Happy Valentine's Day to My Sweetheart

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweetheart, Mike.  This May is our 11 year wedding anniversary.
I'm not sure why he puts up with me, but I'm glad he does.  I sure love him!

This is kind of a silly photo.  It was so windy that my veil kept blowing everywhere during our pictures.

I remember that I was mad at Mike for leaving his contacts in Oklahoma.  He had to wear his nerdy glasses.  I told him to just take his glasses off.  If you know Mike, you know that he is blind without his glasses.  He refused to remove them because he wanted to be able to see.

I have to laugh at myself that I was so concerned with Mike looking nerdy in our wedding photos.

Our photographer was Kelly at Gallery Photography, who I highly recommend.

Pirate Island Chicken Salad - RECIPE

Last time we were at Disneyland we crashed my friend Stephanie Warner Bacon's party with her sisters.  Steph lives in Anchorage and I haven't seen her since my baby shower for Jasper in July 2007.  Too long.  Way too long.

Steph brought a yummy chicken salad for lunch.  Adults ate and the kids happily explored Tom Sawyer's Island, which Jasper calls "Pirate Island."

Because of the location for lunch, I have taken the liberty to rename Janna Harkey's Bostonian Chicken Salad. 

Pirate Island Chicken Salad 
by Janna Harkey


1 box Uncle Ben’s long grain and wild rice recipe—cook as directed on box (my husband can't eat rice, so I use min bow tie pasta)
3 chicken breasts, shredded
juice of one lemon
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 fresh red bell pepper, chopped (I use whatever color pepper I have -- and usually add 2 or 3)
3 oz. resh Chinese or Snow pea pods, cut into thirds (I add in the whole 8 oz bag)
2 med. avocados, diced (still tastes good without avocados)
1 c. chopped pecans (still tastes good without pecans)

Dressing:
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 T. dijon mustard
½  t. salt
¼ t. pepper
¼ t. sugar
1/3 c. oil

Combine all salad ingredients.  Blend dressing ingredients and pour over salad.  Serve in pita or croissant.   Best if salad made 2 hrs. before.  ENJOY!

*Everyone who I have shared this recipe with LOVES it.

 (Jasper and Stephanie's son Warner on Pirate Island)