Carolina Beach

Absolutely loving it here!! The waves are big and really hard to swim in! I have never felt unsafe in water before, given my swimming background, but yesterday I thought "oh crap ... I could totally drown right now, I better get to the shore!"




I'm not looking forward to the long way home, but I'm so ready to get back to my house and my love!! And of course, my little Zombees.

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Cape Fear!!!

Beautiful Atlantic view from the condo here on Carolina Beach. Kind of looks brown here, but it isn't! I am spending the weekend with a few girlfriends.

I visited the Hot Pink Bakery in Wilmington. So cute. I'll have some pictures up when I get home.

I miss my dear husband so much, it is sickening! Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Not sure if that is even possible, but my heart aches for sure.

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Spin Dip

Brandon and I used to get this amazing spinach and artichoke dip from Oyster Bar. It was truly unlike any other; very heavy on the creaminess and light on the spinach. Served with tortilla chips and their very vinegary house salsa, it was like heaven with a margarita. Then one day, my favorite waiter, Zac sheepishly says "we don't have that anymore..."

Well after I got bailed out of jail, where I was taken for lighting the place on fire, charged with disturbing the peace, arson and indecent exposure, [jk] I decided to try and make it on my own. About 10 tries later, voila! I had perfected my very first recipe. No help from anyone, just my memory to go on and lots of trips to Gucci Brookshires. I think somewhere in the mix, the Oyster Bar's dip faded away, as I developed my own dream dip full of cream cheese and little bits of spinach and artichoke hearts. Unlike OB's, my dip is best served on little toasties or even un-toasted dark pumpernickel bread with a little olive oil. It compliments nearly everything, but tastes best with an Italian meal.

Tonight Brandon and I ordered Papa John's [yum!] but I wanted to cook a little something extra, so it was dip time. With this recipe, I only put about 1/2 of the spinach and artichoke mixture in the dip and save the rest to make a second batch, so ... deal with that somehow. I'm sorry, I'm just not good at measurements, which is why I can barely make a cake from a box. Cooking isn't about exact measurements ... baking however, is.

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You'll need:
1 block Philly cheeeeeeeeee
1/2 pack of frozen, chopped spinach
1 can of small to medium artichoke hearts [I like Reese's]
1/3 cup of mayonaise [I love this olive oil infused kind from Kraft!]
1/3 cup of sour cream [Daisy, duh.]
1/4 cup Parmesan cheeeeeeeee
1 tsp garlic salt
Tony's, salt and pepper to taste
Italian bread





Put about a cup of water in a pot and boil with the spinach and artichoke hearts [with juice!] for about 5 minutes. Pinch some salt in while you're at it. While that is going on ... in a separate, medium sized mixing bowl, [what you'll serve the finished dip in, so make it cute!] add the white ingredients; mayo, Philly & sour cream and microwave for about 45 seconds or until soft.

When the spinach is unfrozen and boiling up nicely with the hearts, use kitchen shears to cut the artichoke hearts into small pieces like the spinach. This will help to mix it all and keep you from getting giant leaves of the artichoke hearts when you dip.

                                                                                                






Now, strain the spinach & artichoke mixture ... I cannot stress this enough: the last thing you want is runny, watery dip. So, use a nice sieve and press a wooden spoon on the mixture as you strain it, so you get all the water out. Sometimes a paper towel is even necessary to squeeze it dry if you don't have a good system for straining. [You can't use a noodle strainer; the mixture is chopped too finely!]


Next, fold the mixture into the white mixture and add the spices. Serve hot with toasties! It actually works great as a burger spread, too. I'll be putting my turkey burger recipe on here soon ... it's wonderful with artichokey dip!

For the toasties, I usually buy a couple of thin French bread loaves, but today, they had this handy dandy bunch of small, sliced Italian bread ready to go for $2.50! Whoo! It worked out quite well. Just lay on a cooking sheet, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with an Italian herb blend of some kind. I like McCormick's grinders best.

