Apple-Pear Salad and a Birthday Celebration
Last Saturday my sisters and I had the honor and privilege of celebrating the birthday of one of the two most influential people in our lives – our mother. It was an afternoon full of fun, laughter and good food shared with Mama and many of her closest friends. Enjoy the photos! Oh, and of course, there’s a recipe at the end.
I think everyone at the party had a great time laughing and talking and celebrating Mama’s special day. I know we “girls” did! Here’s a huge “thank you” to both my sisters for everything they did to pull this day together. And, just in case you’re interested, the birthday we were celebrating was her 75th. Yes, you read that right – 75. She doesn’t look anywhere close to 75, does she?
And, as promised, down b the recipe for that delicious Apple-Pear Salad we served.
Enjoy!
Questions? I’m happy to help!
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Apple-Pear Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 lb. ready-to-serve Butter Lettuce
- 6 oz. Swiss or Gruyere cheese shaved
- 1 cup roasted salted cashews
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 large apple thinly sliced
- 1 large pear thinly sliced
For the dressing:
- 2/3 cup extra light olive oil
- ½ cup sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tblsp. poppy seeds
- 2 tsp. finely chopped shallot
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp. salt
Instructions
To make the dressing:
- Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth. May be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Serve at room temperature.
To assemble the salad:
- Toss together all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
What a special celebration! And this salad looks just wonderful. Thanks for linking up at my salad blog hop!
Sorry I’m so late to the party – been traveling and dealing with sketchy wifi :) I heart this salad and, even though I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, I’m curious to see a 15-layer chocolate cake! What a sweet thing to do for your precious mother – beautiful party; I love the china and the centerpiece!
What a nice party for your mom! It was fun seeing a glimpse of your family.
A lovely party and your Mom looks like a treasure!
All of you girls are just beautiful. You all look so much alike.
And the setting was gorgeous.
What a special day.
Thanks for sharing.
The recipe sounds delish. Printing it out now and thinking about having it the day after Thanksgiving. For some reason that just sounds perfect for us.
Thanks Lana :)
What a fantastic party! I’m sure your mum felt as honored as you and your sister’s did to have her! Really lovely :)
Mary x
Happy Belated Birthday to your Mom. I love her name, India. Everything looked beautiful and your recipe sounds delicious. Thank you so much for the peek into your family’s fun :D
Thanks, Red. I should have gotten a photo of the four Indias! My grandmother, mother, sister and niece all have the first name India.
We love passing down the female names in our family! How awesome is it to have four living generations of “India’s” at once.
What a great celebration! Lucky mum.
What a wonderful event and I’m sure it was filled with good memories to cherish. You have a beautiful family.
Beautiful Dinning room, beautiful family, awesome cake and recipe! Congratulations to the young looking 75 year old! God Bless :)
Hugs
What beautiful celebration and your mother sure looks wonderful. I loved the table decorations and birthday invite. The menu was my kind of menu simple and delicious thanks for sharing.
Oh, Lana, this is fabulous. Happy birthday to your Mamma! The house you had the party in is absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks, Lindsay. That’s my youngest sister’s home.
Thank you Lindsay…It does us good to entertain occasionally and view our home how others would see it! Marcie Taylor Miller (youngest sister!)
oh Lana . . . one of my favorite posts ever!!! (((hugs))) to you and your mama!!
Hi Lana, love the salad, exactly what I would like the seasonal but yet so fresh and light almost summer like. Happy B-day to your dear mom and btw love the floral arrangement!
Thanks for the compliment on the arrangement. When we were growing up our Mother had a flower shop….so us girls had to learn to arrange flowers in self-defense…haha. Marcie Taylor Miller
PS: I meant to type Happy Birthday. Sorry for the typos:)
I’m mesmerized by the 15 layer chocolate cake. Your family is beautiful. The table setting is gorgeous and so is your sweet mama. Happpy Birthady to her. Love this salad:)xx
Lora, that is a very, very old-fashioned and traditional cake throughout this area. Maybe I should make one for the blog, huh?
I LOVE pear salad and this one looks to be no exception. I must go back to Costco tomorrow and grab a case of them. YUM!
I love reading stories like this – so often we “intend” to host these kinds of celebrations but life gets in the way – so glad that you and your sisters were able to celebrate this with your mom and her friends!
The luncheon menu sounds lovely and the salad is just up my alley – all the flavors I love!!
Thank you, Nancy. We were so pleased to do this for Mama.
Your salad, table, and flowers are nearly as beautiful as your mom! Happy birthday to her and many many more.
What a lovely party! Everything looks amazing!!!
What a great party for your mom! Gorgeous setting :)
What a lovely party; so wonderful to read, the love y’all (had to) share is so evident. Everything looks absolutely beautiful and your salad? Perfect. Next time we all expect an invite1
For the next 75th birthday party – you’re on the guest list!
Well I can see why you are so beautiful now, what a gorgeous mom you have as well! Happy Birthday enjoy her day may it be her best year ever!
Thank you, Claudia. You’re so sweet to say so.
It was great fun, and our honor. I was so pleased that Mama enjoyed the party. Everyone had a great time. I will try to remember to send you some of my photos.
The gene pool looks pretty good for our future!
Miss P
so pretty and sweet. This salad looks delish!
Everything looks so beautiful and what a wonderful salad! Happy birthday to your mom!
Lord!!! I look like an ooooold 75. Botox here I come. The luncheon was spectacular. Most enjoyable birthday EVER. Thanks to my three beautiful and talented daughters. My heart swells with pride when I think of you three. Love, love, love them.
And we love you, too!
It looks a delightful and stylish family party! Thank you for sharing pictures – and recipes! We just wondered if you have tried Pink Lady apples? It occurred to us their pink skin would look very pretty in your salad.
What a beautiful party!! I love it. The salad looks very nice a well!!