Heluva Good Queso

So as many of you may [or may not] know I just returned from a lovely beach vacay. While there, we had some good eats. Go figure, right? One of them being this deelicious queso. My god-mother is one of the original innovators [in my life] of the "use what you got" style of cooking. Her secret ingredient? Heluva Good French Onion Dip. Yep, you would be down right flabbergasted at the number of things she's thrown this yummy dip into. And guess what? It works... every time. 

This queso was definitely one of those times. 

Auntie Sam's Heluva Good Queso

• 1 cup shredded cheese [whatever you have in your cheese drawer]
• 1 cup jarred salsa [whatever you have in your pantry/fridge]
• 1 [heaping] tbsp of Heluva Good French Onion Dip

1. combine ingredients in a small, microwave-safe bowl. nuke for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. remove and stir well. 
2. try not to scald yourself as you dive into this scrumptious dip. 

simple enough?

don't worry, it's deelicious enough too.

Instagram - Week in Review 7

Summer is here. 

Can you smell it? Thought so. 

Smells like suntan lotion, honeysuckle, the farmers market, and magnolia blossoms.

Well at least that's what summer smells like to me. 

Life has been busy lately. But, that's just how I like it!

A full life is a happy life to me. 

Let's take a look back and see what life has been full of lately, shall we?

farmers market greens. nothing like'em. 

they taste even better than they look!

let me introduce you to my ultimate favorite salad dressing. 

{newman's own family recipe italian}

on top of being the best tasting & most versatile bottled dressing I've ever had,

like all newman's own products, all profits go to charity. 

it's a good thing.

beautiful & bountiful summer salads.

full of sliced radishes, avocados, cucumbers, yellow tomatoes, and shredded carrots. 

yes. please. 

loving the top-knot. 

prefect hair-do for those hot-humidity filled days/nights. 

it's unreal how much I adore this furry mush. 

pretty summer clouds I like to refer to as "the simpsons" clouds. 

in fact I hear "the simpsons" theme song in my crazy head every time I see these fluffy things.

true story. 

this stuff smells ridiculously good. 

yes, I use it for myself.

no, I am not expecting. 

:)

found: fabulous starburst mirror from home depot. 

say what?

yeah, you heard right.

thanks Marty Stewart!

new fave flavor combo:

strawberries + basil.

jump on it.

decade day @ school.

the 1700's?

yep! 

you & one of my 4th graders guessed it.

[oh my my]

late night shot on location @ strong mansion during a catering job. 

goodnight moon. 

adorable end-of-unit projects presented by my kiddos. 

hard working students = proud teacher 

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

the models of maturity.

obviously.

these hottie tottie jalapenos are growing on our front porch.

whew-hoo!

my momma's hope bracelet. 

she wears it as a prayer reminder for those she knows who are suffering.

special lady.

my killer-crazy shorts from target. 

I think I'm in love.

whoopsies. 

sometimes my food-blogger jargon gets the best of me. 

just creepin' on my hubby's ridiculously long lashes.

totally jealous over here. 

antipasta kebabs I made for one of my dearest friend's birthday. 

so simple to make -- just a little tedious -- but so worth it! 

just layer mini mozzarella balls, olives, salami, cooked tortellini, and grape tomatoes 

however you'd like. drizzle with lemon juice & chill before serving

joy 

pure joy is what you see on my face. 

that's what happens when I get to see one of my favorite little chunks. 

auntie sando's cup runneth over. 

Jeter the golden, got a little jealous. 

so he got some auntie sando lovin' too! 

crossing the bay bridge only means one thing. 

we're on the way to the BEACH!

helloooo vacation

and backpack chairs. 

steal magnolias. 

wait, steel magnolias?

oops. 

boardwalk fries. 

my beach treat.

loaded with extra old bay & extra malt vinegar. 

yeaaah buddy.

being by the water makes my heart [and body]

jump for joy.

his love [and patience] 

also makes me quite joyful. 

---

wishing you all a happy weekend,

full of lots of joy. 

---

and remember...

"be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"

Life's a beach

Greetings from the beach...where the livin' aint bad. Today, my biggest decision I've faced is if we're (hubster & I) going to play putt-putt before lunch or after dinner? Yep. BIG decisions people.This mini vacation is so needed. You know that saying "life is what happens while you're busy making plans." Well, I feel like I've been doing nothing but making plans lately. Mind you, good plans at that. But, I think my brain and body just needed a break. A break from a schedule or any sort of plans. Plus I cannot remember the last time my husband and I spent more than 12hrs together. {and usually 8 hrs of that involves snoozing} School is out and summer is officially here.What a better way to begin then breathing in some salty air, while being surrounded by the ones you love.