Miracles

Every year, I buy a new ornament for our Christmas tree.  I try to find one with the year on it, but the only one I found for 2011 was very similar to 2010's Hallmark snowflake that we already had.  So, if I can't find one with the date, I look for one that reminds me of something from the year.  The "theme" of our year was just this....

Not that the baby process was a struggle or we didn't think it would happen, but baby Buzz is still our miracle! :)

Construction...

Working on a new blog format and background.  Possibly tweaking things randomly until I get it "just right."  Will change the title pictures after baby boy arrives to reflect the next dream I will be living!

Thanks for following my blog :)

Spicy Pretzels

My go-to recipe when I need to make a snack for a party or for hubby.
So easy and a crowd favorite.
Thought I would share this in time for Super Bowl!

Spicy Pretzels

1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix
1 tsp garlic salt
1 1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1 cup vegetable oil
2 bags of pretzels

Mix first 4 ingredients together.  Pour over pretzels in large bowl.  Toss to coat and spread on large baking sheet.  Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.  Toss every 15 minutes to evenly flavor and bake. 
*I only use 1 tsp ground red pepper because I think the extra 1/2 makes it too spicy.  Adjust flavors as you like.

Family gender announcement

I tried real hard to be creative when we revealed baby's gender to our families.  We thought about it for a few weeks and tried to come up with something good.  We had ideas like, fill a box with helium balloons in pink or blue and have them open the box, send appropriate colored flowers, or give them all an almond joy or mounds bar.  In the end, I think we could have been more creative, but the idea worked and it was fun!

We filled a neutral colored gift bag with candy bars, like Almond Joy, Snickers, Nut Roll, Hershey's w/ Almond, Peanut M&M's....and we attached a little riddle to the front of the closed bag. 
Look into this bag and see what you can find,
Herein lies the riddle to this baby that is mine.
All these things are similar and will try to help you guess,
The gender of our baby, so do your very best!
If at last you fail to see the secret that is hidden,
Check the bottom of the basket for the secret message written.

Then, the message on the bottom of the bag stated,
Our baby has 3 knees...
A right knee,
A left knee,
and a weenie!

Of course they didn't need the secret message, but it was too cute to not make them read it.
I think they all had fun with the idea and I'm glad we didn't just tell everyone.

We gave the bag to my MIL at our nieces birthday party and had her read it and open it in front of hubby's family.  They all guessed right away even though the first candy was a Snickers, which we thought was the least obvious.  A few weeks later, my 6 year old niece told me that she knew it was a boy when she saw all the candy had nuts, because boys have nuts too!  Her mom said, you are right, but don't be going to school saying that.  You gotta love kids honesty!

Happy Birthday!

Today is hubby's birthday!  I feel kinda bad because he got his present last week (a new TV...spoiled!) and we aren't doing anything special tonight.  Actually, we are cleaning out the butcher barn so that we can butch and make sausage this weekend.  What a great way to spend the evening.  I did get him a red velvet cake roll (delish!) and I'm hoping his mom is making him tuna casserole.  Let me explain, I do not like tuna, so he doesn't ever get this meal at our house, but he usually gets it for his birthday from mom.

So, even though we won't be doing anything real exciting tonight, I hope he has a great day and he didn't have to work too hard!   

Happy birthday, love of my life!  Buzz and I love you :)

Spinach and Artichoke dip

I wish I would have gotten a picture, but we devoured it before I could even think about it!

I found this recipe a few years ago and it has been sitting in my recipe box since.  I decided to try it one day and it was a hit!  So I made it again for Christmas at my in-laws.  Just thought I would share the recipe.  It is claimed to taste like Applebee's dip, but I think it has a different flavor.

1- 10oz box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1- 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
1 cup shredded Parmesan-Romano cheese mix (or whatever Italian mix you can buy in your grocery store)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 oz jar prepared Alfredo Sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 oz softened cream cheese
pepper (optional)

Preheat oven at 350. Combine ingredients in a bowl and spread the mixture in a small baking dish.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.    Enjoy!
*I've found the smaller the dish, the thicker the layer of dip, the less it cooks through.  An 8x8 is suggested.

I will be sharing a few other recipes I didn't get a chance to take pictures of later.

I hope you are enjoying the AWESOME weather we are having for January.  Too bad I'm not at home "sick" on this beautiful day!

Santa was good to us this year...

As "he" is every year. 
...
....

Source

I was spoiled with a Kindle fire!  I never asked for it or even mentioned that I wanted one.  I didn't even KNOW I wanted one :) But I'm really enjoying having it.  I think hubby really enjoys it too.  Every night, I have to wipe off the multiple finger prints from the hours of Angry Birds that were played.  Until Christmas Eve, he didn't even know that game existed!

I also got a few other things, like a frying pan with no dents in the bottom, mixing bowls, a cookbook, maternity clothes :), and things for baby Buzz.  He was definitely a spoiled little guy too.  We got his first stroller and car seat, some clothes, and one noisy rocking horse (thanks Gpa and Gma!). 

Hubby must have been a good boy this year too.  He got a pair of Under Armor pants and shirt.  He loves them so much, I think I will have to buy another set for his birthday coming up soon!  Even though he got all the gifts he got, I think his favorite was the gift from me :)  I wrapped up the sheets and curtain for Buzz's room as part of his present.  He loves them so much, that he has showed everyone who comes over. 

Our Christmas Eve was spent with my family like usual.  We ate lots of good food and snacks, played some games, and shared some laughs.  It's always great to be at my parents for the holidays.  Then, Christmas day, we spent at my in-laws house.  What a change from Christmas Eve.  All the nieces running around and the added noise from the extra 10 people.  But I won't complain about the noise, because it only means we are all enjoying ourselves.

Hope Santa was good to you and you all got to enjoy some quality family time. 
Wishing you Happy Holiday's and hopes for an awesome New Year! :)