Quick & Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

I recently had visit with a special request that I genuinely wanted to fulfill. After going out to dinner, upon my return home I had only minutes to prepare a stopping by guest's spinach artichoke dip. Now I know you can go almost anywhere and buy then dip but I prefer mine over anything store bought. So stubborn me taught an impromptu lesson to my mother-in-law on how to make my dip and it got rave reviews!

What you need: 

2 packages of cream cheese 

1 cup Parmesan cheese 

1 frozen package of spinach, thawed

2 cans of artichoke hearts, chopped 

1 tsp of minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste 

How to make it: 

Combine all the ingredients in a medium pan over medium/high heat. Stir regularly until it all melts and blends. If it gets too too sticky, add 1/2 cup of chicken broth and some more seasoning. Voila! 

How easy is that? The whole price should take less than 15 minutes. I like to serve mine with veggies or tortilla chips but crackers and pita make for a good dipping option a well. For some calorie saving I use 1/3 less fat cheese. 

There you have it, enjoy!!! 

Happy Paczki Day!

It's Fat Tuesday, the last chance to pack in your fatty sins before the Lent season. Here in Michigan, Hamtramack is packed with gluttonous paczki lovers. Because today is the last shot to indulge in the deep fried, sugar filled (and topped) pastry. Apparently, the Midwest is about as far as this tradition goes, so here's some fun facts of paczki day to share!

1- First off, they're delicious. Mostly because their deep fried dough balls filled with some arrangement of sugar. Filling flavors vary from fruit to custard. Unless you're a hipster, their rose hip infused Packzi are the just the tip of the new age iceberg. They're also traditionally topped with powdered sugar or icing. But the secret ingredient however is spiritus. That's right, your paczki are drunk on whiskey to keep them light and fluffy!

2 - Paczki is actually the plural form. Paczek is the singular form for the "doughnut" or "little package". (How cute is that?!) Furthermore, the word "paczkis" should never exist!

3 - Paczki have been around since the Middle Ages. At that point they were savory and filled with animal lard. The French advanced the recipe. But it was the Polish that made them what we love today. Funny thing about that is, they made them light, sweet and decadent as a prevention for waste during the lent season. 

4 - Lovers have made a sport of it. Like many other beloved foods, there have been paczki eating contests. The record is currently held by a Hamtramack man, Don Gentile, who ate 22 paczki in 10 mins. If that doesn't turn your stomach, think about the 11,000 calorie count!!! 

5 - Packzi Day is more popular than you'd think. From the outside, where maybe you haven't heard of this holiday, it seems rare. However, Detroit, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Windsor are just some of the mid west cities that celebrate by the thousands. Chicago loves paczki so much they celebrate Fat Tuesday and the more traditional Polish Fat Thursday with festivals!   

If you are unfortunate enough to not live in a paczki populated area here's But Bobby Flay's recipe for you: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/polish-pre-lenten-jelly-doughnuts-paczki-recipe.html#! 

But, if you can, find a bakery because the professionals are simply magic! 

How Zombies and Babies Are Alike!

My excitement as at a high peak with the impending arrival of tonight's mid season premiere of The Walking Dead. For months I have replaying Beth's untimely cliff hanging demise in my head as I've been caring for my 9 month old. The more recap marathons we've watched, the more abundantly clear it has become to me that zombies and babies are very similar beings. Let me illustrate how: 

1. They're pale. Let's start with the obvious, they both need a tan. Zombies have a lack of blood flow after turning which has left their lifeless bodies lackluster white. Babies can't go in the sun because their fresh skin is too delicate, thus leaving them pasty.

2. They walk like drunk people. Babies are clearly not drunk but rather lacking fine motor skills as their tiny bodies grow. Zombies, may or may not have been drunk when they turned, but something about becoming lifeless has left them unable to walk upright or in a straight line. 

3. Their "speech" is undecipherable. Having lost all brain function has zombies unable to formulate words. Babies on the other hand don't know how to say words yet, so they often just grunt. In either case, they both make noise that is equally as moan like as it impossible to understand.

