Party appetizers that make you look like a good cook

Okay, Here are two appetizers that are super simple and fairly simple (respectively). Both are nice for entertaining, or for bringing to a party.

Sweet Pepper Cream Cheese

This requires that you know a Tastefully Simple representative (or dealer/pusher...might as well be...some of their stuff is addictive like crack). My dealer is Cindy Riley, and she can be reached at 636-942-3363 or at tastefullysimple.com/web/criley

- 1 block of cream cheese (your choice...I use Philedelphia original)
- Tastefully Simple Sweet Pepper Jalepeno jam/preserves.
- Crackers (I like multi-grain Wheat Thins...but any dippy kind of grain will do)

1. Place cream cheese on a plate.
2. Spoon Sweet Pepper jam over cheese to coat it (maybe about 1/4 - 1/3 jar per block of cream cheese)
3. Serve with crackers...super simple!

Herbed Shrimp and Tomatoes

This recipe comes from the December 2006 Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I will type it as written. I will note that it is easier to peel the raw, thawed shrimp if you purchase shrimp labled "ez peel." Waaaaaaay less work for you! This also comes with a recipe for Basil Dipping Sauce, which I will include. I have noticed that for a full batch of shrimp, a 1/2 batch of dipping sauce is more than sufficient. Adjust at will.

- 2 lb. fresh or frozen jumbo shrimp (20 - 21 per lb.) (note...I don't always use this count...just whatever is a good buy.)
- 2 T. snipped fresh basil
- 1 T fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 t. salt
- 1/4 t. ground black pepper
- 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Peel and devein shrimp, removing tails. Rinse shrimp, pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 10 - 30 minutes.
3. In a large skillet cook shrimp, half at a time, in hot oil over medium-high heat for 2 - 3 minutes or until shrimp are opaque, stirring and turning often to cook evenly. Transfer shrimp to serving platter. (if taking to a party, make sure to keep cool until serving)
4. Add tomatoes to shrimp; gently toss to combine. Serve warm or chill until serving time. Serve with Basil Dipping Sauce.

Makes 8 servings

Basil Dipping Sauce

- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 T. snipped fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 t. lemon juice
- 1 t. Dijon mustard
- 1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1. In a small bowl combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with Herbed Shrimp and Tomatoes. Makes 16 1-Tablespoon servings.

new slideshow

I finally put a new slideshow together! Check it out at your leisure. I also have caved in to the pressure to start up a facebook account, so feel free to browse around there, too. I don't have much on it yet - but I am sure it's yet another timesuck. Just what I need with a new baby on the way!

Let's see if this works

More Halloween and November stuff

I have been so lazy about adding stuff to this page! I will put up a new slideshow, soon. These halloween pictures are from our friend's halloween party, and then we have some from a visit with gma and gpa, along with general Wadey-ness. I am feeling super pregnant lately. I have almost exactly three weeks until my due date, but I'm anticipating four - just so I don't get too dissappointed when I'm still pregnant on January 6th.

halloween

I can't even believe it's almost November. I just finished teaching at the Y until after the baby is born, which means that I am only about 10 weeks away from D-Day. Holy schnikeys. I'm working on Wade's costume this afternoon - I should be napping, but until the chaps are made, I can't sleep. We are taking him to a Halloween party at the Y tonight, and it sounds like he might be going to another one out in Eureka tomorrow afternoon. Our friends are having their 3rd annual Halloween costume party next Saturday, and that is always a blast - Wade will have a good time this year. He wasn't even walking yet at last year's party, so he should have a much better time at this one. He's really into hats right now, and he has a cowboy hat for this costume. Unfortunately he's more interested in chewing it than wearing it. Oh Well.

Enough time has passed since I started writing this post that we now have some pictures of Cowboy Wade. He did give a few good "yee haw's" but overall, he was pretty cranky at the Y party. The dum dum suckers he got were a big hit, though.

New slideshow

Check out all of Wade's new September pictures.

Getting Bigger

Both Wade and I are getting bigger every day. I am definitely feeling the effects of pregnancy, and Wade is getting taller and more independent by the minute. He loves telling us to "get up" and to "sit down." This is especially true when we are doing something that is boring to him (eg we're finishing dinner and he's already done and wants to play). He is also repeating everything we say with robotic accuracy. I am making an effort to clean up my language, and since he is such a good repeater, I am rewarded for my efforts every time he repeats a "substitution" that I've chosen. The other day he called a bad driver a "dude" (instead of an asshole) and said "shoot" instead of my usual word of choice. Children must make us better people.

We just had a visit from gma Shelley and gpa Jim, and Wade had lots of fun with them. Here's some newer pictures from his latest exploits on the Niki sculptures at the Botanic Garden.

September fun!

Wade has gotten to go apple picking twice now! His first time was with Daddy, Ori and Brian, and his second time was with Mommy & Daddy, the Webers and Darren. Wade talks about "ah-pole pi-keeng" all the time. Then he lists off everyone's name that he's gone picking with. Here's a few pictures from his first time out. There's some of general other cuteness, too, including his firefighter hat (great dollar store purchase!). We went to Bayer's garden center and got our fall pumpkins this afternoon. They had a super selection - I'll be sure to get pictures of our choices. Wade picked out some white and green pumpkins, and a few bumpy gourds, too. He has been helping Mommy water the two mums in front of the house. He is very diligent in his helper skills. His current things he insists on helping with include: Watering, turning lights on and off, pressing the button to open the garage, "beeping" the car keys to lock it, turning the tv off, putting clothes in the hamper, and feeding Nugget. Yesterday, Wade was in the bath, and I told Kevin I was going to feed Nugget dinner. As I was filling the cup with kibble, I heard a loud "All Done!" from the tub. By the time Kevin got to Wade, he was out of the bath and halfway out of the bathroom, on his way to help feed the dog. Of course, I waited to let Wade put the food in Nugget's bowl. (there would have been hell to pay if I hadn't)

More Pictures

These are some pictures from Wade's and my visit to Deerfield to see Grandma, Grandpa and Elsa.  He was so cold, and loved being a "bundle" after he got out of the pool.  Ever since then, he wants to be a bundle in his blankets, towels, etc.  It is too cute, I hope he doesn't outgrow this phase too soon!  The video is a few months old, and I may have posted it before...not sure!  Wade's a little slap happy in it.

New Pix

Hi!  It's been awhile since I've posted any pictures other than the slideshow, so here you go!  Wade and Kevin went to Lake of the Ozarks with Megan, Eddie, Grandma and Grandpa.  Of course Wade was enthralled with the boat and driving it.  A few pacifier pictures got in this batch.  Wade has never taken a binky, but he found an old one in a drawer, and thinks he's really funny when he pretends to be a baby.  He walks around with the binky in his mouth, takes it out every so often and says "wah wah wah."