Thursday, January 31, 2013

Valentine's Day Shopping Etsy Style

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. My husband is the most thoughtful loving husband a gal could ask for he gets an A+ however, when it comes to Valentine's Day he doesn't even get a passing grade he doesn't do anything romantic.  Before we were married it was different I was wined and dined and lovely gifts he figures our Anniversary took the place of Valentine's Day.  I start to convince myself that the 14th is a day for "young" love for those in their 20's and 30's and single.  Yeah Right!  I bet there are a lot of old married couples that enjoy romancing, deep sigh I can dream.

In honor of Valentine's Day I thought I would share some Etsy finds that I thought would make wonderful Valentine's Day Gifts. 


Valentines Tea Truffle Chocolate Collection - From XchocolArt $38.00


Leather Latitude Longitude Key Chain of your first date, first kiss, wedding - From 
GunmetalGems $25.00

Love Photo Display - From lonestaraccessories $8.00


Love Finds a Way Print - From KelseyNollette $24.95


Set of Vintage Earring Magnets - HPLshop $19.99


Liquor Hip Flask Distressed Leather - From MichelleVerbeeck $28.00



1920's Art Deco Diamond Ring - From MSJewelers $1,115.00

I hope you have a wildly passionate Valentine's Day

Until Next Time,
Pam

















Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Obsessed With Washing Dishes

As you all know our water pump died and we do not have water (day 7).  I'm working on recipes that I don't have to dirty too many dishes.  I don't like wasting good drinking water to wash dishes and my clean snow on the deck isn't going to last too much longer.  I only heat up about 4 inches of water and enough water to rinse them,  the less dishes I have to wash the better.  (4 inches in my dish tub) 

The nice thing about this hash-brown bake I can bake it in a tin foil pan and the bacon can be baked in foil that can be thrown out.  The only washing I have is a bowl, whisk and knife.  I think I'm starting to be a bit obsessed with washing dishes, please stop me.


Hash-Brown Bake

1 package Simply Potatoes Hash-browns
5 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 eggs
1/2 onion, chopped
1 4oz can diced green chilies
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Cook bacon, drain and chopped or crumble.  In a bowl combine eggs and beat eggs, onions, cheese, chilies, cayenne, salt and pepper mix together.  Add egg mixture to hash-browns mix together thoroughly and place into a casserole dish.  Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until heated through.


This dish would also be a good one for camping 

Until Next Time,
Pam



Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Product Review: Egg Rings

Since I am still out of water and not cooking I have a product review to share.  A couple of weeks ago I purchased these egg rings from Chefs Catalog set of 2 for $8.95 or 4 for $16.95 plus shipping.

I cooked the eggs on a flat griddle pan the egg whites did seep under the ring a little.  This was not a problem they were still round. I did grease the rings with butter and dabbed a little butter in the middle of the rings for flavor more than sticking.  Once the eggs set up I removed the rings and flipped them.   The rings are very sturdy and they clean up beautifully. I am very pleased with this purchase and happy that I bought the set of four.





I love egg sandwiches

Until Next Time,
Pam




Monday, January 28, 2013

Snow! Why did it have to be snow

This is what we woke up to this morning over 6 inches of snow and it has not stopped snowing yet.  Although it is beautiful it is causing a problem for us....It is setting back when we can get our new water pump installed.  We are currently on day 5 of no water. 





The hardest thing right now is cooking.  Trying not to make too big of a mess washing dishes is my main concern.  I'm getting pretty tired of peanut butter sandwiches and cup of noodles.



Staying positive

Until Next Time,
Pam




Friday, January 25, 2013

A Blog Pause

Not even through January and I am off track on my blog.  It's not that I'm slacking my mind has been on other things right now.  For the 3rd time in 1 1/2 years our water pump to our well has failed.  We have been have problems for the last 2 months and yesterday the pump died.  The problem now is getting the rig up to our house to replace it which could happen sometime next week.  

I don't think I will be able to post a recipe next week.  Since we do not have water I'm not cooking I don't want a bunch of dirty dishes stacking up.  Plus my mood about all of this is not good.

