Tuesday

So Carl came home last night really excited and happy to report that he shared Tamales at work. It was hard work but I think that this may be the answer to prayers!

I get caught up in lots of things around the house since I have so much energy. I have been thinking about going back to work either at an Optometrist’s office or even back into Sales and Catering for a hotel in Houston, however, Toni and I were talking about my infatuation with progress. I told her that I need something that will keep me busy. A focal point other than my daily rituals but I didn’t want to lose myself in work. (I do that way too often for my own good.)

If I sell some Tamales and maybe some jewelry, I can make a little money, do the things I love and also, technically, stay home! Even if I did some cakes on the side, they are all things that I would be able to set my own hours and work when I want to… I just gotta jump with both feet in! (I just always research why I’m jumping into first!) I’ll keep you posted.

After sending Carl off to work with Carne Adovado Burritos, Chef Salad and Lasagna, I started some dishes and felt my Beading JuJu come back full swing!

I’m not sure if you guys are Twilight fans but I sure am! When I was finished with this, I decided it looked like something Rosalie would wear. What do you Twi-hard fans think?

The Rosalie Necklace.



I think giving necklaces names is fun! Let’s try another one! How about the Lisa?




For now, that is all.

I feel like Buster Poindexter…"So we go rum-bum-bum-bum…Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot…"

WOW!

It was a great but I have to tell ya: busy, busy little renegade bee! I’m glad for the week to start because it’s like a vacation from the weekend!

Friday

Funny story:

Once upon a time there was this girl named Rose. She loves the cooler days and looked outside to find a cloudy, overcast day. She had a big day ahead of her so she excitedly hopped out of bed and ran right into her closet! She looked around and gently ran her right hand across the tops of her many soft sweatshirts, long sleeved blouses and sweaters. She settled on a maroon sweatshirt over layered tank tops. (She loves cold weather: she loves layers!) How happy to be in long sleeves again!

When Rose goes outside and gets into her car, she starts to drive down the road when it starts to feel a little warm. A few seconds later she starts to feel slightly warmer. Windows come down, what is it that she smells? A clear crisp, warm November day! She looks up from the thermostat (that reads 78) to see her neighbor staring at her, with bewilderment (Most likely since she’s in layers and a sweater), in his gym shorts and short sleeved shirt….. NO WORRIES! Rose sticks to her guns and continues to Wal-Mart. While at the Supercenter, she sees sandals, sun dresses and tank tops. Then she starts to sweat a little. No pun, seriously sweat. Cause it was friggin’ hot!

The end.

After I got home from Wal-Mart I put groceries away. Boscoe and I also had a fetch-a-thon in the back yard. He crashed on the floor while I swept and mopped the foyer, kitchen and kitchen nook. I started spaghetti sauce and vacuumed the floor. Did laundry and put away dishes.



While unpacking, I found my beads! I made this necklace after the dishes were done and put away.

Saturday

All day I worked on homemade Tamales and Tamale Sauce! It was a long hard road (NO WONDER PEOPLE USUAL MAKE IT A BIG FAMILY PRODUCTION!) but it was totally worth it! I made red chile sauce from dried chile pods Friday night. Into the crock pot with pork roast and beef roast. I also soaked pinto beans overnight. I let the meat stew for several more hours more on Saturday (16 hours cook time total. Sooooo very tender and juicy!)while getting the masa and corn husks ready…. Fast forward after six hours of rolling tamales by myself… Carl came home and helped with the last 7-8. (We made about 40-50.) Here is Carl rolling tamales. (I forgot to take pictures of myself…a first! LOL.)

Here are a batch cooking. I was steaming Tamales until 11:45 P.M.!



Here is a complete plate with frijoles and arroz!

I got the signed seal of approval from Edgar and Leo (Carl’s friends that are from Mexico!) today when Carl took them to work. *Update: Carl just told me that them tamales have been requested for sale by Ramsey and Raul, a dozen for $10.00.... I gotta think about this one.

Daddy and Bubsy after a long hard day of tamale making:

The jewelry bug bit me, so I made these necklaces within the course of the day too.

