Sabbatical

 

Changes in the Kitchen

 

It seems like every day, I can find an article that highlights how a certain product or ingredient is killing us. Red dye. Natural flavors. Seed oils. 

The news on plastics and forever chemicals that are now a part of our bloodstream? It's pretty sad.

Years ago, I got rid of all the plastic food storage and swapped to glass. But I hadn't gotten around to getting rid of all the plastic cooking utensils until this week. I threw out all the old spatulas and turners and spoons and ladles and replaced them with silicone and BPA-free utensils and wooden spoons.

Next up, the pots and pans. The news about the PFAS in non-stick cookware is not good, either. So after doing a little research, I went with a 16 piece set of ceramic pots and pans from GreenPan. We had our old set of pots and pans for a LONG time...nearly 20 years. I'm hoping these last a long time, too. At least it's a healthier option.

The aqua color is happy, too. It's a nice addition to all of the other red items in my kitchen.

It's so hard to stay on top of the scientific studies and advice from medical professionals. But hopefully, small steps and everyday efforts to make life a little healthier will pay off in the long run.

A Before and After Spring Makeover (and some fun images from my favorite bakery!)

 

Good morning, café friends!

It was a day filled with the promise of spring. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the temps climbed into the 50s. Good signs that it was tine for a spring makeover.

I'd been growing my hair for nearly a year, and with each passing month it just became more work. I didn't like the look, and it just didn't feel like me. I felt like it dragged my face down (and I don't need that at my age, thank you. Gravity is already doing that for me! lol!).

So armed with a full board of hairstyles on Pinterest, I went to my sweet stylist, Lindsay, and told her to go for it.

It feels so much better!

When I told Ed I was getting my haircut, he said "Make sure you bring home a chocolate cupcake for me!"

He knows me too well. A trip to the salon is always followed by a stop at my favorite place in Milan, Life is Sweet Bakery and Café. 

That pink tea kettle is adorable!

I ordered a Café Miel to go, and grabbed a few salted caramel chocolate dipped shortbread cookies, too. I'm getting my sweet fix now because Lent is starting next week. Time for some discipline.

And don't worry. I remembered the chocolate cupcake!

A Magnet for Miracles

 

My sweet friend, Marylynn, gifted me with this stamp set from Gina K recently, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

I had been eying  a very similar image from Penny Black called Meadow that works great for creating a natural background.

I started with an oval stencil and did some ink blending in Garden Party (CP) right onto the card base. Then, leaving the stencil in place, I inked the stamp in Lime Rickey (CP) and stamped right over the stencil to give it the perfect positioning. 

It's a simple card, but it came out sweet. I think this sketch layout is one that I can use again and again and get different looks each time.

A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles. Love that! And I'm so grateful for crafty friends like Marylynn!

The Freeze and the Thaw

 

It was a strange weekend, weather wise. During the day, temps would warm up a bit and things would begin to melt. But then as evening approached, the temps would drop quickly and everything would freeze again.

My front sidewalk was an inch of ice, and Jemma was not trusting it to walk outside.

So, I had to let her out through the basement door and onto the patio that leads to the back yard.

And that's when I discovered the potting table, covered in icicles.

And here's something truly amazing: a spider web transformed into ice!

That's something you don't see every day! It was beautiful.

You can feel a change in the seasons happening, slowly. Winter is relaxing its icy grip, and even the animals are taking notice. The birds are beginning to sing again, and the deer have been frolicking in our yard. Turkeys have been shuffling to and fro, and my husband even heard the coyotes howling as he shoveled snow this week.

Meteorologists will tell you that spring begins on March 1st (this Saturday), and not on the spring equinox of March 20. I know that we still have winter weather in our future, but it's nice to look for signs of spring ahead. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the beauty of the day, nestling in with good books and pots of tea.

Making Banners

 

I decided that my craft room inspiration board needed a banner, so I made one yesterday.

I gathered up some supplies...oldies, but goodies! The Papertrey Ink Dear Jane background papers, the PTI banner dies, some PTI card stock, and Amuse stitched grosgrain ribbon.

I pulled the colors from my craft room. To make the letters, I simply used a fine tip marker, drew a letter, and fussy cut.

For these, I used Merry Mugs stamp and dies from Papertrey Ink.

I assembled all the banners, punched holes in the corners, and strung them onto a large length of ribbon.

I love it! It turned out exactly as I'd hoped.

I was inspired by a banner I've been seeing on a YouTube vlog I've been watching lately called Jen's Reading Life. She has a sweet vlog where she recommends books while sipping tea. She had a banner on the bookshelf in her backdrop, and I knew I had to have one, too.

Sometimes, it's fun to use my supplies to make something just for me. 

Happy Friday, café friends!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (Lightened Up!)

 

I haven't posted a recipe in a while. Here's one I made last night with ingredients I had on hand.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Eight low carb flour tortillas

2 c. cooked chicken (I used rotisserie chicken), shredded

1 jar salsa verde (or green enchilada sauce)

1 c. Greek yogurt, plain, non-fat

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, 1/3 fat, softened

1 pkg. Reduced fat shredded fiesta cheese

Cumin

Paprika

Preheat oven to 375. Spray or grease a 9 X 13 baking dish/pan.

Add and spread 2-3 T. of salsa verde to bottom of pan. In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 jar of salsa verde, yogurt, cream cheese, seasonings to taste, and half pkg of shredded cheese.

Warm tortillas in microwave, about two at a time. Add 1/4 cup of mixture to center of each tortilla and roll, placing seam side down in baking dish. Cover tortillas with remaining salsa verde, then cover with remaining shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake approximately 30-40 minutes, until bubbly. Remove foil for last five minutes and serve.

This one was so filling and good! Comfort food, Mexican style.

I served it with a simple salad on the side.

Enjoy!