Thoughts of a Grasshopper

Another book club book. I have to confess that when I read the editorial reviews, prior to reading it, I was less than excited. It seemed like it would be a rather depressing book and as of late I've been into historical fiction and the book club has been more light reading. Still a book you could finish easily in two days. It was interesting to read it and consider my own school days. I don't think the bullying was ever to this extent, at least that I'm aware of. I had a time in 8th grade where I stood up for someone and was picked on for it. It dropped off, perhaps because I was right back at them. The person whom I stood up for, we were friends through high school and I never got any more guff for it. It is interesting to consider her experiences. There were times it seemed logical that she responded or felt the way she did, other times I couldn't help but to think that she was foolish, naive and immature. Given that she was given a fresh start two times,...

Stampin' Up! sent out a stamp set to all demonstrators. It will be a hostess set in the new catalog. Who doesn't like free rubber?! I wasn't too excited when I opened the package on Friday, Saturday it seemed a little more appealing. I attempted a card that is totally not my style. For some reason, I have ideas for designs but I just can't seem to get in the groove on colors. Perhaps I've been working on Christmas too long and those color schemes are in my head too much.

Wilton has a very cool pan where you cook a cupcake in two parts, spread some frosting to put them together and decorate as you wish. The pan is going for $45 to $66 on ebay, Wilton is sold out. I never understand how the company that has their name on something can be out. Perhaps if it were new and the under-estimate the sales, but 5 months later. This shouldn't be an issue. For no reason whatsoever, I made a cupcake. I loved how it looked with the sprinkles.

This is one is super easy to do. Especially seems easy when you CASE it. No clue what blog I was at that I saw it, but I loved how quick it looked. Indeed it is and it is a perfect card to share with the ladies at church. I've had to come up with very simple cards and for the most part there isn't coloring on the five cards I have. Mostly stamping and sponging on two and coloring on two. Not even watercoloring. You can't get any easier. This card uses artichoke, river rock, pomegranate and vanilla CS.

Very simple card to do. I love the wide grossgrain and the DP is gorgeous and fun for Christmas. I've been looking for simple cards to do this year. I have 41 cards made so far, which is just over 1/4 of what I will be needing. So many people are moving right now. It is surprising at this time of year to hear of people moving. The good thing is they are moving to somewhere better for them and their family. It is when you are working side by side with them that you realize how much of a void will be there when they are gone.

This recipe was in the October issue of Southern Living. It is yummy. I ended up adding a can of corn to the chili. Prep: 15 min.; Cook: 1 hr., 15 min. Pick up smoked chicken from your favorite barbecue restaurant to make this dish, or use a barbecue-flavored rotisserie chicken from your local supermarket. Ingredients 2 poblano chile peppers, chopped 1 large red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium-size sweet onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans zesty chili-style diced tomatoes 3 cups shredded or chopped smoked chicken (about 1 lb.) 1 (16-oz.) can navy beans 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (12-oz.) can beer* 1 (1.25-oz.) envelope white chicken chili seasoning mix Toppings: shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges, baby corn, sliced bla...

This is the book club book of the month. The book is a quick read. I woke up at 3 a.m. Saturday morning and having slept for several hours already, I didn't have any hope of going back to sleep so I read until I needed to get up and make breakfast at 6 a.m. I finished reading it while watching the Red Sox kick the Colorado Rockies out of the park. I must admit I was so engrossed in the book at one point that I missed three runs and the excitement over it. My husband was stunned that I could block it out. What was the book about? Claire is a single mother. She is a Christian author. Her mother lives 3 doors down and she depends on her mother to help out with her kids and do the extra "mom" type of things while she works on her books. She ends up needing surgery on her wrist which will make it impossible for her to work for 6 weeks. Her mother moves to Texas to live with her brother's family just before Claire's surgery. She is on her own. Claire makes a l...