Random Dozen 11/4

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?


I am cringing as I write this, but I wait. What a wimp.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?

I would drink more water. I had a ton of caffeine today and am feeling a little buzzed and headachy. Other than that, I can’t think of anything that was in my control that I would change!

3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)

I usually go back to her/his blog and comment. If I think about it, I will go to her/his profile and look for an email address.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:

Sleeping Beauty

5. Do you recycle?

Oh, you really want me to answer this question in this day and age?! Yes and no. We don’t recycle things like cans and pizza boxes, because it costs quite a bit to recycle where I live and we are on a very tight budget. However, more than a little of our potential household waste goes into crafting projects! I also employ reusable grocery bags. Does that count?

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?

I prefer games of chance, so if I lose I can pretend it's not my fault!

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?

I did when I was in high school, a terrible one about my father dying and me hiding behind the school to cry. Thankfully that one only lasted about 6 months, and I have not had a recurring dream since.

8. What did you learn from your first real job?

That I am not as patient as I had thought.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?

Mostly borrow.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?

I honestly can’t think of anything, but I am really looking forward to everyone’s responses!

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?

I usually start sometime in September. I need to spread out the spending over a few months. Last year was my first time braving “Black Friday” and I had a great time, so I will probably try that again. This year I am making a lot of gifts and have already purchased most of the materials I will need for those (lots of crochet).

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?

At least twice a year, when my college girlfriends and I get together for our bi-annual girls weekend! When we're finally all together in the hotel lobby, it's time for the happy dance!

Visit Linda for more Random Dozen answers!

A story that ends up being about potatoes, or Fall into Flavor Week 3

This is Dan. Dan played a pivotal role in my life when he introduced me to my husband over 13 years ago. He was Justin’s best childhood friend; Dan’s girlfriend Kristie was my friend from the freshman dorm at college. Some of the very best days of my life were lived in Columbus, Ohio, with Justin and me living in a small campus apartment and Dan and Kristie living right upstairs. Impromptu parties, constant music and incense, good beer and wine, late night save-the-world sessions, and Dan’s cooking… Dan is a master in the kitchen.

So here comes the potato part… one of Dan’s creations was Potatoes and Brown Cheese, an ooey, gooey, filling dish that can be served along side a main course, or just heaped on a plate by itself. I have attempted to quantify ingredients for you all, but please remember this is a “to taste” kinda recipe. In fact, Dan's eloquent directions go something like this: cut up some taters, throw them in a pot with tamari and cheese, and cook 'em until their done. Enjoy!



Potatoes and Brown Cheese:


Olive oil

Minced garlic

4-5 lbs. red potatoes (scrubbed but not peeled)

1 cup (or so) Tamari sauce (rich, dark soy sauce)

2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, the sharper the better



Cut potatoes into equal sized pieces. In a large, non-stick stock pot, sauté the garlic in the oil. Add the potatoes and 2/3 cup tamari sauce, cover, cook over medium heat until soft, about 30 minutes. (DO NOT USE WATER). Stir occasionally. When potatoes are almost done, add 2 cups or so of the cheese (more if you really like cheese) and the rest of the tamari. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For more Fall recipes, visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

First Day of School 2009

Morgan was very excited on the first day of school this year. She jumped up on the bus so quickly that I barely got a picture!   For this layout I paired basic kraft, black and white with cute school-themed paper by Creative Imaginations. I also used butons, ribbon, CM star punch, Sizzix alpha dies, and a little star button from my stash.

Thanks for looking, and have a great weekend. Don't eat too much candy!

Random Dozen Meme 10/28

It's time for another Random Dozen over at 2nd Cup of Coffee...

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.
Mrs. Smith was my senior English teacher. She introduced me to my all-time favorite author (John Irving), played Simon & Garfunkel in the classroom, and encouraged me as a writer and critical thinker.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.
In January 2000 I was diagnosed with Relapsing Polychondritis, a rare autoimmune disease. The actual diagnosis was a blessing, since it led us towards treatment. I am not a super-religious person, but I do thank God for sending Dr. Avis Ware into my life. She recognized my symptoms, which had been worsening for months. I truly believe she saved my life.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?
Purple, ever since I was a little girl. I think I always liked it because it was kinda like pink, girly and princess-y, but just a little funkier.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?
Too many gray hairs, which I color regularly!

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?
Yep! Just for fun!

6. What's your favorite musical?
I think it must be Godspell, although I like several.
My high school boyfriend’s school did this production, and I knew a lot of the actors and musicians. Very moving, the first and only time I have cried at a high school show!

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?
In my heart of hearts, country mouse. I grew up on a farm. However, I now live in a city, and can really appreciate a 24-hour pharmacy right down the street, especially when a little one wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever!

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
Hmm, that might be kinda cool. Definitely something to talk about when you’re stumped for a conversation starter.

This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.
I can’t stand texting!

10. "It's not a party unless _______."
Four elements: good friends, good beer, good food, and good music! Any time, location, or reason (or no reason) will do!

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.
List blog ideas, list scrapbook ideas, make a grocery list (I’m a list person), balance my checkbook, listen to my MP3 player.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?
I think so. I gravitate towards crafty or creative people who like to read and have an interesting sense of humor. I like to think of myself like that!

Fall into Flavor Week 2

(ok, so I missed week 1... if you are following this recipe "hop", start at Linda's blog).

Warm and comforting... equally good for brunch or dinner. I like to serve it with fruit salad and flaky biscuits. This recipe was given to me by my grandmother, who got it from her high school friend. You guessed it, her name is Marebelle.

Marebelle's Casserole

1 lg onion, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1/2 lb. mushrooms, chopped (may use 2 cans, drained)

Saute the above in 3/4 stick of butter.

Brown 1 lb. sausage and drain. (may also use 1/2 lb. sausage & 1/2 lb. ground beef)

Prepare 1 box Uncle Ben's Original 23 Herb rice according to package directions.

Mix everything together with 2 cans of cream of chicken soup. Bake in a 9x13 baking dish at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.

You may also make this ahead of time and freeze prior to baking.

A Mojo Baby Card

Short and sweet-

This card is for a friend who just had a baby girl. I used Mojo Sketch 109... all papers and embellishments were pulled out of my scrap stash!

A Second Chance Challenge on a Friends with Flair Friday!

Welcome to Unity's Friends with Flair Friday! If you haven't checked out Angela's blog, start here.

This layout was created using the guidelines for Sketchy Thursdays 2nd Chance Challenge- use mainly browns and oranges, must have a fall/family theme, and use a pop of teal or pink. The stamps I used were all...UNITY of course! I also used Sketchy Thursday's sketch from last week, 10/15.

Supplies:

paper: brown bg (Jillibean Soup); orange crosshatch (CM); misc. scraps

stamps: Unity Sept. KOM

ink: Staz On Timber Brown; versamark, Brushed Corduroy (TH)

other: gluepad, teal glitter, border punch (all Martha Stewart); white EP, ribbon, paper crimper, CM cutting system, staples.

Thanks for looking, and enjoy your weekend!!