Please excuse my absence until life gets back on track

Until Next Time,
Pam

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Food Love - Texas Ranch Beans

Beans Beans the magical fruit......well, you know the rest 

I always have cans of Bush's baked beans in the house they are my favorite of the canned beans.  A go to side dish that I can grab at the last minute and heat up.  

When it comes to Ranch Beans I'm going to make them myself.  This way I can get the seasonings the way I like them.  The Texas Ranch Beans make a nice side dish or hearty enough to have by themselves.  

Texas Ranch Beans

2 lbs dried pinto beans
water
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 teaspoons Tony Chachere's Creole Seasonings
1 tablespoon Chipotle Paprika Seasoning
1/4 cup Fiesta Quick Chili Mix Seasonings

The night before start by going through the pinto beans looking for foreign matter like stones and pick out and throw away.  Place beans in a large bowl  and cover with water and let sit over night.

Next day - Drain beans and rinse with cold water.  Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven add chopped onions and sauté for about 5 to 8 minutes.   Add garlic stir for just a couple minutes add beans and enough water to cover beans by about 2 to 3 inches.  Cook on high heat until it comes to a boil.  Lower to a low simmer and cover and cook for 1 hour.  Stir beans and add seasonings cover again and cook for another hour.  Taste beans to check seasonings, the above measurements are your base seasonings.  Now you can add more to your liking.  Since my husband loves salt I added more, I like heat so I added a tablespoon of cayenne pepper, it's up to you.  Cover and cook for another hour.   Garnish with sour cream, salsa, lime and cilantro if you like. Serve with garlic bread or flour tortillas.

Perfect amount for a house full of Super Bowl Fans

Until Next Time,
Pam
Jam Hands






Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Super Bowl Bites - Part 2

We are a house divided when it comes to football.  I am a Saints fan, hubby is a Raiders fan and my daughter is a 49er's fan.  Since the Saints didn't make it to the Super Bowl I'm happy the 49er's did and will be cheering for them on February 03, 2013.

My next Super Bowl bite is Bruschetta.  I made a large batch of bruschetta on Sunday I figured it would last until the next day.  I had four pieces of bread with the bruschetta and my husband ate the rest of it.  He claims it did last two days he hid the last couple pieces of bread along with the bruschetta to eat the next day.  Nice to know he really like it.

Bruschetta

1 10.5 oz container of red cherry tomatoes, cut into 4ths
1 10.5 oz container yellow cherry tomatoes, cut into 4ths
1/2 sweet onion, minced
1/4 cup basil, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon really good Balsamic Vinegar 
(my favorite Premium Balsamic Vinegar of Moden from Olivers and Company)
2 loaves of ciabatta bread, but on the diagonal and toasted

Mix all ingredients together and let set at room temperature for an hour and serve with warm toasted ciabatta bread.

Jam Hands

Until Next Time,
Pam

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Food Love - Super Bowl Bites Part 1

I've been working on some game day Super Bowl dishes that I will be bringing you over the next couple of weeks.  My daughter would be so proud of me using ground turkey.  My husband has other thoughts on using turkey.  He promised to try a bite.  I had a piece on the fork and he felt that was too big.  He took a tiny little piece to try it and you know what he really like the turkey meatballs.

Olive also like the meatballs while my back was turned she grabbed one of the meatballs off the plate.  Bill was not doing a very good job of watching her but at least I was done photographing them.  She has been hanging out in the kitchen since then.  I would have put her outside but it was 3 degrees out.


Cranberry Turkey Meatballs


1 lb Jennie-O ground turkey
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion, small dice
1/3 cup Oceanspray Craisins, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh sage
11/2 teaspoon fresh minced thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 14oz can whole cranberry sauce, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly, form large golf ball sized meatballs .  Heat olive oil in skillet, lightly brown meatballs on all sides.  Place in a casserole dish and bake in oven for 20 minutes, heat cranberry sauce with worcestershire sauce just until pourable, pour heated cranberry sauce over meatballs and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Until completely cooked through.

Until Next Time,
Pam


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Create: Letting Go Of The Fear

I have always wanted to paint however I do run into some complications.  

