And so it goes...

First off, I whipped up a batch of probably the best salsa I've ever made. You know when you think you do something well and you don't need to mess with it (if it's not broken, don't fix it I guess the saying goes.) Well, I've always thought my salsa was pretty stellar. I've found recipes that sounded delicious and that I wanted to try, sure...but never had the ingredients handy and didn't really think 'those other' ingredients would make a difference. I believe I was wrong.
Some of you may be thinking I'm getting a little excited over chip dip. Maybe that's true. But growing up in my family, salsa was basically it's own food group (whose with me?!)

With the closing of the Chili's Restaurant last month here in Anchorage, I had to take a moment of silence as my favorite chips and salsa provider would no longer be there for me. A sad sad day for a pregnant woman. My lovely co-worker, knowing just how pregnant and how obsessed I was...immediately looked up an imitation 'Chili's Salsa' recipe. We both attempted making it at home - I followed the recipe below. It was AMAZING - although not exactly like Chili's...AMAZING none the less (excuse me while I toot my own horn.)
My co-worker, the unselfish one of the two of us, brought his in to work to share. It tasted very much like Chili's salsa! I was so impressed!

The only downside to this wonderfulness = bad breath. But that's a sacrifice we all have to make sometimes, isn't it?
And well, here goes...since I love you:

(This is from 'Six Sisters' Stuff' blog)
Chili's Copycat Salsa Recipe:

(Recipe from Deals to Meals)

2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes, drained
1 small (4 oz) can diced or whole jalapenos (not pickled)--about 4-5 jalapenos (or less if you don't like a lot of spice)
1/4 c. yellow onion, cut into quarters (you can also use dried minced onion)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. salt (depending on how much you prefer)
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lime juice

Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.

I did add cilantro to mine, as well as substituted one can of whole tomatoes for a can of Rotel diced tomatoes with gree chilies, but it's up to you and yours. OH! and only put probably a tablespoon (max) of jalapenos in because I am a wuss. Also, if you're feeling festive, Santitas white corn toritilla chips seem to blend wonderfullly with this (not something I'd bought, but my coworker did and they were thin and crisp!)...however, if you're like my husband, the kind of chip or cracker really doesn't matter - it's just a vessel for the dip (most of the time you cannot even see that there is a chip or cracker underneath all the dip with him!) Compliments to the chef I suppose!

I'd love to hear your favorite salsa recipes, how this one turns out if you decide to tackle it, and hey - with Cinco De Mayo around the corner, the timing is right!
Annnnnndddddd no, I didn't get a photo of it. Pssht.

Also, due to the "springy" weather recently, I decided to make myself a Shirley Temple the other day. Refreshing! What are your favorite spring time foods that give you a jump start on this transitional time of year?
Here in AK spring is a little different. It's actually "break up." So it's either still snowing, the snow is melting, it's slushy, dirty, and wet outside, still freezing (or below) in the mornings, but the sun is out so it's spring time baby! It's not like we can garden yet or anything like that. I feel like a lot of Alaskans kind of bypass the "spring" season all together, and just go from winter to 'almost summer'! :) That's how we do it here.

Shirley Temple in all her glory.

Although it's snowed 2 inches today already, Easter, to me, does mark the arrival spring time. This year we will be going to my older sister's to decorate eggs, make and decorate sugar cookies, and have a delicious ham dinner! My niece is 18 months old now and fun as ever...will post pictures of that next, as it's sure to be a great time.

With that, Happy Easter to you ~ Happy Spring Time ~ Happy Thoughts....**~*~**

Ps - Here are some shots that are months old, of my niece painting...too cute!