Call me Betty

I had Christmas Eve off work and I chose to spend it cooking!  All day.  We had a few different Christmas dinners to attend and I had offered to bring things. 

First up?  Chex Mix.  I recently came across the best chex recipe ever!  Don't you worry, I will share.  Since Tony is a chexaholic, I decided to try and make it myself instead of buying the huge bags at the store.  It was just as easy as the reviews said, which made me happy.  Sometimes I think people's 'easy' isn't the same definition as mine.



Grediants..

 Here's whatcha need for Spicy Nut Chex Mix:
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
¼ cup butter or margarine
2 cups Corn Chex® cereal
2 cups Rice Chex® cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex® cereal (I overfill this one b/c they are my fav)
1 can (11.5 oz) mixed nuts  (or I've subsituted 2 cups of pretzels and it was just as good...and cheaper)


DIRECTIONS
In small bowl, mix sugar, chili powder and red pepper; set aside.

In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in cereals and nuts until evenly coated. Stir in sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes, until mixture just begins to turn brown. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.

And there you have it!  Yum.

Scrumpsh

 Next up?  Sausage Cheese Balls (that's what she said).  I hadn't planned on making these, but I got an email from Pillsbury informing me that they were the #1 favorite appetizer.  So of coarse, I had to make them if they are 'the best'. 

Mix up everything and roll into balls...

saus & cheese balls

 Eh, they were alright.  See how nice and round the before shot was?? When I baked them, they all flattened out like mini biscuits.  They were ugly, but tasted okay.  Nobody likes ugly food... we had leftovers.  No after shot, as they took way longer to cook than expected and we were running out of the door as I was scraping them onto the serving platter.  Not worth posting the recipe, but if you want it you can go here. 


Now for the green bean casserole.  I am always in charge of the greenie casserole for Tony's side Christmas dinner.  I have made it the same for 3 years, so this year I decided to switch it up.  Bad idea.  I'm still mad at myself.  I tried a variation with cheese and stuffing for the top instead of the french fried onions.  Blah.  Not even linking the recipe.

Dumb Decision Dish

However, it looked nicer than the sausage balls

 Pineapple Pecan Cheeseball.  Always a hit!  This makes enough for 2 cheeseballs.  Great, I thought!  One for Christmas lunch and one for Christmas dinner with Tony's fam.  I forgot the one for our lunch.  I ate most of it for a snack Sunday night...

Mix together and refrigerate overnight



Great dippers!

Saved the best to share for last.  You are going to want this recipe.  I got it from Sarah (thanks Sarah!) and everytime I make it people want the recipe.  It requires a few steps, but the end product is SO worth it!

BEST Bruschetta Ever!


Cut french bread into thin slices and broil briefly until browned.

Prepare Wind Willow Tuscan Olive cheeseball mix by mixing with 1 block cream cheese.  (I find this mix at Ranchmart ACE hardware - random I know.  Some other specialty stores might carry it too)

Cut cherry tomatoes (about 2 boxes) into small pieces and marinate in zesty Italian dressing for 15 - 45 minutes. You can also chop some fresh basil and mix with the tomatoes. I usually add dry basil to the marinade, but I bet fresh basil would be awesome!

Spread cheeseball mix on the slices and top with tomatoes.

It makes about 50 smaller pieces of bruschetta.  If you get wider bread you can make bigger pieces if you don't need as many.  Enjoy!
I didn't take an after picture...I was finishing assembling these beauties at the same time I was getting pissed at the sausage balls.  You'll just have to trust me that they looked pretty.


Sooo overall I fared 3 out of 5, but I got to wear my pretty apron that Valerie got me last year.  Next year I'll be better.  Maybe try a pie or something... woah, let's not get too crazy...

Parents of the Year

Some people think it's funny , weird , dumb that we take Margo to Doggie Daycare so often. 

Here's my reasoning: 
1.)  It lets her interact with other dogs and wears her the hell out!  I would get another dog to keep her company in a second if Tony would let me.  Preferably, one of these.**
2.) If we don't, she gets bored and/or mad (jury's still out on that) and we come home to any of the following...

And the list goes on.  I don't even take pictures of the not so funny stuff.  Last week I came in to discover a plastic grocery bag ripped to shreds.  Real Safe.  And I won't even go into her underwear obsession.  It's always a gamble on what I'm going to find when I open the front door.  Usually I keep one eye closed and hope for the best.  Sure, we could put her back in her kennel (or remember not to leave my shoes out...), but I feel too bad leaving her in there all day.  So I deal with the wrath of Marg.  I would take her to daycare everyday if I could afford to!  I sure hope I'm a better disciplinary parent someday....

