Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is one of the appetizers I made for the Progressive Dinner. I found this recipe on pinterest--side note: I have become addicted to this website! If you do not have an account, you might want to avoid signing up for one. It will take up entirely too much of your time! But it has given me tons of new recipes that I want to try. This recipe came from The Girl Who Ate Everything blog. As she said, "don't be turned off by the picture...it's hard to make this dip look pretty." Although it might not be pretty, it sure is tasty! It is also known as crack dip, because it is so addicting. Out of the 4 dips I had at the dinner, this one disappeared the fastest. It's also incredibly easy to make--I even cooked mine in the microwave. For you Rebel fans, this would be a great appetizer for the Grove!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Ranch dressing

1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot, not to be confused with their pepper sauce. Start with less if you want and add more to your desired hotness)

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Directions:

Heat chicken and Buffalo sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Make sure to break up the chicken so there are no big chunks. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in shredded cheese. Pour into a shallow dish or pie pan and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and microwave it until the cheese melts. Serve with chips for dipping.

A Sweet Morning

"Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

On Sunday, September 25th, our sweet Hardy was dedicated at Grace Bible Church. It was an incredibly precious moment, and one that brought tears to my eyes. As I listened to Isaac ask Kyle and I to be committed to raising Hardy to know the Lord, my heart was overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving over our baby boy's life. There were definitely days and weeks where I wondered if I would ever get to hold a baby that was born of my flesh, and in this moment I got to hold my beautiful baby boy as Kyle and I committed him to the Lord. It was also sweet that Isaac, whom married Kyle and I, officiated Hardy's dedication. We are so thankful for the family and friends that came to celebrate with us on this sweet morning, and we are incredibly grateful for our baby boy. We pray that Hardy will one day come to faith in Jesus Christ, and that He will walk humbly with our God and serve Him faithfully all the days of his life.

Kyle, Hardy, and Me

Nana, Poppa, Hardy, and Me

Isaac, Me, Hardy, and Kyle

Me and Hardy

Our Family

Isaac with our family

Kyle, Me, Hardy, Nana, and Poppa

Mr. Dane, Kyle, Me, Hardy, CC, and Alexis

All the Family

Aunt Christie and Hardy

Daddy and Hardy

Aunt Cathy, Uncle Cliff, and Hardy

3rd Annual Progressive Dinner

On September 22nd, the staff women of Campus Crusade hosted our annual Progressive Dinner. This is one of my favorite events that we host throughout the year. One reason is because I love food, but more importantly I enjoy the fellowship and meeting lots of new girls. There is quite a bit of preparation that goes into this event, but Christie and I rather enjoyed pretending that we were Ina Garten for the evening...check out those flower arrangements! We typically have this dinner the week before rush so we can encourage the girls. Hopefully, these women will see Crusade as a safe place where they can cultivate their relationship with the Lord and develop lasting friendships throughout their college years. Once again, it was a wonderful evening and the food was scrumptious!! I will definitely be posting some of these recipes soon!

APPETIZERS

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spinach Dip

Mississippi Sin Dip

Captain Rodney's Dip

DINNER

DESSERT

Staff Women: Carmen Rae, Lauren,

Me, and Christie

Fruit Salsa

My oh my! I have totally fallen off the blogging bandwagon! Between school starting back, football season, and being a mom, my life has just not allowed for blogging. I recently made out a weekly schedule though, and I hope to get back to posting more. So, hang with me dear readers!! I have a yummy recipe that I want to share with you today. My friend and co-worker Christie first made this for a baby shower that we hosted together. It was so delicious she made it the next week for a dessert night with Crusade girls, and there was not a spoonful left! This stuff is GOOD!! Give it a try! I am sure you will return home with an empty bowl!

Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients:

2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 ounces raspberries
1 (16 oz) carton of strawberries, diced
2 tablespoons white sugar (more or less to taste)
1 tablespoon brown sugar (more or less to taste)
3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor (I used strawberry)

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray

Cinnamon sugar:
1 cup white sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle tortillas with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray again with cooking spray (not necessary if using melted butter).

4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture. This salsa can also be serve with cinnamon graham grackers or cinnamon pita chips (this is much easier)! Best when made and eaten the same day otherwise the fruit gives off too much juice.

A Little REBEL

In my opinion there are two things you must do before you are considered a true Ole Miss Rebel. You must experience tailgating in the Grove, and you have to attend a football game. Well, Hardy is officially a REBEL!! Hardy attended his first game on September 3rd. Sadly, Ole Miss did not bring home the W, but Hardy still enjoyed the game. Kyle sure was one proud Daddy too! Look at the huge grin on his face!

Family Pic in The Grove

Kyle sure was excited!

Taking a nap with CC before the big game!

Family Pic in Vaught-Hemingway

Kyle and Hardy

Mr. Dane and Hardy

Peggie and Hardy

Bull and Hardy

(this is our picture with Colonel Reb)

CC, Peggie, and Hardy

3 MONTHS

3 Month Stats

Weight: 13 lbs. 7 oz.

Height: 24 1/2 inches

Diaper Size: Size 2

Clothes Size: Size 3 to 6 months

What Hardy Likes: Hardy loves his changing table!

Once I lay him down, he starts to coo and kick about.

It is so cute!

What Hardy Dislikes: Once Hardy wakes up from his nap,

he does not like to be left alone. If I leave him for two seconds

to grab the bottle he immediately starts to pout and cry.

Best Moment of the Month: Hardy went to his first

Ole Miss football game!! He is officially a Rebel!

3 Month Highlights:

You are about to roll over! You get stuck on your side

and you just got to figure out how to tuck your arm.

You will no longer take the pacifier, but you have almost

found your thumb. As of right now, you kind of suck you fist.

You love to kick your legs. If I lay you down, those legs start moving!

When you get mad you start to sputter. It sounds like an

engine that will not start. It is adorable!

You love to blow bubbles and roll your lips together.

You are talking up a storm, especially when you are in your car seat.

You can reach out for objects, and your grasp is very good.

Whatever you get a hold of goes into your mouth.

You graduated to a sleep sack and you love having

your arms free! You move them around a ton while sleeping.

When I wake you up in the morning, you give me the biggest

grin and my heart melts! It is precious!

You are so active! You would much rather lay down

and stretch out than be held.

You are so sweet when I wake you up for your

late night feeding. I am going to miss it so much.

You are probably the only person who loves the sound

of my voice so much. When I sing to you before bed,

you will stare so intently at my face and give me

the sweetest smile. It makes my cry every night!