Spinach Artichoke Dip

• 1/4 Cup Butter


• 3 Cloves garlic, diced


• 1/3 Cup Onion, diced


• 2 10oz. Packages Frozen chopped Spinach, partially thawed


• 1 14oz. Can Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped


• 2 8oz. Packages Cream Cheese


• 2 16oz. Containers Sour Cream


• 1-1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese


• Salt to taste

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Stir in garlic and onions and saute. Stir in the spinach and artichoke hearts. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

Blend together cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in the spinach mixture. Mix well. Stir in Parmesan Cheese and salt to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm






Instead of using canned artichoke hearts, I went out to my garden and picked 12 ripe artichokes. I started by rinsing them well under cold water. To get them clean use a soft kitchen brush to remove the natural light film that Artichokes produce while growing. Then with a sharp, serrated knife remove about one inch from the top of the Artichoke. Next, trim the stem to 1 inch. Remember that the stem is a continuation of the heart, so leave some of it on. Now take scissors and snip off the thorny end of each tip. This step is optional, but I like to do it because it makes such a nice looking presentation.

To cook the artichokes, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Place the artichokes into the pot and cover. Cook on high simmer until they are tender. It generally takes about 30 minutes for a Medium sized artichoke and 45 for a large one. You will know when they are cooked when a sharp knife goes through the artichoke base with ease.

I fed my family the artichokes for dinner with a butter sauce to dip in and then had them stop when they came to the heart. I then just chopped up each heart and used it for the recipe.

The dip is absolutely evil and should only be made on special occasions and for a large crowd so that you are not tempted to eat the entire bowl.

Best Day EVER!

More than anything else, I have wanted to be a mother. I watched this week as my children plotted and schemed to present me with the best Mother's Day ever. THEY have SUCCEEDED!!! It does not get much better than this.

My heart was touched that they had the desire to make my day so special, but really it is they who make every day special for me, for without THEM, I would not be a mother. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has entrusted me with all seven of these precious children to raise. My life is rich beyond measure because of each one of them!

I am honored to bear the title of "MOTHER" to each of my wonderful children.

I am also grateful for my mother who has sacrificed so much

to make my life what it is today.

Time to Celebrate!!!

I feel like a huge burden has been lifted!

I just took my last final of the semester today!!!

Now I need a break!

I am so glad that I have been able to go back to school to finish my education, however it has made my life very stressful. Therefore I have made the decision to take next semester off and take charge of my life again.

Highest Honors

Mar-Kay has served for over 30 years

in the Scouting program.

He has been awarded the

District Award of Merit

which is the highest award in Scouting

that a council can present.

And the Winner is...

Shantell won First Place in the

Civic Orchestra of Tucson

Young Artists Competition 2011

performing Beethoven's Concerto No. 3

She will be the featured soloist with the orchestra in November.

I am BACK to STAY!

My life has been out of control and I have been beyond busy. But finally, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and can begin to enjoy some of the things that I have missed doing, like blogging. So bare with me as I try and catch everyone up on our lives.

One of my loves continues to be gardening.

Here is today's pick!

My artichokes are unbelievable. At last count

we have 45!!! We have already harvested 12 of them

and will share some of our favorite recipes over

the next few weeks.

The plant alone is over 5 feet wide.

The Eagle Has Landed!!!

Kendrick is an EAGLE SCOUT

He passed his Board of Review on

December 8th, 2010.

On Saturday, April 30th, 2011

he was awarded his Eagle at a Court of Honor.

These Eagles were made by Shantell and I and were
part of his refreshments. My sister Melanie gave me the idea.

Here are a few pictures that capture the moment

of the evening, taken my Nan Cowley.

I ran out of memory on my camera and missed a very important picture of Kendrick and his older brothers, Mar-Kell and Cameron who are also Eagle Scouts. Tyrone could not be in attendance because he now lives in Idaho.

We are so pleased with Kendrick's accomplishments. He set a goal and worked very hard and diligently to accomplish it. He earned his Eagle at age 13 and 1/2 and has 71 merit badges. He has several more that he is working on and plans to continue to earn as many as he can. He was also awarded a Bronze Palm at his Court of Honor in recognition of his going above and beyond the required 21 Merit Badges.

It is a great feeling to have five

Eagle Scouts in the family!

As a mother, my heart leaped for joy because

I AM FINISHED WITH SCOUTING!!!

That is until my grandsons begin their

journey towards Eagle.