1.  My drawings consist of stick figures

2.  I want to be perfect and that stops me dead in my feet

3.  What I see in my mind does not come out the same on canvas

4.  I worry about what others will say about my work

5.  Fear

I give up before I even start.  Well that is going to change.  I am going to take a 12 x 12 canvas and work on it until it is done.  I'm not going to worry about it being perfect I'm going for fun and whimsey.   This is a test for me to let go and just have fun with painting.  I will be posting every week my progress and not be critical of my work, I will let go of the Fear.

One funny thing that happened I went up to my studio (which is located above the garage) to get my paints and I found out my paints are frozen.  I turned on the wall heater and started collecting my supplies.  My fingers were so cold they were hurting  I had a hard time picking up the bags where I am currently storing my rubber stamps.  After about 10 minutes I was finished and went to turn off the heat and there was barely any heat coming out yet.

Week One:  

No longer a blank canvas


Welcome to my journey and feel free to comment

Until Next Time,
Pam








Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Baking Partners - Tarts and Pies

It's that time again Baking Partners monthly post.  This month it is all about pies/tarts.  I bought all 

the ingredients for a sweet pie and a savory tart.  At this point I only got to the tart and it is 

incredible.  My only problem with this recipe is I think the toppings are enough for one tart

not two like the recipe shows and Bill said it could use more sun-dried tomatoes. 


I have some Super Bowl recipes coming up  in the next few weeks.  This tart will be on the 

menu for Super Bowl Sunday.




Sun-Dried Tomato and Onion Tart
Chef Martin Picard - Wall Street Journal

Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves 6-8

2 sheets thawed puff pastry, 9 x 9 inches
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups thinly sliced onions
4 - 6 springs thyme
salt, to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream (I substituted sour cream)
1 cup grated Gruyere
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, rough chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place sheets of puff pastry on a baking tray(s). Prick surface with a fork 
leaving a 1/2 inch boarder. Bake until pastry bottom is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Move to
a rack to cool

Prepare onions, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, thyme and a pinch of salt.  Cook, string occasionally, until onions turn golden and sweet, about 15 to 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix mustard with cream. When pastry is slightly cool, return to baking tray and spread with mustard mixture just to the 1/2 inch border.  Scatter half of the cheese over sauce and top with onions and sun-dried tomatoes, top with remaining cheese.

Return tray(s) to oven and bake until cheese melts and browns in spots about 15 minutes.

Jam Hands

Until Next Time,
Pam

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Gratitudes and Blessings

This week I am thankful for:

That we only got 5 inches of snow

That we did not go into the ditch when our truck slid backwards on the ice

The plentiful wood we have for the wood stove (it's nice and toasty in the house)

When we have gone into town we have been safe on the streets and parking lots

That Bill and I have both been healthy we so many people down with the flu



Snow coming down


Cedar City in a blanket of white

Until Next Time,
Pam



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Project Life - Week 2

Yesterday I missed blogging if it's going to happen Friday is the best day to miss.  Plus I wasn't prepared I didn't even get my Project Life done until today.

This week we had about 5 inches or snow, some strong winds and down right cold days and nights.  Tonight's low is suppose to be -9 and tomorrow night -12, this weekend calls for staying in my flannels.

We were so close to making it up to the house a few days ago but the driveway had other ideas we hit a patch of ice and slide backwards 10 or 12 feet and ended up sideways on the driveway.  I was thankful we stopped were we did another foot and we would have been in a 2 foot ditch.  The next day Bill went down and dug the tires out and was able to straighten the truck back onto the drive.

That was the main part of my Project Life page this week.  



I took a photo of the last of the dead leaves on the Aspen tree after the winds we had this week the tree is now bare.  I love the photo of Olive and Bill in the truck even though it's a little dark.  

Even with the trip backwards in the truck it was a nice week and I do enjoy watching the snow fall.  With the wind it made it very interesting the snow would be going to the right and then to the left within a split second.  I thought there would be a lot more snow but once the wind died down so did the snowfall.

Until Next Time,
Pam

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Food Love Thursday - Cookbooks

When we were getting our home ready to put on the market I was getting rid of things right and left.  China, antique furniture, collections I had and cookbooks.  I downsized my beloved cookbooks to just 3 boxes.  It was hard to let anything go but after 30 years of collecting it was time.

