Dinner with Pamela and Preston

After 20+ years, Pamela and I saw each other again. We initially went to college together, she left to go to college in NM, and were reacquainted in 1991 when I moved to AZ and she happened to be my waitress. We hung out and were the best of buddies. Pamela moved back to Iowa shortly after that. Thanks to Facebook, we were reacquainted again. Preston, her son moved to Chandler, AZ a few months ago and Pamela came here for Mother's Day. She stayed at my house and we had a blast. She is one great gal. We picked up right where we left off so many years ago and I was able to meet Preston. We did a lot and had so much fun. This picture was the first night. We had some better ones from when we went to DC Steakhouse in Chandler. I will post one or two from there.



With Sympathy - for Belinda

I do not like making sympathy cards at all. I seem to lose focus when I have to make one. For this, I used an old layout I had used before because it seems to work well for this type of card. The sketch is MOJO80. I also normally do not use the plain paper in the big packs. I did on this card. It is a lot thinner than using cardstock so I was able to use several layers and not have too thick of a card. All the patterned papers and green and peach layer are part of the MME Tres' Belle line. One thing I do like about this card is the soft colors and how well the patterns go together.

My coworker and friend Belinda and friend (Belinda's sister) Kathy's mom passed away. I made the card for all the work group to sign. I had everyone sign and then had to bring it home and add the additional bling back on. I lost some on the way in or around the office.

Supply list: MOJO80, SU vanilla, MME Tres Belle, SU sdcallop punch, sheer dotted peach ribbon, bling (2 sizes), Studio G - Kollette Hall stamp, SU chocolate chip ink

Easter Dinner

My cousin Ron (my mom's side) and his wife DiAnne come to AZ every winter. Dad and Ron ride motorcycles a lot, back in Iowa so we invited them over for Easter dinner. Dad chose the menu of pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green bean casserole. No picture of that though. I love to entertain. I have a huge set of china to use and rarely use it. I wanted to use the china, dad said to keep it casual. So I set the kitchen table instead of my big dining table. lol. It was a fun dinner. Nice to catch up with relatives I haven't seen in a very long time.

Here is my table and us after the dinner.

Happy Birthday with Skull

I followed the SFYTT for March 2012 but did not get it loaded in time for the deadline. I did a lot of embossing on this one. I was trying to make paper like the retired Bride and Groom from Stampin' Up! that is black with black shine on the top. I loved that paper for the longest time and didn't buy it when it was available. I will send this to someone who loves skulls like I do. I think I have that person in mind. They will be surprised to get a card from me. I hand cut both the crown embossing and the skull (twice). I wanted to use the black skull because it popped more, but it needed just a little edge in pink for a pop of color. I used my favorite black and white polkadot paper from Hobby Lobby : ). I'm sure you have seen it on a few cards. lol. I used pop dots behind the skull/crown element to make it have more dimension.

Supply List: Bazzill, Recollections, The Paper Studio, DCWV, SU Pixie Pink, SU circle punches, Sizzix crown embossing folder, SU stripe embossing folder, SU clear embossing powder, Inkadinkadoo stamp, Studio G stamp (skull), brayer, Versamark Ink, Black Ink.

Good Luck Lael

I made this card for a coworker who has decided she isn't relocating to AZ. I used the Taylored Expressions sketch #155 for my design. I also used some chipboard items I have had for a long time. Lael loves pink so of course, I had to use Melon Mambo. I also made the main element by using my favorite Elegant Edges Cricut cartridge. I hope she likes it. I sent Lael the Hug a Tree card I made last year for her to send to her BFF. They met years ago on Earth Day, so I thought that was appropriate.

Supply list: Bazzill, SU Chocolate Chip, SU Melon Mambo, MME Tres Jolie patterned papers, SU flower punch, SU punch, Chipboard flower, Twine, bling, Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge, SU clear embossing powder, SU Chocolate Chip craft ink, Green and Brown markers, Studio G stamp.

Spaghetti Squash Zucchini Casserole - As good as or maybe better than True Food Kitchen's

If anyone has a True Food Kitchen near by, it's a must go. They serve organic foods and locally-grown veggies and fruits when in season. I had the Spaghetti Squash Zucchini casserole and I believe it was love at first bite. I even asked the server how it was made so I could implant the idea in my head and know what I was looking for in a recipe. I normally can like something and not be so excited as I was to find a recipe to duplicate this. I literally savored each and every bite when I was eating it. I searched through 3 pages of Google recipes until I found this recipe when I got home. I have made this at home 3 times since having it the first time there. I went to True Food Kitchen and got it a second time (I always do that because if I like something, I rarely switch it up). It wasn't as good the second time. I think mine was better and closer to the first time I had it at True Food Kitchen. Here is the recipe I found and it's as close to TFKs as you will get.

