WHEW - A WEEK LIKE THAT CAN LEAVE YOU WEAK!

HERE'S MY SPOUT TEACUP ELEMENT

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I wouldn't leave you with 1/2 a set, so I set about creating a matching teacup for you.

Well Kristin - thanks for you standing me up I actually took on two dresser drawers yesterday and took more stuff TO the thrift store than I brought home. Two out of the three items I brought home were not for myself, and one item actually never made it home at all but was delivered right to my friend Rose. Rose has long thirsted over (pun) a darling little teapot I bought some time ago and said "Hey, if you ever get tired of that..." Well Honey, that aint never going to happen because Miles actually likes it. Yesterday my eye lighted upon a most adorable little teaset made to look like a bunny rabbit. Yes, he had a mended ear, but if you know Rose, you know this will only make it more lovable to her. We met her outside of the Laundry where she spends most of her waking hours, besides DQ where another portion is spent and gave her this treasure.

The other item of interest was a v. cool ceramic set - spotted by Janice on our last visit. She was going to buy them but was short $, you know? Her plan was to track down her husband and secure the cash...however my next visit, whaddya know, there they sat. I snapped them up for her, won't she be surprized. (Annie, if you read this, you HUSH girl! - your kitchen decor was her inspiration to desire this in the first place!)

JAN'S AWESOME ITALIAN SET

Yesterday afternoon and evening were both devoted to helping Miles. In the afternoon I helped at the Learning Centre - showing a student how to scrapbook. As she was a beginner it was intense for two hours, though she learned fast. The evening was spending time setting up and working with homeschool students - we taught them how to make movies using a program called Movie Magic. The kids did great, but we were exhausted by the end of it all.

BARB'S TIP # 6

Roasting Garlic

Next time you throw something to bake in the oven (not something sweet) simply toss a whole head of garlic onto the rack as well. After an hour take it out and let it cool. Store in an airtight container in your fridge. There are so many uses for this wonder - spread it on toasted, buttered buns, whirl it with oil and vinegar and spices or substitute the oil and vinegar with mayo for a delicious salad dressing. Add some to your mashed potatoes. It adds an awesome flavor to many dishes - tell me your ideas too!

TEA ON THURSDAY

HERE'S MY HANDLE, HERE'S MY SPOUT ELEMENT

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When you use this element in a layout, it would be a nice touch to create some 'steam swirls' using a nice soft brush and backing off the opacity!

So its looking a little 'dodgey' outside... perhaps this will be a nice day to enjoy a cuppa tea. I had a date with my friend Kristin - we were going to explore the joys of Microsoft Expressions together...however, Kristin did what I usually do - she double booked herself. If her weather is not looking too bad she hopes to visit Ft. Steele today. That is a very interesting place, Miles and I have visited there, only it was offseason so there was not much action at the time. I would like to make up some exciting news for you about yesterday, but truly it was just a blur at this point. We are meeting deadlines so almost every minute is accounted for...I did not even clean out one cupboard or drawer, but today I plan on hitting one drawer, and taking SOMETHING to the thrift instead of opposite!

I would like to share Gina's recipe...now, I honestly have not tried it myself yet...but it sounds mouthwatering and I plan on making it very soon. She does caution it is not for the faint of toungue if you add hot chili peppers. I cannot give the link to her blog at this time because they are updating at the blog server and so you would be sent to a blank page...but I will post it asap.

Chili Cheese Appetizers

½ c. margarine
10 eggs
½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
8 oz. green chilies, chopped
1 pt. cottage cheese
1 lb. Jack cheese, grated

Blend in blender:
½ c. margarine
10 eggs
½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Mix together in a large bowl:
8 oz. green chilies, chopped
1 pt. cottage cheese
1 lb. Jack cheese, grated

Add blended mixture to bowl ingredients and stir well.
Pour into greased 10x13 pan. Bake at 400 for
15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350. Bake 30 minutes
longer. Cut into squares. Freezes well.

And now, time for my tip - and I will keep going with the food theme:

BARB'S TIP # 5

ANOTHER USE FOR JELLY POWDER

Miles and I had pancakes for supper yesterday (isn't it always funner to have breakfast stuff for dinner?) I did not have any syrup so I searched the far recesses of my cupboards until I had an 'aha!' solution. As I wanted to top the hotcakes with strawberries I simply sprinkled the sliced berries with about 4 tbsp of raspberry jelly powder and cooked them for about 2 or so minutes on high in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. This made a delish topping - sorta like fresh freezer jam flavour. What I appreciated is the fruit was still half crisp and the syrup capturing the natural juice flavor of the strawberries.

By the way... if your little one or loved one has the flu and you want to give them something tasty and healthy to drink for fluids, you can make a 'hot jelly' drink by simply taking the jelly powder, mixing to taste in a cup of hot water...its soothing and will not upset the tummy!

