Yummy Pizza Dip

Take a warm appetizer to your next party!

Have you ever tried this easy appetizer? I had it for the first time at my bro-in-law's law school graduation party, and I've been thinking of it ever since! Here's my adaptation...

Hot Pizza Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 t. oregano

1/2 t. parsley

1/2 t. basil

1 cup pizza sauce

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

2 oz. pepperoni (chopped)

1 small can sliced black olives

Mix dried herbs (oregano, parsley, basil) with cream cheese. Spread into shallow dish (pie plate, or small casserole dish). Top with 1/2 cup of each cheese. Layer pizza sauce, remaining cheeses, pepperoni, and olives.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Enjoy with tortilla chips or fritos.

OR...

If you are taking this somewhere, assemble at home, transport cold, and heat in microwave (covered) for 5 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Variations: you can add chopped green bell pepper, chopped onion, cooked sausage, mushrooms...any favorite pizza topping. Use italian seasoning instead of separate herbs. ANYTHING you'd like!

Let me know if you try it!

John and I are leaving for Mexico in about a week and a half.

{yea!}

{but a 4 year old birthday has to happen first, so I can't get too excited yet!}

His parents are coming to stay here in mild-Denver with the kids, and we are jetting off to the scorching heat of the beach to celebrate my birthday.

So, last night I bought this sweet coverup from Anthropologie in what was an impulse buy for me.

{if you call impulse buy "I've been ooogling over this for 2 months, almost bought it several times, and finally saw it on sale, so I had a 30 minute coversation with hubby about maybe purchasing it, because you only turn 30 once, right?"}

Silky and flowy, turquoise and white, with hints of coral in the pastoral scene.

So, now I'm really getting geared up for a week in the sun, sipping iced down drinks, reading several good books, and not having ANY kids around. Here are some more etsy finds that are fueling my desire for this vacation to begin as soon as possible, inspired by my new beach duds:

Tibet (necklace) by polishedtwo, Abundance pillow by UmberDove, Margarita lip balm by soapcupboard, Lime Margarita handmade soap by LippincottSoapCo, Summer Sorbet (necklace) by karensugarmandesigns, Pierre Turquin earrings by ThePeachTree, Garlic Grater by studioelan, Medium clutch in red damask by KimberlyJonesDesigns, Stones Earrings by stavroula, The Vacation print by cassiabeck