Where does the time go?

All I can say is WOW.....its been months since I posted on our blog.  Yes I am alive and well.  

I suppose this is good reason to do a post.   You all know I am an active member of an Etsy team called Folkart and Primitives.

We are hosting a celebration this month called

Christmas in July  

  

If you click on Christmas in July up there ^  it will take you to over 1100 items that participating shops have tagged to gain your interest.

But wait.........there is MORE !!

We are also having a TREASURE HUNT for our followers and buyers.  Information about this hunt can be found on our 

Facebook Selling & Auction Page

If you are not already a member, request to join so you can participate.   Over 20 shops have donated a handmade ornament, one person will be the lucky winner !!

Interested in seeing more of our items?    You can copy and paste these links too.

  

We would love to see you there !!

GIVEAWAY TIME

WOW....where does the time go?   Its hard to believe that I have not posted for over a month.

Since I have been MIA, I am hosting a GIVEAWAY!

Just comment below to be entered to win this set of

Americana Heart bowl fillers.  

Each is made from homespun, cheesecloth, rusty stars, cinnamon sticks and pip berries.   They measure approximately 6.5" long.

Pass the word, the more the merrier.

Visit us in our Etsy shop

GOOD LUCK !

Easy Creamy Baked Asparagus

Perfect accompaniment for your Easter dinner

Easy Creamy Baked Asparagus

1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

1/4 cup Ranch dressing

2 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup coarsely crushed Ritz crackers (about 12 crackers)

Preheat oven to 350

Cook asparagus in simmering water in large skillet 2-3 minutes or until bright green, but still crisp; drain.

Toss asparagus with dressing in 1 1/2  to 2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with cheese and cracker crumbs.

Bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and mixture is heated through.

Serves 4

CONTEST TIME

ITS TIME FOR A CONTEST !

I thought I would so something different for a change.

This one is easy....go to my 

Facebook page

and guess the number of buttons in this antique wine glass.  Leave your comment under the pinned post.  The one closest to the correct number, without going over will win

OLIVER.

Contest runs from March 2 to March 16.   Winner will be announced on the 17th.  

Share the post on your Facebook walls so your friends can join in the fun.  

Good luck !

Cheese and Pasta in a Pot

As I sit here typing, I look outside my window and see snow.  I know I will have to shovel.

We here in NW NJ have been fortunate that we have not received the "big" one as yet.   I wonder if we will squeak by this winter without it?

My biggest concern is a power outage.   I am rural and with "radial" feed, which means our power only comes from one direction.   Most of the time your power is fed from 2 ends, not ours.  :)   We do have a generator that will power our entire house, but is so huge that I can not move it around.  Sigh........But on the bright side, we do have a wood burning insert that we use for heat.  


I am planning a Giveaway on my Facebook Page soon and will announce the details here too.



Here is a recipe that is from one of my "go to" recipe books.  It is so old that the pages are falling out, the cover is missing but the recipes are all tried and true.  Please let me know if you try it  !!

Cheese and Pasta in a Pot - Serves 8

2 lb ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped 

1-14 oz. jar spaghetti sauce

1- 3oz can sliced mushrooms, undrained

8 oz shell macaroni - or what you have on hand

1/2 lb. sliced Provolone cheese

1/2 lb. Mozzarella cheese, sliced thin or shredded

vegetable oil

1 garlic clove

1 - 1 lb can stewed tomatoes

1 1/2 pt. sour cream = 3 cups

I usually cut this recipe in half.

Brown ground beef in a little vegetable oil in large deep frying pan, stirring often.   Drain off excess fat. 

  Add onions, garlic, spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes and mushrooms.  Mix well.  Simmer 20 minutes or until onions are soft.  

Meanwhile cook macaroni shells according to package directions.   Drain and rinse with cold water. 

 Pour half the shells into a lighted greased deep casserole.  cover with half the tomato meat sauce.  Spread half the sour cream over the sauce.  Top with slices of Provolone cheese.   

Repeat, ending with slices of Mozzarella cheese.  

Cover casserole and bake at 350 for 35 -40 minutes.  

Remove cover, continue baking until Mozzarella cheese melts and browns slightly.

We are CELEBRATING !!!

YUP we are in CELEBRATION MODE here with 

FOLKART AND PRIMITIVES ETSY TEAM

We are officially today, February 1, 2015  2 years young!!

I have been so fortunate to be involved with this fabulous group of professional women.

Yes, there are other teams on Etsy that may be larger and well known, but NOT a one can hold a candle to this wonderful group.  Friendships have been formed and businesses have been created due to the knowledge this team shares.

SO because of our Birthday.........WE are holding a Celebration in our shops.

Click here Folkart and Primitives Blog  to see all the shops that are participating.

Some of the shops are even holding sales !!! and who doesn't like a sale????

Psssst.....there is also a giveaway going on.  Head over to the blog and sign up for some beautiful prizes.  

Cozy Expressions is offering 15% off with the code SPRING2015    :)

Grow Your Blog

                   
 Hi everyone!!  My name is Cindi and I live in Northwest New Jersey.

                  I am fairly new at blogging and am thrilled to be able to participate for the first time in the

 2015 Grow Your Blog party!!

 I feel it is a way for me to connect with people all over the world that otherwise I would never meet.  The potential to learn something new through this opportunity is one in a million.

At a very young age, I realized the thrill I experienced when creating.   At 10 yrs I was introduced to a sewing machine and fell in love.  In Junior High School while the others were struggling with a simple apron, I was tackling a lined vest and skirt.

  I am the happiest sitting at my machine, which sets in my grandmothers treadle cabinet.

I am fortunate that I work out of my house and sell online what I create.   Here is a sample of what I have made.

I belong to an Etsy team called Folkart and Primitives, which covers a broad spectrum of art.

I am offering a GIVEAWAY for the Blog Party !

This little prim Peep is made from Warm n Natural, stuffed and nicely weighted.  He was then painted, stained and baked.   Is he not the cutest?

To be entered, please leave a comment below and make sure I have a way of contacting you.   I would also love to have you follow my blog, but it is not a requirement.   If you do follow me, I will return the follow.  :)

Good Luck to everyone, it was so nice of you to stop in  :)