7 layer dip salad

This is one of our favorite salads in the last couple months.  I like seven layer dip but my Beloved is staying away from corn, so you have to find a gluten free, soy free, corn free chips.  I have found one we like but we do not buy them often because fast we go through them.  Putting seven layer dip on a bed of lettuce means we have the same flavors.  Their are times we use sour cream, other times we use thick yogurt.  It is just so yummy.  It fills the need for Mexican food without going out and I find it has more flavor then most seven layer dips.

seven layer dip salad

romaine lettuce

lady beans

grated cheese, we use Tillamock medium cheddar often but have used other cheeses too

guacamole

sour cream or thick unflavored yogurt.  Greek style works well here but there is a very thick goat yogurt we like.

salsa This takes the place of the olives and tomatoes.

In a bowl, put a layer of lettuce.  Add a couple scoops of beans.  Sprinkle with grated cheese.  Scoop guacamole on top.  Drop a scoop of sour cream.  Top with as much salsa as you like.

Enjoy!

roasted brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar

Last week, I had a morning that was just difficult getting out of the house.  I asked my Beloved what I should do for lunch and send me funny ideas.  Because that was just the way was going.  He said Copper Hog.  Now, this gastropub as they call themselves is just a few miles away from downtown Houston.  Forty hours driving or a plane flight.

They do a fried brussel sprout with a balsamic vinegar reduction.  I wanted hamburgers on this particular night so I decided to do something similar but roasting the brussel sprouts after mix them up with balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Yum!  The sweetness of the balsamic vinegar complements the flavor of the roasted sprout.  I was thinking we may just have them again tonight!

roasted brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar

about 1 pound brussel sprouts, stems cleaned up, outer leaves removed, and cut in halves or quarters

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

olive oil

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt, I would go with the smaller amount at first

1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper, again, go small!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.  Pour a couple tablespoons or so of olive oil on a baking sheet or something like my trusty old cast iron pizza pan.

Put the brussel sprouts in a bowl.  Pour in the vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.

Put on the prepared pan.  Put in the oven.  Stir every ten minutes.  I let ours cook for about 40 minutes but I like crispy and the oven was steamy from the potatoes.  20 to 40 minutes will be your range dependent on how crispy you like them.

Serve!  We had them with hamburgers that had bacon mixed through, fried eggs, and roasted french fries.  It seemed very decadent and a meal we have to do more often.

one of those supposedly significant birthdays

Saturday, the boyos, Miss A, and I went to the beach.  There was waist high, fairly clean surf for Galveston.

Now, I have to admit that where my shoulders are, I do not paddle well.  If I can paddle, there is no strength and sometimes paddling causes pain I just have to breathe and be still until it recedes.  It was what I did on the mountain as well.  But I had fun.  My Beloved just floated and helped the Small Mister.  Small Mister rode a wave for the first time by himself.  He kept saying "more snow board!" after he got dunked and was blue.  Another boardhead in the famlly.

My Beloved got me some earrings but he also bought some rovings from different breeds of goats for me to try spinning.  I know it is an odd gift but it is so us.  I find the drop spinning such a meditation.  I am not sure that I wish to have these goats for fiber.  One is a Karakul and he is going to have to look up the other.  My Dad may pick me up some fleece to try, Cheviot.  I also wish to try Shetland.  I am a little late to be looking for fleeces but I can try.  I especially like the darker colors which are not so common.

I have started picking flowers from my garden which just makes me smile.

And the roses the boyos bought me for Valentine's day are trying to start.  It is exciting.

and the new purple dress

Yesterday, I cut out the new purple dress from the pieces of the old.  This should tell you how long the dress was because I was able to cut out everything but the sleeves from the skirt.  No more tripping over my hem or having my shoes come untied!  Or tripping up the stairs while holding Small Mister's hand.

Less then two hours later, the dress was finished and five nine square quilt squares were finished.  I always make quilt squares when I am sewing something else.  I can make five with this dress style.  

I wore this to work today and I would have to say it was a very good shape for the fabric.  I like wearing tights due to bruises and it did not cling to my tights.  The skirt is just the right width.

One more refurbishement to go.

purple fabric

I know I posted this purple dress when I made it over a year ago.  Yes, I like it but....  But I do not really like long sleeves on a dress because I wear sweaters.  Three quarters or short sleeves work better for me.  It is  a bit long.  I trip on it.  I made it with an attached underskirt and it is really just much to heavy too many months of the year to wear here.  But I still really like the fabric.

While we were watching snow boarding and surfing videos this evening, I cut it apart.  The skirt and the sleeves have enough fabric to make an a-line sleeved dress.  It means I do not have to go shopping or spend anymore money on fabric.  It is so cool!

A new purple dress will be cut out tomorrow.  I am excited!