Appetizer Friday & Much More

It was a great weekend off. We started off Friday night as our first official Appetizer Friday. I want to thank my friend Monica for inspiring this idea. She told me how a lot of Fridays her and her hubby put their little boy to bed, cook appetizers together, drink wine, and hang out on the patio or watch a movie. I for one love that idea. I am a sucker for traditions of any kind and was giddy while planning it last week. It turned out great despite the fact that I fell asleep not too long after our movie started...hey I can't control everything! I think this is a tradition we will continue as often as possible.We weren't even hungry enough for our last appetizer so we are eating that tonight...stay tuned for that recipe! Forming traditions like this before we have kids seems like such a great idea because it can be something we continue after we have kids and always have it to look forward to. Time just for us! So thanks again Monica for the great idea : )

Here's what we made:

Mini Bruschetta

Ingredients:

• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 bunch of basil, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 loaf french bread, sliced

1. Mix tomatoes, basil, & parmesan cheese. Slowly mix in olive oil & balsamic vinegar.

2. Slice french bread, toast until brown

 










3. Top toasted bread with tomato mixture, enjoy! (This was 10x more tasty than I ever expected!)

Jason clearly liked them as well:

Mini Tater Skins

Ingredients:

• 6-8 mini red potatoes
• cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 slices thick cut applewood smoked bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 2 green onions, diced
• salt to taste
• sour cream, any other potato skin topping you like (ranch dressing if you're Jason)

1. Bake potatoes in oven at 375* for 30 minutes

 
 2. Cut potatoes in half, core out part of each half

 
 3. Add cheese and bacon to cored out potatoes, bake at 375* until cheese is melted, top with green onions

 4. Enjoy!

 




 Again, he enjoyed it:

We also ate some different kinds of cheese with our wine as we cooked : )

I think we will definitely do this again, as I said...it was really fun!

Yesterday we went out boating on Lake Minnetonka. It was a gorgeous day...so warm! Got me a little sunburn but it is likely the last one of the year which is mildly depressing. But regardless, we spent all day at Big Island, met a bunch of new people which I always like, and went out for a nice dinner on the lake. After the kidlets got off the boat, we went back out on the lake after dark with Jason's aunt Lisa and uncle Craig...the moon was so bright it lit up the whole lake...we met up with some people on Big Island again for a bonfire...it was such a fun time!
Though it is the end of the summer, we were given a totally gorgeous sunset last night to lessen the pain just a bit...take a look!

And today, as promised (the opening day of Sunday football) Jason made a killer breakfast...and let me say he really outdid himself this time! He made steak, eggs, hashbrowns, and more! We have spent all day in our pj's on the couch without an ounce of guilt. It's great! I'm also whooping Jason's uncle's ass in fantasy which adds to my satisfaction as well : )

I'm spoiled!

And last but not least, as you may have noticed, I got a new logo for my blog! I spent most of the day so far re-designing where stuff is on the blog. Please let me know your opinions on colors, layout, etc. I hope you enjoy it but am always open for suggestions!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!