Best Salad EVER

My brother and sister-in-law had us over for dinner earlier this week.

They're awesome people!

She made an amazing salad that my hunnie inhaled! He took the time between mouthfuls to state quite clearly, "this is the best salad I've ever put in my mouth". Naturally I needed the recipe... the world deserves to know this recipe!!!

Strawberry Salad

8 cups greens
1 can mandarin slices
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 med red onion
1/2 cup carmelized almonds
poppy seed dressing

Carmelized Almonds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 tbsp sugar
Toss almonds in sugar and cook on med-high stirring constantly
Spread on wax paper to cool

Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 cup wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
3 tbsp Mayo
4 tsp poppy seeds

Whisk it together like a crazy person until it's proper "dressing" consistency ;o)

Day With Family

As I said before it's been about 21 months since we've been "home" to Ontario.

In that time, as can be expected, a lot has happened, new family members have been added other have changed so much you don't recognize them... today my side of our family got together and had a lovely fun filled day at a park taking pictures.

Some of us met for the first time...

Others had a good, long overdue, run together...

some of us tried to learn to fly

and others had a time of reflection...

we swung on swings

and slid on slides

It was an amazing day!

Off to Ontatio

It's been 21 months since we've been in Ontario, but we're headed there for roughly 3 weeks!!

In the Newfoundland airport there is a wonderfully fun ship for kids to play on while waiting and for 2 boys who love pirates, it was the BEST distraction!!

Happy Canada Day!!

Rag Doll

About a month or so ago I decided that I wanted to make my nieces rag dolls for Christmas this year. I found about 3 patterns and tried them out, but I wasn't really pleased with any of them. So I set out to make my own pattern, after all how hard can making a rag doll pattern be?

Over 11 test dolls later and I finally made a pattern I'm happy with!

I still have some changes that I'd like to make, to the eyes and the materials I used, but all in all, I'm so excited about the end result!

Birthday Party

Today we celebrated my baby's birthday with our friends.

We had a great time and an amazing spread of food.

I've been making this recipe for banana bread for years now, but it's always a crowd pleaser so I thought I'd pass it along.

1 Already...

My baby turned 1 today...

Meaghan Smith... so lovely

I have a routine in the mornings, as do you I'm sure.

I wake up with my youngest sometime between 6 and 6:20am.

We head to the basement in an effort to not wake up my oldest and proceed to kill time until the rest of the house is budding with the same energy as my littlest guy.

Often the time killing invloves e-mail checking, diaper changing, washroom visiting and an "In the Night Gaden" viewing.

(my last attempt to get in a 30 minute snuggle and half sleep/half awake time)

Yesterday morning I received an e-mail from a lovely friend of mine telling me about a new Canadian artist/singer she thought I would enjoy. I popped over to You Tube right away and instantly fell in love.

I spent the rest of the day watching old shows like Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailer and dreaming of vintage dresses and a simpler time.

My mother has always called me an old soul and said I was born 50 years after I should have been.

Watching songs like this and allowing them to transport me to another time, I couldn't agree more...