Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad Recipe (from Simply Recipes)

I took this salad to my church's potluck yesterday. It recieved many praises. Elijah was especially proud as he was the one who made the dressing (He even followed the recipe and measured out the ingredients himself!).

Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad

2/3c. slivered almonds
8c. (1lb) coarsely shredded napa cabbage (one big head)
12 oz snow peas, strings removed, rinsed and thinly sliced (sometimes I leave this out)
1 1/3 c. thinly sliced radishes (one bunch)
1 1/3 c. thinly sliced green onions (one bunch)
1 1/3 c. lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves (one bunch)

Dressing ingredients:

3 T rice vinegar
2 T sugar
2 T soy sauce (sometimes I use Tamari)
1 clove peeled and minced garlic
1/2 t sesame oil
1/2 t ground ginger
1/4 t cayenne powder (I have been leaving this out because I keep forgetting that I am out of it)
1 c. mayonnaise

1. Toast the almonds. (on baking sheet, at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes.) Set aside.

2. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients, in order.

4. When ready to serve, combine salad, dressing, and almonds.

Serves 14-16. (side dish portions...probably would serve about 6-8 for dinner....just add some chicken and call it a day!)

Brotherly Love

I must say that my sons LOVE babies and treat them with such tenderness. Nai needs only to slightly fuss and if one of his brothers are in earshot, he is picked up with hugs and kisses or catered to in some other especially sweet fashion. In the photo above, Elijah answered Benaiah's call with a cuddle in his lap and a story reading.

25 Random Facts (See....I'm doing it!)

1. My favorite colors are yellow and orange, but I never wear them.

2. I have 11 siblings, but I do not have a relationship with any of them (I do occasionally speak to one brother...but I would hardly call it a relationship).

3. I played the tuba briefly in 7th grade, but just to make the point that I could if I wanted to.

4. I love to make things out of clay.

5. I greatly dislike ironing and generally dislike laundry of any kind.

6. I like doing floors (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, carpet shampooing).

7. My favorite author is Agatha Christi (She and I share the same birthday and she died the year I was born).

8. I always thought that I would be a writer.

9. In my childhood, I always struggled at making friends.

10. I generally dislike and distrust dogs.

11. I have taken swing dancing lessons.

12. I enjoy swimming.

13. I spend a lot of time thinking of ways to be self-sufficient and go off-grid.

14. I would like to paint murals.

15. I don't like ice cream.

16. I smile even when I am angry.

17. I don't like shoes and wouldn't wear them if I did not have to.

18. I wish I had a hoopskirt.

19. I don't like crowds.

20. Being up high makes my feet tingle.

21. I love drinking tea and having toast with lemon curd on it.

22. I like the smell of old books.

23. I like seaweed.

24. I am still afraid of the dark.

25. The smell of maple bars, cigarettes, an coffee reminds me of my Grandma, and makes me feel very calm.

Huntin' Contest

This is where the hunting contest was.

This is the excited, toothless Luc.

Luc won tenth place....he said it was 1st.

Here is Lij.....who is upset with 8th place.

Here is a very stoked Abe who won 3rd place and a cash prize. Lij protests Abe's win because the beagle Abe chose was always in front (she was in heat) and that makes things unfair. The contest was more based on how you used the beagle to flush out the rabbits. When you saw a rabbit you were supposed to yell, "Tally-ho!". Luc said, "Hally-ho".

Benaiah and I went thrift-storing with Aunt Cecilia during the hunt and returned for the awards.