Foodie Friday - Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Now you really didn't think I was going to serve you that stuff in the red can and good old American cheese, did you?  ;-)  I did love that as a kid but we're all grown up now so it's time for some grown up tomato soup and grilled cheese.

Yumm -O!!  Chunky Tomato Basil Soup and Grilled Mozzarella, Pesto and Roasted Pepper Sandwiches on multi-grain sourdough bread....hungry yet?

This soup recipe came from a good friend at church...the sandwich I just made up as I went.  You can omit the roasted peppers if you don't have any or don't like them.  You can have this dinner on the table in under an hour and it's good enough to serve to company.

Roasted Tomato Soup

1/3 c. cup EACH finely chopped carrots, leeks, red onion, and celery

1/4 c. finely chopped green pepper

2 tsp. garlic, minced

3 ounces unsalted butter

1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 quart chicken stock

16 oz. can diced tomatoes in puree

1 tsp. basil leaves

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 c. tomato paste

salt and pepper to taste

1 c. heavy cream (I know, but it's sooooo good!)

Melt butter and heat until very hot but not browned.  Add vegetables and saute until softened. 

Add garlic.  Saute until cooked and vegetables are translucent.

Add the flour, cook, stirring occasionally, about 6-8 minutes.  Add chicken stock, stirring constantly to make to make sure there are no lumps.  Stir in remaining ingredients, EXCEPT for cream.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, simmer for 20 minutes.  Ad the cream.  Heat until the soup is heated through about 5 minutes or until hot. 

Grilled Mozzarella, Pesto and Roasted Sandwiches 

Adjust quantities for number of sandwiches required

Thick sliced multi-gain sourdough bread - 2 slices per sandwich

Fresh mozzarella cheese - 2 slices per sandwich

Fresh or store bought Pesto - 1 T. per sandwich

Roasted Red Peppers (optional) -  enough to cover cheese in a single layer

  ( I roast my own if they're on sale.  I keep a jar on hand just in case.)

Olive oil

For each sandwich:

Brush one side of each piece of bread with olive oil.  Spread one slice with 1 T. pesto.  Add two slices fresh mozzarella cheese and roasted red peppers if using.  Top with 2nd slice of bread that has been brushed with olive oil.  Grill until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. 

Enjoy!!

A little of this and a little of that....

Thanks everyone for hanging in there while I was away and for waiting until the weariness and brain fog cleared. In case you were wondering, the cake pops were a HUGE hit.  I'm so glad I invested the time to make them not only delicious but beautiful.  I wish I had snapped a final photo.  I wrapped each one in a clear bag and tied it with beautiful sheer white May Arts ribbon. 

I was finally able to get back into my studio last night for a bit of catching up on the SCS challenges and just in time for WOYWW 97 over at Julia's Stamping Ground.  Be sure to pop over to see what's on the workdesks of crafters all over the world.

Since my workdesk was a bit of a mess from making the cards below, I took a shot of my paper storage.  I know everyone is always looking for a neat way to store their paper.  I  LOVE this system!!

I still need a few more pieces so I can get my basic white paper in there.  I sort my paper by manufacturer due to the DT challenges and from there by color families as much as possible. 

Now to the reason my desk is a mess.....First up is this card for the Teapot Tuesday challenge -  MMTPT141:

Our cards are going to Tom, a 62 yr. old man with Down's Syndrome, who loves guitars & cars, and he LOVES to get cards!  You can find all Tom's information at the above link if you'd like to help make his day.

My card for Tom is has all the elements heat embossed in black detail embossing powder, then I cut them out and popped everything on with dimensionals.

Next up is the Clean and Simple challenge card - CAS114.  This week was an inspiration challenge based on some cute baby bibs.

I used the largest Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle die to cut my bib shape and a smaller plain circle for the opening. 

Thankfully, both card came together easily in great part to the wonderful inspiration photos.  Be sure to pop over the SCS site for a peek.  Remember, you can click on any photo for closer look.  ;-)

The winner of my blog candy has not contacted me even though I left a note on her blog so I have chosen another winner:

okienurse said...

