PJ's Life and Stuff

DIY Disney Autograph Book

2012-01-21T14:21:00.003-05:00

Methodology: Make an inexpensive book for Disney Characters to sign, that can be disassembled after the vacation for scrapbooking purposes.

Supplies:

12x12 White Cardstock - you get 4 autograph pages per piece of cardstock.

Chip Board

Disney Themed Scrapbook Paper

Ribbons

2 Split Rings

Glue Stick

Hole-Punch

Ruler

Rolling Pin

12x12 Paper Trimmer

Heavy Duty Paper Trimmer

Using the Paper Trimmer cut your cardstock to 7 inches first. Cut the 7 x 12 piece into three 4-inch pages. Take the left over piece and cut it to 7 inches and then cut one 4-inch piece. Repeat with each card stock sheet until you get the desired number of pages.

Using a heavy duty paper trimmer cut the Chipboard into two 5x8 pieces. Using the hole-punch and ruler punch holes in the “pages” within 1-inch of the end. Punch coordinating holes in the Chip Board, insuring the holes will allow the split rings to pass through and close.

Take one piece of the chip board and cover it with glue stick. Place your desired piece of paper on the glue side of the chip board and press HARD using the rolling pin. You will need to let this set. Trim off excess paper. Once you have it secured using the holes in the chip board as your guide cut holes in the paper. Repeat with the other piece of chip board. Remember to designate one as the front cover and one as the back cover and decorate accordingly.

Decorate the front of your book. Feed the split rings through the back cover, pages and finally the cover and snap closed. Tie ribbons on the split rings to decorate.

A Years worth of Con Wrap Up

2011-09-17T07:53:00.002-04:00

I finally have some time and brain cells to make a post con blog. 2011 Con was very different for me, simply because I went from being an Eternal Member to being a Track Director.

A very good friend of mine asked me this question: "Why did you take your favorite vacation and turn it into a job?" I have been asked this question a lot, in a lot of different ways.

The answer to that question is complicated and easy at the same time. I have never had enough faith in myself to accomplish anything big. Others in my life have faith in me and believe in me. But I never do. When this directorship was offered to me, it scared me. I mean it *scared* me. Failure flashed before my eyes and I had not even accepted the position. And for some reason I decided on the spot, that I was going to accept the challenge and I was going to give it 100% effort. If I failed, I failed but I was going to try.

So with a not so hidden lack of confidence I attended my first directors meeting. I knew a sum total of two people personally in that room of directors. I forgot what being the newbie/freshman/rookie felt like. I was the "kiddy girl". People said, "oh you are taking on the kiddy track! LOL" Nice. Perfect. Standing on the edge of the ultimate insiders club looking in.

Refusing to be forted, I dug into my new job. With some help and lots of luck, I put together a staff. With several re-directs and edits between January and July we hashed out a Track schedule. Sometimes I felt like I was driving blind, sometimes I felt just fine. Sometime I did the right thing, sometimes I did the complete opposite.

The week before convention I was an uptight bundle of nerves on the edge. The ultimate unknown. I had 6 days of uncharted waters staring me in the face. 7 people relying on me to be the boss and 45,000 people looking at my schedule. My newly Loyal KT parents helped ease the transition along with a great staff. Thursday was a total FUBAR. Friday was different. I was nervous, yes but I wasn't afraid to fail. I had made the best plan possible and we were fixing to execute that plan. That is all I could do and I knew it. Friday, Saturday and Sunday went by in a busy, crazy blur. I was blown away by full panels and excited kids. Thankful parents. Fantastic Panelists. No one exploded into flames. No one got arrested. No children were abandoned. It wasn't perfect but it was better than I expected.

Monday felt like a day in slow motion. The last panels, track wrap up, packing out the room. Dead Dog. By this time unknowns be damned, I was eating my free meal and I was going to like it. I sat at a table full of people I didn't know and I didn't care.

Dave: You were my partner in crime the whole way. Never saying no, never accepting failure. Always being supportive with out being enabling. Three Words: Gummy Bear Lamps. Love you.

Suz: You were my sounding board. You kept me straight, didn't put up with my crap and knew when to take my phone away. You took care of more than I could have ever hoped for. Thanks and much love.

Cookie and Barrie: Thank you for supporting me even though you didn't understand why. Breakfast was never so wonderful as it was with you.

Bev and Jason: Your hospitality every two months is greatly appreciated. I still owe you some kind of casserole.

David G: Thanks for holding my hand, putting up with my worrying and letting me work things out for myself.

Now, it starts all over again, I hope.

Star Wars Themed Crafts

2011-08-25T18:02:00.008-04:00

During Dragon Con, I will be a panelist on "It's a Craft" on the Star Wars at Dragon Con Fan Track. I was asked to post pictures here for future referral which I am more than happy to do.

Instruction Sheets:

Scrabble Tiles

Altered Journals

Zombie Apocalypse - how are you going to eat?

2011-07-26T11:54:00.004-04:00

In my continuing blog series on the impending Zombie Apocalypse, I found an item I thought could be useful. One thing you have to count on when it comes to Zombies is you have to be able to travel fast. That also assumes you must be able to travel light. I have found something that fits that bill.

The Light My Fire Spork. You can find them on the web here.

Davo found mine at an outlet mall for me. I take my lunch most days so it is currently very useful. I have one big one and two smaller ones.

The Zombie Apocalypse

2011-07-13T12:00:00.001-04:00

After watching a show called the 100 best tech gadgets ever, Dave and I have starting making a list of things to have to survive the Zombie Apocalypse. It started out as a running joke for a couple of days but now it has blossomed into a full blown obsession.

Our first list consisted of: A Zippo Lighter, a MagLight Flashlight, a Leatherman Tool, one of those army knives and a hand crank radio,

Then we added fuel for the Zippo Lighter and one of those shake flash lights people sold during the Y2K scare.

Then I decided we would need to be able to eat so I figured you had to have cast iron pans to cook with. The premise being that there would be no electricity so you would have to cook over an open flame/camp fire and cast iron is the best way (just ask any cowboy you might meet.) In that spirit I spent the weekend cooking in my cast iron dutch ovens (I have two) and plotting how to convert my recipes into cooking over low/slow heat.

So I decided to blog about the Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit. Stay Tuned.

Shoppe Hop

2011-06-22T17:00:00.003-04:00

Thank you for stopping by. At the Scrapbook Shoppe, the design team decided to try a Shoppe Hop. We were given the same set of papers and asked to make a layout. The paper are: Reminisce I Can Count, Reminisce Wild Boy Stripe and Reminisce Let's Ride.

My design also included these items from the Shoppe: Color Box Cat Eyes in Chalkboard and Creamy Brown, Black Stickles, 12x12 card stock in red, yellow and brown. From my stash at home I used: Close to My Heart Alphabet Stamps, Black Ink, Waxed Twine and Buttons.

Your next stop on the hop is Sandy's Blog. Don't forget to stop the the Scrapbook Shoppe to see Judy's designs and to pick up the supplies.

More Disney

2011-06-19T19:52:00.003-04:00

This is what I worked on today. Both turned out very different than I had planned.

New! Disney Pages

2011-06-19T11:44:00.003-04:00

I have had the Disney mojo going for some time now. I sat down and designed some pages for my best friend. She will have her pick of these pages next year to make her own Disney Scrapbook.

Bottle Cap Key Chains

2011-06-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

I am playing around with some crafts trying to make give-aways for the Kaleidoscope Track. What do you think?

3 Sister's Photo Organization Plan

2011-05-08T07:31:00.001-04:00

When most of us decide to start scrap booking, our first hurdle is usually a huge stack of photos. No matter the subject or the number of photos, it is typically a large pile. Organization of these photos is the key. I will site an example from my past .

After my grandmother passed away, my Aunt Shirley took possession of 93 years of photographs that spanned at least 5 generations. My Aunt wanted to divide the pictures between herself, my mother and my Aunt Lucy. She gave it the good ole college try and ended up with 3 big overwhelming piles of pictures instead of one. My Mom called me to help out. I purchased some CM Photo Sorting Boxes and instructed everyone to bring a shoe box and a package of index cards. I also brought along 3 of David's shoe boxes. He wears a size 15 so, his shoe boxes are pretty big.

I decide the pictures would be sorted by the following categories: Wife/Husband, Child #1, Child #2, Child #3. Then any grand kids, great grand kids would be sorted under their Parent "child". There was also another shoe box for things like group shots, family friends or professional shots. We used the shoe boxes to sort the photos and the index cards as tab dividers with subjects written on the cards. The pictures were divided into in the shoe boxes. Once all the dups or "throw away" pictures were sorted out, the shoe boxes were then sorted in to the Large CM Photo Storage boxes for long term/dark storage. At the end of the weekend each "sister" had organized box of pictures to take home.

