Crochet is for Everyone

My husband likes to make fun of me when I sit down with my craft bag full of yarn. He makes jokes about me being 80 and needing a rocking chair, but I ignore him. I find it relaxing and therapeutic. I learned to crochet 8 years ago from a co-worker. She was originally from Portugal. She could work her stitches so fast, i would watch in amazement. She was a great teacher.

My friend Meghan and I just did our first craft show, before Christmas. We were pretty proud of ourselves. People actually bought our stuff. We decided to start making things for babies and children. Her crochet has now taken off. She has learned so many designs and patterns that she has turned it into a successful little business.

Her new venture is learning how to sell her wares on Etsy. I actually discovered Etsy from a friend a few years ago. She was making jewelry and selling it there. The website has really taken off and is a go to place for people shopping for unique gifts.

It is the perfect answer for Meghan. She is an artist, literally. She has a degree in art. Crochet has become one other way for her to express herself. So I encourage you to look her up on Facebook as The Stitchin Fox as well as at http://www.etsy.com/people/thestitchinfox

Another World

When I met my husband Brett the only racing I knew of was NASCAR. Well, ok I can't say that, I knew there were other forms, but I didn't really pay attention to them. I knew my sister's friend Jamie was involved in racing and I listened to her talk about it a few times, but it never crossed my mind to be more interested.

Flash forward now almost 6 years and I am way more involved then I could have ever imagined I would be. Most people tell me it is hard to successfully bring an "outsider" in. I see why that is true.

If you don't get a good experience the first few times, you may not get hooked. I became addicted because I started as just a spectator when you get to see a lot of great race car drivers come together. My first experiences were in the fall, at the end of the season. It is like one big party every weekend, for several weeks in a row. Most of the people I have in my life now have spent their lives at dirt tracks. It certainly gave me a whole new perspective on car racing.

I mean there was so much to learn. There were so many different types. Some even look so similar it comes down to the type of motor they have. Talk about confusing, to someone who has no clue what is going on. I was blessed though. Brett had lots of friends. They were more than willing to explain things to me.

He didn't have time. He was there working. His main source of income at the time came from covering these events as a sports writer. Luckily I had some good "babysitters" that made sure I didn't get hit by a car and explained what was going on every step of the way.

Now I can't remember what my life was like before all this. I have met some of the most amazing people and made life long friends. You can't imagine the network of people you connect with. I have never been so thankful.

We have taken on some serious new ventures in our evolvement in dirt track racing. We do trade shows and mall shows to promote a now officially registered business. In the summer we will promote & co-promote a total of 5 races. Who would of imagined I would be doing this? Certainly not me, but I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

It may have not been a way of life for me, but it certainly is now. The pictures I have to share this week are from the 7th mall show floor plan I have done. And upon permission of his mother I added a photo of a special little neighbor friend, that illustrates that you grow up addicted to race cars.

My Mom's Creation

I am sticking with the theme of giving recipe ideas on Friday. As promised it has new ingredients, however we are still in the squash family. This is just a coincidence. I can't really claim credit for this one either because my mom created it, but I do add my own touch to it from time to time.

It doesn't really have an official name. When I ask her to make it I call it zucchini casserole. This again is something really simple. Anyone can handle this recipe. So first this is what you need:

2 medium sized zucchini - washed
4 tablespoons of olive oil
1 small shallot
1 clove of garlic
4 slices of stale bread
2 wedges of the creamy Swiss Laughing Cow spreadable cheese
Now here is where you can be a little creative you need a cup of tomato product. You can use fresh tomatoes or just tomato sauce it' s up to you.

What I do first is put my olive oil in the skillet and peel and slice my shallot. I add that and the garlic minced to the oil on a low setting (on my gas range I like number 4). While that starts to sauté I slice the zucchini. If some of the pieces are large I cut them in half. I add them to the oil and turn the heat up slightly. I like to cook all of that till it start to brown.

