Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip!

A little bit of warm creamy heaven on a cold winter's day....

1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed
2 pkg 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1 1/2 teas minced garlic
1 can artichokes, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup mayo
2/3 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in bowl and spread in a greased baking dish. Bake until top is bubbly and golden brown. Eat with toasted baguette, pita chips, or tortilla chips.

*This recipe makes a good amount for a gathering. Or else, it also tastes just as great reheated!

When Life Gives You Broken Candy Canes..... (Original Post: 12-8-11)

It's that time of year again! For overindulging and sugar highs. Grandma bought the kids three (3!) boxes of candy canes, of which about 1/2 were broken. Of course, I took this as a sign that I must use these in baking, since they were useless for hanging on the tree. I searched high and low and eventually found this wonderful recipe on pinterest, from a site called Your Homebased Mom, modified just a titch. I took Miss G and Jackie along for the ride while our Cash baby slumbered away. All around verdict: we will be making these again.

Candy Cane Cookies:

1 cup butter
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
6 or 7 drops red food coloring
3 tsp. baking powder
3 1/2 cups flour
semi-sweet choc. chips
crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheet (candy canes will stick otherwise).

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, salt, vanilla, and food coloring. Stir in baking powder and flour. Hand stir in desired amount of chocolate chips and crushed candy canes. Roll dough into balls, flatten and press into remaining crushed candy canes. Bake 9 minutes. Enjoy with fresh coffee. Or milk for the littles.

Sylvia: A Movie About Sylvia Plath

I did the hibitual paper on Syliva Plath back in high school. She has a lot to say but, her poetry is incredibly depressing. Though I quite enjoyed the movie, tears and all.

My Recommendation: See it







“Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.” ~ Sylvia Plath

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Relax. Be Patient. Pray. Look around. Life is so good. Let 'em make a mess. You can't make this stuff up.

Thanksgiving and Taking

Thanksgiving has come and gone in a whirlwind as usual. I prepared the token pecan pie and a triple batch of sausage stuffing. I certainly have more things to be thankful for than room to list here- with a healthy family at the top. Amidst a busy life (like everyone else raising kids), I so often forget to realize how blessed we are to have this life. I tend to worry and think of things that we "need" to perfect our life. It is so much less stressful to do the former and accept what we've been given and just sit back and breathe. And definitely remember to give a little thanks.



Oh, and one more thing.... yes this is a premade frozen crust :/ Someday I'll make homemade. Promise.

Birds and Flowers and Trees

One of my latest finds from a thrift shop. I was close to passing it up because the price was a bit steep for me at $12 (I'm SUPER cheap). I decided to 'splurge' and bring it home. I'm happy I did. It's a decent size at about 20" high. I think it will go on the wall of the stairs. The image is printed on old fabric. So pretty....



*Also- I've updated a previous post on my table and chairs-see here*

Cheap Fun

It's the cutest thing (maybe just to me, because he's mine, but)....


He thinks he will find something new each time. He gets so excited to empty the bag. I refill it with the same stuff and he goes right back to it.

Buzz

I have oh-so-much to do around the house that I can never seem to get to. Paint walls. Change bathroom mirrors. Clean carpets. Paint the front door. Red of course. And then I'd have to do the shutters. I also have small craft projects that would only take an hour or two. If I could just get that time in one solid chunk please. And my front sitting room still doesn't feel just right. Oh and don't even, DON'T EVEN get me started on the yard. And, oh how I would give almost any of my possessions to spend an entire day thrifting. How do people do it....

How To Feed The Heart

Delicious autumn meal made by muh man. Rib-eye steaks with sauteed onions, oven-fried sweet potato fries, and grilled garlic bread. Followed by a wine- and music-filled gathering outdoors. All on an unseasonably warm evening. The end.

Sometimes I Feel.....

I saw this on another blog and I am stealing it for a bit. It's done by the same artist of the famous scream work- see it here. I love this one for some reason though....

~Edvard Munch, The Day After, 1894-5

I would maybe hang it in our bathroom, closet.... or maybe the guest room? Too obvious??

It's The Great Pumpkin(s), Charlie Brown

Our first attempt at growing our own pumpkins is a success! Two large, mostly round ones at that! And the smell of pumpkin-y autumn air is almost enough to get us through the cold months to come. Almost.

