Life Does Need to Go On!!!!

OK....we are News broadcasted to the limit....back to regular programing.....but with an eye always to the TV and radio!!!!  Keep our fair city in your prayers...we are not out of the woods yet on all of this, but at least for now, breathing a sigh of relief!!!!  The fear that grips all of us is, this is only the beginning of the summer.....and it is so, very HOT!!!!! 

I promised a while back to post pictures of my New and Improved Studio....and Office....so here goes!!!
From each corner of the room:

Facing north west, from the office door.  Sorry, still have a few boxes of discontinued items on the cutting station I need to figure out what to do with. 

Facing south west toward the stairs and bathroom. There's space to add a 3rd table, and easily get around it!!!

Facing south east toward the office door.  On the far right...we now have a beverage/food station!!! 

Over the stairs, facing North east, from the bathroom door. 

And a sneek peek into the office I share with my Hubby. 

There's a small walk-in closet and 2 sets of bookcases off to the left.  This used to be a bedroom. 

It's good to have that project done....I will try and do a section each month, so it stays done!!!  I love the extra space, and I now know where everything is now!!!!  That is inspiring to me!!!!  My Studio used to be the Family Room...but I like it much better as  Studio...some day the carpet will come up and we will put either tile or stained concrete.  I'd also love to pull out the drop ceiling and paint the underside of the upstairs floor a dark gunmetal grey.  Steven doesn't like that idea. 

OK...time for some pictures....This first one is the Hostess gift that I gave to my June Hostesses, for a project that we did with Post -It Note Holders.

And these last 2 are cards that we did at Donna's this past month, we were using up leftovers....which is something I need to do...too many left overs!!!!  let me know if you'd like to come make left-over and recycled cards, and we'll plan a play-date.  I also have some Halloween projects I want to put together...another play-date!!! 

And now...how about a recipe....  This is a fruit dish I did for my Open House earlier this month.  It was sooo... hot, and I was trying to keep the refreshments light.

Pineapple Mint Julep

2 TBLS. apple juice.

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint plus 2 TBLS. whole small fresh mint leaves

1 TBL. sugar

1 (2-lb.) extra sweet pineapple

Stir juice, chopped mint, and sugar in a small bowl.  Let stand 20 minutes to allow flavor of mint to develop.  Meanwhile, trim, peel, quarter , and core pineapple, then cut crosswise into 1/8 inch thick slices and transfer to a serving bowl.  Pour juice mixture through a sieve onto pineapple.  Add whole mint leaves and gently toss.  Enjoy and Bon Appetite!!!!  

Too Hot, Too Smoky, Too Much FIRE!!!!

I apologise for not posting....our lives are kinda upside down right now.  We are on the East Side of Colorado Springs, watching our city literaly burn to the ground.  This fire is really so very, very awful.  Thought I would just post a few pictures.  We are safe right now....just to update you....

West from my front porch

North from my front porch

Chapel at the Air Force Academy

The aftermath of Tuesday's firestorm

Need I say more...I will post when I can...we are pretty much glued to the news feeds, it changed so fast yesterday, and could do that again today, so someone needs to be listening at all times.

A very HOT Day!!!!

Hottest it has ever been here....we kinda laid low today.  I didn't post yesterday, due to being glued to the TV all day for updates on the fires.  They seemed to be breaking out everywhere.  The biggest, close one is in Waldo Canyon, on the east side of the Springs.  Today one broke out in Elbert and they evacuated the town, so we really had a close eye on that one.  It seems to be doing better now. 

Been movin' slow on the Office clean out...it is just so hot.  But all the desks, bookcases, etc are cleaned out, and moved....All the piles are gone!!!!  And the closet is almost done.  It is huge in here now.  We will be able to put the exercise bike back in here again!!!!  Then all I will need to do is put the piles in my Studio, into the closet here and under the stairs, and I am DONE!!!!  Will get pictures of it all then.  I can't believe I can see the end!!!! 

If anyone out there wants one of the Polar Bear figurines that Stampin' Up! did up many years ago...I have a bunch of them.  FREE, just need to pay for postage!!!!  E-mail or call me. 

