Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing - The Star of the Show

I'm longing for Spring.  Or at least something warmer.  Or consistent.  This weather...makes me wanna slap somebody.  Crazy Ohio.

So, in order to think warmer thoughts -- here I sit, hoping for a 2nd attempt of an uninterrupted bubblebath.  Blogging.  In the hottest water imaginable.  Skin is red.  But I'm happy.

A computer sits inches from my bathwater.  If my blog so happens to be made public before it's finished...know that I died dreaming of balmy spring days and my Spring Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing.

Ahhh...spring salad.  Fyi, I make this all year around because it's THAT awesome.   Ok, maybe not the salad part - but the dressing is AMAZING.  I drink it when no one is looking.  Kidding.  (Kinda.)  ***

Every time I make it for guests or take it to someone else's house, I'm asked for the recipe.  So much that I have pre-printed recipe cards in my front pocket wherever me and my salad go.  I'm so confident.  Idiotic.  And totally joshin' ya. ;) Below you shall find what you've been asking for.  Yes, I just ended that sentence with a preposition.  { Too tired. ;) }

For the salad part, you can put whatever makes ya smile.  For us (and mainly the hubby), I do a bed of baby spinach leaves.  Top with lots of sliced strawberries.  Add some dried cranberries.  (If cranberries don't complete you, use dried pomegranates, or blueberries which these are all on sale for ONE buck this week at Kroger - time to stock up, folks).  Then I whip up a homemade batch of sugared chopped almonds.  The perfect crunchy topping.  Now, the yummiest dressing your taste buds will ever, ever encounter.

{ Picture will be posted tomorrow.  Too tired. ;) }

Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing
• 3 T red wine vinegar              • 1/4 C. sugar
• 1/2 tea. salt                              • 1/2 tea. ground mustard
• 1/2 C. canola oil                      • 3/4-1 C. sliced strawberries
• 3/4 tea. poppy seeds {I've been fighting with the format of this last ingredient for 5 minutes.  Wahh, I can't make it right.  I GIVE, BLOGGER.  Too tired. ;) }

**UPDATE: By giving into Blogger, it corrected my format.  Ever so thankful.  And tired.

1. Place vinegar, sugar, salt and mustard in a blender.  Pulse to mix together.
2. Drizzle oil in until mixture is creamy.
3. Add strawberries and process until mostly smooth.
4. Add poppy seeds.  Pulse to mix together.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  The longer it's refrigerated, the better.  But I've made it and let it sit for 15 minutes, and it still tasted divine.

***When strawberries are in season, your dressing will be just right with the above ratio of ingredients. However, during those times when they're not, just add a little more sugar and more strawberries to compensate for the lack of sweetness.

Now, go take your dressing, sit in a corner, and spoon feed yourself this yum yum mess.

Sighhh.  No casualties reported during this bubblebath and bloggin' time.  Nightey-nite.

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Get Your Move On ---- To TARGET!!

I have been scrubbing and cleaning all day.  Stop thinking Susie Homemaker. Not in the least bit. Today has been coined, The Day of Accidents."  Two of the accidents will not get any blogtime from me except to say UGGHHHH GROOOOSSSSS. Gag, gag, gag.  The end. 

I've also spring-cleaned my mom's dining room walls.  And baseboards.  And berber carpet.  Not a trace of chili anywhere.  Splatter marks were staring at me in my face.  And I'm a tall girl.   All I gotta say is my mom should be happy that I ate half of my bowl while walking to their house...or I think I would have been cleaning her living room as well.  Why couldn't the cafeteria served potato soup today???  Something a lil' easier to clean.  Something not red.  Hmmm.

I was responsible for the chili.  I was not responsible for the other gag, gag, gag ones.

I needed to find a happy place.  Right away.  I finally located one.  :)  After some yoga/breathing exercises hot white tea,  my thoughts turned to my awesome deals that I scored last week at Target!!!  Thought I would share so you all can hopefully score some of the same finds!

Last week, most Targets were putting their Christmas on 90% clearance.  I HAD to go.  Not necessarily for wrapping paper, bags or bows.  But for other goodies.  It just so happened that any products that were Christmasy/holiday-ish were also 90% off.  We're talking clothes, undergarments, accessories, paper products and so on.  These were NOT in the Christmas bins.  One of the Targets that I went to had their act together and some of the forementioned items were actually back in the 90% clearance.  However, most of the time, I just had to go look through the stores, in the departments that you would normally find the items.   

