Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Goodbye 2010!

This week only, through Dec 31, 2010...

Take 20% off everything (excluding the purchase of gift certificates) in my Etsy shop

Use this handy code in the note to buyer section:
GOODBYE2010

The discount will be refunded to you through paypal.

Thank you for your loyalty and business in 2010!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Swiss Cheese Bacon Dip

Among the refreshments I served at my open house several weeks ago was a hot cheese dip.  Several persons commented that they really liked it and wanted the recipe.  Thanks to my friend Rebecca who shared this recipe with me several years ago. 

Since I can't remember who asked for the recipe, I thought I would post it on here.  And unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share.  But use your imagination....hot and creamy Swiss cheese with smoky bacon and fresh green onions...yummy!  Do you know how much I love bacon? 

Without further ado...

Swiss Cheese Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
8 oz Swiss cheese, shredded
2 chopped green onions
1/3 cup crumbled bacon

Cream together the cream cheese and mayonnaise. 
Add shredded Swiss cheese to mixture and blend thoroughly. 
Mix in bacon and green onions. 
Spread mixture in microwaveable dish. 
Heat in microwave for 2-4 minutes, stir every minute. 
You'll know it's done when it's hot and bubbly.

Serve warm with either crackers or sliced baguette bread (my preferred method).  Garnish with crumbled bacon or chopped green onions on top.

*Note:  Also works well to serve dip in a mini crock pot.  You can either heat dip first in microwave and keep warm in crock pot; or start it an hour ahead of time in crock pot.

*The original recipe calls for crumbled crackers on top, but I skip that part.

Monday, December 6, 2010

99 Years Young

When a person lives to be 99, you almost begin to think that she might actually live forever. 



My grandmother, "Gram", left this earth last night after living 99 years.  We will miss her immensely here.  She was loved by so many, because she loved us so well. 

She faithfully wrote letters to me right up until her first stroke 2 years ago.  I kept many of those letters and have read back over them this past week since finding out that she would soon be leaving us.  Below is an excerpt from a letter she wrote to me.  It contains one of the most important lessons she shared with me:



In this letter, she wrote that over the years she has "learned to take her burdens to the Lord and leave them there." 

I was so blessed to be her granddaughter.  I'm going to miss her sweet and loving spirit.  We are filled with sadness here without her.  But, much to her delight, she is singing with angels and walking with Jesus now...and living forever!