I Love Avocado!

Don't you just love the taste of guacamole? That gorgeous green piece of fruit. Yes it's a fruit, it grows on a tree. But anyway, I love the taste of avocado and tomato combined with cilantro. mmmmm!

When I went on my first Mexican cruise, I looked all over for a molcajete. In case you don't know what that is:

I really didn't know the name of it, I just called it a Mexican smasher thinky. But it is called a molcajete. I have been to Mexico several times and for some reason I was not able to find one. But before we moved, my friends from Louisiana got me one, and I. LOVE. IT!

Today, I made me some guacamole salsa. These are the ingredients I used. I had all of these ingredients on hand, and wished I had had some cilantro, but oh well. 

For this much, I used two roma tomatoes, one avocado, a clove of garlic, a splash or two of line juice so the avocado doesn't brown, some sea salt to taste and cumin seed to taste. If we had our garden, I would have added some hot peppers and of course the cilantro.

I'm planning on having some left for lunch, but we still have a couple hours til then. I'm sure when Miles gets home, he will have to have some, and I keep picking at it. I might have to make some more.

When I got all the ingredients cut up and put into the molcajete, I just mashed it up. The texture is great!

Here, try some ;)

Jo Totes Giveaway

Ok, now, here is a giveaway I would LOVE to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya see these? Well, these aren't just any purses. They are CAMERA bags. Oh wow!!!! How I would love to win one of these! They would be great for all my traveling. Ya know I do have an extra appendage these days, called my Canon Rebel.

Yes, they are big, but they will hold not only my camera, but all my other stuff I need as I go around my daily activities. 

Head on over to I Heart Organization for all the details on how you can win one of these nice bags.

By the way, if you are into organization, I believe you will find this blog a wonderful opportunity for all kinds of fun information. I know I have enjoyed it!!!!

By the way all pictures I used from Jen's blog at I Heart Organization. 

The Other Pantry

Last week Bill finished the other pantry, and I got it all put back together again. I thought I had taken a before picture, but I guess it forgot. Really all this was, was your basic coat closet. You know, bar hanging across with one shelf above. We already have a coat closet in the entry, don't know why we need one in the kitchen too. So, we decided to take out the rod and add shelves.

As I mentioned before, I love bright, happy colors. Not sure what I am going to paint my kitchen, but I knew I wanted my pantries to be bright. The first one we painted a Caribbean Blue.

And the second one we painted....................

CORAL!

Well, it was suppose to be Coral. The paint chip said Coral, but it looks more of a pink, or bright peach. I was a little disappointed at first, but then I realized that if I had painted the deep Coral I originally planned, it probably would be too dark in the pantry. Since this was just a small coat closet that we converted into a pantry, it doesn't have a light so it would be a bit dark. 

Now, I am all organized. I have all my cookbooks and Tupperware on easy to reach shelves.

I also have room for my aprons, and notice I have room to spare for other things. ahhhhhhh. Now I need to figure out what color I want my kitchen. It is right now a peachy, goldy color. I'm thinking more of a pure yellow, but not so bright, just a soft pure yellow. But that probably won't happen til Spring, so I have time to think on it.

PICTURES ON TILES

I've been wanting to put pictures on tile for a long time. I tried it about a year ago, and had a mess on my hands. A few weeks ago, our ladies group at church got together for a craft night, and I finally learned how to do them.

First off, NEVER use glossy pictures. I figured that was my problem, but had a hard time finding matte photo paper or a place that would print on matte in our area. Now that we have moved, I have had better luck in finding the matte.

The supplies you will need are your photos, tiles, sponge brush, Modge Podge, and sealer. It's best too, to make a pattern if your pictures are too big for the tiles.

I made a templet by folding paper in quarters and cutting to the size I wanted. That way, it was even.

Once you have your pictures cut to how you want them, you take your sponge brush and lightly brush a thin coat of Modge Podge onto the tile. I used 4" tiles for this project, but you can use whatever size you want.

After you finish brushing the Modge Podge, immediaelty place your picture onto the tile, sliding it around to where you want it. 

After that drys for a few minutes (about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the humidity), lightly brush Modge Podge over the entire tile. It will look like you goofed, but you did not. I promise, it will dry clear. 

See how clear they dried? Now you need to put several coats on these (drying between each coat). I think I did three or four. I'd do at least three. When they have dried and cured for at least eight hours (I let them set for a day or so), you then want to seal them. I used Modge Podge sealer, but you can use any type.

I love how these turned out, and can't wait to do some more. I will be working on some stuff for Christmas gifts and maybe even for a craft fair I'm thinking about doing. I'm sure I will be blogging all about it....

The 2012 Fall Pantone Fashion Color Trend is here!

source

I love ALL the colors!

