Jalapeno Popper Dip

I've been on a dip kick lately and I saw Rachael Ray make this dip the other day on her show. I didn't write it down at the time as I figured I could go to the website and get the recipe. Well, I couldn't find it anywhere on the website so I'm doing my best to re-create from memory...
Note to self: when cutting and taking the seeds out of the jalapenos, remember to wash your hands because when you accidentally lick your finger later on it may cause your lips or tongue to burn. (I'm speaking from experience today :).)

Here goes:

2 fresh jalapenos, minus the seeds if you don't want the heat

1 brick cream cheese, softened

8 oz sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese or taco flavored cheese

crushed tortillas chips for the top

Your choosing of chips or veggies for dipping

The recipe originally called for the jalapenos to be blackened and then chopped. I didn't do this, but I did chop the jalapenos and then sauteed them in a skillet to soften them. When softened, I mixed the jalapenos, cream cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese in a mixing bowl. After mixing until smooth, I transferred the mixture into an oven safe dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and finish with some crushed tortilla chips. Place in 350-degree oven for approx. 15 minutes or until heated through. After taking it out of the oven, let sit for a few minutes to cool. Enjoy with your favorite chips or veggies!

I decided to take the seeds and membranes out of the jalapenos this go around since I didn't know what the heat level would be. After trying the dip, I may leave some seeds in for heat the next time.

The Beast is Gone...

We used to have this big, beautiful oak tree in our back yard. Notice the past tense word "used". Today the massive beast came down. We've been in our house about three and a half months and since day one, the hubs has had this grand idea to have the tree taken down. He's had a bazillion people come and give estimates. He finally settled on one and today was the day the tree came down. (He was afraid that there would be major damage for a number of reasons if the tree stayed up.) Anyhoo, the guy that we went with had originally come over early one morning and gave this ridiculously inexpensive quote. It was on paper, etc. So, when he comes by today he stated he must have been asleep the first time or the tree must have grown an awful lot in two weeks. Well, he did the tree anyway as he was being honest. It's nice to know there are still some honest business people in the world as he could have easily declined to do the job. Let me tell you, the backyard is a mess! Lots of dust, dirt and holes. When it fell it crushed a nice fruit bush, too. Obviously I wasn't too thrilled about the whole situation, but it will hopefully keep the house from being damaged in the long run. And do you know that the hubs actually asked me to help him clean the rest up??? Ha! There is one helacious oak tree laying in my backyard along with two good sized holes. He'll be having fun cleaning up that bad-boy on his own...but being the sucker I am, I'm sure I'll end up helping out in the long run....

And they made it...

All three of the kids started school today and they all came home unscathed with the exception of a schedule snafu for the oldest. The middle schooler didn't get shoved into a locker (yet)~thank goodness! In fact, the youngest of the three, who normally hates math and has automatic meltdowns, came home and did math homework without complaints. Who knew? Is the world coming to an end? I am hoping for an awesome year...

School Days...

So not much has happened lately. It's been a while since I've visited here and unfortunately I have nothing much to offer. Today is the kids first day of school. Now the three of them are in three different schools. Wow. I still can't help but feel a little overwhelmed for them on that very first day. Sometimes it feels as if I am more nervous for them then they are. The oldest is in 10th grade and it feels like I just sent her to middle school. We're not always seeing eye to eye, but she should know how proud I am of her. And to top it off, as of this Friday she can technically get her driving permit!! Watch out! The middle child started 6th grade today. He seemed as cool as a cucumber. If he's nervous, then he is keeping it all inside. And then the youngest. This is the first year that he is having to rely on himself at school and not have his big brother there. I truly think he was a little apprehensive but he will be just fine once he gets back into the routine. His bus driver seemed super nice and one of the neighbors said she is great so that puts my mind at ease as he is my tenderhearted child. I enjoy my quiet days off, but at the same time I am anxious to see how their first day went. So, to my dear kidlets, have a great day, you're going to do just fine. I am very proud of all three of you!

Weekly Wrap-up

I must say that it wasn't a terrible week for the most part. It has been hectic at work as usual. I had a lot of pressure to finish my schedule for the month and it's been really hard since we were minus one employee now. It takes a lot of coordinating with my staff to fill in all of the holes that are now there and we're getting there slowly, but surely. Everyone has been pretty good about helping and they've been very patient with me. I finally got it finished with the exception of a hole or two, but at least it's done.
The highlight of my week is that I got to see a friend that I haven't seen since high school! Unfortunately she is in town as her step-brother recently passed away. She and her two other siblings are left to take care of everything as they are the immediate family. Even though she was extremely stressed and overwhelmed with everything, we had an awesome visit. We enjoyed some smoothies and we were able to do some catching up. The nice part was- it felt like we picked up right where we left off. With the exception of filling each other in on details, it was like we had seen each other just last week. Now that is a friend! She will be coming in town more frequently for a while so we did make some plans to get together.
Last night we went to Busch Gardens with the kiddos. This is the first time they have been this season. You would have thought it was the first time period as they were pure energy. I don't know what possessed the youngest, but he decided he wanted to ride some coasters. That was a total shocker. Big Bad Wolf was the first choice, and he has been on that before, but the line was crazy long. He then ventured to the Lochness. Wow, he did it!! Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ride it the first time when it was dark and he couldn't tell where he was going. He was pretty dizzy when he came off, but being the trooper he is, he decided he still wants to ride it again. We're going to wait until it's daylight though. I am so proud of him!!!

Yay for me!!

Not much to say, but I had a personal best today on the treadmill. In the normal time it takes me to do a mile, I was able to do 1.5 miles! I know, not exciting for most, but for me it was a major accomplishment coming from someone who used to hate to run. I'm now running at a faster speed too which I never thought that would. I just have to remember to keep it slow and steady so I don't mess up my knee. I can already feel it starting to ache as I increase the intensity :(....

Blah, blah, blah

It's been a while since I've done anything on here. It's been a crazy busy summer so far... Here's a few updates:

1. It's been almost two months since we've been in our house. We're just now finally finishing up the rest of the boxes and starting to get things organized. And just recently I've hung up our first thing on the wall. It's a small mirror, but I have to figure out just where everything should go. That will take me forever, but we will get there....

2. The kids will be home probably on Thursday. It's been a nice long break (almost three weeks), but it will be nice to have them home. I talked with my mom yesterday and was really upset by the time I got off the phone. The kids are having a great time, but some of the things she said really struck a cord with me. I am extremely grateful to her for all of her help, however I don't see everything as rosey as she does. We didn't have the best relationship in the world growing up-she would tell you otherwise, but I try. I try giving the benefit of the doubt all the time, but most always I am proven wrong. I am just glad the kids had a good time.

3. I am getting back into the fitness thing once again. I know, I go in phases, but it feels so natural this time around. I've still been doing my jaunts and continuing my love affair with the treadmill and it's getting better everyday. I think by taking it slowly this time, it's been easier getting back into it. If I don't feel like running, I don't because I won't be productive. Hopefully I will start to see some payoff soon. (A set of "12-pack abs would be fabulous!!! )Even if I don't I at least feel better and it's great for just forgetting about life for a few moments...