Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Veteran's Day Blog HOP!!!!

I love blog Hops that are Close to my Heart!
I went a LITTLE crazy making all kinds of Military apparel! 
I carry most of these pieces in my shop on Etsy!
I was thinking about all of the Wonderful Military Folks that I know... and I realized most of the servicemen I know are WOMEN! What an amazing time we live in! 
A few of my Sorority Sisters are US Army Sisters! Rock it out Kappas!
My First Project was Inspired by my Army Sisters:

These are Five Decade Memory Wire Rosary Wraps, with Saint Christopher United States Army Medals. Made from Unakite and Red Sesame Jasper!

My Second Project is Marine Inspired, I have more than a few Marines in the Family and well, it is their Birthday!
This is a Hand Stitched Red Leather Journal with Red, white and blue Page marker with a hanging Vintage Gold Cross!
For my Air Force Buddies:
Saint Christopher Land Sea Air Pocket Rosary in Red Sesame Jasper. Perfect for travel.

And for all of those Veterans and Active Military Personnel and family, I am praying for you!
5 Decade  Red, White & Blue, Crown of Throwns Sacred Heart Rosary.


BLOG HOP LIST:
1.     KarelJ at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity  http://karelj.blogspot.com
2.     Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly  http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.com
3.     Deb at Tidbit’s Place    http://tidbitsplace.blogspot.com
4.       Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs   http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com
5.       Jennifer at Young’s Scrapping    http://youngsscrapping.blogspot.com
6.       Diane at Crafting This Moment    http://craftingthismoment.blogspot.com
7.       Judy at Be Present Be Real    http://bepresentbereal.blogspot.com
8.       Marianne at Life From Marianne’s Table    http://number1aunt.blogspot.com
9.       Deb at If It’s Groovy    http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com
10.   Christel at One Scrappin’ Sista   http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com
11.   Belinda at Queen Bee’s Musings       http://queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com
12.   Colleen at Col’s Creative Corner     http://scrappycol.blogspot.com
13.   Summer and Jennifer at Cricut Diaries  http://cricutdiaries.blogspot.com
14.   Rachel at Suburban Crafter     http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/  ***YOU ARE HERE***
15.   Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping  http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com
16.   Becky at  Susan’s Blog   http://sewingstitches.blogspot.com
17.   Rebecca at Creations With Becca  http://creationswith becca.blogspot.com
18.   Bobbi Jo at Sassy Sweet Diva  http://sassysweetdiva.blogspot.com
19.   Angie at Gypsy  Paperie  http://gypsypaperie.blogspot.com
20.   Linda at The Tulip Collector  http://thetulipcollector.blogspot.com

