Did you feel it?

I sure did.  This whole week has really felt like it was ok to hope for Spring.  The weather on Monday and Tuesday was down right warm for January and we could see the blue sky.  Usually the Salt Lake Valley is filled with polution because of the inversion that takes place every time this year.  I know that Spring is not right around the corner, and we will get more snow.  However, I do know that in two months the daffodils and crocus will be doing their darndest (is that a word?) to bloom.  The time in between now and then will fly by. 

This past week has been ok.  Here is a rundown

• I had my stamp club on Saturday and I loved the three cards I demo'd.  I thought all three turned out really cute.  I really enjoy hanging out with my girlfriends playing with paper.
• The dinner group at our house was great.  We served stuffed mushrooms w/ hollandaise, prime rib, roasted veggies (carrots, parsnips, celery, onions, garlic, and potatoes), sugar snap peas, yorkshire puddings, gravy, and bread pudding for dessert.  I was so full, but so satisfied.  I need to restock my British Pantry - things don't quite taste the same without those ingredients from across the sea.
• I started back with my exercise regime after a month of having respiratory issues.  Still have the residual effects, but as my stress from a few issues subsides, I am confident things will return to normal.
• Attended a funeral for a close friend's Mom.   Never easy to say goodbye to a loved one.  Knowing how much better off they are makes it a little bit easier to endure. 
• Starting to get on top of things at work.  I did say starting - no where close to full control, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Realized how much I love chocolate candy coated sunflower seeds.  Yes they are shelled already before they get coated with chocolate candy goodness.  I have only ever found them at convenience stores.  The last container I found at Michaels Crafts - valentine colors.  If you haven't tried them - you are truly missing out.
• Finished - an unfinished project from last year.  One of my goals I have been working on is to finish the unfinished or get rid of it.  Doesn't mean I can't start something new in the mean time, but won't forget the old projects either.  Wendy...that means we have a cooking file/book to finish. 
• Washing machine is having issues.  One of the pipes/hoses from the water tap to the machine needs to be replaced.  Gotta love cleaning up puddles when it is so cold outside.
• Was asked to speak in church on Sunday - so not looking forward to it.
• Riley got a brushing and bath.  Dogs aren't supposed to shed in the middle of winter, but he was dumping his fur coat like crazy. 
• Finished another book - The art of racing in the Rain.
• Tasted greek yogurt for the first time...I like it.  Tasty, creamy goodness.

I think that week was full enough.
Ta Ta for now

Wise Advice

Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it's not all mixed up.  Winnie-the-Pooh. 

I sat down this evening to work on my card projects for my Saturday club meeting and still had Christmas stuff hanging around.  Ralph always tells me...One project at a time, when you are finished put the project supplies away before you start another and then you won't get into such a mess.  He is so wise.  The question is what did I do?   I worked right over the top of it.   Now my mess is even bigger but I have a great card.  Wanna see?

I got the idea from a card my bff Wendy made - here is the link Friends by Wendybell
The card I made showcases new paper, new stamps, and new technique of gathering stampin up's satin ribbon.  One day I will make myself a photo box and get an Ott light.  Then maybe my pictures will be a bit better.  Until then I/you have to suffer with the kitchen counter and light.

Stamps - Filled With Love
Paper - Whisper White, Real Red, Pirouette Pink, Basic Black, Glimmer red paper, Love patterns DSP
Ink - Staz on Black, Real Red
Accessories, Black taffeta ribbon 1/8, small heart punch, red glitter stickles, pink satin ribbon 5/8, 3/4 circle punch, large heart punch, dimensionals.


Well - bed time has long gone and I am still trying to recover from a bad cold/sinus infection.  So I am off to bed for some rest.
Ta Ta for now

2010 Recap

It has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down at the computer and update my blog.  I think I just got over loaded with things that I had to get done and the blog was not a “have to” thing so it got set aside.  I wanted to recap this last year and saw this list on someone elses blog – so I thought I would see if I could answer the questions.  It was kind of fun revisiting all the things that happened last year.  If it wasn’t for my blog I would have forgotten a lot of it.

·         Best Memory  - Time with my family – never enough time together so when I get to spend time with them it is a precious memory.

·         Best Gathering – Thanksgiving at our house with all of my family.

·         Best Trip – Didn’t take any big trips.  Enjoyed the quick road trips to visit family

·         Best Project – Starting a monthly dinner group – it has been fun improving friendships, eating good food and adding lots of new recipes to my collection

·         Biggest Adventure – Packing up our belongings and moving to a new home

·         Most amazing experience – Can’t really pin one down this year, but any quality time with Ralph is amazing to me.

·         Favorite Store – Any kitchen Ware store or home decorating

·         Best New Recipe – Dulce de leche cheesecake,  Butter Chicken (Murgh Makani), Itallian beef in the crockpot Yummo!!!!