I usually lightly salt and pepper the mixture in the skillet. Sometimes I even add a little red pepper flake to it. While that is cooking I oil a baking dish. I also preheat the oven to 350 degrees. To oil the dish I just use a little more olive oil so nothing sticks. Then I slice up the stale bread and throw it in. You can use whatever type of bread you are fond of.

We don't eat much bread so I keep it in the freezer. If I take 4 pieces out and let it thaw it is usually perfect for this. Plus it is a great way to use up bread you have had. Now if the zucchini is browned add your tomato. If it is summer I will use ripe plum tomatoes. But I have used canned stewed tomatoes or just tomato sauce. You can use whatever suits you best.

Once that has had a chance for all the flavors to mingle I dump the contents of the skillet into my baking dish and stir in the bread. Once it is mixed nicely I break up the spreadable Laughing Cow cheese and just stick pieces through out. I usually use a butter knife and my fingers. Almost like you are dotting the top of something with butter.

On the night I made this last I skipped cheese. It's up to you. I have added Parmesan or Mozzarella in place of the spreadable cheese, but it isn't the same. There is something about the creamy goodness that makes this special.

I stick this in the oven then for at least 20 minutes. I like to leave it in till the bread gets toasted. I you have other stuff in the oven it can take longer. I just keep an eye on it to see how it is coming. Then I just let it sit a few minutes before I serve it.

This is a delicious addition to any meal. I hope you enjoy this as much as my entire family does.

Life is a Beach

I will be the first one to admit that if you give me a theme for a party and ask for my help, I will get carried away. If my mom is involved too, look out. Themes can be lame if not done well.

Today's post is inspired by my sister's birthday. Melissa was blessed with the good fortune of having her birthday in the summer. I have always been jealous. You can't have many cool parties (or pool parties) in February. Plus growing up my parties had to be rearranged due to snow.

She never had that problem as a child and she could always have parties on her actual birthday if she wanted because there was no school. Anyway the beach has always been a common theme for her birthday.

There were several years in a row where we had locked in the tradition of going to the Jersey Shore. I know you just heard LMFAO singing and said to yourself "I'm going to the Jersey Shore B*TCH!" Honestly that isn't what it is like at all. We grew up going to Sea Isle City. It is nothing like Seaside or what you saw on tv.

Some of the fondest memories we have of our grandparents revolve around that place. Both our maternal and paternal grandparents loved Sea Isle. For a long time the water tower had a saying painted on it that has stuck with me. "You never leave a place you love."

It is a true statement because if I think about it long enough I am back there. The last outing of our youth was her 21st Birthday. Before we left we had a beach themed party. I made her a sand cake, my mom made her a regular cake with a beach on it. I made an awesome flower arrangement in one of those giant martini glasses. We set it all up on her old vanity that we brought outside.

It was a great theme. We found all kinds of flip flop stuff. There were lights, candles, plates! We went nuts. We have done stuff for her birthday since, but I still miss those extended trips to the shore. They are memories that last a life time. If you are looking for a real Jersey experience, I suggest renting a house in Sea Isle for a week. You'll thank me.

Friends are Gold

In the recent past I have realized that sometimes friends are more valuable than some of your actual family. It is amazing how, people who you picked to be in your life, are more willing to go out of their way for you than anyone else. I am really blessed to have some truly amazing people in my life.

Life really is too short to waste it worrying about trying to make everyone happy. I have spent a large chunk of my time on this earth worrying about everyone else. I realize that it is just who I am. But I do need to start focusing more on what will make me happier in the future. It has a lot to do with the relationships that you have in your life.

I love that all my friends feel they can turn to me for advice, but I realized I rarely ask anyone for their advice. Yesterday, while spending time with Gabriella, I realized I should ask my friends for their opinions or advice more often.

I also learned how much people really learn about you from spending time with you and showing an interest in your life. We were organizing the camper and half way through Gab was just putting things in places and then asking me if that was what I wanted. It caught me off guard how well she really knows me, until she put one soap in the bathroom and another on the kitchen counter and I asked her how she knew where I wanted each of them. Her answer was dead on.

