Kellso Collage

Quick tip…

Here is a quick tip to hopefully make your life a bit easier:

Every time I’m shopping for a birthday present, I go through the same thought process-”What does this kid like? Will he use this? WHAT DID I GET THEM LAST YEAR?” I have instead planned out a system to avoid birthday gift confusion. I assigned each year a ‘type’ of present that I can then adapt for each kid-for example:

Age 1- an outfit and a simple toy
age 2-Crayola/ art supplies
age 3- Bath or pool toys
Age 4- Doll/action figures
Age 5- Books

No racking your brain and no repeats!

Apron Strings…

Back in January I procured (Yes, procured, I’m trying it out) an apron from a local paper arts store, Mystic Paper. They wanted to give people an opportunity to alter the aprons into completely new and creative creations. (You can read about it Here and Here)Well, after a bit of work, and a deadline extension by the store owners (phew!), my apron is ready to turn in.
Here’s the before…

Work in progress (dyeing ribbons)…
If you thought undiluted bleach would get rid of the blue and give you a blank canvas to work with, well, you’d be wrong!
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And the after!



Since I am always trying to make my art projects personal, I decided to go with a theme: Apron Strings. The idea came from the song ‘Apron Strings’ by Everything but the Girl. The song is about the desire to have children and be a good mom. I tucked a few of the lyrics into the pocket of the apron to complete the project:

…And I’ll be perfect in my own way
When you cry I will be there
I’ll sing to you and comb your hair
All your troubles I will share

For apron strings
Can be used for other things
Than what they’re meant for
and you’d be happy wrapped in my
Apron strings…

March Discovery Dinner

It was another full house at Discovery Dinner this month. The date had been pushed back to the middle of the month due to a conference in early March, and (surprise!) Matt and I were out of town until 2 days before D.D.-but onward we marched and we had a blast! It is such a blessing to be able to serve new people in our church, as well as fellowship with people who have been among us for years. Even our kids cheer when we tell them there is a Discovery Dinner coming up!

This month I made Macaroni and cheese, Broccoli, Salad and Chicken Sausages. Here is the recipe for the Macaroni and cheese (Or, as I secretly call it, Crack-aroni and cheese. Yeah, it’s that good.) This is an adaptation of the recipe in Sheila Lukins U.S.A. cookbook-

1 lb of ’round’ pasta (I used fusilli)

1 red Bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion

4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
6 T flour
1 t paprika, divided
1/2 t salt

8 oz Pepper Jack cheese (2 cups)
8 oz sharp Cheddar Cheese (2 cups)

1. Cook the pasta until just under Al Dente. Place in bowl
2. Sauté veggies in a bit of olive oil until just wilted, about 5 minutes. (I think I overcooked the veggies and the Green peppers were barely green by the time the dish was served. The Red held their color much better, might just do 2 red peppers next time) Stir veggies into pasta.
3. Heat the milk in a sauce pan until just under boiling.
4. Make the roux: Melt the butter in a new saucepan over low heat. Add the flour and 1/2 t paprika and whisk over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
-Whisking constantly, slowly add the hot milk to the flour mixture. Return the pan to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 5-10 minutes. The roux should be pudding consistency. Season with salt.
5. Combine both of the grated cheeses and set aside 1 cup. Stir the remaining cheese into the hot roux. Toss the sauce with the pasta and veggies. Spread mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup grated cheese and 1/2 t paprika. Bake until bubbly and golden 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Update

Okay, so here I am again, letting you know I did not make the Devine Memories Design team, big shockah! After dropping the projects off a week ago, I was feeling less than optimistic. Here’s the frustrating part, though. When I went in to pick up my 2 entries, (always a walk of shame, next time I’m sending them with a postage paid box and they can send it to me.), the lady who gave it to me said (no lie)- “Oh, this is so cute. Everyone thought it was so cute, that they had it on display (she gestured to a shelf ABOVE THE REGISTER), for a week!” WHAT????!!!!???? Seriously, don’t tell me that! Does that confuse anyone else? Oh, well.