BLOG CANDY INFO:
*Our amazing Blog Candy (2—count ‘em! TWO Chances to win!!) are brought to you through the generosity of Marlo, who created the marvelous Scrap’NTote  and Anne, from Paper Patch Crafts.
The rules for entering are the same for both prizes:  Hop along our path and leave a comment AND a way to contact you on each and every stop. Please leave contact information in a safe manner ( ie, written out, rather than a direct link).   On Friday, November 12, KarelJ will use random.org to first select a blog number (1-20) and then a comment number from that blog for each prize.  She will post the winner’s name on her blog and notify the bloggers, so they can also post the winner.  KarelJ will contact the winner, using the information left in the comment.  If there is no information available, she will choose another winner from the same blog.  It is up to the winner to contact KarelJ at ksjennings(at)gmail(dot)com. If she has not been contacted by Monday, November 15, another winner will be chosen.
Now, on to the good stuff! Our first prize is a wonderful Pink Scrap’Ntote to store your Cricut Cartridges in!  It comes to us from Marlo, at ContainYaCrafts.  You can see the wonderful way this binder system keeps all your carts together, and ready to go in a flash on this link:  http://www.cricutcartridgestorage.com/index.htm  Need more than one?  Put it on the Christmas Wish List and have the hubs order NOW, as they are simply flying out of stock!  We got one of the final donations for the year, and are so grateful to Marlo!
Our second terrific prize is a set of Spellbinders Nesties in the Crown Circle Shape.  It comes to us via the generosity of Anne, whose family has an incredibly strong military heritage.  You can read more about Anne and her husband on Linda and Gina’s Blogs.  You can also check out paper Patch Crafts here, to see what other incredible things Anne has to sell!  http://stores.ebay.com/Paper-Patch-Crafts?_rdc=1  *
READ ABOUT A MILITARY FAMILY: 
Interview With Julie
1. How are you connected to the Military?   My father is retired from the USAF and my husband is currently serving in the USAF.
2. How has this connection impacted your life?  It has given me a wonderful opportunity to live abroad in other countries. To live in another country is a different experience than to just visit for a short stay. When it comes to assignment time I get anxious to find out where we are going next. To me, its like a new adventure and I always look forward to it.
3. What’s the hardest part of being a military relative (wife? Child? Friend?)  One would be being away from family and close friends. But with the military, you find new friends that you build strong friendship bonds that are as dear to you as family. hardest part...the thought of that dreadful knock on the door or the phone call.
4. What do you do to make it easier?  With technology now days it’s a lot easier to keep up with family and friends. I even still chat with close friends from overseas, which is nice. Get out and meet people. Get involved in local activities. Just try to mingle and get to know others in the area.
5. Do you think Veterans and Service personnel get the respect they deserve?  
For the most part, I think they do, but I do feel as though the older Veterans sometimes don't get as much respect as they should. In the towns and cities where there are bases i feel as though the respect is higher.
6. What kinds of things do you think could be done to better support Veterans and the Military?
I would like to see more done for those serving our country who are injured while serving. Also, the families of those who have lost a loved one or are caring for a loved one who was injured need support.
7. What do you think artists and crafters could do to support the Military?
Artisits and crafters have always been good supporters and I hope they will always continue sharing their talented gifts.
8. What else would you like to share with the people reading this?
I would just would like to say that I am proud of my husband for his commitment to his country during these difficult times. Even though he works long hours and is sent to do tours, in the end it’s all worth it . We have traveled places and experienced things that most people would never dream of. We have 3 wonderful boys, each born in different countries, to share in this experience. I wouldn't change a thing. OK… maybe just the leaving family part...

Monday, November 1, 2010

Who is Hungry??? This Girl.

As many of you know, my recent and off the wall diagnosis of Takayasu's Arteritis has me on a HIGH dosage of steroids... so who is hungry? THIS GIRL for sure!
I have packed on about 45 lbs... don't worry, I started well below the hundred mark... so I could use it!
Luckily for me, my neighborhood offers FREE cooking classes!
I love to cook, I have not learned any new techniques, but tasting the recipes first hand, makes me more likely to try NEW things in my kitchen!
This recipe is a modification of one that I got from the class... which is offered by Chef Tim feel free to contact him, he is supremely friendly. He shares his recipes freely! His original Recipe was called 'Hatch Green Chile & Potato Soup'

Here is my Version:

Chorizo, Chile & Potato Soup

3 TBS Butter or Margarine
1 Yellow Onion
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 tsp Oregano
2 Bay Leaves
2-3 links Chorizo Sausages (no meat in original) cut open skin removed
5-6 cups Stock
7 oz. can of Green Chiles (orignal recipe had 20oz.)
3-4 Russet Potatoes, Diced
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1/3 cup Heavy Cream

Roux: 1/4 cup veg Oil and 1/3 cup Flour. Heat oil and whisk in flour for 2-3 until flour is cooked out.
or you can use a cornstarch mixture.. your choice.

In your stock pot, heat your butter, saute your onion and garlic until translucent. Add the chorizo, breaking it up into chunks. you can use pork sausage or any other meat or no meat here if you like.  Add Oregano and bay leaves. stir. cover for 5-10 minutes. stirring occasionally. 
Then add the stock, potatoes and chiles, seasonings. simmer for 25-30 until potatoes are soft. Add the cream. Make your Roux. Add your Roux Mix until combined, thickened.
Serve with strips of corn tortilla that have been fried in oil until crisp, top with your fave Mexican Cheese (Muenster, Oaxaca, Monterrey Jack). Straight Cheddar is good too!

I love this as a leftover with a nice Mexican Panini.