·         Biggest Decision – Choosing where to move

·         Biggest Growing Experience – Serving as Primary President

·         Best New Kitchen Tool – New sharp knives and a new peeler

·         What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before – climbed 29 flights of stairs, went to Swiss Days in Midway, went to the Utah spring playoff game

·         Did you keep your new year’s resolution – Don’t really make them, I am always working on a set of goals

·         Did anyone close to you give birth? – My nieces/nephews had babies

·         Did anyone close to you die? – No, thank goodness

·         What countries did you visit – I made many visits to England in my memory

·         What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010 – Financial Stability

·         What was your biggest achievement of the year – Losing 30 pounds

·         What was your biggest failure – not achieving complete organization in my craft room and primary responsibilities

·         Did you suffer illness or injury – A couple of nasty colds

·         Where did most of your money go – Cost of living

·         What did you get really, really, really excited about? – 2010 Football Season and Stampin UP Convention

·         What song will always remind you of 2010 – Have to say I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas  ( I know the song came out in 2009 but I still hear it all the time)

·         What did you wish you’d done more of – Fishing/Camping/Hiking

·         What do you wish you’d done less of - Worry

·         How did you spend Christmas – At home with Ralph and his family

·         What was your favorite TV Program – Biggest Loser and NCIS

·         What was the best book you read this year  - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

·         What was the best thing you bought – A smaller sized pair of jeans

·         What was your greatest musical discovery – Nothing new to speak of

·         What did you get for Christmas – new clothes and a new vacuum

·         What was your favorite film of the year – Didn’t see too many movies – But I really liked How to train your Dragon and Harry Potter 7 pt 1

·         What did you do on your birthday – Gary and Mar came for a visit, we went to dinner, had PB Cheesecake, went to the symphony.

·         How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2010 – Casual skirts/shirts and sandals

·         What kept you sane? – Being able to stamp and paper craft

·         What political issue stirred you the most – Health Coverage and the Elizabeth Smart Trial

·         Who was the best new person (people) you met? – With our new ward – I met a lot of people but at the top would probably be Vonnie & Emillie

·         A valuable life lesson you learned in 2010 – Slow down and enjoy the ride, don’t pile too much on – the stress is not worth it.

Book Review

I think it is time to catch up on a few of the books that have crossed my path and have been read.
I will start with the two bookgroup books....

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.  This woman is better know in the world as HeLa.  A woman who grew up on a tobacco plantation in the south.  She lived a hard life but seemed to be happy.  She came down with cancer - and eventually died from it.  What the story picks up is how a sample of her cells were taken and became one of the most important tools in medicine.  Her cells were the ones that helped create a polio vaccine, as well as helped uncovered viruses, helped with cancer research, and many other amazing scientific advances.  It also addresses how her family found out about it 20 year after the fact.  The family had a hard time dealing with it - based on their beleifs and were very private about themselves and media and scientists continued to bugh them.  I really enjoyed the story - got sucked in right away.  I enjoyed the read and learning about a science that was new to me.  Definitely not a book I would have chosen to read on my own volition, but one I would recommend

The next book was Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
This book is about a boy coming of age in a not so easy time.   He has passion for sea life and marine biology.  He spends a good part of his summer searching the beaches for what ever the sea happens to give up to the beaches.  He also spends his summer worrying about whether his parents will split up, or if his geriatric neighbor is truly a psychic, or if his feelings for his former babysitter, or hanging out with his friend who is only interested in girls and music.  The question posed that I found interesting was how it dealt with mysticism vs truth.  I read this book from a "summer read" perspective instead of digging in and finding the symbols and hidden meanings behind the writing.  Not my first pick - but interesting. 

The next book was my choice.  Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt - Beth Hoffman.  I don't remember how I heard about this one or why I chose it, but I really enjoyed it - A young girl raised by a mother who has severe bi-polar disorder and a father who left on business a lot to avoid dealing with the issues at home.  It isn't until her mother dies and she is taken by her great aunts to be raised that life starts to turn around and she has to face and deal with her past.  Despite the hard things at the beginning of the book - I loved the direction the story took and the characters in it were funny and enjoyable.

The next one to review is The Scent of Rain and Lightning -Nancy Pickard.  I was looking for a good mystery and this was a well reviewed book so I gave it a try.  Definitely kept me guessing until the end.  This novel starts with a 26 year old woman in a small Kansas farm town learning that the man who was convicted of murdering her father(the same night that her mother went missing, presumably also dead) was being released from prison, largely about concerns about the fairness of the original trial. The book then flashes back to 23 years earlier and details the events and the people involved in the death and disappearance.  It isn't until the very end and some major plot twists that you find out who done it.  I loved it.

The last book to review is The Blue Sword - Robin Mckinley
The story is about a young girl who doesn't really fit in finds her strength after being kidnapped by a mysterious, magical Hill-King.  She learns about her heritage as well as an ancient power that she holds.   Full of insecurities she perseveres and does what she needs to do to fulfill her destiny. It is a lot like another book I have read which happens to be one of my favorites called Crown Duel - by Sherwood Smith.  The book was complete escapism and an enjoyable read.