Welcome back! Glad to hear your arm is getting better! Very nice card. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #162

Thanks, Vicki!  PM me with your snail mail and I'll send the package right out to you!

Supplies :

Guitar card

Paper - Neenah Solar White, PTI black. DCWV La Creme

Ink - Versamark

Stamps - Inkadinkadoo Rock Star

Accessories - Black detail embossing powder, dimensionals, stick on bling

Bib card

Paper - SU Certainly Celery

Ink - Versamark, Versafine black, SU Certainly Celery (sponging)

Stamps - Hero Arts Swirl Christmas, PTI Baby Button Bits (sentiment)

Accessories - Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle/Circle dies, White detail EP, ribbon

May Arts/Bella Blvd. Blog Week & a Tutorial

Today is the last day of May Arts Blog Week with Bella Blvd. and what an exciting and beautiful week it's been!  If you haven't checked out the wonderful DT projects and giveaways yet, be sure to head over to the May Arts and Bella Blvd. blog before you miss out.

I'm so excited to be winding up the weekend with a fun project that I hope you will love as much as I do.
Here's a little sneak peek and a hint (I used one of the templates from the Cutting Cafe for our Shaped Card inspiration challenge this month...can you guess which one?)

I've got a tutorial for you at May Arts Ribbon blog so be sure to head over to see the whole project.



                                           

"I am my beloved's and His desire is for me."

This verse from Song of Solomon is the theme of our weekend.  A wedding...with the perfect Groom.  How wonderful to rest in the confidence of that verse on your wedding day.

Here's the card I designed for the leader of our weekend so thank her for being willing to listen to the Lord and lead all of us.  She chose white with silver accents as our colors for the weekend.

I adore this sheer May Arts Ribbon (NE01) !  I used it to tie all the cake pops as well...it has a subtle sheen that almost makes it sparkle....just beautiful!

Hope she likes it!

Supplies:

Paper - SU Silver cardstock, DP- DCWV Luxury pack

Sentiment - computer generated

Accessories - magnolia (made by me),  May Arts Sheer ribbon, spray of pearls (Michael's), stick on pearls, Sakura gelly roll crystal star (highlights flower centers), heavy duty thread, needle, piercing tool, Spellbinder's  oval die

                                                     

Cake Pops! WOYWW 96

What's on my workdesk?  Not much stamping but lots and lots (130 to be exact!) cake pops!!  These are all ready to be bagged, tagged and ribboned...May Arts of course!  Hey, did you see the 2nd May Arts giveaway yet?  No...well why not?  :-)  

Head on over the Stamping Ground to see what Julia and the other WOYWW crew have on their workdesks this week.

I've  got a couple of posts in the hopper for you while I'm gone...just hope blogger cooperates!

Teapot Tuesday, Bella Blvd and May Arts

Apologies to my email readers for the late post...DH's week to go in to work later in the day means my posting doesn't get done at night or early in the a.m.  I'm also prepping for my weekend away...lots to do so little time it seems.

Another combo post for you today.  First up...exciting news!  May Arts and Bella Blvd. are bringing you an exciting blog week with lots of giveaways, projects and fun.

Want a sneak peek of what you can win?

and how about a side of ribbon to go with that?



Yummy, right?  Head on over the May Arts blog to find out how to win it and then head to Bella Blvd. for the yummy giveaways there as well.   I'm not sure what day my project will be up but I will give you a heads up when I see it.  I had soooo much fun!

This week's Teapot Tuesday card is heading to Emmit, Idaho and Linda who has had to have nearly all the vertebrae in her spine fused after a fall.  Linda's friend, Leigh Grady, has designed a free digital image that she's sharing for anyone who wants to make a card for Linda.  Linda loves cats and butterflies.  I have dubbed my creature a Caterfly.  :-)

He's a big bold kitty with big bold colors.  I gave him some softness on his belly and feet with a bit of flower soft.  He's popped up on dimensionals.  Hope he brings Linda a smile.

I also made this card for the OLW47 challenge this week hosted by Jennifer challenge this week.  Believe it or not, it took me 3 tries to get that image straight in the embossed square.  Still not sure I like it but it's done.

