This is the best artichoke dip. I serve it with a thinly-sliced baguette toasted with a little olive oil brushed on top.

Jax Cafe Artichoke Dip

1 cup cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayo

1 cup parm

1/3 cup diced red bell

1/3 cup diced red onion

1/3 cup minced garlic

1 can artichoke hearts

dashes tabasco

dashes cayenene

salt

pepper

Blend the first 4 ingredients with an electric mixer. Then fold in vegetables and seasonings. Bake at 350 for at least 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and brown....

Joel (my dh) and I went to see local, long-running band Umbrella Bed last night as our Valentine's Day date. My friend Eva (another St. A SAHM) plays the...wait for it...french horn in the band. I love seeing live music, and I love the Triple Rock Social Club where they are playing. They actually have excellent food, which you wouldn't necessarily think for a dive in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Check out their menu here.

We didn't eat dinner there, however, but rather opted for the newer Thai place by our house, Sen Yai Sen Lek. This loosely translates in Thai to "big noodle little noodle", which describes about a third of their nicely-sized menu. I have heard mixed reviews and am glad I went to experience it for myself. We had a very tasty appetizer of crispy spring rolls over fresh cabbage, served with a sweet-sour-spicy and delicious sauce. I ordered a Thai-style iced tea, which was a sweet brewed tea with sweetened-condensed milk over the top. Joel had spicy noodles with chicken and bean sprouts and I had traditional Thai cashew chicken. Both were excellent. My sister, who lived in Thailand for several months last year, confirmed that all the dishes and drinks we spoke of were traditional and was happy that they did not shy away from true Thai spiciness. She went on to decribe the yin and yang balance that Thai food is all about, something that the menu also promotes.

It was a lovely night out with my sweetie.

Facebook "25 random things" experiment (mine is approximate)

On Facebook right now, there are lists going around that people write about themselves titled "25 Random Things". I like these lists, because I value cleverness and a good sense of humor. I think taking inventory puts us closer to who we are and what we value, and that is never bad. In lots of ways the list has become a confessional as well, which makes for a very interesting read.

This is my second one, the first one I did was 16 things (there are no repeats):

I like to shower right before I go somewhere. If that somewhere is dancing @ 11 p.m., I shower at 10 p.m.

I have never seen Top Gun.

I am a fiercely loyal friend. I don't talk about my friends behind their backs and I never tell secrets--not even the kind I probably should. Sometimes it bites me in the ass.

I am very well read. I run the gamut from Proust to US Weekly to Ina Garten cookbooks to a government housing blog and literally everything in between. But I never watch the news.

Gwyneth Paltrow married Chris Martin the same time I was getting married. My friend Dayna and I made up a question to aide us in making decisions or choosing something: "What would Gwyneth do?".

If I don't feel "together", I have a bad time. It is my least favorite thing about me. This is how I explain my near-manic organizing.

I can source anything. Just ask me and I'll find it for you. Gratis.

No one can scream louder than me. It's your mission if you choose to accept it.

I had natural childbirth. Twice.

I have the ticket from every single movie, concert, play I've ever seen. That's right.

There's no other quiet like winter in Grand Marais. It makes me weep to think about how much I love how quiet it is there.

The lyrics to most Beatles songs were in-born, I never had to learn them. Both of my boys have a Beatles song that is "their song". Aidan's is "Who Knows How Long I've Loved You" and Coleman's is "Beautiful Boy" (a John Lennon song). I'll sing them for you anytime.

I am a recycling and packaging-reduction zealot. I consider it a gift to my children that I give them every other Wednesday.

Someone told me once that having children was about killing time. Having kids isn't what I expected and it's beyond challenging everyday, but that is NOT what it is about.

I run a really f*&@ing tight ship. Oh, and I like to swear.

My body craves (in order of intensity): Joel, my children, sleep, yoga & its corresponding clothes, meaningful conversation, warm roasted vegetables over wilted spinach salad from The Sample Room.

I think I am disproportionately lucky. Have you met my parents, for instance?

I am not easygoing and do not wish to be.

I've never received a better compliment than when someone told me I was like my Grandmommy. She did the cryptoquip every single day, called markers "marking pens", and used Pond's Cold Cream and Kleenex to take her makeup off. And don't get me started on her tuna melts. I miss her every day.

I would make a great sales person; I could sell ice to penguins. But I can't stand sales, I would feel like I'm pulling something over on someone and couldn't live with that.

Nobody can make me laugh like my sister and brother can. Side splitting. Dayna and Coley (especially together) come in a close second.

Dancing? Yes please.

One thing to count on: I've thought about it.

I had acute postpartum depression after Aidan was born. And while I didn't think it while it was going on, it's one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

Until I was a teenager, I thought Indian woman's bindi was a thumbtack. My dad told me this, and my brother backed him up.

I believe that there's no good reason for poor oral hygiene.