Cheesy Bacon Avocado Dip

College football season had begun, and I was ready for it! (Roll Tide!) To kick off the first game of the season, we went to some friends' house. They have a massive projection screen that makes it almost better than watching the game in person. Plus, they fed us some yummy Chicken & Smoked Gouda Wraps, only asking that we bring snacks. Instinctively, we picked up hummus and pita chips. However, I also knew I had the makings of something much more delectable.

Let me start by sharing a fabulous avocado tip I recently learned - Keep your avocados out (on the counter/pantry) until they reach ripeness, then put them in the fridge to extend that level of ripe without over-ripening. It's worked for me so far and kept me from having to throw out these heavenly fruits.

Anyway. . .back to the recipe. Instinctively, I reached for the avocados in the fridge thinking I would make some of my go-to Avocado Veggie Dip. But, I just didn't have all the ingredients I wanted. As well, I realized there was bacon leftover from breakfast. Oooohhhhh. A little google search of these ingredients didn't yield any recipes that suited my wants so I came up with this one on my own. Rummaging in the fridge, I also discovered part of a block of monterey jack cheese (with peppers), some red onion, and a container of plain Greek yogurt, (There were also a few grape tomatoes, but they weren't in great shape so I fed them to the chickens.)

Start by cutting open, dicing, and scooping out the avocado. I used a large plastic container with a lid so it would travel to our friends'.

Mash the avocado with a fork slightly, leaving some chunky bits.

Dice your red onion and add it to the bowl.

Chop and add the bacon.

Shred the cheese and add it.

Stir these ingredients together.

Add the container of yogurt along with salt, pepper, dill, garlic, and smoked paprika, Mix these ingredients until combined.

The result is a glumpy mess.

Don't let the appearance fool you. It is DELICIOUS!!. Our friends raved over how good this was. I was kinda partial to it too. I served it with an array of chips/crackers including pita chips, pretzel chips, triscuits, and tortilla chips. I could have eaten it with a spoon though.

Here are the complete instructions

Cheesy Bacon Avocado Dip

Ingredients:
3-4 Avocados
1/3 Cup diced red onion (1/4 an onion)
5 Slices of bacon (cooked and chopped)
1 Cup Monterey Jack cheese with peppers (shredded)
6oz Plain Greek yogurt
Salt, Pepper, Granulated Garlic, Dill, and Smoked Paprika (to taste)

Directions:
1. Halve the avocados and remove the pits. Dice them within the shell and scoop the meat into your bowl.
2. Lightly mash the avocado with a fork, leaving some lumps.
3. Add the diced onion, chopped bacon, and shredded cheese. Mix until combined.
4. Add yogurt and seasonings (to taste). Mix thoroughly.
5. Cover and keep in fridge until ready to enjoy.
6. Serve with crackers or chips.

*You could add some lemon or lime juice to delay the avocado from browning, but I threw this back in the fridge in the air-tight container until served (a few hours later) and didn't really have a problem with it. If yours is going to sit for a while, I would recommend the juice.


I hope you enjoy this recipe while you watch college football or while doing whatever your passion is.

I've also linked up this recipe for Follow Frenzy at Little House Big Alaska and The Recipe & DIY Linky at The SITS Girls.

Review of Week 1 Goals for 2016

I shared with you my goals for the year, so I thought I'd share how the first week went.

I counted this past week (the 3rd - 9th) as the first week of 2016 because it just didn't seem reasonable to try to cram a week's worth of goals into two days.

I used my bullet journal to write out a reminder of what I wanted to accomplish. I'm proud to say I was able to check off everything on the list!

The voice recording goal for the week was actually started the week before. I was pretty sure I had figured it out, but the real task was putting it into action in one of my videos. Alas, I have yet to upload that particular video because my internet is painfully slow, and I have to finish uploading all the other ones first. But, I figured it out nonetheless. I will admit that I'm not completely happy with the recording because I was so nervous, I don't sound like myself much in it. I'll work on that!

The altered card came together quickly. I added bits and pieces found on my desk to a card I had already painted (using up some paint that was left from another project,) A few stencils, a sticker, the rose image, and a border completed the card.

I really had to force myself to get this necklace made before the week ran out. I'll admit that I only completed it yesterday morning. But, I did wear it to a brunch party just a few hours later. I think it turned out really lovely.

I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to push myself to get not one, but two blog posts up this past week. The Crackle clothes pin magnet one was the one I aimed for, but I was also able to show off my Christmas gifts too!

I even got an art journal page complete. In fact, it was one of the first goals I was able to check off the list. I decided beforehand to journal my word for the year. Having a direction really helped me finish up this page. I'm not real sure what I'll do for this week yet, but another specific direction might help. I'll think on it.

This upcoming week promises to be difficult. My Mardi Gras Ball is Saturday, and the bulk of the week is set aside for preparing for it. However, I did take a few moments this morning to write out this week's goals.

I'll admit that some of these may end up being 'cheats' because I will be short on time. I've pretty much already started the blog calendar - just need to get it into shape a little more. I'll probably do some earrings for the jewelry design- quick and easy. And, this post can count as my blog post for the week if necessary. It's the altered card and journal page that have me a little worried. I'll figure it out though hopefully.

Oh, and I'm totally helping with the National Championship game tomorrow. I've got my lucky beer bought, I'll wear crimson all day, and I'll make myself hoarse yelling at the television. I'm ready! ROLL TIDE!

So, after this first week of 2016, how are your goals looking?

Holy Cow, I'm 40! (A birthday review)

I've have a few days to recover from the shock and fun of turning FORTY YEARS OLD! I cannot even believe it. I had a few moments of hesitation and 'holy heck', but in the end spent so much time preparing for a party that I couldn't dwell much on getting my zero. I wanted to celebrate the milestone with a bang, so Pat and I decided to have some friends out to the new house for games, drinks, food, and possibly a fire. That's where Pat started.

He built me a fire pit. I'll go into the details of it in another post.

While he was involved in the process of making the firepit, I began to work on making some beanbags. (Please note that while I am indeed crafty, I have issues with sewing machines. At some point I will learn to sew property with my adult-size sewing machine, but since I was just sewing straight lines, this mini one worked just fine.)

After the fire pit came together, Pat started on building cornhole boards. This is basically a beanbag toss game. It took him almost no time to pull these together for me to paint before the big day.

On Wednesday, I went to Mobile to visit with my family. My mom made the fried pork chops and gravy I requested. Please let me say that I'm not really a big fried food or gravy eater, but my mom's homemade pork chops and gravy are to die for. And, eating them only once a year can't be tooooooo bad for me, even at my age.

Oh, and she made me a German Chocolate cake!

We did lots more prepping for the party including ordering other games, frantically cleaning the house and yard, and buying some folding tables (we needed some anyway.)

On the morning of my birthday, I started right off by treating myself to doughnuts and pre-football shows.

Restless before the party, I made me a pair of earrings that are both my style and team colors (Roll Tide!)


Before I knew it, it was party time! Friends and family began showing up. I had invited all of my favorite people. Many of them didn't know each other, so there was some awkwardness, and I felt stretched trying to show off the house/property, introduce everyone, and jump from one group of people to the next. But, I also felt so very blessed to have all those amazing individuals come out to celebrate with me. Unfortunately, once people started arriving I really didn't get any pictures. I was too busy to worry with my phone or camera. (Pat says that was a good thing. It meant I was having a good time. I think he's right!)

My sister-in-law somehow got tasked with getting the cakes. I was picky and asked for two: a tiramisu and a chocolate cake. She rocked this and got some devilishly delicious ones! And, Pat's brother and mom came over early to make homemade ice cream. Yes, I'm so very spoiled!

The party was over before I knew it. Alabama had won, the fire pit had been lit, games had been played, the kids enjoyed the wardrobe boxes I left out for them, and lots of food had been consumed.

The clean-up was fairly painless. And, the amount of fun that was had encourages me to have more parties. I have to note that this was the first party Pat and I have ever thrown. How crazy is that!?

Sunday was dreary and rainy, perfect recovery-day weather as I sat and felt thankful for all my many blessings.

Thank you to all of you who wished me happy birthday on Twitter, Facebook, and in person. Y'all really helped me feel loved and added to the awesomeness of my day. And, a very special thank you to my amazing husband, Pat, who took on the task of throwing me a party, prepping the house/property, and dealing with me. He really is THE BEST! Now to face forty and beyond!

College Football and Meal Plan

Why is it that when you're busy, busy and there's much action and good-times going on that you completely forget to get some pictures to commemorate the good time? Is it just me? I'm constantly finding that I had a busy but fabulous weekend and absolutely FAILED to snap a single photo of all the fun. This weekend was no exception. I got to hang out with some old friends that I haven't seen in ages. I needed those friendships re-kindled something fierce. Yet, I failed to find a moment to capture it. Well, bonding over football is always a good time (they are big pro-football fans) but not always the most photogenic.

Speaking of football, the Alabama Crimson Tide's football team will be playing tonight for the BCS championship title game against Notre Dame. I'm so excited and cannot wait to cheer my team on to victory this evening. Roll Tide y'all!!

For now though, I need to focus on tasks at hand and get the rest of my chores and work done for the day. First thing's first. . .what will we eat this week? Being busy over the weekend makes it a little easier to plan since I had to carry over a few meals to this week. Oh well.

Breakfasts: Hot cereal (oatmeal or cheese grits), Juice, Raspberry parfaits, (healthy) Banana bread, Eggs w/toast & fruit

Lunches: Tuna noodles, Juice, Leftovers, Cheese quesidillas, Chicken salad pitas

Dinners: 

Spicy Peanut Butter Tofu w/steamed green beans & brown rice

Crockpot chicken w/ cauliflower gratin & peas

Chili w/rice

Lemony Pesto Pasta with Edamame & Almonds w/salad

You can find more Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Just a few more hours until game time. . .I'm getting more anxious by the second! It's the last day of college football season and I'm not sure what I'll do with myself for the next eight or so months. Oh right, I might actually make it outside on Saturdays. Ha!