NaBloPoMo #1

Welcome to National Blog Posting Month!!! I'm going for it this year....posting everyday in November! Woohoo!!!

You're in for lots of....recipes, crafts, quotes, random thoughts...it will be fun!!
Occassionally I'll be following the prompts listed on the NaBloPoMo site - today's prompt is -
What is your favourite part about writing?

Ok - first of all I LOVE that they used the English spelling of favorite. My favorite part of writing is getting all those thoughts out of my head. My mind is spinning constantly and it's rare that I have a still quiet moment. In fact, most nights I take a sleeping aid because I just cannot get my brain to turn off. Writing really helps - I can get those thoughts down on paper and clear up some of the clutter in my mind. I know most of what I have to say is of no great profound interest but my writing is about ME and my family and my loves and my life. So it's important to me. At times I treat this blog just like a journal - sharing my hopes and fears. Other times it's just a fun place where I can share a cool song, quote or craft that I found. I'm not writing for fame or fortune (though that would be nice) - I'm writing for myself. And I guess in a round about way that IS my favorite part of writing. Putting a little bit of myself out there for others to see.

Happy Hippieween!!!!

I was all set to wear my Cinderella costume today but when I got up this morning I just wasn't feeling it. So my old standby hippie costume is making an appearance. Peace, love and rock and roll people. Be safe and have a fantastic Halloween!!!!

Art Journal

I'm trying to take baby steps out of my comfort zone lately....I've joined a few swaps via swap-bot to help. Recently I completed my first Art Journal for a swap. I was really happy with the result - I don't know if I'll make one again but it was fun to do. Next up - a mini-zine swap:)

Here's just a sampling of my favorite pages...

Yummy Sunday Dinner

I absolutely LOVE enchiladas. I could eat them everyday....and the spicier the better. I tried out a new recipe for Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas last night and they were delicious!!!! And they turn out even better when baked in my vintage pyrex casserole dish.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

3 -4 chicken breasts (or 6 Halves)
1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (8 ounce) can diced green chilies (hot or mild, or a small can of each)
1 (10 ounce) package cheddar cheese, grated
1 small onion, diced
oregano
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
12 corn tortillas
16 ounces sour cream

Directions:
1 Place chicken in large saucepan and cover with water.
2 Sprinkle in a handful of oregano,add garlic powder and salt.
3 Boil about 20 minutes and shred from bones.
4 Save broth.
5 Mix soups, sour cream & chiles in large pan.
6 Add only enough broth to slightly thin.
7 Re-season as needed.
8 Simmer on low 15 minutes.
9 Add chicken and diced onion.
10 In casserole dish, arrange 6 Tortillas flat across bottom, spoon in 1/2 the sauce, sprinkle 1/2 the cheese.
11 Repeat- tortillas, sauce and cheese.
12 Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Raesha's Modifications - I use two cans of green chile and I use extra cheese - one can NEVER have enough cheese:)

Pyrex

I am head over heels in love with vintage Pyrex. The colors-the designs-the functionality- what's not to love??? Miss S stopped at Goodwill last night and I found this perfect set of three covered dishes. And in my absolute favorite pattern no less. The top two are small - perfect for leftovers and for taking lunches to work and I love them. The bottom one is slightly bigger like for a small casserole. I can't wait to put these into rotation in my kitchen.

My Sister

One of the best things in the world is having a sister that I trust completely, always has my back, totally gets me and all my quirks, lovingly gives me a hard time, and loves me unconditionally. We support each other emotionally through the good times and the bad times. We are always there for each other with a kind word, or with a kick in the butt when justified. Balls - I am so glad you are my sister and I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to Monique for helping us create a beautiful photo session to celebrate our sisterly bond:) And if you have not had pictures done by Monique yet you are seriously missing out!!

