Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts

Tasty Tuesday: Elliott Crafty Creations Top Five Favorite Recipes

This week I have been looking back at Elliott Crafty Creations.  It snuck up on me that I have posted 121 posts since I started writing here in December of 2010.  So for this week's Tasty Tuesday I thought I would share a list of my top five favorite recipes that I have posted over the last 3 years.  Enjoy!  

What to do with all that Almond Bark - Part 2
Pizza Just the Way You Like It
Mexican Quiche

Crock Pot Ravioli Lasagna
Elliott Birthday Cake

Do you have a favorite recipe?  
Let us know your favorites in the comments.  
Make sure to share links so we can bookmark our favorites, too.


Our hosts for Tasty Tuesday are 

Our host for Two Cup Tuesday is
Pint Sized Baker

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Friday, September 13, 2013

Outside my window...Things are green outside from the little bit of rain we received earlier in the week.  It's been pretty warm here which makes me wish for fall just a little.  I do realize that when fall and winter are in full swing I will probably be missing summer.  I will enjoy these warm temperatures while I can.

I am thinking...about the lovely conversations that I had in Target today of all places.  I went in to get my glasses adjusted and while I waited a nice gentleman and I made small talk about glasses and it grew from there.  It was surprising to me how easy it was to spark a quality conversation.  I later spoke with two different Target staff members that were genuinely nice and interesting.

I am thankful for...Friday night dinner and a movie time with my kids.  I couldn't get enough of the good food and cuddles.

I am wearing...A black cotton 1950's inspired dress with a raspberry tank peaking through.  It's time to do laundry around here so I thank God that this was clean.

I am remembering...old friends and good times.

Can You Make Yourself Better With Yarn?

How can Knitting and Crochet make us better?  That was the question that Lion Brand Yarn asked it's loyal followers in 2010 and were overwhelmed by the responses.  The video below shares just a few of the amazing responses they were able to collect on the Lion Brand Notebook.  To see all of the responses, see the first post here and the follow-up here.  Enjoy!

Lately crocheting has been bittersweet for me.  A person that I loved with my whole heart taught me how to crochet when we were getting to know each other.  We are no longer together but I still have those memories and they make me smile.  Crochet has opened up a whole new world for me.  I have met some amazing people and continued to sharpen and learn new skills.  

Now I know enough to share this gift with others.  My daughter has shown a real interest.  I bought some new hooks with her in mind.  One day soon this year we will sit down and I will start to explain just how to make her first chain.  My son is a little young yet but I know he appreciates the art involved.  He is so proud of the blanket I make for him as a baby.  He sleeps with it every night.  

I know that yarn can make us better.  It helps me to focus and reach a calm place after a hectic day.  It helps me to express myself in ways I hadn't been able to do before with color and texture.  It is a worthy craft.            

How Knitting and Crocheting Make Us Better



Considering Metal Stamping...

I have loved the look of letters stamped on metal for some time now and have even contemplated purchasing a custom piece.  But then I got to thinking that I could try my hand at metal stamping and make my own.  How hard could it be, right?

Source: Etsy FiredUpLadiesHammer Personalized Necklace

So I found this video from the Hands Occupied blog (I've tried to embed it here several times but for some strange reason blogger doesn't want it to show.) that gave me a simple look into the tools and basic techniques needed to do metal stamping.  The demonstration is very simple but it makes me wonder if I should just get a kit and give it a try.  I admire stamped metal all the time in stores and now I could make my own.

So, what do you think?  Should I invest in some tools and see where it leads me or should I save my pennies for some of the beautiful creations on Etsy?   Maybe I'll just do both.  I'll keep you posted. 

Mosaic Monday: Chicago Mosaics

This past July I made a special trip to Chicago for a friend's wedding and had some fun with my camera capturing the mosaics I came across.  I even managed to get a few shots of myself.



Mary of Little Red House is our hostess for Mosaic Monday. 
Each mosaic is unique and has it's own story to tell.

The Simple Woman's Daybook – Saturday, September 15, 2012

Outside my window... Clouds have rolled in but no chance for rain. I sigh because I had hoped to wash some plastic tubs and let them dry in the nice warm sun before I store them. I will just have to see.