And with his blonde fuzz for hair and abnormally round head, my baby Cash does look a bit like Charlie Brown...

Miss G and Bubs

Exhale

My Own Worst Enemy
My Happiest Moment
My Miss G

Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she wonderful? One of my recent purchases from an occasional store here in town. It was labeled 'peasant girl with water jug'. It's a heavy, solid piece- maybe plaster? She's pretty and flow-y and feminine.

Things I am Thankful For

~My frugality rubbing off on my husband
~Being able to quietly laugh at tantrums

~Having wine on hand for Tuesday nights
~Sticky summer weather
~Up North cabins

My Slumbering Affection

I love him. And as Miss G says "he's a cute one". Indeed. He sucks his thumb when he naps and smells oh-so-good like a real baby should. He has the biggest curious eyes when awake, so I had to get a photo of him sleeping to show that he does, in fact, close those baby blues.

A Deep Breath

I mentally need this weekend unlike anything else. I haven't had a fri/sat/sun stretch off of work since Cash baby was born. The weather has been drab these last few days. We were over 100 degrees three days ago and today we were in the 50s. I will take 100+ over 50 degrees any day. Hopefully the weekend warms up a bit. Tomorrow we are going up to a friend's house for a birthday party. My younger sister aka saint is watching my three overwhelmings overnight. We will be leaving late tomorrow afternoon and returning Sunday morning. We've had three children in five years and this last stretch has seemed so.... long. Anyway, absolutely looking forward to friends, good food, spirited beverages, being outdoors, dancing?, and lastly, but not least.... quality time with A. Hope you are looking forward to a satisfying weekend as well....

A Board for Bread

One of my favorite recent thrift store purchases... a vintage, worn breadboard. I am loving these lately. I think it has to do with the utilitarianism of them, the solid wood, and the raw weathered look.

That is all :)

These Are The Days

My Cash baby was baptized on Sunday. It feels good. I don't know why, it just does. The godparents are his auntie Therese and uncle Nick.

All three of my babes have been baptized at the Cathedral (in St. Paul). It is such a beautiful place. I want to go there some time soon to take pictures of all the little details in that place. Cash started to get fussy after the baptism so I wasn't able to stay on after and walk around a bit. I've grown up with the Cathedral and have always taken it for granted. It is so grand yet I've barely looked around while inside. I will have a date with that place very soon.

We had a nice long Memorial Day weekend (despite my having to work 3 of the 4 days). A. was alone with the kids for most of Saturday while I worked. He managed to put baby Cash down to bed and have a bonfire with Jackie and Miss G. I then brought pizza home (mmm...) and after putting the two older kids to bed A. and I visited and had a few beers. Always nice.

We followed Cash's baptism on Sunday with a short walk in the park off of Summit Ave. in St. Paul. We then had family over for grilling burgers with my mom's tasty pasta salad (mmm... again). After the kids were in bed A. and I caught up on Friday Night Lights. Love that show and am super bummed this is the last season.

And then for Monday- After I worked I came home and worked in the yard for a bit. It was a fabulously hot and humid day. Could not have been happier! A. grilled up some meat rolled with Gouda and spinach (maybe? Something green, anyhow). Also some grilled corn on the cob and mom's leftover pasta salad to round out the meal. So tasty and exactly what the day called for. After Cash went to bed, I settled down to watch... The Bachelorette with A. (don't tell anyone). I had some wine as well and after Jackie and Miss G went down (after staying up late because they played so nice and quietly in the toy room all night) A. and I enjoyed a few more drinks- I stuck with a sweet white wine, Chenin Blanc (a little too sweet for me), and he with a mixed rum drink- on the front porch with some good conversation.

So yes, all in all, such a wonderful, busy, chaotic, fulfilling weekend.


The man of the hour, baby Cash.


A photo of a painting in the Cethedral, taken by my dad.


My big helper, Jackie.


Miss G in the wind at the park.


An abundance of tiger lilies off of the front porch. And my mama frog of course.

Child Permitting

When I check the weather for tomorrow it just says WINDY. No little sun icons, or rain/clouds/lightning for that matter. Just WINDY. But will there be sun? Or rain all day? I want to do more things in the yard tomorrow (child-permitting) and am trying to plan for it. I recently bought two Wandering Jew plants at the nursery. There is a neat story behind the name- read it here. They are deep purple and green in color with a silvery sheen. Very pretty! I've planted them but was informed by my mom that they will not get enough sun where they are. She suggested that I replant them in pots and put them on my front porch. I love this idea because then I am able to bring them in when it gets cold again and have them as house plants! Wonderful.



