Christmas Festivities

To start out...nearly 24 weeks! It's crazy to think, wow, thats 6 out of 9 months...really? Time sure flies. But it seems that at some point over the past week, the baby bump has truly "popped" out! I received my Old Navy order just in time today, as I wasn't sure how much longer my work pants where going to fit. However, considering they were the ones I wore before being pregnant, I'd say they lasted quite a while! I've had a few people come up and do that awkward tummy touch/rubbing thing and say "I bet your so sick of people doing that!" But all I can reply with is, "This is honestly the first week anyone has tried!" Then Jonny took this picture of me by our little Christmas tree, and well, seeing as we don't have a full size mirror, I now fully understand why the sudden tummy rub fascination has begun! I looked at the picture, laughed and I think "Holy crap!" was the phrase coming out of my mouth. Like I said, after seeing, I get it!

This past weekend was the Christmas Party at the Fire Dept. Angela, the other key spouse and I decided to attempt throwing one to see if there was any turn out. It was a nice time, we had some small prizes, everyone brought a dish to share, and had a cookie exchange. I was at work all week so had to prepare the food I was taking in shifts each evening. The first night I made up some sugar cookie dough as I volunteered to bake cookies for all the children masses to decorate =) In the end the cookies turned out better than ever before, and to be honest, I was slightly bummed that my best cookie batch ever was headed to be mangled and crushed, but I've decided to try again before Christmas, so crossing my fingers they turn out the same! Then I made a hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip that was so good, I had to share. I followed this recipe, but modified it just a bit based off what I either had or didn't have in the fridge. First, I 86'd the hot sauce and onion. Second, I used fat free milk rather than heavy cream, then to make up for the difference, added an 8oz package of cream cheese. My friend Amy and I believe that you can add cream cheese to anything and it only gets better! Third, no white cheddar cheese, so I just used my mixture of shredded mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan I happened to have. Then last, I used fresh spinach rather than thawed frozen. Honestly, that just made it look prettier with a bright green rather than that dull greenish brown color spinach easily turns when hot. Was absolutely a big hit. I made a double batch for the station and took about a quarter of it home. Thank goodness for Pyrex as I just reheated it in the oven for dinner and it is just as good! Little recipes like this make me not miss restaurants in American just a little bit less =)

Houston's Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Serves: 12
Prep. Time: 0:40

2 cloves garlic - minced
2 Tbls. minced onion
1/4 cup real butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup fresh-grated Pecorino Romano cheese
2 tsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sour cream
(2) 10 oz. boxes frozen chopped spinach - thawed, squeezed dry
12 oz. jar artichoke hearts - drained, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

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-In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion in butter until golden, about 3 - 5 minutes.
-Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
-Slowly whisk in cream and broth and continue cooking until boiling.
-Once boiling, stir in Romano, lemon juice, hot sauce, and salt; stir until cheese has melted; remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
-Stir sour cream into pan, then fold in dry spinach and artichoke hearts.
-Fold the mixture into a microwave-safe serving dish, or into several serving-size dishes.
-Sprinkle cheddar evenly over top(s).
-At this point, the dip can be refrigerated until ready to serve, if desired.
-Microwave dip on 50% power just until cheese has melted.

Notes: Serve with tortilla chips for dipping and sour cream and salsa.

***I opted out of chips and used fresh vegetables, carrots, celery, and cucumbers are my personal fav!***

So enough about food, well almost...Jonny and I are having a small handful of people over for Christmas Eve Dinner, so our freezer currently has an 8lbs ham and 9lbs turkey hanging out in there. I'm going to use an apple/honey glaze for the ham and make an apple/cranberry stuffing for the turkey. My last turkey turned out quite well, so I'm excited to have another go at it. This time around I know how long it takes for a turkey to thaw out, and that the insides are stuffed in there in bags, so I wont be surprised! Then Jonny goes to work Christmas Day, so I'm trying to find something fun to entertain myself with for the day. Chances are the station will be having a dinner like last year, so if he's out at Station 1, that's where I'll head with my leftovers!
Just a few snaps from our Station Christmas Party....