No matter what …. I always had dishes to be done

During the highest moments in my life, and the lowest, it seems I always had dishes and, let me add, laundry to do.  No matter if I’d just given birth or thought the world was going to end, all I had to do was look over my shoulder to remember, that the dishes needed doing.  Oh Yea!  In my finer moments of domestic bliss I’d get them done in the most efficient way possible, then off to the next task (most likely laundry) then before I knew it, there was a pile of dishes to do again.

Not even a chickless nest helps.  Plenty of bowls, mugs and stemmed glasses seem to pop up overnight.  Not enough to load a dishwasher mind you but enough to take a good 15 to 20 minutes out of your day.  Problem is I can’t seem to do anything else until they are done.  Even though I know they are never going to be done and if I keep doing the dishes what am I doing really?  The damn dishes.

Birthday Crepes

On our birthdays my Mom would always make us what she called German Pancakes.  In actuality they were French Crepes.  My two brothers and I would sit around the stove as she cooked each crepe, spread it with butter, sprinkled it with sugar, rolled it and cut it into thirds, one for each of us.  Occasionally, when feeling nostalgic I grab the 'ol Betty Crocker cook book, my favorite crepe recipe, and make up a batch.  Of course you can fill them with sweet or savory fillings such as blueberries and yogurt or Creamed Tuna with cheese but I still love them simply, with butter and sugar.

When I visited Paris, of course, I simply had to try them and I must admit.  Mom's are just as good.  I cook any left over batter, the crepes store quite well in a baggie for a couple weeks.

Pretzel Baking

Yesterday's snowy day with the wood stove burning was conducive to baking and writing. I had so much fun baking these Fleischmann's Homemade Pretzels in between writing assignments. I bought this mix a month or so ago.  The instructions on the back are easy and clear.  Mix the dough, cover it, let rise.  I sat it next to the wood stove.  Divide into equal pieces and roll each piece 18" long before forming into a Pretzel.   I let them rest and rise a bit before their 15 second soda bath.

Then into the hot 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes

Enjoyed with a bit of warmed brie, mustard and of course, a Stella!

Sympathy Cards with Cricket ~ May 2013

Finally after years of not utilizing my Cricket, it came in handy for two sympathy cards and their envelopes.  I loved the calm feeling of these cards.

My #1 Niece get's Married

cause for another gift cert card!

and Aubrey was her name...........

A Not So Very Ordinary Girl or Name

Once upon a time Prince Kenneth stumbled upon a gorgeous and unique girl Aubrey. He marveled in the beauty that radiated from her gorgeous eyes, especially as she created each masterpiece. For you see, Aubrey is an artist. He mind constantly seeking the beauty in every abstract. When she looked at her Prince, he knew.

Hannah's Graduation Gift Card

Thirty years after her Aunt, my niece Hannah graduates from my high school. My class was the first graduating class and we had picked the school colors, mascot, etc. when we were in 9th grade. So it was a joy working with those colors, to create her graduation card. It turned out simple but pretty utilizing the metal numbers and gigaNtic riCrAc. Of course I had to add some dots. The star (our mascot) was originally yellow but with some embossing powder and heat, it was quickly rectified. I really enjoy using the announcement for inspiration. I roughed up the edge of the white Bazzill to expose the blue leatherette paper underneath. I also love it when a card "feels" good. The and mixing the fonts really bought the metal letters to life

Hannah is such a beautiful girl, I can't wait to see where life takes her.

'11 Rules