A Summer’s Eve

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no not that kind!

All of this on/off winter weather is making me miss spring & summer more and more. When I was little I loved summertime, we got out of school, we could sleep all day & stay up all night, go swimming, etc now it just means I get to wake up at 6am, shower then head to work until 7pm. As I’ve gotten older winter is my favorite, but not really this year. One day it’s 32* then the next it’s 70*, it makes for hard outfit picking.

I can’t wait to spend weekends at the beach this year though. I didn’t get to go a lot last year & I have no idea why exactly. My dad is having surgery today but when he gets better closer to spring I’ve promised to take him deep sea fishing, while I’ll be on the beach or by the pool with a few adult beverages.

I think this is the perfect outfit to frolic around the beach after the sun goes down. Hanging out by the bonfire listening to the waves roll in, ahhh I can’t wait.



Get The Outfit
Shirt.Jacket.Pants.Belt.Necklace.Earrings.boots

Sweet & Spicy Wings

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Thanks so much to Leslie for having me on her fabulous blog!

I’m not much of a football fan, or any kind of sports fan for that matter, but I love a good Super Bowl party. Cozying up with a bunch of friends on a February Sunday to watch hysterical commercials over snacks and beer is right up my alley. Which is why, instead of just your regular bag of chips and a jar of salsa, I like to step it up a bit. It’s a long game, so you need food that’s filling but still party-friendly. These Sweet and Spicy Hot Wings are finger food that can double as a meal. And since they’re baked instead of breaded and fried, they’re better for you, too. I make this recipe with a sour-cream-and-tomato dip, but it works just as well with ranch or blue cheese dip if you prefer.

Also, this recipe uses Ro*Tel Original Tomatoes and Chilies, but if you can handle the heat, go ahead and kick it up a notch with the Hot version. Canned tomatoes are super convenient, and if you’re looking for even more easy Super Bowl snacks, check out these football party menu ideas, which inspired the spinach queso dip I made for the playoffs party:

And without further ado…here’s the recipe! Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Hot Wings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 servings (4 drumettes with 2 tablespoons dip each)

INGREDIENTS
PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, un-drained
1/4 cup sour cream (use light or low-fat if you prefer)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons honey
16 chicken wing drumettes (about 2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat broiler. Spray broiler pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Place tomatoes in food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
3. Drain half of chopped tomatoes and combine with sour cream to make dip; set aside.
4. Place remaining un-drained tomatoes in small bowl; combine with butter and honey.
5. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper in large bowl. Add half of tomato mixture to wings; toss to coat. Transfer to broiler pan; broil 10 minutes.
6. Turn wings; spoon remaining tomato mixture on wings. Broil 10 minutes more or until chicken is no longer pink and tender (180°F). Serve with dip.

It’s OK Thursday

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Things have been quiet around here since the weekend. Dad had a little bit of trouble this weekend & had a small rupture so we’ve been told not to leave him alone, to have someone at their house to keep an eye on him & only let him do minimal getting up & walking around. He’s scheduled for surgery on Monday & although he’s scared he’s happy. I think in a couple months when he’s all healed up he’ll be happier than ever.

It’s OK that my grandad commented on the weight I’ve gained, over the weekend. I’ve always been a size 0 but working behind a desk 11 hours a day has taken me to a size 3. Im going to make an effort to hit the gym 3 times a week. He has no filter either.

It’s OK that I’ve went to bed at 8:30 every night this week. I’m tired for some reason & I’ve gotten really bored. My anxiety is kicking up a lot this week thus far.

It’s OK to have started on the 3rd book in Joanne Flukes series (of 17 books) “The Blueberry Muffin Murder” & to already want to order the 4th book this pay day. This book has 4 1/2 stars with over 150 reviews! I’ve read more since November than I have in 3 years.

It’s OK to be eating Progresso light soups all week for lunch. I’m actually loving the “chicken pot pie” & “vegetable”. It beats actually cooking for lunch.

It’s OK to be scared for my dad. He’s been so strong for a year now thinking that nothing can be done about this situation. To finally meet a doctor that has given him his hope back & who can successfully remove & fix the problem brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.

It’s OK that I have recently fallen in love with Honey Crisp Apples. These little delights are so juicy & Im loving that they are softer than all the other apples.

