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Mom's Sugar Cookies

Sue’s Holiday Workshop Recipes

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I promised the ladies last Saturday at my Holiday Workshop that I would post my Sugar Cookie Recipe and Cheese Soup Recipe today.  (So Ladies, here it is)  Tomorrow, I’ll be posting the rest of the pictures from the workshop.

For the rest of you:

I know I’ve shared my favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe here on my blog before.

But, I think the meaning this recipe holds for me bears repeating.

When I was a new bride (32 years ago) I asked my mother for her Sugar Cookie Recipe.

(It was a Tupperware Recipe.)  She wrote it out on a piece of notebook paper.

Sugar Cookies

(I have always loved my mom’s… handwriting)

It is now yellowed, stained with vanilla, brittle, ripped and creased.

But it is priceless.

Several years back after my mom was diagnosed with Dementia and she could no longer write

her name, I realized how important that piece of paper really is.  I now keep it in a protective sleeve.

I can help thinking of my mom every time I make them.

Sue’s Sugar Cookies

  • 1- 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 c. butter or margarine
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2- 1/2 c. all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  1. Cream sugar & butter, add egg & flavoring, mix thoroughly.
  2. Sift dry ingredients together and stir in.  (I dump)
  3. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.
  4. Heat oven to 375°.
  5. Divide dough in half & roll out on lightly floured Tupperware pastry sheet.
  6. Roll thin, but thick enough to pick up the design with the Tupperware cookie cutters.
  7. Dip cookie cutter into flour before each cutting.  Cut as many cookies from each rolling as possible.  The least amount of working with the dough gives the best cookie.
  8. Place on lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 7 to 8 min. or until delicately golden.

 

Cheese Soup

  • 1 Qt. Water
  • 2 Cups Diced Potatoes
  • 1/2 Cup of chopped onions (optional:  I don’t add onions to mine)
  • 4 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
  • 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1 Bag of Frozen California Mix Vegetables
  • 1 lb. Velvetta Cheese loaf  (also good with a little  extra)
  1. Boil potatoes, onions in water & cook.
  2. Add frozen vegetables & cook.
  3. Add mushroom soup and cheese.
  4. Heat & Serve

Do not allow soup to boil.

* I make this soup every Christmas Night.  After a long day of eating heavy foods it’s nice to have something warm and light to eat.

 

Busy Summer Meal Planning

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I was recently thumbing through a magazine and noticed a week of dinner plans.

Each meal was designed to be ready and on the table in 45 minutes or less.

While I like the idea, I looked at the menu and said to myself.

“My family would never go for that.”

Black Bean Burgers with Srirachi Aioli and Greek Cucumber Salad?

Seriously, I wouldn’t even know where to start.

At the risk of sounding horrible…  (Healthy Moms close your eyes)

Here’s what my Busy Summer Menu looked like for the week:

Mon:  Ham Steak, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans

Tues:  Fiend for Yourself Night  (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town) aka leftovers

Wed:  Crockpot Italian Beef, Baked Mac and Cheese and because we had three extra teen-age boys show up I added a Wal-Mart Pizza for good measure.  (total of 9 for dinner)

Thurs:  BLT’s and Chips.  (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town)  Of course, Dad/Grandpa stops by and offers to take me to Cracker Barrel.  Who am I to refuse?  BLT’s another night.

Fri:  Pizza Night  (of course!)

Now if this isn’t your idea of good meal planning, please don’t throw me under the bus just yet.

Once school starts, I’ll do much better.  (I hope)

Until then, you can enjoy your Grilled Steak Panzanella with Pickled Vegetables and Bourbon Peach Limeade without me.

 

Sometimes in life a little H20 must fall?

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I like my blog to be light-hearted, a positive creative place where you can go to

get a little creative inspiration and maybe even a little chuckle from time to time.

I like to keep it light.

I try to be a positive person and most of the time I think I am.

But… today since I’m not feeling quite as inspired or as positive I thought I’d share the

reason why.  (I’m still trying to look at all the positives)

Tuesday night after returning from a baseball game.

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I went upstairs to find this.

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Three weeks ago, we broke down and finally decided to replace the 25 plus year old

air conditioner for the upper level of the house.  (not an inexpensive purchase)

Something on the unit malfunctioned causing a leak, the pan underneath the unit which has

the safety that should have shut the machine off didn’t work.  (insert long technical explanation)

Of course, the company is extremely apologetic and are doing everything they can to make it right.

But currently, the unit malfunctioned again last night.  There is more water and they are

cutting more ceiling as I type.  Still I’m trying to remain positive.

Here are the reasons I’m trying to stay positive:

  1. No one was in the room at the time.
  2. No one got hurt.
  3. We weren’t asleep in the bed.  (which would have gave me a heart attack, I’m sure)
  4. We weren’t on a weeks long summer vacation. (can you imagine that scenario?)
  5. They had someone come out right away.
  6. They started the restoration process the same night.
  7. I have a spare bedroom that I can sleep in.
  8. I have a separate air conditioning unit in the lower level.
  9. We still have a home and a roof over our head.  (In my community that’s a big deal!)
  10. Things could always be worse.

Life Happens, Crap Happens!

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(Here is my bedroom as of yesterday)

I’m just trying not to let it get to me.  Even though it’s going to get real hot today and I can’t work in my studio.  Still, I have every confidence that the problem will get fixed and everything will work out fine.  I’m just a little sleep deprived with all those giant fans blowing constantly in the next room.

So stay cool out there today and try to have a great day.  (I may just float in the pool)

Thanks for letting me vent.

Reconnected…

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The past week was such a mix of emotions.

It started with unexpected news, a trip out-of-state, hugging the necks of family I hadn’t

seen in quite a while and saying good-bye to a very good man.

