Recipe: Oreo Cheesecake Balls

Yum. I got this recipe from my friend Anne, so I really can't take credit. But make these. Make them often. There's only three ingredients, and they couldn't be easier to put together. I made these for my sister's birthday, and they were divine.

Oreo Cheesecake Balls
1 Package Double-Stuf Oreo Cookies (yes, the entire box)
1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 package chocolate chips (you choose the flavor)

1. Form crumbs with the Oreos (a food processor does this the fastest, but do whatcha gotta do to get those crumbs).

2. Combine the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese. I used a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and it worked beautifully. If you do this step by hand, you will literally need to use your hands. No spoon or spatula will do this job as well as your hands.

3. The mixture will be very thick. Form into balls - as big or as little as you want. I used a scoop to create golf-ball-sized pieces, and I got 24 total. But you can make them as big or as small as you want.

4. Refrigerate for a few hours, until firm.

5. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler. Either dip the balls into the chocolate or drizzle the chocolate over top. Either is fine, but I prefer it drizzled.

6. Refrigerate again for a couple of hours, until you're ready to serve them.

"Guilty as Charged"

For those who have read our blog in the past couple of months, you might remember a certain run-in with our local police authority about our expired, out-of-state tags. Today was our court date, and Stefan obediently went. He first met with a prosecutor who reviewed the two charges against us: driving with expired tags and failure to register the vehicle. She asked Stefan about the folder he brought with him - our War-and-Peace book of medical bills, illustrating the story of my complicated pregnancy, bed rest, hospitalizations, etc. Once Stefan explained to her that we endured some difficult times, making it nearly impossible to register the cars, get our drivers' licenses, etc., the prosecutor dropped one charge (the most expensive one) but kept the minor charge plus court fees. She asked how Stefan pleaded, and without hesitation he said, "Guilty." It wasn't worth a fight, and we both knew that although the timing was poor, we were busted for not registering our cars in Georgia. After all was said and done, we escaped with a total fine of just $86, so I am very happy. It could have been several hundred dollars worse, and we're lucky to get off so easy. I think what peeves me more than the fine, however, was the fact that my husband had to stand in a courtroom and plead guilty to a "crime." Seriously. Whatever happened to simply issuing a ticket and moving on with the day?

Three Months Old and All Smiles

We were all fast asleep at 2:12 this morning, when Ian officially turned three months old. But all day today, I kept thinking about that moment when he was born, and how it seems like it was just yesterday. I know it's so cliche to always mention how time goes by so fast, but when I consider that Ian is already three months old I am blown away. I just can't believe it. And we're enjoying him so immensely that I wish time could just stand still for a little while, so that I can memorize his face, his coos and gurgles, and his smile. Oh, his smile... It's the reason I get up each morning. It melts my heart. I am just so in love.

Ian is doing super. He loves to sit up and play more so than laying down. If I lay him on his back to play, he cries until I pull him into a sitting position, and then he smiles to let me know that's exactly what he wanted. This makes entertaining him difficult, as both of my hands are occupied steadying him, but he doesn't mind. My knuckles are tasty entertainment, and much of the time he just watches big sister Ava as she colors or runs around with her toys. He is just amazed by Ava. It's almost as if he is studying her and trying to figure out how she does all she does. I can just hear what's going on in his head: "Wow! She can walk and talk and color and hold her toys and wrestle with daddy. I can't wait until I can do all those things!"

Ian is cooing and gurgling nonstop, which is just adorable. He loves to just watch me make faces at him - his favorite being the ever-popular fishy face - and when I coo and gurgle back at him, he smiles so big I just laugh. It's just a treat. Really.

Our favorite time of day - both his and mine - is evening bath time. After we put Ava to bed for the night, I set up his bath on the kitchen island (my back won't be able to withstand nightly baths in the big tub until he is sitting unsupported). We dim the lights and play some soft music (Nicolette Larson's Sleep Baby Sleep album - THANK YOU TRACY!!). As soon as we lay him down to undress him, he starts to smile and coo. He could be screaming bloody murder, but the moment we turn on the music, dim the lights and start running the bath water, all is right with the world. Something happens and he just gets in the BEST mood. During his bath, he just lays there with this look of sheer contentment on his face, as if he's waited all day for his bath. I sing to him and he looks up at me as if I am the next American idol (um, I'm not, by the way). It is seriously my favorite time of day. I just don't want it to end.