Found this in the camera and it was entirely too cute to leave in my hard drive:

Sunday

Got up early, put Tex-Mex-Chili ingredients into a pot, went to church, met a lot of really great people, came home, ate tamales for lunch, swept and vacuumed, put away dishes, re-loaded dish washer, played with some beads, couldn’t get my jewelry mojo on, put away dishes, researched tortilla recipes, went back to church to meet with Bishop for Tithing Settlement meeting, came home, made homemade tortillas, ate chili, did dishes, watched Desperate Housewives, went to bed.

I wanted to blog about so much this weekend but I a tee-widdle-bit pre-occupied! Hope you guys are having a perfect day! See ya tomorrow.

Love,

Me

Fah-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra..No it's Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra...

I love Christmas! I love everything that has to do with the season.

I would like to express my excitement because I FOUND MY CAMERA CORD! It was a personal goal to find it and you’ll never guess where it was! In my electronics cord drawer in my office! (My A.K.A. should be OCD…) I was actually surprised that it was there because if I would have remembered I put that stuff away already, I wouldn’t have been complaining about looking for it… Isn’t that the way it always goes?

After finding the cord, I was able to upload all the pictures from the camera! Now that the entire house is unpacked and the Christmas decorations are up, I need a few other hobbies to pursue.

First is another blog titled “Carl’s Travels”. It’s currently on delay until I can get the photos from the last 2 years in order but I’m excited to see how it turns out. It’s going to be an online tribute to our life. He’s also lived in some interesting places. You’ll be able to see the hotels, extended stay motels, ranches and houses he’s lived in!

Second hobby is my obsession with decorating cakes. I’ve been needing to polish my baking skills.

The first cake I decorated this year was dry, but charming.



The second was bought from Wal-Mart but redecorated by yours truly.



Carl’s cake should have seriously had a blog post of it’s very own. Keeping it short: I started it, 10 minutes into baking the power went out (Happens periodically due to Hurricane Ike…STILL…blah) so I tried to “bake it on the stove” which burnt some of the cake in a circle….Cute cake, but a horror story still….



And now…The one I made yesterday…



The B on the top is for Brauning! I've always wondered how difficult it would be to decorate a "wedding" cake. It was a lot of fun! The hardest part was trying to find a calligraphy B that I liked. I doodled for a really long time while the cake chilled. Vanilla cake with Cream Cheese Frosting! Next to tackle...filling! I bet it's gonna be messy.....

If you look to the right you will see that I have a section titled “…Holiday Paraphernalia...”. Please check out those links to get your Christmas party pants on and start dancing around! (Or put your mouse over the hyperlink(s) below, put on a pair of glittery red shoes, click your heels three times, and left click your mouse until a new window pops up!)

Way cute cards from Elephant Juice Designs by Laura.
This will take you to the most talented little lady in the midwest! Her cards are gorgeous and I know that a few of you will fall in love with the damask cards she blogged about yesterday.

Fred Flare for stocking stuffers!
Compliments of Miss Toni, as she surfed the net for stocking stuffers, she passed along this link to uber fantastic gifts under 10 dollars! The “Bacon Band-aids” are in my online shopping cart! They're sooo funny. Who doesn't love a little bacon on their boo-boo?

Wrapping paper is my vice....
You can’t have Christmas without perfectly wrapped packages! I am IN LOVE with a few of the more simple prints. Please take in consideration that these are “countertop rolls”. Department stores use them. If you’re anything like me and like your packages to have a similar look to them, this is the way to go. Savings are here since you buy in such bulk.

Lagniappe...Cloth gift bags! My grandma used to make these...
My Grandmother Schmidt used to put a good lot of our Christmas gifts in cloth bags. Helps eliminate cost (not to mention pesky paper, messy scotch tape, not to mention those paper cuts…OUCH!) and the helps environment! Check these out for a GREEN Christmas… (I have few of these bags but I'm such a sucker for bows!)

Very fun stuff!

Now that I found my camera, some pictures to share with you:

As I explained, I LOVE GIFTS! Wrapping with big bows made from wired ribbon is my favorite. I also like to buy Christmas ornaments and use those as gift tags. I still have all the ones from our house with Sue, Mitch and Carl's names on them, so they're perfect to re-use time and time again!

