Where did the time go . . .

This time, last year, my son and I had suitcases in everyone's way and were making last-minute trips to the store for items needed on our long-planned trip to see the battlefields of World War II. Where did the time go? The trip is already 'last year' and when we review our pictures, it is hard to believe we had actually been there an done that!

In this picture, my son was enjoying his first ship cruise as we took this huge ferry boat across the English Channel to the France and, subsequently, to Normandy. I don't think my son ever realized how vast a body of water could be even if this was not of the proportions of an entire ocean. When you can't see the shore from any view, then that is considered a lot of water!

Strawberry-Spinach Pecan Salad

This is a simple salad combination that is very pretty on the plate and tastes good, too. It is colorful and healthy. Summer is arriving all too quickly so my mind is turning to cool side dishes for warm summer evenings.

Strawberry-Spinach Pecan Salad

Pecans:
2 cups pecan halves
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the pecans, preheat the ove to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and use vegetable oil spray to grease it.

Place all the ingredients except the pecans in a pot. Stirring constantly,  heat the mixxture until the brown sugar dissolves. Boil until the mixtures gets a bit thickened about 2-3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, add the pecans and stir to coat the nuts with the sugar mixture. Work quickly as the sugar will start to harden. Spread out the nuts on the prepared baking sheet as individually as possible. Bake for ten minutes in the oven or until the pecans begin to brown a bit. Remove from the oven and remove the nuts from the parchment before they stick. Cool before using in your salad.

Salad:
4-6 cups of washed and patted dry baby spinach leaves
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

Dressing:
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the dressing ingredients and mix thoroughly. Taste for salt and overall taste. You might prefer a bit more vinegar or mustard. Adjust the seasonings as needed.

When you are ready to serve, toss the spinach and strawberries with the dressing. Just before serving, toss in the pecans.

Ideas:
I like a sprinkling of Feta on the salad, too. Freshly grated Parmesan would work, too.
For some extra texture, a handful of dried cranberries mixed in goes well.

Something to think about . . .

This story has been circulating the Internet and e-mail for a year or two that I know of but no one seems to know the origin. It is a story but it makes a point that most people don't consider when they consider abortion.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
“Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even one year old, and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together.”

So the doctor said: “Okay, and what do you want me to do?”

She said: “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.”

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence, he said to the lady: “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you, too.”

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.”

The lady was horrified and said: “No, doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!”

“I agree,” the doctor replied. “But you seemed to be okay with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.”

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference between killing a child that’s already been born and killing one that’s still in the womb. The crime is the same!