I think I took for granted the fact that people can really give you great help and advice when you trust in them. I try to control everything and rely on no one. Yesterday it was amazing how fast we got the camper cleaned and packed when I really allowed someone else to help me. I relied on the fact that she knows me as a person and how I like my personal space.

It felt amazing to be able to do that. Not to mention it freed up time for us to go shopping. It just made such an impression on me. If I can learn to let go a little more life will be less stressful and I can get where I want to go a lot quicker. It's obviously going to be hard to let go of everything, because it is a process, but I want to try harder.

It was just an eye opener to realize who you can really rely on. We were out to dinner with a couple, we are good friends with, on Sunday and they put the thought in my head. How many close friends do you really have? It stuck with me. Yesterday just continued the thought of how valuable friends can be and I wanted to let you all know you should think about it too.

Furry Friends

I know not everyone is a fan of pets. When I was little I always wanted a dog. I knew my mom would never let us have one. Finally in 7th grade I decided to write a letter to my parents about why we should be allowed to get a cat.

I had fish and a hamster up to this point, but a cat was a real commitment. Surprisingly they agreed and my dad started looking for a free kittens sign. One Saturday he saw one coming home from golf and told me to grab a cardboard box and get in the van.

We walked up to a dog crate with 3 cats in it. He started talking to them and that was when Morgan picked us. He came to the front and stuck his paw out. He wanted out. My dad said that is the one we want. We opened the crate and stuck him in the box. Half way home we heard a strangled cry.

Morgan had managed to get his head out of the folded box flaps and was strangling himself. I had to climb through the moving van to rescue him. I carefully opened the flaps and carried him to the front. He happily sat on my lap the rest of the way home.

We lost Morgan a few years ago to kidney failure. We got Kasey when he was slowing down to keep him going. Now for our family cats are a staple. Altogether between 3 households we have or had 8.

I know not everyone loves cats, but I can't remember life without one. There is just something about having them come cuddle with you. My husband and I just lost one of his childhood cats 2 years ago. In the 3 years I lived with her I had fallen in love. I was devastated. We weren't going to get a kitten, but I was so depressed we had to.

We have had Dela for 2 years now. She has laid on my lap asleep while I wrote this entire post. She has a unique personality, like each cat I have ever had. I love her. If you ever thought about getting one you should. They are sweet, loving creatures. Maybe you aren't a cat person, but I am, and I recommend giving them a try.

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe : Ina Garten : Recipes : Food Network

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Recipe : Ina Garten : Recipes : Food Network

I can't take any credit for the recipe I want to share with you today. I promise all the ones I suggest won't be butternut squash. It just happens to be one of those things we love. Plus it is sort of what inspired me to create the dish from last Friday. The sweet yet savory thing work so well. I found this recipes years ago after we ordered butternut squash soup out one night and loved it.

I was skeptical of the sweetness mixed in, but it works. Beside the fact that my husband and I love it, people I have made this for really enjoy it too. I thought I would just give some quick tips. I know people who don't cool often look at some recipes and get scared. Especially if there are a lot of ingredients or tasks.

It really is best in the fall when apples and squash are in season. I love to use gala or honeycrisp apples because they are our favorite to eat. I know honeycrisp are expensive, but trust me they are worth every penny. The best onions are sweet ones, vidalia are perfect for this. It is also important to have good apple cider. We have a local place that makes it and I think that makes it taste that much better.

What I recommend is to peel your butternut squash first. You can use a regular hand peeler, but I recommend peeling away from yourself because you may have to use some force. Then after it is peeled I take a knife and cut where the straight part ends and the rounded part begins. Then flip the rounded section to the now flat, cut area and slice it in half. Then just get a spoon and scrape the seeds right into your trash. Then you can cut it into smaller pieces.

Now I know you are thinking what about that pre-packaged, already cut stuff from last week? Yeah it works, but I will be the first to admit, it doesn't taste as good. Once the squash is ready start the onions and then go back to do the apples. I don't know that it makes a huge deal , but I don't like the apples to get brown. I also recommend using an apple slicer/corer combo to save time.