Here are some pictures of the tree and gifts from last year. The house in New Mexico had this geat little niche to showcase the Tree. Plus, this photo shows a cever way to use a plate hanger as decoration. In this picture you can see the pate hanger onthe wall with presents hung right up there! It's such a festive decoration too!







Lighted Christmas Trees are my favorite! Here is our Tree where it's roots will be for at least 5 years! I just don't think there could be a more perfect place for it!



P.S My camera died in th move and is a month behind on the date I SWEAR this tree wasn't up 10/13/2008! LOL!

(The windows are still bare while I look for some drapery fabric I love enough to buy 46 feet of! YIKES!)Thanks for all your input for the window and tal wall dilemma..Thaomee suggested something like this wich everyone else wholeheartedly agreed to.... Her is the sample picture she sent me. We are thinking about the crowm molding all the way to the top but not so much the brown frames aroundthe windows. I think the vertical lines are nice but do you think they elongate the room too much? Thanks girls, let me know what your thoughts are!

A lot of my favorite things….

I am about to blog about things from weather to tasty inspired desserts! YAY! I hope you’re having as good of a day as I am.

Mood: Severely Thankful


Monday, November 10, 2008


Today it was....

I was so happy because it was the coolest day I have experienced since being in Texas! It was a steady 66 degrees, drizzly and foggy. I LOVE this weather. A lot of people prefer flip-flops and sunny days; I’m all for sunny days but my motto is. “You can always put more clothes on but you can only take so much off before you get arrested.” I’ve enjoyed my flip flop weather but I was going to be mighty sad if I couldn’t wear this great jacket I found at Target last year for $7.00!


(Ya just gotta love Target!)

I do love my flip-flops but I gladly cloaked my feet in my *gasp* Mary Jane flats. (*Usually, I would run a marathon in stiletto sandals if someone would let me.) Why I wore the flats, I couldn’t even explain it, however, I felt like it, so I did. Take a walk in my shoes as I tour you on my Monday….




(P.s. being this short should be a sin.
Look at how much jean leg is pooled around my midget legs!)

As I excitedly snapped a few photos of my jacket, Boscoe looked on. I think he tries to ignore me when I take pictures of myself because he gets this confused look when my cell phone makes the snappy sound…. He strains his neck to the right and then the left.




After the fake photo shoot, I was off to Wal-Mart to buy the cow some dog food. (I’m not sure if the pricing is the same where you’re at, but I saved a dollar on Boscoe’s Beneful Original 40-pound bag by going to Wal-Mart versus Super Target. I’m a die-hard Super Target fan, otherwise.)

As I perused the super store, I came across something that will change my dessert life for the rest of my BEING!

For Carl, Laura and all you other Pumpkin fans……



Can you read that?! It’s a Jell-O Limited Edition Flavored pudding….. PUMPKIN SPICE!

I pondered as I wondered….How delicious would look in a Brandy Glass? How tasty with a dollop of cool whip? Sheesh! It hit me like an epiphany! (Definition: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience....I didn't know what it meant until I looked it up a month ago...) But it only got better when I got home and started mixing the Pumpkin Spice Instant Pudding with 2% milk…Thus, the Rosie Posie Cheatin’ Puddin’ Pie was born!





OH YES! I did it. I so went there. And if you’re wondering…YES! IT IS GOOD. As I envisioned dousing the pudding with whipped cream, I took it a step further. I know what you’re thinking. She DIDN’T….LOL. I looked for some graham cracker crumbs to sprinkle as a “fake crust” but I was all out. I thought I’d just call Carl and tell him to pick up some Honey Graham but then…it caught my eye! Carl’s cereal!


WOW! If you can find Post Trail Mix Crunch, I highly recommend it for your “fake mini pies”. It’s got toasted almonds, granola and crunchy goodness that compliments the smooth, creamy, pudding goodness! (Let me know if you use anything else, please.)

For Lisa, Toni and all the rest of us Chocolate fans…..





