Hello.

 

Hello. Here it is, almost 4 am and it's 66F outside. At least according to the weather app on my computer. We have a chance of storms today.

 

Yesterday was not a good day. We all have one of those from time to time. I did get the laundry wall washed and dried. But the kitchen sink stopped up, I was able to run a drain snake done it and did bring up a clog, but it's still not draininng like it should and now I have to clean everything out from under the sink. Jerry is going to pick up some drain cleaner on his way home tonight. We will eat out so I don't have to run  as much water. I know it's between the kitchen and the bathroom.  I was pulling hair out of the drain and I never wash my hair at the kitchen sink.  In the last few days, I have run baking soda and vinegar down the drain, as well as lot of boiling hot water.

 

 We ended up eating at Bubba's last night. I had a fight with my blood sugar all late afternoon and evening. I finally got it to come up enough I felt better.  When I checked it at 4pm, I was 74.  That is low... I drank apple juice and ate a few crackers.  I still have laundry over in the laundry room, I also moved the two boards from the front of the camper to the pile of wood in the back since I almost fell because of one of them (again). Before Jerry go home.  I had a sampler of 4 items and Jerry had the Breakfast Calzone.  He liked it. It was rather large. It was the first time that the younger man that was there that cooks, made one.  Bubba told us that, and that he made a double by mistake but we didnt have to pay but for a regular sized one. Jerry does like "Breakfast" for dinner often.

 

Another "Good Dog" report.  Started off with a bad pet though. Yesterday, After Jerry left for work and before I headed back to bed, one of the pets Peed had on my bed (I'm sure glade I have a good mattress protector on both beds), I had stripped the beds and they were made up before we went to bed last night, but the comforter I sleep under, was peed on as well and we tossed it into the kitchen area over night. This morning, while Jerry was getting out the cat litter for me, he left the front door of the camper open. Jerry had to come come back to the camper door with the cat litter, pick up the comforter and he still left the door open, I closed it when I stepped outside to give him his "going to work kiss".Rocky and Macon were at the door but didn't go outside. They stayed inside although they were very tempted to go out.  Barney was in a kennel, yet.  
Today is the Ides of March.

 

When I checked my Blood Sugars this morning it was much better at 125.  That is as near normal as I can get it.

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Hello ... And Good Morning.

 

   Hello ... And Good Morning.  We were able to leave the windows and vents open again last night. Looking at the forecast, I'll be leaving them open for the rest of this week and most of next.  That is, unless it's raining.  I can't leave the door open at night cause the dogs will bark at anything that moves outside. We do have a good chance of rain tomorrow and the high will be in the 80's.

I've taken the dogs for their morning walk. And Good News.. I took them to the weeds by the lake, so they could potty. Then we took our walk along the lake side, then along the road for the lower parking as is our normal morning walk. The truck they had barked at, when it passed us when we first started our walk, was parked at the camper at the end of our row.And, some one is working on the heater from the outside. (A Stranger) I did say "Hi" as much as to warn him that he has someone close by and to be aware, as to just be friendly.. Hey !!! The Dogs Didn't Bark !!!!  They wanted to go see him but they didn't bark !! Past him, to the pavement and  I made them sit while I could catch my breath. We could hear the dog inside barking.   Once I caught my breath, we continued back toward our own camper. Mike came out to his truck and said "Good Morning, Billie" to me. And I was able to say "Good Morning" back to him without the dogs barking !!!! Again GOOD DOGS!! They are getting much better at not barking when I speak to someone.

 

 I noticed that our across the road neighbor was up and about when we first started our walk, by the time we got back around to our camper, He was on his bike and gone. I could hear it singing as he went up the hill just outside of the R.V. Park.  It's time for all bikes to start singing !! Oh how it makes us crave having a bike again. I want a trike really. Three wheels are more stable than two. But how in the world would we transport them when we go to the next job?

 

(11 am)
We have some high, light clouds. Good, cause clouds mean cooler in the camper. I just separated the laundry, to start after Y&R goes off, and found all the white items I need to wash before I can craft with them.  I have plenty to work with. White undies and a bra, T-shirts for both the older Grand Kids, re-washing the Shirts for me. and some white dish towels.

I called Heather, to find out if my cord has been put in the mail yet. She had told me she would put it in the mail on Friday when I talked to her last week. Um.. didn't happen. She said it "should" be in the mail today as Ricky had to take it to the post office yesterday and send it. They are using the same box I sent the printer cord to them in. I love that they want to recycle like that. I can use that box, once it gets here. I can fill it with a few things I have picked up for Baby Heather and send it off before she outgrows the few clothes I've found for her.