Using my story as an example, take your pile of pictures and sort them. Make large over all themes and then sort down into more detail. This works just as well digitally on your computer. If you chose to sort electronically, make large general subject folders, sort pictures into general folders. Then inside each general folder sort pictures into smaller more detailed groups. It has to make sense to you, that is what matters. Not everyone feels the need to sort chronologically. Sort by vacation, theme, subject, holiday.

During your first big sort of pictures, do not worry about page layouts. If you find yourself in a creative mode and ideas are coming to you, write them down on a legal pad.

A CM Small Photo Storage Box and a Shoe Box Example

An Example of the photos with the index card in between.

Creative Memories Photo Storage Link

Recent Projects

2011-04-24T13:37:00.000-04:00

I have not posted projects in a while. So I wanted to post a recap of some projects that I have been working on.

4ever friendz A class I attended at the Scrapbook Shoppe. Teacher: Cheryl Stoddard

Summer Fun Class. I will be teaching this in May at The Scrapbook Shoppe.

An Easter Card Class that I attended. It was taught by my friend Claire Delamater at the Scrapbook Shoppe.

Sunburn...yes...pain...NO!

2011-04-15T06:44:00.000-04:00

I spent Wednesday taking pictures at the Best Ranger Sponsor Challenge. My company helped sponsor the "real" Best Ranger Challenge that is going on this weekend.

Even though I put on SPF 30 at 5 am by 2 pm I needed to reapply and didn't bring the SPF 30 with me. So I was crispy.

Because I work for a company that owns health food stores, I knew they had something that would help and here it is. Aloe Life Skin Gel

This product ROCKS. After 3 applications the redness and pain are gone. I will probably still peel, but right now that is okay.

Find this product in your area.

A bit of a new focus

2011-04-12T12:09:00.000-04:00

For those that might regularly follow this blog, I plan on making an addition to the topics that I post here. Historically this blog has been for my scrapbooking pages, class projects and recipes. I will be adding to this information on my new volunteer project: Dragon Con's Kaleidoscope Track.

What is the Kaleidoscope Track? Glad you asked. This track in new to Dragon Con and here is our offical 150 word description:

Do you enjoy Disney, Nick, and Cartoon Network? Dragon*Con's newest track Kaleidoscope is just for you. We will feature traditional D*C programming, host some activities and work with other tracks in shared interests. We will talk about shows like Wizards of Waverly Place, Tower Prep, House of Anubis, Phineaus and Ferb as well as the all-time favorite, Spongebob Squarepants. We will target 9-13 year olds but will include parents and kids at heart! Parental involvement is required in all activities for any person under the age of 18.

I have been secretly working on this since January 2011 and it has taken up a ton of my time and brain power. I am the Track Director which means I am incharge of the Track's activies, staff, media guests, problems, sucesses and anything else you can think of. I have found it challanging and rewarding! I am enjoying the creativity and working out side of my comfort zone.

All I can really share right now is that we have an offical Twitter Page (@DconKT) and we are working on a web page and a facebook page, as I type.

The closer we get to Dragon Con Time, the more details you will see. I can't wait to share my thoughts and feelings with you here.

Enjoy!

How to make your own ketchup

2011-04-04T19:03:00.000-04:00

Commercial ketchup brands are loaded with preservatives and sugar. Making your own ketchup just once will win you over. I chose to use organic ingredients when I can find them. What you will need:

* Food Processor
* One 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes or 2 pounds fresh
* 1 tbsp. tomato paste
* 2 tbsp. dry minced onion
* 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 c light brown sugar (I use agave nectar)
* 1/2 c cider vinegar (raw apple cider vinegar)
* 1/2 tsp. salt (sea salt)
* 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
* 1/8 tsp ground ginger
* 1/8 tsp. cayenne red pepper
* 1/8 tsp. ground all spice
* 1 pinch ground cloves
* 1 pinch ground cinnamon
* Airtight container

what you need to do:

Place tomatoes and liquid from can into food processor and puree until they are smooth. If using fresh tomatoes, add about 1/2 cup of water adding more as needed to keep the mixture slightly "wet". Place the tomatoes in a medium size pot and add the remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat. Stir often and scrape the bottom of the pot as it simmers to prevent scorching. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours or so until the mixture thicken. Remove from heat. Working in batches, puree the ketchup in the food processor until it is smooth. Place finished ketchup in an airtight container or a squeeze bottle to store and use. Ketchup stored in the refrigerator will stay fresh for two to three weeks! Use as you would store-bought ketchup

Somersaults

2011-02-21T06:46:00.000-05:00

Chloe Webber has started doing somersaults. We are not sure why. However....it is stinking cute.

Click here for Chloe Cuteness

Toomer 's Corner - The Rant

2011-02-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

I have never been a college football fan. Being a former Band-ee, I attended enough college football games for a life time. My closest friends who despise sports patiently put up with my chatter about the sports I do like: Hockey, La Mans, Petit La Mans, Formula One, Indy Car, Baseball, NFL, Soccer and the X Games.

However, if I ever needed a reason to dislike college football, I official have found it. The no account redneck, immature, douche bag that killed the trees on Toomer’s Corner is my reason. I know lots of Auburn fans and lots of Alabama fans. Most of them are members of my family. So I know that not all AU and AL fans are douche bags. The old axiom that one bad apple will spoil the whole bunch is true. And it sucks.

We need all the tree’s we can get on this planet. Global warming, ozone, smog and haze are all cleaned by trees. Oxygen made by trees. Paint their rock or steal their flag. What nimrod kills old growth trees? Oh 62 year old Al from Dadeville.

To top off that feat of superior brain power other fans have come up with really cleaver immature things to say about Auburn and their trees. Really? Are we adults? Maybe. Mature? Fare from it. Soon some else will be trying to take out Uga from atop of the UGA clock tower. Give me a freaking break!

People, love your school. Alumni Support your Schools. Bleed Blue and Orange or Red and Black or Red and Grey. But do it like you have a brain. Wear stupid hats. Paint your face, dance in the isle, yell at the band. Roll a tree. Oh wait….you can’t.

Thanks Al in Dadeville. May you rot in jail for killing two trees.

Make A Wish Two Page

2011-02-13T20:31:00.001-05:00

My next Quick and Easy class at the shoppe. It is not on the calendar, yet. The paper is Kay and Company and I used broken china, spiced marmalade and starry night stickles. Making the candles will be part of the class. I will post a second tutorial for making the candles.

Store Display

2011-02-09T10:19:00.001-05:00

Allyson and I were challanged by our new marketing director to throw a sample display together for Valentines Day in one of our stores. Historically we have not made "drug store type" displays for short term promotion but I have a feeling that is going to change. It took 3 hours, which included going to the store, setting the display, writing on the A-Frame sign and helping customers in between.

Here is what we came up with. This was approved and was sent out company wide for the other stores to use as a guide.

2011 SuperBowl Menu

2011-01-31T12:47:00.000-05:00

I am having just a couple of friends over for a Super Bowl gathering. Since it is the day before a work day, I doubt I would call it a party.

Here is my Menu:

Dave's Steak Taco's w/ the Fixings
Steeler's Touchdown Taco Dip w/ Corn Chips
Claire and Liz's Buffalo Chicken Dip
Tex Mex Spanish Rice
Greenbay BBQ Lil' Smokies
The Ref's Veggie Tray
Kevin's Assorted Kettle Chips
Make Your Own Super Bowl Sundae's

Sweet Tea
Lemonade

Deadly Cat Pee

2011-01-16T08:38:00.000-05:00

We have a new kitty. Her name is Chloe. Well to go along with all the fun of a young cat, we have all the NOT SO fun of older cats being upset about the new addition.

One of our cats, Cougar, who is the male and Beta Cat is very upset. Upset to the point that he is afraid to go to the litter box. Well we tried to help him but, we were not sure what to do. While we were trying to figure that out, Cougar decided to let us know just how mad he was about Chloe. He peed on my clothes and on Dave's side of the bed. Then in Sam's (the other cats) favorite bed.

After talking to a friend from Paws Humane we moved a litter box into the Living Room in a corner. We did not want to do that but it was either that or have Cougar pee every where.

I took to the internet to find a way to clean cat pee. If you don't know, cat pee is very hard to get out of anything. The smell is strong. Well I found a site that suggested I used apple cider vinegar.

I am glad to say it worked. I washed all the bedding and clothes in the washer adding in 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to each load. I did a 3 to 1 mix in a squirt bottle and cleaned all the spots (including several spots I see Cougar sniffing a lot). So far no repeat peeing.

My friend at Paws Humane also suggested that we keep all the cats out of our bedroom until we are sure the situation is resolved. That has gone well. Sam is the cat that is most used to sleeping with us and she will come in the room and stay most of the night. I was kinda bummed about having to keep the door closed but it has been wonderful for my sleep patterns.

