Peppermint Cheesecake Dip

1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup powdered sugar 3/4 cup crushed peppermint or andes peppermint baking chips 4 oz cool whip (1/2 a tub) 1/4 cup crushed peppermint- saved for topping for extra flavor can add one of the following but not required: 1 tsp vanilla extract (for extra sweet) or 1 tsp mint extract (extra mint flavor) Mix first 4 ingredients until smooth and top with remaining 1/4 cup peppermint. Variations: -Exclude cool whip and shape mix into a ball and roll in crushed mints and white chocolate chips Serve with Chocolate graham crackers and/or chocolate covered pretzels

Cranberry Citrus Sangria

1 bottle red wine 10 oz cranberry flavored beverage (I used sparkling cider, can use club soda whatever you like) 1 cup frozen cranberries 2 lemons, chopped or wedge sliced. 1/2 cup orange juice chop cranberries in food processor or blender to break out the flavor. Add to a pitcher with lemons and pour other ingredients over top. Cover pitcher and refrigerate at least 8 hours

Old Chicago Pizza- World Beer Tour

Sports Seasons Grill- Home of the Batter Fried Bacon!!!

New Mrs Dash Seasonings=yummy salt free beef stew

I found a great new product at Kroger this weekend- Mrs Dash salt free seasoning mixes. They were about $1.50 each and come in taco, chili, and beef stew seasonings. May be more varieties but those are all I saw. Since I had some stew meat in the fridge and they had a great sale on mixed exotic mushrooms, I decided to give them a try. It was delicious. I just followed the directions on theback of the package and used olive oil instead of vegetable oil to cook the meat. When the meat was cooked, I removed it from the pan and added about 1/4 cup red wine and 2 cups sliced mushrooms to the pan and sautéed until done. Then returned the meat to the pan and added carrots, diced potatoes ( I used frozen Obrien hashbrowns) and pearl onions. Then about 4 cups water or beef broth depending on how hearty you want it. Simmer for about 2 hours until veggies are soft and serve with crusty bread, salad and an ice cold beer. I chose a Shocktop Lemon Shandy to give this winter stew a summer feel and it was the perfect end to a long day:)

Coppenrath Traveller Cookies on Tour- FOUND AT BIG LOTS

Fat Bottom Brewery