Three Challenges in One

I got a temporary dispensation from time out to make this card. I needed to make it for my son's wedding. It just so happens that Caardvarks is having a challenge on making a baby or wedding shower items. Bingo! It fits. This card is also for Cuttlebug Challenge #40. Another challenge I found is from PaperPlay. You're suppose to use dimension. It has dimension. I purchased the embossing folder while doing my Hobby Hop with Cat. I love it. As soon as I saw it, I thought of a wedding gown. Now it's back to time out. I promise.

Challenges are Everywhere

You don't have to search the Internet to find a challenge. While Cat and I were Hobby Hopping, we decided to create a challenge at each stop. Our first stop was Staples where I had to drop off an empty printer cartridge. While there, we gravitated to the "clippy" bin. You can fill the cute little container like the one that's pictured for $1.99. It was decided that the person who could fit the most objects in their cute little container would win. The loser has to give the winner something from her stash. Cat, I have 18 items. How many do you have?

Hobby Hop Friday!

This is a photo of my dog, Benson, teaching me how to do his happy dance. He taught it to me last winter during a major snowstorm. Well, this morning I'm doing his dance because it's Hobby Hop Friday! My friend, Cat, and I visit all the craft stores in the area! We always manage to find a great place to eat lunch, and we finish the day off with dessert.

Gram's Test Kitchen Update- The Cat's BBQ sauce was delicious. The recipe was so simple. I used it as a marinade over chicken wings. Mac grilled them last night while I was at work. My mother-in-law ate them. She usually doesn't eat anything. It gets four stars.

Time Out Update- I'm still there.

Gram's Test Kitchen

Today's the day I test a new recipe. This is not the one I originally posted. Found this one while cleaning my studio. It's amazing what one finds when cleaning house. Earlier this year the Flip Flop Girls had a recipe swap. This one is from Cat. I hope she doesn't mind if I share it. You might want to visit her blog. She's a very talented friend with lots of wit. I like wit.


Side Note- I found Wickles! They were good. I'm sad to say that the pickles were a little too spicy for me. If you like sweet, sour, and spicy... you'll be in pickle heaven. I found mine at a locally owned grocer- ValuMarket.

If you click on the pix, you'll get a larger view. You probably know that.

In search of Wickles and Time Out Update

I put off starting a blog for over a year because I'm obsessive. I knew it meant writing every single day. Yes, that's how O people think. So here I am a year later with a blog. I feel that I must write today. Since I'm in Time Out, I can't do a card challenge, so I'm searching for Wickles. What are Wickles? They are suppose to be the best pickles ever! I read a review about them in the local paper not too long ago. The reviewer didn't know of any local sources for this product. Since the Internet is at my fingertips, I did a little digging. That reviewer was so wrong. There are at least three places in this neck of the woods that carry them. If my sources are correct, I'll have Wickles before the week is out! As for my Time out- I cleaned my studio!! At least it's as clean as it's going to get. Tomorrow I'll move on to the rest of the house.

Three-Cheese Pasta Dish

In addition to paper crafting, I enjoy testing recipes. I've decided to test a new recipe each week. Tonight I made this pasta dish. Found the recipe in an old Southern Living magazine. The salad in the foreground is a Cucumber Salad. You'll find the recipe for it in on my blog. Snoop around, you'll find it. I had my daughter, husband, and mother-in-law rank it. It received a three and a half star rating. Daughter wanted chicken in it. Husband wanted Italian sausage in it. Mother-in-law liked it because she loves cheese. In other words, it lends itself nicely to adding a meat or vegetable to it. I gave it three stars because I dirtied too many dishes while making it. Eventually I'll get the recipe posted. If you just can't wait, let me know. I'll email a copy to you.