I used a Spellbinders Square die to emboss the center then stamped the image from SU Gently Falling in Versamark Brilliance Sky Blue ink...it has a bit of shimmer to it that's really soft and pretty.

Last but not least, I received this sweet award from kind Peggy.  She calls herself the Nutty Cardmaker but I think she's all sweetness.

Thanks Peggy...be sure to pop over and show Peggy some love.  She's in the far North in Canada and a regualr on SCS.

Clean & Simple Featured Stamper Make it Monday

How's that for combining challenges?  Super busy week this week as I will be heading out of town for 4 days at the end of the week leaving Hubby and Puppy on their own.  I'm trying to work ahead and plan ahead but there will still be a few days when I won't be posting over the weekend.

Here's my 3fer for today.  The CAS113 Challenge on SCS is a color challenge to use Aqua, light yellow and white.  I combined with this week's Papertrey Ink Make it Monday challenge to use heat embossing as well as the DT Challenge revisiting Butterfly Kisses and the Sunday Featured Stamper challenge FS217 featuring the wonderful gallery of Irene aka Dandi93.

You can find the card I chose to CASE from Irene's amazing gallery here.  She has several examples using this technique  including an overall awesome gallery so be ready to spend some time there enjoying her talent.

Here's my humble offering...it actually took me a few tries to get the oval sponged without getting ink outside the die.  I heat embossed the butterfly from Butterfly Kisses before cutting it out.  The center white panel is popped on foam tape.

Supplies:
Paper - Neenah 110 lb.
Stamps - PTI Butterfly Kisses
Ink - PTI Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Versamark
Accessories - EP, heat gun, foam tape

Thanks for visiting today...love our time together.

Blue Baby Blue Giveaway

Two posts today so be sure to scroll down for my Papertrey Make it Monday post. 

There was an old song, back when they were clean and you could understand the words!  Now you know how OLD I am.

"Blue baby blue, I'm as blue as I can be;

'Cause my sailor boy said, "Ship Ahoy",

And joined the Naaaavy."

Corny but cute and it's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this beautiful blue collection Giveaway at May Arts Ribbon in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.

Head to the blog to see how you can win it.

Make it Monday..on Saturday!

It's not Monday but I am on time (yeah!) for the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge.  This week is a technique challenge using ink blending. (video tutorial at this link)  Now I must admit I rarely try challenges but I needed a card for my prayer partner on a retreat weekend who just happens to be male and a pastor.  Talk about intimidating!

I used PTI"s Everyday Blessings for this CAS card.  The sentiment is perfect for my needs.
The center panel is popped up on dimensionals.  I used the Tim Holtz blending tool and black ink to do the subtle blending.  I think it makes the cross looks like it's backlit. 

If you change the sentiment, this would make a nice, elegant, simple sympathy card for a male or female, I think.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  You can always click on the photos to make them bigger if you'd like.

Foodie Friday , Blog Candy Winner and a tiny update

Today's Foodie Friday is easy and oh so good now that fresh strawberries are in season.  It looks rich but tastes really light and everyone loves it.  I make the banana cake layers when we have extra bananas and freeze them.  I can have dessert in under 30 minutes!

Banana Split Cake ( recipe for the cake follows)

1 recipe homemade banana layer cake or 1 box 2 layer size banana cake mix (I've never used the mix but it might be ok)
2 cups sweetened whipped heavy cream
2. cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 (8 1/4 oz.)  can crushed pineapple, well drained
1 (11-12 oz) jard fidge ice cream topping
1/2 c. chopped peanuts (optional)

1.  Prepare cake.  Allow to cool.  Cut each layer in two.  I find using a piece of dental floss makes this job easy.  (um...make that a fresh piece of floss!)

2.  Divde the whipped cream in half.  Fold sliced strawberries into one half and crushed pineapple into the other half.

3.  Warm fudge topping in microwave just until it comes out of the jar easily...you DO NOT want it to be hot.

4.  Place bottom layer onto serving plate.  Top with strawberry cream spreading to the edge.   Place next layer on the strawberry cream.

