We put up our tree a few days ago… though I prefer a real one, we can’t afford one (AND I get all rashy if I touch a real one!)  We got this one 90% off at Target’s after Christmas clearance last year.  Whoo hoo! 

I didn’t buy one thing yesterday… not even from online.  This year’s Christmas will be slim pickings for us, but the kids will certainly not be at a loss for anything with all of the Grandparents around!  (Can you say Disney pass?) I’ll hit a few sales, but will mostly be making things this year.  A few years ago I posted about the fudge recipe I’ve been making for Christmas… it’s so easy!

Did any of you hit any sales yesterday?  What did you get?  Also did you hear about the poor WalMart worker who got trampled by the crowds and died as he tried to open the doors yesterday morning?  Despicable and very very sad.

I came up with my own crock pot concoction yesterday and it was GREAT! 

I had some stew meat which I browned with some onion salt, then threw in the CP.  Then I chopped up a few carrots, celery and potatoes and added them in with a can of beef broth and a can of tomato sauce, some oregano, thyme and pepper.  After it cooked for a few hours, I boiled some barley and added that in as well.  It ended up being REALLY thick after the barley sucked up most of the juice, so I added one more can of beef broth.  Since we went out to eat with the family last night, we didn’t get a chance to eat it, but I had some for breakfast alright, and it was SO tasty!  Even Andrew approved when he had some for lunch.  I guess I’d call it Beef Barley Stew, as it was still pretty thick and not soupy at all.  I could probably have added another can of tomato sauce or beef broth, but the final product was too good to mess with.  I can’t wait to make it again.  It was about $6.00 for all of the ingredients.

If I remember, I’ll take a picture before it’s eaten up, and post the actual recipe so it’s easier to read.

A few things you WON’T find on my blog, yet the search engines send people right on over to me… 

• my chinese grandma
• wa-wa-wah sound
• Blood on the red carpet
• pregnancy fetish
• “the bras” “father in law” blog
• “our toilet overflowed” husband
• how to be a fabulous housekeeper (SERIOUSLY, you’ll NEVER find this on my blog!)

The top search is for Spinach Artichoke Dip… either O’Charley’s, Costco or Martha Stewart.  I have my own recipe that would beat theirs in a taste test any day!  Try it!

In the meantime, let me know what weird phrase has sent people over to your site?

Going up to Dad’s today for a barbecue and I’m making my 6 Layer Dip.  Most people make 7-Layer Dip, but since I hate tomatoes, 6 layers it is!

Jennifer’s Six Layer Dip 

Spread 1 can refried beans in bottom of pan.
Sprinkle some seasoning (taco seasoning or something of that nature) over beans.
Mash up 2 avocados and spread on the next layer.
Next up… medium container of sour cream.  Yum.
Cover it all up with a layer of shredded cheese.  I like the Mexican blend at the store.
Last but not least, I sprinkle with some diced olives.
Cover and throw in the fridge for about an hour and voila!

Variations… some people put diced green onions on, and others use salsa as a layer.  I think the salsa makes it too runny, but to each his own.

Serve with tortilla chips and watch it disappear.

By popular demand, I am revealing my awesome Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.  I’m sure you’ll find variations in recipe books, magazines, and websites, but mine kicks @ss (or so I’m told!)

1 Block Cream Cheese (softened)
1 Bag frozen chopped spinach (rinse, drain, pat dry)
1 can artichoke quarters (drain and chop them up)
About 2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 container Romano cheese (I use the kind in the cheese aisle, I think it’s a cup or so)
Some salt & pepper

So, I just throw all of the above ingredients together either in a crock pot, fondue pot or in a serving dish.  (If you ‘re using a serving dish, sprinkle a layer of romano on top, then microwave for about 3 minutes.)

It’s quite easy, really.  I either serve with a loaf of bread (Costco has a great Rosemary Loaf) or Mission Tortilla Chips.  It’s always a hit… just ask Julie!

Enjoy!!

ps – you can always use neufchatel cheese instead of the cream cheese. I think it’s 1/3 less fat.  Also, lite mayo can be subbed as well.  I haven’t noticed a difference in taste, truth be told.

When I was a kid, and we were at the mall, my mom would take us to a restaurant called Fiddler’s Three (it is no longer there!).  We would order a tureen of Cheese Soup and Bread (no wonder my hips are this big), and enjoy the wonderful lunch. 

Well, guess what?  I just found a new recipe!  Yum, I love potato cheese soup, and this one is very close to the Fiddler’s Three Cheese Soup.  It’s also lower in calories and fat than some of the other recipes I’ve found.  It is simmering in the pot as we speak, and let me tell you, it is GOOOOOOOD! 

I dare you to make some.

I love to cook!  This is my favorite time of year, because I actually make time to try a new recipe.  Since getting the See’s Candy Fudge recipe from my sister-in-law a few years ago, I’ve been giving fudge out as Christmas presents, and have requests for more this year!

Kraft foods has a free magazine that has a lot of fast and easy recipe ideas – from casseroles to desserts.  Yum!

Take advantage of all the free recipe sites on the internet and see what you come up with!