Pineapple Ranch Dip

With the Texas heat (76 days over 100 degrees, y'all!!!), it's hard to get motivated to cook - any recipe that involves heat automatically sounds repulsive. So, I've been trying to be creative about using recipes that involve little to no cooking. (Take out, anyone??)  Salsas and dips become the logical choice for sides.

I don't remember where I found this dip recipe, but it's a favorite.  It seems "summerish" since it has pineapple, but I make it year 'round!

Pineapple Ranch Dip

Ingredients: 

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 2 green onions chopped up (may be eliminated if you don't like onions)
• 14 ounces of crushed pineapple undrained (100% juice, not in heavy syrup!)
• 1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dip
• 2 cups of chopped pecans, reserve 1/4 cup for topping

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and top with remaining 1/4 cup pecans.  Refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight. Serve with hearty crackers or pita chips.

For more dip ideas, join BooMama for her DipTacular '11 post today!

I hate school.

(Update:  After taking a beating from some of my teacher friends, please allow me state for the record that I do NOT really hate school.  I actually always loved school and did quite well.  Please... read to the end of the post... you'll get it, I hope!)

Actually… I hate the start of a new school year.

Oh, sure… there’s some exciting elements about it. 

I love buying new school supplies and always find a few that I need want, too.  (New Sharpies, Bic Crystal pens, a planner, and Post-It Notes… anyone else with me here?)  Buying a few new outfits is always fun… and then the repeated fashion shows in attempt to determine which will be the winning outfit to be worn on the first day.

And then there’s the anticipation of new opportunities. New classes with new teachers. New friends and memories just waiting to be made.

A return to routine is kind of nice.  (Any other calendar-keeping, list-making, control freaks agree on this one?)

And yet… I hate the start of a new school year.

I’ve never been one of those mamas who start counting down days ‘til the first day of school on the first day of summer.

(What is wrong with them???) 

I don’t want my children to go back to school.

Of course, I realize that I truly don’t hate the start of a new school year.  I just don’t like giving up the one-on-one time with my children. The unhurried minutes of hanging out at home, the pool, the beach or between the many summer activities.  Activities spent with them.

What do I really hate?

That the first day of the new school year marks the passing of time.  The day symbolizes the marching of time that I can’t stop despite all the control I like to think I wield.  It reminds me of our ever evolving relationship and emphasizes how fast my kids are growing into adults… and the fact that there’s nothing I can do to stop time. Nor would I really, truly want to.

Kat started her sophomore year of high school yesterday.

 And this one?

Today is Burrito’s first day of classes at THE BIG UNIVERSITY.  (Hook ’em!!!)

Signed,

A Slightly Melancholy Mama

(P.S. – A big “thank you” to the group of mamas who met yesterday morning after the school drop-offs for The 7^th Annual Moms’ Back-to-School Breakfast. There’s nothing like copious amounts of coffee, deep discussions, side-splitting laughter and a little retail therapy with “the girls” to lighten a mama’s heart. Each one of you is a very special woman!)

Twenty-one Years Ago Today...

I put frozen spoons on my eyes to counter the effects of very little sleep.  I had been way too excited to sleep.

I wondered what Bud was doing.  It was before the era of cell phones and texting, after all.

I left my bachelorette apartment for the last time as a single woman.

I helped as my family rallied for a last minute decorating party at our reception site.  (A scheduling snafu with the hall had prevented it being done on Friday as we had planned.)

I scrunched and scrunched... and sprayed and sprayed... my hair 'til it couldn't possibly get any bigger.  I was a product of the 80's!

I wondered what Bud was doing.

I dressed in my mother's wedding gown and topped it off with a new veil.

I watched everyone around me - I felt their excitement and drew strength from my parents' calmness.

I was thankful we decided to do pictures before the ceremony - that brief time with Bud calmed the butterflies in my stomach.

I peeked through closed doors to watch our family and friends gather in the beautiful, old chapel.

I wondered what Bud was doing.

I took my Dad's arm and gave a confident "Yes!" to his question, "Are you ready?"

The doors to the chapel swung open wide and we began the short walk.

I saw no one but Bud as I walked down the aisle.

I remember my father's voice as he answered, "Her mother and I" as he placed my hand in Bud's.

I looked deep into Bud's eyes and knew I was following God's plan for my life as I pledged to love Bud "so long as we both shall live."

I love you, Bud!

Happy 21st Anniversary!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

(Jeremiah 29:11)