Our Week(end)

I know it is Thursday and another weekend is right around the corner but since this is my first real post this week, due to some completely unpredictable internet problems (I forgot to pay the bill but I am going with unpredictable, it just sounds better) so I am going to start with our weekend. We had a special visitor this weekend.


This is Lola. She used to be our (my) dog but when we moved in to our town home we gave her to Matthew and Krystal since we don't have a yard and I can't really see putting Carter in a stroller and walking two (our Lab went to live with Roy's aunt) dogs when it is snowing (if it ever snows again here). But we went over to Matthew & Krystal's on Saturday so I could help Krystal figure out her new computer we brought her home. It was sweet to see her play with Morgan again and she slept in Morgan's bed both nights she was here. And then on Super Bowl Sunday Chris and Kelley came over and brought another visitor

This is Hailey. She is 11 weeks old. It was so funny because she wanted to play with Lola but every time she would go near her Lola would growl at her, Hailey was scared of Morgan and would run from her but loved Carter who wanted nothing to do with any of it. This all confirmed for me that we definitely do not need a dog. No matter how cute they are.

Speaking of Super Bowl Sunday. That was the best game I saw all year. I have never got so into a game when it was a team other than the Broncos. And my menu was a huge hit.

Another great thing about this week is that the weather her has been so perfect. I'm talking 70 degrees. In February. I grilled steaks last night. Outside. I know Colorado is supposed to be some sort of Arctic according to some people, but you are just as likely to get a sunburn in February as in July. It has been great. The mountains are getting some snow and down here, we are in t shirts and jeans. Yesterday, I wore my flip flops.

Matthew is healing pretty well and will hopefully be able to go back to work soon. But since he is home all day and night (and I think Krystal has told him he has to take at least 5 hours of his awake time and not play video games) he has got real creative with his time. Using my sweet little nephew. These pictures aren't the best quality.

Matt took one of David's onsies that was a little snug and cut the bottom and the sleeves off of it and "Decorated" it. It is a little fuzzy but is says "Mommy Beater" as opposed to a traditional "Wife Beater Tank Top".

The proud Dad.

Super Bowl Menu

Even though the Broncos aren't playing tomorrow (maybe next year) we are pretty excited about the game tomorrow. My brother in law and his girlfriend are going to come over and I am going to make some good food. What more do you need? So even though this is not a cooking blog, I thought I would post my menu (with recipes) because I do love cooking, especially for get togethers.

Hot Wings (a must have in my house)
-Season wings (I buy the large bag of assorted wings at WalMart) with salt, onion powder and garlic powder and bake for one hour at 425 degrees
-Melt butter and mix with Franks Red Hot Sauce (this is my favorite sauce for wings, you can use any sauce you like)
-Coat cooked wings with the sauce mixture
-Serve with Blue Cheese and Ranch dressings

Mini Cheese Steak Sandwiches
For this I use the SteakUmms frozen steaks. I used to laugh at the thought of eating those until I tried them.
-Since the steaks cook up pretty fast I usually saute some mushrooms and onions separately
-Cook the steaks in a pan until they are done almost to your liking
-Put the onions and mushrooms and whatever cheese you prefer on top of the cooking meat so it gets melty ( I prefer Cheese Wiz, Roy prefers Provolone)
-Place on small rolls. The rolls with the harder crusts work best

Potato skins
-Cut medium baked potatoes in half length wise
-Scoop the insides of baked potatoes out leaving 1/4" of potato for a shell and cut shells in half across
-Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees
-Sprinkle cheddar cheese in the shell. You can put skins back in the oven for a few minutes so the cheese melts.
-Sprinkle crumbled bacon and green onion slices on top and serve with sour cream.

Artichoke Dip Served In A Bread Bowl
I am trying my sister's recipe for this, because I can't find the one I used to use and she swears this one is good.
-Saute onion in a pan with a little olive oil (or butter would be good too)
A-dd 1 package of cream cheese to the onions. You may need to add a little milk to this if it gets too thick
-Add your artichoke hearts (1 can). My sister said she takes about 3/4 of the can and chops them up pretty small and rough chops the other 1/4
-Place mixture in a bread bowl and put shredded parmesan cheese on top and put it in the over until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly
-Serve with the bread pieces you took out to make the bowl and crackers


So there you go. GO PITTSBURGH. For more recipes and menu ideas go check out my Mom's kitchen blog.