My favorite kitchen gadget is my Ninja it is basically a blender, chopper, food processor. I have 2. That is how much I love them. I had the original and then I got a newer version and now there is a deluxe one I am eyeing. It works amazing to purée the soup mixture. I also always take this opportunity to transfer the soup to a second pot to make life easier.

I add extra fresh ground pepper and a little cayenne pepper to my soup. Not everyone likes heat, but we enjoy it a little spicy. Just don't get carried away. A little red pepper goes a long way.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do.

Bridging the Gap

When I tell a lot of people that one of my best friends is 10 years younger than me (ok for half the year only 9 years younger) they look at me like I am crazy. Once you're an adult it doesn't really matter. What it really comes down to is the behavior you exhibit.

We became friends by accident really. We were acquaintances, but for a long time I was better friends with her parents. Then a friend of ours, who was a little older than her, but younger than us, expressed an interest in dating her. You can imagine my reservations at 28 spending time with an 18 year old recent high school graduate.

Let's face it most teenagers just finishing high school aren't really mature. I was shocked to find out that wasn't the case here. There was still a life learning curve, but by far she was light years aged of most teenagers. She probably giggled more than most people I spent time with, but her happiness was infectious.

It gave me a new perspective on life. Becoming friends with her let me almost get a life do-over. I was able to help her keep from making a lot of the same mistakes I did. I mean there are some situations where you just aren't going to listen to anyone because you think you are right. That is just growing up. But for the most part I taught her how to make good decisions.

You wouldn't expect to become so close to someone that you have to talk to them every day. That is what happened. I know I can rely on her for just about anything because she is the sweetest, most giving human being you will ever meet. I trust her with my life

She is my hair stylist so that is basically like signing your life over to someone else. I'm just kidding it's just hair. It will grow back. After all I was her first live hair cut. I must have had faith and a lot of trust because I let her do it 3 months before my wedding.

I may have put additional pressure on her. I pretended to be a Bridezilla and threatened to kick her out if she messed it up. She did fine though. Now I get so many compliments on my hair it is ridiculous. So clearly she is as amazing as I believed she would be.

Does she still have a lot to learn? Yeah. She hasn't even reached the part of life where it gets hard. But I will be there to continue to guide her on. She planned great surprises for me on my 30th birthday and I can't wait to do the same for her in 10 more years (gulp that means I will be 40 shortly following). Maybe we can share a life crisis moment.

The point? You can find friendships in unlikely places. I get just as much out of this relationship as I give. That is all you can ask for. Age is just a number. Care, concern and emotional support is worth more than you can describe. So keep your eyes and mind open to any and all potential friendships.

Flowers Forever

I became a floral designer by doing a favor. When I was 16 my friend Stacey and a fellow classmate both worked as floral assistants at a local florist. They both wanted off to go on the ski club's trip to Vermont. The only way they could go was to find someone to work for them for Valentine's Day.

I started exactly 2 weeks before Valentine's Day. I learned a lot about processing all types of flowers and how to take loose stems and make bouquets. I learned how to box and wrap flowers, but nothing prepared me for how hectic the day would be.

I had never seen men so desperate. I couldn't believe that they would take just about anything we had and pay whatever we told them. We sold Godiva chocolate too. It was like a frenzy to get the biggest box we had left as we were ready to lock the doors at 7 pm.

At the end of the night the owner gave me a bonus for working so hard and doing such a fantastic job. I got a dozen bloomed out roses. A term we use for ones that had opened too far to sell. And I got a 6 piece box of chocolate that was being held by a little teddy bear.

It was a highlight for me. It also got me addicted. I worked there for 2 years and they taught me some skills to make arrangements. When I left I went to a grocery store chain that had an extensive floral department.

I would always admire the work they did. I would be a little jealous I was just a cashier and not back there. I worked at the store through high school and when I came home for holidays my first year of college.

