Back to Nature Card

The challenge this week at    http://sassycherylschallenge.blogspot.ca  is Back to nature. So according to my new goal to be more computer savy, I decided that I would purchase a few digital images so I could link up to her challenge.
Well, needless to say, this was the only image that I could figure out how to get onto my computer and resize and print. Still some challenges in the technology department for me, but I'm working on them. Anyhoo, I pulled out a snowflake embossing folder (for the first time), coloured up my snowman and here it is. Maybe I'll give it to my neighbour who snowblowed my driveway after 20 cm of snow fell Friday. I sure appreciated his help.

K pups one year old TODAY!

One year ago today, I was helping 9 little black furbabies make their entrance into the world in my family room. NSD Lindor,a chocolate lab and Vito, a yellow lab from the Lions were mated to produce 6 black males and 3 black females. Three of the puppies went to Guide Dogs and the remaining 6 entered the NSD puppy program as the K litter.

 

 

Our fund-raising efforts sponsored and named 3 males; Kingsley, Krosby and Kasper and 1 female; Khloe. The other male and female are named Koko and Kobe.

 



 



Around 6 weeks old.

 

 

Aren't they beautiful puppies?

 



Kingsley (now)

 

 

I just got this photo of Kingsley from his puppy raiser. Isn't he gorgeous?  I'm glad they are all doing well and wish them a Happy 1st Birthday!

Fudgy Peanut Butter Brownies

 

 

If you need a quick and easy dessert recipe for Valentine's Day or some other occasion, this is the ticket. Recently, I was re-organizing my Pantry and found 15 vanilla instant puddings from my Pudding Cookie obsession. So in order to begin using up the backlog, I decided to make this recipe.

 

You can cheat and use a box mix (I used Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix) and a canned frosting. This square offers just a hint of peanut butter and a small portion packs a big punch.

 

 

Fudgy Brownies (adapted from Taste of Home)

 

1 package brownie mix

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 - 3 tablespoons peanut butter

2 Tbsp. cold milk

4 1/2 tsp. instant vanilla pudding mix

1 can chocolate fudge frosting

 

Prepare brownie mix according to instructions in a 9 x9 pan.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat butter,sugar, peanut butter, milk and pudding mix until smooth.

Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until firm and frost with chocolate frosting.

Yummmm-eeeeee!!!!



13 in 13 Update

Just a quick update on how January went with my 13 in 13. I'm now reading my 4th book, a "big girl" book as my friend Anne Marie would say, no more dragons and spaceships for awhile.

I picked out yarn for an afghan and after 3 patterns and 9 attempts to get the pattern correct, I am on my way. Lindor has enjoyed the crocheting experience also and enjoys pulling balls of yarn out of the yarn bag and tossing them around the living room.

  

I have a new modem that has WIFI potential even though I don't have any appliances that require it yet. LOL. Baby steps. I successfully joined 2 challenges for the first time. I linked up to Little Red Wagon with my Mason Jar card and Sassy Cheryl's Show Me Thursday blog. Still figuring out how to put it into a post but I'm getting there.



 

It was down to the wire but on the last day of January, I hauled out the Cricut and cut 2 titles; one from Base Camp (my fav) and Graphically Speaking so I met the Cricut monthly challenge. I hope I can keep the momentum going for Feb. 



Mason Jar/Valentine Card

 

I found a couple challenges that I thought I would try to link up to so I made this card last night using my Papertrey Ink Friendship Spring Jar Fillers. The little words are individual teeny stamps. Aren't they precious? I hope I can figure out how to link up. As you know, this is one of my goals for 2013. Wish me luck!

 

Here's a close up of the words....

 

House Mouse Card

 

I've had this card for awhile and finally put the finishing touches on it. I keep my cards pretty simple, after all, it takes a fair bit of time just to colour with Copics so by the time I get that far, I'm pretty much ready to have the card done! I haven't put a sentiment inside yet but I think it would make a cute retirement card or even, thanks for a wonderful party.

Croissant and Cheese Strata

I love making dishes the night before or ahead of time, so I can relax when its time to make a meal especially when its in the morning. This make ahead breakfast casserole is one of my favourites. I especially like it because it doesn't contain meat, unlike most of the other make ahead brunch dishes that I have seen. Just out of the oven....

  

Goes nicely paired with a fresh fruit salad....

 





 

Here's the recipe, I hope you give it a try.

 

Croissant and Cheese Strata

 

4 croissants

1 Tbsp. butter

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup sliced green onions

4 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup Swiss Cheese

1 cup Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

 

Split croissants in half lengthwise and place bottoms cut side up in 9 x 13 casserole dish.

Melt butter, saute mushrooms and green onions until tender and liquid evaporates. Beat eggs and milk together. Pour half the mixture over croissants. Layer with mushroom mixture, and cheeses. Pour on remaining egg mixture. Add croissant tops, cut side down. Let stand 1 hour or overnight in fridge. Bake at 350F for 25 to 30 min. Cover with foil if croissants get too brown.

Enjoy!