Recipe: Irish Beef Pies

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I will be the first to admit that I don't really celebrate this holiday. I'm not Irish. But Stefan does have some Irish lineage, so he uses today as an excuse to drink a Black & Tan. I, however, turn to food, because I'm not a beer drinker. So alas, here is a recipe for Irish Beef Pies. I'll be serving these tonight with mashed potatoes. They are great from the freezer, and you don't even need to thaw them before baking. This is from Martha Stewart Everyday Food.

Irish Beef Pies
Makes 8.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 head green cabbage, shredded
1/2 pound red potatoes, scrubbed and diced
1 pound ground beef sirloin
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Coarse salt and ground pepper
All-purpose flour, for rolling
2 piecrusts (9 inches each), homemade or store-bought

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium; add cabbage and potatoes. Cook until beginning to brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Add beef; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, and 1 cup water. Cover, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Lightly mash mixture with a fork. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely.

2. On a lightly floured work surface, roll each crust into a 14-inch square; cut each into 4 equal squares. Place 1/2 cup filling on one half of each square, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the filling. Brush borders with water; fold dough over filling to enclose. Crimp edges with a fork to seal. With a paring knife or scissors, cut 3 small vents in each. (**I am thinking of making one big pie next time, instead of making 8 individual pies. This will cut way back on prep time, and I think it will turn out just like chicken pot pie, only with beef. I would just increase the cooking time to 30 minutes, or 60 minutes if baking from frozen.)

3. Transfer pies to 2 foil-lined rimmed baking sheets; bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

To Freeze: Prepare through step 2. Arrange unbaked pies on a baking sheet (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Wrap each pie in foil. Place in a resealable plastic bag; freeze up to 2 months.

To Bake from Frozen: Proceed with step 3, increasing baking time to 28 to 30 minutes.

Over the Shoulder

After one of Ian's feedings, Stefan was walking around with him up on his shoulder. The expression on Ian's face was priceless; the camera really doesn't do it justice. But I got some good pics regardless. My little man is just a doll!

Recipe: Cajun Crab Dip

Last night, Stefan and I grilled out with some friends to celebrate the wonderful mid-70-degree weather (welcome Spring!). Everyone brought their own meat to grill, but we all brought a side dish to share. Stefan and I brought a cajun crab dip and crackers, which everyone seemed to enjoy. Several people asked me for the recipe, and I shamelessly admitted that I bought the dip at Publix. Yesterday was a very busy day, and I simply didn't have time to cook. I do typically make my own cajun crab dip, and this recipe is a dead ringer for the store-bought version. It's adapted from a Pampered Chef Recipe. Pampered Chef lightens the recipe by using fat free this and light that. I say to heck with it all and just go for the full-fat versions. It's crab dip, for cryin' out loud! Double the recipe if you're having company.

Cajun Crab Dip

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 package (8oz) imitation crab meat, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 1/2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning

In a bowl, microwave cream cheese on high for 30 seconds until softened; whisk in mayonnaise. Chop crab meat. Chop celery and pepper. Add crab meat, celery, bell pepper, garlic and seasoning to cream cheese mixture; mix well. Spoon crab mixture into chilled bowl. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices.

Shopping!

The other night, Ava managed to get my handbag out of its usual spot (which isn't easily reached, I might add). She put her arm through the handles and bolted for the door leading to the garage. As she ran, she exclaimed, "Shoppin'! Shoppin'!" Stefan was quick to grab the camera, although the excitement didn't last long. As soon as she discovered we weren't going to go shopping, she broke down into tears. I felt so bad, I almost put on my shoes to take her, even if it was just down the street to Publix. But we didn't go, and she was very upset. The entire ordeal was quite hilarious, and I couldn't help but get excited over the fact that in just a few short years, I will have my very own shopping buddy. Atta girl, Ava.

Goodbye, G8RGIRL

After living in Georgia for eight months, Stefan and I finally registered our cars with the state. This was slightly bittersweet for me because I am FINALLY home in Georgia, but I had to give up my beloved G8RGIRL license plates that adorned my Pathfinder for nearly six years in Utah. It was easy to get a Florida-inspired tag in Utah, after all, but here in Georgia, not so much. So I opted instead for a non-personalized, UF-themed plate. I love it, but I'll always be G8RGIRL at heart!