Just two months after moving into our house I started my blog and I met Jenny Hartin online.  Thanks to Jenny my cookbook collection grew 3 times the size.  Not only has Jenny helped me with my cookbook collection but also changed the way I cook.  I am trying new cooking styles and dishes I might have never tried.  Speaking of Jenny she started a fabulous Facebook Group The Cookbook Junkies.  A wonderful group of women and men that love to cook and collect cookbooks.  Everyone is so helpful when you have a question about a recipe, technique, reviews, giveaways and cookbooks this is your go to place.  

Recently I have been on a Texas Cookbook craze and I love all three of these although I have no intention of making the Calf Fries.








I think my next adventure into cookbooks in going to be Sushi any book recommendations? 

I hope you will join me over at The Cookbook Junkies you will be in good company

Until Next Time,
Pam

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Create: A Look Into A Scary Studio

One thing I loved about the house we bought was my space for a studio.  It is double the size I had in our last house and I now have a killer view from with a large window.  I am embarrassed to show these photos but maybe it will help get my butt in gear.

We will be in this house 2 years next week and my studio looks like a bomb went off in there.  I do not have enough storage space for all the things I have and I even downsized before we moved. I start going through boxes looking for something I need and I end up making a bigger mess in the room (I'm still looking for the battery to my Bose headphones).  I've gotten to the point I don't even want to go in the room it's in such disarray.  

 I don't have the money right now to buy the furniture I want to organize the room. A lot of the dressers I have I bought at yard sales and flea markets in California.  I have yet to find a flea market in Southern Utah and the furniture I have seen at yard sales and at thrift stores are so worn out.


The slopped walls are a challenge I can not have tall furniture but I am lucky to have a full bath which is really nice since my studio is above the garage.

I bought a copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios to help me get some ideas. I have been looking at studios on Pinterest, scrapbooking sites that people have posted.  Now it's time to see what will work for me and fit into my budget.  If you have any ideas please post them I would love to hear what you have to say.


I will be posting my progress here on Wednesday's.  I'm hoping that this will keep my on track and I will accomplish this feat in 2013.

Until Next Time,
Pam



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Recipe: Chewy, Chunky Blondies

We have had some beautiful blue skies the last few days only problem is we are lucky if the high temps go over freezing.  The snow is melting very slowly.  It's been over a week since we have been able to drive up to the house.  Bill thinks we will be able to make it up here by Thursday which is ironic since it is suppose to snow again on Friday.

With the cold temps and staying home more I have been in the mood to bake.  I have not baked as much as I did in California the high altitude baking is intimating.  I was going through my Dorie Greenspan cookbook Baking From my home to yours and decided to make her Chewy, Chunky Blondies.  I have to say they are delicious I still had some problems with the altitude they did not rise as high as hers did.  Half way through the baking I went into the kitchen and noticed I forgot to put the nuts in, oh well.

Chewy, Chunky Blondies
Dorie Greenspan, Baking From my home to yours


2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup Heath Toffee Bits
1 cup walnuts, rough chopped
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Center a rack in the over and preheat to 325 degrees - Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set on a baking sheet.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With a stand mixer and paddle attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.  Add both sugars and beat for another 3 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time beating for 1 minute after each addition., then beat in vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until they disappear into the batter.  Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chips, nuts and coconut. Place batter in the baking dish using the spatula to even the top the best you can.

Bake for approx. 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The blondies should be a honey brown and have pulled away from the sides of the pan. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from pan to cool on another rack until completely cooled.  Cut into 32 bars, each roughly 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches.

Time to put a pot of coffee on and enjoy these Blondies

Until Next Time,
Pam


Monday, January 7, 2013

Indulgence

Today I want to talk about indulgence I think 2013 is the year we need to self indulge and pamper ourselves.  Not only will it help us feel good about ourselves but think of our loved ones, our friends and our co-workers once we have recharged those batteries everyone will be thankful we did. Not saying I have been a bear to live with but as the saying goes "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."  We are caregivers, making sure our loved ones needs are taken care of first, this is the way God made us.  Just saying if we are good to ourselves we are good to others. 

