Blog Update

Well I have spent almost 8 hours off and on updating my mothers blog. I was tired of looking at the dots. She has not even seen it yet....so it may change when she says that she doesn't like it and she asks me to find her something else. Updating and changing is so hard and frustrating but updating means you care.

Hot Crackers Recipe

Hot Crackers Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Box of Saltine Crackers

1 1/3 cup Canola Oil

1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Mix

2 Teaspoons of Crushed Red Pepper (or three packages from Pizza Delivery :)

In an air tight container, place one box of saltine crackers. Mix together other ingredients in a mix bowl. Pour mixture over crackers in the air tight container. Turn container over every 15 minutes for about one hour. Serve on plate.

Souper Stampin Saturday

I had a stampin up party on Saturday and we had a great time. The weather was cold and rainy which made it a perfect day for soup and stampin. We decorated a pocket calendar and I was able to introduce Stampin UP to a couple of friends. I had several requests for the potato soup recipe so I am including it below.

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

12 slices bacon

2/3 cup butter

1/3 cup flour

7 cups milk

4 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Cook Bacon, drain, crumble and set aside.

In dutch oven melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and bring to a slight boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and add bacon, cheese, salt and pepper. Continue cooking until cheese is melted.

I like to reserve some cheese and bacon to top each bowl of soup. Can also add chopped green onions. If soup seems to thick add more milk.

My daughter made some spicy crackers to go with the soup that were just delicious. She will be adding that recipe soon so don't forget to check back.

Tracy brought her 8 year old daughter Hannah. She is such a talented little girl. When she decorated her calendar she did it like I had shown everyone for the most part but she added her own "very creative" finishing touches. I have plans to recruit this girl in about 10 more years.

My Digital Studio

I purchased "My Digital Studio" back in October but I have not had the nerve to dive into it and learn it. However, my daughter, Tiffany, decided she was going to concur it and she has had a ball. I can't wait for her to learn it all and teach me. Below is her first card creation. I am so proud of her.

Swap Cards

These are the cards from our meeting swap that I promised a few days ago. Sorry it took so long.

Crystal A. Lafitte
Designer Unknown
It is hard to tell in this photo but the color used was Concord Crush.
Very purpley. Love it.



Megan Skeeters

Designer Unknown

Karen Kerr

SNOW

I am not a huge fan of snow but I do think it is pretty (as long as it only comes once a year and melts before I have to drive to work.) It had already started melting when I took this picture. One nice thing is that I stay in the house and get lots of stampin and sewing done.

Thank you card

Once a month the Stampin Up demonstrators in my area get together and do a card swap. We each make 8 to 10 cards and swap them, so you get to go home with lots of ideas. This is the card I made for the swap. I always feel so intimidated because the "professional" stampers at our meeting make such beautiful and original cards, but this time I am very proud of my card. It is really hard to make an ugly card when you are using the beautiful products that Stampin Up has to offer. Be sure and check back tomorrow because I am going to post pictures of the cards I received at the swap.