So..Here is hoping this cat newness gets resolved soon. Perhaps Cougar might man up. He has got a good 10 pounds on Chloe.

Altered Project - Scrabble Tile

2011-01-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

My latest offering and my first altered project. The inspiration came from my friend Bev who saw these and challenged me to find a way to make them into a class. I am always up for a good challenge. Scrabble tiles are small. Not quite 2 cm square to be exact.

In my class you will be making two scrabble tile necklaces and 4 scrabble tile embellishments. You will also get your very own bottle of Glossy Accents to take home. Everything will be provided. Tiles, paper, punches, and mod podge. If you want to bring some pictures or a certain kind of paper you can.

The class is on the calendar for Feb. 4, 2011. The cost is $17 and there are 10 spots. Call the Shoppe at 706*321*0202 to reserve your spot.

Candy Hearts

2011-01-09T15:24:00.000-05:00

My second offering in the Quick and Easy Series at The Scrapbook Shoppe is called Candy Hearts. It is my attempt at a Valentine Two Page set that isn't gooshy or too girly or too cutish. White, Brown and Turquoise Card Stock and a Reminisce Paper. Both sizes of the Creative Memories Heart Shape Makers. I also used matching blue stickles, pop up dots and a Sizzix Font called Slim Jim. This is on the Calendar at the Shoppe for February 19th at the 10:30 am slot.

What to do for dinner?

2011-01-05T06:32:00.000-05:00

I have been having the worst time deciding what to cook for the dinner meal at my house. I have a book shelf full of cook books and an USB drive full of recipes you might think I could find something to cook. Last night I decided, I would find a recipe for what I had left over in my fridge. Chicken and Left Over Rice. I found a recipe on Campbell's Kitchen and used that from my start.

Italiano Chicken and Rice

Two skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
minced garlic to taste
1 15 oz can of crushed tomatoes
Italian seasoning to taste
Minced Onion
My homemade Adobo or House seasoning
Parmesan Cheese
Ricotta Cheese (also left over in my fridge)
Canola oil

Season your chicken strips with your Adobo and minced garlic. Heat some oil in a large skillet. Cook Chicken Strips until well browned. Add in your can of crushed tomatoes, more garlic, minced onion and Italian seasoning. Let that simmer about 5 to 10 minutes just to insure the chicken is cooked through. Add in the rice and let simmer again for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese. If you like, stir in 1 teaspoon of ricotta cheese, once you have your serving on your plate.

Tasty.

Naughty or Nice?

2010-12-17T06:31:00.000-05:00

Before my life was consumed with Inventories, I made a two page Christmas layout to teach at the Scrapbook Shoppe. It is on the calendar for January 8th. I have not be in to see how many spots are left (or even taken) The patterned paper is Three Bugs in a Rug. I used both sides though it is hard to tell in the picture. The gifts are cut out and popped up with foam squares. The font is a Sizzix called Cherished. I used red stickles, some bling, and some ribbon. Light blue and lime green card stock. Enjoy.

Weight Loss Update

2010-12-05T20:05:00.000-05:00

Well I must admit, I was concerned about Thanksgiving. Yes, I cooked less, yes I had a plan but I also had pumpkin pie, Pecan Pie and skillet apples. I have to say I was proud of my self. I ate what I wanted. I did not over eat. I did not eat seconds. I did however get a great big dose of turkey coma. Lordy, Did I sleep. Right though a hockey game.

With the left over yummy veggies, I made a big pot of turkey veggie soup. That was tasty lunches for a week. Soup, Triscuts and fruit. YUM! YUM!

I gave my self a weigh in break over the holiday. Last week, didn't weigh in mostly because I was getting up every other day at 3 or 4 am for store inventories.

Then the next eating opportunity, the company Christmas Party. I filled up on water and made my choices count.

This morning I got up and weighed! Down one more pound. Not a lot you say...I say a pound is a pound is a victory.

I am pumped.

HP7 1 Review (spoilers)

2010-12-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

Finally my friend Claire and I went to see HP7 Part 1. A big shout out Thank YOU to Ms. Liz for the treat of the movie and a snack. I really do appreciate it.

First I was disappointed that they glossed over the Dudley part at #4 Pivet Drive. I understand why they did it but, I always like the parts about the Dursely's. I like how they added in the bits of Ron and Hermione at the beginning. Showing Hermione erasing her parents memories.

The wedding part was good. I like who they cast for Bill but NO CHARLIE? wha??? why not? or did I miss it? I liked that Harry did not go undercover at the wedding and the part where Ron's Aunt goes on and on..that was very well done.

The part at the cafe was really good. It was short but I liked it. Also at the Black residence was well done. The parts with Kreacher I liked. I also liked how they added in Dobby there. That was a surprise.

Is there anyone who did not like how they compressed the "never ending camping trip" All the good parts were there pretty cool.

I do think however, the movie was compressed to such a point that if you have not read the book you might be a bit lost. I had to suppress a good many comments as Claire had not read the book. It does exactly what they need it to do, build up for the next movie which we all know....

Pre Thanksgiving Blog

2010-11-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

Ta Da! I figured it out. You wont over eat on Thanksgiving if you do not over cook. I have this bad habit of thinkig I have to be able to feed a small army or 1/2 of Dragon Con. This year I am cutting back on the amount of everything but still have enough variety and get in my requirement that I cook something I have never tried to cook before.

So here is my menu

Ham
Turkey Breat (I refused to by a 20 pound turkey)
Dressing (down to one 13x9 pan from 3 pans)
Fresh Sweet Potatoes (plain, no marshmellows, etc)
Fresh Green Beans
Black Eye Peas and Butter Peas from my Mom & Dad's Garden
Corn From my Mom and Dad's Garden
Potato Salad
Deviled Eggs (I don't eat them but Dave love's them)
Cranberry Relish (this years new addition)
Tea

Pecan Pie
Apple Pie or Skillet Apples (I am not sure which I want to do yet)

and I have a real pumpkin to cook down. If I don't make a pie, I will make puree and freeze it.

I start tonight. Wish me luck. My kitchen will be a crock pot farm.

5 down and gone

2010-11-18T15:23:00.001-05:00

I am happy to say that I have maintained my five pounds during this dreaded 3rd week of the lunar cycle. I have compiled a short list of my favorite habits that I have incorporated into my daily routine. I wanted to share them and where I found these lovely gems.

1. Cut Out SODA - Dr. McBarron, Dr. Oz and my Dr. (I see a pattern)
2. Walk 10 minutes a day; if it's raining you get wet! - Dr. McBarron
3. Do not eat snack larger than your fist - Dr. Oz
4. Weight your self every day for accountability - Dr. Oz
5. Eat 3 whole fruits a day - Dr. McBarron (I added 3 Veggies too!)
6. Do not eat after Dark (Dr. McBarron) or 3 hours before bed (Dr. Oz)
7. Drink Water, not soda, tea or coffee - Dr. McBarron. I cheat and have one cup of coffee in the morning but I off set it w/ an additional 20 oz of water.

If you would like to search for tips and tricks that will help you, I suggest you start here:
Dr. McBarron's 100+ Weight Loss Tips

Weight Loss is all in your Mind.

2010-11-15T19:55:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Weight Loss is all in your mind. It is all about what you THINK you CAN do. You make decisions to eat better, drink water and exercise. It is all about the decisions you can make every day. Sometimes no matter how much positive self talk you give yourself every day, it just does nothing to motivate you.

I want to be healthy. I want to be under 200 pounds. I want to have a smaller waist line. Good health is my goal.

My last blog chronicled my hopeful restart of my weight loss, again. I just finished my 21 day post vacation cleanse. I am very pleased with my results. I have not made 100% great choices but I have lost 5 pounds. The last week was all maintaining those 5 pounds while I took a break from my Fat Burning Shots from Georgia Bariatrics to let my arms heal a bit.

On the day that I felt the worst, I happened to be able to speak to Dr. McBarron at a store event. Just having her listen to me helped. I can not tell you how close I was to crying that day. Dr. McBarron offered me some simple advice. Eat 3 pieces of fruit every day. Take a 10 minute walk every day. I said to myself I CAN DO THAT. So for two days I have done just that. 2 good choices lead to more good choices.

I promised myself a pedicure for 5 pounds lost. I will post pictures. Thank you Dr. McBarron

Teaching Spooky

2010-11-07T11:46:00.001-05:00

I finally got to teach my Spooky Two Page. Click here for the original post.

I had four very wonderful ladies who were all very excited to take my class. I am not your typical designer for my shoppe so when I get a nice big class, I get excited. I sorted out the ladies and had them all use the Sparkle Mod Podge first. They had quite a few pieces to glitter up, so I wanted them to get started with all the glitter goodness. Only one lady (Debby Jones) had used the product before and everyone loved the product.

