Party Foods #11 - my rendition of Spinach Dip with Pumpernickel

     As I said yesterday, "Seeings how next weekend is New Years and lots of people either attend parties which they are suppose to take "snackie foods" to, or, they make that type of foods to eat while watching the football game on New Years Day, I decided to do the posting about those type of foods first. (how was that for a nice long sentence? o;-p)"
   "Besides the five types of pies we took (which will probably be the series I blog about after these snackie food recipes), we also took - Fresh Vegetable Pizza, Bacon Cheese Ball, Spinach dip with Pumpernickel, Shrimp Dip, "Italian" Meatballs in Parmesan Sauce and Sausage Dip.
     Today I am going to post about my rendition of Spinach Dip. At the bottom of this posting, you will find links to the other "party type foods" I have previously posted about. You'll have to come back and visit us again, to find the recipes for the other items. ;->"

    First step is to thaw your package of frozen chopped spinach. I use a 2 pound bag of it.

     Once completely thawed, drain it (otherwise your end result will be a gross color green soggy mess. Blah!!!). After letting it sit in the strainer for awhile, I press the spinach up the sides, sort of like "lining" the strainer with it, pressing hard as I go. If it still feels too moist, I take a couple of bunched up paper towels and press them hard all around. While you don't want it bone dry (although technically no bones are involved o;-p), you don't want it "squishy" either! ( <--- BONUS TIPS there)

     Dump the drained spinach into a medium sized mixing bowl and add the sour cream.

     And the mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip, though we love that stuff!)

     Thourally mix the three things together.

       Add the dried package of vegetable soup mix.

     Take some of the chopped carrots which you didn't use on your veggie pizza and chop them up into very fine small pieces.
        (most of these still needed chopped)

     Stir the soup mix and chopped carrots into everything else.

     Dump in the cut green onion stems.

     See how even all of the pieces are?  That's due to the fact that the other person helping me do prep work on Saturday, was "our" Amanda.  :-D 

     [for the record, there is NO mess beside her... just more figmentations of your imagination!!!  Well... there won't be after New Years Weekend...  ]

    Often they breeze in and out of town, for this or that family function and I never even get a glimpse of her, especially since being 'Ms. Vertigo' has kept me from attending church services. But this time, this time, I not only got to see and hug (:-D) her, we also had the wonderful privilege of spending a few hours with her. What fun!!! THANK-YOU Lord (as well as Amanda's husband and mom ;-]) for such a blessing as that!
   She steadily worked away at cutting up the green onions for all of the various recipes, while adding her wonderful sense of sarcasm and humor to everything going on. Delightful!

       Some people save the chopped pimento and use it as garnish on top of the finished product. I just add it right in with everything else.

   Brian likes water chestnuts in the spinach dip. I buy the ones that come in a can (not sure if they come in any other form, now that I think about it....)  Finely chop up the drained water chestnuts.

    Then mix every thing together till it's thourally blended.

   Chill.

   Now, some people buy a round loaf of pumpernickel bread, tear small pieces out of the middle of the top, until they have a hole the size of the spinach dip they made, and when it's time to serve, use the bread bowl they created to serve the dip in, putting the ripped out pieces of bread as well as some veggies around the bowl on the serving platter. It does look nice that way.
   But this time, I just put the dip in a cute retro bowl, we cut pieces of a regularly sliced loaf of pumpernickel into fourths and put them into a small wooden bowl next to it.
   Feel free to use which ever method works best for your occasion!

   And now for the actual recipe -
       My rendition of Spinach Dip with Pumpernickel
              adapted from the recipe we had gotten from our friend Patty Doren

    1 - 2 pound pkg. of frozen chopped spinach, drained!
    1 cup Sour Cream
    1 cup Mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)
    1 pkg. dried Vegetable Soup Mix
    1 cup finely chopped Carrots
    1 to 1 1/2 cups Green Onion Tops
    1 small jar Pimento, chopped
    1 medium sized jar Water Chestnuts, chopped

    1 loaf Pumpernickel Bread

    In a medium sized bowl, stir together the well drained chopped spinach, sour cream and mayo. Add the dry soup mix and chopped carrots and blend everything together. Dump in the cut green onion stems, chopped pimento and chopped water chestnuts. Blend everything together THOURALLY. 

