Early February

 

 

 

So far, the early days of February have been all about the snow. A blizzard with a foot and a half of snow kept us home early in the week and two more measurable snowfalls have added to the fun. We were getting a little complacent around here, watching the record snowfalls in the east and thinking we were lucky to be having such a mild winter, when measuring our snowfall amounts. So far, February is making a mockery of that.

 

 

There becomes a rhythm to snowy days. You wake up to fresh snow and while it can be pretty, the driveway and sidewalks need to be cleared. Your coat, boots, hat and gloves are put on and off with regularity, every time you venture outside. Your world becomes a little smaller, and the paths a little narrower, as the snow piles up around you. The light is softer and even when the sun shines, there are shadows reflected off the expanses of snow.

 

 

The amounts of snow we are experiencing make spring time seem very far away. But we are tough here in Michigan. We are used to the long days of winter and know that spring always comes and surviving a snow filled winter, will make those first warm days all the sweeter.

Happy Thursday!

 

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Antipasto Salad

 

 

 

For the Italian style dinner that I served my book club last week, I started the meal with this delicious and easy Antipasto Salad. What makes this salad special, is the addition of the slightly spicy, pickled vegetables, called giardiniera. You can find it at most grocery stores, either with the pickles and olives or in the speciality Italian food section. There are usually two varieties; mild or spicy, but for this salad recipe, the mild is best.

The vegetables are unexpected and give the salad a lovely crunch. For the dressing, you can use your favorite oil and vinegar based recipe or in the interest of time, use a good quality Italian dressing from the store. I find there are many speciality dressings available now, that have great flavor and taste as good as homemade. This salad can be put together ahead of time - just pile everything on top of the lettuce and toss with the dressing right before serving.

 

Antipasto Salad

2 bags romaine lettuce

1 large jar mild giardiniera

2 cups chopped, peeled cucumbers

1 container cherry tomatoes, halved

1 can medium black olives, sliced

1 jar roasted red peppers, chopped

Italian dressing

Shredded Mozerella cheese

Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Layer all vegetables on top lettuce, ending with giardiniera. Just before serving, toss with dressing. Serve with Mozerella cheese on the side.

 

{Linking with these friends}

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Serenity Now

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Craftberry Bush

Live Laugh Rowe

Skip To My Lou

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DIY by Design

Stonegable

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Mostly Homeade Mom

Gooseberry Patch

Sunny Simple Life

 

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The Big Spartan Stage

 

 

 

We had a big day yesterday, between driving in a blizzard getting to and from East Lansing and watching Melissa's MSU Pompon team realize a ten year old dream. She was excited to say the least :-)

 

 

A few months ago, I wrote about the Spartan Strong high kick routine the team performed in tribute to Spartan fans everywhere. After their performance, the routine went viral around the MSU community, from students, to alumni, to school administrators. Because of the excitement, they were asked to perform this special routine at halftime of the sold out Michigan versus Michigan State basketball game, at the Breslin Center. They were so thrilled and it was a proud moment for the ten year old program when they took the floor and the crowd cheered them on.

 

 

To make things even more emotional, this is Melissa's senior year and this will be her last week of practice leading up to the collegiate championships this coming Sunday. Melissa and her teammate (and roommate) have been doing Pom together now for eight years; four in high school and four special years as Spartans. They have worn the MSU colors with pride and this performance, on the biggest spartan stage, will be one they will always remember.

Happy Monday!

 

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