4. They don't discriminate what they out in their mouths. A zombie's quest for blood and a baby's undeveloped taste buds leave a plethora of victims in their wake. People, pets and (most recently from my son) lint from a garbage are no match for these two. If they can grab it, it goes in their mouth. Watch out for teething babies though, those suckers are sharp! 

5. They are disease ridden. Some, if not all, zombies carry a disease. I mean, they're undead, they didn't just wake up that way. One passes it to another, to another and before you know it, they're all infected. No herd immunity there. Babies on the other hand seem to be magnets for disgusting. They're constantly sharing their runny noses on the playground and if your kid is in daycare, forget about it... Just lick their little fingers and succumb to the strep throat now. 

6. They're unaffected by injury. How many times have you seen a zombie shot in movie just to see it get back up? It's crazy, just like watching my son stand up and fall flat on his face, time and time again, just to get back up. This kid has fallen off the couch, been stepped on by the dog and face planted a wall in pursuit of walking, unscathed. Apparently, they are rubber and we are the glue. 

Watch this clip, hilarious! http://youtu.be/Zohqw7RTeSQ 

7. They react to lights and sounds. Since zombies are dead so they rely on theses signals to attract them to their food. When seeing light or hearing loud sounds, they react by hunting, hoping to find some delectable flesh. Babies LOVE lights and sounds. As their senses develop the more flashy the lights or energetic the sounds, the more likely a baby is to react with playfulness. If you want to hide from a zombie or your baby, move slowly and quietly in a dark room. 

There you have it, how I have noticed my son is like that if the undead! 

Moving Fun!

Finally some fun news..... we moved! And just in the nick of time too cause we got snowed in our first day here. Great place to be stuck and even better excuse to force yourself to unpack. 😊

So Novi is where we call home now. I miss Redford but after living here a few days I'm not sure how we ever fit in that house. I suppose that's why our entire basement turned into storage! We're not all unpacked, painted, or decorated but I do have a few pictures.

Damon & Wayne closing.

 

D & our awesome friend Red taking the first load out at 5:00 am.

Goodbye Club N!

Pulling out with my last load thinking "this is it!"

 

In H's playroom: set up & waiting or his arrival!

Checking out the new digs.

When all the work was done, bartender Diddy came to the rescue!

Our new fireplace. <3

B checking out her new back yard.

 

New home, after we got snowed in and stuck for 2 days!

Sunrise on the cul-de-sac.

I have a real China cabinet!!! My Kate Spade looks good <3

B & H playing "I'm gonna get you!"

H on the "Shaq Ottoman"

How he feels about the move.

And there you have it. Some fun shots of our move in. When the house is all set up, I'll take glamor shots and share. 

My Favorite 2015 Spring Fashion Trends

I have a confession, I just finished binge watching Southern Charm and season 3 of The Hills last week. It's official, I'M READY FOR SPRING!!! My ever optimistic self believes that if I "shop" for my most favorite new 2015 Spring trends then maybe the warm weather will come. Something to the Field of Dreams effect. 

In my digging, this season's trends did not disappoint. I'm loving the sherbet toned pastels, the bohemian influence (one of my personal favorite styles) and the clever, tasteful use of prints. Accessories trends such as platform shoes (yesssssss) make this shorty excited. Lets put it this way, I may be just as excited, if it not more, for the fashion this season than I am the sunshine drenched temps! 

Sherbet Pastels 

 My favorite color trend is what I'm calling "sherbet pastels". Yes, the same ones you finding the freezer section. And I love them. My top three are creamsicle, strawberry ice and Lucite green. Between these three anyone should find at least one that is flattering on their completion because they offer a wide range of tones. Here are some of my favorite picks that I found in these pantones. 

This creamsicle "Hello, Bow!" blouse is at www.modcloth.com for only $30. 

Strawberry Ice is another popular color this season, I'm over the moon about this popover dress from BCBGMAXAZARIA named 'Alyse' at www.nordstrom.com for $338. 

