...and A New Year has begun

We started off the year doing something simple (or so I thought)... DIPS! 



  I can't speak for all of the queens, but I stew and fret every month about finding that "perfect" recipe.  You know... the one that will win the coveted CROWN!  I start off the month perusing recipe sites and pinning recipes via PINTEREST, then I start practicing.  My co-workers love it because they get to try them out and critique, (as much as my husband loves having me cook - we have decidede it's in our best interest to get it out of the house as soon as possible!)  

Well... multiple ingredients later, and a few failed attempts I did, infact, come up with the winning recipe!!! QUESO BLANCO - it was quite delish.

Queso Blanco - submitted by Lori

Cream Cheese Dip - submitted by Pam

 Cristie got creative and made up her own recipe... with brown sugar - of course

Apple Cinnamnon Cream Dip w/Cinnamon Pita Chips

Brown Sugar Fruit Dip - submitted by Ginger

Cookie Dough Dip - submitted by Hailee

Veggie Dip - submitted by Terri

Fruit Dip - submitted Diana

Apparently I didn't get a picture of Cecily's delicious Shrimp and Artichoke spread - but believe you me - it was wonderful!

Shelly is our one queen who admits she does not cook - but she does know where to BUY really good stuff!  Here is her dip recipe...

Despite the looks on their faces - we really did have a great time! 

We just finished up February with "CUCKOO for COCOA" and true to form these ladies really stepped up their game.  We had some delicous recipes -  and a few weren't even desserts!!! - Post to follow. 

"It's the Cheesiest" in March.

NOTE:  to find the winning recipes and some of our other favorites - check out the different tabs at top of page. If there's a recipe you would like to see posted - leave a comment.

Year in Review

Last year I had a thought about starting a cooking club as a way to share recipes and learn new things that involved cooking. What I didn't know was that I would form friendships with some of the most AMAZING women.  Some I have known most of  my life, others were old acquaintances from high school and some are women I've just met.  They have all touched my life and I am GRATEFUL for their friendship!

We started out last January with a total of 12 potential members... for various  reasons a few dropped out before ever making it to a meeting.  We added a few more members along the way and ended the year with 11.  I think that's pretty good! 

We've had a lot of laughs along the way...  sharing stories about our friends and families, recipe mishaps, checking out our hopscotch skills and listening to dating escapades (from our single member). 

Here's a look at this years WINNERS:

The month of December was our awards night . 

We feasted on "HOLIDAY FAVORITES"...

  which apparently consists of lots of SWEETS!

But before we could get started with the much anticipated awards we had to crown our "QUEEN" for the month of NOVEMBER for our "CROCK POT CREATIONS".  The winner hands down was one of our newest members...

CECILY

This is the point where I would post her recipe for crock pot RIBLETS, but I have no idea where I put NOVEMBER'S recipes...

NOTE TO SELF: "organize recipes!!!"

  I will post her recipe (which by the way was delish) along with our

HOLIDAY FAVORITES  at a later date...

so check back!

NOW ONTO THE AWARDS!!!

I had so much fun making these trophies... GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE.

...and the centerpieces for the table

But most of all,

handing out the the "TIARA's"

to the grand winners of 2011.

 The first award of the night went to LAURI...

 although she never had a win this year,

 she kept us guessing with what she was going to come up with next. 

She received a BOX OF CHOCOLATES...

because with her...

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET!

 and the "TIARA" goes to...

 CRISTIE received the BRONZE TIARA. 

 Not only did she win in the month of APRIL,

but she consistently received the second most votes for her recipes. 

She also received a canister of BROWN SUGAR...

I think that's her secret ingredient in ALL her recipes!

HAILEE received the SILVER TIARA. 

She won twice this year in February and July for her yummy dessert recipes. 

She also received a cookbook, "100  Things to do with a Cake Mix" 

DIANA received the "GOLDEN CROWN" award. 

She not only won twice this year in May and August,

but she NEVER missed a meeting! 

She received the well deserved title of...

"HER LOYAL HIGHNESS"

She also received a $20 gift certificate to CAFE RIO, for a night out from cooking.

To all my QUEENS...

THANK YOU

for a wonderful year

and here's to more fun adventures in

 2012

NEXT UP...

"DIP IT"