spt: spring fever

In Search of Spring.

Initially, my picture had to be orange blossoms.  Arizona spring.  The smell of orange blossoms does me in. Absolute love. Absolute turning back time...a smell of growing up in Mesa.

But then, I was attacked by a giant tumbleweed. Seriously. The spring winds have been frantic, the dust has been flying, and a tumbleweed taller than my Expedition lurched in front of me as I drove home one night last week. Surely I could hunt that monster down...the ugly side of the earth's spring cleaning.

But then, came the wedding. And the flowers screamed Spring. Not hard to snap myself with my mini bouquet bundle.

But then, spring fever turned literal. I had double fever boys Sunday and Monday. And they were very cute lying very still in my bed. I could definitely cozy myself in the middle of these two.

 yes, that is orange crayon on my wall behind the bed..filling every single space..
has been there for months now..I like to call it art.

But then, I went to the grocery store today and saw this something that I always miss through fall and winter:

Yes, strawberries. The kind that are red through & through. The kind that are juicy and sweet. The kind that don't cost a fortune and end in disappointment. Yes, the wait is over, the fruit is at the ripe & ready. A definite harbinger of spring and nearly summer in my kitchen.  If you are at all a fan of this fruit, you must try these two recipes with me this week.  Delicious.

Strawberry Pie

Crust:   1 c. flour         2 Tbsp. powdered sugar  
            1/2 c. butter

Filling:    1 c. sugar                1/8 tsp. salt  
             1 c. water                3 Tbsp. cornstarch  
             3 Tbsp. corn syrup  3 Tbsp. strawberry jello

Strawberries
Whipping Cream

Grease and flour pie pan. In a bowl, combine flour & powdered sugar. Cut in butter. Chill 30 minutes. Press into pie pan. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes.  Combine all ingredients but jello in saucepan. Cook & stir until thickened & clear. Add jello. Stir until dissolved. Place strawberries in cooled pie crust. Pour sauce over top. Refrigerate.  Top with whipped cream when ready to serve.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

 
10 oz. bag baby spinach leaves     crumbled Feta cheese
sliced red onion                             sliced strawberries
3/4 c. slivered almonds                  sliced or diced avocado 

Dressing:    1/2 c. (or less) sugar    1/2 tsp. paprika
                  1/2 tsp. salt                  1/4 c. apple cider vinegar  
                  1 T. minced red onion   1 tsp. worcestshire sauce
                  1/2 c. vegetable oil

Blend dressing ingredients in blender.  Toss salad together.  Just before serving, toss with almonds (the friend who gave me the recipe candies her almonds; I prefer plain pecans), avocado and dressing.  It will get soggy, so keep the dressing separate if you plan on having leftovers.

Comments

[Shawna B.]

Hi Amy! Happy Spring! Those strawberries look lovely - if only I ate berries. I know, I know. Very sad. I wish I did! I just ... can't. Too seedy. Anyway, great shot of your with the beautiful berry. Cute hair, too! Really cute hair! Congats on the absolutely stunning wedding cake. That is the kind of cake that belongs on the cover of a wedding magazine. Or a book entitled The World's Most Beautiful Cakes. I'd buy it just because your cake was on the cover! I am rambling. It is so late ... But that cake is AMAZING. You are so talented!

[Jill]

I'm laughing at the thought of an Expedition-sized tumbleweed chasing you down. They have those in Eagle Mountain, and it's super windy out there so I know of what you speak.

That's too bad that the boys have literal spring fevers, but they look cute together in bed.

I actually bought strawberries the other day but had forgotten about them, I'll have to excavate them from the fridge.

[melaine]

So sad about the boys and their fevers. I would want to stay in bed with them too!

I love strawberries but love them right out of the ground. Yum!

The wind sounds crazy. It is one thing I can't stand about the spring!!

[Michelle]

The picture of the boys is classic. It reminds me of when we where on a trip to colorado. The three boys in our family decided it was time to all get chicken pox!!! Yes, a ten day vacation with 3 little ones itching horribly. I am going to give the strawberrie recipes a try. I so badly need new recipes.,

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

Of course! Strawberries! Yes, yes, s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-i-e-s definitely spells spring.