Oh Yuck. Y&R won't be on Tomorrow or Friday, due to basketball.. (huge sigh) I'll turn off the T.V.  and find something else to work on. I'm trying harder to turn off the T.V. for short amounts of time during the day as I am way to addicted to sitting and watching it all day long. going from one show to the next and not even paying attention to what time it is, until Oops,, it's time to cook dinner and I haven't done a thing all day long but sit, write a few things on my computer, read emails and watch part of the shows on the T.V. and at the end of the day, I can't even recall what was on the shows I had on.

Oh my, it's so nice outside that I really don't want to spend all day long inside right now. I think I'll work on my painted box again this afternoon. I'll have to walk the dogs before I start up on that. With the canopy up, I can have them out with me, on the tie out leads  I have set up. But then, I do plan on doing laundry, so will have to get up and to the laundry house often, but it's something I can work on, while I wait for the machines to do their job.

 

I finally had a brain storm.  I put a piece of paper towel under my box while I'm working on it.. duh, why not tape it down so the wind doesn't blow the edges up into the side I just finished painting?  I'm going to do that, today.

From the kitchen...  I pulled pork chops out of the freezer last night. I'll bake those and fix some Alfredo noodles to go with them,  and a Salad, and I do need to make a dessert today.The way the clouds are looking right now. I'll have to bake the pork chops inside today. Yesterday, I put the oven outside and baked meat loaf and 4 smallish sized potatoes. Jerry ate two of the potatoes and I had one. I have enough potatoes to dice and fry for Jerry's breakfast for a change from Reman soup.

I am hearing... The T.V. and the cats meowing at the door. The wind in the trees, and some birds outside are squabbling with the squirrels in the trees.

 

I am wearing...  Maroon sweat pants and a blue shirt.

 

 

I am reading...
Genesis  28. Where Jacob, after receiving his fathers' blessing, leaves home and goes on his way to his mother's brother, stops along the was and has a dream or vision, and hears God talk to him.
'Homestead on the Hillside' by,Mary Jane Holmes (1825-1904)  on my Kindle. 

I am creating...  a painted jewelry box, My earring collection has outgrown the cigar box I've been keeping my earrings in.

 

 

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Teri's Crafts Newsletter for March14, 2012

 

   

Hello and Good Morning.

I have woke up to a Golden Morning. The Sun is shining and things are warming up and the trees are pollinating like crazy.  There is a Golden shine to everything when the sun first tops the horizon and makes the whole day just feel right. With high's in the low 80's, Spring may be very short this year. I do open the vents and windows and the door to let in as much fresh air as I can stand.

I was able to sit outside yesterday, and do a little painting on a box. When I have it finished, I'll post pictures.

 

 

 

 

http://craftyjournal.com/bath-pouf-chick/

 

 

Bath Pouf Chick

Create a sweet bath pouf chick for a quick an easy Easter decoration.

This fat yellow bath pouf is perfect for making a soft, fluffy looking chick. And it is so easy to cut out a few parts to make his features.

I had to look a couple of places to find a yellow pouf, but finally located this one in Walmart for $1.00.

What You Need

Yellow Bath Pouf

Orange Craft Foam

Scissors

Hot Glue

What You Do

1. Remove the tag from the pouf and locate the flattest side for the front. If you are going to hang it, make sure the loop is at the top.

2. Make a paper pattern for the beak and feet, and check to be sure they are large enough.

Part of what makes the bath pouf chick cute is the oversized beak and feet.

3. Cut the beak and feet out of orange craft foam. Cut two largish circles from black craft foam for eyes.

You can use the wiggly eyes, but I like the look of the plain black.

4. Use a dab of hot glue to attach the beak first, slightly above the center of the pouf.

5. Attach the eyes above the beak, and try not to let them get too far apart. Eyes that are closer together give a character much more appeal.

I meant for the eyes to be slightly closer, but the right one seemed to wander off to the right a bit.

6. Set the bath pouf chick on its feet to see how you want to position them.

I did one with the feet well tucked under, which makes the chick look like a fluffy ball sitting on his feet.

On the other one, you see more of the feet, which makes the chick look like he's standing.

