BRAT BITES with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce

So I realized, there are five Tuesday's in January and while I wanted to wrap up the brunch bonanza for this month, I realized Super Bowl is on Sunday so I absolutely had to share a Super Bowl snack recipe. However, when you think about it, the brats are your sausage in a flaky crust with cheese sauce, so, come on, those are all things that could be at a brunch anyway. So we will kind of consider this brunch meets super bowl food, lol. 

Yum  

I love a good cheese dip but add beer to the mix, and you really have the perfect dip for any party. Perfect for dipping things like these brat bites, soft pieces of bread, pretzels, crackers, even veggies.

Nothing beats hearty finger foods!  Heck, I could make a meal out of just appetizers.

What you'll need

BRAT BITES
Ingredients
4 Brats, cooked (can use chicken or turkey) brats
1/2 package Phyllo dough, thawed
1/2 stick butter, melted

Beer Cheese
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup flour
12 oz beer, I used Miller Lite
2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut your cooked brats into 2-3" pieces. Cut phyllo dough sheets into thirds lengthwise. Roll each brat piece in cut strip of phyllo dough. Place on baking stone or cookie sheet and with a pastry brush, coat each piece in the melted butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately or keep warm in warmer.

To Make the Beer Cheese 
Add butter to saucepan; melt over low heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in beer. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling. Boil 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and smooth. Slowly add the cheese, then add dry mustard, pepper, and salt and stir until smooth. Keep warm in a small crockpot on warm. 

HAPPY TASTY TUESDAY!!! 

Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays // Tuesday Talk // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Meal Plan Monday #117 // Pretty Pintastic Party // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Flaunt It Friday // Celebrate 365, Football Party Food!

xoxo

WHY THE HELL NOT

Does the use of profanity in the title make you really want to read this post, lol. I must mean business! Seriously friends, let's get real. Why do we always put stuff off? 

My recent "kick the sugar out of my diet" campaign really got me thinking about this subject. Right after Christmas it was like OK I'm gonna wait til after the New Year, then it was like OK, our son has a birthday and I want to eat a big meal with dessert so I'll wait till after that and then it was like OK, it's so dreary out so I want to eat comfort food till finally I just said Andrea what are you doing? If you keep waiting, you'll never do this. Do it now!!

Huge Laurie said "It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only NOW. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good as time as any." Yet, we wait, we say no, I'm not ready or I'll get to it or someday.......yet often that someday never comes. 

We think we're too busy for this or for that so there is no time to do the things we REALLY want to do. When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred tasks running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow." and in your haste, not watched their sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'? 

How richer would our lives be if we'd done what our children wished for, kept friendships alive, called, yes, called not texted to say "Hi!" All because you said "Now!" Let's play in the rain, the mud, go crazy! Not only do the things you want to do, do the things you need to do. Get on the healthy eating train, tidy your house, control your spending and reduce your stress. Trust me when I say I'm a get er' done kind of girl. Never been a procrastinator but the older I get the more it does take to get me motivated. Yet, when I do it now, the fun and the need to, I fell so much better!!! Doing things in the now can only stand to help make you a better person. 

This brings me to another reason for this post and a need to "not wait!" The term "Saving It for Good!" This term was coined back in the depression era when families didn't have much so when they did receive something nice, they didn't want to waste it so they would "Save it for Good." My dear grandmother, who many of you know, passed away in 2016 lived during this era and sometimes when we would give her, for example, earrings or a nice sweater, we'd notice she wasn't wearing them and asked her why? "Saving it for good" she'd say. While I didn't grow up during tough financial times, my mom and I would often do this and when we got something nice, "save it for good." Why? What is good? A trip to the "BIG" Mall? A dinner that doesn't involve Chipotle bowls or chicken nuggets? "Good" may not happen, wear it today, eat it today, use it today. 

Life isn't a dress rehearsal and we don't get a do-over. Enjoy each minute it brings and if you want to do something...DO IT NOW!!!!

Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's // Create It Thursday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Dishing It & Digging It // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Thoughts for Thursday // Friday Frivolity // Brilliant Blog Posts

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES....BYE JANUARY

TGIF peeps. Thank goodness it is here. Ahhh, we bid January goodbye and good riddance. Oddly enough last Saturday was 60 some degrees and people came out of their hibernation like bears looking for honey. Yet, now, the next 4 days call for snow. I'm good with that as our sweet Daisy May turns 12 on Sunday and that doggie loves her some snow. Plus it just means another cozy weekend as before you know it, the busy hustle and bustle of the spring will arrive and we may miss these snuggly weekends. Enjoy loves!

1. My Boss was Elvis
Today is a sad day, my boss, who was not only a boss, but a brother and a friend is retiring. This guy worked for our company for three+ decades and I had the honor of working under him for 17 years. He loved to impersonate Elvis and often would for events like this company's picnic. Our place of employment used to be so fun and I often helped plan the shindigs. His leadership, friendship and grace will truly be missed.

