Yay for 2012!!!

Wow... I can't tell you what a life-changing year 2011 has been for me.  If you told me I would be living in Dallas by the end of 2011, I would have told you that you were CRAZY.  Although it's been a year of changes, I can honestly say God does work in mysterious ways.  I've also learned that I can handle a lot... praise the good Lord for that!

Enough of being mushy... here's a recap of our fun New Year's Eve Celebration.  We started the night off at our friend Grayson's where Taylor and I made some yummy appetizers.  She made an amazing crescent roll-wrapped brie... it was to die for!

I forgot to take a picture early, and as you can see, it was quite popular!  : )

She also made pulled pork sliders and a cheese plate... all very yummy!

I made Pioneer Woman's Stuffed Mushrooms... holy moly.  These were so amazingly good.  I followed the recipe almost exactly, but only used half of the mushroom stems.  I can't tell you how many compliments I got from these.  I recommend making them immediately.  

I also made Paula Deen's Black Eyed Pea Dip since it was New Years and all.  My sweet friend Allison made this last year and it was delicious.  I had to force most people to eat it because they were scared of the black eyed peas... I promise you it's good and I have always despised black eyed peas!  This is a must make for your next New Year's Celebration.

I also made Spinach Artichoke dip.  Allison (once again... guess I was missing her that day!) made this for Finley's 2nd birthday and Blake fell in love with it and made me get the recipe immediately.  It was a hit once again!  I forgot to take a picture of it, but here's the recipe:

1 pack 8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1/2 cup Mayo

1 Garlic clove, pressed

1 can 14 oz artichoke hearts in water, drained/ chopped

3/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

1 lemon

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo into bow and mix well.  Add garlic.  Add chopped artichokes, parmesan, green onions, lemon and black pepper to bowl- mix it all up well.  Spoon mixture into small (8x8ish) baking dish.  Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown around edges.  Sprinkle the top with a bit more parmesan and some more green onions.

Note to self: Next time I am definitely going to double this recipe- it was gone way too fast!!!

Anyway, we ate and drank over there and had quite a bit of fun:

 Boy pic... can you tell us girls are outnumbered here??

 This is my new friend Val... she's super FUN!!!

 Every time these boys play speed quarters, they fight over the rules.  Every single time.  Well, it's only happened twice, but you would think they were still in college.  ; )

 This is Aaron- he's the one that introduced Blake and me 8 years ago... I hated him for a while for it, but now I love him for it- ha.  

 Finishing the champagne before the bar.  ; )

 This guy above is Greg... a fraternity brother of Blake's.  He's been overseas modeling for the past few year's and just moved back.  Val wanted to pretend to be modeling with him- I'd say she's a natural.  ; )

We then went to The Granada (a REALLY cool venue here) and went to The Jonathan Tyler concert.  I had never heard of him, but he was so good.  

 The opening act was in a full Indian costume (feather, not dot)... we tried to get this in the background, but it didn't work too well.

 Blake thought he was funny trying to ruin my picture... 

 Apparently he forgot that I approve every picture before I dismiss him- ha.

 We were getting scared of the Indian... it was kinda weird music.

 Blake dances as well as I do... grab a camera if you ever see us on the dance floor!  ; )

 Val thought it would be a good idea to pretend to eat my side bun... I guess I didn't agree.

These boys really love each other, despite this picture.

All in all, it was a great night and an awesome way to start a new year!  I can't tell you how happy I am to start fresh.  Wishing you much love and laughter in 2012!!!