Here's the picture of the note card that was inside my note box from the other day....

 And these next 2 cards were from our stamp day at Donna's this past month....we were using up odds and ends!!! 

The other day when it cooled down into the 60's....it seemed much cooler, since it has been soo...HOT.  I decided to make soup for dinner.  Here's my recipe!!!

Broccoli-Cauliflower Soup

1-1/2 cups water

1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

1 (10 oz) package frozen cauliflower, thawed

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 tsp. chicken-flavored bouillion granules

1/4 tsp. ground mace

1 Tbl. cornstarch

3 cups milk, divided

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1.  Combine first 5 ingredients in a small Dutch oven.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Cook 5-8 minutes until vegetables are tender.  Do not drain.  Stir in mace.
2. Transfer vegetable mixture in batches to container of an electric blender, cover and process until smooth.  
3. Return vegetable mixture to Dutch oven.
4. Dissolve cornstarch in 1/2 cup milk, stir into vegetable mixture.
5. Add remaining milk, salt and pepper, stir well.
6. Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.  

Enjoy and Bon Appetite!!!!

The air is definatly cooler now...but with it, is a very strong smoke smell....and  now I can't stop sneezing....so will end here!!!

New Accessory Sampler Share

OK....I have it all put together....the other Sampler Share I talked about is all set to roll out.  It consists of 2 yards of each of the 10 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (20 yards total), one of each of the 5 In Color Dahlias (5 total), 2 of each of the 3 Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (6 total), and 2 of each of the 3 Naturals Designer Buttons (6 total).  All this for only $17.50.  If I have to mail them, add $3.00. This is fun, fun, fun ribbon.

You can also still get the In-Color Ribbon Sampler Share.  I am making them up on an as needed basis.  Check both out by going to the Clubs/Kits tab of my Blog. 

Sorry Mr Bear doesn't come with it...He helps me package them all up!!!! 

Steven had an inspection down in Pueblo yesterday, so I tagged along, and after we went out to lunch at Olive Garden.  Loved the Skinny Peach Tea drink....Soup (Zuppa), Salad and Breadsticks were yummy!!!!  He can have an inspection out of town at least once a week, I can find time to go!!!!  It had been so hot all week, I was concerned about the HOT drive, but a cold front came thru, and it was actually cool!!!!  Very pleasant trip. 

I am so behind in posting pictures.....Here is one of the Show and Tell projects I did for Stamper's 10 in May,  using the Tap Dancing Technique.  These are little CD cases that have note cards inside...will post the cards tomorrow.  These will be part of my gifts to my roommate,Paula,  and Downline that go to Convention. 

These next 2 cards are, I think from our get together at Melissa's, but I could be wrong on that one.....we seem to be using this ship alot!!!!

Time for a recipe.  When I was a kid, they first came out with Hamburger Helper, I must have been Middle School age.  My Mom didn't let me help in the Kitchen much, but she would let me help with these....and we seemed to have them alot.  I loved them so much.  Fast forward to now...and we know that all that processed food is not too good for us....but I still love Hamburger Helpers.  So, I have developed  many recipes that are similar.  Here is my Beeferoni Mac.  This one still has a Mac and Cheese pkg...so it still is not 100% healthy...but it is good!!!

Beeferoni Mac

 

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 (7-1/4-oz.) Mac and Cheese dinner

2 cups water

1/2 cup Barbeque sauce

1 cup tomatoe sauce

1/2 onion, chopped

In a large non-stick skillet, brown meat on medium high heat and drain.  Add macaroni, water and barbeque sauce.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and cover.  Simmer 8 minutes, stirring twice.  Stir in cheese sauce mix and tomato sauce, cook until heated through, adding onions just before the end.  Makes 4 servings.  Enjoy and Bon Appetite!!!

Have a class tonight, so got ready for that, then worked on my August Class.....gonna be a fun one!!!!