I am thinking...That is has been awhile since I have put my thoughts into this kind of entry. I have been sadly absent from my blog. My life has gotten quite busy and complicated in the last year and I'm starting to straighten some of it out finally. None of it has been easy but I am stronger because of it. You should be seeing me around the blogosphere more. That's my plan anyway.

I am thankful for...musical memories. I was able to upload all of my music that I once had on my computer this week and it has been one big trip down memory lane.


Wordless Wednesday: Looking forward While Looking Back

Looking Forward While Looking Back



For more "Wordless Wednesday" click here.

In Transit


I don't drive...it's not that I haven't ever driven before or had a license. I've done all of that but I don't drive now. There are several reasons why. A couple of the main ones is not owning my own car and not feeling comfortable on the road. So, getting around can be difficult and you have to really plan. 

My most recent transportation adventure has been with the Kansas City Metro and the Johnson County bus systems. Three days a week I work at the Cokesbury book store at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. It finally motivated me to figure out my bus offerings. Before, I wasn't working outside of the home and I had two small children so the idea of riding the bus anywhere just didn't excite. Have you tried collapsing a stroller while holding your squirming toddler in the other arm and then boarding a bus? That sounded like an embarrassing nightmare. Don't get me wrong. If you are a mother in that situation I commend you. As far as I'm concerned I was probably being a weenie.

Well, this crappy economy got me out of the house and into this crazy working world that we live in. I also needed some adult conversation and an opportunity to use my brain more fully.  So, my next step was to figure out transportation. My husband took me for a while and then that started to wear on things and gas money got even tighter. It was time for plan B. 


I want to give a big thank you to Google Maps for making that research possible and for helping to make some sense of a complicated bus system. All you have to do is put in your starting point and your ending point and chose the transit option before you click get directions. Without this wonderful service I probably would still be holding several maps trying to figure out all the transfers.


Right now as I type this I'm on the second of three buses that I ride to get to work. I have to get up around 5:30am to get myself out the door and walk to my first stop. The Jo has free wifi on almost all of its buses and since I'm spending so much time riding I might as well get a little bumpy work done.

I have only been doing this for a couple weeks but I like it so far. I enjoy the time to read and get things accomplished without too many distractions. There are limits to what I can do and I have to be able to carry everything I need with me but that hasn't been too difficult yet. Talk to me in the middle of winter and see how I'm doing. 

How have you gotten creative and used public transit?

Dinner and a Book Store Family Date Night

Dinner and a book store is one of our family's favorite outings and it's a great family date night for all ages. For our last family date night we decided to try a new restaurant for us, Pei Wei Asian Diner.  They are owned by the people who created P. F. Chang's Chinese Biestro.  Since P. F. Chang's is one of my favorite restaurants I couldn't wait to give Pei Wei Asian Diner a try.

We enjoyed vegetable spring rolls, tofu singapore noodles, shrimp low mein and honey chicken.


Our food was brought to us after we placed our order up front and found a table.  The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being prepared.  Madi enjoyed the chopstick helpers that were provided with her kids meal and both kids loved the orange slices available near the drinks.  You do have to get your own refills but that wasn't too bad. 


At the end of our meal we ate our fortune cookies, and took a picture to remember our fortunes.  Then, off to the book store!

Barnes & Noble has a lot of options for entertainment for young families.  We of course visited the children's section and played with the train sets and the story book stage.  And you can't forget the escalator.  That was a favorite of our son, Oli. 

Madi had me reading princess themed books and a new one to us, "Purpliscious". 




When we had all the fun we could handle and it started getting late we drove home to get ready for bed.  Thinking about our special date night reminds me that it's time to have another one.  What are some of your favorite family date night activities?


Dreaming at Nebraska Furniture Mart

I have only been to Nebraska Furniture Mart a few times but each time I get lost in all the choices and start dreaming about future purchases.  This last trip was no exception.  I spent quite a bit of time upstairs in the dining room sets. 