After their pieces dried I moved them over to another set of tables to assemble the pages. Once again, I always enjoy everyone making my designs their own. Making changes to the layout to make theirs unique.

A resounding success for the introduction to Sparkle Mod Podge. The request has already been made for more classes using the products.

Post Vacation Cleanse Plan

2010-11-05T06:01:00.000-04:00

After my recent trip home, I felt so bloated and tired that I decided I would try a post vacation cleanse. Truthfully I had no idea what to expect or go purchase so I called the manager of the Airport Thru Way Peachtree Natural Foods. After speaking with Jamie,I stopped by the store and she helped me pull a plan together that would help stop the sluggish feeling, eliminate the bloat and help my overall tired feeling.

One of the questions Jamie asked me was - "how was your diet?" And here you really have to be honest. My vacation diet was full of pork, red meat, sweets, cola and beer. Not good for an already chunky waist line.

I want to say up front, this program will not work if you do not clean up your diet. You have to practice some kind of portion control and reduce your meat intake to 1 or 2 times a week. You need to eat vegetables and fruit and you MUST at least double your water intake. (for me that was 128 oz a day)

So Here are the supplements:

Natural Max Bloat-X - 2 capsules before each meal
IHL's Seven Strain Probiotic - 2 in the morning
IHL's Triple Action Acai Step 3 Maintenance Cleanse - 2 - 30 minutes before bed w/ at least 8 oz of water

on my own I added in the Fat Burning Injections from Dr. McBarron's Practice. Two a week, which is Dr. McBarron's Minimum Recommendation.

I am into my second week and am feeling better. My trips to the restroom have increase but that will happen with the increase in water intake. I did have to back the Maintenance Cleanse down to 1 a day because I my stool was too loose.

I have lost 4.5 pounds but the better result is the improvement in how I feel and how I sleep. This plan has given me a way to refocus on my 'change of lifestyle' and 'eating better'.

All of the supplements can be found at Peachtree Natural Foods,either on line or in any store.

Quick Thanksgiving Pages

2010-10-31T18:58:00.001-04:00

While working Saturday at the Shoppe, I had a request for a set of Thanksgiving Pages. I had to turn them around quick to get them on the calendar. I chose Reminisce Autumn Harvest Paper and used the Pumpkin side because the turkey side creeped me out a little.

The inks are Jim Holtz Distress Ink is the following colors. Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey.

Not on the schedule yet. It might have to be a kit class depending on how my schedule shapes up.

2010 Christmas Round A Bout Cards

2010-10-31T18:41:00.000-04:00

My offering for the upcoming Christmas Card Round About. The papers are Reminisce. On the Christmas Tree I used Sparkle Mod Podge! Sneaky! The cards are supposed to be simple and easy to make. The class attendee's will make two cards at each of 6 stations.

A Day at Disney/Sparkle Mod Podge

2010-10-30T20:32:00.000-04:00

Today I finally taught the pages "A Day at Disney" I created these pages a while ago. I had originally used Stickles for the glitter goodness. How ever I wanted to teach the class using Sparkle Mod Podge to get a feel for how my regular customers like it. I find Sparkle Mod Podge easier to use than Stickles.

I did have one student who allowed me to take her picture while she used the Sparkle Mod Podge. A big thanks to Debby Jones for her cooperation.

Debby seemed to really enjoy the Sparkle Mod Podge. We used two coats on the letters and the Mickey Balloons. After the class was over, Debby's review of the product was stellar. She is also taking my Spooky Two page class and is looking forward to using the Sparkle Mod Podge again.

a link to the original post. Click here.

Skull Bracelet

2010-10-19T20:45:00.000-04:00

I made these for a friend. Pony Beads, Skull Beads and Friendship bracelet cord. Key Chains next. Spooky.

Project: Reuse Reuse Reuse

2010-10-09T18:35:00.000-04:00

Today was the day we decided to totally clean and rearrange the bedroom. We moved a side table and placed our 2nd spare tv on it. We have never had a tv in our bedroom so we will see how it goes. Dave swears he is going to leave it on the Spanish channel. However, I did re-use three Longaberger baskets I had stashed in a closet. I made them into a new smaller bedside table. Paired it with my Grandmothers rocking chair.

For the Love of Boomer

2010-10-05T19:22:00.000-04:00

Here are the prototype Boomer Necklaces. I have three curing w/ the glossy accents. I am going to try and have the tiles be a letter in Boomer's Name. But all of that will depend on how many I have to make. I used Mod Podge Matte, Scrabble Tiles and pictures of Boomer.

Spooky Two Page

2010-10-02T18:41:00.000-04:00

I wanted to do an EMO Halloween Page layout but sarcasm is hard to achieve with paper. Instead I decided on a not too cute Halloween layout with a Haunted Mansion Feel with a little bit of Adam's Family tucked it for good measure.

I used black, orange and green card stock, plus the printed paper I purchased at the Scrapbook Shoppe. I could not find any name or manufacture information on the printed paper. I cut the house out on the cricket cart - winter wonderland. I cut off the top and tipped it. I cut the spiders and the letters out on the Cricket Cart Happy Hauntings, the black cat is a sissix die. I used Sparkle Mod Podge on all black cut outs and orange distressed Stickels on the the letters. The house, spiders and cats are popped up. I found three clear ghosts at the Scrapbook Shoppe and added those to the house.

Poker Chip Craft Demo

2010-09-28T20:16:00.000-04:00

Applying the same logic as the scrabble tile, I decided to try a poker chip. For children the larger size would be easier to handle. Here is my try. I used the Matt Mod Podge and the Sparkle Mod Podge from Plaid. Win.

Disney Graffiti - Update

2010-09-19T20:31:00.000-04:00

With some sage advice from some fellow teachers at the Scrapbook Shoppe. I have updated these pages. I have not put this on the shoppe schedule as of yet.

Scrabble Tile Craft Demo

2010-09-19T20:20:00.000-04:00

I am attempting to work up a craft to teach as an altered project for the Scrapbook Shoppe. This particular craft uses Scrabble Tiles, Mod Podge, Scrapbook Paper, Punches, Tackey glue, Glue on Bails, a paint brush, and Glossy Accents by Ranger Ink.

There is one Mickey Mouse made with micro punches, a Yoda, and three made w/ scrapbook paper and some small punches.

Update: the Mod Podge dried in about 15 minutes per layer. The Glossy Accents took a few hours to dry to the non tacky state but really should cure two days.

I still have to find the glue on bails and chains in a bulk form.

I made Gluten Free Cookies

2010-09-19T08:27:00.000-04:00

Once again, I brought home a product to try from the store. This time it was King Arthur Gluten Free Cookie Mix. What this product provides you is a brown sugar cookie base and allows you to add in anything you like to make the cookies your own. Besides the mix you will need 1 stick of butter-soft, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of water plus what ever you want to mix in your cookies. I used chopped raw walnuts and chocolate chips. You take half of the mix and blend it with the butter. Then add the egg and water and blend again. Add the rest of the mix and combine. Then stir in your add-ins. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the cookies on a cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. The instructions say to let the cookies sit on the sheet for 5 minutes. I did not do this. I removed them immediately or they would have stuck to the baking sheet. I cooled them on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Dave tasted them and liked them. Of the gluten free cookies mixes we have tried this is the best tasting one. The box made 3 dozen cookies. Over all Grade of A-. An extra surprise is that the next day, the cookies are still very soft and chewy.

Here is a picture of my cookies.

Disney Graffiti

2010-09-12T20:14:00.000-04:00

Disney Graffiti pages. As yet unscheduled.

Dino Card

2010-09-12T17:16:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine, whom I loving call MY KAT requested a thank you card w/ a dinosaur theme. It is for a co worker who saved her from bugs. From what I understand of the story, killer mutant dinosaur sized roaches or something.

So here is what I made for her:

I used Reminisce Din-o-rama Dino Stripe (the back side), Reminisce Din-o-rama Die Cut stickers, a brown piece of card stock, the CM small heart shape maker, the CM tearing tool,sand colored Glimmer Mist, and Reminisce Mister Television Rub On Letters.

Homemade Chicken Stock

2010-09-12T16:56:00.001-04:00

Okay. Another Cost Saver right here. Make your own chicken stock. How easy is it? Here is what I do. When Dave and I eat Publix Rotisserie Chicken for dinner, I save the bones, skin and the carcass and freeze it. Then when I am ready, I take out my beloved crock pot and place the leftovers in the crock pot, add water and two bay leaves. Let them cook at least 8 hours on low. I only save the bones from the Publix Mojo or Lemon Pepper Rotisserie Chicken. Any chicken carcass will do but the Publix's kind make great stock. After 8 hours you have to strain out all the bones and unwanted stuff and let the stock cool before you put it up. The leftover 'unwanted' stuff goes great in your compost pile.