One indulgence I have is Dove Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Swirl.  I stash a couple of bags in kitchen and have two a day.  I just let them melt in my mouth they are so silky and smooth and satisfying.  I can honestly say they make me happy. 


Another indulgence I have is I love homemade soap.  I have a special soap dish I got at Anthropologie a few years back and it is especially for  homemade soaps.  I keep it in the kitchen and after I am done doing the dishes I wash my hands and let the aroma of the soap clear my head.  I found these soaps on Etsy at Faith Soaps and Love


Maybe this is the year you take an online or local college class.  I would love to take a creative writing class, flower arranging or photography not only would I be expanding my horizons but I would be making my life beautiful too.

A trip to the spa, an evening with the girls at a local winery or a shopping trip to check out speciality shops would be a fun way to relax and recharge.  Some of my favorite shopping trips have been when my daughter and I would drive to Santa Barbara, Ojai and Solvang I love shopping at one of kind shops and having lunch at something other than a chain. 

Lets take a deep breath and embrace life

Until Next Time,
Pam










Sunday, January 6, 2013

Gratitudes and Blessings



2012 was a very bad year for my husband and I.  The worse it got the more negative I got and that is not me.  I am a upbeat optimistic person that let things get out of hand and mess my head up and I let myself become a victim.  This year I am getting back to the person I am and not letting setbacks get the best of me.

I am dedicating my Sunday blog to Gratitudes and Blessings.  Looking at the good stuff that is happening each week in my life will make more of an impact than the crappy things and hopefully with this attitude it scare the bad right out of my life.

This week I am thankful for

Good health for both my husband and myself

My Facebook Family that always puts a smile on my face

That even though my daughter is 7 hours away we are only minutes away from a phone call

That my daughter is happy and leading the life she was meant to live

That my daughter is in good health

That I have the sweetest English Bull Terrier Olive that makes me laugh everyday

That I have a husband that loves me and makes me laugh my ass off

That we had 5 days of having good water

I send Blessings to everyone out there and be kind to each other and try to pay it forward by surprising at least one person with a Random Act of Kindness this week.

Until Next Time,
Pam




Saturday, January 5, 2013

Project Life - My Life Over 52 Weeks - Week 1

I love scrapbooking but over the last few years I just have not been motived or inspired to do my 12 x 12 scrapbook pages.  I have felt drained and tapped out.  I even bought a couple of Smash Books and have yet to touch them.

The end of last summer I came upon Project Life scrapbooking on a couple of blogs. The more I checked it out on the internet the more I thought this is for me.  Here is a great article that pretty much sums up Project Life scrapbooking album Becky Higgins What is Project Life?

Saturday is now dubbed "Project Life" one of my resolutions for 2013 in to complete a Project Life scrapbook.  

Every week I will complete a Project Life page and share it here on Saturdays.  I know this will be a struggle since it seems the same things happens up here week after week.  I'm hoping this album will help me to break my boring routine and start switching things up in my life.

Week One


Until Next Time,

Pam




Friday, January 4, 2013

Free For All Friday - Books

Welcome to Free For All Friday.  Like Mondays I will be posting about whatever catches my fancy.  I might be talking about family, shopping, decorating, reading, you get the idea.   I am hoping that Mondays and Fridays will help me with my writing skills.

For this first Free For All Friday I am going to talk about the books I need to read.  First I need to go back in time to explain I was never a fan of reading.  Getting me to read in school was like pulling teeth.  Back then they did not know about learning disabilities and I have my share of them.  It wasn't until I was in my late 20's before I started enjoying reading.  However, it is still an ordeal for me to pick up that book and start reading.  If the book does not grab me by the 3rd chapter I don't usually finish it. In order for me to read it must be quiet, no TV or radio on, otherwise I could read a paragraph 4 or 5 times over before it sinks in.  I know this might sound strange but depending on the book (heavy reading) I must have a bright room to read, it helps me concentrate.  I am a slow reader it can take me up to a month to read a book.

I will buy books and it could be years before I start reading them it is almost like I have to psych myself up to crack it open.  I am going to share with you books I have bought at least a year ago (some 8 years ago) that I need to read.

