I grew up watching Michigan football and was lucky to visit the Big House for a few games during my childhood, I always loved the atmosphere and of course the marching band. It’s a good thing because Hail to the Victors is a cheer I hear every Saturday during college football season. My husband Chris is an alumni and a big fan, he hunkers down on the couch with his cell phone (so he can text his buddies) and a beer (to calm his nerves) and wishes he was still in Ann Arbor sitting in the student section on game day.
We have a few Michigan photos and prints in the office to keep us in the Michigan zone all year long, the print above is the Michigan alphabet, I purchased it on Etsy and framed it myself, it is hanging next to the one and only Shaky Jake. Jake was given to my dad years ago by his friend Gary Jones and it was passed on to us when we were married. He sure is a conversation starter!
We also have this great Michigan barn photo that my parents bought for us at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. I love photo editing, I framed it in a reclaimed wood frame to mirror the barn wood…
My favorite part about fall and football season is the food, friends and tailgates. From time to time we watch the game at a sports bar in Los Altos but typically stay home. For the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game last weekend we had our friends Ed, Russ, Laura, and their daughter Sarah over for some tailgate treats. The game turned to be full of suspense, I am so glad we were able to win in the end, go Blue!
For the little game day party I tried to be festive and decorated the mantle in the living room with yellow pumpkins and roses, it turned out really cute.
I think I will keep up the look and change out the flowers each week, good thing I have roses in the backyard!
Of course game day would not be complete without our team shirts, I usually wear a sweatshirt but it has been so hot out that I broke out a short sleeve t. Chris wears the same shirt EVERY Saturday, it is completely faded and has holes in it, I keep telling him that he needs to replace it but he refuses.
Now on to the recipes, I love bar food on game day, especially nachos, spinach dip, and hot boneless wings. For our party I tried 3 new recipes so that I could recreate my favorites at home.
First let’s start with the layered bean dip. This recipe is from Cooking Light and skips the guacamole and the cream cheese (if you like that check out my slim tex-mex dip) to save on calories. There is a blend of black olives and corn on top, something I haven’t seen in other dip recipes but I really liked it.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (16-ounce) can organic refried beans (such as Amy’s or Eden Organic)
1 cup organic bottled salsa (such as Muir Glen)
2/3 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped black olives
3/4 cup (3 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese
3/4 cup (6 ounces) light sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°, Combine juice, cumin, and beans in a medium bowl, stirring until well combined. Spread mixture evenly into an 11 x 7–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread salsa evenly over beans. Combine corn, onions, and olives; spoon corn mixture evenly over salsa. Sprinkle cheese over corn mixture. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with sour cream; sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.
The next recipe (and crowd favorite) was the spinach and artichoke dip. This is also a recipe from Cooking Light, it was very easy and made great left overs. We all agreed that this recipe tasted better than any restaurant version. Here is the recipe…
Ingredients
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high.
The party was a big hit, we all ate way to much and enjoyed the game. Russ and Laura’s daughter Sarah is such a cutie, I caught this picture of her while she was over, looks like she is cheering for Michigan too!
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy Touchdown Week! If you are interested in participating in my next themed week let me know, I am looking for guest blogging for Holiday Decor Week in December.
14 comments :
I love the turquoise bake ware and thanks for sharing the artichoke and spinach recipe its one of my favorites! BTW where did you get the fabric on the sofa the baby is sitting or did you buy it that way?I'm going back to check out older post have you ever shared it?
Thanks Comeca! I found the bakeware at HomeGoods, it is made by Bia. The sofa is also from HomeGoods, a total bargain I couldn't pass up.
Sounds like an awesome way to spend a Saturday. My family is originally from MI and there are some U of M alums in there so I have grown up with a fondness for Big Blue. (Even sporting the wear the years we lived in Columbus OH — oh yea!) The spinach dip looks *awesome* — can't wait to give it a try
Cute picture of you and Chris! That spinach dip looks great! I am trying that next time we watch a game!
i love the pic of you two! you are so cute! i'm going to run your guest post tomorrow, i hope that is okay with you. thanks!
Hi Amanda, I stopped by from All Things Related and now I am your newest follower. I'm kind of an organizing junkie so am excited to follow your blog. Thanks for posting. Blessings, Wanda
Oh, and the recipes look absolutely Delish!
MMM spinach artichoke dip is my favorite!
This all looks delish! I love tailgating munchies.
I love your game day decor and your husband's dedication to his shirt made me giggle. I was born and raised in East Lansing but my family was divided by team spirit
Jo
Amanda, absolutely love the M – ABC subway art! Are you willing to share how you made it? I would love to duplicate it for a friends nursery, which is football themed and Dad is a big M Fan (of course is there any other kind!) I also have a w”holy” M shirt that I still wear, much to my husbands dismay.
Okay, my apologizes! I apparently only got as far as coping the bean dip recipe and didn't read your content. Shame on me!! Thanks.
Super cute post- love the artwork! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!
Love the yellow pumpkins and flowers! We actually have some Michigan decor in our family room. It's a print of the final scoreboard when Appalachian State (our alma mater) won 34-32. I hear you guys will have a chance at redemption in 2014… good luck!
(I really don't think lightning will strike twice, but it sure is fun to poke fun at Michigan fans.)
We are HUGE Univ. of Alabama fanatics in our home so we can appreciate another football fan! I love your party idea! Great way to incorporate the colors of the school in your decorations and the food looks fabulous!
Thanks for sharing with us at Inspiration Friday!
Heather
I will make the Spinach Artichoke Dip tonight. Looks so yummy. My other recipe was a little different but yours look wonderful. One can never go wrong with cream cheese! Visiting from a blog hop. I post tips on preschool & K. Hope to have you visit sometime. Merry Christmas!