Lazy Weekend

We had a pretty dull weekend
We were suppose to go boating
but a tropical depression brought
wind on Saturday and rain on Sunday

Saturday morning Joe took the baby to his parents
and I was left alone to take a long shower, browse though thrift shops, Old Navy & Home Goods

Later that afternoon we went up to my parent's house
We took a walk to an amazing park that they have right down the street
Last time we went Aubs couldn't walk yet
It was fun to watch her explore the park in a new way











Playing with Granddad











On Sunday we laid low
We went out for breakfast and headed back home for some football
The hubs isn't very happy with his team this year
What's up Eagles?

I did make chili though
and it was good
Aubs thought so too

I used Martha's recipe
I can never just leave recipes how they are so with this one I
omitted cinnamon and of the can of kidney beans
and added green pepper, a can of black beans and 1 tsp cumin






The next couple of weekends should be more exiting
We have friends coming from out of town both weekends
and lots of fall activities

I hope everyone else had a great weekend
Lazy or not

Friday Flashback: Hilton Head

Every year my family usually goes to Hilton Head, South Carolina
This year we're skipping it because my parents bought a boat
I'd much rather the boat all the time than the one week trip

We were there this time last year
Aubrey was just about 7 months and couldn't even crawl yet
She was such a little chunk
I thought I'd share some of my favorites from that trip

Buffalo Chicken Dip

You've probably seen or had this recently because
Buffalo Chicken Dip is the new Artichoke Spinach Dip
It's freakin' amazing
and
Totally bad for you
Everything in moderation, right?

Here's my version:



Ingredients:
Two 8oz blocks of cream cheese- softened
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup buffalo sauce (I use Franks)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar plus 1/2 cup more for top

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

I use my standmixer for this one because I use my stand mixer for everything but you could also use a handheld or if you're a really good stirrer you can mix it by hand. First you are going to blend one block of softened cream cheese with the ranch dressing. Then add the buffalo sauce and the second block of cream cheese. I do it separately because the cream cheese has less of a chance of clumping when you do it this way. After those ingrediants are well blended you can slowly stir in your chicken. (I cook mine in a skillet and then shred with a fork) Once the chicken is in you can add your cheese.

Pour mixture into an oven safe casserole dish or cake pan. Top mixture with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Serve dip hot with tortilla chips and celery sticks.



*Note* The first time I made this I forgot to defrost chicken so I used canned chicken because a lot of the recipes out there tell you to. I hated it this way, I thought it gave it a weird metallic taste. If your short on time I recommend buying a rotisserie chicken and shredding it instead. Also a lot of recipes also add blue cheese. I would love to try this but I've got a bunch of picky eaters on my hands. I think it would be really good crumbled on top instead of the cheddar.

Wordless Wednesday: Watering Can

Going



Going



Going



Gone


Since Inquiring Minds Would Like to Know:
Aubs adorable Romper is from Baby Gap. I got it on clearence so it's no longer in stores but
I found it on Ebay in 18-24 months here and 0-3 months here.




Today I am linking up with all my usual lovely wordless wednesday ladies- check em' out!

The Paper Mama, Baby Baby Lemon, and the, she {snapped} and Project Alicia

September Favorite

The photo challenge at The Paper Mama this week is Favorite from September.
This is definitly one of mine
Peek-a-Boo

Weekend: Part Two

On Sunday we went to a birthday party for our niece Lia
She turns 5 tomorrow, yikes!
I don't know where the time has gone
I could believe that maybe she was turning 3
but five, no way



Relaxing before the party on Sunday morning



Tenting it


Snooping through her cousin's presents after stealing her birthday crown








Cake and Presents Time!








It was a great day and Lia had a blast!

*****

Not exactly the weekend but I thought I'd share
My parents and I headed to the zoo yesterday with the Doodle
It was great, there was pretty much no one there












I hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend too.

Weekend: Part One

So I had planned on just doing one big weekend post like I usually do but then I decided that a bachlorette party and a 5 year old's birthday party would probably be best posted separately. Plus I haven't had a chance to edit the birthday pictures yet.

Saturday night I went to a bachlorette party for my friend Laura from college. I was excited to see her because I haven't seen her in a few years. I also got to see my friend Drea who I haven't seen in about 5 years because she lives in Prague, teaching English. I was roommates with both of them at one time or another so it was amazing to catch up.

We started out the night with a "pleasure party", I had never been to one before. If your not familiar, a pleasure party is like a candle or purse party but the goods up for grabs are all adult bedroom items. It was super entertaining, we had a lot of laughs. Although I wouldn't suggest going to one if your terribly shy.

Then we headed out to Ybor to have a few beers at Brew Co. We used to go there all the time in college but they moved the location down the street so it wasn't quite the same. Ybor City is the big nightlife spot in Tampa. I spent many nights there my first couple years of college, probably too many. I hadn't been there in about 4 or 5 years so I had a little bit of deja vu going back. It takes a second to remember that a 6'4" drag queen wearing a rhinestone encrusted bustier is perfectly normal. Unfortunately Brew Co. announced last call at midnight which we were shocked to hear. The rest of the party took the trolley to Channelside (another nightlife hotspot)and I headed on home because sleeping in isn't much of an option at my house. When I got to my car in the parking garbage there was a group of young guys standing there who couldn't be any older than 18. One of them who was very intoxicated sweetly asked me if I felt okay to drive. I don't know why but I found this hysterical. I assured him I only had a beer. Thanks for looking out little buddy.












I told them to act natural- good job girls ;)




random bride and her blow-up groom