Let Your Kids Know: The World is Beautiful

Hi Everyone!

Everyday I listen to the news. Sometimes, it's only for a quick 30 minutes in the morning, and sometimes, I launch my NPR: One app on my phone and just let it play all day. I listen in order to be informed and up to date because well...I don't want to be the person that doesn't know what's going on in Iraq, Syria, or Ukraine or even what's happening in my own country. As I listen to the stories and experiences of so many others in what seem like other worlds I'm often struck by the thought that I can't believe we live in a world still where people are being beheaded, where morality is being confused with religion and where children are denied polio vaccinations because of the uneducated and misinformed ideas about Western Civilization.

The trouble is that these are all ideas which were not born of 21st century origins. Henry VIII beheaded two of his wives and was responsible for the beheading of countless others as well. Any average student of history knows that beheading, while gruesome, was a common occurrence throughout the middle ages. People have been sacrificing, killing and waging war in the name of religion since the beginning of time, and not just the Muslims. Judaism, and Christianity have had their gloves in the ring many times as well; and there's always been a mystery and misinformation for many "on the other side" of the world about Western cultures and civilizations. As people living far after the time of Henry VIII's rage against Anne Boleyn and The Crusades, I think we tend to look back on these events in history in a somewhat complacent way: "They were awful...people got beheaded...that sucked...oh well, that was then, this is now. What's for dinner?" I can't help but wonder if people hundreds of years from now will look back upon our current time in the world and have the same thoughts.

Anyhow, while I struggle in my own mind with the current state of the world, I am truly grateful that little corner of the world I live in is a place of happiness, and beauty. I am glad that my two youngest children are just happy and enjoying life, completely oblivious to the evils that lurk "out there." The lessons will come, both through school and education as well as life and experiences. My oldest daughter is at an age where she is learning many of those lessons as she navigates her way through her teenage years.

Last weekend we were able to go to a local pond and feed the ducks, and just spend some time together. As I walked around photographing the boys and their attempts to get the ducks to eat out of their hands, and the other beautiful scenery around the pond, and eating ice cream together afterwards, I thought to myself how glad I was that this is what my children see, that this is what they get to experience. Sometimes it's a busy life, sometimes it's complicated.
Sometimes the world is harsh and ugly: but there's always something beautiful waiting to be found.

Now it's your turn: Tell me something beautiful you've discovered or experienced recently with your children. Leave me a comment below. Be sure to link your blog or website if you have one, so I can come and visit you as well!

September Card Kit: One Layer Card

Hi Everyone!

Lots of behind the scenes work going on at the blog today! As you can see at the bottom of the post, I've added the links and descriptions for the products I used in today's card. Click on the icons and they will take to where you may purchase the items if you'd like.
Let me make a disclaimer: I am not involved in any affiliate programs with any companies. I make no money from anything you click on. I just wanted to provide an easy way for you to do a little shopping if you so desire!
As with many things on the blog lately, this is a work in process and I'm still trying to figure out how to change appearances, font styles etc.

Ok, so for today's card. I wanted to create a very simple one layer card using the stamps from the September Card Kit. (Yes...I'm still
using it!) I started out stamping a rough layout of the way I thought I  might use the stamps. Then I pulled out my distress ink swatches and put some colors together that I liked. I made notes on the layout of what colors I wanted to use and where. Once I started the card, I realized, I made the "desk" at the bottom a little taller than I had originally planned, so I had to make a few adjustments. When I finished all the stamping, I realized that I also stamped the sentiment a little lower that I should have, so I had a whole lot more white space than I wanted. So, I scattered some sequins to fill it all in a bit. I rounded the corners and ran my Tumbled Glass distress pad along the edges and finished the card!

Challenges for this card:

Crafting by design
Penny's Paper craft: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Stamp
Stampavie and More: CAS
Lawnscaping Challenges: One Layer Card
Crafty Sentiments: Anything Goes
Loves Rubber Stamps: Anything Goes

Have a great day, everyone! Thanks for visiting with me and I'll see you again soon!

Simon Says Stamp September 2014 Card Kit	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Mowed Lawn	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad PEACOCK FEATHERS	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad TUMBLED GLASS	Black Soot Distress Ink Tim Holtz
Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad WET CEMENT	Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad GREEN HILLS	We R Memory Keepers CORNER CHOMPER	Fiskars Compact STAMPING PRESS	Verve Stamps Pastel Sequin Mix
Verve Stamps Metal Mix Sequins

InLinkz.com

Simon Says Stamp: More September Inspiration

Hi Everyone!