Here are some of the things that I found.  My phone pics are all I have.  And believe me, when I say that I got LOTS more than what's pictured.  This is just some of the "highlights." ;)

Dixie Plates: $.22/each

I normally don't buy paper plates or products.  Since I normally can get dish soap for free through couponing, I choose that route.  BUT, when I can find plates for $.22 cents, I think I'll buy any and all packages I can find.  Which only happened to be a couple.  These were located with the other paper plates.  Notice that they're opened.  There were coupons inside the package.  Due to scoring such an awesome price on them, I wasn't thinking clearly, or I would have opened the plates before I checked out and used the coupons while there to score them for free and get overage.  However, I did open the plates as soon as I got out in the car to see what incredible coupons the manufacturer had given to me.  I'm so weird.

Boxer briefs: $.59/per package

So, my husband might disown me.  Wouldn't be the first time he's been tempted to though...this is for the sake of saving money and letting others know about it.  Just remember that, k? :)
These boxer briefs were originally $5.99 a pair.  I know that, because I had actually bought some for the hubs' Christmas stocking.  He's picky.  He's gotta have a certain kind.  Sighh...men. Sighh...paying full price for items.  Sighh...then finding them 90% off.  Sigh...
So, was I EVER excited to find them for $.59.  And they weren't even all Christmas or holiday patterns.  Because I am awesome and price-checked other colors like that, I was able to find LOTS of packages that were just everyday wear for 90% off!!!! :)  And Scott really did need some of these.  So, thank you God.  I won't take all of the awesome credit. ;)  The packages that weren't holiday had been re-barcoded and re-packaged.  Incorrectly albeit, but for my sake, I'm so thankful.  They were located in the men's "undergarment" department.  I'm thinkin' I got maybe 10 or more pair.  And several packages were left.  I got all of the ones I could find in hubby's size, and was tempted to get the smaller ones as well.  But I didn't want anybody hurt in the process of getting dressed.  So they're still there.  Help yourself.  If you're married to a boxer brief kinda man.

I also found some ladies' undergarments for $.49 each.  I will not post a picture of those.  (Trust me, I'm being fair...lol!)

I'm guessing these were accessories to some winter Christmas outfits.  Whatever, dude.  My kids can wear the black/white ADORABLE hats all year 'round.  And the blue velvet ones are PERFECT for winter.  And the ties - HOW CUTE?!!?  The hats were .$70/each and the ties were $.40/each.  Socks were $.29/each.  I'm telling you - the hats look like Janie and Jack.  At a fraction of the price.  :)  These were located in the baby clothes.  Not a single clearance sign near them.  I just happened to price check them.  And lo and behold...dirt cheap!! :)  The ties aren't pictured.  Drake's already worn one of his...and honestly, I don't have a clue where the other ones are right now.  The socks pictured here are for men.  They were also $.29/each.  You'd think the baby socks would be priced cheaper. :)

Stirs: $.29/each     Cookie Sticks: $.29/each

 These cute stirs are gonna make my 2013 Christmas party HOPPIN'! ;)  Maybe not just the stirs, but...previously, I had bought lots of other of the same themed party decor and accessories that were 30 or 50% off a couple weeks earlier.  Well, these match perfectly.  Along with the stirs are some cookie sticks.  Which always come in handy for birthday parties, special holidays, etc.

I only chose to buy one of these iPhone covers, but there was several different patterns.  All VERY CUTE.  The price on this bad boy - $1.99.  They aren't much protection, so I prefer my Otterbox over them.  But they are cute, so I might change it out when I feel like it.  And try not to drop it on that day.

Gigantic Gift Bags: $.40/each    Gift Labels: $.19/each   Seals: $.19/each

I did go ahead and buy some bags/boxes/labels/tissue paper for next Christmas.  In the "normal" wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., they had tissue paper that was 90% off as well.  It was a three-color package.  Gold, creme and bronze.  Beautiful.  And can be used all year round.  Got several of those for $.30/each and then got some red tissue paper as well.  Can be used for Valentine's or any other red-themed birthday parties for little girls.  :)  Ya gotta think ahead, folks. 

