The Ultimate Dip

For those of you attending Holiday parties and gatherings this dip is a sure fire hit everywhere I go. We call it Buffalo Chicken Dip and its the most delicious thing you will eat this year.

1 pound Shredded boneless chicken breast (2-3 Chicken Breast)

1 bottle of Franks Hot Sauce

1/2 Bottle Ranch

1 8oz block of Softened Cream Cheese

1 package Fancy Shredded Cheddar Cheese (2 Cups)

Mix together Hot Sauce, Ranch and Cream Cheese. I use a hand blender to get it nice and smooth.
Mix in Chicken until nicely combined.
Mix in Cheese.

Pour into a 13x9 pan and cover with foil.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45 Minutes

We like to eat this with Scoops tortilla chips and celery. I am making this tomorrow... I am looking forward to the deliciousness.


**I never really measure the hot sauce or ranch. I just put the entire bottle of Franks Hot Sauce (has to be Franks) and a 1/2 bottle of Ranch. Since we are indulging so many calories I use low fat Cream Cheese and Fat Free Ranch. I also boil the chicken breast with a chopped onion to enhance the flavor. This makes great leftovers. Just throw it into a microwave and Enjoy!

With Love, From Dixie's Sunny Shore

Off to the Post Office I Go!

I love the buzz of Christmas.. just not the Honks from Disgruntled Holiday Drivers.

Photo Via Lobster and Swan

Just couldn't resist

I came across this trailer on Bird on the Lawn's blog.

I watched it twice because it just made me smile. Its amazing how the babies so quickly adjust to their culture and traditions. :)

Reuse and Recycle

Luminary bags @ Alhambra Hall 10/2/09

For a year before our wedding I collected glass jars. From spaghetti sauce to jelly jars. I stored them away for the big day. We had luminaries lining the walkway up to the reception. The only problem was that it can be very windy at the reception site (Alhambra Hall) which is why we used the jars rather than just sand.

Here is another beautiful way of reusing glass bottles. I love the table scape below from Elle decor. Start saving those wine bottles

I Think I'm a Wreath Person

I am a big fan of wreaths. I love big one, small ones, square ones and round ones. I switch them out with the seasons and love that they can be made out of so many objects.

Check out of this one I found here on Etsy. They are made of recycled felt from wool sweaters. Its a wreath I would keep up all year round.

Christmas in the Holy City

I love it when all of the homes downtown prepare for Christmas. I sometimes find myself on my lunch break strolling throughout the residential streets finding bits of inspiration. Check out the Belvedere House on Rutledge Avenue.

I thought y'all would enjoy this photo done by local Charleston Photographer/Blogger Joan Perry. You can find her blogging at Charleston Daily Photo.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

For one week only iTunes is offering a Holiday Music Sampler for FREE! Looks like a really good mix of artists and songs.

You can find it right here on Itunes.

So crank up the ipod and bake up some of cookies. The above cookies are from Martha Stewart. Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps--- What are some of your favorite Christmas Cookies?

Meet Scout-- The WonderDog!

Last week the hubby and I rescued this little lady. We got her from the SPCA in Orangeburg, SC. I saw her on Petfinder.com and 3 hours later I was holding her. We named her Scout, inspired from To Kill a Mockingbird. She is now 9 weeks old which means she could have been born on our wedding day.

She is such a sweetheart and is a bit of a knuckle head. We are so excited to spend Christmas with her and all of her sweet kisses.

A Little Holiday Spirit(s)

Here is a Hot Wassail recipe via Design Sponge.

Here is what you need:

Sugar Plums Dancing in My Head

While looking for Wall Sconces for our Master Bedroom I came across this picture from

Pottery Barn. I would like to sleep in this room the entire week before Christmas Morning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for.

As my friend Leah says, "Gobble Gobble, getting down with the Double "G" y'all!!!

Here is a pic from the best Thanksgiving Movie of all Time! I think I'll serve some popcorn, jellybeans and toast for dinner tonight.

Charleston Place Needs Your Vote!

Charleston Magazine is having a Charleston Top Cocktail Competition.

2 of the Best Bartenders from the Charleston Place Hotel (Where I work) are in a race for the top spot.

Jason Hall from the Charleston Grill is submitting The Big Apple and Le Carrousel

Mouzon Taylor Jr. from the Thoroughbred Club is submitting Peach L'Orange and Le Mouzon



Good Luck Boys!

I'm Thankful for Sweets

If you haven't heard of Amy Atlas, where have you been? I started stalking her beautiful dessert table scapes about a year ago while wedding planning.

