Foodie Friday: Hamburger Queso Dip

In honor of the big football game this weekend, I have decided to share a delicious and easy dip from my childhood. Although the only reason the football game will be on the television here at the farm is to get a glimpse of Tay-Tay possibly, I know many of you are probably very excited about the game itself. We are quite possibly the least athletic, least competitive people you will ever meet. The Bibbed Wonder and I thank the powers that be every sporting season that our delightful daughter does not participate in team sports. Seriously, I would be the mom in the stands commenting on how cute she looks with her hair in braids, not paying any mind to whatever sport she could be playing. I am not built for competition. My husband is my perfect match in this regard. I have no opinion of the teams playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. The Bean is excited to see what T. Swift will wear to the game. I don't even watch the game for the ads anymore. We will probably end up watching the new Wicked movie or binge-watching The Walking Dead with The Bean. However, I can appreciate a good Super Bowl party.

When I was a teenager, my mom made a delightful dip recipe. It was called Hamburger Queso Dip, but being the borderline inappropriate kid I was, I called it Barf Dip because it looked like barf. To this day, my family calls this dip barf dip. I feel I am dating myself with the list of ingredients. I am sure that when we move into a more European approach to food manufacturing, ingredients, and eating clean, this recipe will be a relic from a past filled with processed food. However, it is a once-in-a-while treat, not a staple of one's diet, so enjoy it while you can still get Velveeta and Campbell's soup.

Hamburger Queso Dip

Ingredients:

1 lb. Ground Beef, browned and crumbled

2 lbs. Velveeta, cubed

1 10.5 oz can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 16 oz. jar of Mild Picante Sauce

Directions:

-In a medium skillet, brown the ground beef and crumble it into tiny bits

-Add the cooked beef to a crockpot set at low temperature

-Mix in the remaining ingredients

-Stir periodically until well blended

-Serve with tortilla chips

The dip is simple, straightforward, and delicious. Adding it to the crockpot makes it even simpler, but it can also be made on the stovetop and served in a festive bowl. I like a crockpot because I am less likely to get distracted and burn it. On this Super Bowl weekend, stay safe, be smart, enjoy treats in moderation occasionally, remember that sometimes old-school recipes are the best, and keep washing your hands.

Enjoying The Process

An example of soap dough creations by Bee, the soap dough master. Isn't it lovely and inspiring?

Yesterday was a rarity, dear reader. I was in the studio alone, which never happens, and I worked on a little side project that has been on the back burner for quite some time. My bib overall wearing wonder buns is a work-a-holic. He works tirelessly on the farm, with the goats, and in the studio to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. However, this allows very little time for me to work independently in a quiet space, doing what I love: creating.

There was a time when making soap was relaxing and therapeutic for me. When this journey began, I was home alone, The Bean was in school, and The Bibbed Wonder was working away most of the week. With my empty nest, I had the time to create, research, experiment, and grow as a soap maker. This time was one of the most enjoyable periods of my soap-making journey. I listened to music that I enjoy and find relaxing and inspiring. I could work at my own pace and didn't feel rushed, pressured, or like I was on a hamster wheel to get things done. It was inspiring and rewarding to figure out a recipe, master a new technique, and push myself creatively. It also gave me something positive to focus on during a difficult time.

Those days are long gone. Working with my husband is delightful, mostly. We are a good team and bring out the best in each other. However, with his logical, math-based approach to life and my creativity, there are no boundaries to what we can do attitude, we don't always see eye to eye. My ideas, impulsivity, and creativity often make my husband twitch and squirm. His rigidity, methodical approach, and inflexibility to change frustrate me to no end. Regardless, we make this work, and we balance each other. I need him to keep me focused and on point. He needs me to get him out of his comfort zone and allow the creative process to flow.

While he trimmed the goat's hooves, I had the rare opportunity to work alone in the studio, trying my hand at a simple soap dough recipe. I have wanted to master soap dough and hand-sculpt soap dough for soap tops for quite some time. After trying to make my original soap recipe work with lackluster results, I had to put the project aside for the holiday season. I finally have the time and opportunity to work with a recipe formulated explicitly for soap dough. There is a woman in England who is the soap dough goddess. This woman is a true artist and has mastered the technique for creating embeds, three-dimensional creations, and the most gorgeous soaps I have ever seen. I took a play from the master's handbook and tried my hand at making soap dough using her published recipe.

Working alone on a small batch of soap was delightful. I could create something from beginning to end without anyone else's help. I worked through the process on my own time, in my way, without any input. I listened to classical music, enjoyed the process, and felt good about the results. It was like revisiting the soap-making process from the beginning of my journey. I will find out if the recipe is a success later this morning. Fingers crossed, the soap will be soft and pliable. If it is, I have big plans for soap embeds, beautiful soap tops, and limited-edition luxury soaps. The Bibbed Wonder has agreed to my using soap dough in our seasonal soaps in limited quantities on my own time.

I will be sure to keep you posted about the success of the recipe and the soaps I plan to create if the recipe works. Stay safe, be smart, enjoy the process, get creative, and keep washing your hands on this gloomy winter's day.

An Overwhelming Response

Happy Wednesday, dear reader. Our new Miracle Milk Face Balm has been available for almost two weeks, and you all have welcomed it with open arms. We felt we had created an exceptional product, and your overwhelming response confirmed that you agreed. I appreciate your willingness to try our new products and share your thoughts. After selling out of our first batch in less than a week, we finally have inventory restocked and available online. We did not anticipate this great response and feel we should have chosen a better time to release a new moisturizer.

My girls are all but dried off for the upcoming baby season. We won't have replenished milk production until after the babies come in late March. You may notice that our moisturizer inventory is running a bit low. Unfortunately, this will continue for the next two months or so. The Bibbed Wonder is considering looking for a few nannies in milk to add to our herd, but he is still on the fence about it. Bringing in new stock poses a risk. Of course, we would only purchase from a reputable farmer with a clean herd, but there are always risks. This is a decision we will have to weigh before we act.

Our new Miracle Milk Face Balm has been restocked, but our limited inventory is selling fast. I want to take this opportunity to share with you what some of our soap family members have said about this new product. We appreciate your feedback and kind words.

• On my 3rd week of using this little miracle in a pot. I'm noticing a huge difference in my fine lines. My turkey neck, crow, and WTF lines are noticeably better. A little goes a long way. Thank you! -Kay W.

• Let me just say that this stuff is amazing!!! My face feels so smooth and hydrated. I love it! -Wendy B.

  
  

• I just wanted you to know the miracle milk moisturizer is just perfect. My skin gets dry in winter, and since I have used this, the dryness has disappeared. It blends in easily, and I like the scent. It is not an overwhelming scent, and it is quite pleasant. I was very happy to see lavender and frankincense added. I am a proponent of using both those oils. Good job…as always . -Judie S.

  
  

• Best ever! -Martha A.

  
  
  
  

  Those are just a few reviews about our new Miracle Milk Face Balm. Thank you for your kind words and your time. I hope sharing these reviews helps you. Trust your soap family if you are on the fence about trying the new Miracle Milk Face Balm. It is the perfect product for this time of year with winter winds and dry air. On this dreary February day, stay safe, be smart, take good care of your skin, try our new Miracle Milk Face Balm, and keep washing your hands.