Fall Has Arrived!

Mother Nature has also responded to my rants and ravs. It is cool outside now. Well, at least cooler. Tis the season for happiness. I know that sounds a bit strange since Fall is when most plants and many insect go to die. I digress...I love the smells of pumpkin pie and cinnamon baking in the oven; the warmth of open fires; the laughter around the dinner table and the warmth of a bowl of soup as it feeds your soul. Yes, I know I can be a bit much but Fall and I have a long history of friends, food and fun. Those who know me well, know I love all three. :)

I have finished a couple of wreath projects and thought I would share. The large wreath did not turn out 100% as I would have liked. I think some ribbon running throughout the piece will help give it a more "finished" look. Enjoy!

XOXO
Crystal

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Other Artwork

I love my crafty friends. Carmella is one of my more crafty friends. Ever since we were young she has always love matching colors, funky designs, mixing media, etc. She also loves monogramming but that is so another story...LOL

I am showing off her new craft creation she posted on her Facebook page....you go girl!

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Pressure Cooker

Oh my oh my! How I love my pressure cooker. I know many of you out in internet land either have a pressure cooker, slow cooker or wish you did. Since I have been in my late teens, I have been using a slow cooker for yummy meals. Hey, in my household you either learned to cook or you didnt eat. LOL! Love you Mom! I used the slow cooker many a days and recently purchased my first pressure cooker.

It is not one of those scary, oh my is it going to expload, cookers. It is a Cook's Essentials digital or electric cooker. I have made so many yummy recipes since I have had it. From minestrone soup to turkey tettrazini. It takes a fraction of the time to cook up pot roast, chicken or other meats. I can put frozen chicken breasts in the cooker, cook 10 minutes and it is done....yeah!

One of my favorite go to recipes is as follows:

Minestrone Soup with Tortellini
2 T Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 Stalks celery, cut into small slices
2 Carrots, cut into small slices
1 T minced garlic, or 2 large cloves
8 oz of cheese tortellini (I use 1/2 bag of frozen tortellini-it is more cost effective)
4 C vegetable broth (I have also used chicken broth and was successful)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 t Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste

Add oil to pressure cooker and heat on "brown" with lid off. Saute veggies and garlic until onions are soft.

Add remaining ingredients and stir. Lock pressure cooker lid and let on high for 12 minutes (if using frozen pasta, if not, 5 minutes will do)

Quick release the pressure when finished and serve.

I sometimes put either parm or mozzerella cheese on mine. :)

****Recipe taken from Bob Warden's Slow Food Fast Cookbook. Loads of really good recipes in here. I really enjoy this book because it tells you cooking times for rice, pastas, meats, etc. ***


Go here for an awesome pressure cooker...http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.tsv!.tpl.tsv.cm_scid.TSV

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Walmart Who?

I remember "back in the good ole days" when Walmart was the place to go for craft items. Rows and rows of yarn, stencils, paint, hobby items, needle point...you get my drift. Not anymore. They have drilled down to a couple of rows of fake flowers, vases, sewing machines and a few paint items. At least this was the case in my store. So sad.

Long story short, I was not able to get my craft items needed for my projects today. Since it is Sunday, most craft stores are closed. But I did manage to pick up a small, already made wreath for my front door and a couple of more items to make it my own. Here is a picture...I did the bottom part. :)



I also picked up a VERY LARGE brady glass and created a candy corn candle holder...of sorts. Enjoy!

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Early Sunday Morning

It is early Sunday morning and I am on my way to WalMart for craft supplies. I know that may sound unusual for those of you from the South. Church is on Sunday! Nathan and I have gotten out of going to church so much. Not that we don't believe you should go...you should. Other believers help keep you on track and provide support. We are in the stage in our lives that we are seeking God in our own way. Through meditation, gifts of love to friends, family and others, and prayer language. Instead of letting others tell me how I should communicate or fellowship with God, I allow Him to speak to me in His own way.

That being said, I am going to use one of my spiritual gifts He has bestowed upon me and create beauty, food and fellowship.

Our spirits were given to us through HIS spirit, the Holy Spirit. We are closer to God than you can imagine.

Happy Sunday!

CML

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Fall Fun...Early

In the West TN area we have had a long and hot Summer. It is not over either. Next week (AKA: The first day of Fall) it is going to be a scorching 98 degrees. Ugh....

That being said, I am going on the offensive and making my favorite time of year come NOW. :) I am starting my craft work for my Fall wreaths. I decided to go on my friend's idea and make a candy corn wreath. I am also going to create a fun fall foliage wreath for my living room. I might do a couple of other decorations using wheat and ribbon.

Tomorrow I am also going to make a fall soup using sweet potatoes and squash puree. Yummy! Like I said, I am tired of the Summer...come on Fall!

I will post pictures when everything is finished!

CML

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Posted in: cooking,crafts,decorating,fall,wreath