Monday, November 14, 2022

It's beginning to look a lot like...

 ...that time of year when we hit the road for warmer pastures! We're getting down to the wire now as we leave for California two weeks from today. Lots of loose ends have been tied, but there are still a few to finish up. We haven't started packing yet, for one thing. So much to do that you don't need to do for a short getaway - garbage pickup, forwarding mail, stopping the newspaper delivery, etc. Not to mention, this year I couldn't stand it and had to do some goody making. It's been too long since I've done that and I just had to. It has always been something I really enjoy at holiday time. Plus, I got a new Christmas mug and had to use it. Now I want some red/black buffalo plaid pajamas!

Here are a few of the yummies I've made. 

This is White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Fudge - I love this and it's super easy to make. (Just follow the recipe on the Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar. (This is the same recipe I have listed on my Recipe page in tabs if you want to print it out called Fantasy Fudge.) You can make pretty much any flavor fudge you want with this fail-safe recipe. 

Below that are the Pretzel Turtles. Another super simple goody to make (this is the first time I've done these) with mini pretzels, Rolo candies and pecan halves. 
This one is Reese's Peanut Butter Fudge - same recipe as above, but using Reese's peanut butter chips this time. Yummy! 
Here we have Pumpkin Bread and Mimi's Carrot Bread. I was so disappointed that Mimi's restaurants closed. We used to go to the one in Santee, very near my sister's house, quite often when we're down there. I'm glad I got the recipe for their delicious muffins/bread while they still gave it out. It is soooo good. The pumpkin bread recipe is one my mom has used forever and is my favorite. I love it cold out of the fridge with cream cheese on it. 
And my beautiful pumpkin pie. We had our Thanksgiving dinner early this year since we'll be leaving just days after the 'real' Thanksgiving. I love love love pumpkin pie, and I was so happy mine didn't crack. A little bummed that I forgot to put the foil plate over the edges until it was a little too late, but it's still the best breakfast ever.

While I have been super busy, I haven't been cardmaking or paper crafting in a bit. My Christmas cards are already done, newsletter finished, everything labeled and signed, and all that is left to do is to add postage and pop them in the mail. So that's another big project I feel good about having. completed.

Oh. And our turkey.....I'm always so good at getting a picture of how gorgeous my turkey turns out every year, but, of course, this year was not routine and so I forgot to get a pic. I did, however, get a picture of the remains after everything fell off the bone! I used an oven bag, and I totally swear by those things. Here's what was left after I pulled off all the meat. Wasn't he just beautiful. LOL


This may be my last post until we get to San Diego, but I'll still be lurking around the internet even if I don't post much while we're on the road. Sending you all Thanksgiving blessings and lots of love! 

Till next time...

 

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Birthday Buddy

This little cowpoke is the cutest, isn't he? I used this set, Saddle Up & Celebrate, from My Favorite Things, for the birthday card for a special 11 year old boy. I hope he likes it. He's as adorable as this little cowboy.


For the subtle background images I used a light color ink to keep it from overpowering the foreground images. Just enough to make it seem like it's in the distance. I used white pen to make the design on the scarf. It seemed too plain in just red, so I wanted to add a little interest. 



Product List:
My Favorite Things, Saddle Up & Celebrate stamps and dies
My Favorite Things, The Whole Herd stamps and dies (hay stack, milk can)
My Favorite Things, Llama Love (cactus)
My Favorite Things, Ink cube Natural (background images) *discontinued color
Ellen Hutson, Bear Ware Dress-up 2 (barn)
Lawn Fawn, Happy Village (fence)
Copic, Xpress it Blending Card
Copic, Sketch Markers (pictured above)
Recollections, 110# white cardstock