February Swap card

 We are going strong, just like a New Year's resolution.

 

Keri used the cutest stamp and die set from Concord and 9th called Cup of Cheer. 

She always does such a good job with the interior of the card and even the envelope.

 

 

I used my favorite new Die set from Spellbinders called Bold Blooms. Even though, I have several flower die sets, this one is so delicate and detailed. I love it. 

 Simple yet versatile. Stay tuned for March.

Fried Rice

 I kind of wing this recipe depending on what I have on hand. Last time I made it, this was roughly the recipe that I followed.

Fried Rice

6 cups of cooked rice, day old

3 large eggs, whisked

3/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables, cooked

1/4 to 1/2 cup diced onion, also chopped carrot can be added

1 tsp garlic (I didn't have fresh so I used the jar, you can do this to taste)

salt and pepper

3 strips of bacon

4-5 Tbsp of soy sauce, low salt

Butter (1-3 Tbsp)

Green onion to garnish

 

Cut into small pieces and fry the bacon. Add onion/carrot and cook until tender. 

Push to the side and add scramble the eggs. Remove

Add more butter as needed. Increase heat to med-high, add rice and soy sauce. 

Cook about 5 minutes, rice can be slightly browned. 

Then add back the cooked onions/bacon/egg and frozen veggies cooked.

Stir it all up and enjoy!

 

 

Air Fryer Chicken

 I make this recipe all the time and I'm constantly looking it up. So it's time to put it on the blog for easy reference. I typically use bone in, skin on chicken thighs but you could make this with boneless, skinless and it would be good also. The air fryer crisps it up nicely and the fat drips off making it a healthier option. Oh and it's fast too!

Air Fryer chicken

 

Squeeze lemon juice over thighs. Sprinkle with spices and rub them in. 

Air fry the chicken thighs at 400F for 24 minutes flipping them over half way.

My air fryer holds 4-5 comfortably. If you want to do more, double the recipe and cook

in batches.

 

5 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on

1/2 lemon (can omit)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dried herbs, I used oregano

 

See instructions above.

 

 

January Swap Card

 Well, Keri and I are going to have another crack at getting through an entire year swapping one card every month. We make one for ourselves and one to swap. 

I kicked things off with a Christmas card. Yes, in January. By the time Christmas rolls around, I'm always too busy to sit down and make cards and I've always wanted to use this stamp set from Lawn Fawn. I even tried some stenciling with Distress Ink Oxide. One card at least will be ready to mail out this year.

Keri used a stamp set that she has had for awhile also. Oh Deer by Neat and Tangled. (She's organized and has her stamps labelled and sorted.) Not me, I'm afraid.

It's nice to keep the challenge going. At least I attempt some crafting time each month. Wish up luck for a 12 month streak!

Apple Crisp

 

There was a great deal on Perfectly Imperfect apples at my local grocery store (I used Courtland) and I was hosting my regular monthly Duathlon with lunch, so it was the perfect dessert to make. I googled my favorite Betty Crocker recipe, purchased some vanilla ice cream and whipping cream and it was the perfect winter dessert. The cute little pie plates I picked up recently at Walmart when I was in Florida. They make a great one serving portion. (1 apple)

Apple Crisp (Betty Crocker)

4 medium cooking apples

3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I found it a little sweet so I might reduce this next time)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking or old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup butter, softened

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

 

1. Heat oven to 375F. Grease bottom and sides of 8 inch square glass baking dish. (I used an aluminum square and 2 mini pie plates)

2. Spread apples in pan

3. Combine the rest of the ingredients until well mixed and sprinkle over apples

4. Bake for about 30 minutes or until apples are tender.

Your house will smell amazing!

 

Final Apple cards

 

And there you have it. Ten different designs of the same theme. Simple yet fun to look back on and maybe use for another design. 

More Apple cards

 

Apple cards

I realized a little while ago that I never posted the cards that I made for the last Loonies for Lindor Fundraiser. Sadly,  the amount of work to put on this event just became overwhelming and I have put that chapter to rest. I really enjoyed planning the Event and coming up with a theme. The cards were always so much fun to prepare and motivated me to actually work on some creating. 

So here are the first few in case you were interested....

 

Reading Summary 2023

 I only count up the number of books that I read each year and keep track of the titles.This 

year I read 25 books. I thought I was up from last year but I checked back and I read 24 in 2023. I should probably set my goal based on the year. But next year I would like to try to read 26 books, 1 every 2 weeks.

 

I read most of my book on the Libby library app because I like the lighting when the room lighting may be poor. I am going to try and thin out my physical books as well because they take up too much space. My last book of 2023 was Lessons in Chemistry.