Goodness, I'm running a bit a late getting my post up today! I hope you are all getting back into the groove of the work/school week. It's quiet around my house today while everyone is away! I've been so busy doing computer work with my blog lately that I've not had much time to be stampy and inky! Hope to change that a bit here after lunch. 

Ok, I know you're probably tired of seeing these cards from the Simon Says Stamp September Card kit! I think I have maybe 2 more to do. Each time I get a kit, I make six cards and a gift box to put them in. Then I keep them as a quick gift to give someone if I need it. I'll show you the box for this month's kit when I get it made. 

For this card, I used a more neutral color palette with Black, Kraft, Cream and Ocean Tide (a mix from the kit and PTI paper) For a bit of pop and contrast, I used some Fired Brick Distress ink along with the Black Soot, Vintage Photo, and Iced Spruce. Lots of fun layers here as well. The card is pretty straightforward, so I'll leave it at that for today.

Before I go however, I wanted to ask a question about those of you who use "Inlinkz" services to show

your products used at the bottom of your blog posts. Do you have to pay for a membership in order to do it? I've looked around a bit on the site and followed some tutorials but it all seems to direct me to "upgrade options" If you do pay for it, is it worth it? Finally, do you feel it helps your blog? If you can, drop me a comment and let me know! 

A few challenges for today's card:

Stamping Sensations: Anything Goes

Crafting from the heart: Anything Goes
Craftin desert Divas: Anything Goes
My Craft Creations: Anything Goes
Stamps and Fun: 3 layers of paper

Enjoy the rest of your day! Thanks for visiting with me and I'll see you again soon!

What's for Dinner Monday: Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac

Hi Everyone! 

Happy Labor Day! Hope you are enjoying your holiday and spending time with your loved ones as we say goodbye to summer and prepare for the season of  "Pumpkin Spice" everything!! Personally, I cannot wait! Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the food, the crisp, cool mornings, and yes...pumpkin spice lattes! The recipe I'm sharing today is a perfect fall family dinner. It's full of comforting pasta, chicken and veggies. Crushed tomatoes and hot sauce to warm your insides; and of course lots of  gooey melted cheese! This recipe is originally from Rachael Ray and her Big Orange Cookbook. (and other's I'm sure) I made a few changes to adapt it to my family's personal tastes. I used Feta cheese instead of blue cheese; and I used cheddar with smoky chipotle instead of pepper jack. This wasn't for any particular reason...it just looked good in the grocery store! I would also have added more cheese as I don't think you can ever have too much cheese on anything!!

Ok, enough chitter chatter. Here's the recipe! 

Ingredients:

• 1 package chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces. 
• 3 Stalks of Celery finely chopped
• 1 large carrot finely chopped
• 1 medium or 1/2 large onion finely chopped. 
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 15oz can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1/4-1/2 cup of Frank's Red Hot Sauce. (I only used the 1/4 cup and we thought it was perfect. This will be a matter of personal taste)
• 1lb elbow Macaroni 
• 1/2-1 cup grated pepper jack (or other spicy based cheese) I only used the 1/2 cup; but next time I'll definitely use closer to 1 cup
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta or blue cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded five cheese Italian blend. 
• *Like I said, the cheese types and amounts are really up to you. I LOVE cheese especially when it's melted all over warm pasta!
• Seasonings to taste and preference.

Directions:

Prepare the pasta according to package directions to al dente.

Preheat your oven to 450

• Heat a dutch oven or other deep large pot of medium high heat. Add the chicken and brown the pieces for 5-6 minutes.
• Add the chopped Veggies and cook, stirring often for 7-8 minutes until veggies start to soften.
• pour in the chicken stock and scrape up the brown bits on the bottom. 
• Add the hot sauce and tomatoes and bring to a boil. 
• Lower the heat and simmer on medium for 8-10 minutes for the stew to thicken. 
• Add in the al dente pasta and then transfer everything to a 13x9 pan and top with all that yummy cheese you grated earlier.
• Bake in the oven for 10-12 nminutes until it is golden and bubbly and delicious!!

Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!!

I'm linking up this recipe over at the Marvelous Monday Linky party as well as the Monday Funday Link party on Night Owl Blog. Click on the links and head over and be inspired by the creative projects as well as delicious recipes and desserts!


Finally, I'd love to know what your favorite season of the year is? and also what's your favorite seasonal comfort "feel good" meal? Leave a comment and let me know!

Thanks for visiting with me and I'll see you again soon!