Here is my stock. 4 carcass' equals 25 cups of stock.

Animal Kingdom Two Page

2010-09-11T17:27:00.001-04:00

I did not realize this was not posted here. So here you go.
If you have a page kit, you will need some orange chalks to do the title letters.

DragonCon Do's and Don't Live From the Con

2010-09-06T07:43:00.000-04:00

Okay. Last day of the convention so time for an updated version of the do's and don't.

1. No matter how much you wear, Patchouli does not replace bathing. What did I say about taking baths?

2. Don't stop at the exit of the escalator to take a picture. Really? Seriously?

3. Do understand that someone just might Tweet about your dumb self. K?

4. Do wait for people on the evelator to get off before you bum rush to get on.

5. Don't think arriving on Thursday beats the crowds. Not anymore.

6. Don't think opening the Pre-reg line at noon on Thursday really helped much

7. Do explore all options for eating. The food court had some excellent choices this year

8. Do expect YAL panels to fill up. That is right, no room for you!!!

9. Don't know who won, but the Zombies vs Unicorn panel was like whoa over the top.

10. Do post how you feel on Dragon Con's Facebook and Twitter. HA! Great.

11. For some reason you now DO have to expect children w/ no parents to be here, how totaly un-appropriate!

Saving Money 102

2010-08-31T16:37:00.000-04:00

I tripped upon a great website for discounted vitamins. The prices here are great and the shipping is really reasonable. This site is A2Z Discount Vitamins. It is a no frills site to be sure, but they have a good variety, in my opinion.

I have ordered some items and I will update you when they come in as to quality, etc.

So check them out and save some dough.

Jill's Dragon Con Do's and Don't's

2010-08-28T06:38:00.000-04:00

For those who do not know what Dragon Con is..go here Dragon Con Web Site. I am an eternal member and this will be my 15 year, I think. So pulling from that experience I would like to share some do's and don't's for newbies and veterans alike.

Do take a bath every day. Even if you have to wash in the sink in the restroom by the Centennial Ballroom in the Hyatt. For pity's sake take a bath.

Don't be mad at me for wanting to take your picture if you are in a costume, look ridiculous, are doing something stupid or if you have any kind of homemade robot. People watching and photo snapping are a blast at Dragon Con, especially after midnight.

Do leave the hotel cleaning staff (your room maid) a tip. Especially if you have more than 4 people in your room. You are eating, sleeping, drinking, and conducting random science experiments in your room. Be glad the staff goes in the room at all, much less cleans it.

Don't try and squeeze two more people in a packed elevator. I am fat, you might be fat and those things have weight limits. If one person on the elevator is wearing wings, forget it.

Do be considerate of people with wheel chairs and crutches. I did two Dragon Con's on crutches so feel their pain. However a baby stroller sans baby, rolling suitcases or Non-Doctor Who themed robots do not gain you any sympathy with me.

No I DON'T care about your cell phone conversation. Stop screaming into the bloody thing. GO outside if you can't hear or can't get a signal.

Do keep your adult themed activities confined to your hotel room. Walking in on your naked bodies laced together in a track room damages my calm. OH and I will take your picture and post it on the internet and send it to the local news station.

Don't make the media guests suffer needlessly with your fan girl/boy squeeing for more than 2 minutes. Be polite and thank them for attending the convention. Look behind you, those people standing on the tape in the line, they want an autograph too. Yeah...we do. Go away now.

Do remember to actually eat some food, sometime during the day, before you spend all night partying with the Klingon's or Browncoats or Capt. Jack Sparrow. Because the next day when you are hung over, I might just have to mock you.

Do get some kind of sleep. However sleeping in the hotel lobby, food court or hallway will get your picture posted on the internet.

The convention is so close now, we can already smell the con-body. I look forward seeing you there!

Homemade Pizza w/ GF Crust

2010-08-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Dave and I like making homemade pizza when Peachtree Natural Foods brought in a line of Gluten Free (GF) products that included pizza dough, I saw my chance to try a product and do a photo blog.

My ingredients are: One pizza crust dough from Gillian's Foods, Thin sliced pepperoni, tomato sauce, dried onions, basil, oregano, granulated garlic, Parmesan cheese and Italian cheese blend, One large round pizza stone.

Thaw the pizza dough and knead on a flour covered surface until the dough gets firm. The dough was very sticky but handled well. Roll out dough into a circle to fit your pan. I used a baking stone. Add your sauce and seasonings and some Parmesan Cheese.

Of course add the pepperoni. This brings up a discussion as to whether the pepperoni should be under the cheese or on top of the cheese. Well, My Momma made pizza with the pepperoni under the cheese. You tell her she is wrong.

Then add the cheese. I used two cups of reduced fat Italian cheese blend. I buy it when it is on sale and store it in my freezer.

Put your pizza is a 375 degree F oven. Since we baked ours on a stone, we baked it for 20 minutes. The directions on the dough said 15 minutes on a metal pan.

Enjoy Your Pizza!

Review: The pizza was yummy. The crust was actually a lot better than I had hoped. Many GF foods have what I call the "texture" issue. This however did not. I feel as if we had baked the pizza on a metal pan, the crust would have been more crispy. I am glad to report the crust was not soggy. Dave gave it a B- which is high praise for anything GF in our house. Over all very good, considering we usually make our own pizza dough.

Saving Money 101

2010-08-22T09:10:00.000-04:00

Much like everyone these days, I enjoy saving money. However, I prefer to save money by making things myself. I have recently discovered how much cheaper it is to make your own seasoning mixes. For some dumb reason, I would buy a pre packaged seasoning mix but have all the individual ingredients to make that mix in my own cabinet. How weird.

It started by trying to make my own salt free Adobo seasoning. Basically a "house" seasoning mix or maybe with a Mexican flair.

I found a list on the internet and saved it off to my book marks. I turn here first when I want to recreate a seasoning mix. I highly recommend it.

Budget101.com

I wish I knew who to credit for the site! I use it a lot.

Harry Potter Card

2010-08-16T19:26:00.000-04:00

With the late edition to the DC YAL track of James and Oliver Phelps, I made a Harry Potter themed card for the craft hour. Paper is by Moxie. Wizards from the Scrapbook Shoppe. Sand Glimmer Mist, Black stickles, Stamps from Close to my Heart

Dragon Con YAL 2010 Crafts

2010-08-01T08:06:00.000-04:00

Please join the Young Adult Lit Track for our Craft Time. Here are your samples for the Con. I have planned a great Twi-Card Make and Take. There will be tons of supplies for you to make a card to show where you stand! Team Edward or Team Jacob.

Make your own Twi-Necklace! Simple like Bella or Fancy like Alice.

Dave's Temp Tattoo Shoppe will re-open this Convention.

Blueberry Muffins

2010-07-18T17:59:00.001-04:00

I am proud of my blueberry muffins with fresh blueberries.

What to do with your CSA Basil

2010-07-17T20:49:00.001-04:00

Make Pesto!!

2 tablespoons pine nuts
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 bunch basil, stems removed
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Fry the pine nuts in 1 tablespoon of oil until pale brown, then drain. Put the
basil in the food processor with the nuts and garlic. Process until well
chopped. Gradually add oil until smooth. Turn into bowl. Add Cheese and season.

Green Beans/Snap Beans

2010-07-15T19:18:00.000-04:00

Snap and clean my beans. Rinse well. Place in a crock pot and cover with water. Add salt, vegetable flakes, slice of bacon, and some onions.

I cook them very slow for at least 8 hours. Yummy

I am not sure how you cook your fresh green beans, but here is how I cook mine.

Park Pirate and Park Princess

2010-07-10T19:26:00.001-04:00

My latest Disney Offering......

Patty Pan Squash

2010-07-10T18:02:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of the stuff patty pan squash. The recipe I posted earlier.

My Pickles.

2010-06-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

I used my CSA cucumbers and made refrigerator pickles.

YUMMMMY.

Bento Blog

2010-06-19T19:21:00.000-04:00

I have always loved Bento. While I am not a purest, I love the idea of a healthy well portioned lunch in my favorite snack size. I call my bento, The Lazy Adult American Bento. It is fun to plan out your lunch. Sometimes, I just "bento" my snacks. I always eat healthier. Here some of my Lazy Adult American Bento.

Yummy New Product

2010-06-15T19:59:00.000-04:00

I worked in the afternoon at the Phenix City store. I unpacked these and brought them home. My displaced Canadian Friends might like the Ketchup Fries by Snikiddy.

Here is a link: Snikiddy Ketchup Fries

You will also see a way to get a coupon and then bring that coupon to the Phenix City Store and get you some Snikiddy.