The Studio is ALL done...will get pictures after I clean up from tonights' class....but I am SOOO.... glad that is done.  Now I'm onto the office.  Worked on my desk and computer area today.  A clean desk is so motivating!!!!  Top is almost done...and the drawers will be quick....everything was on the top!!!!  No, seriously, I just moved into this desk, not too long ago, and the drawers still have Steven's stuff in them....so I will be giving all of that to him....and I will have empty drawers!!!

Well, I ment to get more fun things on here, but it's almost time for class....so will end it here!!!!

Spent yesterday, fervently doing all the catch-up things you do on a weekend, so that I could work on photos and the downstairs today!!!   Got the area under the stairs all cleaned up, the room is basically done, as soon as I get the Stair way closet and the office closet done, so I can put the last piles of stuff away!!!  WooHoo!!!!  Feels so good.  So, got home from church and started scanning pictures.  Goal is to have all the old pictures scanned into the computer by the end of the summer....there are alot of pictures...so that means scanning some every weekend!!!!

Now I'm onto the closet under the stairs.  ALL the Christmas decorations have to come out and be re-organized, and they are going into the Storage room.  Have been wanting to tackle that job the past 2 Christmas's.....just didn't happen!!!  We will see how much of this I get done!!!

Well, I have some cards here from last months RMI swap, and since we meet again this week, I better get these posted.

This was my swap....love the square lattice die!!!!

I believe Jackie did this one....wish we still carried the flower embellishment.

And this one is Leatha's  beautiful!!!!

Been on a cooking kick lately!!!!  Here is the recipe for a dessert that I did for Memorial Day,.....it was sooo...Yummy!!!!

Striped Delight

35 Oreo Cookies

6 TBLS butter, melted

1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tbls. cold milk

1-12 oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed

3-1/4 cups cold milk

2 pkgs. (3.9 oz. each) Chocolate Instant Pudding

Process cookies in food processor until fine crumbs form.  Transfer to a medium bowl, mix in butter.  Press onto bottom fo 13 x 9 "   dish.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Whisk cream cheese, sugar, and 2 Tbls. milk in medium bowl until blended.  Stir in 1-1/4 cups Cool Whip, spread over crust.

Beat pudding mixes and 3-1/4 cups milk with whisk, 2 min., pour over cream cheese layer.  Let stand 5 min. or until thickened, cover with remaining Cool Whip.  Refrigerate 4 hours.  Enjoy, and Bon Appetite!!!

Slow-down Day

YEAH!!!!  Got the Storage room all cleaned out, cleaned up and things put back in where they belong.  One whole side is totally empty, waiting for Christmas and seasonal decorations, and there is still a half shelf on the other side of the Storage unit, so as I clean out under the stairs, the stair closet and the office, I have places to put stuff.  So, since my Stamper's 10 group meets tomorrow night, I need to get the stack of stuff by the stairs that goes out...up the stairs....so a fairly leisurely day.  If I get it all done, will start on under the stairs!!!!  It was sooo..... dusty in there...I sneezed all day yesterday....so glad that is all done.  Found some of the weirdest things.  3 boxes of partial packages of craft things.  You know how when you get supplies for a craft project, project calls for 3 of something, but it is only sold in a package of 15.....so I had 3 boxes of excess STUFF....was too lazy to find it's true home...that needs to stop!!!!  Then found our first laptop...an Early Digital Equipment Notebook....Nick will get a kick out of that...told Steven to put it on E-bay. 

Lets do some cards!!!!

This first one is from last months' Stamper 10.  It uses the Tap Dancing technique...and I think everyone really enjoyed it.  I am starting back up a Technique Club, in the fall, and this is something we would do in that.  We learn a technique each month, make a page for our technique book, and then make a project with that technique.  Have a wait list started....will contact everyone sometime in August to set it up.  So if this is something that interests you, let me know.  Cost will be $4.00 per class!!!!  Such a deal. 

This next card is the last of the projects that Joan had us do last month at RMI.....Love this card!!!

And finally one of the swap cards I got last month at RMI.  Carol did this card....great colors!!!!

How about a recipe.....Made this a few weeks ago....I t makes a huge batch, so we had it again a few days later, and I cooked up a few chicken breasts and diced them up and added to it....was really good, so I would add the Chicken and make a full meal of it!!!!

