Training for my own kind of Marathon

Seriously, how did shows survive in the days before the marathon!?!? I’ve fell in love with many a show after spending a few unproductive hours glued to some series I had never set eyes on before. Case in point, I would never have discovered that I actually like Tori Spelling had Oxygen not recently run a Season 2 marathon of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. It's too bad that the big 4 players can't/won't take this approach to some of their fan favorite kind of shows (Dirty Sexy Money or Arrested Development anyone...anyone?). At least, the summer drought is almost over and I have a whole new arsenal of shows to love/hate. Synchronize Swatches, Tune in Your Tivo, it's time for my kind of fall madness.

Put your hand on my hip, when I dip you dip we dip!

I love me some dip! It's great paired with veggies, chips or if the consistency is right a sandwich spread. A few weeks ago I was craving some Greek flavors and came upon this fabulous Feta Spread from Cat Cora. It's also in her cookbook, Cat Cora's Kitchen, which she just happened to share with me back in my Food Network hay days. There are lots of tasty treats to enjoy and it just might get me through my Greek Deli withdrawals until my next trip back to DC!

Ice Cream Crumbles

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending several mostly sunny filled days on Kentucky Lake. I’m a girl who loves the water and all things that come with it…mainly day drinking, so I was very chipper! While there, we ate some tasty treats…homemade adult slushies, cornbread salsa, stuffed sandwiches and the most tasty summer ice cream dessert. There’s just something about eating delicious treats after a day of sun-filled fun. Of course, I went right to work trying to recreate some of the immediate favs, certain that they would be binder worthy. My first attempt was affectionately known as Crumbles to the lake crew. I did a little internet sleuthing and came up with my own version. The recipe is very straight forward and quite tasty. If you feel saucy like me, I did one side caramel and the other strawberry (for Mr. Diva). Of course, you could do a combo of chocolate, butterscotch, or whatever your favorite might be. Good luck picking and happy eating!

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup butter, melted

2 jars ice cream topping (pick your favorite: caramel, chocolate or strawberry)

2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened

Mix sugar, nuts, butter, flour and oatmeal together. Pat onto cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes (lightly browned). Crumble 1/2 while still warm into 9 x 13 inch pan. Drizzle 1 jar of caramel over; spread vanilla ice cream and drizzle the other jar of caramel on top. Crumble remaining crumb mixture on top and freeze. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving.