I was a giveaway winner!

I entered a giveaway from dreamfctry a bit ago and while I was sick last week it came in, and just in time to cheer me up! This is what I won...

The pretty packaging

 This is when I first opened it, i laid it on the couch...

 And this is it hung above my window in my office! I just hung this tonight - love it!

You should check out her blog dreamfctry she is also on dreamfctry Facebook so go add her!

Now that I am feeling better I should have a few blogs coming up and will be having a giveaway of my own. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Until next time...

Teresa's Salsa Recipe

There are variations to this recipe. I will give you the one I made the other night but as with any recipe you can add or subtract what you like.

You will need:
2 bunches of green onions
1 jalapeno
3 can petite diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte) 14.5 oz
3 cans tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp garlic minced (jar)
Squeeze lime juice
Some shakes of tobasco sauce (optional)

Chop the white of the green onions and de-seed and chop the jalapeno.

-

 I then put it in the chopper to have it finer (don't like chunks of onions ick)

Grab a big bowl with a lid and then throw all the ingredients in, stir and refrigerate for a few hours.

This batch is a bit thick because I use more petite cut tomatoes than just sauce. If you'd like it less chunky just use more sauce. I suggest taste testing after a few hours and adjust as needed. I sometimes throw more red pepper flakes in cause I like it hot. If it tends to be too hot add more tomatoes. That's it! It was strange for me to measure everything because I just throw it all together. I've been making this for quite a few years now so I could probably do it in my sleep, so I'm not sure the measurements were good lol. If you make it let me know how it turns out!

Just a bonus picture - when I let Sophie out in the am the other morning these guys were huddled trying to stay warm. Sophie's friend she plays with is on the left, the middle is a sibling and the right one is momma.

Until next time...

Teresa's Veggie Chili Recipe

IMAGE HEAVY! I took pictures of the whole process...

So this the base recipe I used for veggie chili - however it didn't work to well for me because for one there was no bell peppers? What? That seemed crazy to me, they use a yellow squash. So I eliminated the yellow squash and added red and green bell peppers. I also added a jalapeno this time, and my recipe is larger. Well I wanted to post this in case you'd rather try this one instead of mine, frankly I prefer mine ha.

 So let's begin - you will need:

3 red bell peppers

2 green bell peppers

2 yellow hot peppers (these really aren't hot, or the ones I've had haven't been)

1 jalapeno (optional)

1 small - medium white onion ( I chop the onion cause I don't like onions but if you prefer chunks do so)

2 can Bush's chili beans

3 cans Del Monte diced tomatoes (I used petite cut this time)

1 tsp diced garlic (from jar) - I might add a bit more for flavor

3 tsp chili powder

1/2 can tomato paste

salt

pepper

olive oil

(picture below shows 3 cans chili beans. I just used 2.)

Cut and de-seed bell peppers into chunks.

Since I'm not using meat I like to make my peppers in big pieces. 

 Then de-seed and de-vein the yellow hot pepper and jalepeno.

And chop the peppers, also chop the onion.

Add bell peppers and olive oil to pan and saute (we like the peppers to be tender so I saute them for about 12 mins)

 While those cook combine diced tomatoes (I drained them this time so it's not so runny), garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper in pot and let simmer.

 After your peppers are cooked to your liking push them to the outside and add a little olive oil and the yellow hot pepper, jalapeno and onion - saute for 2-3 mins.

 Then add your 1/2 can tomato paste and stir it in for 1-2 mins.

 Add the 2 cans of chili beans, tomato mixture and simmer! I usually simmer at least 45 mins.

I hope it turns out for you if you make this. I'm more of a toss this and that in kinda girl so it's interesting for me to actually write it all down. My next recipe to write down will be my salsa and then I will take requests lol. If you make this please let me know how it turns out, or if you add or take away anything. Also if you have any questions please feel free to ask! 

P.S. I'll let you know how this recipe turns out later after dinner lol, since I changed a few things from last time. My taste tests were good though!

P.P.S. I don't know exactly how much this makes but I filled 3 Tupperware bowls of 2 cups and one of 4 cups so seems to be about 10 cups.

****Review of this chili: yummy! I would like to say though if kids or anyone with a low heat tolerance is to eat this you might want to skip the jalapeño and less chili powder. It was perfect for me but I like a kick.

Until next time...

Some projects complete, some things to look forward too...

We are getting a new hot tub in a few weeks! My father-in-law came out Thurs.- Sat. to help John take apart the old and redo the deck. Instead of wood they put down the composite wood stuff. It looks so nice and I'm not afraid of falling through the deck now lol.

The hot tub in the picture is the old one, it has been broken a few years. Sophie checking out the new deck

 Some of my personal progress - I built this for storage and to put my sewing or embroidery machine on when not in use.

 My Uncle has a party every year for the community it was this past Saturday and this was my pretty dress.

 This was today. I was a bit under the weather and so if I'm laying around you'll find Sophie pretty close by.