I would love to publish your recipes and tips! Please email me at lalalime@hotmail.com

put 'recipes and tips' in the subject line

also, if you have missed one of my earlier elements email me with 'missed element' in the subject line and I will email it to you!

AH, I'LL THROW YA A FISH!

SCALEY FISH ELEMENT

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Spent a lovely afternoon at the beach yesterday with my friends Janice and Annie, soaking up the sun, watching the seagulls fight over our limited bread supplies (teaching PEOPLE that gulls ARE nice and we shouldn't chase them etc - and I'm not just talking at the kids who were there...) and taking pictures of their adorable children. Meet Anjolie - a youngster who has already figured out you don't necessarily need to take a lid off a product to enjoy the contents!

Papers: Carrie Stephens Live Kit

Gel Flower Elements: Ali Hawt Stuff Mini Kit

Stitching: Ali Hawt Stuff Mini Kit

Flower Stamp Element: Khristy S Something Fancy

Papers and Elements: Shabby Princess Spring Breeze Kit

I will give a tip tomorrow as I am short on time this morning! Have a great over the hump day!

DESTINATION - THE BEACH!

APRON ELEMENT

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See! As promised, more kitchen elements - you clamour, I create!

Yesterday turned out to be very productive, very productive indeed. I gave our bookshelf and magazine rack in the front room a good 'going over' My goal is to have my place looking as chic and neat as my Aunt Rose's place - now that's organized. Every time we visit there I admire how warm and homey her apartment feels without being cluttered. I was scathing as I weeded out only the books I really really really like, or actually use more than once a year. I now even have space to put a picture of mom and dad on a shelf - between books. I even cleaned out my fridge - whew! One or two goals a day and I will have this place sparkling when mom and dad come to visit at the end of this month.

I got a lovely gift from my friend Gina - you're too sweet, girl! I won't say what it is now...will show off later when I use it...

I also created a mothers day card yesterday for my mother in law. She is often joking if she wins money she will buy a hummer...so for her card I put her in one, with dad and a bull dog (she loves em) and a yard sale sign...cuz we love doing that together. Her card will be a day late but...sigh...good things are worth waiting for.

I've got to run, I've been invited out with my friend Janice and her friend Annie...these are two younger women who would like me to hang out with them...and I'm flattered. We will spend some time at the park, taking pics of their adorable kids and drawing! Will upload some of the pics for you to see tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

PSALM 25:5

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

A WEEKEND AWAY MAKES A HAPPY MONDAY!

SWEET TEDDY ELEMENT

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I hope you all had a good weekend! Miles and I had use of a cabin for the weekend which we truly enjoyed. Originally we hoped to get away on Friday evening but it turned out to be such a busy day we decided to relax and leave Saturday instead. The forecast was for cold and wet weather so we were pleasantly surprised to wake up to a glorious sunny day on Saturday. We managed to get away by 7 a.m. and enjoyed the lush scenery all the way. The balsam bitterroot are decorating the hills and for a short time everything is a dusky green.

We stopped at Greenwood at a chic bakery – one of those places which are so good folks drive from great distances to arrive at this delicious destination. We succumbed to the cinnamon scented air and the eye catching delectable treats – a post breakfast treat and a slice of sumptuous mousse cake for our romantic dinner plans.

The cabin is unfinished and simple – a simply perfect setting in which to leave our worries packed in our suitcases. The days filled with reading magazines (an assortment acquired from the Oliver Library which we cannot get at the Osoyoos one) and going for walks and deep meaningful talks and laughter and good food. We do take our computers but only to play on, or use if we choose.

We walk down to the Jewel Lake Provincial Park, about a mile and a have hike from the cabin. It’s an enchanted walk, in that no matter when we walk it, the trip TO the lake always takes one have the time it takes to come FROM the lake. On the way to the lake everything passes quickly and its very interesting, the trip home seems longer, with extra hills and turns thrown in. The weather’s always more pleasant going than coming home. Winter has only just lost it’s hold on this area and only the bravest of greenery is showing. The ice has gone off the lake and it’s a deep emerald color.

TRILLIUM AT JEWEL LAKE

We stayed until Monday morning, giving us a more relaxing evening. It’s like being in two very different worlds in one day – a place steeped in quietude and a drive west and down, down, down into the hectic pace of our thriving town. Somehow, combining the two places into the time-space of one day seems a treat.

My tip today is not my own – but I have used it countless times. I originally came across it in a Martha Stewart magazine.