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Try it! I think you'll like it. Nearly everyone I know has approved of this. Even after I have to beg them to go through with a taste test when I tell them it is spinach and artichoke dip. I should just confess to everyone before I demand they taste my cooking that any thing I make on my own usually has piles of Philly cheeeee in it. That stuff makes everything better! [also, fatter. Sorry!]

Bon weekend!

Zombee Gumbo

Click the heart for more info! ♥

Black Swan

Finally! I have been waiting for this ... looks like I'll have to wait until December, but at least it is happening!

A Focused Linz

Hello! Check out this precious and creative blog, A Focused Linz ... and an interview about yours truly.

75 Days ...

There are 75 days until Halloween. So, you can officially start counting down to the 5th Annual Hesson Haus Halloween Party!! Can't wait to spill all the details, but I'm still tying up a few loose ends [does that sound like I'm killing snitches?] so you'll just have to wait. Here are a few memories from  our previous parties ...

Goth Girl

I get asked if I am "goth" quite often. [Yes, people just ask right out as if that is socially acceptable.] Usually by children and/or the elderly. Honestly, I think it is hilarious. Is that even a thing anymore? Now it seems like the alternative lifestyle for kids is about being slutty or extreme or on prescription medication. The closest thing to goth now is probably this vampire thing, which nauseates me. I read all those damn Twilight books and I'm here to tell  you there is no sex. How can you write an entire series about vampires and not have a single sex scene?! I'm kidding, I realize its for teenagers. I'd really like to see the look on their faces when they grow up and read pre-Christ Anne Rice [sounds like the name of a punk band ...] novels. Oh, man they would freak right the hell out, don't you think?

For the record, I'm not goth. I just love Halloween, dead things, The Smiths, hate the sun and wear black all the ti--oh shit ... I'm goth!

aww ♥

Bow-ie

[God, I'm hilarious ...] Look at these cute patoot bows that cousin Kristina made for me! Halloween themed, of course.

 

I'm pretty excited about them. I've had them for a little while, but I think I'm going to wait for fall to start wearing them. And yes, I realize that I have way too much hair for these, as they're really for children, but they look cute anyway.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Always add Guinness to the bottom of a Bloody Mary. I just have to say that straight away. Brandon and I made Zing Zang Bloody Marys for Friday the 13th. They were definitely delicious. Nothing special here, really since we used a pre-made mix, but garnishing is most of the fun, as well as adding Guinness for thickness. Add about a shot at the bottom of your glass and the add the vodka and Zing Zang accordingly. Use Tony's in a small bowl or plate to trim the rim like salt on a margarita. Great garnish includes olives, celery and a lemon and then for more to snack on, try bell peppers and cheese. The best part about a Bloody Mary is the snack food that comes with it!

Yogaaaaaaaaaawr

Yoga mats are like $25 online. I got this one for $9 at WalMart. Now ... I know that I usually talk about how WalMart is the demon devil hell, but sometimes poor people like myself need to go there. I try and go when I don't think people will be there, but trust me ... there is no time such as that. Everyone is always there and they bring all their dumb kids.

Speaking of dumb kids ... I had a kid tell me the other day that I look "35 or somethin'" and I have "a whole buncha' wrinkles" on my forehead. So mean. So true. Look away, I'm hideous.

I also got this wicked awesome sweat band. [$5!] It is so gross! Just put it on while you're working out and it makes you sweat more around the stomach to encourage the loss of water weight. I've just been wearing it around while I clean the house. Its like a girdle, sucks you right in. Hopefully I'll be able to lose a little weight before the weddings.

I'm matron of honor in two weddings in October, both of which I'll be wearing a super pretty dress that will probably look awful on me. I'm trying to think positively, but I am absolutely dreading all of it. I wish I could just wear all black and sit in the crowd!

UPDATE: I just used this fatty belt thing during pilates and holy lord, I think I lost 2lbs of sweat. Awesome.

Hipster Lolzing. Hard.

This is awesome.



Now ... just drive it off a cliff! Ha!

Friggatriskaidekaphobia ...

Happy Friday the 13th!!! It's my mom's birthday!!! HAHAHAHA! Awesome.

