Spinach Artichoke Dip

Sunday, for the Superbowl, I made Spinach Artichoke Dip, adapted from the recipe out of my Bridal Edition Red Plaid Cookbook.

1/2 c + a handful shredded mozzarella
1 c sour cream
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 c + a couple shakes shredded parmesan
14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 c fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 c finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped

In a bowl combine the 1/2c mozzarella, sour cream, mayo and 1/2 parmesan. Add the artichokes, spinach, red onion and garlic. Spread in a pan (the original recipe called for a 9" pie plate. I used a 5x9 (?) glass pan). Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheeses and some fresh black pepper

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Serve with veggies, chips, fresh bread, whatever tastes good.

Half headless photo courtesy of my brother...

On Monday, we still had over half a pan of dip left. There were several people sick on Sunday that couldn't make it. So I decided to do something creative with the dip before we got sick of eating dip. I started thinking about this chicken ring that my mom makes on her Pampered Chef baking stone.

So that's what I did. Except it's more of a spinach artichoke log, and I used a cookie sheet.

1 package of Pillsbury Big & Buttery Crescent rolls
Leftover Spinach Artichoke dip

Lay the crescent rolls on the cookie sheet, alternating directions. Along one side of the rolls, scoop in the dip. Then cover and press the edges closed.

The cookie sheet wasn't long enough for all of the crescent rolls as a log, so we had some spare rolls on the side.

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, until the crescent rolls are golden.

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What do you do?

I get asked about my job quite frequently, so I thought I'd share what I do everyday at work.

I am technically the "Plan Review Specialist", or in plan English: the plan reviewer.

Big plan cabinet, holding plans that are waiting for review, or for permits to be issued

At first I was only reviewing Commercial building plans, but now I also review site plans, and will eventually review storm water and residential plans.

What do I look for when I'm reviewing? I have several checklists, depending on what type of plan I'm reviewing. For a commercial building, I review the City's Ordinance to make sure the Zoning and Development Codes are met. I also look at the International Building Code, ANSI 117.1 (for accessibility), mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fuel-gas, energy conservation and existing building codes (if the project is an infill).

Oh, the joy of Code books

For site plans, I review Zoning and Development, portions of the International Building Code, and ANSI 117.1. The Building Code and ANSI contain information regarding parking spaces, allowable grades and other accessibility stuff. Our Development code contains everything from driveway and parking lot size requirements, to lighting, retaining walls, sidewalks and landscaping.

In a typical week, I review about half a dozen plans. I write a letter to the designer containing all my comments and then wait for revisions to come in to review. I've been told this is a rather slow period for plan review and building permits.

There has been a definite learning curve in this position. At my previous job in an architect's office, I was very familiar with the Building Code and ANSI, but didn't look much at the mechanical, electrical and plumbing codes. The engineers dealt with that. That's not to say that I didn't work on their drawings ever; I picked up revisions and worked on preliminary layouts for lights and outlets. But I never did the calculations.

Depending on the size of the project, the plan review could take anywhere from half an hour to all day.

There are several people that review plans: me, the fire marshal and the Development Review Group. After all three determine the plans in compliance, a permit can be issued for the work. Some people build without getting their plans reviewed or getting a permit. This backfires. Some utility companies won't turn on utilities without the City approval by inspection. A building can't be inspected without a permit. A permit can't be obtained without a plan review.

When I'm not reviewing plans, I research and work on continuing education to maintain my architect license and my LEED AP credential.

my wall-o-achievements and drafting desk

Sometimes I feel like I'm back in architecture school. I review my plans on a drafting desk, nearly identical to the ones I used in school.

This job is a good fit for me because I like variety. I get really bored doing the same things over and over again. Every plan is different. Every designer is different. I don't have harsh deadlines here, either. I typically try to get comments back to designers within 3 days of receiving their plans. Definitely not as stressful as working against a deadline to get a project out to bid.

I like this job because I like codes. Some people see codes as restricting their creativity. But that's not why they're in place. The codes are there to protect the health, safety and welfare of our communities. I see codes as one of the many pieces that makes up the puzzle that becomes a project.

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Moooo

Sunday I took a walk around the garden area of the farm, to figure out where these fruit trees are going to go that we ordered last week.

 

 The daffodils and resurrection lilies have been misinformed about the growing season. The daffodils are already blooming.

Then I was walking around in the orchard area, minding my own business and "measuring" the area by walking it off. I was greeted by the calves.

 

Isn't Chuck handsome? (He's the white-ish one on the right.)

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Music Monday: Coldplay "Death and All of His Friends"

I might or might not have already posted this song. I can't find it if I did.

This is one of my favorite Coldplay songs ever. I have three of their albums: Parachutes, X&Y, and Viva la Vida. This is off Viva la Vida.

The whole humping-the-piano part of the video is a little weird, but I completely understand not being able to sit still during that part of the song.

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Peeping Toms

 Yesterday morning as I was getting dressed, I looked out the east window and there were 5 does checking out my birthday suit. This morning, I looked out, and although there were no does out that window, there was a beautiful sunrise.

Note, I took the photo through the window screen and that's why it has funny squares in it.

 However, later while I was brushing my teeth I looked out the west window and saw at least 10 deer standing on top of the ridge of our neighbor's property. These two photos were also taken through the window as not to spook the deer. See them? Look at the top of the ridge where there aren't any trees in the background.

 

 As I was leaving for work, the deer were crossing the road to our property and chasing each other around in the cow pasture.

  Look between the cedar trees, there are tan dots that are deer.

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Last Doilies

Finally finished all the doilies this week, and blocked them out. They were wrapped in tissue and gifted on Sunday.

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Working on Running

Last night I finished 3.25 miles on the treadmill. This is an increase of .75 miles from what I had been doing. Here's the breakdown:

.25 miles at 3 mph
.25 miles at 3.5 mph
.75 miles(!!!) at 4.7 mph
.5 miles at 3.5 mph
.5 miles at 4.7 mph
.25 miles at 3.5 mph
.25 miles at 4.8 mph
.25 miles at 3.5 mph
.25 miles at 3 mph

I finished in about 50 minutes. 

The only thing I can figure is that my endurance is finally increasing. Usually I get through that first round of 4.7
mph and can barely move my legs because my calves are so sore.

However, I also stretched before and after running. The last couple weeks I haven't been stretching at all.

Tonight I'm trying a kickboxing class with a friend. Depending on how I feel tomorrow, I might try to run again, but I have a feeling the class tonight is going to kick my butt!

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