BARB’S TIP #4
Microwaving Plain Popcorn in the Microwave

Yes, you read the title right! You only need one plain brown paper lunch bag. Place 1/3 cup plain unpopped popcorn into it. Fold the top over two or three times in ½ inch folds. Put the bag in your microwave and set it for 2 ½ or 3 minutes. (it will depend on your particular microwave) Listen as it pops, removing the bag when it has slowed down or stopped. That’s it! You may add your own toppings or not, making this the perfect diet food! No more having to pay for expensive - ready to pop bags at 10x the price- besides not knowing whats in the artificial coating they call butter.

STIRRING THINGS UP ON FRIDAY!

WOODEN SPOON ELEMENT

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This element is for my Sister In Law, Judy. I previously asked if anyone had any suggestions for my making elements and Judy responded by saying she would like to see some that could be used in a cookbook. I am open (though I cannot promise) to consider all ideas! You can always email me at lalalime@hotmail.com and be sure to put ELEMENT IDEA in the subject line.

I had a most enjoyable day yesterday with my friend Rose. She gave me a call out of the blue on Wednesday evening and we made and impromptu date for Thursday. She thought there was a new consignment store in town we might check out, and there was also a farewell luncheon for a fellow artist at the Golf and Country Club at noon. We managed both, and more. The consignment store turned out to be a chic little boutique - one sleeveless cotton eyelet blouse going for $105 - I would never wear it for fear, besiding the fact my entire wardrobe probably cost that much. Besides Rose being uncomfortably sensative to the overpowering scents in there, our visit lasted less than 5 minutes.

We ended up next back at the thrift store - I of course had been just yesterday. I always think in this instance, what could I possibly have missed? However, the ladies are always recieving and displaying new stuff - an amazing amount of stuff every day. I ended up with a nice little shelf that is just PERFECT for my shoes (thats what I did upon waking this morning) and a little red T, and an older Canon 35mm Camera with case, with macro lens for $5. This was a bit of a gamble that the lens may eventually be interchangable with a future SLR digital - but if not, we can sell the lens and keep the case and we are still ahead of the deal. Rose bought several nice golf shirts for her brother in law as well.

BARB'S HANDY HINT # 4

Today's hint is courtesy of Rose:

A tip for today-A Boot Tree.....If you don't want your boots to be wrinklle or fall over. Use 1 liter soda bottle, stuff it into your boot. For added strength , cover the bottle with a couple of old socks or a towel.

I wonder if you all would mind today to pray for my friend Valerie and her family as her little boy Louis is going into surgery for a hernia. You all have a wonderful weekend. We have a pretty busy schedule lined up so I'm not sure if I will have an opportunity to blog over the next few days. I will have lots to blog on Monday!

FEELS LIKE SUMMER ALREADY!

WATERMELON ELEMENT

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Yesterday was hot hot hot - inspiring me to make you a nice summery feeling element. I hope you like it.

I am devoting today's blog partly to my friend Valerie. She has been doing my 'not shopping' challenge and is on her second week. This on top of the fact her little boy is going in to the hospital on friday for a hernia operation. Here's a recent email from her:

Hi Barb,

Here's the update on us :

Sent Fred to the corner store last night to buy milk ... it was safer ... ha ha ha!
Wednesday Breakfast : Kids had waffles / cereal, minigo. I had toast & yogurt & coffee and the last of the orange juice.Lunch - Since it was only Juliette and I, I had left over.
Dinner - Made a leek, carrot & potato soup, veal filet with mustard sauce & orzo with pesto.
Thursday Breakfast : Kids will have toasts or/ cereal, minigo and fruit.
Lunch - Since I will probably be at the hospital for Louis's tests for allergy ... I don't know.
Dinner - Will bake a big lasagna for Louis (one of his favorites) ... to fill up his tummy since he won't be allowed to eat for most of the day tomorrow.
As for Friday we'll have to play it by ear ... will spend the whole day at Ste-Justine for Louis surgery.
PS : Justin is going home this Saturday!
PS2 When I'll have more time, i'll give you a few tips for your Blog!

So you see...her family is eating quite well in spite of not grocery shopping! I would love to hear from more folks and I would love your tips too! My friend Gina left a comment on yesterday's entry with her take on cleaning windows - what about yours? Come on, share em with us. Here's my latest:

BARB'S HELPFUL TIP # 3

I recently read this tip somewhere and thought "hmmm, what a terrific idea" - if you travel, you've had to deal with your necklaces arriving - all in a knot! There is a clever solution for this, just find some nice fat drinking straws and string the necklace thru, then fasten together. See? Told you it was a good idea!