I have always wanted a hutch to display my favorite dishes but I am not quite sure what style my husband and I would be happy with.  I lean towards more modern styles and Asian inspired designs.  I am a little overwhelmed by the choice due to the fact that I think of buying any large furniture piece as a major investment that I have to live with for a long time.

I guess I'll keep dreaming...



Getting to Know Me

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Somewhere around 8:00 AM

2. How do you like your steak?
I haven't had one in 16 years. How do you like yours?

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
"Avatar - The Last Airbender"

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Fringe, Bones, Stargate Universe, HGTV Design Shows & Food Network

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would like to try Florida or British Columbia Canada

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal and Vanilla Soy Milk

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
I used to joke that I was a Mexican, Italian, Chinese in a past life since those were the different food genres that I enjoyed.  They are still my favorites but I eat the vegetarian versions.

8. What foods do you dislike?
cooked spinach, brussel sprouts, most Korean food

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
Ruby Tuesday has great veggie burger sliders and I love the salad bar.  I just had my birthday dinner at Sweet Tomatoes for the second year in a row. 

10. Favorite dressing?
blue cheese

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
I don't

12. What are your favorite clothes?
I am starting to embrace the dress more but mostly you will find me in jeans and a casual top. 

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Europe

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
1/2 full I'd hope

15. Where would you want to retire?
The question for me is not where I will retire but will I?

16. Favorite time of day?
When my house is calm and quiet. It doesn't happen very often but when it does it sure is nice.

17. Where were you born?
Lawrence, KS

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
ummm...not really into that much.

19. Bird watcher?
mostly with my kids

20. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I like the quiet of the night.

21. Pets?
Absolutely! Cats are my preference.

22. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share?

I wish I had some exciting news.  This might be a good place to start a rumor...or not.

23. What did you want to be when you were little?
An English Teacher or Professional Singer

24. What is your best childhood memory?
I was reminded of a Palm Sunday when I was about five years old and I decided to reenact the palm processional that we had at church that morning in my own backyard.  I didn't have a palm branch so I broke off a rather large limb off of one of our trees and started waving it in this large arching motion as I walked back and forth outside.  I can remember my parents not being too happy about what I had done to the tree.   

25. Are you a cat or dog person?
cat all the way

26. Are you married?
Yes, I have been married for 6 years to my husband Max.

27. Always wear your seat belt?
of course

28. Been in a car accident?
unfortunately

29. Any pet peeves?
noisy eating, having a room get messed up right after I cleaned it. know-it-alls and those who think they are right all the time no matter what. Arrogance.

30. Favorite pizza topping?
veggies and pineapple

31. Favorite Flower?
coral roses

Weekend Inspiration


Crafting and Creating

3D Love Art :: Brassy Apple

Yarn Love :: Family Chic
DIY Eye Spy Book :: No Time for Flashcards

Culinary Delights

Family & Home

Amazing Shipping Container Home :: Green Style Re-Nest




"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day.  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." 