    Chill.

   Serve either in a 'bowl' made out of a round loaf of pumpernickel bread - or - serve in a regular bowl, with pieces of pumpernickel bread on the side, as well as cut vegetables.

    Enjoy, because this too is good for you! ;->

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You might also enjoy these postings:

~ "Party Foods" -
   - #1 - Bean Salsa (also known as "Rugby dip")
   - #2 - 'Polish roses' and Pickle Wraps
   - #3 - Garden Fresh Bruschette
   - #4 - Deviled Eggs
   - #5 - Chocolate Covered Strawberries
   - #6 - Improvised Chili Based Dip Recipe 
   - #7 - Bacon Cheese Ball
   - #8 - My version of Fruit Pizzas
   - #9 - Brownie Cups
   - #10 - My version of Veggie Pizza

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:

   ~ "Foodie Wednesday('s)", are hosted by Bibi, at 'Daily Organized Chaos' (http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/). 
   ~ "These Chicks Cooked Link Party", hosted by Katie L, at 'This Chick Cooks' (http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com)
 ~ "Full Plate Thursday('s)", are hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/).  
  ~ "Foodie Friday('s)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)     
~ "Simply Delish Sunday('s)", are hosted by KB and Whitesnakes, at 'KB and Whitesnakes Home' (http://kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com)
  ~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven'  (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
  ~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)'  (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
  ~  "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes'  (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
 ~ "Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits", hosted by Susan, at 'Permanent Posies / Creative Chaos' (http://permanentposies.com/)
 ~ "Totally Tasty Tuesdays", are hosted by Mandy, at 'Mandy's Recipe Box' (http://www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/).
  ~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace'  (http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/).

Party Foods #10 - My version of Veggie Pizza

     I did a huge amount of cooking and baking this past Saturday and Sunday. All of which I took pictures of, so that I can post about each item. I had also done a lot of baking back at Thanksgiving, which I had also taken pictures of, but have not yet posted about. So... I hereby forewarn you, that you are going to start getting lots of postings about food! Hope your okay with that.
     Seeings how next weekend is New Years and lots of people either attend parties which they are suppose to take "snackie foods" to, or, they make that type of foods to eat while watching the football game on New Years Day, I decided to do the posting about those type of foods first. (how was that for a nice long sentence? o;-p)

    We always get together with Brian's side of the family on Christmas Day. At my in-laws house. My mom always made the table groan under all of the food she made, and she didn't want any help in doing so. Over time, she had allowed me to start providing most of the desserts. Yup, she always made a couple herself as well.
     Dad had declared we were not doing Thanksgiving this year. But he did say we would still do Christmas. At his house. He just wasn't buying gifts for it, nor decorating. He had gotten out a few decorations. Mom had always decorated to the maxed out extreme! And he did give gifts. Each of the guys received a copy of the life span pictures of mom, which the funeral home had made up for her funeral. And us girls received jewelry that mom herself had picked out for us earlier in the year. Beautiful stuff!
    Brian and his brother decided that we'd do snackie type foods this year. We wanted to just think about the huge meals mom use to make, not look like we were competing with her memory. Thus I chose foods that I know my family likes, but were very different than what mom use to make.

    Besides the five types of pies we took (which will probably be the series I blog about after these snackie food recipes), we also took - Fresh Vegetable Pizza, Bacon Cheese Ball, Spinach dip with Pumpernickel, Shrimp Dip, "Italian" Meatballs in Parmesan Sauce and Sausage Dip.
     Today I am going to post about my version of Veggie Pizza. I have previously posted the recipe for the Bacon Cheese Ball. You'll have to come back and visit us again, to find the recipes for the other items. ;->

    First step is to spread your packages of store bought crescent rolls out on a greased baking sheet.

