Author Archives: shamen

About shamen

I am a creative-type person who loves opening a new tape runner, shiny new scissors, and bottles of glittery goodness. I create because it is part of who I am, what I do, and something that I have been doing since I was old enough to hold a crayon. I am also trying a whole new adventure - gardening. I am an avid home cook and foodie show watcher. Basically, anything that might allow me to be creative in any area of my life, well, I will try it! Remember - life is an adventure, so live it!
Feb8

stop. breathe. pray.

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stop. breathe. pray.

This was my mantra a while back.  Somewhere along the way, it has gotten lost.  There are times in our lives that we can stop and savor every moment, minute, smile, smell, and hug.  These times are often too few and far between in the hectic world that we all currently live in.  At least I have felt that way lately.

I used to laugh at the analogy of the hamster on wheel, but lately I can very quickly and easily relate to that feeling! 

Now, I don’t normally blog about my beliefs, religion, etc… but lately I have been lost, running a race that never ends, and sometimes stopping and remembering the foundations you were raised on can help to ground you.  At least it works for me… so, bear with me on this post.

Recently I was asked to take part in a Bible Study at church.  I have never been in a Bible Study and haven’t been in a faith-based class since college.  I had no idea what this would be.  Needless to say it is much more intense than I expected.  As of today it includes 40 straight days of a prayer journal that includes assigned readings, activities, and reflection, along with prayer.  Immediately I thought – “I don’t have time for this!!!!”  Then I took a breath, and thought, “No, seriously – I don’t have time for this!!!!” 

After that initial reaction, and a deeper breath, I had this feeling that it was a sign that I need to slow down.  I need to take time – even a few moments here and there – to make sure that I am connected, REALLY connected to my life, my family, my kids.  I have realized, over the first two weeks of this study, that while I have made a conscious effort to really spend time with the kids and to engage with them everyday – over a story, a snuggle, or a moment – that maybe, while my body and words were there, my brain was actually making a list of what needed to get done next.  Now I am more wholly engaged – not just physically there, but every bit there in a way I might not have always been in the past. Over the last two weeks, I am stopping.  I am breathing.  And, yes, I am praying.

I am hopeful that this 40 day journey, which started bright and early this morning, will maybe help me to continue to become more connected during those brief moments and that I will learn more about my family, what truly matters to me, and how to better handle life and all of the craziness that it can exude.

Then again, I could be a miserable failure.

Only time will tell which one comes true…

And now back to your regularly scheduled web surfing…

Feb1

another scissors giveaway!

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another scissors giveaway!

Ok – time for another giveaway to help celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Fiskars Orange Handled Scissors (again – I work from them…)

I will pick a winner next Monday (the 6th) for a three-pack of scissors:

  • Our Original Orange Handled Scissors
  • Our Orange Handled Micro-tip Scissors
  • Our Original Scissors with my new favorite zebra handle!!!

 

To win, you need to register your email address in the box to the right – over here —————>>>>>>

This will get you into our auto email system to let you know when the newest blog posts go live and hopefully of some great other stuff in the future!

Remember, you have until Monday the 6th!

Feb1

project 365

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project 365

Now, for those of  you that know me, you know that it is a big BIG HUGE deal for me to commit to something everyday for a year.  I decided that this year, however, I could commit to doing a picture a day – it can’t be that hard.  Thanks to my iPhone, it has been actually much easier than I thought it would be.

I started out January, just taking one picture a day and then joined Instagram and started to post them there.  As the month rolled on, I realized that some people have special challenges each day.  So for February, I will be adding that in as well.

So – Here are the challenges for February that I will be doing…

And, I started adding my pics to a Flikr account, which is now on my sidebar.  In addition, here is the slideshow that shows my first 32 days of the year…  not that it matters much to anyone but me, but I thought I would share.

If I can do this, trust me, anyone can!!!!

 

Jan30

cha winter 2012 by way of wisconsin…

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cha winter 2012 by way of wisconsin…

So, for the first time in 6 years or so, I am not actually at the show.  However, I am trolling the web to find the goodies that I am falling in love with, so I might be blogging a lot the next few days!