Friday the 13th is one of my favorite slasher films. In fact, my favorite kill of all time is from this movie. Kevin Bacon gets a knife through the neck. The fact that it still holds up today as a great special effects / make up shot just makes it even better.

I usually bitch and moan about re-makes and sequels to my favorite movies, but I was really pleased with the new Friday the 13th. Honestly, I stood up and cheered when all of the cast members were killed during a nearly 20 minute intro before the title screen came up in huge letters over a blacked out screen a la Disney's Lion King. That was just amazing. Plus, they didn't mess with Jason all that much. Except for the fact that it looks like he has been eating a lot of his healthy spinach and drinking plenty of milk.

Truly one of my favorite big screen characters. Second only to Michael Myers, who will never ever be replaced. I am not sure I'll ever be able to properly express how hard Rob Zombie ruined that movie by remaking it. Dear god, it was the worst thing I've seen in awhile. Maybe I'll write about that when I'm sure I wont explode in anger ... so like, in 20 years.

                              

                            
God, I hope Gifs work on Blogger ... tonight Brandon and I are having our usual Friday the 13th marathon complete with Bloody Marys. I'll post pictures tomorrow! Yum!

PS. Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th!

Bagel Sammie

I saw so excited to leave work yesterday and pick up my delicious chicken tacos and queso from El Compadre! However ... upon going home to unveil my delicious treasure, I find that Brandon has taken it upon himself to completely out-do me in the bagel sandwich department with this ...

Oh, my damn. This is made worse by the fact that El Compadre has changed their queso from the delicious white Monterrey blend to something resembling Rotel dip made by a 3rd grader and they gave me beef instead of shredded chicken like I asked. BOOOOOOOOO! So, I ate my stupid incorrect take-out and Brandon feasted on Boar's Head turkey bagel with Muenster cheese and fresh cracked herbs. I'm going to go by and chew them out at El Compadre today. Not really ... but I might try and see if they can get the chicken tacos right!

StingRhea

Each Fall, I usually try and swim a little each week. I used to swim competitively but after an injury, I'm really not supposed to ever train again without serious rehab or surgery. But honestly, whenever I smell chlorine or pass a sports store in the mall with fresh new Speedos hanging on the wall, I get that little lump in my throat that most people get at the end of Extreme Home Makeover [ugh] or a Disney movie. I miss swimming so much that usually once a year, I try and cheat a little by getting back in the water. What usually happens is ... I get over excited, do too much and then I can't move my arm for about a week. That's never fun. I just can't help it. For years, I was in the pool for hours on end every day, which is probably why I used to be quite small and compact and now I'm ... not. Then when I couldn't any longer, it was like quitting cold turkey. Getting back in the water brings me back home, as odd as that sounds. I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to give swimming lessons at my home like I did when I was in high school and college. Not only did I make good money, I got to start kids on the path to competitive swimming which I think might be the best activity for any age.

So this year, I think I'll take a different approach and try using some equipment to slow me down and take the pressure off of my shoulders. That way I'll be in the pool, but there is less chance that I'll get hurt and have to quit. 

I recently threw away my Nike Swim bag that I've had forever, so I need a new one. I really trust Speedo over Nike Swim because I've always used them for suits and equipment [besides goggles ... I use Swedish]. I've narrowed it down to a great little duffel that I can use for anything, including these little fits of swimming I have each year. It's important to have a good gym bag, but more importantly, if you're a swimmer you really need something that is made for being thrown around a pool deck, bleachers and a wet locker room. There is one major problem ... I can't decide on a color. This always happens ... I'll let you know how it goes!

  

Just 3 of the many color choices ... honestly, how am I supposed to choose!?

sushi suit! my favorite find. 

Working Brunch

I definitely consider this a working brunch. My business isn't fashion, per se. But, I definitely see creativity as a constant flow and anything that encourages growth is a good thing. And this is how I justify 15 fashion magazine subscriptions and a weekly sit-down to study them.

making good use of my owly pitcher. 

not usually a Kors fan, but this ad is by far my favorite for Fall.

on to September ....

officially creeped out ...

a mini bouquet I made while sipping sangria with Kim last night. 