I'm so excited for the last weekend of the month for the Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival Jan 27, 28 and 29th! I plan to be there all 3 days. It is their 17th year but I've never been so I'm not 100% sure what to expect but am so looking forward to it. Is anyone else attending?? As soon as I get the itinerary I will post it. The email says they will send it out a week before. I heard that if you want to take classes you must bring your sewing machine so I bought a rolling bag for mine just in case.

I'm going to try to make it to Tucson this year for the gem show but not sure that is going to happen. Hopefully I will find out this week. Then mid-Feb is the Arabian Horse Show and my mom-in-law has a booth there so I'm sure I will be going a few times.

So as it stands I don't think there will be any serious sewing or jewelry making until the end of Feb. I'm looking forward to it!

Until next time...

Pretty much my best day ever...

****Image HEAVY! Lots of pictures!

The day was yesterday 1/10/11. For one it was my sister's birthday, but the other reason was my birthday present from my amazing loving husband...

Anyone who knows me knows for the past 5+ years I have loved 30 Seconds to Mars.

 

I found out back in December they were playing the BCS Party and called my concert buddy Jeremy. However we decided not to go because we figured it would be insane, which it was! We had to walk a long way - there were SO many people in the whole area for the BCS Championship I've never seen a crowd like that.

 

Then my amazing husband said he would find out who was putting the show on -

(John owns Creative Backstage which he does lighting, video, sound and stage etc.)
so the next day he called and told me he found out who was doing the show and he made them an offer they couldn't refuse on the lighting and video.

Amazing husband right? I was a bit sick to my stomach and crying lol. What a huge sacrifice just so I could get close to the band. The results = backstage passes and free show. However I hope great opportunities for Creative Backstage as well. Here's hoping he gets shows out of it...

 

This picture below was taken from the stage - they were singing Kings and Queens

 

Sister and I onstage - Jeremy took the picture

 

This is Tomo - he is so nice, my first time meeting him.

 

And *drum roll please* Jared and I!! Happy Birthday to Me!

 

Awhile ago I got a picture with Jared but it was terrible lol. I'm not sure this one is much better but it was so nice to be able to talk to him without screaming fans all over. So in all my husband absolutely gave me the best birthday present ever!

The only thing I was disappointed about is neither Jeremy, Julie or I thought to get a picture with each other ha.

More pics will be on my facebook.

So far 2011 has been great!

Until next time...

Finally finished!

I finally finished my studio this morning. What a great feeling to have a clean studio! So I figured I better take pictures right now to show you, err as it may not be THIS clean for very long...

 My L-desk for sewing purposes as well as pc.

 This will be the jewelry making table. Note sign says "Caution Teresa's Room" ha gotta love the husband!

 That big cabinet has all my beads and jewelry items in it.

 Sizzix kick ass machine! Just some of the things it can do.

My Christmas present from my fabulous mother-in-law Barb! Thank you again Barb! I can't wait to jump in and start making things!

Unfortunately in all this re-decorating it has injured my back. I have back issues to begin with and just got carried away. Since the weight loss has started I haven't had to see the chiro in 3 months which is a long stretch for me, so I got carried away and am a bit sore now. I did go to the chiro yesterday though and am feeling somewhat better it's just my back feels like someone took a bat to it lol, I'm hoping to be fine very soon!

Otherwise just some resting today! Hope to get to the crafting very soon, as soon as the back is better.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

37 years old and a day...

If you didn't know - yesterday was my birthday - 37! - How does this happen? I remember being 17 just yesterday lol. I'm actually looking forward to this year. I kind of like my birthday so close to New Year's because making goals for the New Year is also making goals for my older age lol.

Here are some pictures from my day...

My bestest Rebbecca sent me this Edible Arrangement! Very perfect for the new Weight Watchers fruit 0 pointsplus plan!

This beautiful baby Addy came to visit me for my birthday! We had a great afternoon hanging out and going to Tempe Marketplace with...

Her momma Dani! So happy they came to visit me!

I will be getting a very special present from my husband but can not reveal anything just yet, it will be a few more days. It is an amazing present though! Details to come!

All in all 37 was a great day! Err except I chose to go to Chipotle for the salad cause I had weigh in this morning and well I ended up sick during the night and most the day, I still feel a little ick. But it was still good! - I love Chipotle!

Speaking of weigh in - well I gained umm 10 lbs over the holidays. Now by holidays I mean from Thanksgiving to Christmas and everyday in between lol. But it's okay, I'm back-ish on track again and ready to jump into the new PointsPlus program. I am excited about the fruit being 0 points! Bananas used to be 2! I'll update this as I did before (when I did blog) and keep you up on my progress. Weigh in is Thursday am so if I don't blog you should get on me to keep you updated :) it helps knowing people are reading and watching. Sadly pre-Thanksgiving I got down to 45 lbs now with the gain it's about 35ish. I need to lose the 10 I gained plus another 30 to 35lbs. I will reach it this year!!!

The desk is almost complete, when I get it finished and in my studio I will be sure to post pictures (before I mess it up again) No! I must keep it clean and organized! I really must make an effort in this part of my life! Sorry a little rant there...

Until next time...