Christmas Cards

I just started working on Christmas cards this week. The first real stamping I've done since the move. Crazy that it has taken this long but I've been spending most of my time cross-stitching a gift for my mother. I'm so close to being done with it and I think I've put in over 200 hours on it. It is amazing how long it takes to do. I'm trying to finish it this week so I can get it framed to give to her on Thanksgiving.

I CASE on this card. Someone shared it from a swap they were in and I really liked it. Albeit it isn't the traditional Christmas colors but it has a sort of elegant look about it. The ornament is done with the Vintage Ornament Stencil that SU has available now.

Stamps: Medallion, Holiday Best

Ink: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

CS: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Misc.: Vintage Brads, dimensionals, vintage ornaments stencil, ribbon

Pasta with Chicken and Squash

I've had this recipe for a long time but I never made it because I knew the kids wouldn't be thrilled with the zucchini and summer squash. I've been making a couple of dishes each week that are new to us, trying to get some new dishes in the mix that everyone likes. I loved this dish, probably more than everyone else. Of the 4 kids, the 11 yr. old didn't like the flavor and picked at it. The other three kids (13, 9 & 9) had seconds.

While it got top ratings with 5 out of 6, I'm still sharing it because it is delicious. The noodles are covered in a creamy cheese sauce with julienned squash and chicken.

Pasta with Chicken and Squash

1 pkg. (16 oz.) spiral pasta
2C whipping cream
1T butter or margarine
2C (8 oz.) shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
5T olive or vegetable oil, divided
2 med. zucchini, julienned
2 med yellow summer squash, julienned
1-1/4t salt, divided
1/8t pepper
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, julienned
1/4t each dried basil, marjoram and savory
1/4t dried rosemary, crushed
1/8t rubbed sage

Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, heat cream and butter in a saucepan until butter melts. Add cheese; cook and stir until melted. Rinse and drain pasta; add to cheese mixture. Cover and keep warm. In a skillet over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in 3T oil until onion is tender. Add squash; cook until tender. Add 1t of salt and pepper; remove and keep warm. Add remaining oil to skillet; cook chicken with herbs and remaining salt until juices run clear. Place pasta on a serving platter; top with chicken and squash.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I loved this book for a couple of reasons: 1) You could read a few pages at a time if that was all the time you had and pick it up again later and 2) the characters/plot were well-formed. The book is comprised of letters between a writer and her editor, friend, strangers (who later become friends). I enjoyed the witty comments of Juliet and in some ways, several of the characters made me think of Can't Wait to get to Heaven.

The story takes place in London in the beginning and then Juliet, the writer, ends up going to Guernsey after receiving letters from the people there relating stories of how the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society formed, experiences they had under the German occupation during WWII, etc. These stories intrigue her enough and she begins to form relationships with them that she decides to go there and focus her next book on it.

I found it to be a delightful read. I commented to one of my girls that I had never read a book that was comprised of letters before. I was corrected as she remind me that I have read Dear Mrs. La Rue: Letters From Obedience School. How could I forget? As far as children's books go, I have to admit I favor Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type.

Decor Elements

The unpacking is mostly done with some things still needing to find a home. My stamp area is a mess. I still have a few boxes to unpack there. I've started decorating some and making it feel more like home. I bought some Decor Elements, which aren't recommended for textured walls, but they seem to be OK. Perhaps it depends on how textured they are. I love the tree (Thoughts & Prayers) and have my kids pictures underneath. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams" seems quite appropriate when you think of your kids.

I thought I'd be done by now but I'm still plugging away. Hopefully by the end of the month everything will be done and I can get back to things that I find to be fun.

Cobb Salad w/ Chili-Lime Dressing

I love this salad because everyone in our family will eat it and likes it. I must admit that I scale back on the avocado if it is just us because it is not a favorite in the salad but in small doses, they will eat it.

I've found as we've lived around the country that cobb salads are different every where. There are some basic parts that are standard (i.e., chicken, tomato, bacon & avocado) and the rest is up to the chef.

Salad

10 oz. Romaine lettuce
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1C shredded cheese (I use Monterey/Colby mix)
1C chopped tomatoes
1/2 lb. chicken, cooked and cubed
1 avocado, peeled and cubed
1/2C chopped red onion
1/3C bacon, crumbled or chopped

Dressing

1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, undrained
2/3C sour cream
1/4C cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
2T lime juice
1/2t pepper
1/3t hot sauce
1/4t salt

For salad, place lettuce in serving bowl. Make columns with remaining ingredients.

For dressing, place ingredients in food processor; blend. Chill until serving.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

I'm still unpacking after a week of having our things delivered. I've decided I must have a couple of kitchen boxes in the garage because I still don't have my knives (and other items) and I've unpacked all of my kitchen boxes. I don't want to work on the boxes in the garage until I'm done in the house with everything in its place.

I've been all about easy meals for a while and this is no exception. I used to make the meatballs for this recipe and then life got busy and I bought frozen meatballs. I haven't made them again just because of the convenience.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks
1/3C water
3T vinegar
1T soy sauce
1/2C brown sugar
3T cornstarch
1 batch (30) meatballs
1 lg. green pepper, cut into 1" pieces
Hot rice

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add water to juice to measure 1C; pour into a large skillet. Add water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch; stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add pineapple, meatballs and green pepper. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve over rice.

Christmas Card Swap

At the end of June I shared the card I made for the Christmas card swap. I managed to snap pictures of the cards before they were packed up a couple of weeks ago. Now that we have moved across the country and are house hunting, I have some time to get them posted here. I have to say, we saw a beautiful home yesterday and it has a built in stamping area but no pool. We are looking at a house with a pool today and another home, then our decision will be made.

Here are the cards from the swap.

by Susan Hackney

by Jamie Schnirch, ??

by Terri Tank, Norma Chiaramonte

by Brokenburr

by Kay Fulton, Catie Palmer

by Alice Leal, Deb Waterhouse