Committed: A Love Story - Elizabeth Gilbert
Dreams of Joy - Lisa See
A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness
Coyote Blue - Christopher Moore
Black Heels to Tracker Wheels - Ree Drummond
The Tea House on Mulberry Street - Sharon Owens
Island of the Sequined Love Nun - Christopher Moore
The Stupidest Angel - Christopher Moore
Lamb - Christopher Moore
Virgin River - Robyn Carr
Must Love Dogs - Claire Cook

There are more books that I didn't list and I didn't even think about the books I downloaded onto my iPad.  I would be thrilled to get through half the books I listed.  My Goal for 2013 is not to read a certain number of books but to read.

Do you enjoy reading?  Do you prefer a book or reading off your Kindle, Nook, iPad?  I prefer a book but I have read 4 books on my iPad so far.

Until Next Time,
Pam

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Food Love Thursdays and a Recipe

Thursday's will be food related but not always a recipe.  I am looking forward to sharing new appliances and tools that I have purchased, cookbooks, food companies and other blogs that have inspired me.

 I have seen a lot of black-eyed recipes on blogs the last couple of days and thought I would add my Spicy Black-eyed Peas and Ham recipe.

Our tradition is to have Black-eyed peas for New Years it is suppose to bring good luck to the new year.  I don't fix the same recipe every year with my Nueske's Christmas Ham I thought this would be delicious and it did not disappoint me.

Spicy Black-Eyed Peas and Ham

1 lb dried black-eyed peas
10 oz smoked ham, diced (I used Nueske's Best Ham by far)
1 onion, diced
1 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasonings

Rinse black-eyed peas, remove any stones, place in crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours.  For less spicy cut the cajun seasonings 2 teaspoons and 1/4 cup jalapeños.
Serve with cornbread

Do you have any Food New Years Traditions?

Until Next Time,
Pam

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013 Will Be A Creative Year

Wednesday's will be dedicated to getting creative.  In the 1970's I use to embroider I was never very good at it and had a hard time with some of the stitches especially the french knot and I have yet to master that stitch.  

A few months ago I started buying the supplies needed to start doing embroidery again.  I am embracing my rustic simplistic style of embroidering.  I started working on some dish towels for my daughter for Christmas....I didn't get them done in time, in fact I am still working on them.  My daughter loves the 50's, 60's Rock-a-Billy so that will be my theme.

The first piece I am doing is a 1950's Fan Dancer which I found at Sublime Stitching. I have two of their books and have bought some of their transfers and threads.  They are fun and light-hearted.


This is the piece I am working on now

Another site that has useful information on embroidery and beautiful pieces of what I consider Art is Mary Corbet's Needle 'N Thread I also subscribe to Mary Corbet's You Tube videos and email newsletter.  The videos have helped me remember stitches and learn new stitches. I enjoy sitting on the sofa watching TV and embroidering.

I am looking forward to a creative 2013.

Until Next Time,
Pam

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Welcome 2013 and a Recipe

Happy New Year - Welcome 2013


Another goal for 2013 is to plan our menu I will admit it I have wasted food but that is going to change. I found a useful printable calendar at The TomCat Studio.  I saved it to my computer and typed in menu and I only printed out one month at a time.  I already have January done, printed and on my fridge.



With the new year and new blog format Tuesday's will be dedicated as "Recipe" Day
I saw these little sandwiches on Pinterest and they looked so good that I had to try them.
However, I did change the recipe more to my liking and they came out great.

King's Hawaiian Roast Beef and Ham Sandwiches
adapted from : Kings Hawaiian


1/4 lb deli roast beef, sliced
1/4 lb deli black forest ham, sliced
1/4 lb swiss cheese, thin sliced
1 fresh onion, chopped
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
dash of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350º In a sauce pan combine butter, mustard, worcestershire, cayenne, onion, salt and pepper and heat on medium low heat for 8 minutes.

Slice the entire pack of rolls horizontally, keeping the bottom and top intact.

Pour half the butter mixture on the bottom of the rolls.  On one side add the roast beef and the other side the ham top with the swiss cheese slices.  Pour the rest of the butter mixture on top of the cheese add the top of the rolls and place in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Until Next Time,
Pam

 
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