5.  Spread half the warm fudge topping on the cake.

6.  Add another cake layer, then the pineapple cream.  Top with the final cake layer.  Spread remaining warm topping over the cake letting it drizzle down the sides.   

Serve immediately or allow to chill for up to 2 hours.  Makes 12 servings 

Homemade Banana Cake  (one bowl easy)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 t. baking powder

3/4 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. mashed ripe banana (about 3 med.)

1/2 c. buttermilk

1/2 c. shortening

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

Grease and flour 2 - 9" round cake pans.  Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add banana, buttermilk, shortening, eggs and vanilla.

Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till combined.  Beat on med. speed for 3 minutes.

Pour into prepared pans.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven approx. 23-28 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.

So sorry I'm drawing the blog candy late.  Today has been quite the day.  In addition to my hand, I also have arthritis in my R. knee, ring finger and toes...(these years are golden for the doctors, not the rest of us!)  I'm thankful to say that it comes and goes so I have more good days than bad. 

I went to doc today as the knee has been pretty swollen along with the Baker's Cyst on the back side of it.  So much for my "runner's legs".  The doctor drains it periodically...usually with no problems...until today.  Today, I bled out.  ICK.   He said he put a hole in my knee and I thought he was joking.  NOT.   I have to RICE it as he said to expect pain and bruising.  Geesh. 

Needless to say, I got no stamping done.  Here's the candy winner for this...plus I'm adding some extra May Arts ribbon for being patient.  :-)

True Random Number Generator

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

20

Timestamp: 2011-04-01 21:51:11 UTC

Susan said...

Fabulous "guy" card!! Love that on the kraft!

March 23, 2011 11:18 PM

Thanks to everyone who visited and commented.  Susan, I will be contacting you for your address.
 

WOYWW 95? A Mess!!

Well, it's late but it's still Wednesday and that means I've still got time for WOYWW 95 over at Julia's Stamping Ground, so thought I'd get this posted to give you some idea of the mess I've been living in for a couple of days..well, actually MORE than a couple! 

This isn't even my workdesk!  It's the cutting table I've put up in the center of the room thinking it would help keep things neater...NOT...the mess just spread.  The workdesk is covered with several large shoeboxes of beads.  Now you'll just have to wonder what I'm up to because next week is Bella Blvd./May Arts Blog Week.  You'll for sure want to pop over to the May Arts blog for the fun.  In addition, there are several other projects piled on there.

Don't forget that April 1st I'm drawing for the blog candy here and May Arts has been spring cleaning and look what they're giving away.

Don't those ribbons just look like springtime?  Head on over the blog to find out how you can win them!

Teapot Tuesday - Ribbons for Ashley

I really don't know where my mind is sometimes....this week's Teapot Challenge cards were to feature ribbons.  All that stuck in my brain, however, was this adorable felt teapot challenge image:

Can you believe someone stitched this entire set?!

Our cards this week are heading to Indiana to Ashley.  Ashley's home was flooded and she lost ALL her stamping supplies.  I could just hyperventilate at the mere thought of it.  Since I forgot to add ribbons to my card, I'm going to send Ashley a bunch of that beautiful May Arts ribbon I adore so much.  I'm also going to send my card blank inside so she can have some to send until she can replenish her supplies. 

Here's my rendition of the challenge image:

My card is 4.75" x 3".  I adhered the DP (scrap from my stash), then scored the top part every 1/2".  I did add a piece of May Arts ric rac.  The image is from PTI's Text Boxed.  The sentiment is double stamped with pink but it doesn't show in the photo.  The edges are distressed with scissors.

If you have extra supplies you no longer need, I'm sure Ashley would be thrilled with them.

Clean & Simple Monday with TLC

Well, I can hardly believe it myself...I actually got to play along with the CAS challenge on SCS this morning!  It's a rainy morning here. The kind with thunder and lightening.  We need the rain badly as this is fire season in Florida due to the dry winter.

Ok, on to my card.  The CAS challenge this week (CAS112) is to Cut up your Sentiments.  This is something I don't think I've ever done.  I combined it with the Technique Challenge on SCS (TLC318), Follow the Edge.  I'm a pretty straightforward stamper as I fail miserably at the fancy techniques but this one is easy...

