Life in the Middle Age Lane

I hosted a Gals Night out for friends and neighbors last night and here are the recipes to some of what we had.  Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds were easy and can be done a day in advance.  I did use the reviews recommendations and used thick bacon and baked them at 400 for 25 minutes. Another huge hit at the party was the Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip and I made this in the morning and just placed the ramekins in the oven 25 minutes before the party. My good friend and neighbor, Paige, made Apple-tini's for the girls.  They were delicious! The next recipe is from Southern Living. The Guacamole-Goat Cheese Toasts with diced tomatoes and tomatillos.  One more thing I made and I prepared this on Thursday and chilled until the party was a Green Goddess Dipping Sauce . I was going to present them in shot glasses but opted to just tray them due to unexpected house guest over the weekend.  (I loved having John's family over.) I was s...

  It is no surprise among my friends that I simply love Halloween.  The decorations, the costumes, the trick or treaters.....everything!  Last year I decorated the house with spider webs, Halloween decorations as I do every year.  But last year was our first year without our kids home.  (insert sad face here.)  Add to that, it's the month for football games, homecoming dance, annual Key West trip and the State Fair. St. Mark's Homecoming 2011 (escort Phillip O) Needless to say all my hard work on decorating the inside was not seen by anyone, except John and I.  This year, I made sure that even though we will not be having a big Halloween party (thanks to our dear friends Paige and Jimmy, who are hosting one this year) I wanted to have some girlfriends over for a Halloween treat. I sent out an evite and made it a neighborhood gals night  the same night my husband has a work commitment out of town.  Things are lining up beautifully. ...