This morning, I broke out my mini-greenhouse and got my garden seedlings planted! That means that spring is here (along with allergies, ugh…) and now I’m patiently waiting for the real weather warm-up to happen so I can play in the dirt everyday and enjoy harvesting …
I can’t believe I’m constructing a rooster tail out of chicken wire and feather boas right now. The hubby has a work trip next week which includes attending a costume party so in true form, he wants to go as a giant, ahem, “rooster” except …
I’m just going to hit pause on the awesomely easy summer strawberry salad for a sec… I get to go dancing in two days!!! Maybe that’s not exciting for you, but it is for me 🙂 The hubby and I used to do fun things like take latin dance lessons. Of course, this was before kids when we actually had extra time and extra cash. We (mostly) remember the steps and what we don’t, we improvise and pretend it looks good. Throw in a twirl here and there and everyone thinks you’re great even if you don’t know what you’re doing. Ha! This weekend is my step-brother’s wedding so just as exciting as dancing with my hubby, is dancing with my dear old dad. Growing up, my parents used to belong to a country dance club so every now and then we’d push the kitchen table out of the way and dance until our feet ached and our hearts were full. I’m sure my dad and I will get a good swing going and probably a two-step or two before the night is through. My heart will be full this weekend. I will be seeing a lovely couple get married, celebrate with extended family I haven’t seen for quite some time and will be able to laugh it up, dancing the night away.
Let’s move off the dance floor and back to the summer strawberry salad (I know, less exciting perhaps but so delicious!!!). This is my go-to salad when I need to bring something that everyone is guaranteed to enjoy. It’s also an amazing salad-as-dessert since it has the sweetness of strawberries both in the salad as well as the strawberry poppyseed dressing. Tossed with a little celery and pecans for crunch, the Havarti cheese gives it a little bit of cozy creaminess that says “I’m eating something naughty!”… but you’re not! If you would rather not make the dressing, I’ve found that Marzetti’s makes a great all natural, no preservatives strawberry poppyseed dressing that is quite tasty. You can also use a raspberry vinaigrette or a more creamy poppyseed dressing if you like. All taste wonderful and after a bite of this summer strawberry salad, your heart will be full too!
I am so happy right now! I’ve been outside in a tank top all morning shoveling dirt and getting my garden soil prepped for planting. Yeah, I realize that sort of work isn’t necessarily fun for all but I LOVE it. AND it’s only …
Happy almost Easter! I survived having the kiddos home on Spring break last week and also hosted four of my daughter’s nine-year-old friends for her birthday sleepover. It never fails to surprise me at how rambunctious and LOUD a small group of young girls can …
Happy hump day! I’m in a midweek scurry to get things yet to be accomplished off my to-do list. I’ve had a winter project list that’s been in dire need of completion now that spring is merely a few weeks away (or so I’m hoping). Paint the guestroom, help hubby build a coat rack and entryway hooks, build a frame for a large painting, finish my son’s scrapbook that should have been done two years ago (turns out I hate scrapping so it kept getting put off)…. It feels so GOOD to get things done and checked off the list. This week has therefore been a week for easy meals so I’m making pizza tonight with this quick and awesome pizza sauce and therefore I’ve been calling it pizza awesome sauce!
This sauce is super fast to put together using dry spices, smoked salt, tomato paste and fire roasted diced tomatoes. Toss it all in a blender and puree. Then use it as a pizza sauce, or a dipping sauce for other fun munchies, in your scrambled eggs, or whatever else you want some awesome sauce to spice up your life with.
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Why has it taken three weeks to recover from the holiday season?? I’m guessing it has something to do with a full two months of busy-ness leading to I-just-want-to-do-nothing syndrome. I’m still trying to catch my breath. The outdoor temperatures here in Minnesota were comparable to …
This bowl of cheesy awesomeness…Chile con Queso was my go-to appetizer for no less than three gatherings this holiday season among family and friends. It is the ideal blend of creaminess and spice with a little sneaky veggie value thrown in for good measure. Sautéing a combination …
Venison is a meat I grew up eating which harnesses a unique field to table flavor. It also carries a heaping dose of nostalgia. My dad used to take me ice fishing when I was young with my brother and sister. We would play endless rounds of card games like Kingman’s Corner and Crazy 8’s and eat endless amounts of Snickers candy bars and venison hot sticks. Then, in a sugar crazed frenzy further fueled by soda pop, we’d take off out onto the ice and skate around in a sad attempt at hockey. Venison stroganoff is one of my favorite venison recipes. This is my take on a creamy comfort dish that reminds me of many winters at home as a kid.
After meeting my father for the first time, my husband fell in love with the annual deer hunting adventure and spends a long weekend each year hanging out with the guys in the woods dangling from trees in freezing temps and walking through marsh and bramble in pursuit of deer (sounds like a GREAT time doesn’t it?? ha!). Some years are more prosperous than others and this year his efforts were rewarded with a nice stash of venison in our freezer. Venison stroganoff is a simple Hungarian style dish that easily blends the unique flavor of this lean game meat into a sauce perfect for ladling over pasta or smashed potatoes. You can also use beef in this recipe but if you have access to venison, give it a shot as this venison stroganoff will rock your socks off!!
Hungry for more venison recipes? You might also enjoy my Venison Steaks with Sweet Smoky Aioli, Veggies and Venison Chili , marinated venison chops , and venison tenderloin with creamy mustard sauce too!
One week to go until we close on our new house and the process is finally going smoothly so we’re now expecting to close on time. Wheeee!! I may actually get to plant a garden this year and that makes me VERY happy. Vacations also make me happy. This …
