Strawberry Spinach Salad Delight

For those of you who tried the spinach salad at the reunion last week, here's the recipe. I had a lot of requests for it, and figured this was the easiest way to share. I got the recipe from my Relief Society President, so I don't claim any genius here at all - but this salad is FANTASTIC. 

The Cast of Characters:

1 lb. spinach leaves

1 qt. strawberries, sliced

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1/3 cup sugar (sorry Gramma)

So first we're going to put our almonds and sugar in a pan and heat it up.

 The recipe says to use a sauce pan, but I cook almost everything in my cast iron skillet, and it worked fine. Except I think I had it on too hot (med high) because it started smelling 'done' before the sugar was completely melted. Try medium heat.

 I was skeptical about heating up just nuts and sugar, but it works! Something melts! I'm not exactly sure where the liquid comes from - the nuts? Who knows. I used raw almonds that I chopped up, rather than sliced ones. I'm a rule breaker like that.

It takes 5-10 minutes for the sugar to dissolve, but once it does (or starts burning, like mine did) just dump it all out on some wax paper to cool.

You have to spread it out pretty thinly because they cool to hardness and you'll have a sugared-almond-rock if you don't. But you know, don't let me tell you what to do. 

So then throw your spinach and strawberries into a big bowl and whip up the dressing:

Dressing Cast of Characters:

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 cup vinegar (I used white distilled)

1/3 cup strawberry jam

1/2 cup oil

2 t. poppy seeds

Throw the first four ingredients into your blender and mix it up good, then add the oil while the blender is still blending to 'emulsify'. I'm not even sure what that means. Then pour it out into a bowl and stir in the poppy seeds gently. 

By now your almonds should be cooled and you can put them in the serving bowl with the spinach. 

Wait to pour the dressing on until you're ready to eat the salad. 

Mmmmm!!

Jamie dearest, will you tell your Mom that I put the recipe on here? I'm not sure if she reads the blog or not. Shanks!

A Little Haas History

In November 2010, Jake Ryan Haas visited the home of his great great grandpa, John W. Hess in Farmington, UT. He was the grandfather of Sharon Haas and built this home for his wife Caroline. The first Primary was organized under his direction when he was bishop of the Farmington Ward during the 1800s. He was a great man and a dynamic church leader in the area. He served as bishop for 27 years! There is more wonderful information on John Hess at http://jacobhess.blogspot.com.

Just so you all know...

Since I'm counting the days and practically the hours I'm just going to mention that my family comes home in 12 DAYS!!! (I'm SO EXCITED I can hardly stand it.) We're coming to Utah next weekend and can't wait to see you all very soon!

She's LEGAL! Ahhg!

Today is Hanna's birthday! My parents no longer have any children who are children. Weird.

Today is also Caleb's birthday. They share. I feel like I skip her a little bit each year - since I'm married to Caleb, not Hanna. Plus I blogged about him extensively over on my blog, so I think we're covered there.

Isn't she cute? I just love her.

She graduated from High School last week - which was definitely another first for my parents. Weird again.

 Happy birthday, Hanna! You're the coolest.

HAPPY BDAY TO MOM, GMA. NETTE!

To a mother of 6, a grandma of 26, and great-grandma of 9--so far.
LOVE YOU, MOM!!! Hope your day is a happy and WELL one.

Blessing Day

He's Officially Ben Marvin Christensen on the records of the Church, now!

Officially Official

We've decided that his name is Ben Marvin Christensen. At one point I liked Ben Owen, but then we would have had two kids with three names from Star Wars, so we didn't go for that one.



P.S. Marvin is Diana's father's name. It may sound funny at first but it really grows on you. :)

He's here!!

Baby Christensen was born this morning!

7lbs 12 oz 20 in

 Mom and baby are doing great!

Who woulda thought

I would like you all to know that there is another Red-head in the family

(ok its not really red yet, more strawberry-ish. but its getting there!)

Happy Birthday, Cami

Once upon a time, many years ago (like 18ish), Cami and I were having a chat. She happened to be sitting in the bathtub at the time, but that really has nothing to do with the story. 

We decided, right then and there, to be "Best Buddies Forever." 

And we have been!

I've loved her since the first time I saw her, and she has made me laugh every day of her life.

Happy Twentieth, Cambo!

OK HOW'S THIS

He's a pretty happy boy!

Seven More Months!

I'm a little nervous about this one coming home!

What will I DO with him?

At our house right now

At 7:00am this morning, the thermometer on my front porch said this:

Which is why we are doing this:

All day.

SoCal

562 G Avenue!

Sea Lions, surf and beautiful flowers - I was in heaven!

Have you ever been on a zip line? How about a 5 zipline course down a canyon on Catalina Island? Yep, I did it!

Dad, on the phone, in random places!

This is the hospital where Jayne and Tess were born.

Yes, Popcorn is Popping on the Apricot Trees in Southern California! I saw it with my own ideas and my own camera.

For Max (continued)

For you, Max

Max texted me earlier this evening. He requested photos of Claire.

At the time we had friends over for dinner, and Tess and Chuck (but they're our friends too, right?) are also over, so it was craziness, but I was SO thrilled to get a text from Max (I know, I'm so cool) that I told him I'd post right away.

I took these this morning, so they're as fresh as fresh can be!

 It has been about... 5 hours since that text and I'm just NOW getting it done!
Max! Will you forgive me?! Will you ever text me again after my epic fail?

Tess and I are going to take lots of photos of both babies tomorrow JUST for YOU!

Happy Birthday, Beautiful

To my lovely sister, Melanie: I hope this day was as beautiful and fabulous as you!! Happy birthday, sis.

Hey Fam

Just checking in and saying Hello from the frozen, snowy mountain tops of Utah. How's the weather in SoCal, Aunt Bethanie?

And also wanted to share Jonah's thoughts from this morning, which came completely out of the blue:

Jonah: "Mom, did Grandpa Tom die?"
Jayne: "Yes he did. So where is he now?"
Jonah: "In Heaven. We just sent him up there to get fixed."

Couldn't agree more.

Max

One dark night while max was staying at my house for thanksgiving, he had an epiphany. It went like this:
Me: "Goodnight Max!"
Max: "You know Hanna, you should get some babies. Then i'd want to hang out with you more."
Oh how i love this cousin of mine...

Gramma!

Did anyone read Gramm'a recent comment down there on Aunt Bethanie's "Turkey Day" post? This lady is crazy funny!

Thanks

Did I tell you how much I loved Thanksgiving with SO MANY loved ones around?

Woo hoo! New York, baby!

Just a little sampling of our day in New York! Riding the subway was crazy and cool! We are on our way back to SLC now. Thanks to Grandma, Jo Jo, Kari, and everyone else who took such good care of our littles while we were gone--we miss Max and Lily so much!!!