Creative Reflection

Granny's Scrapbooks

2011-12-08T15:49:00.001-05:00

I have been working on some Christmas presents for the last few weeks and came across a few pictures of granny's scrapbooks. They made me smile because she was scrapbooking before it became a necessity for every crafter.

What you can't see is that she has written descripions and notes all along the sides of the cards.

2011-12-06T13:23:00.001-05:00

I have been neglecting my blog for the past few months because I have found a new online obsession. Pinterest. In order to sign up you have to have a Twitter account or a Facebook account. For those of you who know me I have a real problem with Facebook so I joined Twitter. I am not sure how much I enjoy it or would use it without Pinterest double posting what I pin and what I tweet.It’s a lot of fun and I have convinced a few people to check it out. If you would like an invite just shoot me an email, it takes a long time to get the invite if you just go to the website.

Kielbasa

2011-08-18T11:33:00.000-04:00

My family has a love affair with real Kielbasa. Not the stuff you get at the grocery store with the tough edges that comes in a horse shoe shape, but fresh kielbasa with spices and garlic made at Stanley’s in Toledo, Ohio.

I have been eating Stanley’s kielbasa for over 30 years (yikes!). Papa’s family is from Toledo and Stanley’s was the local Polish grocery store. They made fresh kielbasa daily along with pastries and sides. For years if anyone drives near Toledo, meaning within two hours, they have to stop and get a cooler full of kielbasa.

Within the last few years Stanley’s has expanded into local grocery stores and mail order, but there is something entertaining about going in the store and asking for 80 pounds of kielbasa and a cooler.

Hyeholde

2011-08-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Topher and I went to an amazing restaurant in Pittsburgh called Hyeholde. The driveway winds back in the woods and comes to a clearing with this beautiful manor house. The inside has room after room with little alcoves with tables and candles.

We started with the sherry bisque and I moved to the pan seared trout and Topher the grilled prime filet. The entire meal was very good, I am sure we will be back for dinner. They also have an afternoon tea and a chefs table that I would love to try.

Memory Jars

2011-08-11T13:56:00.001-04:00

Some things just don’t fit in a scrapbook. Memory jars are the perfect way to display memories from a special trip or time.

Topher and I used the jars as our wedding invitation and they became great keepsakes of the trip for everyone.

Skill Level: Easy

Supplies Needed:
One glass jar or container with a lid or closure of some kind (approximately 32oz or larger
Oil pastels,
Cord or yarn
Tags
Scrapbooking “Stuff” to decorate the jar
Material to fill the jar

Prep Work:
With soap and warm water clean and dry the container. Assemble the items that you would like to include in the jar.

Step One:

Add the heavy pieces to the bottom of the container examples would be sand, shells or small trinkets.

Step Two:
Add tall items that become the center. Then place paper and light items in the container. If you would like to be able to pull any items out of the jar you can attach the cord, yarn or string around the item. Make sure that you make the end long enough to hang out of the top and drape down the side.

Step Three:
Close the container and embellish the outside of the jar. Tags are great for hanging on the outside and titling the piece and making it more than just a jar filled with stuff.

Tile Coaster

2011-08-05T15:52:00.000-04:00

I have been making the tiles for several years for different occasions and applications. So when I was given the opportunity to teach an art class recently I thought it would be a great project. The instructions can be modified from coasters to wall hangings, floors and tables. As long as they are sealed correctly they are very durable.

Skill Level: Easy

Supplies Needed
4 Tumbled Marble Tiles
Cork
Gel Medium
Tile Sealant
Gloss Seal
Foam Brushes
Bristle Brushes
Hot Glue
4 Photo Copied Pictures (4x6)

Prep Work:
Photo copy pictures in black and white using a copy machine. Note: Ink jet printers do not work with this process.

Match and cut the pictures to match the tile surface paying close attention to the tile imperfections and picture orientations.

With a bristle brush, dust the tiles to make sure all residual marble is out to all crevices and cracks.

Step One:
Coat the tile with a sealant designed for untreated tumbled marble. Let the dry completely.

