Pancakes

On Saturday MM and I picked up the cutest pancake maker from Harry & David. We love their store and can never resist stopping by to pick up some dark chocolate "Moose Munch" which is chocolate covered popcorn with almonds and cashews-our favorite! We also love to sample all their goodies and the store was packed with Easter items, chocolate covered candies, baskets and people all browsing their wares. They also carry things like spinach artichoke dip, another favorite and clam chowder.

On Sunday morning MM & I decided to have "Moose Pancakes" for breakfast. The moose pancake form, from Harry & David, worked very well though what we've learned is that you should only fill the form with batter half the depth of the form. If the batter rises too high in the form it puffs over the edges and makes it difficult to remove the pancake from the form so that you can flip it, and the right temperature is required to keep it from burning. Also, make sure to spray the form and the pan with PAM so that the mix does not stick. Moving the form on the griddle after the batter sets up a little helps to keep it from browing too much and burning also.

Here's a sample without butter or syrup. See how this fellow actually came out with two eyes? Very cool. The pancakes were so yummy and quite thick! Some came out lighter but this one smiled the nicest for the camera. Now if you have several children or even if you plan to make them for two people, two forms and two pans are suggested as they take some time to make but are well worth it. We didn't use two forms, just stood at the stove cooking and eating them and laughing at the process. It was so fun making them and we were so stuffed afterwards.

19 Years ago on this Very Special Day

Happy 19th Birthday!

So many thoughts and memories pass before me back to the day you were born. As I reach out to grasp those years I still see them there...just below the surface of this fine young man you’ve become and I am instantly once again cradling my tiny infant son. As our second born child, you quickly made your special mark in the family with your energetic and happy personality. You only need to smile at me a certain way or make some humorous remark and I melt with pride. You’re so bright and talented with a now quiet reserve-that is until you’re playing your favorite music! We want you to soar and follow your dreams and experience life to its fullest because you deserve this and so much more. We love you so very, very much!

We're Back!

Signs of Spring

For all my latest posts visit A Latte A Day. Thanks for stopping by!

Great Memories

We recently had a chance to get together with some of my husband's family-his favorite cousins! It had been 15 years since they all had last seen each other and I had never met his cousins either. We a great time exchanging family stories and catching up on life. The time flew by all too quickly and we've promised to get together again soon, they were just so sweet and fun to be with! Digital Kit: Avec Amour Jan. 2006 by Isabelle Cyr aka zazou at Scrap Artist.

Valentines Gift

On Valentines Day 21 years ago my first born son Adam came into our lives and we became a family. What a special day that was and what an amazingly joyful experience becoming a mother and parent. You were such a little man and so serious some would say but you surprised everyone with your big smiles and your zest for life. You fill our hearts with so much love and joy. An older brother to Alex, you looked out for him and were buddies (when you weren't pinching him) and have loved a good game of hockey from the very first time you put on a pair of ice skates. We've felt such great pride in watching you become a man and know that whatever you put your mind to you will succeed. May your dreams be the path to your happiness, we love you so very, very, much!

Happy Birthday

While this blog is relatively new, my "A Latte A Day" illustration blog has just passed it's two year mark and I've posted a new illustration that I would like to share with you too. A big thanks to Pam for the goodies she sent me in the mail, you've been a great inspiration, thanks Pam!
Illustration and Design © 2007 Margaret E. Summers. Font: 2 Peas Gift.

World Nutella Day

Are you a Nutella fan? Cheese-filled Tuiles with Nutella drizzles are the most heavenly creations at Cream Puffs in Venice... When I was a child my Grandmother made us homemade chocolate eclairs every time she came to visit. They are to die for, unfortunately I do not have her recipe. How sad, she does not remember it well...she will be turning 95 February 25th, 2007 and is presently very ill. May God Bless You and Keep You Grandmother.

Things

I'VE BEEN TAGGED by Sherry and I have to write 6 weird things about myself: It's taken me a couple of days to think about 6 wierd things about myself but I've only come up 6. Sorry Sherry, I am slower than mud...

1. At the age of 5 I had a police record. Old Lady Hansen (she lived behind us) called the police because I picked the flowers out of her lily pond for my Mother. The police came to our door to investigate and I was having a nap. :)

2. After I visit someone's blog for the first time and view the main page I visit the archives. I always visit JULY first. I was born in July and am compelled each and every time to visit that month first- even if I want to select a different month, it has to wait until I've seen July's entries.

3. I detest going to the mail box to pick up the mail. I can count on one hand how many times I have gone out to the mailbox in the last year. The only time I look forward to getting the mail is on my birthday and at Christmas and still, my husband or the children get the mail. Don't get me wrong, I love mail, I just don't like going to the mailbox.