Spaghetti Squash Zucchini Casserole
True Food Kitchen
Plate Watchers: Whole Grain Apple Pancakes, Spaghetti Squash Casserole and Salmon

1 whole spaghetti squash
2 medium sized zucchini
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
1 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with healthy oil cooking spray (canola or olive). Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place cut side down on foil and bake for 30-50 minutes, depending on size of squash. Set timer for 30 minutes, and check. Add time until done. Test with knife for doneness- tip should easily pierce the skin when done. Pull from oven, turn over and let cool for a few minutes.

While squash is baking, smash and slice garlic. In medium sauce pan, over medium high heat, heat 2 tsp. of olive oil, and when hot add in garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add in can of crushed tomatoes. Let heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Julienne both zucchini, discarding the skins.

When squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out flesh (which will look like broken spaghetti) and place in large mixing bowl. Add in julienned zucchini, tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese and stir to mix. Spray a 9x13 inch glass pan with healthy oil spray and pour vegetable mixture in. Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and bake 25 minutes uncovered. Dish may be a bit watery, so serve with a slotted spoon. Makes 8 servings. Projected Points Plus value, 2 per serving.

My changes are: use fresh mozzarella and packaged mozzarella (more cheese is a good thing in my opinion), more garlic (never can have too much garlic), Italian Herb crushed tomatoes, garlic salt, pepper. I made it using only the packaged mozzerella the second time and it was good, but not as delicious as it is with the fresh and packaged mozzerella combination. Rub olive oil on and sprinkle sea salt on the cut spaghetti squash before cooking. I used olive oil for the tin foil and just rubbed it around. I cook the spaghetti squash about 45 minutes. That seems to be the perfect amount of time.

Beautiful AZ sunset

If you ever wonder why I moved to AZ and still love it here, here is one answer. Look at this beautiful sunset. I captured these pictures as I was walking out from work a few weeks ago. One word...beautiful. Now if only I had time to photoshop out the high wires and pole.

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

Help....he's catching me

I love this picture of me and am just now posting it. My frirend and sorority sister Carol Olson came to town for work. She is one of the few friends I could drag to the Desert Botanical Gardens in September in AZ. The weather was cool that day (thank goodness it cooled down to 105 from what it was the week before). We walked the gardens and during that time, the large bug exhibit was there. These things were so neat and creative - and I do not like bugs. They are all hand-carved out of wood. Carol had the funny idea to act like we were running from the praying mantis. She crunched down to get the full effect. The lady at the gardens, came out and told us we were the first ones to have that much fun with our pictures. We were almost crying due to laughter. The pictures were so funny. I'm sure you all know by now, I will make you wear sunscreen if I can. Carol didn't think it would be necessary...it was. She put some on her face, but still turned pink. I know...what a surprise from when I used to wear baby oil as sunscreen. : ) When I see this picture, I just laugh. It's so goofy of me and I look silly, but I can't help it. I instantly get a smile on my face.

Here's me...

Here is Carol:

Carol's comment was..."Who runs like that?" I about fell over laughing.

And here is the two of us together.

Happy Birthday Kim

I made this for my friend Kim's birthday. I told her a few days before it would be late. I finished it the day after her birthday and carried it in my computer bag for a week. I will mail it tomorrow. I was in vendor presentations all week last week so it seemed like I was always rushing to get to the other building. I used the February SFYTT (Sketch for you to try) on Jen del Muro's blog. I flipped the sketch, and covered the card front with black which is something I do not normally do. I needed the black border so the white would stand out more. And as you probably know, I love black and white polkadot paper...I use it when I can. :)

Here is the link: Sketch For You To Try - Feb 2012

Supplies: Bazzill (white, purple, black), Recollections (purple patterned papers and b&w polka dot), Cricut, Elegant Edges cardridge, white ribbon, SU Riveting, $ clear stamp (JoAnn's - purple), $1 Studio G cupcake stamp, white ribbon, bakers twine, button, SU circle punches, SU eggplant envy craft ink.

Happy Birthday Laurel

I made this for my neighbor and friend Laurel for her birthday. I had the paper all scored for the rosette so knew that I wanted to use it for this card. Laurel loves purple, but I made her a Shannon card (in pinks) so she would know it is from me. I really love the bright colors. I used the January SFYTT (sketch for you to try) on Jen del Muro's blog. I missed the deadline to post it to her blog though. I love bright colors and mixing patterned papers.

Here is the link: Sketch For You To Try - Jan 2012

Supplies: Bazzill, SU mambo melon (did I ever say I love that color), SU daffodill, DCWV, Recollections, bling, Martha Stewart scoring board, flower punch, circle punches, cuttlebug, dot folder, spellbinders circle die, button, homemade bakers twine, $1 clear stamp, paper piecing.

Us

This is the scrapbook page/wall hanging I made for my mom's belated birthday. She got it about a month late but she got it. lol. The picture is not that great quality. I had a hard time getting the right angle at night. I made this for Mom to put in her beauty shop since she redid the colors to yellow and brown.

Supplies: MME patterned papers, Bazzill, SU chocolate chip, SU flower punch, Bazzill brads, chipboard, chipboard swirls for tracing. 12x12 scrapbook frame from Michaels.

