Butternut Squash Soup***

My recipe is very simple.

Peel, seed and cut the squash into chunks.

Peel and chop the potatoe.

Peel and chop the onion.

Add olive oil to the pot. Saute the squash, potatoe and onion for about 5 minutes over medium high heat. Add salt and pepper and ground cumin and saute for another 1-2 minutes.

Add chicken broth to cover. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender.

Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning and if soup is too thick just add more stock.

Some sour cream or creme fraiche as a garnish is nice too.

What was on my Menu Monday***

Butternut squash soup***













Asian tuna salad panini ***

on a bed of arugula ***













It was delicious!!!


























Dinner was served up in about 45 minutes!!

Asian Tuna Salad

adapted from Fine Cooking Magazine

2 cans chunk white tuna in water, drained

2-3 Tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons soya sauce

zest from 1/2 lemon

juice from 1/2 lemon

2 teaspoons sesame seeds toasted

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh mint

Mix all together. Split a roll of your choice... I used an Ace baguette, lay down a bed of arugula, top with tuna salad and heat in your panini press or in a pan until warmed through.

Birthday celebrations***

My son Tyler and my older son's girlfriend, Britt had birthdays this past week and we celebrated on the weekend... Lots of fun, good food and laughter!!

Wynnie the pup looking for crumbs!!

Distress Stains***

An anniversary card for my niece and her husband!! A Magenta stamp stamped with Versamark ink, embossed with white EP. I used distress stains in mustard see, peeled paint and barn door to color the leaves. I also used a little perfect pearls and water and added it to the stains to give it a little sparkle.

A few gemstones were added for interest and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink... The background paper is MME... My Mind's Eye!!

Enjoy***

Kissing***

This card uses the "kissing technique"... Barn door distress ink on white card stock... Picket fence distress stain on a Hero Arts background stamp, spritzed with a little water and then smooched together***

You get this lovely watercolorish background.









The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and the rosette is made with a Tim Holtz die and edged with distress ink.

A bauble in red completes this ensemble***

Enjoy*** and thanks for stopping in***

Sticky back canvas and stains***

I tore a piece of Sticky back canvas and frayed the edges... I then stamped this dandelion stamp with versamark and heat set it with white embossing powder.


I used walnut stain, forest moss, and peeled paint distress stains, dabbing them all over the canvas and letting it dry well.






I added a button and twine bow... Designer paper from my bit bin and a piece of ribbon from Hero Arts.


Enjoy and thanks for stopping in***

Birthday wishes***

I used Verve's "loopy flower" die and stamps to create this card as well as their scalloped frame...

The ribbon is Hero Arts.. and the paper is My Mind's Eye... I think!!













The sentiment is from the Verve set as well.

Enjoy***

Inspiration showpiece***

I am taking Jennifer McQuire's online class and this is the card that I made last night. Very similar in technique and color for the focal point... being the glossy cardstock colored with distress inks and then I just used what I had on hand...















I used a Sizzix/Tim Holtz embossing folder for the card base and Tim Holtz's rosette die for the flower.

I had fun making this one***

BOO*****

I love Hallowe'en!!! I was cleaning my craft room this weekend and found this bunch of Hallowe'en cutout thingys... so I just threw together a few cards to use them up..

Just scrap bits from my bit bin and a few thickers to make some Hallowe'eny words and I have a few more for my stash... Fun ones to send to my very young nieces!!

Happy Thanksgiving***

I cased the "Nuts for You" card done by Debbie Olsen and made two Thanksgiving day cards.

Paper is from the Pyrus collection by Basic Grey and the stamp set is from Papertrey Ink.

Twine and buttons also from PTI***








I used Kaleidascope inks on the acorns and Vintage Sepia ink for the sentiments***


These came together very quickly...

Thanks for stopping in***

For the man I love***

Today is our anniversary!! 27 years with the most bestest man in the whole world.

I put together a little card for Brian... Paper from SEI... and a Flower Fusion set from Papertrey Ink.

Who says flowers can't be masculine!!

Thanks for stopping in***

A yummy meal***

The makings of a scrumptious fall meal!!

My son is becoming a proficient smoker... of meats that is.

Landon and his girfriend Britt had us for dinner last night. He had smoked a brisket all day. Check out that smoke ring!!!

Corn, roast potatoes, bread and good wine and great company ***