7. To finish your bath pouf chick, hot glue the feet in place using a dab of glue.

Tips

Don't use too much hot glue, as you don't want to melt the nylon bath pouf or have the glue squish out.

The loop on my chick is at the top, but I tucked it down into the folds so it wouldn't show in the photo.

This chick isn't sturdy enough to be handled a lot by a child. To make it more durable, you may wish to cut the parts out of felt and tack them onto the chick.

http://www.claimingourspace.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-shamrock-pillow-just-in-time-for.html

 

Lucky Shamrock Pillow - Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! The day when everyone is lucky, and a little bit Irish. Bring on the Bulmers, the Baileys and coffee, the corned beef, pub songs and the craic! Can you tell I like St. Patrick's Day?

Now, even though I'm a wee bit Irish, I still thought I needed to bring a little bit of extra luck into my home with a lucky shamrock pillow. The fact that I got to use some felt was an added bonus.

One thing I liked about this pillow is that I didn't need to do much sewing, just the pillow cover. The shamrock leaves are glued on. So this makes the project an easy, and quick, one. The only sewing I needed to do was the pillow cover. If you used fusible tape, you wouldn't need to sew a thing.

Step 1: Gather your materials

• Green felt, in 2 shades
• Fabric glue
• Scissors
• Card stock to make the leaf templates
• Fabric for pillow cover
• Pencil

Step 2: Make template for leaves - these will be heart shaped (these measurements are for a 17" pillow cover, you may need to adjust for your own pillow)

• Cut 2 squares out of the card stock, the first 5" square and the second 6" square
• Fold the squares in half drew half a heart using as much of the square as possible
• After cutting long the line, you have your leaves/hearts

Step 3: Cutting the felt

• Cut the darker green felt into 6" squares and use the larger template to cut out 4 large leaves
• Cut the lighter green felt into 5 squares and I use the smaller template to cut out 4 smaller leaves
• Cut out a circle about 1.5" in diameter out of the darker felt
• Set aside one piece of the dark green felt about 1" x 6" in size, this will be for the stem

Step 4: Cut out the pillow cover front and find the center of the pillow cover

• Cut out the front of your pillow cover out of whatever fabric you want
• Fold the pillow cover in half, finger pressing to create a visible fold
• Fold the pillow in half the other way, finger pressing to create a visible fold
• Unfold and using a pencil, mark the center point. This will enable you to make sure your leaves are centered on the pillow.

Step 5: Lay out the leaves and glue them down

• Using the center point, lay out the largest leaves
• Once you have them where you want them, use the fabric glue to glue them down. I glued about 1" in from the edge.
• Lay the smaller leaves directly on top of the larger leaves
• Again, one you have them placed where you want them, glue them down.
• Take the dark green circle and glue it down over the center points of the leaves to hide where they all meet
• Let dry for about hour

Step 6: Cut the stem and glue down

• Now that the leaves have been glued down, take the last piece of dark green felt and cut out the stem
• Tuck it under two of the leaves and glue it down

Step 7: Finish your pillow

• I finished my pillow using an envelope back.

Step 8: Enjoy your shamrock pillow! May your March be lucky!

 

http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/coffee-filter-flower-fireworks.shtml

Fireworks Flowers
by Amanda Formaro

Dressed in the red, white and blue, these pretty coffee filter flowers look like patriotic fireworks. Make a bunch of these easy but beautiful flowers for your 4th of July barbecue or picnic.


What you need

basket coffee filters
chenille stems (red, white, blue, gold and/or silver)
red and blue watercolor paint
paintbrush
scissors
2 pieces of paper towel or a kitchen towel

Getting Ready

Cover table with newspaper, a plastic tablecloth or even an old shower curtain.

Gather your supplies and have them all within arm's reach. Cover kids clothes with a smock or old t-shirt.

Now you are ready to begin making your coffee filter fireworks flowers...

What You Do

Place one of the coffee filters onto the paper plate and flatten out.

Paint the coffee filter with water color paint. Paint some solid red, some solid blue and others a combination of blue and red, leaving some areas unpainted.

Move the coffee filter to the towel and lay flat to dry. Repeat with the second coffee filter.

Leaving the center of the filter in tact, cut the coffee filter in strips, working you way around the circle.

Cut a 1.5" piece off of one end of a chenille stem and set aside.

Take the longer piece of chenille and poke it through the center of the coffee filter. There should be about 2" of chenille poked through.