Get Well - Maricella and Thank You to Barb

I told you last week that I loved this sketch. I have used it again, this time, for a get well card. I made this for the Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity, Maricella Martinez after she was injured in a car accident. I had all the leaders and folks who know her sign it.I used the same papers as before, just added brown acrylic paint for the dots. The colors were not as bright in this picture as I was taking the picture at night. They are the same as in the Thank You cards. Barb, Kim's mom, collects martini glasses and has a group of ladies that get together to have a martini a few times a month. Barb loved this card and put it in her curio cabinet with all her martini glasses. : )

Supplies: Bazzil (white and orange), SU Kraft, SU pixie pink, The Paper Studio (orange and green polka dot), AG papers (pink orange and brown), DCWV (pinks), SU Chocolate chip ink, DCWV green flower, SU punch bunch, SU garden greetings, bling, brown acrylic paint, stylus.

Supplies: Bazzil (white and orange), SU Kraft, DCWV, MME Bohemian, other, SU Cherry Cobbler, SU Old Olive, Studio G, SU, Ribbon, toothpick.

Thank You with pennants

As you all know, I make a card-a-month for my only grandma and my great aunt. I did so well in 2011 up until August. That's when work started to get crazy and my life got all out of whack on the home front. Well, I didn't create anything since September and decided to make this card. It's not for my grandma or my great aunt, but for some friends that I need to show my appreciation to. Grandma and Aunt Madonna will get a card for February and then I will be stay on top of it at least until work gets crazy again. It's such a small thing for me to make a card and it's a really big thing for them. They actually look forward to receiving their card and they tell my mom what they look like or what I write about. I love this design and will be using it again. I have one more to make, but it will not be exactly the same. It's very versatile and is a great way to use up some designer paper scraps. If you are like me, we have tons of those sitting around. I ran out of bobbin thread and since I was already tired, I left the uneven stitch lines. It gives it character right?

I virturally copied it exactly from the person who initially posted it on pinterest. I made two exact cards and they took me 3 hours. How is that even possible? An almost exact copy shouldn't take me 3 hours. I'm wondering if I just do better with sketches and starting off on my own than trying to copy someone else's cards.

Sketch Website (this site is awesome by the way).
Here is the card I virtually copied from Allison Davis  (I love the colors and used what I had that was similar)

The dogs and one cat get so excited when they see me go in my craft room. They know when I leave the door open, I'm in there longer than to just get a shirt off the drying wrack, and have my iPod on the speaker, it's going to be craft-time for me and nappy time for them.

Here is my version:

I added a layer of color, made the pennants a little wider and made my center piece more square than rectangle.

Supplies: Bazzil (white and orange), SU Kraft, SU pixie pink, The Paper Studio (orange and green polka dot), AG papers (pink orange and brown), DCWV (pinks), SU Chocolate chip ink, DCWV green flower, SU True Friend stamps, bling.

Roast Beef with Gravy - Crock pot

For all of those who know me and know that my specialty is pot roast made in the oven like grandma Leona used to make, I actually made one in the crock pot. It was delicious. I kind of used some recipes online and kind of modified it on my own. I have done the gravy with pork chops, earlier in my blog but had never done this for roast. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of this.

1 roast

1 package Lipton onion soup mix

1 can Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup

Garlic powder

Pepper

Put roast in crock pot frozen. You can do this with a thawed roast also, but mine was frozen. Because mine was frozen, I added a little bit of water while the roast was cooking. Cook in crock pot 6 – 8 hours and add the can of soup the last 2 hours of cooking. The roast had very good flavor before I added the cream of mushroom soup so I think you could just have it that way and use the juices as more of an Au Jus instead of a gravy. I used the gravy over fresh mashed potatoes.

Green Chili tortilla roll-ups

Hi Everyone. I'm back after a long time of being away. I didn't make much in my craft room in these last months, but I did make a few items in my kitchen. Just a few. I made these for Christmas Eve with Kim Simm's family. Barb, Kim's mom has a Mexican theme for the food for Christmas Eve and they have all the items I make well in the Mexican theme so I tried these. I went searching online for recipes, asked Jodi Levell for her recipe, and combined what I liked best from all of them and modified to my liking. They were a big hit. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of them.

Flour tortillas (I used approximately 10 burrito size tortillas)

16 oz sour cream

2 bars of Philadelphia cream cheese

1 can Herdez salsa verde

1 can diced green chilies

3 - 6 green onions diced

1 -2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded

Black pepper

Lawry’s garlic salt

Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Spread mixture on a flat tortilla. Go out to the edge but do not fill too full. Roll up as tightly as you can. Refrigerate the rolls for at least 5 hours. Slice with a serrated knife into half inch slices. Serve with con queso dip, been dip, chili cheese dip, or simply by themselves. I took these to Christmas Eve with my friend’s family and they were a big hit. I altered the recipes I found online by combining the best of what I liked from all of them. I got the idea from Jodi Levell since she makes them with her chili cheese dip.