Cards of the Week - Week 4

Just made these cards under the wire for the week.  Made these on Sunday afternoon, so 4 weeks and counting and I'm starting to finally build up a small inventory of cards and use up existing stock.

I used the CAS(E) this Sketch #12 for my inspiration:

And here are my versions:

Another fun week of card-making.  Thanks for visiting and as always I love, love, love comments.

Rah Rah Rah!

I had to share this.  It's just too adorable for words.

The cutest MSU Cheerleader EVER.

A Change of Plans

Our plan today was to go down to the Detroit Auto Show.  I'm going to be in the market for a new car later this year and I thought it would be good to check out various brands and models while all in one place.

My Favorite Painting of the Day (Van Gogh)

One would think going down to Cobo on a Wednesday morning would be a good time to go.  NOT!!

No parking.  All the parking decks and garages were all blocked for permit parking only.  We did find one open lot where we could have left the car with our keys for $15 and then hike over to Cobo.  I wasn't happy about leaving my keys, so we headed out searching again.  After 30 minutes of driving around and around (with everyone else), I got fed up with the whole thing and we headed out of Dodge.

Since we were headed North on Woodward, I got the idea of going to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) instead.  We found easy parking and spent the next 4 hours leisurely traversing the halls of the museum.

BW's Favorite Painting of the Day (Eaton)

We will need to make another trip back to the DIA as we only made it through about half of the museum.  We are looking forward to seeing the rest.

All and all, a wonderful day and a vast improvement over the Auto Show.

(Neither of these photos does justice to the real thing.  Go check them out if you are in the area.)

Cards of the Week - Week 3

I'm loving the card sketch for this week over at CAS(E) this Sketch.  It's so simple and yet so clever.  You should really go visit and see all the amazing cards they created.  Just lovely and so inspiring.

Here is this week's sketch:

And here are my interpretations.

Version 1:

Version 2:

I had so much fun making these and now we are off to a wedding where we will be using one of these cards.

And Linda B, if you stop by...this is one of the medallion stamps that I won from you.  I've gotten a lot of use out of that set.  So thanks.

Have a great week-end.

Pistachio Encrusted Salmon Salad

There is a restaurant in Detroit called Union Street.  I can never remember the name, in fact I just had to Google it for this post.  We eat there a few times a year after of before some event downtown.  They have a very big menu, but I get the same thing every time I go.  Pistachio Encrusted Salmon Salad.  It's delicious.

I recreated the salad at home the other night.  It had blanched asparagus, mozzarella balls and tomatoes and made some homemade ranch dressing.  Super yummy.

Next time I will use the food processor to chop up the pistachios to make a finer topping.

Cards of the Week - Week 2

Granted it's only the 2nd week of 2013, but I did get two cards made for my two cards a week campaign.  And after reading Carol's recent card post over at The Answer is Chocolate, I've decided that I need to use up my existing stock of supplies.  No running out to Joann's for new inspiration.

I used the CAS(E) this Sketch for inspiration.

I thought it's simplicity was the real challenge.

Here are my two interpretations:

Two cards and homemade jam all in one week.  Yeah!

I Made Jam!!

I received 3 pints of fresh strawberries driven up from Florida.  They were at the point where they needed to be used quickly.  So, I decided to make strawberry jam.  Having never made jam before...this was an exciting prospect.

I've also been wanting to do some canning.  My mom and I canned tomatoes 20+ years ago and I haven't done any canning since but I've been so wanting to get into it again.  

I ran out and picked up a few essentials.  Large pot, grippers, funnel and small jars and I was ready to go.

I searched the internet for a variety of recipes and ended up doing a mash up of a couple recipes.  Here's what I finally did:

3 pints washed, cored and sliced strawberries
2 cups sugar
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced

Add all ingredients in large pot (dutch oven).  Cook on medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved.  Continue rolling boil for about 20 minutes.  I mashed up the berries at this point, because I don't like huge chunks of strawberry in my jam.

Pour jam into still warm sterilized jars* leaving 1/4" space at the top.  Place lids on jars and screw on tops until fingertip tight.  Carefully place jars in large pot of boiling water.  Process of 10 minutes.  Carefully remove jars with grippers and let cool.  Each jar lid should pop.  Check when cooled to make sure that none of the lids flex up and down when pressed.

*For the sterilized jars wash them in warm soapy water.  Rinse well and dry with paper towel. Place on cookie sheet and keep warm in 275 degree preheated oven for 25 minutes.  The lids and caps were washed and then kept warm in a pot of hot water on the stove (not boiled).

Now...I haven't opened one yet, but I'll let you know how they taste as soon as we do.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Card Making 2013 Goal Week 1

I am following in the steps of Patrice over at The Old Back Porch.  She started in 2012 making a card per week.  I want to do that for 2013, but I also want to put a spin on it.  I want to make two cards at the same time with a similar layout, but some variation on the same theme.  I am hoping to build up some stock of pre-made cards.  Currently I make them and use them almost immediately.

Here are the cards for Week #1:

I didn't follow any sketch, but I did find a card posted on Pinterest that gave me my inspiration.

As for building up stock...I've already used these two cards.  Oh, well.  The goal is to just keep going.

Wish me luck.

Christmas Mantel

I posted my fall mantel a few weeks ago, so I thought I better post my Christmas mantel, especially since I'm about to start the annual de-Christmasing process.

All of my children and grandchildren have their own stockings, so "my cup runneth over" so to speak.  (If you know what movie used this line to perfection...I will reward you in some way.)

Here is my tree with the creche built by my father.  The tree base actually sits on top of the creche (manger).  It is a very special memory for me.

Due to my current unemployment status, I opted to make as many gifts as I could.  This included 11 infinity scarves.

This photo basically sucks, but it gives you the hint of what I created.

I also made this peppermint chocolate bark for Rick.  The recipe was in the December edition of Food Network magazine and it's meant to mimic the Williams Sonoma version.  It was fun to make and he said it was delicious.

And finally...this is my favorite Christmas photo.  Uncle Mike and Luke chillin' on Christmas morning. He was pleased as punch to have Uncle Mike all to himself.

Time to start de-Christmasing.