FOCUS

That's my word for 2013. I tend to multi-task and flit from one project to the other. Otherwise, known as a procrastinator and a non or slow-completer of projects. So this year, I am going to be different. I am going to choose one project and stick with it. Or mostly.

FOCUS is also how I have been taught to train the dogs. If they are focused on you, the rest will follow.

 

I'm going to not load up everything I own in scrapbooking supplies everytime I go to a day crop but I will be organized and compact. I will read ONE book at a time. Or I will try. I am making good progress so far.

  

I have pulled out several projects that have been waiting for some attention and finishing them.

When I take classes, I never seem to actually complete everything so before I move forward, I have pulled them out and I am working on those also.



I rarely design my own things because I always feel I have "other" stuff to work on. I have found a couple challenge blogs that I am interested in and I hope this will help me to "FOCUS" on something specific that I want to create and get the ball rolling for 2013.

Cheesy Dreams

 

 

Did anyone else ever have these growing up?  I think they were designed to use up leftover hamburger buns in my house but there was nothing better then cheddar cheese and bacon broiled on a bun. They would probably call the calorie police on me these days, but I still like to serve them up once in awhile, for old time's sake. 

Downton Abby

Is anyone else addicted to this show?

  

Downton Abby is a British Period drama set at a fictional Yorkshire Country Estate named Downton Abby. It follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the Post-Edwardian era. It is a fascinating show that draws you into the lives of the individuals both upstairs and downstairs and highlights many important historical events around that time period.

 

A friend told me about it this summer and I finally remembered to put it on hold at the Public Library. I got a copy just before Season 3 premiered a couple weeks ago. Season 2 is also available at the Libary but you'd better get your request in soon as there are a number of holds on this very popular series. This is a photo of the "real" Highclere Castle where the series is filmed. They use some of the interior rooms as well.



 

Maggie Smith is excellent as the ruling matriarch.

 



 

Give it a watch. You won't be disappointed but start at the beginning so you can have fun identifying with the characters and learning about their personalities. It's on Sunday nights at 9 on Masterpiece Theatre. 

Cookbook Recipe

I have many cookbooks in my cupboard sitting idle. With the advent of the Internet, now I get most of my recipes from that source. While I enjoy the latest and greatest recipes, I appreciate the tradional fare from days gone by. With that said, I will begin my quest to make a recipe from each of the cookbooks that I own over the next year starting with this one...

 

I chose to make Cheesecake squares, kind of a combination of a square and a cheesecake. Very yummy and pretty easy to put together. In case, you don't have a copy of this cookbook, I have included the recipe for you to give it a try. Just out of the oven....

 

 

 

Just out of the freezer. I had some leftover after serving them so I popped them in the freezer and now I have them ready to take to another event.

 

 

 Favourite Cheesecake Squares

1/3 cup Parkay Margarine

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans)

 

1 8oz. package of cream cheese,softened

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

3/4 cup M & M's

 

Beat margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour and nuts. Mix well.

Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of 8 x 8 pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Combine next 3 ingredients, add egg. Layer 1/2 cup candy over crust, top with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining candy. Bake at 350F for 20 additional minutes. Cool. 

Book Review

Finally! After 4 books and 849 pages in the final book, I have completed the Eragon series.
The last book Inheritance was probably my favourite. This series was pure fantasy... elves, dragon riders, dwarves and other creatures. There were a lot of battles but if you like this type of book, you would enjoy the series. AND I just saw the Author on Sugar Dome judging Dragon cakes so it's almost related to baking. Anyway, I was really happy to complete it because now I can start on a book I've had my mind on for some time... Night Circus.

 

This novel got really good reviews. It is the debut novel for its author and so far it has me intrigued.

 

I will let you know how it turns out. I'm reading much earlier in the year as I would like to meet my goal of 20 books (or more).





M & M Party Cookies

I was lucky enough to have my oldest nephew for a sleepover during Christmas Break. It is obvious that both my nephews are quite skilled in the kitchen even at a young age. They enjoy baking with their Mom and both my brothers are very good cooks. I'm glad this is something we can do together other then tubing at Chicopee. LOL.

We decided to make M & M Party cookies even though traditionally we like to make gingerbread together. (we will save that for another visit). These are a pretty standard cookie and I was happy to use up some of the candy I still have hanging around the house after the holidays.

 

The finished product...

  

 

 

M & M Party Cookies

 

1 cup shortening

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups M & M's (we added some chocolate chips, also)

 

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients.

Stir in add-ins. Bake at 350F,10 minutes or until lightly browned.

(I like soft cookies so I tend to underbake) Enjoy!



Homemade Snowman Christmas Card

With all the scrappers and cardmakers that I know, I only got one homemade Christmas card from my friend, Corrina.  I'm just as guilty as I did not send out a single, homemade card MYSELF!

I really liked this card. I am a fan of holly cut-outs and I loved the technique she used to glitter up the snowman. It comes on a sheet of peelable outlines, then she stuck it on a glue sheet, sprinkled with Glamour Dust and coloured with Copics. When I use this product, it always looks juvenile but I may have to try it again when I see how well hers turned out.