Jamaican Curried Rice

2 tsp. olive oil

1 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup green onions, sliced

2 TBL. curry powder

3 cups hot cooked rice

1/4 cup sugar

2 TBL. lime juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1 (20-oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained

1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed & drained

1/2 cup salted cashews

In a medium skillet, heat oil.  Cook and stir bell pepper and onions 2-3 minutes.  Add curry powder, stir 30 seconds.  In a medium bowl, combine rice, sugar, lime juice and salt.  Stir in cooked vegetable mixture, pineapple and black beans. Rice may be served warm or room temperature.  Sprinkle with cashews just before serving.  Makes 8 servings.  Enjoy, and Bon Appettie!!!!

Day Off!!!

Spent the day with a great group of ladies, my Red Hat group.....We went to the Money Museum...learned alot, and then to the Dale Street Cafe for a scrumptious lunch. Had the Grilled Chicken Asian Salad, and it was really good. 

I'm starting to get a stack of cards on my computer desk....so I must be getting behind in showing them to you!!!!  This first one was from last months' Stamper 10 Club.  It was an extra book mark I made up just to show what else you could do with bookmarks....this one is very simple, but my favorite!!!!

The next 2 are projects that Joan had us do at RMI last month.

Great cards!!!!  Lovin' the new Memory Box Dies!!!

Haven't done a recipe in a while....We had a plethora of apples in this house a while back...and they needed to get used or they would have been wasted.  So we did apple sauce and apple salad and Waldorf Salad.  I love Waldorf Salad...was something we got as kids when we had really special company!!! And it's so easy!!!!

Waldorf Salad

3 medium Red Delicious Apples, cored and diced
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbls. lemon juice

1. Combine apple, celery and raisins in a medium bowl.
2. Combine mayonnaise and lemon  juice, stirring well.  Add mayonnaise mixture to fruit, and toss lightly to coat.
3. Cover and chill.  Yields 5 servings.

Lemon Cookies...Yumm!!!!

Spent the day cookin' up a storm for the Open House tomorrow.  We will be having Pineapple Mint Julip.....minus the Bourbon...there may be kids here!!!!  Salmon Cheese Ball with crackers....yummy.  And then Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookies....that came out Awesome.  We will be also using these in one of the make-n-Takes!!!!

I used the Stampin' Up! Cookie Press....they look so much cuter in real life!!!! 

Let's share some cards...first one is the bookmark we did at last month's Stamper 10.  They came out really cute!!!

These next 2 are the last 2 projects that we did at Melissa's last month. 

Fun Summer card!!!

Again...this group loves Fluffles. 

If you are out this way tomorrow between 1:00-4:00, stop by!!!!

Ribbon Share

Finally got this together....the 2012-14 In-Color Ribbon Share, is ready to roll out.  You get 3 yards of each color for $16.50, a great way to sample the new luscious Stitch Satin Ribbon....and it is rich!!!! (if I have to mail them, shipping is $3.00)  I am taking orders for this, and will be making them up on an as needed basis.  Call or e-mail me!!!!

Mid Week....

Worked on classes and projects all yesterday afternoon, and devoted the evening to the Storage room....can ya tell, I was still stalling.  I did get the 2 shelving units that hold all the Sam's stuff, cleaned out and organized.(which is timely since we went to Sam's this AM)  I am now the go-to person in Falcon if you need Sugar(60 lbs.) Pasta and P-nut Butter.  Oh my!!!!

Today, I'm working on some classes, and cleaning out the other 2 shelving units that hold all the kitchen stuff that is too big to fit into my tiny kitchen.  When that is done, you will be able to walk in there, and get to the furnace and hot water heater...which will make Steven very happy!!!!

How about some Sample Cards?   Haven't posted the projects we did at last months Stamper 10 because I used them again for my Workshop at Lisa's this weekend.  We started with some cute corner bookmarks, and here is the one I did up for our hostess Stephanie....except her's had an "S" on it!!!!

 And these 2 are projects that we did at Melissa's this past month. 

Gotta love Fluffles!!!!

Great man card.