Like I already mentioned, I didn't take pictures of everything (like one other favorite - some stationary that can be used all year long.  What's better than an actual letter to a friend??).  But, this should be the proof that you need to get to your local Target and see if they have anything left.  Please don't be miffed if everything is sold out.  I did get all of this LAST week.  I sure hope you're able to get in on some super good bargains if you haven't already.  If you were able to find something, share the love and tell me what all you found!  Steals like this are soo much fun!! :)

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Look WHOO's One!!

Just to get this outta the way, because we's got LOTS and LOTS of adorable pictures to share...

My apology.  I went missing for 3 months almost.  I missed blogging.  I missed writing.  I missed sharing. 

The reason being - I am a very chronological girl.  I like things in order.  After my last blog in October - the next thing I wanted to blog about my baby's first birthday in November.  I had to blog about that FIRST because I was afraid I would forget to blog on it if I went on with my other food blogs, mundane happenings and so on.  Weeelll...I didn't forget about the blogging of the birthday.  I had asked my SIL (**) to snap pictures for the party which she happily obliged to.  I was waiting on the pictures in order to blog, but then life went on. Both of us forgot about them!  I would think about the pictures, but never ask her.  Until yesterday.  Two months and one week after the "Big D" turned 1. :)  She had them done along time ago, so no blamin' her at all.  All my fault.  It was kinda nice looking through the pictures today though - brought back such good memories.  Here's a warning: now that this blog is underway - WATCH OUT.  I will be catching up.  ;) 

Now, onto the birthday celebration ---

LOOK WHOO'S ONE! 

Birthday Bloke.

It was a simple, low-key party for Big D.  I did a large party for Cole this year, so this happened to be Drake's off year.  Poor, neglected baby.  I only wanted family there.  And those who are pretty much considered family to us.  I managed to get my mom to let me have the party at her house so I didn't have to clean my own. :)

I just so happen to really like winged creatures. (minus bats.)  I decorate with them.  In my home.  Weird, maybe.  But since I had them on hand, this was the perfect theme.  It took one of the guests half way through the party to catch the correlation between the theme and my decor.  Whoo's 1 > owls > whoo-whoo.  Ok.  Just in case it's confusing. ;)

Purty owl.

Instead of gifts, we asked the party animals to bring $1 dollar bills.  With an older brother, Drake didn't have need for anything.  I created a "money tree" for him - it will be waiting for him when he gets older.  The money, that is.  Maybe the tree too - ya never know...I'm pretty sentimental these days.

The menu was comprised of Zuppa Toscano which was accompanied by Mini Baked Ham Sandwiches.  

  

Drake loves chocolate.  He's the child that eats all of the chocolate chips out of the trail mix, won't stop eating my chocolate ice cream, and can down 8 oz. of chocolate milk like it's nobody's biz.  Of course, I made the chocolaty of all chocolate cakes for him.  With some buttercream icing that was super hard to ice.  It was worth it though - total spoilage on his birthday.  I think he was happy with the end result.  Prepare yourself for some serious adorableness.  Love these pictures below.

K, not here.  Below this one. :)

Drake loved his sparkler.  And so did Cole. ;)

                                     

"A bigger bite shall tell me more."

"I like, I like."

 "My mommy tells me cake makes me strong.  Please don't tell her any different."

Some of the guests.  

Drake is incredibly blessed to have these people in his life.  People who love and pray for him.

After Drake had a quick bath, we opened cards and just relaxed with good conversation.  

Drake at 12 months:

 

♥ Says, "ma-ma, da-da, buhbuh, hi (more like "hiy" as in karate man), woof, pweas (real soft, but with a "s" at the end) and yayyy."
♥ Has only four teeth, top and lower central incisors.  Eats all types of food now.  Loves sweets.  Still not madly, deeply in love with veggies.
♥ Cruises all over the furniture.

♥ Crawls (loudly slapping the wood floors with his palms) to the door to meet Daddy when he gets off work.
♥ Waves bye-bye, smiling like a fool.
♥ Claps his hands together and yells, "yayyyyyyy." Espeically after I get done changing a dirty diaper.  (My sentiments exactly.)
♥ Wrestles and rolls with Cole - belly to belly, rolling over and over, laughing.
♥ If Cole and Daddy are wrestling, Drake will crawl over there as fast as he can and lunge into their pile, head buried down.
♥ He'll kneel, face down into the boucle blanket, and Cole will pull him around the whole house (think on the ground chariot races - benefit of wood floors throughout).
♥ Two weeks after birthday, Drake started taking 2-3 steps quite frequently. 

