"DipTacular 2009"

BooMama is hosting a "DipTacular" carnival and everyone is sharing their favorite dips. Like BooMama, I've never met a dip that I didn't like. If you can eat by dipping a cracker or chip in it, I'm there! I have lots of dips that I love but this is probably my ALL time favorite! I had for the first time several years ago at a family get together. I don't know if it was because I was starving at the time or because it was so hot and this dip is served chilled but I couldn't get enough of it! I don't know if it has an official name, I 've heard it called black eyed pea salsa or redneck caviar but I refer to it as GiGi's dip because it was GiGi who made it. (That would be my Grandmother but all the great grandkids call her GiGi.)

I serve it with the scoop Fritos cause another thing that BooMama have in common is a deep love for Fritos! But it's good with tortilla chips too.

1 can black eye peas, drained (make sure you don't buy the seasoned kind)
1 can Shoepeg corn, drained
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (optional, I don't ususally add because they're sooo expensive)
2-4 Tbsp sweet pepper relish (any brand but not a spicy pepper relish)
1 8oz bottle italian dressing (I like a very zesty dressing so I buy Wishbone.)

Mix all ingredients together and chill a couple of hours before serving. And let me tell you, the longer this chills, the better it gets! I think I'm going to go make some now to eat while we're having our yard sale tomorrow. And just let me say, GO DAWGS!
So what's you favorite dip?

Love y'all!

Christmas Tour of Homes 2008- BooMama Style!

Well, it's finally here! BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes! I just love seeing other people's decorations and I'm glad you've stopped by to see mine. I wish you could smell the fresh cookies baking, could taste the yummy hot chocolate and hear the beautiful Christmas music playing in the background..........but just pretend!

So let's get started~ Our Christmas tree. We have blue and silver ornaments and a beautiful silver star. All the other ornaments are the kids' yearly ornaments, ones we get on trips or ones that we've received as gifts. Maybe someday I'll have a designer Christmas tree but for now I think it's just perfect! This is my Willow Tree Nativity. I bought the pieces over a 2 year period.

Every year, I face the dilemma of where to put the stockings. We don't have a fireplace so I can't hang them on the mantle. In the past, I've put clips on the door going down the hall and hung them there but I've never been thrilled with it. A man in our town has started making wood crafts and he built these cute stocking hangers. It has Santa on the top and has lighted garland going down the post. When I saw it, I thought there's our solution! It even has 6 hooks so next year we'll have a place for the baby's stocking!
Out of all the Christmas decorating that I do, this is my absolute favorite part. I made a little video. Excuse my voice, it's really starting to get shaky, but oh well!

I don't want to keep you, I know you have lots more homes you want to visit! Thanks for stopping by.

I may post some more pictures later, if I can get them scanned today.

I hope you a blessed Christmas.

Love ya'll dearly,