While it was extremely sad, we also left with a good feeling of being reconnected.

After arriving home late the night before, Saturday morning, I joined a group of my

classmates at my old alma mater and we all took a tour of the high school.

While some things hadn’t changed much at all, there were several new additions and changes.

I had my camera in my pocket the whole time and only managed three pictures. (that’s not like me)

A Building

I’ve always loved “A” building.  (the original high school)

I was talking too much and wandered off with a few other classmates and didn’t get the whole tour

of “A” building.  (kind of like me in high school)

A few years ago, there was talk of tearing it down, I’m so glad they didn’t.  So much history.

This building was special because both of my parents and their siblings walked the halls of this place.

Until recently, my dad’s graduating class of ’49 picture was hanging on the walls.

I had hoped to take a picture of that.

Epchs main hall

Raider Hall of Fame

I hadn’t walked these halls in 35 years.  (it was surreal)

This was the part of the reunion I was looking forward to the most.

Since, I had missed the Friday night mixer, this was the ice breaking point for me.

Saturday nights reunion was filled with blinding rain and close to 100 people stuffed into an old barn.

Even though there was a few leaks, I thought the ambiance was fun.

A party like this 35 years ago, would have been epic.

With all the old pretenses gone, it was great reconnecting with old friends.

Some I hadn’t seen since graduating 35 years ago.

Even though I had serious trepidation about the event, I was so glad I went.

And the Winner is…

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And the winner is...

Congratulations goes out to Pat S. she is the winner of the Cupcake Cling Stamps

from Serendipity Stamps.

Thanks to everyone who participated.  I loved hearing from you all.

It’s nice to know your out there.

Hmmm…  I think I should have another Give Away sometime later this month.

Make sure to keep stopping by.  (and keep those comments coming)

FYI:  Did you know that Sue’s Creative Workshop is being seen all over the world?

Last month I had visitors from 24 countries.  (Kind of exciting, don’t you think.)

 

It only seems impossible…

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Free Printable Quote courtesy of Living Well Spending Less

it only seems impossible until it is done

“I Did It, I Really Did It!!!

I AM FINALLY ON DAY 31 of  “A New Month, A New Challenge”.

To be honest, there were a few days when I wasn’t sure I could complete it.

Some days, I felt like the little engine that could, “I think I can, I think I can.”

I’ve learned a lot this month, a few good a few bad.

Here are 10 things I learned:

  1. Blogging every day is hard.
  2. Some days I’m just not that interesting.  (and that’s o.k.)
  3. I overthink things.
  4. Anything’s a potential blog post.
  5. You like anything with a picture of a cute kid.
  6. I play Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook when I’m stuck or stalling.
  7. I’m addicted to looking at my blog stats.
  8. I spend to much time on the computer.
  9. I’m not alone.
  10. I really like blogging.  (phew, I made it to 10)

Thanks for sticking with me this month.  (more to come in June)

Washington Good Neighbor Days

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Good Neighbor Days

Hello Washington Good Neighbor Days…

Forget what I said the other day, “now” it’s officially summer.  (The carnival has come to town.)

One of the things I love about Washington is its Good Neighbor Days.

Rides, Entertainment, Fireworks, Cherry Taco’s…  What’s not to love.

For many, “Good Neighbor Days” has taken on a deeper meaning here in our hometown.

Even a tornado can not squash our Community Pride and Spirit.

 

Little Trivia:  The Washington Good Neighbor Days Festival started back in the 70’s and kept that

name for over 20 years until it’s change to “Cherry Festival”.  (you know Washington, Cherry Tree)

This year, I think everyone’s happy to see the name changed back to Good Neighbor Days.

 

This is the year I’m finally going to try a Cherry Taco!

 

Snowflakes still Hot in May…

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The weather’s finally turned warm and I’m still making Snowflakes. 

Snowflake Collage

Want to know why?  Here are just four of the reasons…

  1. Liyah’s Tutu’s
  2. Tutu’s Delicious Delights
  3. Tami’s T’s & Beyond
  4. Dream by Girl Boutique

I make 3″ felt snowflakes that I sell in my Etsy Shop.   (I’ve been making them by the hundreds.)  And… these ladies (and others) have been buying them all up.  I think these dresses are just adorable and I wanted to share them with you.   Makes me wish I had a granddaughter to buy one for.

So…Since I make so many snowflakes I figured I should at least watch the movie.  When I went to the video store I was put on the wait list.  (really?)  I finally watched the movie “Frozen” with my little buddy Nicholas last Saturday.  What a sweet movie.  (now I get it!)

If you have any little girls that are hooked on the movie “Frozen”, you might want to check out these lovely ladies.

Rachael Ray, I am not…

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Potato Pancakes 2

Disclaimer:  I am not a “foodie”.

My husband and I have been on a “real mash potato” kick.  (unlike the instant I usually make)

Last night for dinner, Jim volunteered to peel the potatoes.  (Who I am to stop him?)

Anyway…he made enough potatoes to feed at least 6-8 people.

Usually unlike me, I decided to save the left overs.  (I’m so glad I did)

On a whim, I decided to try my hand at potato pancakes.

I have to admit I’ve lived a sheltered life, I have never had Potato Pancakes.

With the first attempt a flop, I decided to add a little flour and bacon bits with a little more grease

to the pan.  I was so excited at how good it looked that I grabbed one of my “pretty” plates.

I topped it off with some shredded cheese, a little sour cream and added a piece of left over ham.

All I can say is “YUM”.  (and… I wish I had a little more left-overs)

Can’t wait to try it again.

Fun little trivia:  When my daughter was little she’d say, “I only eat the kind from the red box”.