    BONUS TIP here -->  I used three tubes, and squished them together, rather than spreading them out as far as possible. Doing so makes for a light, thick "crust" base, which doesn't 'flop' when you pick a square of it up. :-D

    It's done when it's a golden brown color.

     Let it cool COMPLETELY!!! (In other words - go ahead and make something else then come back to working on this. ;->)

    Put your room temp. Cream Cheese in a mixing bowl and stick it in your microwave for about 10 seconds. Try smooshing it down.

     If it's not rather easy to do. Nuke it a bit longer.  Get it quite smooth. Then add in 1/2 cup of regular Mayo and regular (Liquid) Ranch Dressing.

    Add 1/2 of a regular size (NOT institutional size!) package of Hidden Valley Ranch(R) dry dressing pack to the cream cheese.

     Spread the mixture out on top of the baked and cooled crescent rolls.

    Sprinkle on a good layer of shredded yellow cheese. (I use regular cheddar cheese)

     Chop your fresh mushrooms into small bits

     and add them.

    I didn't have to chop every thing myself, due to having "prep help" on Saturday. :-D  Here's one of my helpers - my husband - helping. THANKS Brian!!!

    (the mess on the floor behind him, is just a figmentation of your imagination! o;-p  yes, he was ever so thrilled to look up and find the camera facing his direction.)

    Add the finely chopped carrots.

     The finely chopped head of Cauliflower.

      The Broccoli comes next. A BONUS Tip here about adding ingredients onto something such as veggie pizza. Instead of just sprinkling back and forth over the top, trying to eye ball it and make sure it's spread evenly, start in one corner of the pan and work your way over the pan. Ever so much easier on the eyes!   

     All the broccoli added on.

     Add the finely chopped red peppers. (and don't forget to snap a picture of them, like I did,  if you plan on posting this yourself ;-p)

      Use one of your hands (which obviously does not have to be well manicured or smooth in order to do a good job at this 8-b) to press the toppings down into the cream cheese spread.

     BONUS TIP here --> Doing so will help your veggies actually stay on better, rather than falling all over your shirt when you take a bite.

    Let the final product set up for awhile in your cold refrigerator before cutting it into smallish squares and putting them on a serving tray.

   And now for the actual recipe -
      My version of Veggie Pizza
          adapted from Pillsbury(R)'s version

   2 or 3 cans Pillsbury(R) Crescent Rolls
   1 - 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese - room temp.
   1/2 cup Mayo.  (not Miracle Whip this time)
    !/2 cup regular (liquid) Ranch Dressing
    Shredded Cheddar Cheese
    2 cups fresh Mushrooms, chopped
    1 cup finely chopped Carrots
    1 cup small Cauliflower Florets
    1 cup small Broccoli Florets
    1 cup chopped Red Pepper

   Preheat oven to 375o. F.
  
   Separate dough and place in lightly greased 15 x 10 x 1" baking pan (I use a half sheet pan). Press over bottom and up sides of pan to form a crust. Seal perforations.
    Bake for 14 to 19 minutes or until golden brown.
    Cool COMPLETELY!

   In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, dressings and mayo. Blend till smooth. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Top with cheese, then remaining ingredients. Use your hand to pat toppings down onto cream cheese mixture.
   Chill for awhile. Cut into appetizer sized pieces and tray.
   ENJOY! Because they are actually good for you o;-p!!

   Store leftovers in fridge.