4. I don't allow anyone to open the mail before dinner, I feel like it spoils dinner because most of it is generally bills, bills and more bills. Oh and the junk mail, did you ever see so much???
5. I have to have flaxseed and fresh blueberries on my cereal every morning for breakfast. If either is out I feel like I am not getting my health fix. I eat flaxseed on toast with peanut butter and honey (mix half ground with half who flaxseed), yum!

6. When I fold bath towels and wash cloths they all have to be folded evenly and in the the exact same way and stacked the exact same way, I then color code them. I also fold t-shirts in a certain way and taught my children how to fold them the same way too.Oh, who shall I tag? I think I will tag:

Kim

Holly

Michelle

Jules

Felicity

Traci

Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.Don’t forget to leave a comment that says “you’re tagged” in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means. "That means you may find a short message from me at any time soon in your comments...

On a Roll

Last night I decided to make chicken enchiladas but not in the traditional sense. I love to experiement and this dish turned out wonderfully- so said my husband.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Spray the bottom of a large glass baking dish with pan, then layer:

4 large boneless Tyson frozen chicken breasts enhanced with 15% chicken broth (thawed)
Drizzle each breast with Garlic Ranch dressing (or light Ranch dressing)
1 small can chopped green chilies
1/2 can (19 oz) Mild Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce
1 package Ortega Taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup Kraft 2% milk reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

Cover with foil and bake 1 hour then check center of chicken. Cover and cook about another 20 minutes if breasts are large.

I served this over a bed of cooked white rice mixed with black beans. Shred and sprinkle some extra sharp cheddar cheese over top. The heat of the chicken will melt the cheese. You could also serve it over tortillas or any kind of mixture of rice, such as wild or garlic etc with or without the beans. The next time I will probably use the whole 19 oz can of Enchilada sauce and I am sure it will taste just fine. I think the breasts enhanced with chicken broth gave this more flavor and the meat was fork cutting tender. Oh and I keep forgetting to take pictures...next time.

I also had time to post a blind contour (when you draw something without looking at your paper) and posted it to A Latte A Day.

Creativity

While my creativity flows and ebbs each day depending on what's on my plate I wrestle with posting great creative works and inspiration. Of course, creativity comes in many forms and takes many different directions. This week I posted an illustration to my "Latte A Day" blog. I love to illustrate so this fed that need perfectly. I also love, love to cook and as I said made slow cooked pheasant last weekend that was so yummy. My husband said it was the best he'd ever had which made me feel so great, he is such a wonderful supporter of all that I do and the best part is he has always shown me that he really means it.

I was creatively cooking again the other night and made chili. Ok, so chili is no big deal and this was not my normal recipe, however this chili I think turned out wonderful and we ate every last drop! I'm an advocate for taking care of oneself so my recipes are generally pretty health conscious but I can promise you these recipes are not lacking on flavor!

1 lb 93% lean ground beef
1 can Mrs. Grimes Black Beans
1 can Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with zesty mild green chilies
1 can Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Green Pepper & Onion
1 package Simply Organic Vegetarian Chili Seasoning (find in the health food section of your grocery store- I shop at Hyvee)

Brown ground beef until no longer pink then mix all ingredients together, bring to a boil (stirring so it doesn't burn) then turn down low to simmer 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking. Fabulous! This recipe will make 4 portions so if you want more, double the recipe and perhaps mix a second kind of bean with it. I love kidney beans too but prefer the small texture and taste of black beans better with this recipe. Serve with saltines spread with light peanut butter and flaxseed sprinkled on top or with homemade cornbread. Now isn't your mouth just watering???

Note: My husband doesn't like big chunks of diced tomatoes so I take a sterilized pair of kitchen cooking scissors and chop those babies up small as I am mixing them in. If you try the recipe, please leave me a post here and let me know what you thought about it. The second day's portions were even tastier than the first! Sorry, no pictures of the chili to post, we gobbled it up too fast!

Today Is A Special Day

Eighteen years ago you came into our lives and filled it with such happiness and completed our family. I know you'll be embarassed by these photos however I can only begin to capture the love, joy and adventure you've brought to our family. The youngest, you fought your way to be seen and heard and that you were. A best friend to your older brother (on most days) and an ally when you needed to be. You were always on the move with a twinkle of mischief in your eye, though you've now settled down now to be quite intorspective and quiet. And oh, you're such a handsome young man too! I can hardly believe you're 18. Follow your dreams and you will go far, sweetheart! We love you so very, very, much!

Denim Plopper- Meryl Bartho DSP
Heart Grow Font mix byTina Chambers-DSP Old General Store & Candy Lou by Suzanne C. Walker
Red circle ribbon Free December Pea Kit by Sandy Kreiger
Bookplate, March Free Pea Kit, Rhonna Farrer

Ringing in the New Year

Children are life's most precious gifts from God. This is a digital scrap of our friends Karen and Bill's 2 year old son. Isn't he just darling? If you're a designer or illustrator like me and you've found your way here, throw everything you know out about graphic design, less is more, that kind of thing-out the window. This is popcorn, jelly beans and jewb-jewbs all mixed together! Leo is SO darn cute I couldn’t resist fiddling with a mixture of digital papers and fonts. For all you scrappers, hope you enjoy this eye candy! Christmas papers are CFW and It's Time, Novemeber Free Kit (2peas) by Sande Krieger. Fonts are CK Constitution and CK Fresh both from Creating Keepsakes Fresh Fonts/Digital Scrapbooking Place.