Sister Love

I'm the proud new owner of an iPhone 4g... Holy cow I love it!! One of the advantages is being able to easily blog from my phone so expect to see a lot more posts from me:) My sister (and brother) came to town a few weeks ago for Balloon Fiesta - more pics to come soon but I absolutely love this picture my brother Chad took of me and my sister. She rocks!!!!

Girl Scout Camporee

Miss S and I joined with almost 1000 other girl scouts at a camporee this weekend. It was so much fun!!! The Albuquerque zoo was there with a few animals and I totally fell in live with this South American porcupine. She was darling!!

Happy Fall!!!!

There are two things that say Fall in New Mexico - Balloon Fiesta (pics coming soon) and chile ristras! Miss S made this darling ristra in her after school class - it's big - pretty much life size of a regular ristra and it looks awesome hanging on our pantry door.

Halloween Swapping

I'm trying to be a little more active in swapping - I find that it really helps my creativity to have a specific goal in mind. One of the groups I'm swapping with again is the Flickr Mini QT swap....every other month we swap themed mini quilts (little guys - no bigger than 12 inches square). This month's theme was Halloween. Here's a peak at the extras I included in my partners package....

And the little mini quilt I made her - it's about 8 inches square and totally darling.

And here's the goodies I received from my partner - she even included goodies for Miss S:) So sweet! And here's the quilt she made for me - holy crappola it is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen - it's all little tiny applique. Click on the picture to take a look at it bigger - there are ghosts in the quilting in the sky in metallic thread. And a little tiny spider on the fence. The thought and time and care in all the stitches is unbelievable. I'm feeling a little lacking in my quilting skills and I'm hoping she is not disappointed with the quilt I made her. I have this quilt hanging on the inside of the front door and it looks AMAZING!!!

Cub Scouts

I'm so bugged with myself as to how few and far between my posts have been....nothing exciting has been happening here except scouting stuff and how many times can I post about scouting without getting totally bored!!! :) Our pack had Rain Gutter Regatta for pack meeting this week - the boys had a great time building their boats at home and racing them.

Aren't these boys just the cutest boys EVER!!! I love them all so much. I especially love when thy run to give me hugs everytime they see me:) I LOVE that.

The boats are "wind" powerered and the boys blow them down the little racing gutter. I was really surprised at how frustrated some of the boys got. I think we had more tears for this activity then we even have at Pinewood Derby!! But I think all in all the boys had fun and enjoyed the evening.

'Burque

I love my little adopted hometown of Albuquerque. I pretty much consider myself a native though since I've lived here since December 1986 with only two brief stints back to Silverdale for 8 months and to Washington DC for six months.

I was reminded this morning on my drive to work some of the reasons I love Burque so much. (and you have to pronounce right - it's not Bur-key - it's Burrrrr-kay). I like to just say ABQ:)

Anyway -

- Driving to work I spied a darling coyote in an arroyo - PS this is not the actual coyote, just a random picture of a coyote:)



- I spied a cute little old man walking in sweat pants with his dress shirt tucked in to his sweatpants.

- And a police car setting the pace on a road where everyone normally goes 60-65 mph - the actual speed limit is 45 mph - we as a bunch of colelctive commuters slowed to 45 mph until Mr. Cop passed us all and then we kept pace with him at 60 mph:) Gotta love those cops - and our unity as commuters:)

Fall in New Mexico is the best too - the smell of roasting green chile in the air, chilly mornings and warm afternoons and hot air balloons every where you look. The official Balloon Fiesta starts next week and I CAN'T WAIT!!! My sista Ryalin is coming for the weekend and my brother Ian might make it down too:):) FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!

Reflections on 9-11

I was in the mountains at the second weekend of my Wood Badge training on September 11. I can't tell you how moving it was to be outside, seeing the flag raised and then lowered to half mast and participating in a inner-faith worship service on this sacred day. 5 of us scouters were in charge of the inner-faith worship service and this is the reading that I chose to share. It comes from a Jewish reading/prayer written for 9-11.