PJ's Favorite Snacks

2010-06-15T11:10:00.000-04:00

My top three snacks are:

Disney Organic Red Apple Slices
Sargento Disney Mickey Shaped Cheese Snacks ( have only been able to find at Walmart)
Annie's Whole Wheat Cheddar Bunnies

Jamie Oliver's Vindaloo

2010-06-13T20:01:00.000-04:00

Vindaloo (means vinegar and garlic)

Serves 4-6

2 medium onions
4 gloves of garlic
2 red chilies (or to taste)
thumb size piece of ginger root
small bunch of fresh cilantro
4 ripe tomatoes
peanut or vegetable oil
a pat of butter
1 3/4 pounds diced pork shoulder
1/2 cup vindaloo paste such as Pataks or Mr. Kooks
sea salt and black pepper
1 table spoon honey
1/3 balsamic vinegar

To prepare:
Peel halve and finely slice onion, peed and slice garlic, finely slice chilie, peel and finely slice ginger. Pick cilantro leaves and finely chop stalks. Cut the tomatoes into quarters.

To Cook

Get a large casserole type pan on a medium high heat, add a couple of lugs of oil and the butter. Add the onions, garlic, chilie, ginger and cilantro stalks and cook for 10 minutes until softened. Add the pork and curry paste. Stir well and coat all pieces of pork. Season with Salt and Pepper. Add the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, honey and about 1 2/3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and turn the heat down and simmer for 45 minutes with the lid on. Stir regularly and add more water if necessary.

To Serve:
Serve with rice and some natural yogurt on top.

My changes:

I used chicken. I had to use drained diced tomatoes. They only curry paste I had in the house was Mr. Kooks Spinach Sauce.

This was SO GOOD. Not spicy at all! You could add more heat by adding more chilies.

Fiver's Flamingo's

2010-06-12T20:59:00.000-04:00

Here is a Two Page that was done for one special Group of Ladies!

Cabbage and Squash YUM!

2010-06-12T07:02:00.000-04:00

I have been so busy. My husband has been away and my lovely CSA veg has been piling up faster than I can eat it. So I had the pleasure of sharing some of my share with a friend. OMG that was such a joy. My friend was so grateful. When I told her that the produce was organic and local, she cried. Yes my CSA friends, she cried.

It is so important to understand how organic foods are better for you. The thought of supporting local farmers is makes it a total win.

Any how....I have been craving cabbage and so last night I decided I by golly I was having some cabbage.

So...Here is my made up all csa cabbage and squash dish.

I rendered off 5 slices of low sodium center cut bacon. I sliced an onion into rounds and sliced about 3 garlic cloves. I saute those first and meanwhile sliced the cabbage and one yellow and one zucchini squash. I added the veg and about 1/4 cup of vegetable broth. I let that steam under the lid stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes. I crumbled the bacon on top.

Here is a picture.

Stuffed Patty Pan Squash

2010-06-06T15:58:00.000-04:00

She indicates this is for mature squash with firm shells

1 carrot shredded
2 celery stalks sliced thin
1 med onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
1/4 of a bell pepper or 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 can of tomatoes
1 1/4 cups cooked rice
3 or 4 patty pan squash
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon mint
1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice or Worcestershire
1 slice bacon, raw

Pierce squash and boil or bake 30 minutes. cool cut off a lid. discard seeds
and strings. Scoop out flesh and chop. Reserve in colander to drain. Fry bacon
crisp. Remove leaving fat. Saute the first five ingredients. Add tomatoes,
rice, chopped squash. Stir to blend. Add seasonings. Blend. Fill squash shells
and crumble bacon over. Cover with squash lid for first 30 minutes. uncover
cook 30 more minutes.

Cook in a 350 oven in a greased dish with sides.

The Squash on the right

Slightly Sweet Dill Refrigerator Pickles

2010-06-05T15:20:00.000-04:00

Substituting rice vinegar will produce a pickle that is less tart

Makes 2 Quarts

From Epicurious

1 Small Sweet onion thinly sliced
2 pounds medium pickling cucumbers scrubbed and cut into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1 large bunch of dill coarsely chopped including stems
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons peppercorns
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
2 teaspoons dill seeds

Divide sliced onion between two 1 quart wide mouth jars. Pack cucumber slices horizontally in the jars and top with Dill.

Using a mortar and pestle or resealable plastic bag and a mallet, crush mustard seeds and peppercorns together. Place crushed spices in a medium sauce pan. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and dill seeds. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Stirring until sugar dissolves.

Ladle mixture evenly over cucumbers. Leave jars uncovered and chill 24 hours. Cover glass jars with tight lids. Keep refrigerated.

Autograph Pages

2010-06-05T09:57:00.000-04:00

I was inspired to get my autographs from last years con all buttoned up.

Here is a peek.

"I love you, Minnie" Two Page

2010-06-05T07:20:00.000-04:00

For you lovers of Disney. My second offering. I Love You, Minnie.

July Card Class!

2010-06-05T07:14:00.001-04:00

My "Christmas In July" cards inspired by Stephanie Howells class at the Scrapbook Shoppe.

Tomato Sauce

2010-06-03T12:30:00.001-04:00

Here is a Yummy Recipe for Tomato Sauce that can be uses just any old way.
This is from Food Network, Guy Fieri

Tomato Sauce:
3 ounces extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, minced
5 medium-sized garlic cloves, crushed
6 cups skinned and diced Roma tomatoes
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook over medium to low heat until transparent. Add garlic and cook until almost brown. Then add tomatoes and cook for 1/2 hour over low to medium heat. Add the basil and oregano and continue to cook for another 1/2 hour. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper, cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

He uses it in this recipe but, umm this is far from healhty

Blazy Pepperoni Stuffed Lasagna

A few extra recipes .....

2010-05-30T07:20:00.000-04:00

Confession time!!! I have been hording recipes. Shameful, I know. My original plan was to only post recipes I have actually tried, but I am being ask to post more choices. So while I wait for the F1 race to start, I will add a few bonus recipes just for fun.

From The Food Network and Giada De Laurentis:

Whole Wheat Pasta with Swiss Chard

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions thinly sliced
2 bunches of swiss chard, trimmed and chopped about 14 cups
3 garlic cloves minced
1 can diced tomatoes with juices
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped coarse
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons grated pecorino cheese

Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. add onions and saute until tender about 8 minutes. add teh chard and saute until it wilts, about 2 minutes. add the garlic and saute 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes with juice, wine and red pepper flakes, bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until tomatoes begin to break down and the chard is very tender about 5 minutes. season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain the pasta and add to the chard mixture and toss to combine. Sprinkle with olives, cheese and pine nuts.

From Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver

Savory Cabbage with Worcestershire sauce

1 large savory cabbage
olive oil
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
2 knobs of butter

Remove and wash the outer green leaves of cabbage, then roll them up like a cigar and finely slice them. Put a large frying pan on a high heat and add a good glug of olive oil. Add the sliced cabbage to the pan and move it around giving it a good shake. Cook for about 4 minutes. Halve the rest of the cabbage and core it. finely slice the rest of the cabbage. Add to the pan and cook for another minute. then add the Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper. Keep the cabbage moving so it will coat nicely and cook another 4 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat and add the butter.

Organic Cupboard Basics

2010-05-28T17:51:00.000-04:00

I have been working with Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Cookbook. I highly recommend the book to anyone. On Jamie's site he offers very good tips that will help you get cooking fast. One of the things I found helpful is a Cupboard basics list. Click here for the list

In an effort to use NON-GMO or Organic food staples. I took a copy of the list to my local Peachtree Natural Foods to see just how available some of these basics really are in organic form. I chose the Airport Thru Way Store in the Landings. I was surprised how many of the items they actually stock and did not "have to order to get". The Store Manager, Jamie, was extremely helpful to me and very interested in helping me toward my goal of better health.

Here is what they have already in stock. Dijon Mustard, English Mustard, Olive Oil, All Purpose Flour, Cornstarch, Dried Pasta, Baking Powder, Soy Sauce, Five Spice Blend, Sea Salt, Black Peppercorns, Whole Grain Mustard, EVOO, Sesame Oil, Bread Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Baking Powder, Unsweet Cocoa Powder (also RAW), Canned tuna, Coconut milk, Basamati Rice, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Honey (also RAW), Maple Syrup, Mixed Nuts, Almonds, Mixed Seeds, Broth, Ketchup, and Vegan Mayonnaise Called Vegannaise.

Tell them I sent you.

