Back when I was like 14 and didn't have my own kitchen, I copied down 3 recipes from my Grandma.  How I still have these 3 recipe cards (the only one's in my possession) and how they didn't get lost in one of the 6 moves since then will forever remain a mystery to me.  It just so happens that 2 of the 3 are for spinach salads.  Therefore, I'm guessing I got these recipes from here sometime in the summer?  It's really anyone's guess.  Especially since spinach doesn't make my top 10 list of favorite recipes.  I mean, I obviously think it's good if I have 2 different recipes for it but if you make me choose between a spinach or a lettuce salad.. I'll choose lettuce 90% of the time.  Unless it's spinach + strawberry salad.  Mostly because of the recipe below.

It brings me back to long summer days at my grandparent's house on the lake.  Every time.

I was so excited when my parents and sister decided to come visit.  It gave me a great excuse to make a whole meal with appetizers, side dishes, and dessert.  Not that I couldn't do this with only Cale and myself but it takes some time energy and creates a ton of leftovers if it's only for 2 people.  Because apparently I don't like scaling recipes down.  Plus my sister and I love cooking together and it's so much fun chatting with her and my mom while cooking.  I love my family!!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

10  oz fresh spinach, tough ends cut off
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
2 tbsp sliced almonds
1/2 tsp butter
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp poppy seeds

Combine almonds and butter in glass cup.  Microwave on high for 1/2 to 2 minutes until slightly toasted.
Combine honey, oil, vinegar, almond extract, and poppy seeds.  Shake or whisk or whatever you do to blend this.  Toss everything together. 

P.S.  I mixed the spinach, strawberries, and toasted almonds together beforehand.  I added the dressing right before serving so the salad didn't get soggy.