Friday, August 31, 2012

Spinach Dip

I've had a few people request some of the recipes that I have "featured" (ha!) on this little blog o' mine.  So I'm starting with Spinach Dip.  I owe all the credit to my friend Wendy who introduced me to this dish of sin.  Now, you should know up front that it is not like Cheddar's at all in my opinion.  It is different, yet it is still oh so yummy.  And fattening.  But heavenly.  I could eat the whole baking dish.  It sometimes hurts my belly it's so good.  You get the point.


Spinach Dip

1 cup mayonnaise (Duke's, because it's the creamiest i.e. most fattening)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 10oz chopped spinach (drained)
1-1 1/2 tsp minced garlic

Combine in a big bowl.  Put in 8x8 pan and sprinkle the top with some extra parmesan cheese.  Because a little extra cheese never hurt anyone.  On second thought, it probably did, but sprinkle anyway.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Then eat your heart out! (Hopefully, it won't cause a heart attack with all that fat!)

You're welcome.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Last Weekend

Last weekend was fun! Parker went to a friend's birthday party at the lake.


Claire and I went shopping.  We stopped for a little snack.

 Earlier this summer, we read the first book from The Chronicles of Narnia called The Magician's Nephew.  After we finished it, we read this:
We enjoyed it a lot! We finished the book last week, so we wanted to watch the movie.
If you've read the book, you may remember the reference to Turkish Delight.  Well, Turkish Delight is actually candy.  I wanted to have something for dinner that went along with the book.  So I present to you our very own version of Turkish Delight...
We couldn't exactly have candy for dinner, so we made something very delightful out of turkey.  Now just look at that sandwich.  If that doesn't make you feel delightful, then I don't know what would!  Healthy, it was not, but scrumptious was it's name-o.
We ate outside because it was such a nice evening.  
Then we watched the movie.  Brian was there for all of these happenings, but somehow didn't make it in any of the pictures.

Sunday, we went to church of course.  Parker camped out in the coveted chair after the service.
Claire and Lucy Cate had on their matching dresses.  
Then we went to lunch with family.  
Sunday afternoon, the kids went swimming for what might be one of the last times this summer.  Then, I got to see My Little Bible Study Group (MLBSG) one last time before Rachael moved away.  (Sadness inserted here.) I don't have any pictures of swimming or MLBSG though! Guess I was having too much fun!




Saturday, August 25, 2012

We Made It!

We made it through the first full week of school! YAY!!! It was a really good week, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired.  It's crazy how quick I can forget how much first graders change during a year's time.  It was only a couple of months ago that I was teaching little people at the END of first grade.  Well, let's just say they are very different at the end of the year than at the beginning.  Basically, they are still Kindergartners when they walk through that door at the beginning of school.  They are sweet, precious cuties for sure but also very dependent on me for everything.  I do mean everything!  It's so amazing to see how much they learn and mature during the year.  For now though, it is so exhausting.  

In addition to teaching all day this week, I had several meetings after school.  PLUS, I got the privilege of parking cars for the fair in our school lot.  I really didn't mind because it is for a great cause.  However, it was hot!

Here's my friend Wendy trying to get people to park with us.
 Shannon was trying too! (I was the money girl)
There's Wendy directly Kellie Pickler's bus!
 But Mrs. Maupin (our principal) really knows how to get the job done. 
 She just gets out in the middle of the road and doesn't give them any choice but to park with us!
 I also had to ride a bus one day this week, so I just got on at my house!
 (Teachers have to ride a bus once a year)
So all in all, it was a great week.  I love my sweet class and am so thankful for my job.  I think I forgot to mention that I got to move back to the school where I taught before I had the kids.  It's also where Parker and Claire go to school, so our life just got a whole lot easier.  I always felt like I missed out on a lot of stuff not being in the same building as them.  I've known all summer that I was getting to transfer, but I think I was afraid to believe it.  It just seemed too good to be true! I really loved the school I was teaching in, but I definitely wanted to go back "home"!

(Which reminds me...I need to show you some pictures of my new classroom.)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good Dogs?

Max REALLY doesn't like taking a bath.  He learned the word bath a long time ago, so we have to spell it now.  In fact, I'm pretty sure he's learning what B-A-T-H means these days too.  He doesn't fight and try to get out of the tub though.  What a good boy! He just stands there like a statue the whole time.
"It's not too late Mama,  please help me"

"Oh no, here it comes"

"I'll just freeze and maybe they'll forget I'm here"


"I really don't like this"

"Get that camera out of my face"

"I can't believe you're letting this happen"

"I think  it's almost over"

"Nope, I was wrong"

"It's got to end soon"
"I definitely deserve a treat"


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I Spent More Than Tim McGraw

He only spent $48 last night at the county fair (according to his song).  I wish that was all we spent!  We figured that second mortgage was worth it for those tickets, rides, and food.  After all, we're makin' memories!

When your school playground backs up the the fairgrounds, you get to watch them set up for a week before it opens.  The excitement is almost too much to handle.  So of course, it's only fitting that one must attend the fair on opening night. 

Parker ran into some buddies right away.  He was thrilled!

Jack, Ben & Parker

  
Yes, in case you're wondering, I am afraid of fair rides.  How safe can they be when they put them up and take them down constantly (and very quickly I might add)? I was a much happier mama when Parker and Claire were content with the little bumblebee ride that flew very close to the ground.  
This ride was a little tamer!
Megan was there!
Lots of cows were there too.  I guess that's to be expected.  We took the usual tour through the cow barns, the barnyard nursery (awww), and the reptile house (ewww).
I thought this ChickfilA sign was funny posted above the chickens.
Petting a sweet baby duck.  Did I ever tell you I had a duck when I was little?
Another dangerous ride
They didn't ride the big ferris wheel. THANK GOODNESS!
Dangerous rides continue

Bumper cars are a little safer I suppose.

The Big Slide
Treats!
We also got to see Jake Owen, so that was fun too!

Parker is begging to go again before the week is over.  We said no.  Can we hold to that decision, or will the bright lights and smell of manure be too much to resist? Only time will tell.  And we'll have to check with the bank to see if they will consider giving us a third mortgage.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It Was A Good One

This is how my weekend started out:

There was also this:
So delicious!
I was a little concerned on Saturday morning when I discovered this scene in Parker's bed:
It appeared to be some sort of hostage situation.
As it turned out, to every one's relief, the poor bunny was merely in the hospital.  He had all sorts of equipment helping him breathe, administering intravenous medicines, and giving him shots.  

Claire went to her friend Zoe's birthday party.
Then thanks to the best Nana in the world, Brian and I had a real date! Complete with Stir Fry Cafe AND a real movie (like in the theater and everything)!
It appears I may have taken a bite before taking the picture.  Priorities, people!

After church and lunch on Sunday, we set up a redneck water slide right in our back yard.  


Of course, they loved every minute of it!