Strawberry Jam

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Do you love Strawberry Jam? It's the favorite flavor at my house. But we're picky. Both my husband and I prefer smooth jam. No lumps of fruit that you just can't spread. No seeds to get stuck in your teeth. Now that's jam! So where do you get jam like that? At home! Just a few weeks ago I made my first jam ever. We love it so much we've already gone through 2 jars. I guess that means I'm going to have to make more!

I followed this recipe for the jam. Of course I pureed the jam in our blender and strained the seeds. It was a little extra work but well worth it. After cooking the jam to 222 degrees (just a little over what the recipe calls for) I canned it. It's a true work of art. After making more strawberry jam my next attempt will be blackberries. Yum!

Where I disappeared to...

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I disappeared for a while. Other than close friends and my husband and child I'm not sure many other people really noticed. But for a couple of weeks I spent days designing with the bride and her sister-in-law and redesigning. Luckily the sister-in-law did most of the sewing and I only holed up to do alterations and to finish the skirt. Finally I handed off the dress. With a prayer that the bride does not change in size before her wedding, and that with the few final touches and especially a good press and steam job that it will look picture perfect on that day. Here's the blushing bride in all her glory, the day the dress left my sight.

Congratulations Dear Bride and please do have a wonderful wedding. We will be cheering you on from this continent and praying that your day is as special as can be! Thanks for giving me the chance to remember a few long unused skills.

What Do You Think?

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Sometimes there are craft or home decor trends that I just drool over. I mean it. I see it and want it. Final. But then I get to thinking about them. Is it practical? Will I use it or like having it in my home? Or the ultimate question for me is always can I make it myself for less? Often after some serious thought I end up not making the purchase. (My husband is probably in complete shock over that last statement.)

So recently my Mom asked me if I knew anything about the current trend: Blackboard Vinyl, and how it works. Let's just say I've seen the item all over in the Blog world lately. I think it's absolutely adorable and seriously for about 5 minutes almost bought some for my house. (That was the first time I saw it.) Then, however, I got to seriously thinking about it. Thank Heaven.

Sure it is really cheap and cute. It's not only a decoration, but it has practical use. BUT, when it all boils down I HATE CHALK. Why then, would I ever want a blackboard in my home? In Elementary School we all took turns cleaning the chalkboard brushes. (Yes, when I went to school there were still blackboards.) So maybe that's why, or was it the sound of scratching nails on a blackboard that I associated with chalk? If you ever write on a cardboard box with a Sharpie it's pretty much the same sound as chalk on a blackboard. I did for a job. That just brings back memories of boredom. Then again, I don't know if that sound would even exist with the vinyl. Anybody out there know? But even more than all that. I just don't like the texture of chalk in my hands. It makes my skin crawl to think about it. I'm still wondering what crazy idea caused me to buy my son sidewalk chalk. I suppose this should be a confession, but no, it's merely an explanation. I'm so glad I thought that purchase through. Although, I suppose this one I could have given it to my Mom as a gift. Unless reading this is making her reconsider as well.

Overall - for looks I must say I approve. Adorable. But for practicality at my house it scores really low. As to the how it all works? It's really easy to put up and install just like all the Vinyl Lettering things out there. Just remember, the larger the piece you get, the more difficult it will be to align perfectly. Of course, considering the textured finish it will be thicker than the vinyl used for lettering. But it's still going to be a lot thinner than actually buying the blackboard.

If you do end up buying this product I sincerely hope you enjoy it. I'll be sticking with my Whiteboard and Dry Erase Markers. Thanks. Actually, one of these days I'll show you our own little system.

*images taken from Say it On the Wall

Delicioso Marinade

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I discovered this marinade one afternoon a few years ago while I was searching for a good marinade for Shish Kabobs. That night we enjoyed the most delicious Kabobs I think I'd ever had.

Delicioso Marinade

1/3 cup Soy Sauce

3/4 cup Olive Oil

1/8 cup Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

1 tsp Dry Mustard

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Parsley

1 1/2 tsp Pepper

1 clove Garlic crushed

Place all ingredients in blender and blend thoroughly. Marinade meat for about 40 min-1 hour. Store in fridge.

We use this marinade on Chicken, Beef or Pork Kabobs or not. When we make Kabobs we like to marinade the mushrooms with the meat. It gives them wonderful flavor. If you're not grilling you can use the left-over marinade to marinate and fry mushrooms for on top of steaks too. Just don't over-do it.

Confession #2: I'm a Procrastinator

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If you want to know the real reason I need a large craft room or area it's because I have so many projects that I haven't started or haven't finished. It's not my tools that take up the space, or even my sewing machine and serger. Nope. It's all the things I have on a list of projects.

Last week I actually went through almost all of my craft things. This was because it was moved out of the old guest room so we could give our growing son the bigger bedroom and prepare for the second baby. It was so much work. I re-discovered things I had forgotten about. Like the skirt that I made for myself 4 1/2 years ago, but never finished because it was too small. Or the pajama bottoms I had cut out but never got farther than that. The quilt I began for my son, still unfinished. Scrapbook pages I have yet to put together, and oh so much more waited for me in my piles. My true identity became very clear to me.

I am a Procrastinator.

Procrastination at my house means:

1. I should really never be in charge of something major. Like a girls night out or a wedding dress.

2. I should not be allowed to shop. Period. I'd say just at craft/hardware stores, but pretty much any store can be dangerous. Trust me.

3. I shouldn't blog. This habit causes serious delay as I take pictures of the before, during and after. It also takes precious time. And yet I won't stop, don't worry.