Step Two:
Using a foam brush, coat the surface of the tile with the gel medium. Place the picture directly over the tile. With your fingers lightly rub out all of the air bubbles. Stack the tiles on top of one another, and then place them under a stack of heavy books. Let the tile dry overnight.

Step Three:
Using the flat side of a foam brush and the tile sealant, rub the excess paper from the tile. A thin layer of paper will remain on the tile along with the ink. Work slowly and carefully so that no tears or holes are created. Let the tile dry. The tile should be lightly covered with paper fiber.

Step Four:
Spray the tiles with 2‐3 coats of gloss sealant, letting each coat dry. Finally, attach the cork to the back using hot glue.

A Look Back

2011-01-31T13:38:00.001-05:00

Harry Bielski in his Navy uniform.

Peanut Butter Bar Brownies

2011-01-31T11:33:00.001-05:00

I have been on a bit of a peanut butter kick for awhile now and have made several different peanut butter brownies. This is my favorite so far in the peanut buttery department, however they are much more like peanut butter bars than brownies.

Base
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs plus
1 large yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour (not cake flour)
4 oz milk chocolate chips
5 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon salt

Ganache
4 oz milk chocolate chips
5 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

Base:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan, then line bottom of pan with parchment paper and butter parchment. Do not skip this step.
Mix together butter and sugar with a stand mixer at medium-high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, then add peanut butter and beat until fluffy. Beat in whole eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla. Reduce mixer sped to low, scrap the sides, mix in flour until just combined.
Mix in chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups) then spread batter in baking pan, smoothing top. (This should look like cookie dough.)
Bake until brownies are deep golden, puffed on top and a wooden pick inserted in center come out with some crumbs adhering, 40 to 45 minutes. (Do not over bake.) Let the Base cool completely.

Ganache:
Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan, then pour over chocolate chips and let mixture stand until the chocolate begins to melt, add the butter and stir until it is incorporated. Spread ganache on cooled base and let stand until set, or put in the freezer for a faster set time.

The bars slice very nicely in big and small pieces.

31 Things before 32

2011-01-05T15:17:00.000-05:00

1. Visit 12 new places in Cincinnati
2. Visit 3 new cities
3. Blog twice a month
4. Two new savory recipes a month
5. Two new baking recipes a month
6. Two letters a month
7. One home project per month
8. Finish my knit scarf
9. Finish the lace scarf
10. Scrap book gift project
11. 12 no reason gifts
12. Complete a prayer shawl for Good Sam cancer department
13. Learn a new reporting software
14. Attend a Seminar
15. Complete 2 Studies (at least one biblical)
16. Have Eclipse Painted
17. Submit one new pattern for publish
18. Crochet with alpaca yarn
19. Organize a yarn exchange
20. Throw a party
21. Send Christmas Cards
22. Start Christmas baking at thanksgiving
23. Get rid of ¼ of all cloths
24. Shoot at Miami Rifle
25. Play at 3 new golf courses
26. Finish 4 started craft projects
27. Visit one historical place
28. Read 30 new nonfiction books
29. Write 5 letters to the editor
30. Complete 3 journals
31. Attend 3 art galleries

Vegas in May

2010-07-01T16:05:00.020-04:00

Christy and Pat took us to Vegas for the big 30.

It was a great trip with lots of surprises. Cindy, Jay and Aaron surprised us and came out on day two. Josh and Karrie came out as a going away party for their big move to Pittsburg.

KY Visit

2010-06-30T10:26:00.007-04:00

Topher, Josh, Karrie and I went down to the farm mid spring. We walked in the woods, shot guns and looked at the cows. We had a great time visiting everyone.

Grandma Karen's Brie

2010-02-23T15:43:00.002-05:00

When I have the opportunity I always make this for Grandma Karen:

Brie with Apricot Topping:

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
2 1/2 tbsp water
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
pinch of salt
1 tsp fresh minced rosemary
1 round of brie (8oz)

Combine apricots, brown sugar, water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the mix until it is sticky in texture. Remove from heat and add rosemary.