The Moment You Think It’s Over

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Living With Chronic Migraine


source

Everyday I wake up hoping that I won’t have a sudden migraine that day. It can wake me up from my peaceful slumber and drag me into the depths of excruciating pain, the kind of pain that only a rice bag, trip to the ER for a shot in the butt waiting for an hour to see if I’m going to involuntarily give the floor or trash can my tummy contents, & then a day of being knocked out.

It feels like my head is in my a vice, my tummy hurts, I can barely keep my eyes open, & every little sound makes me want to rip my ears off. I’ve tried everything imaginable and nothing helps but a nifty trip to the ER. When yo work 55+ hours a week there really isn’t a lot of time to be spending 6 hours in the ER at night then make it to work. The days I have to suffer through are like a nightmare & nobody understands.

If you have chronic migraines how do you deal with them?

Retro Repin Party #26

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Welcome back to the Retro Re-pin Party! 

Do you have some great recipes, decorations, party ideas, fall activities, crafts, or how-tos for us today? We can’t wait to see what you share with us down below in the linkup!   

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My favorite post from last week is:

The Lou Lou Girls from The Lou Lou Girls. I love to cook and I think these would be delicious & the family would enjoy them.

Take a feature button!

The Crafty Side Of Sarcasm

  

Time to meet your hostesses!! Please consider following on at least one social media!

Stephanie @ Sustaining the Powers: Blog/Pinterest

Kristina and Millie @ 2 Crochet Hooks: Blog/Pinterest

Dee @ Meatloaf and Melodrama: Blog/Pinterest

Becka @ Probably Crafting: Blog/Pinterest

Felicia @ Nifty Thrifty Family: Blog/Pinterest

Leslie @ Crafty Side of Sarcasm: Blog/Pinterest

Julie V. @ Sombody’s Dinner: Blog/Pinterest

Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations: Blog/Pinterest

 

Follow our Retro Re-pin Board on Pinterest!

 

Follow TwoCrochet Hooks’s board Retro Repin Party on Pinterest.

*~* Are you all ready to party?!? ~

 

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Note: By linking up to this party, you give the hostesses permission to share your posts and an image via social media or as a feature with links back to the original source. If you have entered an email address into the link up too, an email will be sent when the party goes live. Your email will not be used in any other way.

  Please help us spread the word about this party. Invite your friends and come back next week! Take a button!   


HOT ARTICHOKE PARMESAN SPREAD

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Confession…this is my very first guest post…ever!
So a big thank you to Leslie, here at The Crafty Side of Sarcasm for giving me this opportunity!

I’m sharing with you a spread that I have been making for many years. I don’t know for sure where I found the recipe, but I’m guessing it was clipped from a magazine, since that’s where we all used to get our recipes from, before Pinterest! Lol

I’ve tweaked it here and there over time, to, in my opinion, “perfect it”.

This is the appetizer I bring most often to parties and family get-togethers. It’s one I can count on, adults and kids both love it.

It’s not your usual artichoke dip/spread, and by usual I’m referring to those creamy, cheesy artichoke dips that are so popular in restaurants (not that there’s anything wrong with them! Are you kidding, I love them!).

This one is lighter, in taste and calories, and absolutely delicious.
You can put it together in about 5 minutes, it bakes for 20 minutes and is served hot with crackers, bread, veggies or tortilla chips.

Give this a try next time you need an easy and yummy appetizer!

Hot Artichoke Parmesan Spread

*makes about 1 1/2 cups and serves 6+

INGREDIENTS:

1 can (about 14oz/400g) artichoke hearts
1/3 cup mayonnaise (add a bit if u prefer to make it a dip)
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dash of salt and pepper
Dash of cayenne or dash of hot sauce (optional)
Dash of paprika

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400F.

Drain artichokes, pressing out moisture.

In a small fool processor bowl, add mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, garlic and 1 cup of parmesan cheese.

Process until well combined.

Stir in salt and pepper, cayenne and paprika.

Transfer to a small baking dish, and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan and another dash of paprika.

Bake in oven for 20 minutes.

Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, cubed bread or veggies.


*Spread can be made up to a day ahead, just prepare and refrigerate, but do not bake until needed.

About The Author


Hi, I’m Mary from Spreading Good Tastes, where I share delicious recipes, great finds and travel tales. I am slightly obsessed with dips and spreads and have collected many from around the globe that I share on my blog.

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