So today Tony loaded her up in his car and drove her to school this morning (half price Mondays), he was back 10 minutes later.  They are closed for the holidays.  Eff.  Wonder what I'll come home to today...

**I'm totally sure I could control one of these beasts, since I'm so good with the medium size dog I have now.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! 
Remember the reason for the season!


Tony and I will leave you with a little pic of us with our Christmas margaritas...

Alright, they're just strawberry margs

Good strawberry margs!

** Please note that we did not spend our Christmas alone at a Mexican restaurant drinking margs and taking pictures (although that could be fun too)... this was a pre Christmas week photo. 

Bah Humbug

I seriously hate the winter.  Christmas time is fine, but then can we just skip right on to May please?  I just realized that I haven't checked the weather channel (aka weather.com) since before my Mexico trip in October.  I already know what it's going to say.  COLD.  Or at least that's what it should say.  Maybe throw in a couple of FREAKIN' COLD's and I could be the weatherman.  It puts me in a bad mood.

You know what else I haven't done since October?  Had my hair cut or colored.  I also haven't tanned (which is okay since evidently it leads to skin cancer), or painted my toe nails.  And I sure as hell haven't worked out.  I'm very pretty right now. 

You know what else puts me in a bad mood? 
1.) Jacob Pullen being an idiot.  You are an All American, people watch what you do!  Thanks for screwing over your team.  I can deal without CK (curtis kelly), he makes me mad on a regular basis, but really Pullen??  Alright, enough of that...
2.) Work.  I get one day off for Christmas (yes I realize that I'm in the big girl world now), but one day??  My cousin is home for break from K-State and she has 5 weeks off.  Count 'em 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - weeks!  Did we ever get that long of a break?  I'm sure we did, but I would kill to have a break like that now!  I should have been a teacher.  It's probably a good thing I'm not with my patience level.

I need motivation, people.  And my red wine happy juice that usually does the trick, isn't helping.  Maybe I should try waking up on the other side of the bed tomorrow?  Or fake a sick day?  Or have a baby get another dog?  

Suggestions are welcome. :)

Honesty is the key

Tony went to the garage fridge to get a Fresca and came back in with this...

Evidently, he had to search around for the Fresca and stumbled upon this bad boy.  He walked in with a sad face and said 'I just iced myself.' 

Normal people would have just bypassed the Ice and continued on the hunt for the soda... not my husband.  This tells me 1 of 2 things:

1.) He is too honest and follows rules. Duh, I know this.

2.) He likes girlie drinks and this was his excuse to have one without me judging.  Do you see that smile on his face?

I'll stick with believing #1.

Naturally, I made him assume the position...

I thought the 'icing' had phased out, but obviously not at our house. 

If I would have known we had a Smirnoff in our fridge, I probably would have put it to use way before now.  I'm not even sure where it came from?  Actually, Tony probably has another 6 pack out there just waiting to 'ice himself' again.  :) 

Oh, you're ready for summer too??

 I came home to this yesterday...

Sad little palm tree



Evidently Marg is ready for summer too.  I share her pain.  Kinda wish she didn't take it out on the palm though...

This was her reaction:

Why you mad mom??



** Yes, I know 4 out of 5 of my last posts have been about my dog.  Winter sucks and we are boring. 

Not just a dentist, folks!

We've gotten lots of use out of that overly used, but oh so funny Hangover comment.  Turns out my hubby is not 'just a dentist'. 
Here's the scene at the Line Household last night. 

We found a piece of Margo's stitches poking out of her tum.  Clear back from when she lost her woman parts.  (wow, I can't imagine her reproducing...stay tuned for the next post)

Looks comfy huh??  She's never been very modest. 

What the ???

So the next time you have any issues, check with the Doc.  Surely, he can fix ya up.  Or your pet.

Santa's Helper

Wrapping gifts tends to be difficult around our house.  Margo insists on helping.  She's really good at it.  The tape is her favorite.

I got this mom...



Ho Ho Ho



When I took the tape away, she decided that she could help with the paper instead.  Would. not. move. out of my way.

Can't wait until you leave the room and forget to pick this up!

Anyone else have Christmas helpers??  Luckily Margo hasn't tried to help unwrap the gifts under the tree...yet.

Introducing Spring Hill Dental Care

Tony is now the owner of his own practice!  He bought a practice in Spring Hill (south of Olathe) and his first day is today!  I'm so proud of him for all of the hard work and effort he has put in.  He's now a boss to 5 employees and has an office of his own.  How grown up :) 
After he closed on Friday, we spent a lot of time this weekend getting stuff ready out there.  It might be the cutest little town ever.  A couple of antique shops on the main street, and an amazing small town BBQ restaurant in a barn that we tried out for lunch.  They have fried okra on the menu, I'm sold.  They also have a Sonic, Pizza Hut, and Subway.  I think I can live there.  I had a brief moment of extreme joy when Sarah Rizzo brought up the Pizza Hut... BUFFET popped into my mind.  It's a small tiny town and surely it has a buffet right?!?  Wrong.  We called and I was extremely bummed to hear it's only pickup/carry out.  I almost cried.  Once we move eventually, my friends would have to come out and visit me if they had a buffet... now I guess they'll just have to come for me. 
(Back to the point of this entry)

Here he is with his key...

