Soup Sunday

At our house Sunday is "Soup Sunday" -- especially during the winter months when it's cold outside and there are football games on the TV.  So, I try out new soup recipes each week.  Today I wanted something easy because my Denver Broncos were playing and I didn't want to miss a thing.  GO TEBOW!!  BRONCOS WIN!!!  On the menu today was Creamy Tortellini Soup.  It fit the bill all the way around - easy, quick to prepare and can I just say - YUMMY!!!  The only modification I made was to add 3 links of italian sausage that I made into little balls and browned before adding to the pot along with the tortellini.  (My family of men don't think it's a meal unless meat is included - otherwise it is called an appetizer!)  The best part about this recipe is that it is prepared in the crock pot for a truly fuss-free Soup Sunday.  Try it out - you'll love it.

I Believe . . .

Are you ready for Christmas?  As usual, despite all my big plans, I'm beginning to realize that many of the things that I had planned to do this holiday are just not going to happen.  But, that's okay - we have our outside lights up (thanks Hubby!) and it looks very festive, our tree is up and decorated inside.  Little by little the other holiday decorations are being set in place and I have started a list of my holiday baking favorites so I can make sure I have all the ingredients.  Gifts are being selected one by one and I BELIEVE they will all either be in the mail before the big day or wrapped and placed under our tree.

I have been admiring all the beautiful hand lettering that I've seen all over the place recently.  Lori Vliegen is a very talented artist whose work is beautiful.  She offers a class called Letter Lab which has really inspired me.  I now find myself doodling letters on all sorts of things.  Over the weekend I practiced my technique and made myself a little Christmas decoration.  I think it's kind of cute and am enjoying it hanging over my desk.  I never thought I could do this kind of art - but, now I BELIEVE!!!

Happy Turkey Day!

Hope y'all have a wonderful day with family and friends.  I am so thankful and blessed to be spending the day with my immediate family and in spirit with all of those who we hold dear.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Studio Happenings

I woke up in the wee hours last night - not sure why, but I really didn't want to get up in the middle of the night, so instead of counting sheep to get back to sleep I created a new card design in my head.  I couldn't wait to get in the studio this morning and bring it to life.  My inspiration came from my BFF Irene.  She is a terrific seamstress and made this cute little bag a while back.  It is so cute!  But, since I don't have a clue where to start making a bag, I decided to use her bag as a starting point for my new notecard set.  One thing led to another and I now have matching address labels to go with them.  It was a productive day!

New Etsy Shop Addition - pennant notecards & matching address labels

Favorite Family Dates

As soon as I saw this project on A Steed's Life blog I knew I'd have to make it for my home.  I love graphic art like this that has a meaning for my family or our life events.  So, this morning I have the house all to myself (wonder of wonders!) since all the men have gone golfing and I decided I needed a little "ME" time to create something.  I have had this metal stand sitting in my studio for years waiting for a purpose.  I dug through my stash (which took a great deal of time because I kept finding things I had forgotten I owned - do you do that?) and found a couple of hardboards that were already predrilled with holes and grommets - PERFECT!  A little Photoshop, some paper and glue and voila!  I had enough paper scraps in my scrap file to match my Family Photos album so I decided to use that and display both things together.  I love it!

And now, I have to go do what I should have started the day doing - tackling my laundry pile!!!!

Football Food

I love football season.  I like it when the weather turns cooler, the leaves start to fall from the trees and every weekend we can look forward to the football games.  On Saturdays we hoot and holler for our beloved Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  And then on Sunday, it's the Falcons, Broncos and Colts.  With all that action on the tube, the food needs to be easy and quick to prepare.  On today's menu is homemade Sloppy Joes.

I was never a big fan of Sloppy Joes when I was a kid.  I thought they were okay, but my Mum's version of adding ground beef to a can of Manwich just didn't do much for me.  Then, I discovered this recipe for a chuckwagon version of this dish.  And I became a believer!  These Joes are yummy!  They are easy to prepare and taste great.  Serve them up with some homemade coleslaw, chips and pickles and you have a crowd pleaser.

Here's the recipe for you -

CHUCKWAGON SLOPPY JOES

1 cup each, finely chopped celery, bell pepper & onion

1-2 Tblsp. vegetable oil

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

4 Tblsp. chili powder

1 1/4 cups ketchup

1 cup beef broth

1 tsp. vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

• In a large skillet, cook and stir chopped vegetables in oil until tender, about 10 minutes.  Add beef; cook and stir, breaking up and browning meat, about 15 minutes.  Drain off excess fat if needed.
• Add brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, ketchup, beef broth and vinegar; stir to combine all ingredients.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon mixture on burger rolls and top with cheese or other toppings of your choosing. 

            Mmmmmmmmm . . .  good!

Happy Fall, Y'all

I can't believe how fast fall has crept up on me!  Last time I looked it was the middle of the summer, it was hot and sunny and my flowers were blooming prolifically.  And now here we are - the leaves are beginning to change colors on the trees, my flower pots look like they have seen better days, it's beginning to get a little cooler in the evenings - seems it's time to change out my summer frame for a fall one.  Here's my Fall frame art - I'm just printing it off to put into the frame - now . . . . what else needs a new fall touch?????