SEW easy to love

This card was all over the place... turned out nothing like it started out to be, still not where I wanted it to be, but sometimes you just have to "move on". I used some random Valentine paper from a DCWV stack that I've had forever, the stamp is from Unity Stamp Co.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The black and white is some patterned masking tape.    Just a note, when I use straight pins on my cards, I always use wire cutters and snip the end off of the pin after I have inserted it into the card stock.

Hello, my friend

Just an everyday card for whatever reason

Hugs and Kisses

Hugs and Kisses... maybe a Valentine for one of the kids?

Chicken Pot Pie.... sooooo good!

One of my family's favorites.... there is never any leftovers!! :(

Yummy Chicken and Dumplings!!!

Chicken & Dumplings:  (just so you know.. Doug actually used leftover turkey in this... so the first section was done... can't tell a difference!)

Servings: Serves 4–6
Ingredients

Chicken and stock:
1 whole organic chicken , 4 to 5 pounds
2 bay leaves
1 head garlic , split through the equator
6 sprigs thyme
Kosher salt
4 to 5 black peppercorns

Vegetables:
2 carrots
1 large onion
2 ribs celery
1 clove garlic
4 sprigs fresh thyme , leaves only
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Buttermilk-Chive Dumplings:

2 cups flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup chopped chives


Directions
To make chicken: Place chicken and all ingredients into a slow cooker and cover with water. Set on low (according to manufacturer's instructions), and cook until chicken is falling apart.

When done, remove the chicken. Strain the stock and shred the meat into big pieces.

To make vegetables: Slice vegetables up into a julienne, and set a large sauté pan over high heat. Add a 2-count of olive oil, and sauté vegetables until translucent. Fold vegetables into the slow cooker with the stock. Fold the shredded chicken back into the mixture and season well. Add chopped fresh parsley and stir. Turn slow cooker up to high while you make the dumplings.

Happy Birthday!

A birthday card.  This card was made using the Taylored Expressions monthly kit for January.  Love the papers.  They are very sparkly, though it doesn't show up real well on the photo.  The cupcake is from K & Co.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Card for my sweetie!

Dessert Tonight.... Yogurt w/Granola and Strawberries

Doug and I are trying to eat healthy and hopefully lose a few pounds in the process.  Tonight for dessert, instead of his favorite (Ice Cream)... I made this Yogurt, Granola, Strawberry, Raisin Parfait.  It turned out really good.  I used low fat plain yogurt, store bought granola, frozen strawberries and raisins.  I thought it turned out kinda of pretty!

Roasted Tomato Basil Bisque w/Mozzarella-Focaccia Grilled Cheese

THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE BISQUE

1 28-OZ CAN TOMATO SAUCE
2 14-OZ CANS FIRE ROASTED DICED TOMATOES
1 BUNCH BASIL, TORN OR ROUGHLY CHOPPED
32 OZ VEGETABLE STOCK (COULD USE CHICKEN STOCK IF DESIRED)
1/4 C CORN STARCH
1/2 C WATER
1 C MILK
3 TBS SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
1 GARLIC CLOVE, FINELY CHOPPED
1/2 ONION (MEDIUM), FINELY CHOPPED
OLIVE OIL

WHAT TO DO:

1.  Preheat large stock pot, add olive 

 oil, add onions and saute on medium heat until tender. 

2.  Add Garlic and saute for just a minute.  Add Tomato Sauce, Fire roasted tomatoes, stock, sugar, salt and pepper to stockpot.

3.  Mix and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

4.  After 15-20 minutes of simmering, combine 1/4 C Cornstarch and 1/2 C water in a separate container, then add to soup.  Bring to a light simmer.  Soup will thicken.  Add Milk and Basil, heat through, but do not boil.   Plate and serve.

For the sandwich.. you could easily do a traditional grilled cheese, but I used a focaccia bread and fresh mozzarella with prosciutto.  YUMMM!!

Preheat oven on broil (hi).   Meanwhile, Slice bread in half.  Drizzle with Olive Oil

Line one side of the bread with mozzarella, the other with the prosciutto and basil.

.. place under broiler when soup has about 3 minutes left

Everything should be done at the same time.  Plate and serve.

 

Sesame Ginger Chicken with Sesame Noodles

Ok.. I "winged this".. I will try and show you what I did...

First, cut your chicken breast into strips.  Put into ziplock bag and add enough marinade to cover.. Note the longer your marinade the better (up to 24 hours in the refrigerator)  I started marinating at 5PM for a 7PM dinner... I must tell you, this marinade is soooo good.  I don't doctor it up one little bit and the chicken turns out so tender and full of flavor.

