Winter Rose

 

This morning we woke up to an even gloomier looking day than yesterday here in Salt Lake City, Utah, it's supposed to rain later today but for now it is dry. We read the paper, made waffles and bacon for breakfast then took the pups for a walk in the park. I walked out back with the dogs afterwards and found this beauty upside down on the back side of my Veteran's Honor rose bush. A pleasant surprise after the foot of snow we had last weekend.

 

 

 

 

Sunshine on a cloudy day!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Holly



Preserved Gifts

 

OMG! I had so much fun creating these fun labels for my home made salsa

click here for the recipe.

I used the new Stampin' Up! Friendship Preserves stamp set along with the coordinating Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack and the Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 I used markers to directly color the stamps in multiple colors before stamping - Super easy!

 

 

 Supplies used:

 

Friendship Preserves Bundle #129947

(15% discount includes Friendship Preserves Stamp set #127910 and

Window Frame Collection Framelits Dies #129021)

 

 2011-2013 Stampin' Write Marker Assortment #123002

Regals Stampin' Write Marker Assortment #119701

Whisper White Card Stock #100730

Lucky Limeade Card Stock #122926

Cajun Craze Card Stock #119684

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine #113439

Festive Paper Piercing Pack #127857

Stampin' Pierce Mat #126199

Paper-Piercing Tool #126189

1/16" Handheld Circle Punch #101227

Linen Thread #104199

Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric #126915

 

 

Click here to purchase these and other Stampin' Up! products.

 

 

 

Thanks for Stopping by! Please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

 

Holly

Stewed Tomatoes

 Now that I have my salsa canning out of the way for now (click here for my chunky salsa recipe) - It's time to can some stewed tomatoes.

I love stewed tomatoes in chili, spaghetti and many other dishes.

I got this recipe strait out of a book years ago and have used it every year since.

 

 

 

Stewed Tomatoes 

12  lbs. tomatoes, peeled and quartered

1    Medium onion, chopped

2    Green bell peppers, seeded and chopped

3    Tbs. Celery salt

3    Tbs. Sugar
1    tsp. Salt

 

Combine all ingredients in a large stainless or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

 

Remove hot jars from caner and ladle tomatoes into jars to with in 1/2 inch of rim. Process 20 minutes for half-pint and pint jars.

 

yield: 10 pint jars.

 

To peel tomatoes - blanch in boiling water until the skins split, let cool, peel, cut into quarters.

 

 

 

 

  

Add remaining ingredients.
 

 

 

Ladle into hot jars.

 

Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes.

 

Remove jars and let cool out of draft.

 

 



 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you.

Holly

 

 

 

 

 

 



Holly's Chunky Salsa

It's that time of year and tomatoes are taking over my kitchen. I always plant two tomato plants, eat them all summer and still end up canning more than enough to last throughout the year. The bell peppers and jalapenos are also from my garden.

Over the years I've tried different recipes and variations and ended up with my own modified salsa recipe.

Holly's Chunky Salsa

12  lbs. tomatoes, peeled and chopped
3    Medium  onions, chopped
2    Green bell peppers, chopped
20  Jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (leave some seeds for heat)
6    Cloves garlic, minced
2    Cups tomato sauce
2    Cups red wine vinegar
1/2 Cup dried parsley (or 1 Cup fresh, chopped)
2    tsp Pickling salt
2    tsp ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring  frequently.

Remove hot jars from caner and ladle salsa into jars to with in 1/2 inch of rim. Process 20 minutes for half-pint and pint jars.

yield: 10 pint jars.

This is a Med-Hot salsa. Heat can be adjusted by using more or less jalapenos.

To peel tomatoes - blanch in boiling water until the skins split, let cool, peel and chop.

 Add remaining ingredients.
 (I've had this huge pot for 20+ years and use it often - It looks the same as when I got it. Prior to that it belonged to my grandmother - I figure it must be close to 100 years old).

 Notice nothing is finely chopped - This is chunky salsa.

Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered for 25 minutes.

Mmmm... chunky goodness.

Ladle into hot jars.

  

Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes.



Remove jars and let cool out of draft.

Enjoy!

My DH said the house smells heavenly.

Now all I need is a grilled cheese sandwich - Especially good when dipped in salsa.

 Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you.

Holly

Cabinet Door Chalkboard

On a recent trip to Re-Store, a local habitat for humanity thrift store I purchased all six of these cabinet doors for just $14. I have ideas in mind for all of them.

First I wanted to do a cute chalkboard for my from door and this is what I came up with

I gathered my supplies

Chalkboard paint, green paint (leftover from another project), black antiquing gel, fine sand paper, foam brushes and rags.

I first sanded the finish lightly and wiped the dust off.

I painted the center with chalkboard paint, let dry then painted the frame with the green paint.

It took two coats of each, let dry.

You can get sloppy here, the paint drips just add to the charm.

I then sanded and scuffed up the green frame to distress it

then rubbed on some wood stain.

I drilled 1/4" holes on the top and used wood glue to add a drawer handle (upside down) to the bottom that I had purchased at the local hardware store to keep the chalk handy.

I added some wire edged ribbon I had on hand - I love, love, love black and white gingham!

Looping it from the back to the length I wanted.

Then tied a bow in the front.

Kinda hard to make a bow while taking pictures with one hand. Future video tutorial on bow tying to come. Yep! My DH set me up with a video camera and so after I work out the deets I will be adding some videos - Yay!

Now all that's left is to add a message. For those of you who don't know - I am a Dog Groomer/Stylist so I just had to add a dogie paw to my sign - sweet!

Here it is on my front door.

This chalkboard is very versatile - It can be used for the front door now and later It can be displayed on a stand, the mantle or used to display the menu, grocery list or any message or quote or just to add a bit of whimsy anywhere. The ribbon can be switched out and colored chalks can also be used. Check out my front door makeover Here.

I am looking forward to changing it up for the different holidays and occasions!

One cabinet door done, five to go!

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Holly

Garden Update - Tomatoes are coming

My mouth is watering! I found this in my garden today.

It is within days of being harvested and accompanying lettuce in a fresh salad and/or bacon on a BLT.

Home grown tomatoes are like the ultimate summer taste.

The rest of the garden is also doing well however, I've not been out to weed and pull the sprouts from last years tomato plants. It could use a little grooming.

My excuse: I had foot surgery last Thursday and have been in a boot. I go for my post op this afternoon and hopefully will get to give the the boot - The Boot. I have been sleeping, showering and everything else with it 24/7 for the last 5 days and am pretty sure I am ready to part with it.

Isn't it fashionable? I had to make the picture small because at full size it is even worse. Although nothing compared to the walking boot and crutches I had to wear for six weeks when I broke same foot a couple of years ago. There is always a bright side - right?

Anyhoo - Back to the garden.

Looks like the peas are ready to harvest too. I love 'em fresh from the garden. I peel and freeze what we can't eat to add to soups and stews all winter.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Gardening!

Holly

Flower Frog

I love this time of year it's not too hot or too cold the flowers are in bloom and the grass is green.

I don't remember what these flowers are, I planted them a few years ago and they make me smile every time I see them. I just love the contrast of the magenta colored petals against the yellowish-orange centers.

Wanting to bring some of these beautiful blooms inside to enjoy. I created this simple flower frog.

 I first grabbed a mason jar (plenty of those around here) and wire mesh called hardware cloth found at Home Depot or Lowe's. I also used it here.

Using wire cutters or heavy duty scissors. Cut a circle from the wire mesh the same size as the lid.

Simply place the wire on top of the jar and screw on the rim, fill with water and add flowers.

Tip: add a splash of Sprite to the water to keep your flowers fresh longer.

You can then add a ribbon, tag, raffia etc. to give it a personal touch.

I used a combination of organdy ribbon and raffia.

Thanks for stopping by! Would love for you to leave a comment.

Holly