Easy and Delicious Spinach and Artichoke Heart Dip

After much debate over using this recipe or that one, I finally took a leap of faith and made spinach dip at home. Much better than my last attempt, I have dubbed this one my favorite.

1 jar artichoke hearts
1 bunch of spinach.
fresh chopped parsley
minced garlic about a tablespoon
sea salt
black pepper
8 oz of cream cheese.
8 oz Parmesan cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese

Put cream cheese with chopped artichoke hearts and spinach into microwave save bowl and keep warming it until cheese can be mixed in. Once mixed you can add the other ingredients. Put in a baking dish and top with a little more cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. I do keep an eye on it and remove if the cheese is getting too toasty on top. Serve!

Crochet T-Shirt Rug!

Update on my comment on using the tiny crock pot for scent.....Personally, I am finding mine doesn't get hot enough to fill the entire room with scent. It could be that my pot is old and no longer gets warm enough. It works just fine on the stove as long as one remembers to keep adding water periodically.

I have been obsessed with crochet rugs for quite some time. First, because I saw some rugs years ago and did not realize they were crochet! Second, because they are durable. I had three that my mother passed along to me after having used them for years in her own home. We used them for another few years through raising babies and puppies. We literally washed those rugs to death but it took years of wear and tear. Honestly, I have not found many rugs that can hold up to that kind of abuse.

Another thing I really like about crochet rugs is that you can use a rather large hook and make the "yarn" out of a variety of materials. Enjoy!http://www.1dogwoof.com/2012/08/crochet-rug-from-t-shirts.html

Ahhh! Aroma!

I have one of those little crock pot looking things that sits on my counter. You are supposed to put potpourri in it with a little water and plug it in for a wonderful scent. That is how it is supposed to work. I have not been using it because potpourri is either attractive enough that I want to put it in a container where it can be both seen and smelled or it looses it's quality quickly and must be disposed of after being used in the little pot.

Inspiration! I use small pieces of leftover fruit, like apples, or oranges in my little pot. I have been experimenting but have found I can use apples, orange and lemon zest and rinds, along with a smidge of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Nothing harmful to breathe there. I can use fruit that is past prime eating or leftover from a child who did not finish it (upcycling at it's finest!!). Because the pot is tiny I am only using a little and even the peels will do.

Also on my list are thyme and lavender. I can't wait until summer!

Embracing my inner Scarlett O'Hara

Quite recently I have received confirmation that some of my quirkiness may be be in an underlying state elsewhere in my family. While I will protect the identity of those family members who have had (ahem) reason to visit down south, I can not be held responsible for those who figure out the identities of the primaries involved.

While discussing forays into the deep south I was reminded that someone, whom I will call D, seems to sink into a deeply southern accent. Keep in mind that we already live in the south so sinking into the accent means that she may really sound like she belongs as a member of the cast of Gone with the Wind. While we discussed all the great things about visiting the city of Charleston (oh, come on, like you didn't know who I was talking about) I got a little account of walking in the beautiful places, restaurants, and stores. We will definitely have to hear more about that.

Okay, for my own part I had to admit that each time I visit Appomattox Manor that I gradually turn  into Scarlett O'Hara. By the time I am ready to stand on the porch I am practically admonishing my children with a fiddle-de-de and a daintily waving my hanky in front of my face. I would so dearly love to approach in a carriage! 

So for my partners in hilarity I must say "We'll always have Tara."