CSA Week Two: We Have It in our Fridge Stir Fry

2010-05-27T18:52:00.000-04:00

I was challenged to make a stir fry recipe using some of our CSA Veg. Okay, moment of truth. PJ does not stir fry but Dave does. Poor Guy! He agreed to try with out complaint. Here is what Dave did:

This was all splashed with rice wine vinegar:
1/2 of a Kohlrabi julianned,
1 small radish chopped.
2 bunches of the bok choy, leaves and stems chopped
half of a bunch of Kale, stems removed and chopped
half of a bunch of Chard, stems removed and chopped
one bunch of green onions, chopped with tops
2 cups of frozen California Blend we had in the freezer

One big chicken breast cut and seasoned with Bragg's Liquid Amino's and Bragg's 25 Season Blend

Cooked Rice of your choice.

Heat oil in your wok. When the oil is hot, add chicken and brown. Add Kale and Chard, let wilt. Add everything else and cook 10 more minutes. Add more Soy Sauce or Liquid Amino's to taste. (right now it smells wonderful and my tummy is growling.)

Serve rice with Veg on top.

Bragg's Site
I purchased the Bragg's at Peachtree Natural Foods

Stephanie Howell Class

2010-05-25T20:48:00.000-04:00

I took a class from Stephanie Howell at the Scrapbook Shoppe. I was very excited about taking this class. I started teaching classes at the beginning of the year. I had never taught anything but a Creative Memories beginner's class. I have been trudging along, learning from making mistakes and watching the other teachers.

So to take a class from someone who actually teaching classes for a living, I was extremely excited. Stephanie was very relaxed and encouraging to me. I felt a little out of place sitting in the room as a student, but I learned a lot. I would love to have Stephanie's job. At least now I know what I need to do next. Thanks Stephanie.

If you would like to learn more about Stephanie here is a link to her blog.

Stephanie Howell's blog

Here are my versions of her pages!

CSA Week Two: Broccoli Rabe

2010-05-25T19:45:00.000-04:00

Finally enough broccoli rabe to make this recipe. Let me say this. IT WAS EASY. Way easy. Especially YUMMY. Now this was spicy. If you are not into spicy, then you may want to reduce or leave out the red pepper flakes.

Broccoli Rabe and Garlic Pasta

12 oz uncooked whole week linguine
1 lb broccoli rabe
3 garlic cloves minced
2 tblspns olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup chicken broth ( I used vegetable broth)
1/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook linguine according to package directions. Meanwhile trim 1/4 inch from the broccoli rabe stems, discard coarse outer leaves. Rinse broccoli rabe in cold water and cut into 2 inch pieces; set aside. In a large skillet saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add the broccoli rabe, salt, pepper and pepper flakes and 1/2 cup of the broth. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat cover and cook for 3-5 minutes or until broccoli rabe is tender. Drain linguine, add to the pan. stir in parsley and enough of the broth to moisten linguine. Sprinkle with Cheese.

All Occasion Cards

2010-05-23T20:15:00.000-04:00

My next card class for the Scrapbook Shoppe. All Occasion cards. June 12, 2010 at 10:30 am.

CSA Week Two: Flashback Kale and Kohlrabi

2010-05-22T21:25:00.000-04:00

After a LONG LONG day. I am watching Doctor Who on BBC America and feeling the need to post out this recipe. First I would like to thank the CSA members for my glowing welcome today. I arrived early, hoping to pick up my share a bit early since I had to teach a class and attend a class at the Scrapbook Shoppe today. Not only was I welcomed but I appreciate all the help packing my bags! So wonderful.

Here is a recipe for Crispy Sauteed Kale with Kohlrabi from Planet Green.

1 1/4 pound kohlrabi bulbs peeled
1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil divided
2 pounds Kale stem and center ribs detached
5 garlic cloves finely chopped
1/3 cup salted roasted pistachios, chopped

Slice Kohlrabi very thinly using a slicer or knife

Whisk together lime zest and juice, 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss Kohlrabi with dressing

Chop kale finely. Heat remaining two tablespoons oil in 12 inch skillet over medium high heat until it shimmers. Saute garlic until pale golden, about 30 seconds. Add kale by the handful, turning and stirring with tongs and adding more kale as the volume in skillet reduces. When all of kale is wilted, saute with 1/2 teaspoon salt until tender about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl and cool to room temperature. Toss Kale with Kohlrabi and pistachios

CSA Week One - Strawberries and Leftovers

2010-05-20T19:24:00.000-04:00

Tonight was left over night at my house. I have been working on the grand opening of a new store for my company. Since there are only two humans at my house and we have been cooking a lot, our cooler was getting a bit full. Dave and I both have been eating leftovers for lunch. SO we finished off the dreaded leftovers off tonight. However. Dave has been laying in wait for his strawberries to get just right for his favorite dessert. Dave sliced the strawberries and sprinkled them with 1 tablespoon of sugar. They have been macerating in the fridge. I baked an organic vanilla cake from Doctor Oetker's. Dave cut the cake and topped it with his strawberries. I don't really like strawberries so I used blue berries. YUM YUM!

on a side note: David made a smoked sausage Stonehenge as pictured below:

CSA Week One - Turnips

2010-05-19T06:27:00.000-04:00

Funny how this day's vegetable is turnips but the hold up and the issues have been with butternut squash. After working all day and an hour at the gym, I come home ready to help Dave w/the Butternut squash cutting issue. While he is cutting and peeling the squash and the turnips, I am getting everything else ready. I am reading my recipe from "The Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer when I see "cooking time 1 1/2 hours. It was already 7:15 PM and there was no way I could wait another hour and a half for some food. Well I always have a back up plan: whole wheat pasta and homemade sauce. What we decided to do was to go ahead and cook the turnips and squash and then save it for Wednesdays dinner. We ate our pasta while the house smells wonderful of the squash and turnips. So..finally a real recipe for you.

Oven Roasted Turnips with Squash and Shallots
Preheat oven to 375F Place in a 13x9 baking pan and toss together: 2 pounds peeled and chopped turnips, 1 small butternut squash peeled and chopped, 12 small shallots-peeled, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, ground black pepper to taste. Roast, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are fork tender about 1 1/2 hours. Season with salt, pepper and parsley to taste. 6 servings.

**note** after 40 minutes, my veg was fork tender.

CSA Week One - Field Lettuce/Romaine Lettuce

2010-05-17T19:54:00.000-04:00

Okay. Today I was going to cook my turnips with some butternut squash until I got home and realized that my knife skills are not good enough to handle that butternut squash. So...Instead...I had planned on have a "Salad Night" with all of those lovely field greens we received and the rest of the romaine lettuce we had from the BLT's. Tomorrow Dave will handle the deadly squash. So... My Salad Night special contained the romaine lettuce (leaves cut from the ribs) and enough of the field greens to make a nice big salad. I added cucumber, carrot, tomato, celery and green onions. I added to my salad some colby jack cheese and some green olives. I don't use dressing. The salad was delish. Dave added crackers, blue cheese, and lite Catalina dressing.

There is enough left over for my lunch tomorrow. YUM YUM.

CSA Week One - Bok Choy

2010-05-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

For dinner Dave made his version of stir fry. The bonus item was our CSA Bok Choy. He washed the Bok Choy. Cut the leaves off the stalks. Then he chopped the stalks. He rolled the leaves and chopped them. After cooking the chicken and the normal stir fry veg, he splashed some soy sauce on the bok choy stalks and then added them to the wok. After 5 minutes, he added the leaves splashed with rice wine vinegar and let them steam and wilt for 2 minutes. The stir fry was delicious.

CSA Week One-Romane Lettuce

2010-05-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

The first veggie used was the Romane Lettuce. We Made BLT's. One of my favorite summer sandwiches. Wheat bread, light mayo, center cut low sodium bacon, tomato and my yummy romane lettuce. With Organic Disney Red Apple slices on the side.

CSA Week One.

2010-05-15T13:33:00.000-04:00

Thank Goodness for my Mom and Dad and the internet. I arrived later than I wanted to pick up my first weeks produce. Not knowing what to expect, I had a basket and a bag to take home the fresh goodness. As I was picking up my share, I kept saying to myself - What is this? I have no clue what to do with this! To be honest it scared me a bit. Dave being the wonderful patient guy he is carried the produce while we walked the rest of the market. Then back to the car to get my bounty home. The first weeks tally: Kale, Turnips, Romane Lettuce, Field Lettuce, Garlic, Bok Choy, Broccoli Rabe, Strawberries, and Kohlrabi (the strange purple vegetable from space). I unpacked my veg and snapped some pictures. Called my Mom and send her some pictures to help me identify some of the items. The mystery items were: Kohlrabi and Kale. I made sure what I thought was a turnip really was a turnip. After two calls to the parents and about 30 minutes on the internet, I found all the information I needed to help me store my wonderful produce. After a lunch of home made pasta and sauce leftovers, I hit the internet again looking for recipes to try. Thanks to Emeril Green and Jamie Oliver.com I have some good recipes to start. I put a request out on facebook and twitter. Maybe I will get some additional good recipes. I will post pictures of my fresh produce and the recipe I chose to try as I cook through out the week. My mom sent me two great broccoli rabe recipes. so I am sure that will be first. Here is a picture of me and my Market Basket full of goodies.