First up – Bazzill Basics!

Pleated Antique Papers

New Buttons that are gorgeous!

Paper tape!

Vintage Market Place by the amazing Margie Romney-Aslett!

Wayfarer Paper by Janet Hopkins!

 

 

Jan27

and the embarrassment continues… and a prize

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and the embarrassment continues… and a prize

So, while I have definitely made strides in cleaning out my room – I can actually open the door and walk into the room!  – I am still embarrassed when I realize how bad it actually had gotten in there.

I have done a lot of work and have found a lot of supplies.  It is slightly terrifying when I realize that in this aspect of my life I might be a bit of a hoarder!  Boy do I love patterned papers!

So while this is still definitely embarrassing, it is getting better, slowly but surely. 

This weekend I plan on spending a good chunk of time continuing to work on cleaning, arranging, purging, and just making the room usable again.  Fingers crossed!

Now, since I am cleaning out, I feel it is only appropriate to share some of the goodness I have found with you!

So – in order to continue to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Orange Handled Scissors by Fiskars, I feel it only appropriate to give away a pair of those… and, I also have some great paper that I received from Fancy Pants - Love Birds - that is perfect for any Valentine goodness you might be working on!

 The Original Orange-Handled Scissors

Leave a comment here between now and Monday and I will draw a winner!

And, if you haven’t signed up for emails, be sure to look in the right column and sign up – you never know what might be coming later this year…

Happy Crafting!

Jan21

pasta fagoli soup

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pasta fagoli soup

This is a winter staple at our house.  It is healthy, hearty, comforting, and the perfect winter dinner. The boys eat and eat and eat…  it’s a good thing that it makes a lot!  It goes great with beer bread and nice glass of red of wine in front of a fire.  I have made this several times, making a few variations until I got it to where the kids love it…  so, here is the recipe!

Pasta Fagoli Soup

  • 1 lb. of ground turkey
  • 3 stalks of celery
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 T. butter
  • 1/2 medium to large red onion
  • 1 can of cannelloni beans
  • 1 can of petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 box of ditalini pasta noodles
  • 1, 32 oz container of low sodium chicken broth
  • 1, 46 oz bottle of tomato juice
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • red pepper flakes
  • Italian seasoning

Heat up a large stock pot.  Pour about 2 T of olive oil into the pan.  Add ground turkey, seasoned with salt and pepper.  Brown.

Add in diced up celery, carrot, and onion, along with clove of minced garlic, a dash or two of red pepper flake, a bit more salt and pepper, butter, and about 1 t. of Italian seasoning.  Cook veggies making sure that they stay firm, but not crunchy.

Add in tomato juice, chicken stock, tomatoes, and beans.  Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  About 10 minutes before serving, add in about 1/3-1/2 box of ditalini pasta noodles.  Cook until al dente.  Remove soup from heat and serve.

To finish, put a bit of fresh ground pepper on top and a bit of fresh grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.

Now, just grab a spoon, a comfy chair, and enjoy.

Jan20

breakfast for dinner

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breakfast for dinner

Have you had those days where nothing “dinnery” sounds good for dinner, but a waffle and bacon sounds fantastic?  That’s how it was at our house tonight.  We had scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, sausage, and waffles.  And everyone was stuffed and happy when we were all done.  So stuffed, in fact,  that it has been a bit of a low-energy evening.  With 4 inches of snow coming in today, however, I think that’s ok…

 So here is a shot of the waffles we had – made from the Ultimate Breakfast Mix.  And you know what that means… another recipe!!!

 

Ultimate Waffles – makes 8-10 waffles depending on waffle iron size

Preheat your waffle iron.

Mix everything together and let the mix sit for about 5-10 minutes.  If it feels too runny, make a test waffle.  If it was too squishy, then add in about 1/4 cup of mix. 

Cook your waffles.  Smother in syrup or top with whipped cream and strawberries… or mix in some chocolate chips, top with PB and banana for a Fat Elvis waffle…  or… well, you get the idea!

There is nothing wrong with waffles for dinner.  Nothing at all!