I'm so glad I found your blog. The artwork on the wall, the gorgeous cake . . . I can't believe I've been missing out on all of this.

[lelly]

oh, my. i am so there with you and the strawberries! they had some on the salad bar last week that were amazing, but i just couldn't see paying the 'shipped from afar' prices at the market.

we have a u-pick strawberry farm several miles from here, and a bunch of us take our kids every year to fill up our bellies and our freezers. these two new recipes will do nicely, thank you!

[Sheri]

That is definetly one of my favorites too. I get so excited to see the strawberries- especially when they get afordable to buy in the spiring/summer. Thanks for the recipes. My kids will love it.

[Anne]

I am in love with strawberries, and that salad is one of my favorites! I also love your hair, so cute and stylish!

[Mandy]

Josh always wants to take me to Arizona this time of the year. He wants me to experience the orange blossoms and the idea of it is very enticing. Unfortunately, we have yet to accomplish this.

I love strawberries and your picture is very cute! I still want your hair.

[amy m]

Oh how I love strawberries, especially the ones red and juicy. Good Choice.Thanks for sharing the recipes.

cute photo

[sista #2]

The orange blossoms literally does my hubs in -his allergies can't even handle driving down McKellips to get to Tia Rosas!haha (that's why we can never live in the groves, plus scorpions) But anyway...Your
pix are great! Love the art work -been there! Actually, it's STILL there!haha (on a desk/hutch)
Cute of you with the strawberries! Should be an Ad for the luscious fruit!! -ciao

[Shanon]

I love strawberries and your pie!! I am going to make it soon!! Sorry your boys aren't feeling good. Hope you all feel better soon.

[Barb]

Happy Spring, Amy! Strawberries are the best this time of year, you're right. Hope your little are all better.

[Jenny]

I have that exact same recipe from my MIL. It is fabulous! Sorry to hear about that blasted tumbleweed. I hate those things!! And strawberries are a favorite in our house as well. My kids go through homemade jam like candy. Good thing they are in season again.

Hope the boys feel better soon.

[Annalisa]

I have been happily munching on the strawberries I got at Costco last week. Divine. How do we ever survive winter?
I was chased down by a mini tumbleweed while on my bike last week. Although not big, it did scare me thinking I was going to get all tangled up in it and fall.

[Emily]

Thanks for the recipes, you do know how I feel about good food. There's just nothing like it!

[Megan]

I love strawberries and all the fresh fruit that Spring brings our way. Your hair is cute in that picture, it makes me miss you.
And there is a scent from Gold Canyon Candles that is called orange blossoms, it smells exactly like the blossoms from the orange groves in the valley. It's my favorite scent and I burn it whenever I'm feeling homesick.

[Jordan]

I'm making your S.S. Salad for Conference weekend! Hopefully these windy days will sweep away the fevers and make room for flowers, in your home! I'm still anxious to get together...

[jaime]

Definitely gonna try these recipes! Hope your boys are feeling better soon. Expedition sized tumbleweed huh?? I thought we only had those hear in the sticks.

[Kelly]

The famous Hendrix strawberry pie recipe -- thanks!! And the salad sounds amazing. June is strawberry heaven here -- can't wait.

Your hair is seriously cute -- I love it!

And the art work -- just today I discovered that Avery (the SEVEN year old) wrote each of our initials on the drawers of her dresser. It makes me insane. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a friend to moms.

[Amy]

Oh Jordan, it did cross my mind today that it would have been a perfect zoo Wednesday!

And Megs, that will definitely be my next order. Will have to ask the Jim if he could handle that one. I'm hoping yes.

And Annalisa, it would hugely freak me out to be chased down on a bike by a tumbleweed, giant or not. So glad you lived to tell the tale!

And Mandy, if Josh can rope you & Ryley into an AZ visit, you are definitely welcome in my home!

[tina]

Found your blog probably through the self-portrait blog roll of Lelly's . . . and I just have to say that strawberries are my FAVORITE too! I will definitely have to try the salad recipe - a lot of my favorite things that I wouldn't have thought to put together in a salad. Thanks for the recipes!