I love girl night. I feel quite refreshed!

Hurley

Okay, this is hilarious. Too bad it doesn't have anything to do with LOST!

The countdown has begun for my trip to Cape Fear with the girls. I am so excited!! I've never seen the Atlantic Ocean!! I'm also fully prepared for the airplane ride to be horrifying and disappointing, thanks to my husband. Brandon is usually the most positive person, and my voice of reason, but he has definitely scared me about getting on a plane. But, I honestly think that he is being really smart by trying to bum me out because ... if I already thing it's going to be horrible then I can't be let down. That's usually how I set things up for myself, so this proves my sweet hubby knows me.

In other news ... I don't get Alexa Chung. That is to say; I don't understand why on earth someone like her would be compared to Kate Moss. Sienna Miller, maybe. I mean in the land of pointless British floozies who once-in-awhile wear something cute, she and Sienna can just set up shop on the front page of "I Don't Give A Shit" magazine and have a nice little knock-knee'd bimbo [walkin' like hoes] tea party for all I care. But to compare some rich little tomboy who had what I might rank as the worst TV show ever on the worst TV network ever to an absolute icon like Kate Moss is just rude. Younger people don't have as much respect for Moss as my age group, but like it or not ... she is a bad ass. I mean, here is someone who has had a rock solid career [lets face it, everyone still loved her through the cocaine "scandal" ... lets also face the fact that they all do cocaine] without the aid of self promotion beyond her work or incessant interviews as is the case with the Chungsters and more like her. The "it girl" archetype is just nauseating and the minute someone is labeled as such, I begin to negate their existence. I think you should, too. ALL FIVE OF YOU! Seriously, thanks for following! ♥

I didn't cook breakfast today ... I woke up at 10 again. What the hell is wrong with me!? I was supposed to bring some pumpkin bread to the library this morning but I failed miserably by sleeping in. Blah.

Here are some pictures for those of you who are thinkings "shut the hell up and show me something!"

Breaffassssssss.

... if this sale is still going on, you should go! 7 for $20! 

Mom and I racked up!

        

Look at the little grinder!!! Cinnamon/Sugar ... perfect for coffee and desserts!               

see!

Some little Zombees, all ready to go to their new homes!

My inspiration was the Disney's Sleeping Beauty dress. Ha!

Witchy Woman

Today has flown by ... I absolutely hate that. I have been trying to train myself to be a morning person, when in all actuality I just want to stare at the moon all night and sleep all day like a cat. So around 4am, I finally dozed off and didn't wake up until 10. I get so mad when that happens. I don't have this problem during the weekdays, so I think the problem is that I'm not getting tired enough on the weekends. My weekends consist of Friday Saturday and Sunday. I don't work any of those days, so Thursday night is like my Friday night. It is fabulous to have a three day weekend every week, but if I'm not going out of town or hosting a party, I pretty much like to stay in and read, make candles, etc. Basically I need to make myself more tired on these days and see if that helps me get up before the double digits so I can gain a little more self respect.

I'm currently working with someone on a new blog design. I'm pretty excited! It looks lovely so far! Thanks to Crepe Confectionery for my lovely ribbon and cutest little party hat, ever.

Party Hat! How cute ...

My precious ribbon. Love it!

Flowery Friday

Okay ... I may have overdone it with the gladioluses. But I'm really excited to see how they will bloom, even if they do take up all the table top and air space in the dining room. I'll take some pretty pictures when they really start going crazy.

Yes, that is a Jack-O'Lantern in the background; don't judge me. I'm putting plans in motion for this year's Hesson Haus Halloween party!! (as if the thing hasn't been planned since February) Eeeek! So exciting.

Oh, right ... food!





We had pizza tonight, which is not particularly glamourous, so here is a pic from last week. Roasted lemon pepper chicken and a fresh Cobb salad. My favorite thing about a Cobb? Eggs. So good. My favorite new dressing? Southwestern Ranch; surprisingly good with a Cobb.

Tomorrow, I plan on drinking a lot of coffee, cleaning my house and making candles. I hate August.

Na Zdrovyeh!

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