Loaded Baked Potato Dip

I halved this recipe because I wasn't sure if I would like it. Well, I loved it. We all did. Plus, it was even better as leftovers. I will definitely be making the full recipe next time.

Recipe from: MyRecipes.com


Ingredients

1 (2.1-oz.) package fully cooked bacon slices
1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
2 cups (8 oz.) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup sliced fresh chives
2 teaspoons hot sauce**
Garnishes: cooked, crumbled bacon; sliced fresh chives; freshly cracked pepper
Serve with: waffle fries**
Preparation

Microwave bacon according to package directions until crisp; drain on paper towels. Cool 10 minutes; crumble. Stir together bacon and next 4 ingredients. Cover and chill 1 to 24 hours before serving. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crispy, warm waffle fries. Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 7 days.


**I only used one teaspoon of hot sauce and that was more than enough. Also, I served these the first day with waffle fries and the second day with plain kettle chips. Both were good.

Baby Boy

Dear Baby Boy,

This past week has been a struggle. You've been fighting your naps and crying when you go to sleep. Between the sobbing and hiccuping you cry "Mama, Mama, Mama". Day before yesterday was the roughest day we've had in a while. You were so cranky, tired and just mad at the world. I was having a rough day because you were being so difficult. You cried and then I cried. You hit your head on the floor and I wanted to hit my head on the floor. It was just bad. That afternoon we were working on your flash cards and up came the goldfish. Instead of saying, "goodish" like you usually say, you said "Elmo, Elmo". It took me a second, but then I realized that you were talking about Dorothy, Elmo's goldfish. It was so cute. That moment whisked away the bad day.

Those sweet little moments fleetingly come and go. The kisses that you always want to give and the way you say "Mama" are my favorite things right now. Even on our bad days, you can always cheer me up.

I love you.

-Mommy

Creamy White Bean and Avocado Wrap

These were amazing! We've made them twice and have only had the recipe a few weeks. Try them!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons minced red onion
4 8- to 10-inch whole-wheat wraps

Directions

1. Whisk vinegar, oil, chipotle chile and salt in a medium bowl. Add cabbage, carrot and cilantro; toss to combine.

2. Mash beans and avocado in another medium bowl with a potato masher or fork. Stir in cheese and onion.

3. To assemble the wraps, spread about 1/2 cup of the bean-avocado mixture onto a wrap (or tortilla) and top with about 2/3 cup of the cabbage-carrot slaw. Roll up. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Cut the wraps in half to serve, if desired.

Recipe from Kitchendaily

Our Weekend

We had a fun and busy weekend. We took Greyson to the water park here, made cookie dough pancakes, and lowered his crib. I caught Grey trying to climb out of his crib on Friday, so Luke had to lower the crib to the last setting.

Just general life going on...

Balsamic and Blue Cheese Nachos

Find the full recipe here.

Basically, you layer kettle chips and blue cheese twice in an oven safe pan. Bake at 350 for about 5 mins. Spread a balsamic glaze on the top and you are done. These were awesome. Definitely a keeper!

**The recipe called for a bottle of balsamic glaze, but we made our own.

Recipe for Glaze

1/2 C balsamic
2 T honey
3 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Simmer until syrupy, whisking often about 15 min.

Chuck E Cheese's

We took Greyson on his first trip to Chuck E Cheese's last friday. He loved it. Well, he loved it as long as you didn't put tokens in the rides to make them go. He was quite a cheap date. He just wanted to sit in all the cars. He did like throwing the basketballs in the goal. We did spend tokens on that. I didn't think it was going to be a fun outing with all the other kids around, but I actually had fun.


He loved Bob.

Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

Adapted from Taste of Home

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups shredded carrots
4 cups quick-cooking oats
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions
In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in carrots. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Yield: 6 dozen.

**These were so good. We all loved them. Next time, I might just half the recipe. It made so many that Luke had to take half to work. He said everyone at work liked them as well. Definitely a keeper.