4. I shouldn't read other Home Decor/Craft/DIY blogs. It makes me want to do more.

5. Projects shouldn't take priority over dinner or cleaning. Yet they often do, and seldom get finished. Sorry Honey.

6. Productivity in front of the TV is minimal. Even if there is something I could do while watching. I can't even knit while watching TV.

7. There are things that always need to be sorted through: Papers, crafts, mail, boxes of junk, etc.

8. Distraction by a craft idea or project is always welcome when the alternative is not interesting (ie. All the random phone calls, grocery shopping, folding laundry, etc).

9. Actually profiting from my projects is impossible. I take too long.

10. 80-90% complete is often good enough.

So I confess my true nature to all my friends and family. Maybe I should join Procrastinators Anonymous. But for now I will go sweep and mop my floor. It has been over a week since I actually did that. Then I think I'll make dinner.

Taco Soup with Black Beans

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I love a good soup. But make it Chili and I'm in heaven. It wasn't until much later in life that I discovered the joys of White Chili, Tortilla Soup and Taco Soup. Once again, I found myself in Heaven. Yesterday some of my friends got to sample my favorite Taco Soup recipe. So here's the recipe for everyone else to enjoy too:

Taco Soup with Black Beans

1lb Ground Beef, browned and drained

28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes

15 1/4 oz can Corn, undrained

15 oz can Black Beans, undrained

15 1/2 oz can Red Kidney Beans, undrained

1 envelope dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1 envelope dry Taco Seasoning (1/4 cup)

1 small Onion, chopped

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4-6 hours. (This can be cooked on med-low heat on the stove in about an hour, but it tastes way better done in the crock-pot.)

3. Garnish individual servings with: Corn Chips, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, and Spinach as desired. A little fresh Pico de Gallo is always delicious too.

I usually use Ground Turkey instead of Ground Beef. I prefer to brown the onion before mixing it in, otherwise the onion is a little too strong for my taste. I put the Cheese, Sour Cream and Spinach at the bottom of the bowl so that it will melt, or wilt better. Then I stir it all up.

How does your Garden Grow?

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This year after attempting to late to sign up for a plot at the Community Garden we decided to try Square Foot Gardening. I'm excited to say we've got the boxes made, almost filled, and we have the seeds (and their locations) planned. I'm especially excited to try some things I've never grown before: Cantaloupe, Jalapenos and Round Zucchini.

Anyhow, as we've planned the locations of the vegetables, fruit, and herbs I realized we would benefit from plant markers. For two reasons: it makes it cute and so we remember where we planted things.

So I've found two really cute and crafty ideas for making them. I started the first idea and

then saw the second one. I'm not sure which I'll end up making in the end, but I will show you the finished product. In the meantime, if you are planning to make your own markers here are the ideas and tutorials from the online craft world:

1. Marble Garden Markers

2. Polymer Clay Herb Garden Markers

I Love To See the Temple

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This weekend I spent a few hours at the temple with my dear Sister and her son. I arrived and it was raining, but when I came out and there was glorious sunshine. I decided to take a few pictures of the gorgeous flowers there. By the time I drove home it was raining again. Go figure.

Have you been impatiently waiting to see pictures on my new camera? I'm still learning just how it all works. All I can say is it takes me a lot longer to download photos and sort through them. Not because it's slow or anything, just because I take WAY TOO MANY pictures!

Back to Designs

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Once upon a time I designed all sorts of clothing for myself. I must confess that out of those designs I probably only ever made one for real. I just finished the picture and was on to something new. If you're wondering why I haven't blogged for ages, it's mostly due to several weeks of the flu. But more recently it's due to the fact that I've been back at the design tables. This time I have already seen both designs part-way through creation as well.

The first pattern, a children's tote is cut out and by my sewing machines waiting to be made. The second pattern is a wedding dress for a friend. This has taken a lot more work. Luckily so far I haven't done any of the sewing. Each mock of the pattern (there were three of the upper half of the dress) has been made by her sister-in-law. I have yet to see the finished results of either pattern, but let tell you, they will be awesome. Beyond awesome! (My son has watched Bolt way to many times this week.)

So all of this designing has really made me want to make something for myself. I've got a few maternity patterns I might try. But you may be seeing more designs of my own in the future.

Inadequacy and Real Friendship

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Do you ever feel inadequate around someone? I just want you to know it's OK. But that they most likely don't have it as together as you think they do. Trust me. Some people are just really good at hiding it.

Remember Pottery Barn does not show lived in houses. So it's like the fashion super model for homes. Impossible to attain for 99% of the population.

I read this post today on Light Refreshments Served that made me think a lot about how grateful I am to have wonderful friends who don't judge me. They know that I'm not perfect and they don't care. It doesn't matter who's the best housekeeper, the most loving or patient mother, whose husband makes the most money, or who has the prettiest clothes. They just love and accept me for who I am - all my craziness included. I love those friends so much and I hope they know it!

Britains Got Talent

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I've see a few of the auditions so far and laughed and been amazed! Here's one I couldn't resist sharing. I can't embed it in the blog but here is the link. Enjoy!

Made New Again!

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Remember these items I bought? The bird house was about $4. No offense to those that love gold, but this was just a little too gaudy for me.

It has a few broken pieces, some dents and dings, but that just makes it unique. So with a little spray paint later and I have a beautiful spring birdhouse for my front entrance!

For a total of $5 I have all new decor. I used indoor/outdoor spray paint so it would last a long time or at least until I have another $5 to replace it with something else! At wich point I'll probably remove the bird house and make it a candle stick holder.