Had lots of leftover vegis in the fridge the other evening...and they needed to get cooked or pitched...so I made this recipe.

Roasted Vegetables with Dip

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup sour cream

2 Tbls. salsa

1 clove garlic, minced

1 medium sweet red bell pepper

1 medium green bell pepper

1 medium yellow summer squash

1 medium red onion

12 mushrooms

1 Tbls. olive oil

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa and garlic.  refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 450.  Cut peppers and squash into 1 1/2-inch pieces;  slice onion into wedges.  In a large bowl, combine mushrooms, peppers and onion.  Drizzle evenly with oil;  toss to coat.  Place in a single layer in an ungreased 10 x 15-inch baking pan.  Bake uncovered for 10 minutes.  Serve with dip.  Enjoy and Bon Appettite!!!!

Moving on...Studio Saga!!!!

Bathroom is done...Yeah!!!!  Just have some storage tubs in there that are destined for the office closet, once I get it cleaned.  Today I got the little bookcase between the bathroom and the storage room, that holds all my cookbooks totally cleaned out....yuck, books are major dust collectors!!!!  Sneeze, sneeze, sneeze!!!  Now, I'm kinda dragging my feet...the Storage Room must be next so things have a place to go......and I don't want to do it....I know I will feel so good once it's done....but...oh Yuck!!!!  It is such a major mess...if you saw it you would think it is something out of Hoarders....TeeHee!!!   

So to stall some more...How about some pictures....These were all projects that we did at Melissa's last month. 

Love the colors on this one...sorry it's crooked!!!

Great Man's card!!!

Love anything with trees

Now...we'll stall a bit more, and do a recipe....This was the dessert I made, for when my Aunt and Uncle were here....When I first looked at it...it didn't turn me on...but looked interesting....WELL...it was fantastic....a great summertime recipe.

Orange Cream Dessert Squares

1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough

2 Tbls. grated orange peel(from 2 large oranges)

2 pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup Orange Marmalade

1/4 tsp. orange extract

2 eggs

3 Tbls. heavy whipping cream

2 drops orange food coloring

1 1/2 tsp. butter

1/2 cup white vanilla baking chips

1. Heat oven to 350 F.  Press cookie dough evenly on bottom an 1 inch up sides of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish.  Sprinkle evenly with orange peel.
2.  In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, marmalade, and extract on medium high for about 1 minute.  Add eggs, beat about 2 minutes, until creamy.  Spread evenly in crust.
3. Bake 29-36 Minutes until crust is golden brown, and center is set.  Cool 1 hour.
4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave whipping cream and food coloring uncovered on High about 30 seconds.  Add butter, and baking chips, stir until chips are melted. Spread mixture evenly over bars.  Refrigerate about 1 1/2 hours till chilled and firm.
5. To serve, cut into 6 x 4 rows using a thin sharp knife, and wiping blade often.  Cover and refrigerate remaining squares....if there are any.  Will have to make this again for a Bar-b-Que.   Enjoy, and Bon Appetite!

I think the storage room can wait till tomorrow!!!!  

 

Busy Friday!!!

All I have left of the Studio is the area under the stairs....but I have run out of room for "stuff"....so I need to clean out the Bathroom(yes, I have stuff stored in the Bathroom), storeroom, beneath the stairs and the office.....Hopefully once that is done, I can get stuff out of the Bathroom, and make the area under the stairs a beverage area for events!!!!  That's the plan!!!!  I haven't cleaned out those other areas in years...so it is really a necessity!!!!  Most of the problem is just re-organizing!!!!  Got the piles of stuff away from the Bathroom door, so we actually have a full door into the Bathroom again...Yeah!!!! 

Gettin' there!!!!

Got everything boxed up for the garage sale tomorrow....and upstairs into the garage.  It's raining on and off...so can't load the truck until morning...Steven wants me to take the Easy Up...for the sun and rain.  Will take it and see.

How about some cards...these are swaps and project cards from our stamp day at Melissa's!!!

Good Men's Swap!!!

Great B-day Swap

This was one of our projects...lovin' those Memory Box Dies!!!