Happy Birthday, Drake.  We love you to pieces.  

**To view more of my SIL's great work, click here.

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One of my BIGGEST soapboxes. Stop this madness.

This is INFURIATING.  Who cares if the Senate Budget Committee numbers aren't exactly correct.  It's the IDEA.  It's the WAY OF LIVING, DEPENDING on the government.  NO INCENTIVE to get off welfare and start supporting themselves.   If you read this and you don't get upset or bothered, yes, something is wrong with you.

Status Update

By Mike Huckabee

Last month, the Senate Budget Committee reports that in fiscal year 2011, between food stamps, housing support, child care, Medicaid and other benefits, the average US household below the poverty line received $168 a day in government support. What’s the problem with that much support? Well, the median household income in America is just over $50,000, which averages out to $137.13 a day. To put it another way, being on welfare now pays the equivalent of $30 an hour for a 40-hour week, while the average job pays $25 an hour. And the person who works also has to pay taxes, which drops his pay to $21 an hour. It’s no wonder that welfare is now the biggest part of the budget, more than Social Security or defense. And why would anyone want to get off welfare when working pays $9 an hour less?

For more of the Huckabe Report, visit MikeHuckabee.com.

1. This is the average, so yes, I know that not everyone is receiving this much assistance.
2. There are those that NEED help.  Temporarily.  Those on disability. 
3. Most of the people I see and hear about on welfare - they don't NEED the amount of money that the government is giving to them.  You can survive with meat, starches, dairy, vegetables & fruit (get on WIC if you need it - least that is LIMITED like it should be) on your grocery list and not spend NEAR what these people are receiving each month.  With the limits of assistance that government is giving - they are ENCOURAGING people to stay on it.

BUT WHY WORK when you don't need to??  Why is my husband out there literally killing himself working two jobs to support his family?  A structured family.  Time away from his boys, his wife - people WHO HE WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH.   Oh, that's right.  So he can be taxed more out of the earnings he has EARNED and that tax money can support those DOING NOTHING for themselves.  (I so want to use harsher verbiage but I'll refrain.  Maybe.)  Why doesn't he just quit working? Get on every assistance government program that everyone else is on that's too lazy to make a honest living. That way, he can sleep 6 hours a night instead of 3-4. That way, he can make more memories with his family - people that he's responsible for. That way, he might not work himself to death and have more days on this earth to milk the government for everything they're worth (more like, not worth). That way, we can eat better, wear better clothes, not have to worry about housing, get government grants for his education. Yeah, it actually sounds like my husband, the working man, the honest tax-paying citizen, is getting the worse end of the deal. Hmmm. Wonder how long it will be before most people figure this out and make the switch. When that 47% of welfare recipients becomes 60% or 80%. The more people that get on welfare, the less tax money the government has to support this mess. Hmmm. What happens, then??

What's so hard about making some stipulations on welfare - since part of OUR tax dollars are paying for it, why can't we have some say in it????  If the senators hear enough about how TIRED we are of this, maybe things will change.  WRITE or CALL your senator.  

1. Drug testing for welfare recipients. If they fail a drug testing once or twice, their aid gets cut.  If they fail it a 3rd time, they're unable to get aid for the rest of their existence.
2. Cut welfare aid down some.  If these so called needy recipients know that there are only going to receive the minimal of what they need to LIVE to SURVIVE, that might just change their perspective on finding a job.  
3. Put a cap on a lifetime of aid given by the government. 
4. Make welfare as hard to get on as disability is.  (And this is just what I've heard - but disability is so hard to get on, when people actually have a reason to need help; whereas, with welfare, apparently it isn't so hard to get on or qualify for help.) There's probably more that could be done, but why not start with just a few changes. It is getting insane, and something needs to be done about it. Join in. I'm writing someone. Somewhere. This week. A New Year's Resolution has been added to the 14 page list. And I missed bidding on Ebay due to reading the Huckabee Report, so this all makes me even madder. I need a punching bag. NOW.

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