Super Bowl Recipe-time

I thought I would share a few of my favorite snacks for parties.... the first is my queso dip which I've actually become quite popular because of it... in other words, we get invited to parties only if I will bring my cheese dip. Ha! Someone shared this recipe with me years ago, and I can't remember who it was... so if you are reading, I do credit you with my popularity. :)

Cheese Dip
1 lb browned ground beef (you can also do 1/2 lb beef & 1/2lb sausage)
(Brown the meat with 1/2 a chopped onion)
1 pkg Velveeta - cubed
1 jar Picante Sauce (We like the Hot!)
1 can refried beans (the kind w/sausage is a bonus!)
1 can chopped green chilis

So, it's pretty simple to make - just put everything in a Crock Pot and heat until cheese is melted. Seriously, this is the best dip ever! Just try it! It will make people love you! I don't like refried beans, but you cannot tell they are in this.

Secondly is my Grandma Kitchens' pinwheels. I love, love, love these things. Actually, I made them the other day for lunch because we did not have any lunch fixings.

Grandma's Pinwheels
1 cream cheese
1 can chopped green chilis
worstershire sauce
garlic salt
ham
flour tortillas

Mix the cream cheese, chilis, a few dabs of worstershire sauce, a tad of garlic salt. Spread the mixture on flour tortillas. Layer ham on top and roll them up. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Slice them and serve!

I also found a couple of yummy recipes on the Pioneer Woman Cooks blog. These yummy jalepeno things are delicious - I've made them before and they are great! The other one, I have not tried but it looks good - anything with bacon has to be yummy!

My name is Cayson....

... and I am addicted to Cheerios.


I try to be sneaky and get extra Cheerios when Mommy's not looking
I just can't quite figure out this stinkin' box! I think I have a problem and need help.

Thanks, Dad!

My Dad brought me roses yesterday just because... isn't that sweet? Just want to say thank you to my dad and post a few pictures!

My little helper...

Cayson is very interested in helping me with the laundry. Today I let him "help" me unload the dry clothes... he had a blast! Silly boy.

Funny Video

I found this video on the Internet today and thought it was sooo funny! Thought I'd share it.

My little Valentine...

Rebecca came over Sunday afternoon to take some Valentine pictures of Cayson. He was being such a grump so she had her work cut out for her. She was able to get some good ones though! I thought I'd share a few of the pictures to wet your appetite.... I'm keeping some of them under wraps... you will see when you get your Valentine from Cayson! There are a few posted on RM Photography if you want to check those out....
Oh, and his shirt says Single and Lovin' It! :)

9 Months Old

Cayson celebrated his 9 month birthday today with a breakfast of oatmeal and apples, lunch of cottage cheese and tortilla and a yummy dinner of carrots, applesauce, and Cheerios. We had his pictures done at Butler's today - he wasn't very cooperative but I think they got a few good shots. We also had a hard time getting good 9 month pictures at home. He just wasn't being photogenic today... maybe he's sick of his mamarazzi!

Happy (belated) Birthday, Rylan!!!

We helped Rylan celebrate her 5th birthday this weekend- she had a big birthday party Saturday night. She is growing up to be a beautiful little girl! She loved opening her presents and got great goodies!

Cayson even wandered around some... he wanted to check out the action!

Cayson really wanted her Nerf gun though... as you can see! He tried to sneak it out the front door, but I caught him and made him give it back. We had a great weekend! We LOVED the weather! It was so nice to be able to get outside. We took advantage of it on Friday & Saturday with a lot of running around we even went on a short walk! Hope everyone has a great week!

A Few Pictures....

Here are a few pictures from Thursday.... I needed to run some errands so I dressed Cayson in his cozy warm outfit - he wasn't fond of it! It did remind me of the movie The Christmas Story....I also had to snap a couple pictures of Cayson sleeping... he had his knees pulled up under him with his tush in the air. I thought it was so adorable... I am biased though! Oh, and he was wearing his big boy pajamas from Papa and Nana... he looks like a little man in them!

Okay, after reviewing this post, I realize these sleeping pictures aren't that great... it was much better in person... there is just something so sweet and innocent about sleeping babies. I could just spend the night watching my baby sleeping... another great thing about being a parent!

Pizza Casserole

By now, you have probably realized I like simple easy recipes and use a lot of beef! I love chicken but since it hasn't been on sale lately, I've been cooking with a lot of beef. This is a recipe I found in a magazine a few years ago.

Pizza Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cups egg noodles
2 tsp vegetable oil

1 pound ground beef

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, finely chopped ( I substitute garlic powder when I don't have garlic)

1 ts oregano (I use about 2 ts)

(I also add about 1/2 ts Italian seasoning)

1/2 ts salt

1 can condensed tomato soup

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 350. Cook noodles following package directions. Drain and reserve. (I like the steam in this picture!)

Meanwhile, heat oil on medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 6 minutes until beef is no longer pink. Drain off excess liquid. Stir in oregano, salt, soup, 1/3 cup water, and noddles. (Isn't this can of soup cute? Pink!!!!)


Take off the heat and add half of the cheese. Spoon into a 11x7 inch baking dish (or whatever size you have!) and sprinkle remaining cheese on the top. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Some Kisses for you!

Yes, I am giving everyone an early Valentine's Day present - kisses! So, enjoy! Oh, wait... it's actually the recipe to make Peanut Butter cookies w/Kisses on top! I think they are a great Valentine surprise for special friends, so I thought I would share. This recipe originated from Jean Wilks, a family friend. It is one of Dusty & my favorite cookies! I usually double the recipe and freeze half of them.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Kisses

Ingredients:
2 2/3 cup sifted flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
5 dozen chocolate Kisses

Sift flour w/soda and salt. Mix butter and peanut butter. Add sugars and beat well until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture; mix well.
Using a level tablespoon for each, shape into a ball. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2" apart on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 375. Remove and press kisses on top. Bake 2 minutes longer. Enjoy! You can always use this recipe for plain pb cookies. Just press the top with a sugared fork and bake for 10-12 minutes. I like to stir in chocolate chips with this recipe... nothing beats peanut butter and chocolate! A great combination!!!!

And he's off!

Cayson is walking full speed ahead - behind his walk behind toy! He thinks he is so big!

Pickles.. yum, yum.

I got this great idea yesterday to introduce Cayson to pickles... I thought it would be a great photo op to catch the look on his face when he got his first taste. I got the camera ready, fed him a bite, and.................. nothing! So, here they are... oh, by the way, he loved them. He didn't think they were sour at all! So, no sour faces for me.