Brownie Batter Dip

My friend Susan is a great cook.  She and her hubby have three children and she cooks a lot.  She is ALWAYS trying a new recipe.  Recently, I was at Susan's house for a Stella and Dot party and she had this yummy Brownie Batter Dip.  She said her children love it.  Jenna was in town photographing a wedding so I thought it would be fun to try a new recipe.  I hate to cook stuff like this for just Chris and me. He won't it much of it and I don't need it.  Jenna and Meg... and friends loved it.

Great, easy, fun new recipe.  You kiddos could make it.  We loved it with Nilla Wafers and Pretzels.  I think it would be great with graham cracker sticks, shortbread cookies, strawberries, bananas, etc.

Brownie Batter Dip

1  8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup flour (can choose to use a gluten-free flour)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
mini chocolate chips

Using an electric hand mixer, mix cream cheese and butter.  Slowly add the powdered sugar... mixing carefully. Add cocoa, flour, brown sugar and vanilla....mix well.  Serve with pretzels, graham cracker sticks, shortbread cookies, Nilla wafers, strawberries, etc.  Store in refrigerator but allow to soften at room temperature to serve.

Printable Version

Pear Walnut Green Salad - yummy!

My friend Vicki had me over for dinner a while back.  Both of our husbands were traveling and she made this quick, easy and yummy salad.  She added grilled chicken.  It was great with a grilled meat and I have also eaten it as a side dish.  In the past, I have not been a huge fan of goat cheese.  It was always SO strong.  She added goat cheese on the salad and it was really good.  The soft texture and flavor was perfect with the pears and the walnuts.  She got her goat cheese in a 3 pak at Costco.  I just got mine at the local grocery store.  You totally need to try this salad this summer.... or anytime!

Pear and Walnut Salad

Mixed Greens - I bought the "spring mix"
ripe pear, peeled and sliced
toasted walnuts
craisins
goat cheese - cut into little bite size pieces
grilled chicken or salmon - optional
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette dressing (could choose another favorite but love this one)

Just add the desired amount of ingredients and toss with dressing just before serving.

LAY/N/GO - great gift - I LOVE mine!

I love this product - the LAY/N/GO!  Annie got one, monogrammed, for being in a wedding and I LOVED it.  I am always looking for fun gifts for my girls - that they will actually use.  I ordered one for them for Christmas...... and they actually use it.  I rocked it!

LAY/N/GO is great for keeping your makeup or jewelry in a quick, drawstring bag.  It flattens out when you are using it so you can see everything and you can quick, drawstring it up to pack it away.

Annie and Meg both live in a house and share a bathroom with another girl(s).  The LAY/N/GO is perfect for getting ready and then drawstring it up to pack away or take with you.  This is great for people that work out before or after work and need their make-up with them.  I gave one to my hairdresser for Christmas.  She teaches a lot of classes and IS always on the go.

I ordered my gifts in sets of two from QVC.  I am a QVC junkie!  They came in a set of two - a solid one and a print.  My girls wanted only solids.  I have a leopard one, my hairdresser has a red one with lips on it, etc. I have also seen them on Amazon.  I know they come in different sizes as well.  I have the basic one - 21 inches when open.  And another plus - it is washable.

Link - QVC LAY/N/GO - check out all of the patterns AND you can visit LAY/N/GO directly.

This is one of the sets I ordered from QVC - lots of choices. 

                                                          Great for toys, too!

I LOVE this stuff

I LOVE this stuff - Trader's Joe's Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.  Truly, it is amazing!  I told a friend about it and she said, "it is a game changer!".  I am so thankful we have a Trader Joe's in Omaha.  It is a little drive from my house so I try to make a trip ever few weeks.  We just enjoyed their pre-packaged seasoned Carne Asada last night.  I don't love Indian Food and Chris loves it.  They have several frozen Indian flavored meals and Chris enjoys all of them.  Try to visit a store when you can and enjoy exploring. Look for the Cookie Butter too!

Everything But the Bagel Seasoning - can't say enough.  I eat it on avocados or boiled eggs or chicken salad... or homemade rolls/bagels. It adds texture to whatever I am eating.  I especially love it on avocado toast.  Recently, I have been making sweet potato "toast" in the toaster and adding whatever to the top - a nut butter and bananas and cinnamon or avocados and Everything But the Bagel Seasoning or even Chicken Salad.  I learned this wonderful technique from a food blogger - Kelsey over at Little Bits of Everything.  Kelsey is a hoot - you will so enjoy following her.  Hop over to her sight or follow her on Instagram.  She has lots of great recipes and gives details on hot to make "sweet potato toast". 

Again, you have to get this seasoning  - $1.99 at Trader Joe's.  Great recipes on the Trader's Joe's website too!