~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;-> ~ ~ ;->
You might also enjoy these postings:

~ "Party Foods" -
   - #1 - Bean Salsa (also known as "Rugby dip")
   - #2 - 'Polish roses' and Pickle Wraps
   - #3 - Garden Fresh Bruschette
   - #4 - Deviled Eggs
   - #5 - Chocolate Covered Strawberries
   - #6 - Improvised Chili Based Dip Recipe 
   - #7 - Bacon Cheese Ball
   - #8 - My version of Fruit Pizzas
   - #9 - Brownie Cups

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:

  ~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven'  (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
  ~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)'  (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
  ~  "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes'  (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
 ~ "Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits", hosted by Susan, at 'Permanent Posies / Creative Chaos' (http://permanentposies.com/)
 ~ "Totally Tasty Tuesdays", are hosted by Mandy, at 'Mandy's Recipe Box' (http://www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/).
  ~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace'  (http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/).
   ~ "Foodie Wednesday('s)", are hosted by Bibi, at 'Daily Organized Chaos' (http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/). 
   ~ "These Chicks Cooked Link Party", hosted by Katie L, at 'This Chick Cooks' (http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com)
 ~ "Full Plate Thursday('s)", are hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/).  
  ~ "Foodie Friday('s)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)  
 ~ "Simply Delish Sunday('s)", are hosted by KB and Whitesnakes, at 'KB and Whitesnakes Home' (http://kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com)

Whit and Wisdom from Brian

Copied and pasted here from his facebook page -

"Cheryl and I had been out shopping at the mall for most of the afternoon, suddenly, she realized that I had disappeared.

A little irate she called my cell phone and demanded: "Where did you go???"

My reply was, "Darling, you remember that jewelry shop where you saw the diamond necklace and totally fell in love with it and I didn't have money that time and I said, 'But, Baby, it'll be yours one day'?"

With a smile and blushing, she said, "Yes, I remember that, my love."

"Well, I'm at the Home Depot next to that shop."

Just then the call dropped, never did find out what she wanted."

 

Whit and Wisdom from Brian

Copied and pasted here from his facebook page -

"No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced"

we're unintentionally on Pinterest ;->

   While I have chosen to not join Pinterest myself, due to how **addictive it *could ( *aka: would most likely) become, it seems that our blog has unofficially 'joined' of it's own accord.
   What do I mean? Well, this morning I followed a lead on our blog's "traffic flow" page, which lead me to how somebody had 'pinned' one of our postings to their pinterest 'board'. There, I also found a lead to see all things people had 'pinned'  to their boards, from our blog. I followed it. There were quite a few. You can see which ones HERE.
    It always thrills me to learn that others like things I have posted!! :-D
    About the ** before the word 'addictive'. If you go to pinterest's HOME page, I'll be able to show you what I mean.
    Scroll down just a bit. Do you see the plaque which starts out, "Good mom's have sticky floors"? I LIKE that!!! It goes along with two others I really like. One hangs in the home of my friend Debbie (G.) Swin., and reads, "Picking up while the kids are up, is like shoveling while it's still snowing". (Valid point!) The other hangs in my Aunt Susie's home, and reads, "If you came to see me, WELCOME! If you came to see my house, make an appointment!" (My thoughts exactly!)
    Scroll down just a teeny bit further. See the staircase with the titles of books painted on it? You know I love books. And I've always dreamed of owning this huge in-home library. So-o, make it a second floor library, with steps painted like this leading up to it?  ;->
     Scroll another teeny scroll. Those girls bed's built into the wall, are simply ADORABLE!!! We were going to do a grand children's room designed like the inside of a train car. Hummm ... maybe we'll need more than one room?
    Another short scroll, do you see the log room, with all of the windows? And the huge stone fireplace. So-o inviting looking!
    Scroll some more. See the plaque which reads, "We'll be friends till we're old and senile.. Then we'll be new friends"? Robin P. has said that's about us. ;-D
    Scroll some more... See the pictures about the cast of the TV show "Boy Meets World"?  Aww the wonderful memories of TGIF's on TV, while my boys were growing up.
     Keep scrolling. Do you see the picture of the wood beam framed wall of windows over a kitchen sink? Oh YES P-L-E-A-S-E !!!  I could so easily work that into the kitchen design I want!!! And it would fit into the same house, as the room with the huge stone fireplace, which I already mentioned, would.
    Scroll some more. See the quote about a Bible?  Valid point!!!
    Keep scrolling.... The quote about the pictures in our head is a bit too true, I'm afraid.
   Scroll a bunch more. The "braid fishtail hair-do" is so darn cute!! And classy looking. And... man would my arms get twisted up trying to do that to myself! Let's see... the next time I'm suppose to get really dressed up... who could I get to do that for me?
    I think I'd better stop scrolling.
    Do you 'get' why I think me joining pinterest, would be like signing up for a new addiction?  o;-b.  Mercy!
    But I'm kind of proud that our blog has "joined" of it's own accord. :-)

