Spinach Salad with hot bacon dressing

This is a recipe that has developed over 20 years. The origins of the recipe are in a cookbook from Sunset Magazine, but I am sure that they wouldn't recognize it now. It is a family treasure. It is something that our extended family has viewed as a staple of the holidays---whatever holiday it is. The one year that I broke my arm, I was allowed to not make it for Thanksgiving, but that I had better recuperate enough to make it for Christmas. It was a great incentive to do so :-), and it was there for Christmas dinner. I am submitting it with the permission of my family. This is not something that I would suggest be eaten on a daily basis, but..........