I have gotten myself involved in another swap, and I am sooooo excited! Here's the details:

"You swap beads with a partner - no blog hop, no need to make anything, just send a thoughtful package of excellent beads to your partner, as if you were giving a gift to your best friend. 

Good rule of thumb? Please do not send anything you would not be proud to turn in for a magazine tutorial.

Partners decided between themselves as to how many colors they want to trade (one, three, all, it doesn't matter). 

Beads must be out the door by Monday, September 17th which should be PLENTY of time. Sign ups lock at midnight Sunday the 9th of September.

Colors can be found here:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20948"

Lori Anderson is hosting this event. Boy, she is one busy WOman!

My partner is Kim Houston of The Pink Martini Boutique. You should check out her blog and her Etsy shop. She does some gorgeous work!

A couple of weekends ago, we went to Elizabethtown, KY for a soccer tournament (which by the way we won first place!). While in E-town, I wanted to stop by the craft store (since our closest one from home is an hour away). I headed to the beading area, and picked up some stuff.

I pretty much knew the new fall colors before I left, and for some reason was drawn to these beads. 

First, we have glass crystals in the Ultramarine Green and Olympian Blue and. I love the way they sparkle!

Then we have the donut beads in various shades of blue and green.

Here's some more chartreuse crystals.

I had these fresh water pearls in my stash. I thought they match the honey gold perfectly!

As I was digging and digging through my stash, I found these Rose Smoke beads,

Then I found these...Rhapsody! 

So then I had almost all the colors, so I went digging some some and found....

Titanium!

Sorry some of these are bit blurry.

Now, I couldn't make up my mind as to what type of focal to send. It didn't state to send one, but I just had to send at least one. I sent three.

The first one is a sea turtle I've had for awhile. I just love turtles.

I had picked up some flower beads at the craft store in E-town, and just had to send her a set to make this pretty hibiscus. I love hibiscus, reminds me of home, as we had some beautiful pink hibiscus in our front yard. This comes close to matching the Pink Flambe'

This last piece, I made several months ago while still living in Louisiana. Everyone in Louisiana goes nuts over anything fluer de lis. I figured this could represent the French Toast...haha, how appropriate, "French" Toast...get it? Well, those of you who don't, there are A LOT of French in Louisiana.

Well, there you have it. This is my representation of the 2012 Fall Pantone Colors. I hope Kim likes what I've sent. 

THE OTHER NICE THING IN THE MAIL

So, yesterday, I mentioned that I had gone out to the mail and received some exciting things. I had only shared one thing. Well, today, I will show you the other nice thing.

First off let me tell you what it's all about. The 2012 Fall Pantone Fashion Color Trend is here! These are the new trendy fall colors, and I LOVE them!!!! So glad to see nice bright colors.

http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20948"

I am taking part in a bead swap again. I just love bead swaps. This time I was paired up with Kim Houston of The Pink Martini Boutique, ya, I know a pretty cool name. She also has a nice Etsy shop. Well, you know I was pretty stoked when I looked at her Etsy account. I knew I was going to be getting some pretty cool stuff; and that is just what I got!

First off Kim made me these stamped paisleys. I am showing both sides here. On one side you see the French Toast color, and on the other side is the Chartreuse, Pink Flambe',  and Rhapsody. As soon as I took these out of the bag, I knew what I wanted to do with them!

Here are some faceted French Toast glass beads.

Rose Smoke

Titanium

Sorry for these blurry pictures. I just love this gorgeous lampwork bead; and I just love the Tangerine Tango

I keep playing around with this. I've got to do something very special with it.

Sorry, another blur, but these represent the Olympian Blue, and in person, they are a GORGEOUS blue!

Ultramarine Green

haha! You can see my flash in these Ultramarine Green beads.

Well, Kim, you "done" good! I love everything, and can't wait to make some pretty stuff with them. I had planned to make some new pieces to take on my cruise in October, and these will be perfect. Not only are they in style, but are a very nice selection of beads.

THANK YOU

KIM!!!

NICE THINGS IN THE MAIL FOR A CHANGE...

I just loved going out to the mail yesterday! I had several very happy things in the mail. First off, I am a published photographer!!! Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, FL just published A Journal of Prose, Poetry, and Photography called The Indian River Review. 

I had six black and white photographs published in this journal. The following are the color version.

Stanton Hall, Natchez, Mississippi

(on page 18)

Black Bayou Lake

Monroe, Louisiana

(page 22)

Palm Trees 

In Nassau, Bahamas 

(page 40)

Path through Black Bayou Lake

Monroe, Louisiana

(page 49)

Waiting For You

Waverly, Tennessee

(page 56)

Springtime

Waverly, Tennessee

(page 64)

Not only did I receive this book, I also received something else very exciting, but you will have to wait for the next post....sorry....but I like to keep you in suspense.