I am counting this as my first 2007 Creative Life Challenge. Traci and Carrie I hope digital scrapbooking challenges are acceptable.

The Day After

We like most endured some after Christmas sale shopping and actually got some really great deals. Everyone including our kids love sales. I must admit my oldest son can be a bigger shopper than even me!

Sharing some more around home photos!

Merry Christmas, He's Home!

Today we decided amongst all the festivites to take some pictures outdoors. Yes, I did say outdoors! It was 48 degrees and sunny. No snow here but it was a bit chilly none the less. We really laughed and shivered and laughed some more. We're so thrilled to have Adam (one of our 4 children-Alex, Niki and Brandon we miss you so much!!!) with us for Christmas and as I little surprise for him I put these photos together using "ploppers" from Digital Scrapbooking Place. Most likely he'll be sending these off to his girlfriend in the a.m. :) We're having such a wonderful time, moments like these to treasure.

Break in the Day

Today we shopped all day and got most everything we were looking for. We came home happy and exhausted. We were all hungry so I cooked up a batch of my Grandmother's recipe for sloppy joes and a yummy frito corn salad. This a sure winner and partners well with just about anything-especially sloppy joes!

1 can white kernel corn, drained
1 can yellow kernel corn, drained
1/3 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sweet red onion, chopped
1 cup real mayonnaise
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5 to 7 oz (to taste) of chili cheese flavor Frito corn chips crushed.

Mix all the ingredients except the chips amd chill.
Add the chips in just before serving.

A Gift and Mine Too

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.
~Elizabeth Barrett Browing~

I just love this poem and thought it very fitting to convey the feeling I wanted.

I started out with this idea for my bathroom and then decided to make one for my Mom for Christmas too, she'll love it-I just wish I was there to see her open it! And then again framed in a cherry wood frame which set it off perfectly. The finished product came out beautifully even though this wonky photo does not do it justice, poor lighting, green tinge and all. I'm planning a partner piece to go with this, however for my bathroom they'll both be framed in black to match the accent pieces. I'll post that too when I've completed it. My mom and Dad have a victorian home and have a little chihuahua which I thought made this the perfect piece. I finally got it shipped off today, Hooray, I hope it makes it in time for Christmas!

I Can Do This!

Here's to creating my first digital scrapbook page ever! My son at 16 in California showing me what he can do with a skateboard. He has a natural ability when it comes to sports and excels at whatever he sets his mind to do. He's played hockey and travel hockey most of his teen years and is just so smooth on the ice; pure joy to watch! I used Tia Bennett's "Dude Totally" free digital kit seen on 2Peas- I just had to try it. Font-Gloucester MT Extra Condensed.
~TTBF~

More Winter Wonderland

Christmas is my most favorite time of year and I love to decorate for the holidays. This year I actually have my tree up and most of the decorations however I haven't been able to find all the boxes of Dickens villages yet...that's another project. My most amazing husband surprised me last week when I came home from work by putting up all the lights outdoors. It was great timing as we had a warm spell and this week I think it is 15 degrees.

More lovlies... I have a passion for Starbucks lattes and collect their ornaments amongst other things. I loved their Christmas marketing campaign last year and have a piece of everything that they produced I think. Often you'll find me illustrating when I am having coffee at one of the local spots in town.

Winter Wonderland

Lovely aren't they? My mother, the most wonderfully creative and inspiring woman I know, made these many years ago and gave them to me for our Christmas tree. Each year I'm always delighted when I unwrap each one and hang them. They remind me what an amazing woman my mother is and how proud I am of her. She loves to create and surround herself and her family with beautiful things and has always been my inspiration. She is such a caring person and has taught me so much about unconditional love, grace, beauty and dignity. She has always believed in me and what I can do and has taught me to never sell myself short. I love you Mom, you are my hero!

So Very Proud

I couldn't be more excited to show you a close up of my awesome son Alex's honor society certificate he received in 11th grade. Alex is a senior this year and his grades are fantastic. Alex is on his way to receiving full tuition when he graduates. Whoo hoo, you go ALEX! We love you and are so very, very proud of you. We'll be cheering you on all the way!!! This is a Treasure To Be Found in my life.

Treasures To Be Found

Welcome to Treasures To Be Found. I am excited about creating a blog where I can share with you the treasures I have found, something I couldn't do on A Latte A Day which houses my professional illustrations and designs. I am working on a new template and header so please be patient. Thanks, and I hope you will visit often!