In The Crafting Room SWAPS Sending & Received

Hello and Welcome!  I have been busy playing with paper, fabric, stickers and glue.

I am in several SWAP groups and I have been busy creating.

First I am sharing a few pics of a Mini Junk Journal I received.

The papers my partner used were so pretty.  Our instructions were to Create something using 3 12x12"
papers, The only requirement was to use all the papers.
Which meant using tiny pieces we cut off during the process.  In this pic.  you can small strips tucked into a pocket.

My partner made lots of pretty tags for journaling on.

Flowers and lace created texture.  The part at the bottom that looks like lace is actually printed on the paper.

It is common to use torn pieces of sheet music

 

I love SWAPping and receiving the pretty things folks send me.  It is fun to see how each person incorporates their style.

For another SWAP we were to make 1 Journal page.  Each page was to have a front and back making it 4 pages total.  Here's what I created from my partners 

request.

I was excited when my partner asked for a beach theme. 

This was during the time when stores were closed.  But that was o.k. because I had just what I needed.

One requirements was to make 2 tags with a paper clip and a dangle.  We were directed to watch a video for 
instructions.  The fish charm I took off another Junk Journal I received.  I hated to 'snatch it' but it was perfect for this project.

 

This is the second tab with a beads hanging from the paperclip. The shell looking beads I cut off a necklace my daughter abandoned.  They looked like shells to me so they fit the theme.

I hope you can see this well enough.  It is my favorite part.  I made the sea horse from a paper plate.  I painted it then cut it out to make a tuck spot (another requirement) I tucked the shell journaling card in.
On the lower left is Sea Horse sticker I found at Dollar Tree.  Thankfully all our stores are open again!

I always include something I have sewn.  I layered a snippet of frayed burlap under a strip of pieced fabric.
Can you see the tiny white dot on the left? I had tucked it under the Sea Horse and the glue was not dry.  I  fixed it though by adding some blue baubles.

This is the back you can see the tear better.  My plan is to add a few of the beads from the necklace to cover my mistake.

Another requirement was to make a fold down notebook. I will replace the paperclip with the one I made that is still drying.

I am sorry I am not sharing the completed project.  I am on a deadline and need to get it in the mail tomorrow.

This is the inside of the notebook.  I cut different sizes of stined and painted papers then added the beach theme words.

On the back; the last page I made a 4 tier pocket by folding a piece of paper.  I tucked journaling cards in the pockects.

I was cutting some pictures from a magazine for another project and found this advertisement.  The picture was perfect so I glued it to cardstock and added lined paper to the back.

He you can see the tiers in the pocket.  This is a great way to add space for journaling cards.

I had a super fun time creating the Junk Journal page.

I liked it so much I am going to make a similar one for myself.

I hope my SWAP partner likes it!

Thanks for stopping in.  I try to post everday so come by often so you don't miss anything!

Here are a few parties I like to join

Click here

Foodie Friday/Rustic Dinner Plate

 Welcome to the blog.  I hope to have a few new visitors today so i wanted to say

Hello

I am so glad you dropped in.  Today I am talking about Food.  I talk about alot of things here like gardening, crafting, Junk Journals, quilts, horses and family.ncy

Lately I haven't been able to post alot because my husband is ill.  I have to manage him/his day and allthat caring for a Loved One entails. 

Hismeals are very important and we both like to eat and cook.  My Food photo's are Rustic because most times they are not edited or fancy.  I hope you don.t mind.

In fact I hope you find it charming. HeHe. 

 Let's get on with it!

I got a good size Tomato at a Produce Market near us.  
My husband I call him The Cowboy loves big 'ole sliced Tomatoes.  He is learning to eat them without salt because of his diet restrictions.

As much as I can I put fresh veggies on the plate.  Our favorite 'green' is Mustard Greens. They tasted yummy with Trout and AuGratin Potato's I did use boxed this time.

We've learned raw Tuna is good for his diet.  It makes a nice cold appetizer.

 

Lookie Peas and Onions from the garden all ready for Fried Rice

The Cowboy has some quirks . . .he likes Saltine Crackers with his Fried Rice.  Hmm.

