corn dip

Usually I'm a stickler when it comes to recipes.  I rarely make my own variation.  However, I wanted to make a corn dip for a friends birthday party the other night.  I couldn't find a recipe that I just loved so I kind of just made up my own.  a bit scary.  but apparently it turned out great because every last bite was eaten. who knew?!

It's a great, quick, fun dip to make for any occasion...

Shoepeg Corn Dip
2 cans Shoepeg Corn, Drained
1 can Rotel, Drained
8oz. sour cream
1/2 a package of shredded Colby cheese
1/2 a package of shredded hot pepper cheese
a sprinkling (very technical term) of taco seasoning
*I added the smallest amount of chopped onion b/c I knew some folks like onions, but I don't so I just put a little

I let mine sit in the refrigerator for about 5 hours before serving. 

The "scoop" tostitos chips work really well to serve with this I think!  Let me know if you try it!

TREND: Pom Poms

Martha Stewart...what would we do without her, right?  She and her staff come up with more recipes, crafts, and home decorating ideas then one person could possibly think of attempting in one life time.  I still think it's hilarious she was in jail and continues to be as classy and creative as ever.  Oh Martha!

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One of her DIY decorating crafts that has become quite popular for any sort of party...birthday, shower, wedding reception...you name it, are her famous tissue paper pom poms.  I first used them at my Christmas Party last year and I really loved how they turned out.  I continue to see them everywhere! Here are a few things I've learned while making them:

LESSON #1
Your tissue paper doesn't have to be the size they say.  It can be whatever size you want to make it - especially if you want to make the cute little puffs like we did for little laney's baby shower.

LESSON #2
I wouldn't think you necessarily have to use floral wire.  I felt like I needed to do it "martha's way" the first time I tried them and because of that I have enough floral wire to last for years...I would think a normal garbage bag twist tie - or something of the sorts - would work just fine.  Especially for the little ones, the big wire seems like kind of a waist.

LESSON #3
I tore a lot of my tissue paper when trying to seperate the layers.  It's not really  noticable after you pull them all a part...but I try to be careful from now on.

Here are links to some of my favorite uses of these cute little party gems!

I think a fiesta is a great theme to use them!
if only I would have seen this before I got bauer!
who needs to hang them when you can stick them to wall?
jazz up dinner by hanging them over the table or spice up a dessert table by making it the back drop

and...if you don't want to make them, there are tons of folks that you can buy them from!

happy pom pom making!

wreath inspiration

I don't typically decorate for Halloween.  I'm more of an "autumn" decorator.  Nothing against the holiday, I love it actually...please, an opportunity to dress up, twist my arm! we all know I love it!  Anyway...I typically just do "fall" so I can keep up the same decorations all season.  It saves money, etc.  so I was looking for some fall wreath inspiration and I came across some really cute pumpkin wreaths.  So I'm taking a variation on the 3 below and making a fun Halloween wreath.  I'll let you know how it goes!

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Do you decorate for both Halloween AND fall? both? only one?  

BAUER

Today is Bauer's birthday.  He is 4 years old!  He's had a pretty good 4 years of life! 

Here are some insteresting Bauer facts for you all:

- Bauer gets his name from Jack...not Eddie.  big difference.

- when Bauer was just a puppy he swallowed an entire plush toy.  He had to have surgery to remove it.

- I think it's this surgery that allows him to now be able to swallow socks whole...it's quite the spriritual gift.

- Bauer would constantly eat if I left food out. always, always, always ready for supper.  Like, you can't say "food" "supper" or "hungry" around him or he thinks he getting something.

- if he is not eating, he prefers to sleep really...under the covers.  If it's past 9 o'clock and no one is in bed, he'll whine until someone goes to bed.

- he loves me very much.  but I'm pretty sure his Gran (my mom) is his favorite person...next to Caitlin.

and since you all love my dog as much as me here are some pictures of him over the last 4 years

(I know...you are all so excited!)

Bauer is such a good dog!  I certainly got lucky to have such a good-looking, farily well-behaved (unless there is food around), loyal pet.  Happy Birthday Bauer...if only you understood what that meant!

(the top 2 pictures and this one are curtesy of THE Mary Rosenbaum)

lamkin

today is the Lamkin family reunion. This is what I made these invitations for.

that means Josh and I are in north Louisiana with all the other Lamkins for some family fun time.  It means I'm hanging out with this cousin clan.

it's ok. I know we were awesome.

brother-in-law birthday

this is jordan.  in less than 7 months we will be family. jealous?

Jordan is one of Josh's brothers...he's the 3rd down the line.  I tend to get Josh and Jordan confused when I look at childhood pictures.  And a lot of times it wierds me out when Josh will say something and it sounds just like Jordan.  Nonetheless...Happy Birthday Jordan!!!

Jordan works for State Farm...so if you need any insurance, he's got the hook up.  He's also really good at being the most complicated customer a waiter has ever seen.  Jordan's got a 3D TV...that is quite large.  I didn't know those existed, but could be fun to watch gilmore girls with those blue and red glasses (I'm sure that's why he has that TV).  If you ever meet all of Josh's family, be sure to meet Jordan.  He's a funny one.  Hope you have a WONDERFUL year...your present is that you get to have another sister!  Get excited!!!

it's football time in Tennessee!

here's the deal...I like sports.  I like to watch them and play them (except baseball...I don't like to watch or play baseball...or frisbee, if that's a sport).  I don't claim to know all the players, or try and talk smack about why a certain team will beat another.  I don't know much sports history or trivia.  Regardless...I simply like sports. 

This weekend (today actually) is opening day for college football.  I like football a lot.  I always have.  My youth minister taught me how to throw a pretty mean spiral in high school and since then I've had a good appreciation for QB's. I like football.  Josh LOVES football. Typically I cheer for Vanderbilt.  My mom went there, we went to lots of games growing up, and I like to cheer for the underdogs.  Josh - he bleeds orange.  Always has...and always will.  I've never LOVED the Vols, but I don't mind cheering for them especially since they may be entering their days as underdogs as well (sorry babe!)

Why am I posting this on my blog? Well...I think I like sports so much because it brings people together.  There is fellowship and commrodery at every sports game...most of the time with strangers.  So, to kick off football season here are some of my favorite football party inspirations!

Hostess with the Mostess

Celebrations

Celebrations at home

and a party is certainly not complete without coordinating toilet paper:

and to make josh happy:

I also want to give our friend Jonathan a birthday shout out!  Not only does he love Billy Joel but he is a die hard Vanderbilt fan!  he's such a good dad, wonderful husband, and has been a great friend to Josh! 

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Mr. Whitehurst!