A Spinach, Artichoke, & Roasted Red Pepper Dip

I made this dip for a party with my Scrapbook Ladies. It was really good....I'm kinda surprised because I'm not a big fan at all of artichokes. If you want to see the pic of it look at Paula Deen's current issue on page 41. I took a pic, but it made the dip look nasty...and well hers is prettier!

Here's the recipe:
1 T. butter
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 (6 oz.) jar artichoke hearts, drained
1/4 c. roasted red peppers (it's in a jar near the pickles at wally world!)
1 (5oz) bag baby spinach
1/4 c. half and half (I just used milk)
1 (3oz. pkg) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheeses (I used the pizza blend)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
Toasted baguette chips ( I used tortilla chips instead)

Preheat oven to 425. Spray a 2 c. baking dish. In a medium saucepan melt butter. Add onions and garlic and cook until tender. About 10 minutes. Add artichoke hearts (which I chopped finely along with the roasted red peppers), red peppers to the onions and cook for about 2 minutes. Add spinach in 2 additions letting it wilt. Cook about 6 minutes until everything is wilted. Pour mixture into a colander and let drain. In same pan, melt cream cheese, milk, and sour cream until all is melted together. Add your spinach mixture to this. Add 1/4 cup cheese to the mixture. Pour into baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.

** It says you can make this 1 day in advance and put in the fridge. Let come to room temperature before you bake it. What a deal!

Sassy Scraps Crop

Me

My table

Ann

Selena...she kept saying she had to get an X machine....looked in her bag and she already bought one! LOL!

This past Saturday I was able to attend an all day crop here in Benton. My friends Selena and Ann went with me too. It was a GREAT crop. The food was good, snacks hit the spot, and it was so quiet! We got a table all to ourselves. I was able to complete 15 double page layouts!

Football Game Night

Sweet little Kate....she was too much fun!

Some of the great food

Amber, Me, Kasie

Luke, Chris, Kevin, Mark

Last night Luke and I went to Mark and Ambers for some football on TV. We had some great food! I made Cake Truffles....a recipe Alicen gave me. Let's just say hers were WAY cuter but mine tasted pretty good too! I even made a Harry & David Cheese ball and some tortilla roll-ups. Kasie made a veggie pizza & Bean Dip. Amber made Little Smokies and cheese dip. We had SO much food, but it was really good. The football game, well I couldn't tell you who played or who won. I was there to visit! We had a great time! Thanks ya'll for a great evening!

I'll leave ya with the Cake Ball Recipe:

1 box cake mix-your flavor cooked according to the box

1 tub frosting-any flavor

1 pkg. Chocolate Almond Bark

1 pkg. White Almond Bark

Bake cake according to the directions. After the cake has cooled, pulse it to pieces in the food processor. (feels kinda wrong doing this). Add 1 can of frosting to the cake pieces and make into balls. Dip in the chocolate. Drizzle the other chocolate on top. Chill in the fridge. They are pretty good!!!

*I did yellow cake mix and white frosting. I think a Strawberry Cake mix, Strawberry frosting and dip those babies in some chocolate....YUMMY!!!!

Ice, Ice, Everywhere!

I put the dogs up early today because it is SO cold outside. I looked to the left of the patio and noticed our Crepe Myrtle covered in ice. I had to take a picture, it was too pretty to miss!

I did it!!!!!

2 tennis shoes...finally!!! I'm having trouble with my left foot turning towards the outside when I walk....I'm hoping this will straighten out eventually. My laces are so loose with my new inserts!

Tyndall Park.....sweet!!!

Me & Luke before the big journey!

After 6 months of dealing with my crazy foot I did it! Luke and I went to Tyndall Park today. Before I hurt my foot I was walking 5 laps around the park. I would do this 3-4 sometimes 5 times a week. I loved it. It was my worship time, my prayer time, and just enjoying God's beauty time....as well as working my heart and lungs.

Today, I wanted to tackle 1 lap. The temperature was dropping and neither of us brought a coat, but I was able to walk 1 complete lap around. My toe barely hurt!!! My ankle is bothering me a little, but it hasn't been bent in 5 months either. I can't begin to explain how amazed I was that I could do 1 lap! I really could have cried!!! I'm hoping to start this about every other day for now until I go back to the doctor the end of the month. I would like to be back to 5 laps by March...that isn't unrealistic is it???

Thank you Lord for the small things.

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

Joe's not too happy!

Happy Birthday Joe!

He was embarrassed!

Me & Luke

Me & Nick

Betty (Joe's Mom...we just call her Mom), Nick, Joe

Rock On

We are concentrating!

Having Fun!

Me Again....NOT a drummer!

Last night Luke and I went with Joe, Nick, & Joe's Mom to celebrate his birthday at Coltons. We had too much fun revisiting old times. We talked about Steven, going to the movies, old cars, & old girlfriends! Joe and I have been best friends since the 8th grade...we even went out on 1 date...which was a little weird! He turned 27 yesterday and we even had Colton's embarrass him! I promised him a home cooked meal of his choice and he wanted a Coconut cake...so he'll be getting that soon!

After we ate, we headed back to his house to play some more Rock Band. Luke and I didn't get home til about 1 am!! That's really late for us old married people. I am so blessed to have friends like Nick and Joe. Even if they are a little wild and crazy...they have always been around! Happy Birthday Joe!

Happy New Year

Luke and I brought in the New Year at our friend Joe's house. There were a ton of old high school friends there. We ate WAY too much (everything from Tamale Dip to Little Smokies) and played a lot of RockBand. Luke took some great pics. It was good to visit with everyone. I even found out that Heather had her sesamoid bone removed....how weird is that! The things you never knew about some people! Luke and I left a little before the New Year officially came in, but we still had a good time. Happy New Year!