June 19, 2012

The MN Zoo

On Memorial Day Joe and I took Mateo to the MN Zoo because we were given free passes by some friends so we thought why not.

When I first moved to MN nine years ago, I went with Aunt Susie, Uncle Scott, Josh and Sammie and it was ok. Now, granted, I grew up going to the Milwaukee County Zoo which ranks right up there with the San Diego Zoo in my opinion so I have high standards.

So, what has changed in 9 years at the MN Zoo? Not much. My biggest issue is that you can barely see the animals and they have one animal - seriously - like a lion, a bear - it's just not worth the money in my opinion. I'd rather go to Como Zoo in St Paul (which is the "free zoo" - they ask for a donation - like $2 or something really small) now that is the place to go.

The highlight of the Zoo was the Dinosaur exhibit that we made an extra $8 to see - that made the whole experience. And do you know how cool my kid is? While the 4 and 5 year old boys were screaming and crying about the dinosaurs, my little guy would roar right back - it was beyond cute. So, here is our day in pictures.

See? 1 bear...

Digging for bones

1 warthog

1 cheetah...the animals are so lonely!





Had Mateo not pointed out the "baaaybbbiees"
we would have missed them



1 tiger


I'm glad we had the free passes because from now on, we'll stick with Como Zoo or the Milwaukee County Zoo when have WI visits.

June 16, 2012

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

We are suckers for any dip that involves massive amounts of cheese. I found this recipe for a cheesy artichoke dip a while ago and it has been my go-to dip. I made it for Christmas Eve and Uncle Artie LOVED it - and that my friends - is HUGE if you know my uncle.

This past week I found this recipe on the Pioneer Woman blog and thought since it's Father's Day weekend, I'd make it for Joe. What intrigued me about this recipe is that she calls it "the best" and it has no mayo or sour cream so I was a bit skeptical. This is definitely more labor intensive than the cheesy artichoke dip but I like Pioneer Woman's better, and of course Joe liked the other one better so maybe for Christmas Eve this year I'll have to make both and take a poll.

I did switch a few things with the Pioneer Woman's recipe and when I make it again I'll be adding about 1/2 tsp of onion salt too. So, if anyone makes this recipe - throw in the 1/2 tsp onion salt. And one more thing, bump up the 1/4 tsp of cayenne to 1/2 tsp as well.

And on one final note, if you love to cook and have lots of time, the Pioneer Woman's blog is a must to follow (I'm not being compensated for this, I just really love her that much! - in a non-creepy way). I just purchased her latest cookbook and I cannot wait until fall - we'll be eating well at the Falbo house.

Enjoy!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:
6 tbsp butter (divided 3 and 3)
3 tbsp flour
1 jar artichokes (she calls for 2)
1 bag spinach
1 1/2 cups milk (Calls for whole but I used 2%. I also added another 1/4 cup after the cream cheese was added)
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup feta (I don't like it but use it - you can't tell)
1/2 block monterey jack cheese (I added)
1/2 block pepper jack
1/2 cup parmesan (finally grated is what I used)
4 tsp minced garlic (or about 4 cloves minced)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I'd do 1/2 tsp)
1/2 tsp onion salt (not in the original recipe)
Paprika (my addition as well)
Tortilla chips, naan bread, pita bread/chips, veggies - just something to dip


Artichoke, spinach and 3 tbsp of butter not shown - also,
ignore the crock pot - that was for something else :)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400
Melt 3 tbsp butter in a pan
Add 4 tsp minced garlic - let cook for 1 or 2 minutes
Add bag of spinach and cook until it wilts and place in a strainer. Before removing from the pan, squeeze the spinach with tongs so the extra butter stays in the pan
Drain artichokes and rinse with water
Add to the pan the spinach was just in and cook until colored - 3/4 minutes
Remove from heat and place on cutting board. Turn off heat on pan
Chop artichoke and spinach and put in baking dish



Grate pepper jack and monterey jack cheeses. Set half aside.


Add 3 tbsp to pan that spinach/artichokes were cooked in
Add 3 tbsp flour and whisk


Slowly add 1 1/2 cups milk and combine
Add cream cheese and whisk continuously (this is where I had to add the other 1/4 - but add slowly -  you may not need it all)

Add feta and parmesan
Continue whisking
Add 1/2 monterey and pepper jack cheese.
Add cayenne pepper and onion salt


Whisk until smooth and then add to baking dish. Stir really, really well to make sure it is combined. Add the rest of the pepper/monteray jack blend. Top with a little paprika.



Bake uncovered at 400 for 15 min or until the top is brown and bubbly. OR you can cover the dish, pop it in the fridge and bake it later on.


June 9, 2012

Memorial weekend fun

For the past couple years we've headed to ET for Memorial weekend. We arrived in town late Thursday night and in true Nana and Papa fashion, they had all of Mateo's out and ready to go. Needless to say it was a late night because Mateo HAD to make sure all his toys were accounted for.

This year marked Amy and some others having a garage sale at Nana and Papa's. ET holds a city-wide (read 'village' for city) every memorial weekend so while Amy was busy selling, Joe and I were busy shopping. We actually didn't have as much luck as last year but that was ok considering Mateo didn't really need anything.

Nana got to spend some time with her boys (Mateo and Cash) and was in heaven. I was left alone with both boys for 5 minutes and my son saw the weakness and took full advantage. Needless to say there will be no baby #2 until Mateo either a) learns to listen (I know, I know - stop laughing) or b) get a couple years older.

Saturday we walked to the square for the brat burger thingy (the correct term is escaping me right now) and ate and listened to some music. We stoped by Uncle Mike and Aunt Ginger's on the way back and then hung out at nana and papa's the rest of the night.

Sunday we headed back to MN. It was a quick few days and I got a lot of Cash time, but not a lot of sister time so that can only mean one thing. Mateo and I will be headed back to ET in late July. And because I have the cutest boy and nephew in the world...here are some pictures of the weekend!


Yeah - Mateo's a weasel - poor Cash!

Ahh yes, that is my son!

Eating with big boys

The most handsomest nephew in the world!