Wonderful / Keepsake Gift Idea ! (+ late addition)

One of my "blogging friend's named Jen" (from the blog "Lipstick and Laundry Ca.") posted about the hand print reindeer she made, for the parents of the kids she does day care for.  ADORABLE idea!! - go see it for yourself!
     http://lipstickandlaundryca.blogspot.com/2011/12/reindeer-hand-print-gift.html

For the record, No, I did not 'plan' on doing three postings today. Honest. I had planned on doing the one about "Heart Warming Moments".

And no, just because I posted about the other Jen, I didn't feel I HAD to post about this friend named Jen as well. I just really like this Jen's idea!!

But I will admit that I find humor in God's timing of all of it! ;-> 

So... I posted HERE about not joining Pinterest so that I wouldn't become addicted to it.... should never have found it's home page... o;-p   This morning (Sun. Dec. 18th), I found this idea which I also found wonderful... http://pinterest.com/pin/263812490641579671/

3 Heart warming Grandma moments :-D

    # 1 - Last evening I had been clearing up from dinner, etc., when Analyse first started watching her nightly 'Elmo(R) before bed' episode. Papa, her daddy, and baby Elliot were watching it with her. Then Papa left to go work at church. Then baby Elliot fell asleep in the bouncy seat. And shortly after I sat down in the living room, her daddy went to tend to things in a different room.
    I had sat down in the chair, Analyse was on one of the couches. Suddenly she jumped down and came charging at me, poking at me with a finger.
    "Great", my mind thought. "Another episode of huge second wind, let's fight bed time".
    Suddenly, my brain  had me scooping her up, while saying "don't poke me when I want to cuddle you!" And I sat her on my lap.
    As she scooted even tighter up against me, she said "I cuddle you!!" and then leaned her head against my shoulder blade and sighed.
    UTTER  BLISS!!!  :-D

    Thank-you Lord! For both the idea and the precious moment!

   # 2 - This morning I heard Elliot cry, Byron tell him just a minute, their bedroom door open and shut and then the sound of Byron hurrying down the steps. Elliot's crying sounds of course intensified. I was awake anyways, so I got up and went into their room.
     As I started to lean over his bed, He made two crying sounds - "Auwrr.., Auwrr..", and started a third one, but then mid sound changed it to laughter, "Auwrhehehe". And his face was BEAMING up at me.
     UTTER  BLISS!!!  :-D

     I scooped him up and we headed down stairs, to change his drenched self and send daddy back to bed.

    # 3 - Quite awhile later, we heard Miss Analyse talking, so we went up to greet her. Their daddy has to work a late shift tonight, might as well let him sleep in now.
     She was still laying down, so I laid him down next to her. After a minute of talking to him, she started taking inventory of her "babies". Baby "Nana" (insert here - Maxine, that's the baby you gave her at the shower ;->), Baby "Kiki" (named after one of the characters on "Fresh Beat Band"), "Elmo(R)" , "Minnie(R)" "Gaamy" (her newest title for me), "Where's Minnie?!?!!"
    So I started looking. She was wrapped up in and buried under the blankets. As I put her into Analyse's outstretched arms, Analyse said, "Thank-you!" And then, while pulling Minnie in for a tight hug, she sighed and said "Oh thank you very much!!"
    This grandma did her own sigh, over UTTER  BLISS!!!  :-D

    This picture is when she decided that since he was in the bouncy seat, she could sit in the swing. Silly girl!! ;->
    (Why is there a ladder in the living room?  Pappy and daddy had been putting up the storm windows, and still needed to . . . )