Disney Two Page Layout

2010-05-09T15:23:00.000-04:00

Here is my next Disney Offering. The Disney Themed Paper is from EK Success. The boarder punch is from EK Success. (Both ordered for me by The Scrapbook Shoppe) All the paper and embellishments came from the Scrapbook Shoppe on Airport Thru-Way The tiny mickey head punch and the waving Mickey punch came from Downtown Disney. The scalloped boarder was made using the Creative Memories Decorative trimmer.

How to put your Local Scrapbook Shop Out of Business

2010-05-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

If you have a great local scrapbook shop that offers a nice environment, great service and innovative classes, it may not be there for long if you spend your money somewhere else. If you want it to thrive, grow, and be there for years to come, you have to spend your money there. If you don’t support your local scrapbook shop, they can not offer great products; and they can not offer great classes and in the end they will close their doors.

Stocking your local scrapbook shop with all of those great products is a very expensive venture. It is even harder when the on-line stores and big box retailers are competing with them for your business. What does this mean? Your local scrapbook shop purchases its products from a company that is called a distributor or a wholesaler. Your on-line supplier or Big Box Retailer uses these very same distributors. Your local scrap book shop sells a smaller amount of product for a higher price. This higher price provides the customer: a nice store to shop in and it pays the salary of the owner the store. That high price allows the shop owner to offer classes, birthday parties and open table time. The wholesaler has a warehouse stocked with great products but does not offer great classes and a great place to shop and one-on-one service.

Big Box Retailers and on-line stores try to make more money by doing away with all the things you love about your local scrapbook shop. Only your local scrapbook shop can offer you help with your new Circuit Machine, explain how heat embossing works and throw a fabulous birthday party for your 9 year old. You might save a few cents shopping on-line or in one of those big box stores, but who will be there to help you come up with the ideas for all those great supplies? Your local scrapbook shop!

Towns that support their local scrapbook shops have GREAT local scrapbook shops. If you are looking for that perfect paper or supply and you can’t find it, ask the owner of your scrapbook shop to order it for you and then buy it. Sign up for classes. Refer your crafty friends. Offer to teach a class. When you take a class remember, the teacher and owner have spent their valuable time and money preparing to make sure you have everything you need for that class. Want to re-create your great new project? Buy the supplies from the shop that taught the class. Tell your friends about your new techniques and who taught you the technique. Post pictures on your blog and link back to your local scrapbook shops site. Leave encouraging messages for the owner.

If you love to scrapbook and you love your local scrapbook shop, please don’t just show up for a crop loaded down with supplies from another supplier. Support the shop that offers you that table time and shares your love for scrapping. The projects you create together will last longer and have more meaning.

LillyBee Cards

2010-04-04T21:54:00.000-04:00

How I spent my Easter Day. The Scrapbook Shoppe is having a guest designer from Lillybee. I loved the paper so much I made some cards.

Disney Card Set

2010-03-20T18:07:00.000-04:00

A proposed class for the Scrapbook Shoppe on Airport Thru Way.

Mother's Day Cards

2010-03-16T20:08:00.000-04:00

Time for more cards. Simple. Easy. Elegant.

Boomer Two Page

2010-03-07T20:52:00.000-05:00

Finally, this is complete. Boomer is the mascot for the Columbus Cottonmouths SPHL team. I hope to teach this as a class either online or in shoppe, or some combination of both. I am waiting for Boomer to give his approval.

Easter!

2010-02-28T10:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick and easy layout. I used 3 pieces of card stock in pink, lime green and chocolate. The printed paper is Spring Words from 3 Bugs in a Rug from the Scrapbook Shoppe on Airport Thru Way. I used paper tearing. The font is Slim Gym from Sizzix.

Boomer Paper Piecing

2010-02-20T15:10:00.001-05:00

I am not sure how I like it yet but it is a start. Most people are being very kind with their comments. We will have to see what Boomer himself thinks. Boomer is the Mascot of the SPHL Columbus Cottonmouths Hockey Team and a copyrighted character. Likeness used with permission.

Twi-Cards

2010-02-20T15:06:00.000-05:00

Twilight Card Class. All Layouts are private property of Jill Maddox and Claire Delamater. Please respect our rights to these designs. New Card Added 3.20.10 Designed for the Dragon Con Young Adult Lit Track Craft Panel

Snow in Geogia

2010-02-12T14:57:00.000-05:00

Orange Cheesecake Squares

2010-02-07T20:36:00.001-05:00

I adapted a recipe from Pillsbury.com.

1 16.5 oz roll of refrigerator sugar cookie dough
2 Tablespoons orange zest
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese soft
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup sweet orange marmalade
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
2 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Press cookie dough on the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 13x9x2 glass pan. Sprinkle evenly with orange zest.

In a medium bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, marmalade and orange extract with a hand mixer until well blended. Add eggs. Beat about 2 minutes more. Spread evenly over the cookie dough. Bake 39 minutes or until crust is golden brown and center is set. Cool 1 hour before cutting.

Super Bowl Scrumpdillyicious Menu

2010-02-07T14:50:00.000-05:00

Jill and Dave's Super Bowl Scrumpdillyicious Menu

Salsa and Chips - Salsa recipe from Emeril Lagasse's Emeril's Pot Luck
Bonless Chicken Wings - 2 from Guy Fieri and 1 from Paula Dean
Dave's Cole Slaw
Carrots/Celery with Ranch and Blue Cheese
Jill's Baked Beans
Orange Cheesecake Squares - Pillsbury.com

Simply Salsa By Emeril Lagassee
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Cilantro
Salt
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes

Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse about 12 times. The mixture should be chunky. Store chilled in an air tight container for several days.

For the wings - we bought frozen chicken fingers and divided them by 3.

Guy Fieri's Tequila Lime Wings - Food Network.com
1 pound wings/tenders
Sauce
1 teaspoon citrus zest
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup tequila
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon Adobo Seasoning

Combine all the ingredients in a jar and mix. Marinate wings in sauce and grill when ready to eat.

Carolina Wings by Guy Fieri - Food Network.com
1 pound chicken wings/tenders
Sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon sugar

Combine all ingredients in a jar and mix. Cook wings in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove wings from oven and place in a bowl and allow to cool. When ready to eat place tenders and sauce in a large plastic bag and combine.

Paula Deans Uncle Bubba Wings = Food Network.com
1 pound chicken wings/tenders
1 1/2 cups hot sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic

Place wings in a marinating try and cover with combined sauce ingredients. Marinate until ready to prepare

Sauce
1 stick unsalted butter melted
1/2 cup hot sauce
1 cup sweet Asian chili sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce.

Cook wings in oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Combine sauce ingredients and toss on to wings.

Easter/Spring Card Class

2010-02-06T10:18:00.000-05:00

These are my cards for the Easter/Spring Card Class at the Scrapbook Shoppe on Airport Thru-Way. There are three teachers (Myself, Shelley and Claire). Each teacher is designing 2 cards and each student will make two of each style. The students will end up with 12 cards, two of each 6 designs. The date has not been set, so far. But it will be in March. All the paper is from Cheryl's Shoppe. PS. There is one Bonus Card. So you will end up with 13 cards.

You Rock!!

2010-01-30T22:29:00.001-05:00

I made this card (2 of the same) using scraps I had in my stash, pink skulls from the scrapbook shoppe, plaid paper from the Rock Star Mat Stack. It was inspired by the character of Abby on NCIS.

Spinach Pasta Bake

2010-01-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

16 oz Ziti, cooked and drained
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup olive oil
10 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed, drained very well
1/2 cup bread crumbs, seasoned
26 oz tomato pasta sauce
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 t basil.

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl mix eggs,oil. Toss pasta with spinach. Fold in bread crumb. Add Oil and egg mixture. Spread 1/3 pasta sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Pour in 1/2 of pasta mixture. Cover with 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat with remaining sauce, pasta sauce, cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove Foil and bake 10 more minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Serves 8

Buffalo Chicken Bites

2010-01-12T18:36:00.001-05:00

Here is one of my favorite Weight Watcher Recipes. There are a thousand ways to make it your own. Instead of Louisiana Style Hot Sauce you can use BBQ Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce, you see......

Makes 4 servings

1/4 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce
1 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch chunks
Carrots
Celery
Fat Free Blue Cheese or Ranch

Combine the hot sauce, Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce in small sauce pan over medium heat, bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Add 5 teaspoons of butter, stir until melted

Melt the remaining butter in a large nonstick pan over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned, 10 minutes. Add the pepper sauce mixture and cook for one minutes tossing to coat. Serve with Carrots,Celery and Dressing.

Weight Waters 5 points per serving