and dried her eyes.  Sometimes, we need a little sweetness to brighten up our days.  Camden help measure, pour, and do some of the mixing.  Kenley made it in time to help form the cookies.  The truth about these cookies:  Camden and I didn't like them, we're not peanut butter people.  Kenley and Scott were in 7th heaven, they are gone. My personal review is that if  you are a peanut butter person these cookies are for you.  I did add some oatmeal like Angie suggested hoping to add some more depth and they still were too much peanut butter for me.  I REALLY liked how easy they were and how simple it was to get the kids involved. Try them and let me know your thoughts.

Make today great...

I know everyone has been eagerly awaiting my next witty blog post...I got nothing.  Yes, I've done some things like going back to school to find that one of my classes were incredibly rude to the sub (so after threatening them with the "big" stuff in school like detention-I believe they'll be good); picking up the pieces from the sub only to prepare for another sub today so I can spend all day in meetings talking about courses for next year; attending a special preschool event "Muffins for Moms"; and trying to make sure out home continues to be in livable conditions (2 days in bed is not good).  Right now I'm in survival mode.  For the second time this year, I got blessed with a virus (or something) that has taken everything out of me.  I was literally laid up in bed for all of Sunday and most of Monday.  On Sunday, I did start a round of antibiotics and I thought they were kicking in...I was feeling pretty good.  By the end of the night last night, I was not feeling so hot again and today I am better than Sunday but not yet better.  I am very happy that Kenley is feeling much better and as of right now Scott and Camden haven't been hit.  Today if I could be anywhere, I would be tucked away in bed hiding under the covers with Lifetime playing in the background.  However, since that's not going to happen...I plan on making the best of my wonderful Wednesday happy for God, my life, my family, and my health (well most of it).  My goal is to make it a great day no matter how I feel, I mean it might actually look like spring today! Are you willing to join me?  Make it a great day everyone!

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas from Skye Millhiser, Favorites from our Table-New Life Missions Recipe book

1 T Butter
1 medium onion chopped
1 8oz cream cheese softened
1 4oz can diced green chilies
2-3c. shredded cooked chicken
8 flour tortillas
1 sm crtn. heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp. cumin
2 c. Monetary Jack cheese (or whatever you have on hand)

Saute onion in butter until soft. Mix cream cheese, chilies, chicken and onion. Put equal amounts of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle half the cheese on top of the filling. Roll tortillas jellyroll style. Place in 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of enchiladas. Combine whipping cream and cumin. Pour whipping cream mixture over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown on the edges.

This is YUMMY stuff. It's good for the family and even good to serve to company. there's something about the whipping cream that makes it extra delicious.

Menu Monday

So I don't know about you but one of the things that I do to help me look like I have it all together is menu planning. Sometimes I am better than others. There are many benefits to menu planning including saving money both at the grocery store and from not resorting to take out. And if you're like we were yesterday even when you have a plan it's fruity pebbles for all. Kenley and I have been significantly under the weather...I guess I wasn't love sick from my purse purchase but I may have actually been sick. I spent most of yesterday in bed trying to save myself from the horrible fever of 102.6 and body aches. My darling husband told me that I looked like "death warmed over". Boy, isn't he good to me? Although I'm not fully up to par today my fever is much closer to the normal range of 100.1. Kenley and I are staying home today to rest up. Poor Kenley is on her 5th round of antibiotics in 2011 (3 ear infections and 2 strep). Hopefully, Camden and Scott will not be struck by the plague.

Monday- Chicken Enchiladas (or fruity pebbles again)



Tuesday- Easy Pot Roast http://www.aimeesadventures.com/RecipeFiles/Crockpot1/EasyCrockpotRoast.html



Wednesday- Leftovers or Pot Roast Soup
http://www.aimeesadventures.com/RecipeFiles/Crockpot1/PotRoastSoup.html



Thursday- Breakfast (this is a pretty open option, sometimes it's cereal for the kids and eggs for me, eggs for everyone, maybe pancakes...it really varies but I always include breakfast once a week-simple, easy, and everyone is happy)



Friday-Turkey Cutlets with oven baked fries



Saturday- Pizza



Sunday-Meatball Soup


You can find my menu and other just like it posted at:
http://orgjunkie.com/blog