Turn the entire thing upside down and grasp the filter with your fingers. Gather it around the chenille and secure it by wrapping the extra piece of chenille stem that you cut off in an earlier step. Twist it around the part you are holding and turn the flower back upright.

Manipulate with your finger until strips are spread out and it looks the way you want it to.

 

http://thesuitcaseartist.blogspot.com/2011/01/learn-how-to-take-vintage-suitcase-and.html

 

 

 

 

This is so cool. I hope it has not been here before!
Check out the photo in our forum window. It is only one example. Web site at end of directions.
You have all summer to fine the materials!

Why make a Christmas suitcase? Several reasons:

S T O R A G E - R E C Y C L E - GIFT GIVING

These are the handiest of all my creations. Making a Christmas suitcase from an old useless suitcase into a storage unit for your most valuable ornaments, hand made stockings, linens is a must. The plastic containers sold in department stores do not last or hold up, they crack with time. These hard shell suitcases, such as the Samsonite, are nearly indestructible. I store my best ornaments , in them. I take them out and set them around the tree or fireplace while they are empty. I have sold them to mothers who have wrapped all their individual packages and placed them all in the suitcase and used it, as part of their gift and it replaces the bag.


This is a process that takes only 4-5 hours , any one can do it! For those of you who might be intimidated by complex design elements that I have used on my suitcases why not try this first? Instead of using papers , you can use fabric and just do a simple cover on front and back, apply glitter to the sides,a couple of die cut accents and trim out. Use a medium size hard shell suitcase any color. Step 1: pick out your fabrics. I used a precut Christmas quilting bundle , they were the prefect size. These fabrics had glitters incorporated in them. image The color of your suitcase does not really matter, this is a good time to use one of the duller cases because you will be covering it entirely.

STEP 2:First lay down the fabric, there is no need to iron it as you can smooth it out, I choose different but complimentary fabric for the front and back but you can use the same on both sides if you wish. Use Modpodge

STEP 3:I mixed up a THICK paste of glitters to apply to the sides.This is a quick fix and adds lots of Christmas sparkle!

STEP 4: Make any repairs in the inside with the ever faithful glue gun. In this case the inside side lining had come undone. I simply reapplied it with a extra hot glue stick and gun.

STEP 5: Apply a matching fabric to the inside front bottom. I painted glitter on the sides, and added this cute clear die cut rain deer accent. (glue is drying)

STEP 6:Pick out your trim and apply to edges to finish off your look, I used a charming vintage green loop trim on the edges and added a new red green trim to the outside center.

STEP 7 : Now comes the funnest part, adding your embellishments. You can really add anything, rhinestones, plastics gems, sequin patches. For ease, I put die cut candy canes on the top and three cute Christmas trees on.

Step 8: Once a thin coat of varnish is applied we are finished! I suggest even adding a varnish to fabric as it can be easily cleaned and will hold up much better. However you do not have to add varnish to fabric if you don't want to. This is a fairly simple process. Now you can store your Christmas stockings in this years to come Going to grandmas house for Christmas?, Take this case and be the hit of the party!

STEP 9: yes sign your work and date it, you are an artist , this is YOUR CREATION, BE PROUD OF IT

 

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/210965563764558999/

 

 

Clever and fun St. Patty's gift! Pint size mason jar filled with green things ... pins, pen, junior mints, gold coins, plastic shamrocks, card with the Irish blessing on it. Cute.

http://www.marthastewart.com/266263/shamrock-boutonnieres

 

 

How-To

 

Martha Stewart Living, Volume 112 March 2003

Saint Patrick would have approved of these little green accessories. According to popular legend, the fifth-century Christian missionary to "heathen" Ireland used a three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity. The shamrock later became the Irish national emblem, proudly worn on Saint Patrick's Day (March 17) to honor the Emerald Isle and its patron saint. This year, add a personal touch: Wear shamrocks of your own design.

Tools and Materials
Cotton fabric
Waxed paper
Paintbrush
Liquid starch
Iron
Scissors
Pencil
Floral wire
Craft glue
Green ribbon
Corsage pins

Shamrock How-To
Choose a mix of cotton fabrics in green solids and patterns.

1. On waxed paper, use a paintbrush to coat both sides of a cotton swatch with liquid starch. Let it dry. Iron the fabric to flatten it.

