They were off school Friday and unfortunately it was a very, very rainy day but we made the most of it and went to Ft. Myers beach for a nice rainy stroll along the shore. found many treasure and were just able to "be" for a while.
Miles of beach and not a soul around!Saturday morning came on strong with skating lessons bright and early but we were able to get the rest of our chores and errands done by noon. I spent the rest of the day making food for a Halloween party that we were going to at 4:00. I made Pico de Gallo and Hot Spinach Dip (recipe below). Fun party, nice to catch up and see everyone again! Wendy looked so scary as a witch!!!
My headless Genie and Hula Girl!
Saw starfish...lots and lots of starfish!
Saw this dolphin right up on shore hunting for his breakfast, 2 big snook that went past! The girls were up with that group of people so they got a really close up view!
Hot Spinach Dip
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp AP flour
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 can of sliced water chestnuts, drained, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 package dry vegetable soup mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp ground black pepper
1-1/2 Tbsp hot pepper sauce (Tabasco)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Directions:
As Always...
Happy Entertaining!!!
Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp AP flour
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 can of sliced water chestnuts, drained, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 package dry vegetable soup mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp ground black pepper
1-1/2 Tbsp hot pepper sauce (Tabasco)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook and stir until onion is crisp tender and the garlic is fragrant. about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in flour, cook and stir and additional minute. Add the heavy cream and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in chopped spinach, water chestnuts, cheddar and the vegetable soup mix, sour cream, black pepper, and hot sauce. Spoon into a 1 quart casserole dish or the pot from your crock pot and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake dip until bubbly and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or in your crock pot.
As Always...
Happy Entertaining!!!
Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com
12 comments:
The kids would have loved their down time just as much as mom did....dolphins by the shore and all. Living in a condo Hallowe'en just passes us by these days:D But I try and celebrate in some small ways:D
What a nice time with your girls. Every so often we see a seal on our coast. Its always a surprise and generates lots of excitement. They can put on quite a show.
You know it's dips like these that foil me each time at a party. I just hover anround them, fill up and then have no room for dinner...damn!
I love hot spinach dip! I could eat the whole thing by myself... I guess I'm not that much for sharing!
Ain't it lovely when the beach is all for you? Aaaahhhh I love to do that with my family and the dog, specially in Autumn and Winter.
Nothing better than a spinach dip after a good walk! ;D
What great pictures!!!
This recipe looks great so much better than the ones I have made in the past!
I love spinach dip so much. Never made my own.
I never realized how close you were to Ft. Meyers. My dad spent the last 5 years of his life in Naples. It was so peaceful down there. Love the pic of the girlies on the beach. ;)
Don't you just love when you're able to just be?
And that dip...lovely!
-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Hey Val-My kids love just doing nothing outside together! I could really do without Halloween but the kiddies love it!
Hi Cathy-A seal would be a ton of fun. This dolphin was just so close to them!
Hey Peter-This one was definitely one of those.
Hi Patsyk-I had to share but would make more next time!
Hi Nuria-It was so nice having it to ourselves.
Hi Cathy-This recipe was really good. I saw a basic one and changed it all around.
Hey Melissa-Yep we are attached to Ft. Myers by a bridge.
Hey DTW-Love when I am just able to "be"...doesn't happen nearly often enough!
the starfish are so cool; and the dip looks like the one i haven't made in about 5 years. geesh! :)
What a lovely beach and it's always exciting to watch the dolphins, although in Greece we never see them near the shore. That spinach dip sounds so good.
Sounds like a great weekend Judy! I always appreciate living in FL when we come across dolphins in the wild!
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