Source of Life, Creator of all flesh,

From out of the depths we call unto you,
Protect us from the hand of all our enemies.
Comfort Your children who now stand alone
Without parent or brother or sister or child.

Strengthen us to stand with those orphaned by this attack on our country,
This country, our country, shelter of peace to the downtrodden,
Which has gathered in millions of the peoples of the world
Stands as a beacon of light and justice,
But today is dimmed with horror and tragedy.

New York and Washington, shining cities,
Diminished like Jerusalem after the destruction of the holy Temple,

Need Your comfort, and our aid;
Help us to maintain our courage and our efforts to support our people.

Strengthen the hands of those who depend this country,
And those who try to maintain peace against these attacks.
Teach us to speak to our children
with love and support and courage and understanding,
for we are all fearful, although their fears may not be our fears.

Gain for us a heart of wisdom,
That we may act out of compassion and thoughtfulness,
And not out of anger or prejudice.

Accept with mercy our prayers for our country and
Its government, for its president, judges, officials and
institutions who faithfully toil for the good of our country.

May they, with Your guidance, lead us back to lives
Of peace in a land we have come to love.

Adore

I abosutely adore Gwyneth Paltrow - there's just something about her that makes me think that if I was rich and famous and a celebrity we would be the best of friends:) If you don't subscribe to her newsletter you are missing out. She shares fabulous details from her life and features things to see, be, do, make and buy. Now I only need a million dollars so I can "do" and "buy" all the things she recommends.

This weekend is my second weekend of Wood Badge - I'm really excited about it but I'm also looking forward to finishing it up. I miss blogging, crafting, sewing and doing all my normal life things. I need to get back into my groove which I completely lost over the summer. So hopefully good things to come soon!!

Anniversary

I've struggled with this post the last couple days....Hubby and I celebrated 18 years of marriage on August 21 and I wanted to say something....just a little something as to how much I love my awesome husband. But words could not really describe just how much I love him and am thankful to have him as my husband. So I turned to music (like always)....

God Gave Me You
by Blake Shelton

I've been a walking heartache
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm blows through
And I need you
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

There's more here than what we feel
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely, can somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
I'll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
On my own, I'm only half of what I could be
I can't do without you

We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could never undo
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
Gave me you

Mojo

I am supremely happy to announce that I do believe my crafting and sewing mojo has finally returned!!! I spent the weekend making all sorts of wonderful things....

The first skirt for my stepmom - I'm making her a total of 6 skirts and 6 dresses for her mission. Her first dress is also half done....won't that fabric be perfect for Fiji?

Another one of my all time shirts to make...my favorite Built by Wendy pattern. I wore it to work today with a nice pair of black slacks...

Pajama pants for me and Miss S....


And my new menu board...I love how you can see my reflection in the glass:) I ordered the vinyl from Say It On The Wall (see that new little box on my sideline), picked out an awesome frame at Hobby Lobby and used some of my favorite Amy Butler paper. I LOVE IT!! It looks beautiful hanging in the kitchen and it already all filled out with our dinners for this week. ..

Jimmy

First Day

Today was the BIG day....Miss S's first day of FIFTH grade!!!!

She is such a little rock star....she had a complete meltdown last night because I told her she had to wear a white tank top underneath her top. I mean serious breakdown. But then this morning she came out with the white tank top on without a word of protest. She had a fantastic day at school and is having fun getting to know her teacher and the other kids in her class.

Sorry about the blurry pics - I left my camera with Miss S while she was in TX and I think she messed up some of the settings.

NM Honors Medal Of Honor Winner In Hometown Visit - Albuquerque News Story - KOAT Albuquerque

NM Honors Medal Of Honor Winner In Hometown Visit - Albuquerque News Story - KOAT Albuquerque

Silence

Uuuuuhhhhhh......I got nothing.....I'm gonna take a little blogging break so I can recharge....see you soon!!!