New from the studio

Just wanted to show you a few new things I've been working on lately.

in progress

Happy crafting! Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll be working...........   :{

Great new blog!!

http://sayhellotoyourmotherforme.blogspot.com/

I'm going to be the unbiased (really) but braggy Mom. My daughter started a blog. It was only a matter of time, really. Cori has always had a real talent for writing. She wrote a wonderful newsletter for her friends, back in high school, with movie reviews and the like. Once she started a romance novel. My Mom and I read the few chapters Cori  had written and were enthralled, couldn't wait to read more. Well, she had moved on to other things and never finished it, we were left hanging!!! Bummer!
Cori got the "gene" from my Dad, Bill. 

Oscar the Grouch

My Dad wrote alot in his day, he especially loved poems. Sure do miss him. He died about 5 years ago and would have been so proud of Cori AND her biggest fan. (As I am). She wrote a beautiful memorial to him on her blog.
Most of you know, she has my first grandchild. So, appropriately, it is called "Adventures in Alexland".
 Her blog is highly recommended by the best judge in the world, me, her Mom! Check it out here: http://sayhellotoyourmotherforme.blogspot.com/  You'll be glad you did!!

Naan Bread pizzas...Yum!!

This is one of my favorite snack or quick dinner. So easy and versatile, don't you love those recipes? It's a great way to use those last heirloom tomatoes and basil, before they are gone. All you do is get frozen Naan bread, from were else but Trader Joe's. (how would I survive without this place)? Don't thaw, just lay on your favorite cheese, I even spread with ricotta if I have it,  thin sliced tomatoes, basil, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake right on the rack for about ten minutes, till its all melty and the bottom is crispy. The crispy factor is my favorite part! Cut in bite size pieces for an appetizer or eat it whole. Yummy......

Served on a beautiful Tapas tray I just bought from:http://www.etsy.com/shop/TapasTrays?ref=seller_info!

  

 

 

Enjoy!!!

They're Back...

I posted a family picture of the turkeys that visit regularly. They were cute little babies. Now they are all grown up!

I could have run a zoo, with all of skunks, raccoons, and possums this summer! Apparently our new sod was very attractive to wildlife! Have a good Monday!

Nothing sweeter........

African violets

Fresh peach cobbler

My Grandson!

The sweetest of all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's to Fall!! Have a great weekend!

Mystery Greens, solved!!

My earlier post on the mystery green have been solved! Thanks to all that posted an interest, here is the  official Wikipedia description: Chayote

The chayote (Sechium edule), also known as christophene, vegetable pear, starprecianté, citrayota or citrayote (Ecuador and Colombia) and pear squash is an edible plant that belongs to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae along with melons, cucumbers and squash.

The chayote fruit is used in both raw and cooked forms. When cooked, chayote is usually handled like summer squash, it is generally lightly cooked to retain the crisp flavor. Raw chayote may be added to salads or salsas, and it is often marinated with lemon or lime juice. It can also be eaten straight, although the bland flavor makes this a dubious endeavor. Whether raw or cooked, chayote is a good source of amino acids and vitamin C.
Although most people are familiar only with the fruit, the root, stem, seeds, and leaves are all edible.
Phat yot sayongte: Thai for stir-fried chayote shoots. This is what I had, the shoots, leaves and stems!
So there we go, try something new this week. It was fun AND very tasty! There are alot of recipes on the web for using all parts of this vegetable.

Can anyone identify this! Chayarte???

I went to a great little NEW market near me this weekend and found these greens. They are supposed to be good in stir fry. I really like to try new things, but, the name I was given is chayarte. I tried to look them up and could not find any info on them. Does anyone know what they are called?

I just stir fried them in a bit of sesame and olive oil and butter, with salt and pepper. Then I added a little water, covered and let them steam. They taste alot like mustard greens, very mild and very good! I love greens....I might add some to a bean soup later this week. I got some fresh black eyed peas too, YUM! Ok, I just found out these are chayote greens! Yah! I'll definitely buy them again!

The dust IS settling....

Now that the dust is settling,( my new work hours are at a manageable 20 hours next week WooHoo), I can reap the rewards of working at a small hardware store AND nursery! I actually stole some time to repot some new plants I bought, with my discount!! It is going to be very handy having access to plants, since we just redid our yard this summer! And as a crafter and do-it-yourselfer (?), there is nothing better than a good hardware store!

                                                     

Hibiscus

India Rubber Plant 

 Mandarine Plant (perfect for my orange pot)

Hoya - tri color

  

I WILL find the good reasons for returning to work! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

How Tired are you???

I am this tired!!!!

 Good thing I have tomorrow off so I don't end up like that ^ !!!!! Have a great Labor Day! Hope you are doing something other than working.....

Happy Birthday to my Son!

 

                                      
Happy 24th to my son Tommy! We had a wonderful dinner last nite with him and his sweet girlfriend, camera ready and waiting in the old purse. I cannot believe I forgot to take pictures!!!!!!!! It's so hard to believe this little cutie is 24 already. How time flies! I am so proud of how he is turning out. He is a hard worker, bought and remodeled his own home last year:

 A great musician,

And still likes Legos!!!! I love you Tom! You've grown into a wonderful young man.

Old brains and real shoes....can lead to this

This is me. After being off of work for a year, I've started a new job selling major appliances. Just part time, so I can still keep up with my sewing and visiting my grandson. But these two weeks of training, on my feet, FULL TIME, filling my brains with installation, delivery, facts on washers, dryers, fridges....turned me into this. Old brains should have a delete button, when they fill up with years of info no longer needed, hit the delete to make room for new stuff! Not to mention being on the feet all day in REAL shoes instead of flip flops! Feels like I was wearing these:

It is my one day off and I am OUT OF ORDER!