Hello, Dr. Line

My contribution... lunch. 

Turkey, Mayo & Mustard.  Every Single Day.  I don't know how he does it...

And a little treat for his employees...

My favorite cupcakes from Cupcake Al La Mode... deLish.

Good luck babe, I know you'll do wonderful!!!

Cozy Fireside

Not only is that the scent of my current Scentsy that's burning, but it's how I felt last night at our house. 
Tony had a rip-roaring fire going, we poured a glass of wine, and snuggled up under the blanket to catch up on some TV. 

Goal after Christmas is to find us all new stockings... that match

Marg loves our new soft Christamas blanket the most...

So warm and annoyed with you taking pictures



Sawin' logs



Christmas Cheer!

In the form of bottles. 

Here's a little sneak peek of my DIY Christmas Gifts this year.  Homemade Peppermint Schnapps.  Easiest thing ever and I loved decorating the bottles. 
(Hopefully none of my recipiants are reading this, if so act SURPRISED!)

Sharin' the Cheer!

So for any of you out there that might want to copy me - here's how you do it.

1.) Pour yourself a big ol' glass o wine (or open a beer) whatever your style is.

2.) Stir 2 1/2 cups of sugar into 10 cups of water as it's being heated to a boil.

3.) Cool mixture to room temp. while drinking your drink

4.)  Stir in one fifth of grain alcohol (I used everclear) and try not to gag.

5.)  Then add 2 bottles of peppermint extract (1 oz. each)

6.)  Here's the hard part, put liquid into the bottles.  We didn't have a funnel, but I recommend using one.

And yer done!  This whole recipe filled about 6 of these bottles.  I decorated the bottles after I filled them.  Like I said, we didn't have a funnel so things got kinda sticky.  Tony made me try the finished product.  I hate peppermint schnapps, which makes me wonder why I'm giving it to people I like.  Sorry, folks I thought it was festive.  Hubs said it was good so I believe him.

I'm pretty sure people keep it in the freezer to take shots of, or put it in their hot chocolate... how do you drink it???

Viva Las Vegas

My beautiful aunt Carrie turned 40 in November so we decided to celebrate it big.  Vegas style.  My mom, grandma, two aunts, and some of her friends headed out EARLY on a Saturday morning.  After one missing wallet, a strip security search, and sprinting to make our flight, we FINALLY arrived in Vegas! 

Carrie by her bday limo

Ready to hit the town

We stayed at the Paris hotel.  It was in the perfect location, smack dab in the middle of the strip.  Our 2 rooms, that we crammed 9 people in, overlooked the Belliagio fountains.

 The reason I love Veg so much is that you can carry your drinks anywhere... see the pic below of my mom and I in CVS.  That wine glass in my hand was taken directly from the casino.  I'm not sure if I was supposed to actually take the nice glass from the brand new Aria casino, but I figured it was part of $15 drink cost.  Thank you Aria. 

Hello, nice wine glass

 After stopping in CVS, to get beer a pounder, we jumped on the bus to head downtown. 

And this folks, is the only way to get through a stinking bus ride....

Yes, that is beer in my nice wine glass.  Stay classy.

Downtown Veg

 The next day I won $106 on a slot machine.  So random.  It was a great thing though, b/c I may or may not have lost money betting on Mizzou.  Don't judge, I was told it was a 'lock'.  Turns out there is no such thing as a lock in betting.  That's the point. 

Mom and I at the Venetian

 We discovered Beer Pong one night and it might have been the highlight of the trip. 

The bad guys

The good guys

 This picture of my gma (on the right) is priceless.  She was a ringer.  I would totally pick her as a partner anyday.  Plus, she likes to chug and that's my downfall.

I think they won

My mama and I

Sheesh, think the sisters look alike??

 Another thing I love about Veg, is Bingo.  Yes, Bingo.  And yes, it's just as trashy as it sounds, but it's hilarious.  Plus, they have free drinks.  I've been before with this fam and we have learned that we need to be in our own corner away from the regulars.  We are loud and obnoxious, something the regulars evidently don't appreciate.  Not sure why, we think we're funny.  People watching is great too, lots of fanny packs full of dobbers and trolls. 

Preparing for BINGO

It was a fabulous trip!  I think every city needs to take lessons from Vegas.  For real.

Cheers!