Some days he feels like breakfast.  Here's a Rustic Omelet. Not too pretty but very yummy.

And doesn't this look like yummy Cinnamon Bread?
But sadly it is Rye.  I am not a fan of Rye Bread.  The Cowboy loves it and it is on his diet.  It is just hard to find!

.

A simple Baked Potato for dinner.   It was a long tiring and hot day.

The Cowboy needs to eat breakfast so I cook everyday. 
I am learning to make his eggs 'Just tight'.  

Lot's of fruit is one plates.  The waffle is hard to see but I topped it with Peach's and Peach Greek Yogurt.   I tried to hide the yogurt with Cool Whip.  It didn't work LOL. 

I convinced The Cowboy to let me cook the Asparagus he prefers it raw.  How weird is that?

There's his raw Asparagus, Peas from the garden and a Corn Casserole that was very good. Meat Loaf and Mash Potato's with a Brown Gravy.

And I over did the Egg Rolls see my plates are Rustic.

 

Hiding the Egg Rolls. HeHe

The Eggs are getting better! They tasted great with Brunch Potato's. . . I passed on the Chorizo (Shh . . .not on the diet)

Cold Tuna on a hot day paired great with this plate . . .

Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach with a Sundried Tomato Sauce and a Caesar Salad.  I have been wanting to make this dish for a looong time.

And then there was dessert . . . 

Leftover Strawberry Cake I had 2 slices in the Freezer this sooo yummy!

These Waffles were so fun and yummy.  

A visit to get blood drawn led us to the other side of town and a favorite eatery . . .

Mexican food we can't get enough.  This is a true Mexican Cafe.  They put Potato's in the Taco's . . . But they make the best Nacho's and Guacamole!  

Look at that Guac! 

And his favorite a bowl of Menudo.  

For dinner I made a Pork Cutlet with Sauteed Mushrooms.

And some close to perfect Eggs, Mexican Brunch Potato's and leftover pork.  I made a Gravy kind of Sauce with Green Chili's

I love to cook and make yummy meals!

And the clean up well

Not so much!

Thanks for stopping in!

Bon Appetit!

Character Interview Hit and Mist by Marc Jedel GreatEscapes Tour

Interview with Marty Golden, protagonist in Hit and Mist: A Silicon Valley Mystery (Book 4)

Q. Do you have a personal motto?
A. I try to live by words from my dad: “If the appetizers are good, eat them. You never know what’s coming for dinner.”

Q. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
A. Well, my mother used to say it was my passing tenth grade English. Now my answer would be different. My greatest accomplishment happened in the last few months. I became partners with Sergeant Mace Jackson and we’ve solved a few murders. Shh! I’m not supposed to make that public. He doesn’t want anyone to know about us working together. His actual words were “Don’t ever say that again.” But I’m sure he only said it like that because other cops were nearby.

Q. What’s on your nightstand?
A. Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to get one of those.

Q. In your refrigerator right now?
A. Hmm, I’m really not sure. When my nieces stay with me, they always seem to order some groceries to be delivered that surprise me. So there could be anything. Well, no kimchee. They’re not fans of kimchee.

Q. What’s on your bedroom floor right now?
A. Carpeting. Is that the kind of answer you’re looking for? Doesn’t everyone have carpeting? I hate those fancy hotel rooms with hardwood floors. It’s way too cold to step on bare floors in the mornings. I guess you could leave slippers near the bed. Of course, then I’d have to answer this question with ‘hardwood floors’ or ‘slippers’. That’s too complicated. I like carpeting.

Q. What early event shaped you the most?
A. When my younger sister, Laney, managed to get me in trouble with our parents for the first time. I realized I had to up my game.

Q. Complete the following sentence: “I am the kind of person who ...“
A. … hates completing sentences that start like this.

Q. What is the one word you would use to define yourself? What is the one word others would use to define you?
A. I’d say ‘persistent’. I hate to give up when one more attempt might solve the problem. That’s usually a sign of a good engineer. Others have called me ‘obsessive’. Yet, often a person’s biggest strengths are also their greatest weaknesses. I prefer ‘persistent’, it’s more positive.

