I made spinach artichoke dip for the game that shall not be named this past Sunday. It's my go-to dip for any big event or holiday, and every time I've brought it to share, someone asks for the recipe. It's that good. My husband asks for me to make it every time an opportunity arises, and if you know anything about my husband, he normally wouldn't touch a green vegetable even if his life depended on it. But this one he loves. It's not healthy, don't let the spinach or artichoke fool you. But my husband likes to believe vitamins beat up calories and therefore we break even so if you want to follow that idea, then there's no foul. Unfortunately it doesn't picture well at all so I'm not even going to post a picture as to not discourage you from trying a truly delicious dish. So try it!
Ingredients
2 8oz packages of cream cheese, at room temperature
2 14oz cans of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup frozen spinach, thawed, drained and chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan, divided*
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp basil
*in place of 1/2 cup of parmesan used mixed in dish, I have substituted an Italian cheese blend in the past which also works well
1. Preheat oven to 350. Cream together cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup parmasen, garlic and basil
2. Add spinach and artichokes, blend
3. Pour into a 13x9 dish and top with other 1/2 cup parmesan
5. Bake for 25 minutes
I usually like to broil it for an additional few minutes at the end so the cheese browns a little on top. Serve with tortilla chips, pita, crackers, french bread or whatever else you might have around!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
*sigh*
Well, at least I've got a giant bowl of chocolate death to drown my sorrows in.
See you next season, Pats.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Stawbanana Bread
I love to bake. Like really love it. I haven't been doing much of it lately though for multiple reasons. I don't work, so I don't have a place to bring all of my goodies to ensure they all get eaten. I'm still trying to lose some weight which is impossible with treats in the house because I have zero self control when it comes to baked goods. And with a very needy 4 month old, I rarely have time. But while he was napping tonight I decided to try a quick bread I saw on Pinterest.
I love strawberry and banana together but had never thought of putting them together for a bread. So tonight I did, and it was delicious! The perfect bread for breakfast. I like to believe it's healthy also, aside from the sugar and butter. The bread turned out super moist with just a slight tang from the strawberries. It smelled amazing while it was baking, so much so that my husband was a little worried when I said it was a breakfast bread, thinking he would have to wait a whole day to eat it. It's been awhile since I have had a successful bread.
I stuck to the recipe, except I didn't use Greek yogurt. I used plain vanilla yogurt instead because it's what I had and I didn't feel like buying a separate cup of yogurt just for this recipe. It turned out just fine.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 ripe bananas
1 cup strawberries, diced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups All Purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add butter and sugar and mix well. Then add yogurt, eggs and vanilla and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and flour. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just combined.
4. Fold in sliced strawberries.
5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake 55-60 minutes.
Recipe from Pass the Plate
I love strawberry and banana together but had never thought of putting them together for a bread. So tonight I did, and it was delicious! The perfect bread for breakfast. I like to believe it's healthy also, aside from the sugar and butter. The bread turned out super moist with just a slight tang from the strawberries. It smelled amazing while it was baking, so much so that my husband was a little worried when I said it was a breakfast bread, thinking he would have to wait a whole day to eat it. It's been awhile since I have had a successful bread.
 |
| Please note, I am not a photographer so these aren't the best pictures but at least you can see the finished product |
I stuck to the recipe, except I didn't use Greek yogurt. I used plain vanilla yogurt instead because it's what I had and I didn't feel like buying a separate cup of yogurt just for this recipe. It turned out just fine.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 ripe bananas
1 cup strawberries, diced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups All Purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add butter and sugar and mix well. Then add yogurt, eggs and vanilla and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and flour. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just combined.
4. Fold in sliced strawberries.
5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan and bake 55-60 minutes.
Recipe from Pass the Plate
The Children's Museum of NH
Yesterday the Children's Museum of NH had their monthly free evening, which is the first Friday of each month. We took Boston for the first time, and neither of us had ever been either. One thing to know about the museum is that you cannot bring a stroller through so if you're bringing a baby you will want to bring a carrier. They have a few you can borrow but since I had seen this information online, I brought our Infantino baby carrier. Boston seems to prefer that anyway because he gets to look at everything much easier. They have an area to park the strollers while you check out the museum.
It was pretty busy so we didn't spend much time at each exhibit but it has a lot of great hands on activities for kids. I'm looking forward to bringing Boston back when he's older to try out the dinosaur fossil dig area. Upstairs, there is a section strictly for kids 3 and under. We spent most of our time there but it was pretty busy too. On another day I think Boston would really enjoy it. They had a couple train tables, a small climbing area, hand puppets, books, and even a nursing nook! We let Boston roll around on the mats and look at himself in the mirrors which he really enjoyed. He also seemed to like the sensory tubes with dice and beads inside.