Rosie Posie Cheatin’ Puddin’ Pie


Ingredients:
1 package (Your choice flavored) Pudding
Crunchy topping
Whipped Cream
Fun glasses

Directions:
Make pudding as directed and pour to set in brandy, martini, etc. glasses. Right before serving, sprinkle some crunchy goodness and add dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

This seriously took 4 minutes prep time tops. 30 seconds to measure milk. 2 minutes to whisk instant pudding. (Minus 5 minutes to set pudding.) 30 seconds to sprinkle cereal and 1 minute to dollop whipped cream. I say 1 minute because I wanted to make sure it was pretty!

Soooooo yummy!



Ok. Now that I got that dessert adventure out of the way. (Freakish, I know but I was SO excited to write about this dessert!)

Carl came home from work early! Every year we get into what I like to call the Grinch War. I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday. It groups up all the things I love. Family, Jesus, Friends, gift giving, twinkling lights, Christmas Trees, baked goods, Turkey, all things good and great! Any who, I decorate before Thanksgiving usually because I like the house to have the warm feeling when we have Thanksgiving dinner. Carl (as everyone else I know) tells me it’s too soon. However, this year I had a good argument. We saw Christmas ads on television. I told Carl that since stores can advertise for Christmas, I can advertise for Christmas! He whole heartedly complied and even strung the lights while Boscoe watched.



Tuesday, November 11, 2008




Today is Veteran's Day!
I have a lot of loved ones that has, is or going into the service for us, as Americans.

Service [sur-vis]: an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service.

Thank you so very much! I know that my life would not be the same without the love and dedication our soldiers have to our nation and to our people. May you feel all the blessings the Lord has in store for you and your family.

It's also mildly drizzly and foggy outside so I get to wear my Lakeside, Ohio sweater. Pretty, pretty, pink, fuzzy sweater!



Well, this must have been the longest post in blog history. Again, I hope you try the dessert. Thanks for reading! Love, me.

P.S. Make sure to say a little prayer and thank Heavenly Father. Life is good and He allows it! Godspeed to you and your family to have a blessed day!

A little New Mexico in Texas

We had Rosie's Green Chile Enchiladas last night for dinner, Ohhhhh My. I put "Rosie's" in front of it because I put a little spin on the traditional recipes that float around. It was very yummy and hope that it will be a favorite of yours as well! It's very easy and worth the time spent making it!

Rosie's Green Chile Enchiladas




Ingredients:

2 cups Shredded Chicken Breast(Approx. 1 Chicken breast boiled and shredded)
2 small cans of diced Green Chiles
2 small cans of cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP crushed red peppers (If you like it spicy)
8 corn tortillas
4 slices of Swiss Cheese
5 springs of cilantro chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together chicken, green chiles, soup, milk, garlic powder, salt and crushed red pepper together until well mixed. Spread thin layer of mixture on the bottom of an ungreased 8"x9" pan. Put down a layer or tortillas. Mixture, Tortillas, mixture..etc until you lastly spread a thin layer of mixture on top. Top off with Swiss cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and back for 1 hour. Remove from oven and sprinkle cilantro on top before serving.

Then we had blueberry jello set in martini glasses for dessert! Yummy! I had forgotten how happy jello can make a person. Look how happy Carl was to be enjoying it! LOL!



It was the perfect meal after tackling the cabinets all day...

Before:


After:


Inside peak of spices, baking paraphernalia, herbal teas and cocoas (I LOVE COCOAS!!)


I was a little hesitant to buy these beautiful Pfaltzgraff dishes because I am a total freak about my dishes cupboard. Everything has to line up in pairs and be symmetrical. I would have gotten rid of my white set, however I love to throw dinner parties and I have setting for 16 with the white dish set and Big Lots only had 2 set of Seychelles Green Sea. If Big Lots wouldn't have had these 70.00 sets marked down to 15 BUCKS, I would have never....I blame BIG LOTS! (JK..they're one of my FAVE stores EVER...anywho...) 140.00's worth of dishes for 30.00 is my kind of hot smokin' deal!



Luckily they don't look too cluttered nestled on the opposite side from the white dishes.


OHHHH and before I forget, I got a kick out of finding these while unpacking. They are coconut ceramics I made in art class in HS. I sat with Jeff Casad. We were listening to "If you like Pina Coladas" on the radio which inspired the lime capped coconut duo. Jeff made a penguin...I fund that while packing in NM but once recovered, I will post a pic of that too. Haha. Memories.