Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is one of James all time favorite things to eat.

I agree.

I got this recipe from my little sister, who got it from a friend, who got it from a friend.
It's one of those recipes that travels from home to home.

I've made a couple of my own variations that make my tummy happy.
I've lightened it up a bit. Then I don't feel completely guilty for devouring half that dish myself.
You can use full fat ingredients if you are feeling naughty.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
2 6oz cooked chicken breast- chopped
1 cup light sour cream
1 cup light Buffalo Ranch dressing (regular ranch works great too)
8 oz light cream cheese
3/4 cup Frank's RedHot Wing Sauce Buffalo

Mix all ingredients together and pour into casserole dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 30min or until bubbly.

I know my sister will make this for a meal. I don't think it's a terrible idea.
It is that good!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

I seem to have a slight obsession with all things pumpkin.
It's creamy, colorful, nutritious, and versatile.
You can make it savory or sweet.
You can turn it into this!

This is my Grandma's recipe.

It's fantastic.
You can find it in my mom's cookbook.
Find the cookbook here!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

3 cups flour (I used half white flour and half whole wheat)
1 Tbs + 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups sugar
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup cranberries (I used dried)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9X5 loaf pans. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and orange juice. Add to flour mixture and mix until well blended. Fold in cranberries. Pour and spread evenly into prepared loaf pans. Bake 60 min, or until done.

Enjoy!

Your home will smell like heaven too!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Can you believe that I haven't had a Starbuck Pumpkin Spice Latte yet?

I honestly can't believe it either!

I even have gift cards!!

Don't worry though; I've been getting my fix at home.

I brew DD's Cinnamon Spice coffee as normal (yes, a clearance buy). 

I suppose you could brew it double strength (I just thought of that now…of course)

I add about 1/4 cup of 1% milk to a jar.

Add 1 heaping TBS of pumpkin to the milk and stir well.

I then add about 2 TBS of vanilla creamer to the pumpkin mixture.

Then 1-2 tsp of brown sugar.

About 1/8 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

I then heat my pumpkin cream in the microwave for about 30 seconds so it combines nicely and doesn't cool off my hot coffee.

Fill my coffee cup about 3/4 the way up with coffee.

Then top it off with my pumpkin cream

Mmm…

Homestyle Pumpkin Spice Latte:
1 cup coffee
1/4 cup 1% milk
2 TBS vanilla coffee creamer
1 TBS pumpkin puree
1-2 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice

It is SO good! I can't tell you if it's as good as Starbucks (cause I just can't remember). But I can tell you this is amazing! And a much healthier and frugal way of enjoy the glories of Autumn!

Peach and Goat Cheese Salad

I am lucky enough to be married to a man who loves salads.

I know, right?

So I'm always fumbling around the kitchen looking for something yummy to put on lettuce.
Enter: Peaches and Goat Cheese

Yes, I have a slight obsession with goat cheese

I just throw sliced peaches and goat cheese onto green leaf lettuce.

Drizzle with Kraft Light Raspberry Vinaigrette. A lot goes a long way!

Voila!

Sometimes you just need a salad.

Enjoy!

You know I did.

Goat Cheese

In all of my 27 years of life…I don't think I've ever tasted goat cheese.

It is fabulous!

It's creamy, and mild, and amazing.

One of my best friends made this delicious salad with goat cheese, candied nuts, beets, and balsamic dressing….I died.

I had to try it.

To Costco I went (cause cheese is like 1/4 of the price there) to purchase goat cheese.

Then I made this.

I died, it was so good. (not literally of course…)

Basil from my garden, fresh strawberries, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar on toasted french bread made this the perfect appetizer!

I added about 1 TBS of sugar to 1 cup of strawberries and let them "juice" for about 20 min.

Spread the cheese, toss on the strawberries, basil, dabble olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a dash a pepper. YUM!

Then I made this for dinner.

Goat Cheese and Shrimp Pasta

12 oz whole wheat pasta
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup goat cheese
3 cups shrimp
1 TBS chopped garlic
1 TBS olive oil
1 TBS Chicken Bouillon

Cook your pasta until al dente (it's always better a bit chewy).
Heat a saute pan on medium heat. Add shrimp, garlic, and oil to the pan until shrimp are completely cooked through.
Next add the goat cheese, basil, and bouillon.
Stir just until creamy then toss with pasta.

This was super yummy, and a really light way to enjoy a creamy pasta!

Who knew I was going to become a goat cheese addict.
But I totally am!

WIW…Derby Style

Here in Colorado the Kentucky Derby isn't really a thing we celebrate. Unless you are cool and you live in downtown Denver; like my brother-in-law and his super trendy wife.

They have their annual Derby Party and I guess we're cool enough to get invited.

So I was excited to get dressed up and wear a super big hat.
Why would I ever say no to an invite like that?

Dress w/Belt: Ebay ~$8.00~

Hat: Sister-in-law's Bridal Shower…good reason to re-use it!

Shoes: Target Clearance ~$6.00~

Necklace: Gift (so ~free~ for me!)

I also made these lovely Mint Julep Cupcakes for the party.
They were yummy…and with over 1 cup of alcohol in the batter, were for adults only.
I found the recipe here.
But they sure were pretty!

There's Micah, Photo Bombing

"I do declare…you are my hero!"

Last year this is what wore…9 months pregnant with Ella.
What a difference a year can make.

This year was much more fun I was able to bring Ella with me…

in my arms this time.