Last year, we took a road trip to Mackinaw City with my parents.  Michigan has so many beautiful places to visit, it's nice that we can travel only 4 hours to a whole new world.  Since Ricky is a newbie Michigander, we had to check out Mackinac Island and the area surrounding it.  Be warned: I have a lot of photos!

Time for a quick history lesson for all of you who aren't native to Michigan: we have a lower and upper peninsula, which are connected by a 5 MILE Mackinac bridge.  We stayed in Mackinaw City (yes, it's spelled differently) which is in the lower peninsula.  To visit Mackinac Island, you have to take a quick ferry across the lake to the island.  The area has so much fascinating history and it's very remote, for being such a large tourist town. On Mackinac Island, there are NO motor vehicles aside from a few emergency vehicles--everyone gets around by foot, bikes or on horses.  How cool is that?

To see the whole post, head over to my new site: Dash of Evans. 

Spinach Artichoke Dip REMIX + Mitten Love Giveaway!

We're coming up on our 4 year anniversary of being back in Michigan.  I grew up in the Lansing area, but went away to Wisconsin for college.  After having the twins, I kind of wanted to be closer to my family again.  I really, really miss Madison sometimes, but it's also great to start our own traditions here in Grand Rapids!

If you didn't know, Michigan is called "The Mitten" because of it's shape.  If you ask a Michigander where they live, they can show you on their hand!  What other state can you do that with?  I have an awesome giveaway lined up for anyone who loves the great state of Michigan.  Stay tuned for more details!

Last spring, I won a fun giveaway on Instagram which I got a Michigan Pactz box.  Inside was all Michigan made products and we fell in love with everything!  Our favorite new find was Little Diablo Salsa.  You all know I love to make my own salsa, but this is AMAZING.  The garlic is a perfect topper for tacos and the smoky chipolte is our new go-to for fajitas!

I was fortunate enough to have Little Diablo send me 3 different salsas to try and I made a tasty new summertime dip for you using their new Artichoke salsa.  While I love regular spinach + artichoke dip, it's nice to do a REMIX sometimes.  By adding the salsa, this dip gets a little kick to it!

This dip is inspired by two different things.  When I was growing up in Grand Ledge, our local grocery store Felpausch had a dip we loved which was salsa and cream cheese mixed together with some cheese.  It was a poolside favorite.  The second inspiration is the AMAZING artichoke dip from The Great Dane in Madison.  A combo of both of my worlds!  You can serve it hot OR cold, I just throw an oven safe dish on the grill (I love this Rachael Ray one) while cooking up the rest of my meal--no need to heat up the house!

Here's what you need:

• 1.5 bricks of Fat Free or 1/3 Fat Cream Cheese
• 1/2 cup Little Diablo Artichoke Salsa
• 1/2 cup jarred artichoke hearts, drained (LOVE the Aldi ones!)
• 1- 6 oz package of spinach 
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (if baking)
• Like it spicy? Add 1 jalapeno!

Dip, baby Dip!

This is all done in a chopper or blender, only one mess to make!

1. In a large chopper, throw in the entire bag of spinach and pulse for about 1 minute. If you want it spicy, add jalapeno at this point.
2. Next, add cream cheese.  Pulse for 1 minute.
3. Add salsa and 1/4 cup of the artichokes.  Mix for about 5-10 seconds.
4. Add final 1/4 cup of artichokes and pulse quickly (I like some big chunks of artichoke left, so I barely mix it).
5. Done!
• If you want it cold, it's all done!  Serve with tortilla chips, veggies or crackers.  If you want it thicker, add last 1/2 of block of cream cheese.
• If you want it hot, place in an oven safe dish and top with Parmesan cheese.  Add to the hot grill and cook until bubbly.  In oven, bake about 10 minutes at 375.  Serve with pita chips, bread, veggies or chips! 

Next time you're heading to a party, make this your go-to dish to pass!

Now here's the fun part!  I have a Mitten Love giveaway for you!  Enter below to win a Summer Michigan Pactz box AND 3 full sized jars from Little Diablo Salsa!


Mitten Love Prize Pack!

Disclosure: I received products to create the recipe, but all opinions and recipe are my own.  If you would like to use this recipe, please link to the original post and use your own photography.