I've had this adorable Penny Black stamp for awhile but I've been afraid to ink it up because I'm not great at coloring.  I love this sweet image because this little boy loves all the things our grandson does..airplanes, his dog, kites, and football.  I tried to color the dog like their dog, Nick, who's black and white. 

The stars on the kite tail and airplance sparkle as well as the button on his shirt and the propeller on the plane but I couldn't capture it with my camera.  The background is lightly sponged in blue.  I outlined the boy with a T1 Copic to give the image some depth.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  Hope to get the PTI challenge in the morning...now that would be a miracle!

Supplies:

Paper - Neenah Solar White, Bazzill Linen Texture Red, SU blue

Stamps - Penny Black Slapstick Stamps Fly Away (Love these!)

Ink - Memento black, Copic markers, Sakura Glitter pen Silver and Glaze Yellow

Accessories - Glue dots, Scissors

Papertrey Blog Hop - Embroidery Floss

Finally, finished a card for a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop but  didn't get it posted in time for the hop.  That's ok...we went to dinner with friends and an awesome Chris Tomlin concert!  The night was warm and beautiful, perfect for an outdoor concert.

The challenge was use embroidery floss on our projects.  My card is pretty simple...I just made little French knots in my flower centers.  My first inclination was to use some of my stash of crocheted flowers I make in the car when we take long road trips but I thought maybe there would be alot of those entered.

The center panel is popped up on dimensionals. The area above and below the image panel were scored on the Scor-Pal and the border is a Martha Stewart punch.

Here's a closer look at the knots.  I added some shadows to my branch and some of the flowers with a T1 Copic marker.

Thanks for stopping by...maybe I'll be on time for the next one!! 

Supplies:
Paper - PTI white, Plum Pudding, Smokey Shadow
Ink - Versafine, Copic marker
Stamps - PTI Simple Little Things, Out on a Limb
Accessories - Scor-Pal, dimensionals, embroidery floss


                                                      

Foodie Friday for "'One Spring Day"

Remember when you were a kid and you just wanted to cut and paste?  No coloring, no drawing, just the satisfaction of scissors in hand and the smell of Elmer's School paste, that white stuff in the little jar with the floppy red spreader that you just had to taste once in awhile.  (Yes, you did, fess up.  ;-)  

Well, that's what I did today (no, not eat paste!).  The Cutting Cafe has just come out with the most adorable new set called One Spring Day. 90 images!  Some colored, some ready for you to print and color.  I don't have all the new programs for my computer yet, (grrr..it's a conspiracy..new computer, have to buy all new stuff) so I couldn't transfer the images individually...no problem.  I just printed out some of the fun colored images and then I cut and pasted.  Pure fun, no stressing about coloring out of the lines.  A little sponging on the background is all the ink I added by hand.

I popped the ladybug, kite and birdhouse on the right up on dimensionals, added the buttons and called it done.  Super fun, super easy for when you need a quick card or you have little ones who just want to "cut and paste".
Supply List:
Paper - SU Real Red, Ballet Blue
Ink - Bliss Blue
Stamps - The Cutting Cafe One Spring Day 
Accessories - dimensionals, buttons, May Arts burlap twine

Here's a super easy recipe for One Spring Day...bursting with color, flavor and crunch this is almost a meal in itself yet not at all heavy.  A nice light cornbread and grilled chicken paired perfectly with it.   Thanks Paula Deen!

Broccoli Salad

1 large bunch of broccoli (my bunches usually have 3 heads and I use them all)
6 - 8 slices of crisply cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2  cup roughly chopped red onion
1/2 raisins, optional but so good
4 ounces sharp Cheddar shredded in large shreds or cut into small chunks
1 c. real mayonnaise
2 T. white vinegar
1/4 c. sugar
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
handful of toasted walnuts (optional)

Trim off large leaves and tough stalks from the broccoli.  Wash thoroughly.  Cut flowerets and peeled stems into bite sized pieces.  Place in a large bowl.