Here are the ingredients to the noodles.. I have to admit.. I missed the sugar and soy sauce in the photo.. I'm new at this.. forgive me :(

Bring a stock pot of 1/2 full of water to boil.. add pasta, cook according to directions.  I used whole wheat pasta.. it took 9 minutes.  While pasta is cooking.......

In a small bowl, add the soy sauce, garlic, sugar, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, canola oil and hot chili oil.  Let that hang out for awhile and move on to the next step.

In a separate sauce pan saute snow peas (optional) and onion 3-4 minutes until tender, remove from

sauce pan and set aside 

 

Add the marinated chicken to the sauce pan and cook on med-high heat 8-10 minutes, tossing frequently until golden brown and cooked thoroughly.

While the chicken is cooking, check your pasta.  When pasta is cooked to your liking drain and return the cooked pasta to stockpot.. add sauteed Snow Peas /Onions

 

 Add Soy Sauce mixtureto the pasta and toss till evenly coated

 

Chicken should be done... Plate noodles and serve chicken on the side

 

 

I think you could add some shaved carrots to the mix for a bit more color and flavor... and/or even a couple mushrooms....  I don't like Cilantro.. but you could add that if you like that... even some cashews would be nice???  Or, mix it up and cook with beef strips instead of the chicken... just add your favorites and go... :)

Thanks and Thinking of You

OK, now I'm done with the papers on my desk.  I am burnt out on this color scheme.

Thank You Card

Still using the papers on my desk... I am on a mission!  LOL

Friend Card

This is a for whatever the occasion card for a friend. I made a few more cards with the monthly kit, but no time to post.. Desperate Housewives is on!!! :)

One more Thank You Card

Still playing with the kit papers... this was a fun card to make.

Thank You Card

Same layout as the card below.. just swapped out the papers, stamp and changed the dimension a little.

Thank you

I had some papers on my desk from a monthly kit that I receive from Taylored Expressions.  I made cards until I ran out of paper.  This was the first one.

Free Photoshop Template

 I made this digital layout this morning to put a few stray pictures I had left from Ashlea's graduation party.  I realized about half way through that I made another layout very similar last year, but finished it anyway.  If you would like the template, click HERE for a free download of the Photoshop Template.

I've changed my Blog Address

I've changed my blog address from Scrappinstuff-lorrie.blogspot.com to LorriesStory.com... it may take up to 3 days for all the changes to work... I apologize for any inconvenience. 

You're too kind

Another Thank You Card

Thank You Cards

With the holidays over, it's time to get those Thank You's out.  Do you make yours Christmasy?  I have in the past, but I'm over the Christmas Colors, themes.. ready for something different.

Ham and Cheddar Fritatta

This is what I made for breakfast this morning.  It turned out great!!!  I also made hashbrowns and toast.  It doesn't look like it makes a lot, but there were four of us and none of us could clean our plates. 

Ham and Cheddar Frittata

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Cup white onion, finely chopped
1/4 Cup sweet peppers, finely chopped
1 Cup chopped Ham
6 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
1/4 Cup milk
1/4 Cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
1.  Preheat oven’s broiler.  In a 8 inch skillet sprayed with cooking spray heat oil over medium heat.  When hot, saute onions and pepper for 5 minutes.  Add ham and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
2.  Whisk eggs, salt, pepper and milk until well combined.  Pour into hot skillet and top with parsley.  Cook for 3-5 minutes pushing sides down with a rubber spatula.  Top with cheese then place under oven’s broiler.  Watch carefully; broil for 3-5 minutes or until golden and puffed around edges.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.
4 servings

Candied Pecans

Over at Kevin and Amanda's blog she posted this amazing recipe for Candied Pecans.  I gave it a try yesterday.  Oh my goodness... keep these away from me.  They are addicting!  Very simple to make.  Here's her recipe.

Candied Pecans

2 egg whites

2 tbsp water

1 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

4 cups (16 oz) pecans

Preheat oven to 225. In a large bowl beat the egg whites and water. Add pecans and stir to coat. Whisk together the sugar, salt and cinnamon, then pour over the pecans, stirring to coat. Spread pecans on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Home Made Basil & Fresh Mozzarella Pizza with Sausage

Doug put on the apron last night and whipped up this amazing pizza.  All homemade.  It was sooo good!  For some of you that may not know me, we used to own a restaurant.  It started out as a all fresh pizza/sandwich place and ended up with Pastas, soups, and a few other ideas.  It was called "Grumpy's".  LOL   Anyway... this is the first time we've made homemade pizza since we closed that restaurant.  Brought back memories.  mMMMMmmmm

Free Photoshop Christmas Template

Here's a layout I made for Christmas Morning photos.

I've created a free template of this layout. If you'd like to download it, click HERE