Here are some pics of her Thanksgiving Table. Too cute!

Bird-day Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Hope you enjoyed your special day. Wish I could of spent it with you.

Whatta Night Part 2

Here is a YouTube clip from the actual show last night... As Matt keeps saying, "It was the best show no one saw. "

Oh Whatta Night!!

Last night Matt and I went to one of the best concerts ever at the Music Farm. As I previously mentioned, Joe Firstman is one of our favorite artist. He is from Charlotte and is super bluesy with a dash of bluegrass.

On stage with him last night was Mark Bryan from Hootie and the Blowfish and Tyler from Crowfield. It was an acoustic round table show. It was super chill and they just jammed out.

This is not from last night but here is Joe playing 'Saving all my Love' courtesy of YouTube. Sorry for the poor quality video. I'm at work right now on 3 hours of sleep and too lazy to search for anything better.


After the show we were hanging out with they guys. Turns out when Kristen drinks she likes to talk to musicians in British accents. So Fun!

Also, as of last night we will be having a day trip to Savannah on Monday. Joe is playing in a coffee house there and its a Free show. So if anyone is interested hop aboard!!!

Pure Michigan

I've lived in South Carolina now for 3 1/2 years. I've made so many friends, married a guy from Mississippi and bought a home but I still consider myself a Michigander. It truly is a beautiful state but I definitely don't miss the snow. :)

Mom, me and Sister Meghan in front of Spicers Orchard

I always love this time of year in Michigan... actually more like October, its a little too cold now. Here are a couple pics taken at my favorite Apple Orchard 2 years ago.

Mom & Dad Picking Apples

Dad & me on a wagon ride

And yes I still say 'Pop'. I will not call it soda nor will I call a Sprite a Coke Matt. Just Saying.

WaWa Bottles

I am known for always reusing my water bottles which turns out is not healthy with the plastic bottles. When they run their course I put them in the recycling bin.

Currently I use a Nalgene bottle. I love how big it is but hate that I always manage to spill it all over myself while in the car or on the elliptical. Now it turns out these aren't good for you due to polycarbonate (#7 on the bottom) , which may leach Bisphenol A, an estrogen-like chemical.

I guess I have to buy a SIGG bottle. Which may take time to get use to since drinking out of aluminum is just weird.

I found this fun Glass Carafe from Pottery Barn. I love that its shaped like a plastic bottle.

Wait... I gotta go because Matt wants me to Ped Egg his foot. Its just wrong and its not going to happen.

CRAFT TIME = HAPPY KRISTEN

I came across this fun and super easy Wreath craft on Living With Lindsay. I can't wait to make one, but for which room? I love things like this but i don't think Matt likes things too feminine.

Here are the items you will need.

For step by step instructions find it here.

I love the little details in the foyer below. Too sweeeeeet.

Happy Belated Anniversary Babe

A month and a day ago Matt and I were married. Wow!!!

Here are a couple of photos taken from our rehearsal dinner. Our rehearsal dinner was such a blast. We had a laid back Charleston Harbor Cruise at sunset. Alex Toline with Lowcountry Explorer did a wonderful job at such a great rate. Matt's mom and sister had it catered by Cru Catering. YUM!!! I'm still drooling over the salmon.
The Mamas... Sue and Coco
Dave and My Dad

Maddy and Eric... love this pic of my cousins

Britton and I

DJ and Matt... talking about something important I'm sure.

These photos are by Jason Miller. He took so many wonderful photos over the wedding weekend it was hard not to upload all of them. Thanks Jason!!!

Darlin I LOVE Days Off

I am currently enjoying a wonderful day off. I woke up and ran errands, did 2 loads of laundry and then deep cleaned the master bathroom. I know this is lame but what are your favorite cleaning products? Here are my top two:

Tilex Mold & Mildew

The best tub/shower cleaner I have found. Gets things seriously clean.

Fabuloso Lavender Floor Cleaner

It is like aromatherapy while you clean. The best part is that you can find it at the dollar store.

Fun tip: Instead of buying glass cleaner take a old spray bottle and fill a 1/4 of it with rubbing alcohol and the rest with water. Never have to buy Windex again. Also this is what you should be using on any stainless steel appliances.

Now if only my bathroom looked like this one from Stephmodo's La Maisonnette home in Beynac, France. Believe it or not this is a rental property. My friend SaraRuth and I are saving our pennies for a week to frolic in the French Countryside. I'm so happy her hubby Jason is a chef because I'm sure the produce is amazing.

Did I really just post about cleaning products? Who says married life doesn't change a person?!