Add crumbled bacon, onion, raisins, and cheese.  In a small bowl, combine maonnaise, vinegar and sugar.  Stir well or use a whisk until well combined.  Add to large bowl, toss.  Add tomatoes, toss gently.  Sprinkle with toasted walnuts, if desired.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Have an awesome Spring Day!

It's a Citrus Celebration

I know it's Thursay...or is it?  ;-)  DH had a day off yesterday (I use that term loosely...he mowed and sprayed the lawn, cleaned our big wooden front entry doors,  installed the new keyboard for the desktop (in our office, it requires yoga moves) and grilled the chicken for dinner! Is he a sweetheart or what?)  I lose track of the days when he has his mid-week day off. 

Since we live in citrus country, I couldn't resist this week's Moxie Fab  Citrus Celebration Tuesday Trigger.

Isn't this orange, lemon and lime combo refreshing and fun?  I love those polka dot cupcake liners!

Here's my interpretation....

I started with a base of PTI Lemon Tart then layered it with some DP from one of my favorite paper packs, DCWV Citrus Collection.

The bird is cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

A bit of stitching, some hand gathered ribbon, a few fun buttons, and some distressing with scissors and ink to soften the edges and done. 

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Lemon Tart, SU Orange, Neenah Solar White

DP - DCWV Citrus Collection

Ink - Versafine Orange, PTI Chai

Stamps - PTI Everyday Classics, Impression Obsession bird

Accessories - sewing machine, PTI buttons, dimensionals, ribbon, glue dots, scissors

Thanks for stopping by my paper playground...don't forget to comment for the blog candy here.  It's good to be back!

I'm baaaaack!

Finally...thanks to a techy friend who spent this evening getting us up and running (he works for food!) and the brace came off (until the next time) :-(

This new computer will take some getting used to and of course, some of my programs don't work anymore on this new version (do you think they plan that?).

Time to catch up... first Teapot Tuesday which is a super simple CAS card for young man named Kim who was diagnosed just 3 weeks ago with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.  You can read his story here.   Kim lives in Ontario, Canada and loves Fords, food and sports...sounds just like a guy. 

I kept this super CAS using the sketch challenge from SCS324 except that I shortened the sentiment panel to keep my borders balanced.  I've also entered this in the Less is More CAS Masculine Challenge.

Supplies:

Paper - PTI Kraft, Black

Stamps - Tim Holtz Visual Artistry

Sentiment - computer generated

What's on my workdesk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday?  (WOYWW94)  Not much!  I haven't been able to stamp but did get some new red rubber from Impression Obsession.  They always have great clearance sales so I picked these up for a song...well, maybe not a song because I can't sing...but pretty cheap!

And finally, for those of you who so patiently and kindly hung in there (if you hung around to read this far!)...a little blog candy is in order to thank you!

Here's what I've got...2 sets of Fiskars stamps
                                 5 yards of natural twine on a kraft tag
                                 5 yards of ivory twine on a kraft tag
                                 several yards of assorted May Arts Ribbon
                                 3 boxes of mini brads, stars and rivets
                                 3 piercing templates - 2 sizes of round and a star (you can't see them but  they're there!)

I'll draw the winner by random number selector on April 1st.  (no foolin'!)  :-D   

Feel free to post the candy picture on your blog if you'd like but you don't have to have a blog to win it.  Just leave me a comment.

Thanks much for being there...your comments keep me going.  I've also added some new ribbons to my Etsy shop.  More to come!

A little update

First of all, thank you to everyone who offered prayers and good wishes for my hand recovery.  It is getting better each day with rest.  It's just something that comes and goes and when it comes....I'm disabled for a few days.

Secondly, BOTH of our computers died...Murphy's Law, right?  First the laptop, then the ancient desktop.  The desktop has been replaced but we don't have it fully installed yet.  We need a 12 year old to help out!!   The laptop will have to wait until the budget recovers.

Thanks for hanging in with me....in the meantime, head over to the May Arts blog.  They are hosting a "Best of" week featuring all the favorites of the designers.  You're sure to find a project or technique you can't wait to try.