Black Eyed Dip….A new year with a new tradition.

Typically, every New Years I have to make Texas Cavier.  It is delicious and I crave it often.   It contains black eyed peas.  Those little guys are a must on New Years Day.   I have to thank the lovely M.M. for getting me hooked on making it.  (Hey…M.M.  I have missed talking to you!!)

I had every intention of making it this year…… until I saw this recipe on Ree's site.  I noticed that cheese was involved.  She had me at "cheese" friends.   You can count me in for just about anything that involves cheese.   Cheese is like bacon…….it just makes the world a better place.

Black-Eyed Dip

1 can of Black-eyed peas, drained and mushed a little bit
1/4  onion, diced
1/4 cup sour cream
8 slices of jalapeños, or more if you love them like I do
1 cup  cheddar cheese, shredded
3 Tablespoons salsa
hot sauce to taste

Mix together & bake @ 350 for about 25 minutes.  Serve with scoop chips.


Note: if you are planning on feeding a crowd…..double this.


And one last thought…. smear the cold remains on a cracker the next day for breakfast.  Delish!

The Open Door

                                         My mantra for the upcoming year…..open doors.

                                                   

Resolutions & Reality

As the year 2012 draws to an end I suppose it is time to make some resolutions.  Here goes......

I will work out every morning at 5:30.
I will keep my house cleaner.
I will sweep daily.
I will vaccuum & dust daily.
I will walk the dog daily.
I will clean my glasses.
I will write letters...to all my  friends.  Everyone loves mail.
I will eat less junk food.
I will listen.
I will drink less Diet Dr. Pepper.
I will drink more water.
I will cook a good meal every day.
I will eat more salads & vegetables.
I will vaccuum & wash my car on Sunday Afternoons.
I will recycle more.
I will watch less television.
I will finish projects.
I will buy a lotto ticket.
I will win the lottery?
I will take more pictures.
I will budget more and spend less money on crap.
I will volunteer more.
I will stop wasting time on stupid time-wasters.
I will run a marathon.
I will blog daily.
I will try new things.
I will pray.
I will pray without ceasing.
I will take long breaths and relax more.
I will smile more.
I will give up all my bad habits.
I will make new friends.
I will forget & forgive.
I will read my Bible more.
I will read my Bible daily.
I will be more helpful to others.
I will learn a new skill.
I will make something from pinterest weekly.
I will hug my children more often.
I will stay more organized.
I will clip coupons.
I will give blood.
I will use up all the food in my pantry and freezer before I shop for groceries.
I will be a better person.
I will floss my teeth after every meal.
I will fold all the laundry and put it away immediately.
I will clean out my closets.
I will lose weight.
I will
I will
I will
I will
I will
I will
I will be thankful for my reality.

Many friends of mine  have been hit hard with reality this year.  Some have lost family members.  Some have been hit hardest with the word..."Cancer."  Other friends have gone through divorce, addictions, job loss or various other horrible-life-changing reality checks....all of which suck.

My challenge to all this year is to be thankful.  There is always someone around the corner who may have it worse.  Go out there friends and be Thankful.  Go out there and make the best out of every situation you are in.  Whatever it is.........do it.  Go out there.  Find some way to improve yourself.  Find some way to be thankful.

Take a class.
Learn a skill.
Join a Bible Study.
Volunteer.
Give.
Pray.
Stop complaining.
Improve.
I will.

Happy New Year Friends! 

About last night......

Last night I was humbled.  We spent the evening at a bowling alley with friends.  We were carrying on a tradition established about 3 years ago.   The crowds have changed over the years.  Our friends, the Mizzell's moved to another state and were sorely missed.....  but mostly it has remained unchanged.  I love the faithfulness and security of friends.  We are so blessed to have this.

I ran into someone at the alley I hadn't seen in several years.  It turns out she has been going to my church for the past year or two and we have completely missed each other at every turn.  She has cancer.  This is her second time with that nasty stuff.   She has been sick for 2 years.  I was both saddened and amazed at her story.  She "wowed" me with her positive attitude.  She has a strong faith and voice that told of God's strength and how she just didn't understand how anyone without faith in God could make it through "having cancer."  She told of the strength she leans on for support minute by minute.  HIS Strength alone.   She left me feeling speechless......and guilty.

I have it all..... or at least I figured out so last night.   This year has given my immediate family considerable losses.   I won't bore any one with those details.   It has been a year complicated by loss, learning and living with a few other bad surprises thrown in for good measure.  It was a typical year for the average American family.  I am blessed.  AMEN.

I vaguely remember a book called.."The Grass is Always Greener on the other Side of the Septic Tank."  I think a book needs to be written named..."The Grass Could be Dead on the Other Side of the Septic Tank.  Go check for yourself, Child."

Next year, I will hang out at the bowling alley again with my BFF's and family  (Lord willing.)  That is something my friend J.C. might not be able to do next year.  All in all...... my personal growth questions for the year are simple.

1.  Have I relied on the Lord for my strength?
2.  Will I do so in the following year?
3.  What will I do in the year 2012 for Him?

Happy New Year New Me 2012!!!!!

p.s.....  I hope this New Year brings you lots of Peace, Love and Laughter.  

Stuff that will change your world..........

Go ahead and laugh.  Go ahead and just try it.  I dare you.  But, seriously, this stuff is amazing.  This stuff can be eaten daily.............  "TEXAS CAVIER"  Yes, many of you have heard of cavier.  Yet, few have even heard of it served Texas style.   I made a batch a couple of days ago and it still haunts me.  I hear it calling me from the refrigerator........"Come back....Come back..."
My friend M.M.  gave this recipe to me back a few years ago for New Years.  She  first gave me a Tupperware bowl filled with it.  That night, I believe I went back to her house for a refill.  I think she gave me the recipe the next day when I showed up again.   The recipe makes about a gallon and will last for days.  I think our family ate most of her batch that weekend..........


'Texas Cavier'


1 large bottle of zesty italian dressing
1 onion, chopped.   (I like the purple ones better.)
2 green bell peppers, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 or 2 jalapenos, chopped
3 cans of black eyed peas, drained
2  or 3 bunches of green onions, chopped
5 roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 bunch of cilantro


MIx it all together.  Let it sit overnight...if you can.  Drain.  (Which I never do.)  Serve with Tostito scoops.