2. This Quote
This has always been one of my favorite quotes. Yesterday I gave my retiring boss a journal with this very quote on the front. I think it sums up life perfectly. Live for those moments that take your breath away and don't let them pass you by.

3. Week's Attire

Nordstrom Trouve sweater, Target scarf

Chadwicks sweater vest and top

Boutique Wrap

4. Not Wearing a Coat
While I have many darling coats, sometimes you just don't want to wear one especially when it is 50 degrees and normal temps are suppose to be 20. Throw on a few layers, an infinity scarf and good to go for a Saturday casual day. However forecast indicates highs in the 20's the next several days so may pull the coats back out.

More Inspo

5. Egg Roll Bowls...A New Recipe
Sometimes you just need a new recipe to ease the Winter Blues. Enter Egg Roll in a Bowl. I found this on a fun cooking blog Called Buns in my Oven and made it on Wednesday night. Colorful, healthy and a fun twist on an egg roll.

Recipe and Video HERE

Have a GREAT weekend friends. Snuggle up, watch what you love; get lost in reading, your man, your fam, or a recipe. No matter what, do what makes you smile!!

Linking up with  Amanda // Friday Favorites  // Oh Hey, Friday  // High 5 For Friday // 5 on Friday // Fashion Friday

xoxo

LEOPARD PANTS RE-CREATE, WUW and LINK-UP

I have wanted to re-create this look for a while now. I was waiting to find the perfect black blazer and crew neck tee as I had the other items. Not sure what I was thinking in regards the blazer, because I have a navy fitted one from target that I love, so I realized why don't I just order the black one too. It's perfect and I know when I can't let something get out of my head like this re-creation from Pinterest. that it's a must do. I never quite found the feminine crewneck tee I was hoping for but I got this perfect every day steal one from Old Navy for under $10. 

Time for another Two-Fer with this recreate for our Fashion Link-Up with The Blended Blog and Shay, Mel and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday.

However, let's talk size, it is obvious that this model is anorexic, LOL! I think two of her legs make one of mine and I do wish my pants were more the lighter shade like hers. I couldn't justify buying just regular red pumps for this outfit but I have these lace-ups that I adore. So this outfit works even though I still like hers better, ha ha! 

Now, time for some What's Up in the Nine neck of the woods

1. WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: Creamy Chicken enchiladas, roasted veggies, salmon, My mom's ham and beans, berries and nuts. What we are not eating: Sugar!!

My mama's ham and beans!

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: Productions in our basement by these guys. Oh they look so young. When they were pre-teens, they liked to do "shows for us" Music, dancing, you name it....They'd work their butts off, then call us downstairs for the performance. Miss those Productions!

3. WHAT I’M LOVING: Our Valentine's Decorations. See them from my post on Monday HERE

4. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO: Trying to decide between two pieces of land for our new build.

5. WHAT I’M DREADING: 2 more months of dreary water...Been so grey and yucky...NO, I need SUN!!!

6. WHAT I’M WORKING ON: Getting My EC Planner organized.

7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT: 4 trips this year. (so far, lol)...Vegas, Toronto, Our Summer Beach Family vacay and a trip somewhere warm for my mom's birthday.

8. WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING: Still watching our favs.....

9. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Mix as always...Prime Country, 80's, The Blend..our local country radio station B100 has two great morning hosts so listen to that on the way to work.

10. WHAT I’M WEARING: Lots of pink. 

11. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND: Probably a day date on Saturday with Mr. Nine and some basement storage organizing. Eek.

12. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH: PACZKI's! I may be eating healthy but on Fat Tuesday in February you can bet I'll having a cream filled Paczki!!

13. WHAT ELSE IS NEW: Just keeping it real.

14. BONUS Question, ~Who Is Your Favorite Bachelor: Gasp....I do not watch the Bachelor...I watched season one and The Bachelorette with Trista (who I loved) but haven't seen an episode since. So, MY Favorite Bachelor? My sweet hubs before I snagged him up! ;-)

Can't wait for you to Link-Up with The Blended Blog ladies and myself for the New Year Styled Link-Up. What awesomeness are you styling'?

Linking up The Pleated Poppy // Oh Hey Girl // Trendy Wednesday // The Mummy Chronicles // Visible Monday //Style Me Wednesday // THT // Spotlight of the Week //Fashion Moda // WIWT// Thoughts for Thursday // Fashion Friday // Lizzie in Lace // Shoe and Tell // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites //A Labour of Life // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like //Let it Shine Monday // What I Wore Wednesday // Jersey Girl Texan Heart // Throwback Thursday //Jaymie Ashcraft // Fancy Friday // Lipstick & Layers //Fashion Frenzy // WhoswearingwhatWednesday // The Weekly Style Edit // Thoughts for Thursday

xoxo

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