Snack Attack Blog Hop!

Have y'all missed me? 

I have certainly missed my little blog. I was going back and forth over how to start writing again when my friend Keisha mentioned a blog hop she was hosting. Naturally... it was a call to action. 

So, enjoy Kristen's yummy holiday recipe, and check out all the others', too! 

Hello! I’m Kristin from The Simple Perks and I’m joining Kiesha in the Snack Attack Blog Hop! Today I’m taking over Aleasa’s blog and sharing my favorite go-to snack recipe: Corn Dip!

I absolutely love this recipe—it’s quick, easy, packed with flavor, and it’s always a huge hit at parties! From game days to New Year’s Eve parties, this snack is great for any time of the year!

Let’s get started!

(I grabbed this photo from Google, but this is what the dip looks like)

Here’s what you will need…

1 can regular corn, drained
1 can shoepeg corn, drained
1 can rotel, drained
8 oz cream cheese

Place all of the above in a microwavable bowl, microwave for 3 minutes (or until cream cheese is soft enough to stir)

Add the following to the corn mixture:

1 TBSP chili powder
½ TBSP cumin
½ TBSP garlic powder

Stir until all ingredients are blended well.

*If you want it to be spicier, add a little more of the seasonings. Sometimes I add a dash of cayenne for a little kick.

Serve warm and with tortilla chips or Fritos (Fritos Scoops are the best!).

This recipe is great for whipping up before your guests arrive or you can make it the day before and just heat it up before serving.

Thanks Aleasa for letting me guest post today!


Happy snacking and happy blog hopping!

* * * * * * * * * *

Um, I don't know about y'all... but that sounds so yummy! If you make it, let me know what you think -- It's going on my go-to list for sure. 

Want more? Here are the other lovely ladies participating! 

Kiesha @ Big Pitt Stop

Brittney @ Razorback Britt

Debbie @ Dining with Debbie

Kristin @ the Simple Perks

Ashley @ My Crazy Life

Dana @ A Reasonable Adventurer

Top Posts

Well, I was looking back over my blogging life and noticed a post that had an unexpected high number of views. So, I thought I would go back 3 years and see which posts people read the most. The answers were surprising. Here is a walk down memory lane at the happy life blog. 

1. Eat on $25 a week. Well, this one has almost five thousand views, but that's just because of Pinterest! 

3. Praying the Rosary. I actually think this post is popular because of the Anglican rosary image I used. But if you aren't Catholic and have ever given a thought to the rosary, check this post out. I do not always pray the rosary but sometimes I like the ritual.

2. The End of Judas' Story. For the past two years, I have done a mini series of Passion Week reflections. This post got almost a thousand views, which is like 3x more than the next most viewed. I don't know why. No one has ever commented on it, or shared it (that I know about). No one has ever mentioned it. But someone is looking at it. I prayed over each post that week... perhaps someone's life was changed. I LOVE doing these series. I love this post! How amazing and odd. 

4. Bathroom Makeover Reveal. This one only got views because of Pinterest, too. I offered a free printable. But I don't care, because it's my only successful makeover post. Okay, my only makeover post.

5. Days 3-5 from a blog challenge in 2011. I have NO idea why this post got so much love. I mean... it's okay and all. But how random is the internet! :)

Note: Only after I scrolled through ALL my posts did I realize you could just click to look at your top posts. Whoops. Oh well!

Have you ever looked at your most popular posts? Were you shocked to see what tops the list? Also, search terms -- have you looked at those? The Blogger stats are so interesting. Check them out next time you're on your Dashboard!

Five on Friday!

Man, I have just had a lot to talk about. I don't know what has been up with me. I'm not complaining... I'm just saying I've been a Chatty Cathy!

one

(Why is this one first?)

This story, Davion Only asking "someone, anyone" to adopt him at a church in Florida... I called about him the night I heard -- Tuesday. I think that's when the original article was published. I had NO idea that this story was going/had gone viral. I'm sure they'll never call me back now, even though I'm just one county over. But if you haven't heard about it, I'm surprised. His story has been ALL over my newsfeed. For me, it was a snap to reality. I keep talking about the right timing for adoption. And it makes sense to be smart and clearly, everyone's situation is different  (like, how dumb would it be for me to try to start the adoption process while The Sarge is deployed, right?). But SO many people shared this, offering their prayers... shaking their heads. But what about action? Not just for him, but in our communities? How did he get to the CHURCH and still has no place to call home (I don't know if there's an update yet). 

Faith is awesome but if it never translates to action, it's dead. I realize not everyone is called to adopt, but it's constantly stated and re-stated in the Bible that we are to take care of widows and orphans. Why do we ignore it? Why do we pick thousands of dollars in fertility treatments over caring for our orphans? I realize this will not make me popular in the blogging world, but it is the truth. Why is adoption considered such a second rate backup plan to having ones own children? Why do we always leave it for a "later" in life option -- after we've had our "own" families? Why is it that I always get a look of condolence when I say we want to adopt? Davion is not the only boy who needs a home. Hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of kids in YOUR state and MY state are released from foster care at 18, never having called one place home. How does the south have a church on every corner and this is STILL happening? Maybe Davion is the wake up call we all needed. He's the wake up call I needed. 

Whew that took a heck of a turn. Sorry about that. If I haven't offended every person reading.. let's move on.

PS -- As if to restore my faith in the church and humanity, Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life link up tomorrow is about adoption. Lord, I need that.

two

Maybe the BEST part of my week right here. (Maybe.) If y'all have xm and you're an 80 baby like me, you need the 90s channel in your life. Talk about middle school!

three

Oh, yeah. Yay for the government acting like adults instead of pre-pubescent girls, right? Yeah.

four

It's festival season and I'm busy busy busy! I LOVE festival season!! So, I realize it's been festival season for at least six weeks, but I was silent in September and I just got my calendar all booked up. Better late than never. I'm still trying to find new people to pamper... comment or email me if you want to try some of our pure pampering. I'm sending out samples this weekend!

five

Look what I've been doing! I decided to officially take up calligraphy. I'm not that good yet, but eventually I would like to hand letter menus, programs, envelopes and artwork for people. Maybe not anytime soon... but eventually. I just bought my first set of nibs on Wednesday, so give me some time!

What's something random from this week that stands out for you?