June Card Swap Challenge

It usually takes me to the middle of the month to post our Swap cards but I'm right on the ball this month. Maybe it's because we are in the middle of a heat wave and it's almost unbearable to go outside.
Keri used a set from Stampin Up. The gold on the card is washi tape to coordinate with the gold edged envelope. I love that the envelope is special. She stamped the flower several times and used pencil crayons to colour. I really want to use this multiple stamping style one day soon.

I used a set that I purchased recently at my local SS. As a baker, I just knew I had to have it. The little cross hatches for the peanut butter cookie were just too much. The stamp set had matching dies and I used a couple different techniques...

I inked the edges of the cookies to give them a freshly baked appearance and I heat embossed the Milk in white. I wanted to use Nuvo drops to make the red sprinkles look more authentic but I didn't have the exact shade of red that I needed. I will definitely try that technique another time.

So I'm off to a roaring start for the month. Happy July 1st.

18 in 18

We're about half way through the year so I thought I would do a little re-cap on my 18 in 18. Always good to reflect and regroup. Maybe make a plan of action to actually "complete" all of the 18 challenges.
So let me re-cap where things have been successful and where I have fallen short...

1. Complete one home renovation project (removed a closet in the basement, much roomier down there now)
2. Double cook - I have been doing a little better, Have a planner now and try to plan ahead so I don't get caught throwing out groceries because I've been out a lot
3. Visit family or friends - I've been averaging at least one visit a month. Have sent out a few more cards too
4. Revisit old hobbies - FAIL! But I have got rid of my folk art supplies so I can focus on other things like stained glass
5. Use essential oils more - still trying to learn more about this
6. Read 30 minutes a day - Reading newspaper more but still stuck on the ipad and Netflix
7. Buy a refrigerator - Nope, old house, nothing fits. Not doing so well so far, am I?

8. Make more breads. FAIL! And now its summer, too hot to put the oven on.
9. Make a homemade light box. FAIL!

10. Complete Disney album - FAIL! Not a single page
11. Enter 4 challenges a month - BIG FAIL! Always seem to have some other projects, mostly cards that I want to make that I've seen on the Internet
12. Work on Heritage Album - NOPE, but I feel the pull to start this one getting stronger

13, Make one new recipe - WIN! I'm really good at this one. Try this cinnamon roll cake. It's delish!
14, Download photos from phone and ipad - I did some from my phone with the help of a friend but I'm still not comfortable with this.

15.  Drink more water. I'm pretty good at this but Diet Pepsi is my guilty pleasure. I eliminated it completely then it started to creep back in. Now I'm trying to stay with the sparkling waters when I need a pop fix.
16. Use the Silhouette to cut and print. I have not done that but I DID use my Silhouette once this year, does that count?
17. 100 blog posts - REALLY? Who came up with this one? I'm at 27, I have a ways to go.

18. Read 40 books - Currently at 10.  I can't say enough about this book. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  I loved, loved, loved it on many levels. It's a book that I would add to my personal library and I'm very selective how many books I keep preferring to use the Public Library. So I'm not near my goal but I read a lot more in the summer and I have a big list that I am hoping to get to.

So that's it. Still some work to do but the year is young.

Chicken Tenders

It was the Holiday weekend and I was out of bread crumbs so by necessity I searched the Internet and found this Keto - friendly recipe and it was DELICIOUS! I used chicken tenderloins but you could easily cut up chicken breasts. This recipe was flavourful and delicious.

Chicken Tenders
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp Parsley minced
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine all dry ingredients and set aside.
Line baking sheet with foil.
Melt butter in a shallow dish
Dip each tender in butter, then roll in seasoning mixture.
Place on pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through

May Swap Card

It always seems like we're a month behind but I guess these are the cards that we "created" in May for our monthly swap.
I did a straight copy from the Internet using the Lawn Fawn apple stamps. They are so cute and you can colour the apples in several different colours. I love how it turned out. Even though its a little Fall-like, I had it ready so that's my May contribution....

I used this set..

Keri used a Stampin' Up flower set to make her card....

I love the yellow and gray.
So that's it. Short and sweet. It's too nice out to sit on the computer. Back later with another recipe.

Maya turns 11!

Maya celebrated her birthday on May 23. I can't believe I've had her for so many years. The time slips by and you just get used to having them around. So we made sure she had some special treats and got to drive down to her favourite creek so she could enjoy some wading time. (it's too far for her to walk now so she has to take a ride which she doesn't mind at all)
Here's a quick look back:

Her Birthday pose in one of her favourite holes

As you can see, she's a very gentle, tolerant dog. She is definitely slowing down. She can't keep up with her chocolate sister anymore on our walks but that's ok, we are enjoying our one on one time every day. Taking life one step at a time and stopping to smell the roses. Happy 11th Birthday, MyMy.

Corn Chip (Fritos) cookies

When I spotted this recipe on one of the blogs that I read, I knew I had to try it. I'm a big fan of sweet and salty and Fritos fit the bill. Who knew, you could add them to a cookie?
Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Corn Chip Cookies
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups crushed corn chips
1/4 cup Skor bits
Sugar to roll cookie dough balls in

Cream together butter, shortening, sugars and peanut butter. Stir in egg and vanilla
Whisk together dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture until well blended.
Stir in corn chips and Skor bits.
Scoop out 1 inch balls and roll in sugar.
Bake at 350F for 12 minutes.
Makes around 2 dozen.

April Swap Card of the Month

Keri and I are still going strong with our monthly swap cards. We both have so many products that we've never used, that we haven't been swapping much, just using products that are new, to us.

I thought I would never want to see another bee card after all the cards I made for Loonies for Lindor, but when My Favourite Things released this set, I knew one of us would have to get it. Luckily for me, Keri picked it up so I can borrow it whenever I want...

And here's the card, she made. ( Apparently she used a new technique, inking the embossing folder) I'm not sure how it worked out, but it made a great background....

I used my Lawn Fawn Airplane set that I've had for some time. It has so many possibilities..

I also used a new technique (to me) and sponged the backgound with Distress Oxide (Broken China).
I'm already planning on changing the sentiments for other occasions...

Oh wait, I just realized I used another new product, the Lawn Fawn Stitched cloud borders. Very useful for these scenes.