Bread Bowl Dip Recipe

I went to a party at a friend's house a few years ago, and she served a very yummy Bread Bowl Dip--it was cheezy and zesty and warm and bubbly.  I asked for the recipe and it has become a favorite at our house. 

It's perfect for Superbowl parties...

Ingredients:

1 loaf sourdough Bread (round)
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
12 ounces sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 small pkg pepperoni, chopped
3-4 sprigs of green onions, chopped

To make:

1. Dig out the middle of the bread to make a bowl.  Cut the removed bread into cubes or slices and set aside. You should have something like this:

 

2. Mix all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl (I just put it all into my food processor and pulse it a few times), then spoon into the hollow bread "bowl".

3. Cover with foil and place on a baking sheet.  Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
4. Serve with bread cubes, crackers, or veggies.

NOTE--if serving a large crowd, I buy a second loaf of bread and cut it all up into cubes, because it tends to go really fast.  I think the cubes are best when very lightly toasted.

Apply to Host a Houseparty and Get Free Stuff

Have you heard of  Houseparty?  If not, Houseparty is basically word-of-mouth marketing.  Companies will send party hosts (who agree to have a party and invite 10+ guests) a free party package containing free stuff.  Sometimes really NICE free stuff, and you get to keep some of the items and pass some out to the party guests.

You have to apply to be a host, and a certain number are selected, usually based on demographics.  I've probably applied 15 -20 times over the past 3 years, and have been selected about 5 times, I think.  The parties were for Gerber baby food (got lots of free baby food and spoons), Juicy Juice (got reusuable shopping bags, juice, paper cups/napkins, playing cards, activity books), Hershey Bliss (got lots of chocolates to pass out, plus magnets and pens), a kid's made for TV movie (got leis, sling bags, a music CD, posters), and the latest was a Betty Crocker Cookie Pouch Houseparty (got a $15 Mastercard to buy ingredients, mixing spoons, magnetic notepads, and apron, cookie mix pouches, and paper cups/napkins/plates).

You don't have to have a big shindig--a family dinner with grandparents and cousins, a birthday party, or Rosary group might each easily be 10+ guests, so you can combine events to do a Houseparty.

I've received several emails lately about a bunch of new parties coming up, so if you are interested in doing a Houseparty, check out all the events here.  Some of the upcoming parties are for Ziploc, GreenWorks, DiGiorno Pizza, and Stouffer's Toaster Subs.

If you apply, I hope you are selected to host! Houseparties are fun, and I have to admit--I love getting the big boxes of free stuff in the mail...  :)

Homeschooling, Here We Come!

Well, we're starting a new chapter here.  We pulled our son out of school last week and we are now homeschooling him.  We like the school he was attending--it is the same Catholic school that I attended (um--a few years ago, wink, wink).   Our fifth grader and Kindergartner are still there.

Our son, though, poor guy, has a bunch of issues that make "traditional" schooling difficult for him.  He has a sensory disorder so bright lights and background noises are very distracting for him and he easily loses focus. We are pretty sure there are some neurological issues, as well (ADD, dyslexia...) He also has a motor delay so he writes at the ability and speed of a Kindergartner (he's in second grade).  Copying spelling words and writing down assignments were painstaking for him, and classmates would get impatient and say things about how SLOW he was and the little sensitive guy would feel bad. His self esteem plummeted, and he was a ball of anxiety and stress.  At age 7.

So, we decided he'd be better at home for awhile working at his own pace and building back some confidence, as well as returning to occupational therapy and getting a few tests done.

It's hard to start homeschooling  mid-year.  For the moment, we are using the curriculum from school (we are able to use the texts and workbooks for the remainder of the school year), and will be supplementing once we get more established.  Although my degree is in education, there is a bit of a learning curve for all of us right now, but I know this is the best decision for the moment, and our son seems SO much happier and care free already.

So--my question to all of you homeschoolers is--what are the ups and downs of homeschooling?  Have you found any great online resources?  What are the best curriculums or do you mix and match? How do you socialize your homeschooling children?  Have any of you homeschooled your kids and them sent them back to school later?

I'd love any feedback!  Thanks!

Free Sample of Post-It Tabs

Get a free sample of the new Post-It Durable Tabs.  I saw a commercial last night, and these look really neat--I think I may have to buy some for organizing  my recipe binders.  :)

Giveaway--$25 Kroger Gift Card to Earn Box Tops

An easy way to help your local school is by simply clipping and donating  BoxTops.  So far, the program has raised over $300 Million for schools!  As a former teacher, I know firsthand how much good this can do for schools in helping to purchase computers, other technology, and expensive gym equipment.

If  you don't already do it, look at every box before you toss it to see if there is a little Box Tops for Education coupon on it.  If there is, it just takes literally a second to rip it off or cut it out.  We accumulate them in an envelope on our fridge and turn them in to the school periodically.  Typically, each label is like $.10 cash for the school.  If, over the course of a school year, 200 people  each donate 50 Box Tops, that is $1000 extra dollars for the school.  They DO have expiration dates, though, so don't hold onto them TOO long. :)

Here is another easy way to get points for your local school--sign  up at www.rewardyourschool.com and you will get 5 bonus Box Tops from General Mills, which will go straight to your chosen school, no clipping required.  You will also get custom offers for 3,4 or 5 bonus BoxTops when you purchase corresponding amounts of  select General Mills cereal, Pillsbury products, and Yoplait kid products.  The bonus Box Tops will automatically be sent to your choice school when you scan your shopper card. This really is an easy way to help out schools, whether you have kids in school or not.

General Mills has teamed up with My Blog Spark to give one reader a $25 gift card to the Kroger family of stores to earn some extra Box Tops.  To enter, fill in the form below.  One winner will be randomly chosen on February 15.  Good Luck!

Subscribers to Frugal Catholic Mommy, either by RSS or email newsletter will get an extra entry.
Disclosure: General Mills and My Blog Spark provided the above information and sent me a complimentary $25 Kroger gift card so I can purchase some Box Tops items.