I thought it was worth the trip and I'm excited to bring him back another day!
It was pretty busy so we didn't spend much time at each exhibit but it has a lot of great hands on activities for kids. I'm looking forward to bringing Boston back when he's older to try out the dinosaur fossil dig area. Upstairs, there is a section strictly for kids 3 and under. We spent most of our time there but it was pretty busy too. On another day I think Boston would really enjoy it. They had a couple train tables, a small climbing area, hand puppets, books, and even a nursing nook! We let Boston roll around on the mats and look at himself in the mirrors which he really enjoyed. He also seemed to like the sensory tubes with dice and beads inside.
I thought it was worth the trip and I'm excited to bring him back another day!
Friday, February 3, 2012
New England Patriots Tribute
Football is a big part of our lives because my husband and the majority of his family are super fans; New England Patriots super fans specifically. You may think I'm exaggerating by saying they are super fans but I assure you I am not. His dad even created a very intricate football dice/board game called Roll Bowl, which my husband is currently designing new boards for. Half of what we own is emblazoned with the Patriots logo, and you don't want to be anywhere near this house when the Patriots lose. You may think we're bandwagoners considering how awesome the Patriots currently are, but his family is all born and raised New Englanders and I just sort of married into it. They have been fans through the good, bad, and the ugly. And if you know anything about the Patriots history, there was plenty of bad and ugly.
I didn't care for football before meeting my husband, or any sport for that matter. However, it really grew on me and I now understand and enjoy the games. I have favorite players, past and present who I cheer for and consider to be my football boyfriends. I love watching the games, especially with the husband because he goes nuts! Yelling, fist pumping, clapping and cheering all over the living room. Our TV is permanently on ESPN and one of our favorite things to do together is watch Sportsnation with Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. He breathes football.
What I love most about football now though is seeing my husband share it with our son. He doesn't understand much yet at 4 months, but he is always decked out in baby Patriots gear and has memorabilia all over his room. Yesterday he got his first Build-a-bear who is now donning a Patriots uniform and is affectionately named Gronk. I can't wait for the days that they spend their Sunday afternoons playing Roll Bowl and rooting for their team, jumping all over our living room screaming like madmen.
So as a tribute to the NE Patriots and in honor of their trip to Superbowl XLVI this Sunday, here are 5 reasons (though not the only reasons) I love the NE Patriots:
5. Uniforms - I'm a girl, and I like to look at pretty things and before I knew anything about the NFL and it's teams and players, I used to choose winners by their uniforms. What else was I supposed to go off of? And the Patriots have the nicest uniforms in the league! I love the colors, and I love all the uniforms; home, away, throwback, they're all awesome! I love wearing their jerseys to support the team AND because they look damn good. Go ahead and laugh, but you know no one looks good in aqua, not even the Miami Dolphins. And only hip hop dancers can pull off shiny gold pants, sorry San Fran fans. But good ole' red, white and blue is always in fashion. Hello, patriotism!
4. They're Classy - People have given the Patriots a lot of shit for racking up a ton of points against mediocre teams and say that it's poor sportsmanship or whatever crap makes them feel better about their team getting destroyed. I don't know what's wrong with that, but apparently people think they should limit their talent as to not embarrass their opponent. Whatever, I thought that was the point of the game. However I find Patriots players and their organization as a whole to be one of the classiest teams in the NFL. They rarely talk shit about their opponents, even though a good chunk of the league spews nothing but venom their way; especially directed at Belichick and Brady. They take it in stride, and they let their actions speak for themselves. I dig that because nothing looks dumber then writing checks you can't cash.
3. Bill Belichick - People love to hate him but he is a football genius. Look at his team, look at his stats, look at his rings. The man knows what he's doing. And as my husband loves to say, he's got the biggest balls in the league. He takes chances at the right times, he rehabilitates loser players that have talent but no one wants because of their arrogance or whatever else and they generally become better players (and people) because they want to play for the Patriots. His team is disciplined and it shows on the field. He designs such balanced teams (okay maybe not this year, the defense is pretty rough) that they don't have to solely rely on their quarterback or one receiver or one rusher. If only he'd update his wardrobe a little, I'd like him more.
2. Robert Kraft - I think Robert Kraft seems like one of the kindest, most genuine people. I love how he promotes volunteerism whenever he can and how involved he and his team are. He seems to have a great personal relationship with his coaches and team, and you can tell the players truly respect him, and his community respects him. And hearing him speak about his late wife, Myra, puts tears in my eyes. What a great guy.