Remove top and side rind from cheese.

Place on an ungreased ovenproof baking dish. Spread apricot mixture over the cheese and bake at 400 for about 12 min. The cheese should be soft but not melting all over the baking dish.

Serve with crackers or french bread.

31 Before 32

2010-01-21T15:00:00.002-05:00

Order cards for Creative Reflection
Join a new softball team
One new home project per month
Finish Whitehouse Family tree
Can a bushel of tomatoes
Finish Tile Table
Attend a seminar or class
One new recipe per month
Bake once a month
Write a letter once a month
Visit at least one historical place
Learn a new computer program
Crochet new angel topper
Scrap for someone else
Paint master bathroom
Participate in the 2010 election
Organize book collection
Crochet 3 baby ourfits from granny's samples
Crochet Topher a hat
Learn a new skill
Visit the farm at least three times
Visit 12 new places in Cincnnati
Give 12 gifts for no reason
Host a part
Design one new crochet pattern
Post 4 tutorials on Creative Reflection
Start 2 new spider plants
Finish vest
Teach Canyon a new trick
Get baseline physical
Blog 4 times a month

Chicago

2009-12-08T14:09:00.001-05:00

I was in Chicago this weekend to watch Topher play a volleyball tournament and found some really amazing small shops stocked with work from local artist.

Some of the things that I found were truly remarkable and very inspiring. There are a few things that I am going to try and if they work out will turn into really great Christmas gifts.

I talked to one woman about how her shop as flourished in the down economy. She said that because people are more conscious about how they spend each dollar they are more likely to buy local goods.

The conversation started when I said that because of the economy I personally am more likely to spend money on independent artists than chain stores for Christmas gifts. I would like to think that my money (what small amount that I have) will have a direct impact on the person who made the items. I realize that someone makes money when I purchase anything, but I feel that buying something from a local artist will impact them more and more directly than if I purchase a sweater from Target.

Sunday Football Spice Cake

2009-10-23T15:44:00.002-04:00

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cornstarch (yes that is correct)
4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup milk
3 large eggs (room temp)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups dark brown sugar

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bunt pan.

Mix dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl. Mix milk, eggs and vanilla extract seperate bowl.

Beat softened butter into dry ingredients, until mixture forms pebble-sized pieces.

Add 1/3 of the milk mixture and beat on low until smooth. Add remaining milk mixture, mix until batter is just smooth.

Add the sugar; beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds.

Pour batter into cake pan. Bake about 40 minutes.

Take out of oven and set on wire rack until the top is cool, then turn upsidedown on rack.

Drip warm cream cheese frosting (cc, powdered sugar, vanilla), top with cimmamon.

Note: Abby took pictures but I don't have them yet. :(

Williamsburg

2009-10-14T15:48:00.002-04:00

Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies Ever

2009-10-13T15:25:00.002-04:00

Here is my favorite recipe for Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

8oz Bakers Semi Sweet baking chocolate
2 room temp large eggs
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
¾ cup sifted flour
¼ cup softened butter
1 overflowing tsp vanilla
¼ tsp baking powder

Heat oven to 325. Coarsely chop chocolate. Set half aside to be used as chunks. With the other half melt. Take care not to burn. (If you burn the chocolate – start over there is no recovering.)

Mix sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Mix in the melted chocolate. Add the flour and baking powder.

Spoon the chunks into the mixture and IMMEDIATELY spoon onto ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Large cookies take 13-15 min small cookies take 12-14 min. Do not over bake. They should be shiny on top and the chunks should be molten.

Remove from cookie sheets a few minutes after they are pulled from the oven.

Andy's Wedding

2009-09-25T10:27:00.002-04:00

Tree Members

2009-09-21T17:04:00.001-04:00

Calling all tree members.

I am working on a very in-depth family tree. Please send me all of your immediate family members and dates of birth, marriage children and deaths. Or email me and I will send you the family history link for the tree and you can add records. Once I get the basics I want to start digging deep and finding immigration records and family stories.

I want to be able to share as much as possible.