Holiday Double Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Who's the genius who forgot to take a photo of this dish? Trust me, it looked and tasted good.
Meanwhile, enjoy this potato stand-in. 

In our late 30s, we've cut out a lot of the crap in our house because our asses don't need it. Holidays are a whole different ballgame though. This dish is holiday fare, through and through. MFD always requests it at Easter. He loves the scalloped potatoes and I refuse to use the box, so this is where we're at with that. If you're on that same wavelength, save or pin this for the future!

Double Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

by Life According to Steph

6072038

Ingredients

• 2 TBS chopped fresh dill
• 3 TBS chopped fresh parsley
• 3 lb Yukon gold potatoes peeled, thinly sliced, 8 cups
• 2.5C fat free half & half
• 1TBS ground mustard
• 1.5TSP salt
• 1/4TSP pepper
• 2.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 2.5 cups shredded havarti dill

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325. Coat a shallow 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.

Combine dill and parsley in a bowl and set aside. I use a mandolin for the potatoes but you can use a knife as well - just make sure they're thin.

In large pot, combine potatoes, half & half, mustard, salt, and pepper. Over medium high, bring just to boil, stirring occasionally, and cook about five minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer half of the potatoes to the baking dish. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of the dill/parsley mixture, then add 1 cup of each cheese.

Top with the remaining potatoes, a few spoonfuls of the half and half mixture around the edges, one tablespoon of the dill mixture, and the remaining cheeses. Use as much or as little cheese as you want.

Bake until tender and golden, 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining dill mixture and serve.

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Haikuesday

Holiday food fare:
Creamy, dreamy, cheesy...yes.
Then stick to salad.

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It's a jolly holiday with you, Bert.
A very jolly holiday with youuuu.

I can't help it.

TWTW - spring things

Friday night I was a whirling hausfrau. Nothing in my path was safe. Laundry, dishes, purging, putting out fans, setting out hats and sunblock by the back door...I did it all. Then I painted my nails (karmish sutra by Sally H from The Sisters Wexler).

I also made 25 turkey burgers with goat cheese and spinach in a cast iron skillet. Do you know how long that takes? A long time. Do you know how smoky your house gets? Pretty smoky. Thankfully MFD was out for the night so I didn't have to hear complaints. While doing that, I did some weights, made egg muffins, breakfast muffins to freeze, and cucumber salsa.

Saturday I hosted Ladies who Lunch at my house. On the menu: cucumber salsa, turkey burgers topped with shredded lettuce and tomato, pasta salad with pesto/mozzarella/tomatoes, salad from Jenn, fruit from Melissa, wine from Debbie, and cookies from my mom and Sam's Club. Lori was also there but missed the photo op! We chit chatted the afternoon away and it was lovely.

Melissa brought me these awesome Buddhas for my birthday...it continues! I know, you're like STFU about your birthday already. Sorry, I can't. I love them and can't stop staring at the little Buddha statue.

Saturday evening we jackassed around outside and with the dogs.

Saturday night Lori held down the fort with the dogs while MFD and I went to see Mark's bands Gringo Motel and Mercury Radio Theater at Bourbon & Branch in Northern Liberties. We have many talented musician friends but Mark is the one who plays in the most bands by far. We were lucky to see two of the bands on one stage on Saturday night for The Bourbon Experiments. It was a fun night. It's been a while since I've been down in Northern Liberties. It's crazy how much that area has changed.

Sunday I was out and about with my fairy godmother Lori all day and we had a great time as always. We hit HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Target, and Red Robin for lunch.

It would be nice for you if you read a blogger who staged photos nice nice against whiteboards but alas, today I am not that blogger. My haul included my favorite face wipes, a mug (duh), e.l.f. mascara, a journal with one of my favorite quotes on the front, leopard cupcake liners, a super true print, Nordic wear cupcake pans, quinoa, a faded print dress like I wore in the 90s, and a pajama tank and capris. I didn't get anything Lilly Pullitzer at Target. On purpose.

Weekly food prep: egg/cheese/ham muffins and grape tomatoes for breakfasts; turkey burgers on sandwich thins, cucumbers, and snap peas for lunches; carrots, grapes, and bananas for snacks; dinners - pasta with broccoli, shrimp, garlic, and EVOO; roasted potatoes, onions, and pork tenderloin with steamed veggies; and salmon, rice, veggies.

Sunday I was in pajamas by 4 and did nothing else productive all day. I was in bed by 5:15 screwing around online and reading. Then I didn't go to bed until midnight. Fool.

Other weekend things:
- Super deluxe weather Saturday. Spring!
- MFD's cousin and my good friend Gail celebrated another year of fabulousness on Sunday. Happy happy!

Another great and busy weekend. I was very pleased to see my girls, to finally see a few of Mark's bands, and for Lori's impromptu trip down.

However, my early to bed laziness last night, no exercise on Saturday or Sunday and the everything I ate this weekend makes me happy to get back to a routine today. My house and fat ass are glad too.

What were your top three things about the weekend?

Good luck Boston Marathoners & supporters today!

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Reminiscing about the Royal Wedding Party

MFD beat it soon after this photo. He did not want to be the sole man at the Royal Wedding Party.

Did you have a party the day Prince William married Kate Middleton in April 2011? I did. No, I am not related to the royal family, and I'm not even really a royal watcher. The party was conceived over 176 bottles of wine with Gail one night, and we ran with it for the following reasons:

1. Theme parties are awesome.  

2. Hoopla and novelty are fun as hell.
3. A party that requires hats? Sign me UP.
4. A party that takes on a life of its own in the months leading up to it and earns an acronym - RWP - is bound to be fabulous.
5. It was a good excuse to take the day off and day drink. 

To celebrate the two year anniversary of an awesome party, I thought I'd recap it: 

Decor: the queen and Keep Calm signs; RWP stickers that say Hats Required, bitches; I replaced my photos with royal family photos, paper wedding bells out front, fresh flowers, British flags, cutout Will faces

Food: Quiche, brie bites, smoked salmon crostini, crab salad in cucumber cups, roasted asparagus pasta salad, tea sandwiches, veggies and dip, cheese plate, fruit salad. Dessert: red velvet cupcakes, British candy & cookies, Walker's shortbread, lemon cookies, bread pudding, petit fours, personalized royal cookies. Drinks: mimosas, kir royals, frozen grape sangria, wine, beer

We caroused, watched the wedding, scared the shit out of my UPS man and sent him running for cover when we all barged out of the front door in wedding dresses with glasses in hand, provided a spectacle for the school children and neighborhood parents as we stood in front of my house in our wedding gear boozing it up before noon, then when school let out, and then when soccer practice started, and basically all day.

We got fake Kate rings, traded hats, took photos, got drunk, painted wine glasses, and turned it into a garden party out back in the early evening. Even Gamma got involved. 

I love day long shenanigans with Framily.

Laura won for best costume. Her parents are off the boat from England, for god's sake. It was expected of her. I think Geege gave her a run for her money though. 

Lounge clothes were donned, naps were taken. It was a glorious day-long festivity.

We had a blast. I love when everyone really gets behind a fun idea and runs with it. Theme parties usually inject themselves with that type of vim and vigor. 

Cheerio loves.

Linking up with Steph at Bourbon & Glitter and Chelsee of Southern Beauty Guide for The Party Don't Start Til I Walk In.