Amazing Woman, Great Writing, and AWESOME Jewelry

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share with you that my good friend Tracy now has a blog right here on Blogger where she writes witty posts and shares her AMAZING modern jewelry! The photos are fantastic eye candy too!

Check her out at Lime Green Modern

What??? Seriously People We Didn't Even Have Helmets....

I came across this article today ... "Old Books A New Source of Lead Poisoning"... I love what the author has to say. I cherish our collection of old books and so does Coleman, some of our favorites are from my childhood and we even have a few from my Mother's early years. I agree with what the author of this article has to say... don't throw them out... read them!

Love is... in the house

Here is a new home decor piece that I created for our hallway! I have always wanted to have this scripture up in our home, I even began cross-stitching it once, but alas we all know I don't really have the patience for that!
This frame caught my eye at Target and I waited patiently for it to go on deep clearance then snatched it up! All of the pattern paper is Studio Calico from the Fortune Cookie kit, isn't it beautiful! The frame has a styrofoam backing underneath the fabric so I was able to stick the pins into it and then snip the backs of them off with wire cutters... I love the depth this gives!

The Circle of Life

No I don't mean the song in the Lion King, although I do like that movie, I mean how cyclical life is. For example every year at this time I find myself thinking about relationships with friends and family. I think about how I want to make some of them stronger and how I need to make more of an effort to do that. I think about the people who have come in and out of my life, and sometimes back in and out again. I wonder why God has placed certain people in my path. I assume He does this for all of us, but can you easily identify who they are? So I think my goal for the rest of the month of February is to celebrate my love for all of those who are dear to me... people in my life now and those who shaped it along the way. Valentine's Day isn't just about loving your sweetheart... it's about telling all those you love that you do and why you do.
Huge Hugs to my loyal blog fans. I love that you take time out of your day to read my randomness!

Journal's Junction ... a little late!

I made the layout above for the Journaler's Junction Challenge... How Cliche.


Still feeling crummy but composing an interesting post for later today.

Another Sick Day Layout

Just wanted to post the other layout I finished today... seriously I should only scrap sick! Again, I used the January Kit, Bibliography, from Studio Calico!

YUMMMMMMY!

They are forecasting a chill for later this week so I thought I would share a yummy soup recipe to warm you all up!

Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup (my Olive Garden Knock-Off)

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp of red pepper flakes
1 package Johnsonville Italian Sausage (any variety)
3 thin skinned potatoes (Yukon gold or red ... you can use baking potatoes just peel them first), cut into thin slices or medium dice
1 large sweet onion, halved and then sliced thin
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 head of Kale, washed
1 carton of Chicken Broth
1 1/2 cups of Heavy Cream or Half and Half (optional, just use more chicken broth)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Croutons (I make my own, but there are some great ones on the shelf too)
Parmesan Cheese

Pour the olive oil into the bottom of a large soup pot and heat, over medium heat, until shimmering. Take the sausages out of the casing and break up into the bottom of the pot, cook until browned and caramelized! Add in the onions and let them saute for two to three minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for one more minute. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape all the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan. Add in your potatoes and cook for ten minutes or until they are fork tender. While the potatoes are cooking chop the kale up into bite sized pieces and add to the soup pot. Cover and let cook until the kale has wilted and the potatoes are very tender. Remove from heat and stir in the cream (you don't have to use cream it's just so darn good). Top with croutons and Parmesan cheese!