1. Hot Players! - Tedy Bruschi (handsome and loves to knock people out? Awesome), Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Hernandez...my list of football boyfriends continues to grow. Belichick, you have excellent taste in men.
Thank you, NE Patriots for bringing so much joy to our lives and for being awesome. No matter the outcome this weekend, we will remain some of your biggest fans. Let's kick some Giant ass this weekend!
Go Pats!
I didn't care for football before meeting my husband, or any sport for that matter. However, it really grew on me and I now understand and enjoy the games. I have favorite players, past and present who I cheer for and consider to be my football boyfriends. I love watching the games, especially with the husband because he goes nuts! Yelling, fist pumping, clapping and cheering all over the living room. Our TV is permanently on ESPN and one of our favorite things to do together is watch Sportsnation with Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. He breathes football.
 |
| Meet Gronk |
What I love most about football now though is seeing my husband share it with our son. He doesn't understand much yet at 4 months, but he is always decked out in baby Patriots gear and has memorabilia all over his room. Yesterday he got his first Build-a-bear who is now donning a Patriots uniform and is affectionately named Gronk. I can't wait for the days that they spend their Sunday afternoons playing Roll Bowl and rooting for their team, jumping all over our living room screaming like madmen.
 |
| A fan right from the start |
So as a tribute to the NE Patriots and in honor of their trip to Superbowl XLVI this Sunday, here are 5 reasons (though not the only reasons) I love the NE Patriots:
5. Uniforms - I'm a girl, and I like to look at pretty things and before I knew anything about the NFL and it's teams and players, I used to choose winners by their uniforms. What else was I supposed to go off of? And the Patriots have the nicest uniforms in the league! I love the colors, and I love all the uniforms; home, away, throwback, they're all awesome! I love wearing their jerseys to support the team AND because they look damn good. Go ahead and laugh, but you know no one looks good in aqua, not even the Miami Dolphins. And only hip hop dancers can pull off shiny gold pants, sorry San Fran fans. But good ole' red, white and blue is always in fashion. Hello, patriotism!
4. They're Classy - People have given the Patriots a lot of shit for racking up a ton of points against mediocre teams and say that it's poor sportsmanship or whatever crap makes them feel better about their team getting destroyed. I don't know what's wrong with that, but apparently people think they should limit their talent as to not embarrass their opponent. Whatever, I thought that was the point of the game. However I find Patriots players and their organization as a whole to be one of the classiest teams in the NFL. They rarely talk shit about their opponents, even though a good chunk of the league spews nothing but venom their way; especially directed at Belichick and Brady. They take it in stride, and they let their actions speak for themselves. I dig that because nothing looks dumber then writing checks you can't cash.
3. Bill Belichick - People love to hate him but he is a football genius. Look at his team, look at his stats, look at his rings. The man knows what he's doing. And as my husband loves to say, he's got the biggest balls in the league. He takes chances at the right times, he rehabilitates loser players that have talent but no one wants because of their arrogance or whatever else and they generally become better players (and people) because they want to play for the Patriots. His team is disciplined and it shows on the field. He designs such balanced teams (okay maybe not this year, the defense is pretty rough) that they don't have to solely rely on their quarterback or one receiver or one rusher. If only he'd update his wardrobe a little, I'd like him more.
2. Robert Kraft - I think Robert Kraft seems like one of the kindest, most genuine people. I love how he promotes volunteerism whenever he can and how involved he and his team are. He seems to have a great personal relationship with his coaches and team, and you can tell the players truly respect him, and his community respects him. And hearing him speak about his late wife, Myra, puts tears in my eyes. What a great guy.
1. Hot Players! - Tedy Bruschi (handsome and loves to knock people out? Awesome), Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Hernandez...my list of football boyfriends continues to grow. Belichick, you have excellent taste in men.
Thank you, NE Patriots for bringing so much joy to our lives and for being awesome. No matter the outcome this weekend, we will remain some of your biggest fans. Let's kick some Giant ass this weekend!
Go Pats!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Adventures in Boston
We went to Boston, MA this afternoon to deliver some paperwork. It was sort of an impromptu visit so we decided to wing it. We stopped by Fenway Park just to walk around and see what it looked like because neither of us had ever been. Unfortunately we missed the tours but we can always go back another time!
We're hoping to actually make a game sometime this season!
We have a huge to-do list of things to see this summer, and now a Fenway tour has been added. Go BoSox!
We have a huge to-do list of things to see this summer, and now a Fenway tour has been added. Go BoSox!
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