The countdown to spring has begun- Easter baskets and cute little stuffed chickies (and chocolate bunnies!) have been lining the shelves of every store since before Valentine’s Day.The daffodils have been smiling in little clumps across every field and under every tree for a week or two now. The tulips won’t be far behind. I’m stalking the forsythia I planted last year for any sign of new growth. I am more than ready to get a jump on my vegetable garden, and the pansies in pots all over my porch are lonely for a few warm weather companions.
We Need Friends!!!
While I’m off on a gardening tangent and longing for sunshine, can I just share with you what might be the coolest thing EVER?
It’s an online gardening tool. You enter your zip code and it tells you what to plant, when, and how. It’s amazing. I’m amazed. And am exercising a considerable amount of self control (because what I REALLY WANNA DO is run to my local gardening center and buy everything to get started right now).
Warm weather changes the face of my antics in the kitchen, too. Food starts to take on a crispy cold theme- less oven, more raw. Things shift from the stovetop to the grill, and I tend to be marinating some cut of chicken at all times. I make salads out of everything. And I LOVE pasta salad.
Little sister sent me a message a few weeks ago asking how I make my pasta salad dressing- I think she might have been bitten by the spring bug, too. What goes in the pasta salad changes according to what random vegetables are lurking in my fridge, but always I include bell peppers, onions (I’m partial to red onions in my salads), and chopped green onions (love the flavor and LOVE that they regenerate themselves year round in my window).
- 1 cup light mayo (Dukes always gets my vote)
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon spicy mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- pinch of salt & black pepper
- ½ cup oil (vegetable, olive, canola)
- Mix together all ingredients except the oil.
- When the other ingredients have been combined until smooth, gradually whisk in the oil. Pour over your favorite pasta salad ingredients.
This time of year gives me the big motivation to garden as well. Trying to hold off until April!!! Can’t wait to try the link you have!!
it is awesome. I’m telling you. Sproutrobot is my new bff.
Hi Heather, Great post thanks so much for sharing this. Also, I have nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award. You can visit my page for the details.
Thank you so much!!!! Going to investigate the details now
This dressing looks delicious
And I agree bring on Easter!!! So exciting!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks!
Hey, thanks for sharing the gardening web site. How cool is that! Who thinks up all of this clever stuff anyway?!! I can tell I’m going to be running to the nursery soon. I love your beautiful pansies. Purple varieties are my absolute favorite. My hubby loves pasta salad too and your recipe looks delish (especially the Dukes).
That site is the coolest thing ever. I am thrilled. I made Chad look up pictures of raised beds last night so he can build me one (some
) because I am SO over the handicapped soil in my yard. Also— the light Dukes tastes just as good as the regular. It’s like a small miracle or something.
Light Dukes?? I must have totally missed that (or my husband blocked it from my view that last time we grocery shopped together…which we like, never do).
Hubby also built me raised beds since we don’t have any farm equipment to break up that crazy red clay!! We used some uber-simple directions from better homes and gardens. Good luck!!
Light Dukes– blue lid
I’m on it…thank you!!
This pasta salad looks fantastic Heather and I love the simplicity of the dressing recipe!
Thanks, Tia! It’s vinegary and sweet. And sort of pink (from the red wine vinegar). I like the pink.
Dukes! Miss that brand. Love pasta salad.
It’s a staple.
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Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.