Finally, Lucite Green is coming out in full force. These Bermuda shorts from American Eagle are a great addition to your spring wardrobe for versatility alone. They go with a plethora of colors and can be dressed up with a collared shirt for a preppy look or down with a bikini top. Check them out at www.ae.com and buy them for $40. 

Clever Prints 

Yay prints are back! And they're not just floral this spring. My top picks are unexpected animal prints (think Alexander McQueen's jellyfish dress) and sophisticated gingham. 

I adore this cute little number by Lauren Moffatt available at www.modcloth.com for $123. 

Audrey Zebra Blouse, currently on sale for $40 at www.anthropologie.com.

Jellyfish Galaxy skirt from www.luulla.com, either for $20 with free shipping. 

Subtle sheer gingham from Maison Jules, $90, www.macys.com. 

Absolutely want this Diane von Furstenberg gingham cross body bag, $178, www.saksfifthavenue.com. 

White Lace

This is a touchy subject for me because while I love the look, I rarely wear it. Because, I spill everything! I'm going to focus on, what I like to call, disposable clothing so that if it picks up sangria on wear three it's not the end of the world. First up...

A flattering cut, white lace chevron dress, $28, www.forever21.com. 

Black Swan Society white lace shirts at www.lulus.com for $65. 

And if you're not brave like me... 

The Lucky Brand Rezdah 2, $89, www.macys.com. 

Bohemian Night 

One of my favorite personal styles, it's so free spirit yet feminine. This season, trends are focusing on boho night looks. 

Oh my, love.... Belinda Dress by Tularosa, $199, www.threadsence.com. 

I don't know where you go at night but I really hope that it's somewhere you can rock this X's and Geo's dress from www.modcloth.com, $55. 

Platforms 

Yay, I feel like a kid on Christmas! 

I need these in my life, $148, www.freepeople.com. 

Blue by Betsey Johnson, Crush Platform, $139, www.macys.com. 

Michael Kors' Poesy, $145, www.macys.com.

Alright, there you have it, my favorite fashion trends of 2015 Spring. I can't wait to start shopping! 

Sunday Summary: 1.11 - 1.18

Wooooooo weeeee, what a week! Actually, two. I had a least one thing on the calendar every day this week, which doesn't seem like a lot, but when you're toting a tiny tot and it's three below, it can be daunting. I suppose it doesn't matter what you have going on because the first week of real winter, well… Just plain sucks! But you've got to try to make the most of it and I actually think I try harder in the winter because I have to keep up and moving. Or I just don't want to get frozen to my couch.

On Monday, we didn't start out so great. Hayden wasn't feeling well. :-( 

Tuesday, the time came when I finally got to take H to the pediatric radiology specialist and gastrointestinal specialist. Which basically means, starve your child and then strap them to the table where you have to leave the room and they take pictures of him! LOL He ended up doing great and left with even better news.... No blockage! 

Besties Brielle and Hay playing.

On the back half of the week, we went mall walking with Jen. Something we continue to do at least once a week. H sure loves the play scape part.

 Over the weekend, D and I looked at houses. I looked at almost 40 with the realtor and narrowed it down to three. Our own version of House Hunters. I've never seen the show, just the Tosh.0 skit, but I think it goes something like this.... The first showing was a house under our budget but needed work, like finish the basement work. The second house as on point its budget and charm, actually more for the money that I've seen and not much but cosmetic work needed. The third, was a little out of our budget but it was ready to go and had an indoor pool. An indoor pool. It needed repeating. Pretty much our dream home but we'd have to take out a loan to get it. So what do you think we decided on? ..... House number 2, put an offer in last week and its a go! (That's what's been taking up the rest of my minimal free time) With any luck we'll be moving in by the 15th! 

After that, we had a couple more play dates, some exercise and a whole lot of sick. H came down with an ear infection that miraculously spread to me & D. I'd be concerned if it weren't for the fact that the antibiotics are working and he's on the mend. 

So, lots of fun stuff and Pintrest home décor in my future!!!