*update* Transplanting has been done :)

That Rainy Day Feeling

Everything is new and interesting again after a rainfall...















"It haint no use to grumble and complane
Its jest as cheap and easy to rejoice;
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain,
Why rain's my choice." ~James Whitcomb Riley

The Ballad of Baby Cash

I can't BELEIVE my baby Cash is already over 5 months old! Holy cow... He is such a little man already. And he already reaches out for me if someone else is holding him. This makes my heart melt. He's such a lovey with large lips and huge curious eyes. He can't talk yet (obviously) but I know he is taking in and learning so much. He loves his big brother and sister and is elated when he sees them first thing in the morning. I just want to squish him and kiss his baby neck.

Grow Baby Grow

This is the first spring in our own house. One year in an apartment. Four years in a townhouse. And now, going on four months in a house. With a yard. With gardens (well that's a stretch). More like patches of dry dirt here and there with some weeds and crab grass. I know it is nearing the end of May but we've had one heckova cold and snowy Spring, keeping the ground hard. I am learning the yard and when and where the sun hits it during the day. I definitely feel like I need more plants that need sun as we don't have any trees yet :( In due time. Hostas are always a safe fallback- although I know they don't do the best with max sun. I want a bunch of rose bushes. All grouped together. In madness. Blooming like crazy and rubbing it in your face. Lilacs too. You can't beat that scent. So simple, yet luscious. And maybe, just maybe some easy vegetables. And, of course, I would love to indulge my kids (and myself) with strawberries. I might get a little crazy tomorrow and drag myself and the three little ones to the nursery. I'll pack candy for the trip...

Marriage Made in Heaven

One of my favorite breakfast combos is a cup of hot coffee with a drop of half and half and freshly baked cinnamon sugar cookies. mmm....

I Love Projects

Sanding, fixing, painting, scrubbing, cleaning- you name it, I love it. I obviously don't get to spend as much time on these projects (because of the three little offspring we've created that need caring for) :) but when I get a free hour....

I love inheriting or finding (for very cheap) furniture that I just know could be beautiful under the right circumstances. A beautiful solid piece with good bones. I recently sanded, painted, and stained these chairs that I had purchased at a thrift shop for less than $5 each! I didn't take a before picture, unfortunately, but they were an ugly hunter green (one of my least favorite colors) with the wicker seat still a bland untreated surface.


My next project on the list is a wonderful solid wood table that we will be using as an oversized desk, and two accompanied chairs. They were given to us by A.'s parents. They look great structurally, buuuut- here's that unpleasant hunter green again with a stained wood surface (blah!).


I've been taking a few months to decide what to do with the pieces and have finally settled. I am going to prime and paint the trio black, and possibly distress them. After photos will go up as soon as it's finished!

*Update- so here is the set after being painted! I did it a while ago but am just now posting the photo. It is in use as a project table for the littles, until we eventually need to use as a desk.*

Sweetest Dreams

I've been thinking lately that we need a new bed. There is nothing wrong with our current bed but it is only a queen and a bit boring. The mattress set is one that A. purchased while we were dating over six years ago and the headboard is a hand-me-down. I think one's bed should always be the focus of the room and everything else is just an accessory to it. I would be open to most styles, although wood is at the top of the list. And anyone that knows me, knows that I don't like the idea of a pre-conceived room- I like the hodge-podge eccentricity of a found cottage. Ahhh, sounds lovely... so matching furniture is definitely not necessary. Here are a few of my inspirations...


Love the idea of a canopy, a little less formal maybe...


There is not much else more beautiful than carved wood


I love tall beds. All beds should need a small set of stairs to climb onto


One of my favorites! Definitely a theme here with the white bedding...hmmm...


Perfectly calming


There is something to be said for white painted wood


I love, love, love this bed- not a huge fan of the window treatments OR the smallish dog on the bed :P


Contrasting masculine structure with feminine bedding, so sweet

I wonder if this blog post has anything to do with the fact that I am presently working an overnight shift. Yep. Photos courtesy of House Beautiful and Country Living