September 12th, 2008
When I was growing up I had a board game called *
“What Shall I Be?” ; designed for girls with choices you’d expect; nurse, teacher, etc. There was one that I always would pick but never ever did — “actress”. But the music lessons, choir, sewing lessons certainly shaped the things I do & enjoy today, as well as those jobs that I’ve had & “retired” from.
I’ve retired my aerobic shoes and microphone, the personal trainer clipboard…retired are the church organ & piano offertory, wedding & hymn books…
Some days now it’s my ladder, a paint brush & faux finishing tools. Other days, garden gloves, a shovel & pruners. Often it’s the sewing machine calling my name, something for my etsy shop. I need to spend MORE time working on new recipes, maybe a cookbook. For now, I hope you enjoy my shop, this blog & my other recipes!
*Object of the game is to the first player to become a Career Girl.
Players move around the board collecting School Cards, Subject Cards and Personality Cards.
Game ends when one of the players has collected 4 School Cards of one Profession and 2 Subject Cards and 2 Personality Cards that are good for that Profession.
Professions and their respective schools are:
College – Teacher
Airline Training School – Airline Hostess
Drama School – Actress
Nursing School – Nurse
Charm School – Model
Ballet School – Ballet Dancer
(No doctors, lawyers, designers….certainly not Vice President or President!)
Posted in Art, Crafts, Garden, My Heart's Desire | 4 Comments »
September 2nd, 2008
This treasury took me by surprise! Guess I was in the right place at the right time but then there’s that box, looking for a title…Labor Day I suppose…my birthday usually falls sometime during that weekend but this year the holiday came early but we’ll use the theme & found some CUTE maternity t’s in honor of my mom, laboring away — we won’t say how many years ago! The “Maker Maternity” shirt sold but another was relisted in it’s place so check out these great shops!
norajane
Middleburg
19Moons
SunshineandRavioli
Posted in Art, My Heart's Desire | 1 Comment »
August 28th, 2008
My collection of recipes with southwest flavors just grows and grows. I’ve been anxious to try this one for a couple of weeks but haven’t had the occasion until a couple of days ago. It was a hit even with the non-guacamole eaters so you know that made me happy!
Tuesday, when I was preparing the side dishes for dinner the remnants of Hurricane Fay brought much needed rain to drought stricken Georgia! Very happy to have the rain but the grilling was impossible. Plan B….I used my
Calphalon Griddle to char the corn & start the cooking, brushed the ears with oil before putting onto the hot griddle. I felt they were not as done as I wanted but not to worry. Onto a plate, 3 minutes in the microwave, covering to steam after cooking, leaving until cool enough to handle & cut from the cob. I’m sure that the grilling would’ve added even more but as it was, we certainly did enjoy and will definitely make again!
Posted in Food, Recipe | 4 Comments »
August 24th, 2008
This was Clinton on his own horse.
A beautiful demonstration, unbelievable control, gorgeous animal!
Just wanted to add a few more pics.
Heading back for the 2nd day, hope to have some more tonight!
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August 23rd, 2008
And thanks to Jonathan for most of these pics!
(down front & down under)
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August 18th, 2008
Mango Morning II by Sandra Blazel*
I’ve made & we’ve thoroughly enjoyed several salsa recipes that involve a mango! Earlier in the summer when my son Peter & his lovely bride Gloria were giving a bridal shower for his sister, (my daughter) Sara & (now son-in-law) Casey, I needed to make a double batch of to take to the party. So, the birth of this recipe, the combination of two great recipes that I’ve found on Food Network plus another recipe in a magazine…alas…
The Ultimate Mango Salsa
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
1 cup watermelon, diced small
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 cup peeled, diced European or English cucumber
1 finely chopped jalapeno
1 inch fresh ginger root, grated or minced
1/3 cup diced red onion
20 blades fresh chives, finely chopped
lime juice
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper
Combine the mango, watermelon, cucumber, jalapeno, ginger root, red onion, chives, lime juice and cilantro leaves and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Use as a condiment to chips, the Rice & Black Bean Salad recipe, also on this blog, along side your favorite grilled chicken, shrimp or fish! ….which brings me back to Tortilla Soup! I now have a new addition to this recipe; adding a can of black beans & the kernals from 2 ears of corn gave this already great recipe an added bit of color, texture, flavor and took it to the next level….making a note to self AND in my recipe…
*Sandra suggests pouring the salsa over a block of cream cheese and spread that on crackers as is sometimes done with chutney. Great idea from this etsyian in beautiful Hawaii.