2. Photocopy shamrock templates to desired sizes. Cut them out, and trace them on fabric; then cut out fabric shamrocks. Crease each leaf in half lengthwise http://www.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/shamrockbouttonierres.pdf

3. To make a stem, cut a 4-inch piece of floral wire; fold it in half, and twist it until the ends form a tiny V. Bend the V forward slightly and attach it to the back of each shamrock with a small dab of craft glue. Tie a bow around one stem or a bunch of shamrocks. Use a corsage pin to fasten to your clothing.

Links

 

http://www.claimingourspace.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-freecycle-to-fabulous-lamp.html

 

http://www.claimingourspace.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-love-gallery-wall-1st-pieces-for-our.html

 

http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/guest-post-from-childhood-treasure-to.html

 

http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/scrapbooked-wall-tiles.html

 

http://rookiewife520.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-diy-shamrock-wall-art.html

 

 

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

what's for breakfast?

 

What's for breakfast?  I start almost every day off with oatmeal. But not just plain boring oatmeal. I fancy it up a bit. I premeasure and store in one cup lidded containers, 1/3 cup of oatmeal. 2 Tablespoons milled Flax seed, 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon, and less than 1/4 cup of dried fruit, raisins, cranberries, mixed berries or what ever else I can find on the store shelf for under $3. I dump this into a heavy, microwave safe bowl and add to it. 1/2 cup of applesauce and 1 cup fruit juice. It may be apple juice or orange juice.. it's what ever frozen juice I can find at the store. I've been looking for  frozen pineapple but not found any yet. I microwave for 3 minutes, stir it up when it comes out, then let it cool enough I can eat it. It makes a lot, but then I don't usually get hungry again until lunch time.

 

 

 

Billie C.

For Today...March 13, 2012

For Today...March 13, 2012

Hello. It's going to be a partly cloudy day and the high is suppose to be in the upper 70's today. We left the vents up and the windows open over-night. We slept very well. Got woke up by all the noise the birds were making this morning. That and a small dog barking. I think it was Dixie's little dog.  I am thinking of putting the cover on the canopy today and sit outside for a while. Wether I'll be making something or reading is still up in the air. I do need to straighten up outside, so I'll have to work on that, as well.

I took the dogs along the edge of the woods this morning, I didn't plan on it but it just looked so pleasant that I just had to. Of course we first walked along the lake's edge.  I found a Daffodil that is hidden  over the edge of the bank, and of course, the dogs thought it was their duty to pee on it.  I saw lots of "Forget me Not's" while we were walking along the woods edge as well.  We didn't spend too much time in the field though. The dogs didn't want to pay attention and I was getting tired of untangling the lines. So we came back to the camper via the longer way.

I have two cats in Kitty Jail and the third is about to rejoin them. They were just won't stay out of the over-head storage above my bed. There isn't anything for them, up there, it's stuffed. I need to bring in the steps so I can straighten up in there again.  I know I have some room, I just have to find it. (ha ha)  I am ready to go see the Grand kids again, only I know it's going to be some time before we can do that.

I have hamburger thawed out and am thinking of either meatloaf, or taco dinner. I can use the roaster oven to bake shells to serve out of, I have refried beans in a can. will need warmed up and 'dressed' up a bit. Lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and such to add into it. I'm sure Jerry would like it. Most depends on how I feel this afternoon when it's closer to time to start cooking it.

I have "The View" on right now, but like I said earlier, I was woke up by noisy birds. While we were walking, I could hear Loons calling, and I think a Bobwhite. Crows are almost always around. At night I can hear a couple of Owls.  There are Finches  or Wrens, that live in the brush behind the camper. How they are not hunted by the cats I have no idea. I have seem Blue Jays and Cardinals in the woods out back. as well. We are close enough to the water that we can always hear Ducks and Wild Geese. Oh.. I forgot.. I also hear a Woodpecker pounding on trees and when he stops, a family of Turkeys will gobble as if answering his tat's back.

I am wearing Shorts this morning. I have one set that I didn't put away for winter, for days just like this. I have on my T-shirt I colored a sunflower on.

 

 

 

 

I am reading... Genesis 27. Jacob stole his brother's blessing from his father, His mother sends him to her brother so Esau  could not kill him.

 

I downloaded a book called 101 off-line activities you can do with your child. Yeah.. it's cute. I started 101 Secret Gardening Tips, and 100 of the World's Best Sandwiches. 10 Quick and Easy Fruit Smoothie Recipes.  10 Way to make a Successful Gelatin Fruit Salad. Nothing I read in the recipe books, strikes my fancy as in wanting to make them.

 

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

For Today...

