Thankful Expressions: Happy Super Bowl Sunday

Have big plans for watching the Super Bowl?

We're heading over to Nic and Kristiina's. We'll watch with them and a few of their friends.

In the land of New England Patriots fans, we're cheering for the New York Giants. Yes, it's true... we may be the only ones at their house; perhaps the only ones in all of Vermont... but we're from New York, after all... have to remain loyal to our roots.

Regardless of who wins, I'm just looking forward to spending a festive evening with the kids, big and little, and having some yummy, nibbly Super Bowl food.

One friend is bringing over a couple of pizzas, Kristiina is making some finger food... she said she found a recipe for mini corn dogs that looked good. We're taking a bean dip that Nic had a few years ago at Alana and Rob's house and really liked. It's Alana's friend, Sadie's, recipe:

Sadie's Bean Dip

1 can shoe peg corn, drained (or whatever whole kernel you can find - I couldn't put my hands on shoe peg...)
1 can black-eyed peas, drained

1 can of Rotel tomatoes, UNdrained (I used original heat)

Couple of green onions, chopped

Parsley or cilantro to taste

Italian dressing - as much as you like to bring it to the consistency you want for dipping

Use tortilla chips to dip... I like scoops for this.

And to satisfy anyone's hankering for something sweet, we're also taking Peanut Butter Balls. I found the recipe on Pinterest (www.twotwenty-one.com) and modified it slightly, just reducing the amount of sugar I used. I tasted one this morning... oh my! They are good!

Peanut Butter Balls

1.5 sticks butter, softened

2 cups peanut butter

   Combine, and add

3 cups confectioner's sugar (their recipe called for 3.75 cups, that just seemed like too much to me)

3 cups rice crispies

   Mix well and roll into balls - if you keep your palms moistened with water, the mixture won't stick to you and it will be much easier to roll the balls.

   Refrigerate for a little while to set the balls, making them easier to handle for dipping into the chocolate. Meanwhile, melt

1 lb. of semi-sweet chocolate

   Dip the balls, use toothpicks to remove and set on wax paper - refrigerate again to set.