Aloha and Mahalo, I hope you all enjoy!
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August 13th, 2008
I’m always looking for all of the above and have to please the less adventurous male eaters in the house but stumbled upon a keeper! We’ve had black beans & rice before but the addition of the corn and spices, cumin and coriander, update this classic combination.
For me, this was dinner, the salad and watermelon, of course! For the guys, they had to have a serving of meat— tonight it was pork chops for them, but this salad can stand alone as a complete protein—delicious, nutritious AND economical.
Rice, Black Bean, and Corn Salad
2 cloves garlic
2 onions
2 ears of corn
1 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspon ground coriander
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup long-grain rice (not converted)
1 1/2 cups drained canned black beans
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons lime juice
Mince garlic and finely chop enough onion to measure 1 cup. Cut enough kernels from cob to measure 1 1/2 cups.
In a small heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, bring water to a boil with garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in rice and cook, covered, over low heat 15 minutes. Stir in corn and cook, covered, 3 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is just tender. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large bowl to cool completely.
Rinse and drain black beans. Stir cilantro into rice with beans, lime juice, and season with salt and pepper.
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August 12th, 2008
I finished this little project this morning & hoped to have a new listing in
my etsy shop by early afternoon. Problems uploading my images mean that I’ve got to wait until my technical help makes his way home for dinner. So….I’ll post here, just to show that I did something today! And, just so you’re not disappointed if you thought there might be a recipe? Keep reading! It’s here too!!!
Lemon Square Yo Yo PillowA bright modern lemon print by Alexander Henry combined with an old fashion yo-yo technique will add a cheery punch of sunshine to any room. Yellow buttons accent the center of each circle.
This is a 9.25″ little lemon square with finished edges of yellow rick rack & white piping. Back is finished with a flap and a removable insert for easy cleaning. Insert was made of super soft fiberfill and is included.
Creamy Lemon Squares
1/2 cup (1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
4 large egg yolks
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper leaving an overhang on two sides: butter paper.
- Make crust: Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add flour, and mix on low just until combined. Press dough into the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan; prick all over with a fork. Bake until lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Make filling: In a large bowl, whisk together yolks, condensed milk and lemon juice until smooth. Pour over hot crust in pan; return to oven, and bake until filling is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
- Refrigerate until filling is firm, about 2 hours or up to 3 days. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares, and dust with confectioners sugar.
Posted in Crafts, Food, My Heart's Desire, Recipe | 1 Comment »
August 11th, 2008
My youngest is now a 4th grader…so hard to believe! Isn’t it great to have a backpack full of new pencils, crayons, and the classic composition notebook? New NIKE sneakers & don’t you know I love TARGET for new school threads?!? Today’s lunch won’t be the usual sandwich but leftover cheese pizza from Mellow Mushroom—last nights dinner.
These pics are from earlier in the summer in his awesome lemonade stand. The sign was a product of his newlywed-designer-big-sis Sara.
As the bus pulled away this morning I hit the pavement with Charlie & Cesar, back to working on the walk, putting into practice the idea that I’m the pack leader of these 2 canines!
On to the “to-do” list with the house to myself!!!
Posted in Everyday, Uncategorized | No Comments »
When I was growing up I had a board game called * “What Shall I Be?” ; designed for girls with choices you’d expect; nurse, teacher, etc. There was one that I always would pick but never ever did — “actress”. But the music lessons, choir, sewing lessons certainly shaped the things I do & enjoy today, as well as those jobs that I’ve had & “retired” from.
