November 28, 2012

good eats: our thanksgiving meal


thought i'd share what was at our table on Thanksgiving. 

November 22, 2012

thankful


Just wanted to pop in for a quick hello. Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Ours was wonderful. I spent most of the day cooking and preparing to showcase my skills to my parents and was really excited when my mom said my turkey was better than hers! We sat around our dining table, watching the football game, looking at black Friday ads and drinking wine. My dad even did the dishes for me (I told him a million times he didn't have to but he insisted).
I have so much to be thankful for this year. An amazing family. My brilliant little sister (miss you!). A wonderful boyfriend. Our mischievous cat. Our little home. Good friends. Having work + good health. Silver linings. and everything in between. It warmed up this week but now it's cooling down and there was even a little snowfall. So thankful for snow (and scarves and mittens and boots!)

Time to turn on the Christmas music, string up those icicle lights + let the holiday season begin!

November 21, 2012

thanksgiving options



Why does Thanksgiving turkey need to be so complicated? There are so many options (too many options!). I have lists upon lists of things I need to do... or could do! Do I need to brine the turkey or not? Cook the stuffing inside the bird? Beforehand? Can I do it the day before? Need to tie the turkey? First timer? do this... no, do that! Good thing I'm planning plenty of side dishes in case my turkey does not pan out.

but hey, at least there will be wine!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!

November 20, 2012

Snapshots


that's what's been going on lately.

I'm taking a big step this year and cooking my family Thanksgiving dinner. It's just the four of us (sister is stuck in LA) so hopefully it'll be easy. Or as easy as the Thanksgiving meal can really be. But I have the day off tomorrow + the plan is to start prepwork, get Christmas lights up and hopefully gather with some friends who have been out of town. and maybe freak out a little.

November 9, 2012

its the weekend


Here's to a weekend after the craziness of this week. I think I'm still playing sleep-catch up from staying up during the elections! Planning to spend my weekend painting our bathroom, enjoying some cupcakes with friends and perhaps a night out on the town. We'll see. Wishing you a little warmth, late nights and sweet treats too!

xo

November 8, 2012

jalapeno popper dip

this is one of those dips that I've had in my back pocket and just hadn't found the right party to bring it to... up until a few weeks ago. we were celebrating a friend's birthday and although we weren't asked to bring food, i had a bag of tortilla chips and knew i had to make this dip. it's got a bit of a kick to it, but i knew these guys could handle the spiciness. 


Jalapeno Popper Dip

2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
6 tablespoons of bacon bits & pieces (i used a whole bag of this)
1 4oz can chopped green chilies, drained
1 4oz can diced jalapeno peppers, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded 

Topping: 
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 stick of butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon bits, green chilies, jalapeno peppers, garlic and cheese. Stir well. Pour mixture into a baking dish.
2. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
3. While dip is baking, mix together topping ingredients. 
4. After 20 mins, remove from oven and sprinkle the Panko mixture on top. Bake again for 10 minutes.
5. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or vegetables. 
--

when the dip is all gone by the end of the night, i think that means dip success! 

November 5, 2012

over the weekend

here's some weekend tidbits! these weekends need to slow themselves down. 

a quick trip to atlanta and back \\ a shoe dilemma 
getting pretty for birthday celebrations at blowdry
all ready for friday night \\ black, white and wine wedding decor set up
a cozy saturday afternoon with wiz \\ homemade mac n cheese pizza 

xoxo