Happy reading to all

Look what I have been doing

Happy Sunday Everyone!!!

Horrible picture - I know!  I just had to show you that I actually had it out and was using it.  No - I am not playing for anyone, just personal enjoyment and listening to Ralph play the piano.  What I really need to do is get my flute playing friend to come over tomorrow night and play a few duets with me.  Are ya game???

The work Christmas party went great - I think everyone went home full and satisfied.  Ralph was the hero in all of this.  I had no energy and was blowin boogers so he stepped in and saved the day.  I sure love that guy!!!!!

We have family coming over to help us eat leftovers and I have a baptism to attend this evening.  Another full day of activities.  I love a full calendar and keeping busy...but there are times when I need some Cheryl time - maybe next week??

Ta Ta for now

Do you Believe

As I sit home on a rainy day eatting my canned chicken gumbo soup, trying to get some rest and deal with a nasty head cold (stress and no sleep do it to me every time) - I learned that today is National Believe Day - tied in with Macy's and Make a wish foundation.  Macy's is collecting letters to Santa and for every letter they are donating a $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation.  I love the concept of Believeing in Christmas and all that is involved with the holiday.  Whether it is a letter to Santa, or the conservative gift buying, the music, the decorations, the gathering of friends and family, the compelling need to reach out and help those that have less.  The darkest time of the year when we put up all the lights and celebrate the very Being who brings His light to us.

Here is a card we made in my stamping group last month. I got the idea from a fellow stamper who was making these cards for her local Ronald McDonald House.  Isn't he cute.  We had a lot of fun with this one.

We did this one - which was my favorite of the three that we did.  Once again - not my original idea, but really easy and this is what it looks like when you open it.  You could adapt this to any holiday or celebration theme.  You could attach a picture or a gift card or a little note.  In fact my BFF took this concept and made her Christmas card that she is sending out to 80 plus people. 

Last, but not least here is a picture of the Turkey bags we had as favors on the table.  I filled them with a mixture of corn nuts, pretzels, chocolate dried fruits etc.  I think they were well received. 

Ralph has started working on my work dinner project and has instructed me to take it easy today and he will take care some of the prep today.  He is so good to me and so patient and willing to help me out when I pile on the projects.  We will be doing empanadas, tamales, enchiladas, and fixings for tacos/tostadas.  Hopefully my fellow workers will feel like it was worth their money.  I am going to try and make the favors today for the dinner as well as get the paper cut for my Christmas cards that should have already been sent out.  Well...we do what we can. 

Ta Ta for now

Christmas Buzz

Have you caught it yet? 
I HAVE!  As long as I stay away from the stores and the commercial hub bub I will be fine.

As Ralph and I talked through some of our plans for the holiday season I started to get a little excited.  We have decided to stay in town for Christmas.  Which means we will put a tree up this year.  I especially got excited when I found out the GRP Christmas album II that I couldn't find is now available as an MP3 download.  I think it is my most favorite of the three.

I volunteered Ralph and I to cater my work party event next Saturday.  It drives him crazy when I do that, but I think he enjoys the cooking and prep as much as I do.  He should thank me as this way it enables him to be in the kitchen and not have to socialize with my fellow employees.  We have planned a mexican buffet.  It makes me hungry just thinking about it.  I love doing these kinds of things.  I have often thought about changing careers to a catering style job, but then I don't think it would be fun for me.  I will stick with the for "personal enjoyment" thing and my regular day job.
 
The activities for the weekend will keep us busy.  I have a baptism to attend in the morning, help Ralph's Mom put up her Christmas decorations, the land lord and an electrician coming to our house to "ground" the electrical outlets, our house to clean and prepare for Christmas.  Sunday - I hope to get some VT done.  Somewhere in that time frame I plan on posting pictures of some of the projects I have been working on and starting a couple of new ones, including our Christmas cards.

We have our family and neighbor gifts planned.  I really think that planning is half the battle.  We have really tried to simplify things but still make them meaningful.  Kind of hard for me as I like to go BIG.  But I think I will be satisfied with what we have planned this year.

I will end with a recipe that I found on Megans cooking Blog it is easy, yummy, and festively colored.

BLT Pasta

6 strips of thick sliced bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
1 C cherry/grape tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
1 lb thin spaghetti
4oz butter
1 C heavy cream
1/2 C parmesan - plus additional for garnish
2 C spinach leaves (makes it a healthy dish)
salt
pepper

• Cook pasta
• meanwhile saute bacon until crisp - drain and save 1 T of the drippings - crumble bacon
• Add tomatoes and sugar carmelize until tomatoes begin to brown (about 5 minutes)
• Turn heat to low and stir in cream, butter, and cheese.
• Drain spaghetti and set aside
• Stir in bacon, and spinach - then add spaghetti. 
• Season with salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish with cheese and enjoy.

You could add chicken to this.