Q. If you could go back in time for one day, where would you go?
A. Can I bring other people? If I can, maybe I’d go with my kids to original opening day of Disneyland. Of course, the Tomorrowland area would be really lame. But, wow, those vintage T-shirts and ride tickets would be worth a bundle now.

Q. What makes you laugh?
A. Me. I really crack myself up sometimes.

Q. What annoys you?
A. Software bugs. And green salsa. What’s with that? Salsa should be red. Green seems cool and calming when you see it in a dish. Kind of pretty even. But, watch out! It’s a big fake out. Green salsa is way spicy … I’m not going back to that place again.

Q. What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
A. What!? Hey, that’s not a fair question to spring on me. I was promised this was going to be a friendly interview, not probing about that humiliating time when I  …  Can we move on? Geez.

Q. What do you feel most passionately about?
A. That seems a little personal, too. Are you going to publish this? Do I need to get an agent? What did my boss get me into? I thought this was a reward for my outstanding work. Can my sister Laney help me, she’s an HR rep. … Well, ok. I’m not sure I’m passionate about them, but I do like tacos. Just no green salsa. Ok?

Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A. Is this a trick question? I mean it feels like one. If I say there’s nothing, then I sound pompous and arrogant. But, if I say something real, does that count against me? Is someone keeping score?

Q. How do you feel about your life being made into books?
A. I don’t understand. What books?

Q. The Silicon Valley Mystery series. They’re humorous murder mysteries. Surely, you’ve heard of them?
A. No, sorry. Lately, I’ve been too busy to read. There has been this guy who seems to be watching me all the time and writing down whatever I’m saying. It’s not like I’m paranoid or anything. But, it’s as if he’s inside my head and knows what I’m thinking. He follows me around everywhere. Is it paranoid if it’s the truth?

Hit and Mist, book 4 in the Silicon Valley Mystery series, can also be read standalone. All the books in the series are free for Kindle Unlimited readers. The first three books have also been released as audiobooks by Tantor Audio everywhere audiobooks are sold. Buy the books on Amazon at: amazon.com/gp/product/B07PHNT7XM. For more about me, or free chapters from all the books, please visit www.marcjedel.com.

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I Woke Up And It Was . . .

. . .Thursday!

I missed Menu Monday

and sharing what I have been cooking.  And my menu plans.

I missed Tuesday.  The day I usually struggle with something to write about.

I  missed Outdoor Wednesday

And I actually missed Spring . . .

I was so looking forward to spring and sharing my garden with you. 

And now I find myself sitting on a surprisingly cool summer morning.  I am enjoying the breeze in my summer room/greenhouse.

My feet are up and resting on an old wooden box.  Beside me is a little orange shopping cart a client was going to donate.  I snatched it up!  On the bottom it's holding a few bottles I have recycled into vases aand  couple of flower pots.

The top shelf has a little lamp and faux succlents from Dollar Tree because I can't grow succulants . . .and they say they are easy to grow!  
 hope so!
I am listening to the birds sing and my wind chimes I have hanging in one of the windows.

The other morning there was a Cardinal and a young Blue Jay playing in the garden outside the window.  I moved the wind chime so they wouldn't get inside!

The Cardinal family nest every year in our yard.  This year though they moved to a tree in the front just on the other side of the fence. I can still see them fly around when I am in the back.  I have had to stop mowing that area of the front!  Daddy  gave me 'What for' the other day!

I have had some super busy, long, hard and tiring days the last few months.

I've missed inviting you over every day and sharing 'What's going on here'

As I sit here I wonder to myself and I hope . . .have I turned a corner?  Have I figured out a better way and a time that I can fit blogging into my hectic day?

I sure hope so!

I hope I can share my menu  plans and my Rustic Dinner Plates 

I hope I can show you what is growing in the garden.

I hope I can show what I am working on in my craft room.

I hope I can share my Green House/Summer Room

and 

All the news.

And

I hope I can visit my old friends blogs and some new ones and join the parties.

Until next time

Happy Trails