For Today...
Good Morning... (5am)
Up early, as usual.. to make breakfast for Jerry and send him on his way to work. He leaves so very early, just so he can park close to the gate. That walking out in the afternoon can be a very long walk when your tired.
So far, after making his breakfast and taking the dogs out, I've been checking emails on my other AOL name.  Good thing I did, as I found out I was about to repost a craft that I posted last week in my newsletter. Oops, don't want to do that too often.
When I took the dogs out, it was drizzling a bit of rain. Even with the rain it was nice and warm and I didn't need my jacket at all. We went to a different Wal-Mart yesterday and I found their discount clothing area. I picked up a couple of tops for my older Grand daughter, and four tops for me. Well, sweatshirts and I plan on turning two of them into jackets by cutting them up the front and then crocheting around the edges and maybe around the cuffs as well. I find I need more than just a couple of jackets sometimes.  I  doubt that I'll need much more than a light jacket over the next few days, even at 4am each morning. We are expecting high's in the 70's all week and lows over-night in the mid 50's. I've put my Elephant Ear plant outside and can hope that it can now stay outside until next fall.
I picked up some garden soil to put in some kitty litter jugs that I cut the tops off of so I can have a bit of garden. Now I need to find my seeds and see what I have. I wonder if Poppy's will grown well in a container. I'm going to find out. I want to pick up a couple of tomato plants, as well. The intresting thing will be transporting them if/when we move the camper, again.
I finally found a couple of pans that fit into my tabletop oven.  Heather keeps getting the pans that I bought that don't fit. I also picked up a fresh strainer and drainboard for the kitchen. These are red, which matches the color of the counters and are smaller.
The cats are still looking for and calling for Smokey. When the door is open, they sit at it, looking for him. He was always trying to excape outside and roam for a while. He would return, but a couple of times, he got stuck up on a camper and would have to be rescued.  He was the worst for scratching where he knew he would get in trouble. The ends of the beds. It's been different not having to yell his name and "quit" while squirting water at him for doing that, looking at me the whole time as if to say.. "I did it before you could get me."
I have both Chicken and Hamburger in the fridge. I think I'd best cook the Chicken today. I'll either bake it in the oven or use the Foreman grill to cook it. Not sure if I'll fix potatoes or a noodle dish to go with it. I could go with rice, but rice is not high on Jerry's "like" list.
I am hearing... Early Morning News show. Rocky snoring while he's sleeping by me, on the couch
I am wearing... my blue housedress, Once I shower and change my clothes, I'll take a webcam picture. I may even post it.
I am reading... Mostly emails. I did read a chapter out of a 1800's monthly magazine yesterday. It was free from Amazon for Kindle and I've downloaded several. I want to see what people were reading back then and what they thought kids should be reading, as well

 

I am creating... I'm more waiting for my power cord to be sent to me from Heather so I can use my Cricut. I'm looking for the program SCAL 2.. the SCAL3 will not work with Cricut, according to everything I've read and finding the 2 version is proving to be a bit difficult. I do have a couple of St. Patrick day items I need to put up today. Better late than never at all. I have a pack of Shamrocks and I want to put one on the screen door, facing out, one on the cabnet end, over the stove, one over the T.V. and maybe one over the couch in the space between the slidding doors.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

First 5 recipes in my mail today

 

1

MINI KISSED SHAMROCK COOKIES

• 1 pouch (1 lb. 1.5 oz.) sugar cookie mix
• 2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon water
• SHAMROCK FROSTING (recipe follows)
• HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates

Directions

1. 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Combine cookie mix and cocoa in large bowl; stir. Add oil, eggs and water; mix with spoon or fork until well combined. Dough will clump together and be easy to handle.
   
   
2. 2 Shape dough into balls, using about 1 level measuring teaspoon dough for each ball. Cluster 3 balls on ungreased cookie sheet to form shamrock; flatten each "leaf" slightly. Shape one ball into pencil shape for stem; tuck stem under bottom of shamrock "leaves".
   
   
3. 3 Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
   
   
4. 4 Outline shamrock and stem with SHAMROCK FROSTING. Place small amount of frosting in center of each cookie. Press chocolate piece in center. About 30 cookies.
   
   SHAMROCK FROSTING
   1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
   1 cup powdered sugar
   1 tablespoon hot milk or light cream
   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
   2 or 3 drops green food color
   
   
   Mix all ingredients until smooth.