YARD SALE BUYS AND TIP # 2

YELLOW FLOWER ELEMENT

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Yesterday's Jumble Sale was a success. Miles woke me up early so we could get there right at eight - thats when I'm always told the 'good stuff' is put out. I found a nice little radio to put in our office. We have radios in most other rooms in our house, but not one here. On the occaisonal time the radio has a good concert on we always pine for an extra radio, so when this one came up for $2 I could not pass it by. I also bought an Eddie Bauer thermal coffee mug - practically spill-proof so it was made just for me. I bought 7 clear, round spice jars - matching ones for the van. You pay $1 each for these little bottles in the dollar stores - and with a good bleaching these will be just fine. I really like the CD carry case I bought - it holds 4 CD's on each page and has 18 pages! It has a nice soft ultra-suede cover in a rich burgundy color.

But my favorite buy - my very favorite, is the John Gnany's TV Master Art Studio! ($2) This is the most hilarious collectable thing I have seen in a while. It comes with all sorts of wonderful things, including...get this..."The Amazing Mr. Twist Plastic Artist Manikin. He's Indistructable."

INSIDE MY JON GNAGY'S TV ART STUDIO

CHECK OUT THE LITTLE MANIKIN IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER!

And last, but not least is my tip for today!

BARB'S TIP #2

If you want clean and sparkly windows and don't like using harsh cleaners, etc, simply wad up a nice sheet of your daily newspaper, wet it a bit and go at it. Newspaper without any cleaner of any kind works to make your windows so clean you will have to stand there all day to scare the birds away. Trust me! P.S. - your windows will be clean, but your hands will be black - so be careful you go wash them right away, or better yet, wear rubber gloves!

MID WEEK YARDSALE AND STARTING A PROJECT

BLUE FLOWER ELEMENT

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I'm really impressed with my friend Valerie - she's slugging away with the 'not going shopping for the week' challenge, and I will share more of her 'stuff' tomorrow. Anyone else 'making do'? I created a dessert last night that was tasty and delicious. Its sort of a slice, with fresh fruit and creamy layers. Here is the recipe:

BARB'S FRESH FRUIT SLICE

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup firm butter

1/4 cup white sugar

Squish together (go ahead, its fun) these ingredients until its like meal, and then press it into a 9 x 13 inch glass pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

1/2 cup jam (I used some guava jam given to us by our neighbors, Argentinian)

Spread this over the crust. Let both cool.

Slice 1/4 of a fresh pineapple into small chunks

Peel and slice a fresh mango into small chunks

Slice 1 cup fresh strawberries.

Layer on top of crust and jam layer

Then:

1 cup whipping cream, whipped to stiffness

1 lb of cream cheese, beaten to softness

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 package green jelly powder

Fold these ingredients together together and spread over the other layers.

Voila!

Serve with fresh sliced banana on top - (they won't be brown this way!)

I'm going to start adding some handy hints to my blog - things I have either discovered on my own, or borrowed from others, ideas that make my life easier. Hint #1 is: If you open a box of cereal, and if you can spare the room, store it in the fridge - it stays fresh forever!

I would love to hear any hints you might share with me!

MONDAY BLOG OF SUNDAY'S NEWS

TOAST ELEMENT

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Do you remember me talking about the 5 Languages of Love? Well, Miles was speaking MY love language this weekend. You see, we were out for a Sunday Drive and I spied something that interested me and I wanted to go in for a closer look. In other words, when we saw a human being near the object of my interest he stepped out of his comfort zone and asked the man if we could know more about this interesting thing. You know...Miles used to be so uncomfortable about this that he would not have pursued it... and I would have felt uncomfortable asking...but our relationship has developed to a place of trust and sacrifice that we often step out of our personal comfort zones to give to each other. Now, Miles simply 'sighs' and asks, and I am so happy he did...

Meet Ted Thompson! Ted has lived in Hedley for about 8 years, having moved from Vancouver Island. What interested Miles and I was a structure he has assembled in his back yard. This structure is a dome of sorts, like a greenhouse. He's created it entirely from windshields he has scavenged from windshield stores - they simply dispose of them otherwise. His 'dome' opens on one side and inside he is also assembling a model of his dream home. He's got some very interesting ideas on how he might harvest energy from the sun to use to heat his structures...when the climate change comes. Besides his buildings, he is also an accomplished artist in his own right. He only began painting three years ago (he's in his seventies) and creates portraits of people (some fictional, some famous) using crayon and laquer and they hang in his garage, and a few on the outside of his home. He's also made the owls, a reproduction of some famous rendering of owls, above his front door. His entire place is neat as a pin and he had further ideas for the front (of which he as asked us to find reference pics) He' is bright and interesting and unique and it was a delight to meet him this Sunday.

TED'S GLASS DOME

TED INSIDE HIS WONDERFUL CREATION (DREAM HOME TO THE RIGHT)

THESE PICTURES WERE PAINTED USING CRAYONS!

THE OWLS

This causes me to ask...what will you be doing at 75 - 80 years old?