My New Camera

Well...here it is ...my new baby....oh, so cute but oh so intimidating....i finally took it out of the box and set it up....my mind does not work like it use to...but i will, with the new class starting tomorrow, get this.....i have to learn the language as well as which button does what...for we are going to take it out of "auto mode" and learn all there is to this type of camera....oh, dear...it's ok..it won't happen overnight... it will be just like learning this computer and new software...right?? But isn't she beautiful......have two more lens to go with it....(more to learn)!!

An American Girl

YEAAAAA...this was fun...this weeks challenge from Jessica's site was to get inspiration from a movie poster and go with it......here is mine:

credits: Papers:MFenwick,MBuchaman(added texture); KPertiet-FilmedOverlay, pinnedFrames, alpha-NaturalistKit; frame-kb_weatheredFrame; font-Marlboro: movieRating-internet

Pecan and Apple Salad

This is so yummy and refreshing!! This too came from the Concord,MA Emerson Hospital Axuxiliary Cookbook:

Pecan and Apple Salad
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head Bibb lettuce
1 cup watercress leaves
2 Red delicious apples (i use green apples)
3/4 cup Crunchy Glazed Pecans, chopped (recipe follows)
3/4 cup Feta or blue cheese, crumbled

Dressing
1/2 cup walnut or vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons shallots, minced
2 Tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Tear lettuses into bitesize pieces and place in a large salad bowl..add watercress leaves
Cut apples into very thin wedges and place on top of greens
Sprinkle pecans and cheese over salad
Combine all ingredients for the dessing in a small jar and shake well
Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently...serve immediately

Crunchy Glazed Pecans
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons water
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces pecan halves

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment
Combine butter, corn syrup, water and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
Add pecans and stir to coat
Spread nuts evenly on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes

I am so EXCITED!!

i didn't want to say anything before because i was sooooooo nervous i would not get into the class BUT i made it....registration was last night at 9pm over at Jessica's for the Photography Class given by Candice Stringham...only 200 slots and it sold out in less than 10 minutes....BUT I AM IN!!...so you need a SLR camera so i bought one (Nikon D40)...it is on it's way to me with two lenses and of course the third lens was ordered this morning...(it is my birthday week so i can)..and then it all needs to go into a nice bag so that too is coming...i am so worth it.....(hee,hee) .. I have wanted to take a photography class and it was on the list to do when i retired and YEAAAAAAAAA now i will....hope this isn't too over my head....but i usually "get it" even if i have to go over it a few hundred times.....lol....

Time

We talk about how time flies...now when i see my daughter's friends and their children i am amazed at how this is so true!! Here is Nancy and her daughter...Nancy and my Rebecca were in nursery school together......now look!!

credits: QP by Doro

Chicken Artichoke Piccata

this is so delicious and easy!! This recipe came from Revolutionary RECIPES Concord a la Carte by the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary, Concord,MA......

Chicken Artichoke Piccata
1 pound chicken breasts, skinned and boned
1/4 cup flour
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
Juice of 1 lemon
6 Tablespoons parsley, chopped
2 Tablespoons of capers
1 can (14 ounces)artichoke hearts, quartered

1. Cut chicken up into 2 inch pieces. Place between wax paper and pound thin.Dredge in flour

2.Saute chicken in butter and olive oil until browned, about 1 minute each side. Place on a warm platter

3. Add wine and chicken stock to skillet. Reduce. Scrape up pan drippings. Add lemon juice. Cook until hot and bubbling.

4. Add parsley, capers and artichoke hearts. Pour over chicken

i serve with linguine .... enjoy!

JoJo's Birthday

i am liking these bright colors....josie was three in may and her mom did a great birthday party for her in the back yard..bbq and a moon walk that looked like Clifford the Big Red Dog...she had so much fun with all her little friends...no, i did not go into the moon walk...i watched from the sidelines......

credits: Paper by MeridithFenwick_dds_sunset; GraphicPopCorner#2-5 by KatiePertiet; template by Hummie in second LO(modified); font-JumpStart

ComePlayWithMe

this weeks layout from Jessica's challenge....my little sweeteee is always saying this to me...yesterday we played and played and i can't move today...lol...i am getting old and the arthritis will not keep me down (she says hesitantly)...

credits: Template by Timounette and paper and alpha from LivEdesigns (i love both of these designers big time!!)

credit: QP by Scrapladies

The above QP caught my eye for the colors "kind of" match the LO above it...not my usual style but thought it would be "fun".....

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

This is so yummy and easy to make....smells wonderful as it is baking....old recipe....not sure where i got it but it has been in my recipe files since i was married over hundred years ago..lol..feels like i have been cooking and baking for over a hundred years:

Sour Cream Coffee Cake
1 cup butter,softened
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sour cream

Topping
4 tablesppons brown sugar
1 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour Tube Pan
2.Cream butter, sugar,salt and vanilla. Add eggs and mix well
3.Add flour and baking powder to creamed mixture a little at a time and mix well
4.Fold in the sour cream
5.For the topping mix all ingredients
6.Place half the batter into the tube pan. Sprinkle with half the topping mix. Cover with the remaining batter and top off with rest of the topping mix
7. Bake for 60-70 minutes
Enjoy................................!!

Yesterday i was Rak'd by a fabulous designer.....i won all her quickpages in her shop!! all 13 of them!!....check these out from Jen Ulasiewicz Designs .... I love her work!!!!

It's been HOT...

it has been so hot here !!! hit 100 yesterday....4 days in a row....i hate the heat!!! so you can just imagine my state of mind...thank goodness my dh put in the air conditioners on saturday...the second story of this house is like an attic!! it broke during the night...heard thunder and the lightning was amazing....with this change so quick my sinuses are hurting me today...but i will take this over the heat...the challenge at Jessica's this week is to use a "warm" photo...so here is my layout....simple but i like it:

credits: papers by Krizomel; word art by AASPN

Here are some links to some amazing, generous designers...give them some luv while your there:

http://flamingo-amanda.blogspot.com/2008/06/mariposa-sale-and-freebie.html

http://curthsdigitaldesigns.blogspot.com/

http://mojerodinka.blogspot.com/

My Sunshine

here is my sweeeettteee....my gd Josie....(did i tell you she is going to have a brother in October...yeaaa) this is the results of Jessica's weekly challenge...go and check out her new updated site...today is the site's one year birthday!! I can't believe i have been doing digi now for a year.....love it!!

credits:Template by armina; yellow/orange papers by mariaLaFrance_Sunshine&Daisies; green papers by JudyMeibusch_SpringScraps; WordArt by ElegantWA

Here are some great blogs.....don't forget to give luv if you download:

http://wendys-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

http://mallubrasildesigns.blogspot.com/

http://armina.blogspot.com/