***********

 

2

Creamy Cappuccino Orange Fudge Candy

2 1/2-cups sugar
3/4-cup sour cream
1/2-cup butter
1-tbsp instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
1-package (12 ounces) vanilla baking chips (2 cups)
1-jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
1-tbsp grated orange peel
Orange peel strips for garnish


Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, leaving 1-inch overhang on sides. Lightly butter foil. Lightly butter large microwave safe bowl. Place sugar, sour cream, butter and coffee mixture in prepared bowl. Microwave at high 5 to 6 minutes until boiling, stirring after 2 1/2 and 5 minutes. After sugar mixture comes to a full rolling boil, microwave at high 5 minutes more until mixture reaches softball stage (234?) on instant-read or candy thermometer, stirring after 3 minutes. (do not microwave mixture with thermometer). Add vanilla chips, marshmallow cream and orange peel; stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Smooth evenly into corners with narrow metal spatula.


Score into 70 squares by cutting 7 sections lengthwise and 10 sections crosswise halfway through fudge with sharp knife while fudge is still warm. Let stand until firm. Remove from pan by lifting fudge and foil using foil handles. Place on cutting board; cut along score lines into squares. Remove foil. Garnish, if desired. Store in airtight container at room temperature. Makes 70 candies.

--

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DoriesRecipesBox/

**********

 

3

PESTO CAESAR PASTA---Spaghetti with cheese and pesto.

1/3 cup oil

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbs Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, halved

1 cup coarsely chopped outer romaine lettuce leaves or kale leaves

Salt and Black pepper

3 tbs pine nuts, toasted

1 tsp anchovy paste

1 lemon, juiced

1/3 cup grated pecorino romano cheese

1 pound spaghetti

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add spaghetti cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Using a blender or food processor, puree romaine, cheese, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, anchovy paste and Worcestershire, season with pepper. Add pine nuts and 1/4 cup oil and process. Stream in additional oil to form a thick pesto, season with salt. In a bowl, combine pasta, pesto and reserved pasta cooking water, toss to combine. Serve with more cheese...MAKES 4 SERVINGS.

********

 

4

CREAMY CHICKEN LEEKS---Creamy chicken and leeks served on toast.

4 slices white bread, toasted, buttered and halved into triangles

3 tbs chopped tarragon

1/2 cup dry white wine

3 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise

2 tbs butter

1 bay leaf

1 onion, peeled, halved, root kept intact

1 carrot, peeled, coarsely chopped

3 small pieces chicken breast

1 tbs Dijon mustard

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tbs flour

1 tbs oil

A few sprigs thyme and parsley

1 lemon, sliced

1 rib celery, coarsely chopped

Salt and Pepper

Place chicken in a skillet, season with salt. Add carrot, celery, onion, lemon, bay leaf, thyme, parsley and enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, boil and poach chicken for 15 min. Remove chicken, shred. Strain stock. In another skillet, heat butter and oil. Add leeks, cook until softened. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with flour, stir for a minute. Add wine, ladle in 1 cup of the chicken poaching stock. Stir in cream for 5 min. to thicken. Stir in tarragon and mustard. Add chicken. Align toast triangles on plates point to point with cut sides facing out. Top with cream of chicken and leeks, then serve...MAKES 4 SERVINGS.

 

**************

 

5

Have you seen "Despicable Me"? I would highly recommend it. It is such a sweet family film. So when I was asked to make Minion cupcakes for a birthday party, I said, "Oh yeah!" They were well worth the work to create. With no further ado, here is a step by step tutorial on how to make these lovable creatures.

1. Cut top edges of cupcakes individually. Use frosting as a glue and place cupcakes top to top. Carve cupcakes into desired Minion shape.
2. Set aside a small amount of white frosting. Divide the remaining frosting into two bowls. Color yellow and blue. (It was easier to buy a black tube of frosting at the store, since it is used for detail work.)
3. Ice top portion of cupcakes yellow.
4. Pipe bottom portion of cupcake with blue icing using Wilton Tip 12.
5. Smooth blue icing. Be careful not to smudge the two colors or you'll get green overalls.
6. Add top part of overalls. Pipe the straps and add buttons. And like the movie, add a little G pocket (Tip 1). Then using the same tip, pipe the cool and funky hair.
7. Add two eyes or one using white icing and Wilton Tip 12 again.
8. Add detail. The pupil, eye strap, and mouth.
9. And you're done. Isn't he cute?!

 

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/