Southwestern Corn Dip {recipe}

So I took advantage of Memorial Day weekend and took the time to try out a few new recipes.  This southwestern corn dip being one of them.  It went well with our Memorial Day 'menu'... brats, orange fluff, pasta salad, potato salad, homemade macaroni... southwestern corn dip.  If you have a get together, a picnic, or any sort of pot-luck function to go to, I would definitely whip this up.  It's addictive and I guarantee you it wouldn't last long.

But I think the key to this dip, is to eat it with lime Tostitos.  Mmmhmmm.  So if you give this little recipe a try, tell me what you think!

Southwestern Corn Dip
recipe from Tasty Kitchen

• 4 (15 oz) cans corn, drained
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped chilies, drained
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped jalapenos, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 whole red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 (8 oz) bag finely grated Mexican cheese 
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 

Drain corn, chilies and jalapenos. Put in a large bowl with the beans and tilt the bowl on its side while you chop the other veggies. Add the rest of the veggies and drain the liquid that accumulated in the bowl. Stir in the sour cream and grated cheese. Add the cilantro last.

You can eat this with whatever type of chip suits your fancy, however.. I highly recommend eating it with the lime Tostitos.

Refrigerate before serving.  Warning:  Addictive!

memorial day weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend.. I hope you all had fun.. but I also hope you all remember what this holiday is for.

Saturday we hung around the house... I had my attempt at making French Macarons.. and then I went shopping.  For the first time in a long time, I actually found some cute clothes for myself.  Who's excited?  This girl!

Sunday was a nice morning at church.. an extremely warm day.. went out to my brother and sister-in-laws house for some good family time and dinner.

Monday was our town's parade.. good food.. a 4 hour nap thanks to my mom and dad (wow, I don't remember the last time I had the luxury of having a nap.. let alone a FOUR hour nap).. some skype time with my hubby.. and relaxing.

I'm tired, a little sun burnt, and ready for a great week ahead.  :)

if at first you don't succeed

Today I tried to take on the challenge of making a French Macaron.  I've been reading a lot about these little cuties, and so I knew they were a finicky cookie.  My hopes weren't high, but I was determined.

And here's my little helper.. always bringin' that smile with her.  :)

And my little helper attacking my camera..

And.. they didn't turn out.  I have a couple that were decent.  But most of them were cracking on top.  But you know what they say - if at first you don't succeed... try, try again!  And I definitely plan to try again this week.  They still tasted decent, however I didn't take the time to make the filling and sandwich them together since they didn't come out as 'pretty' as they should have.

But I am determined, and I WILL get it.  :)

nana's helper

The other day while I was making dinner (homemade enchiladas.. best ever), Clara was outside 'helping' Nana plant some flowers.  She missed her afternoon nap, so she wasn't up for much smiling.  But she sure did have fun making a mess!

Really, she just wanted to rip the 'pretties' right off.  But then she was distracted by the dirt.  She probably would have emptied that pot if Nana let her.  ;)

 I did get a good one of her cheesin' later, though.  I think I may have mentioned the word 'baba'.. she gets really excited about bottle time.  I just love those little teeth and that cheesy smile. 

momma's day

I hope all you mommies out there had a fabulous Mother's Day.  We had a great one - just wish my husband was here to make it complete.  After church, my family and I went to a park in town.. had a little picnic lunch, and soaked up some warm sunshine.

I'm so blessed.  :)

Clara played for a bit.  But the sun made her sleepy really fast..

smiles for daddy

Sadly, my hubby left a couple days ago.. for the whole summer.  Work stuff.  Blah.  We had a wonderful time in the past month visiting with friend and family, though.  A few days before he left we had a gorgeous day, so we took it and hung out in the backyard enjoying the warmth of the sun.

She sure does love her 'DaDa'.. and my heart melts when I see the way she looks at him.  I know she knows 'something is up'.. and he's gone.  But at least we're in the same time zone, and she always smiles when she hears her daddy's voice on the phone.. and then she tries to grab it.. and sometimes she tries to eat it.  :)