In The Bag!

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My friend told me about a story she read.  It went something like this:  If a group of people were to be gathered together, asked to write down their biggest problem on a piece of paper, put it in a bag and then they could pick out someone else's problem to have instead, most people would keep their own problem. 

"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."

Plato

Have a kind day!

Karin

Winter Formal With Friends

Last week-end Blossom #1 went to the winter formal dance with friends.  It is difficult finding appropriate dresses for her, but we had a little luck online at Herberger's.

Even after having it taken in, she still swam it.  But, it looked nice enough for this event.

Her friend's mom took them to have some professional pictures taken before the dance.  That was so sweet of her to do and there's nothing better to do when you're all dressed up!

I suppose they could have danced, but they made a no dancing pack before they attended the dance!?!  Whatever!

Have a dressed up day!

Karin

Creatively Made

In January I took an online art class called Creatively Made.  I haven't done any of the art projects, but the class made me realize something... and then I read the quote below and it is exactly what I realized from the class - summed up perfectly:

Someone very cleaver once said the following:

"Everything in life is art.  What you do, how you dress, the way you love someone, and how you talk.  Your smile and your personality.  What you believe in, all your dreams, and the way you drink your tea.  How you decorate your home, or party.  Your grocery list, the food you make, how your writing looks and the way you feel. 
Life is art."

So, instead of trying to learn the new art concept (mixed media) taught in the class, I want to get more creative with the art I'm already doing - LIFE!

Have an artistic day!

Karin

Another Easy Meal

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Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray.

Add 2 turkey sausages and 1 bag carrots.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

(Or, until the carrots are tender.)

Serve with mashed potatoes, white sauce, your favorite dinner rolls and Trader Joe's raspberry jam.  Yum!  If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes, just clean up some potatoes and throw them in with your sausage and carrots.  Wait!  You don't know how to make white sauce... here's how:

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large sauce pan.  Mix 4 tablespoons flour with 1 cup skim milk.  Once the butter has melted, add 1 cup skim milk to the sauce pan.  Then, whisk in the flour and milk mixture.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Do all of this on a low heat.  However, if your sauce isn't getting thick enough quick enough for you, turn the heat up a little.  Easy!  Now, if you want cheese sauce instead, add in your favorite cheese.

white sauce recipe:
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups skim milk
salt and pepper

Enjoy!

Karin

Happy Birthday, Ann!

This is my beautiful and talented cousin Ann.

She's in the process of opening an Etsy shop

with the art she knits.

Look at the gorgeous shawl she's wearing... 

a work of art!

Ann's Etsy shop has the best name...

AWE, after her monogram.

Have a wonderful year!

Karin

Happy 75th Birthday Mom!

The day started with a brunch for about 150 people in the party room of my parent's building.

Then we went out for dinner at Jax.  Blossom #1 with my mom.

My dad planned and paid for everything.  And, he gave my mom a beautiful gold necklace too!

Me with my dad's sister Anna Marie.

My sister, Julie, her husband, Peter, and my cousin Ann.

My mom's sister, Margaret, and her husband Al. 
(Ann's parents.)

My mom's brother, John, and his wife Cindy.

Blossom #2 and my cousin Chris.  (Anna Marie's daughter.)

My cousin, Ann, with her precious family.

Blossom #4 with my uncle John.

Blossom #4 with one of my sister's sons.

Ann's daughter and my sister's other son.

Blossom #3.  He loves onion rings.  He saw one last onion ring on my uncle John's plate and said "say, John, are you going to eat that last onion ring?"  John laughed and gave it to him.

May your days be filled with celebrations!

Karin



Feed My Family Friday

An easy meal that the whole family will eat!

4 - Chicken Breasts

1 - Package Zesty Italian Dressing

1 - 8 oz. Package Cream Cheese

2 - Cans Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup

Put chicken in crock pot.  Sprinkle with dry dressing.  Add soup and cream cheese.  Cook for 4 hours on low.  (If chicken is frozen, cook about an hour longer.)  When ready, whisk the cream cheese and soup together.  Use 2 forks to break chicken into smaller chunks.

Serve over noodles or rice.

Enjoy!

Have a great week-end!

Karin