~Author Unknown


One Hundred Things

   1. I was born in Lawrence, KS
   2. I moved around the Midwest when I was growing up
   3. I have lived in 3 American states: Kansas, Missouri & Nebraska.
   4. I went to 8 different schools
   5. I was born loving music.
   6. I thought I would be a teacher when I grew up.
   7. I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing.
   8. I was and still am an avid reader
   9. I love books and wish I had more time to read
  10. I was the only child my mother knew that got in trouble for reading too much.
  11. Reading kept me from cleaning my room and doing chores.
  12.  From 7th -9th grade I was a member of the Lawrence Children's Choir
  13. I always wanted to take photo class but was never able to.
  14. I have always felt older than I really am.
  15. Ready to do more and be more than I was allowed to be.
  16. I don’t like it when things don’t come naturally
  17. Musical things come naturally.
  18. Working with kids comes naturally
  19. Being friends with people who are quite older than me comes naturally
  20. Creating comes naturally
  21. I had a Rocky and Bullwinkle coloring book as a kid that I painstakingly colored and outlined.
  22. Did you know they made a Rocky and Bullwinkle movie with Robert De Niro and Rene Russo?
  23.  In 6th and 7th grade I perfected my basket making technique using yarn wrapped around a fabric core.
  24.  I also dabbled in graphic design whilIe helping to put together my 6th grade class' newspaper.
  25. My first job was working at in a retirement community's Kitchen as a dietary aide
  26. If I had dish duty that night we washed dishes for 200+ residents
  27. I attend the University of Kansas as a Vocal Performance Major
  28.  I got my first church music job at 19 years old.
  29. I stayed at Centenary United Methodist Church for 5 years.
  30. I used to design worship bulletins.
  31. I enjoyed trying to find graphics that went with the theme of the day. 
  32. After Graduating high school in 2000 I made my first trip to New York
  33. That's when I sang at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Simon Carrington
  34. My second time on the East coast a few years later I traveled to Washington D.C.
  35. There I sang at National Cathedral for evening service with KU's Chamber Choir
  36. We also performed at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York
  37. I love traveling
  38. Most of my travels have happened thanks to my involvement with music.
  39. I met my husband at Henry's Coffee Shop.  Neither one of us drinks coffee.
  40. We dated for a year
  41. We were engaged for a year
  42. We got used to this being married idea the next year
  43. We call year number 2 of our marriage the year of the baby
  44. I also call it the year of the hospital.
  45. That year my husband's appendix ruptured and my daughter was in the NICU for 3 1/2 weeks
  46. More time than I have ever spent in hospitals.
  47.  But we all survived.
  48.  Moved to Kansas City, MO in 2006
  49.  Wasn't sure about that move.
  50. Have since grown to love my home.
  51. In 2009, our little Oliver was born.
  52. I was supposed to play the piano for a church service the next day.  That of course didn't happen.
  53. I’ve never been out of the country. 
  54. My husband has dual citizenship to Canada.
  55. I would love to go see European art museums
  56. I was just asked by my daughter to come and see her castle.
  57. I am starting to like sprinkles as much as she does.  Any desert looks even more tasty with a bit of sprinkles on top.  Don't you think? 
  58. I lean towards orange as my favorite color
  59. the other ones in the running are blue, purple and green
  60. I want to own a marimba some day.
  61. My husband thinks that I have a succulant plant addiction.
  62. They are some of my favorite plants and you can do so much with them.
  63. I have a small monkey collection that I now share with my daughter
  64. I love being a mom.
  65. But sometimes motherhood is frustrating
  66. and it's not easy.  No matter how people say I make it look. 
  67. I like my large blue eyes
  68. My daughter Madeline got them, too
  69. And so did my son Oliver
  70. We look quite handsome together.
  71. I love to cook and people say I'm pretty good at it.
  72. I wish I had more time to get into photography.
  73.  I love the smell of pomegranate candles.  It's quite awesome.  
  74. I wear jeans most every day or yoga pants
  75.  I seem to work better at night but never past 1:00 am.
  76. I can't stand cola soda
  77. But I do like Dr. Pepper & Root bear occasionally.
  78. I love Sunkist Soda and drink far too much
  79. I'm a pescatarian but nobody really gets that
  80. so I just tell them I am a vegetarian.
  81. Pescatarians eat eggs, dairy & seafood
  82. I want to live somewhere with a metro where I don’t need a car.
  83. I want to recycle more but feel limited by my lack of space.
  84. My focus now is reduce, reuse. 
  85. My husband taught me how to crochet when we were dating.
  86. I now do it more than he does.
  87. I also loom knit. 
  88. I love yarn crafting so much that I created a group for charity giving
  89. It's call Yarn Blessings. (look us up on Facebook)
  90. I enjoy making the prayer shawls and baby blankets.
  91. I took 5 years of Spanish language in school
  92. Over the years I have sung in 12 languages the last time I counted
  93. I used to joke that I was a Chinese, Mexican, Italian in a past life
  94. because those were my favorite food categories. 
  95. I want to live in a simply designed home with lots of storage
  96. And it must have enough lawn for a garden
  97. and a clothes line
  98. Fall and Spring are my favorite times of year.
  99. When Winter comes I just want to stay inside.
 100. I guess I can't believe I had 100 things to say about me.