When I decided to move home to commute to college they needed help in the floral department. I mentioned I already had training and after that I basically never cashiered again, unless they were in a pinch. It was a dream come true and an opportunity of a lifetime.

I learned how to do everything. I got to do weddings and proms. I learned how to do the accounting and take care of all kinds of plants. I thought when I finished college I would be able to manage one of the stores floral departments.

I even was an interim manager during my senior year for a location that had a gap of time between when the old manager quit and the new one could begin. I was in charge during Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is huge for merchandise purchasing, special order arrangement making and marketing displays.

My course changed though. I miss floral design every day. I have looked at spaces and written and re-written my business plan to open my own shop. It just isn't the right time.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner I miss the crazy hours and being surrounded by flowers. I miss the jokes about how tired we are and how we want to amputate our feet. One of the greatest memories was a man picking through our garbage because we had nothing left. We laughed about it for days after. It was always such a family atmosphere no matter where I worked.

The pictures I chose to share are the centerpieces I made for my own wedding. And the flowers I designed for my best friend's wedding. I have done lots of events on my own out of my kitchen lately, but it isn't the same. Some day I will be able to find that magic again, it just isn't in the cards right now.

For Your Valentine

Some people go above and beyond on this holiday. Lots of people say it is over commercialized. I think it is because everyone assumes you have to spend a lot of money.

For years I have been doing Valentine's Day on a budget. I learned this idea from my mom. She always made a fancy dinner that we ate in the dining room. She would decorate the table with heart confetti, candles and light up roses.

She would put a little 4 piece box of chocolate by our spot and a gift bag full of simple little gifts. Usually like socks and a cute pajama set or something fun for spring like flip flops and tank tops.

I have continued the theme with my husband. Thanks to Pinterest you can come up with all sorts of cute table setting ideas. They also have craft ideas for gifts you can make.

He gets me flowers. Guess how he does it without spending a fortune? He works at a tech school that has students studying floral design! He can place an order and pick them up before the students leave. Not everyone has access to that, but I was a floral designer for years. You don't have to get roses. There are affordable options. My sister's favorite is daisies. They are very affordable. Plus there are plenty of Internet companies now that offer great deals.

We always have a special dessert too. We don't normally eat any. I never keep any kind of real sweets. This is a day of love and you can indulge. One day doesn't ruin your healthful lifestyle.

I don't think people hate the holiday. I think they hate the pressure and money. You can have an amazing Valentine's Day without breaking the bank. My only advice is splurge for a good card. I love them. I think it is very meaningful to put in the time and effort to pick out a special one.

I hope your Valentine's Day is full of love and happiness, no matter how you chose to spend it.

Hitting the Road

In December my husband and I made a major purchase. We got ourselves an RV. It was gently used and was perfect for our needs.

When you tell people you bought a camper they ask if you are going to drive across the country. My challenge is to explain to them what we needed a camper for.

We promote dirt track races. Usually the first thing someone then thinks is motorcycles because most people have seen motorcross. I don't even know how to begin to explain it to someone who has never seen it.

What I can explain is the amazing time we have camping with our friends. That is why we needed an RV. That is the universal message here. If you have friends that camp you should go too.

Yes we do it at a dirt track so when we go we have to be prepared to run on a generator the whole time and take all the fresh water we could need with us, but people who go to campgrounds have a great time too.

It's really about enjoying the outdoors. There is something so much fun about long summer nights outside under the stars with a fire, good food and great friends.

It's almost the start of our camping season. We will start on March 15th and it will be our RV's first trip out on the road. I can't wait. If you are thinking about camping do it. Buy a camper. There are a lot out there and the loans make it affordable. You will thank me.

Healthy Living

My husband and I were overweight as children. As young adults we took an active interest in eating right and working out. We both have changed our lives dramatically by making simple changes. One of the things I try to do is make sure we have 2 healthy vegetables for dinner every night. We live on the East Coast and are about to be hammered by a snow storm. So I thought today's post would be about my favorite recipe.

I wanted to share something that is my own original creation. It was a struggle to get you the exact measurements because I learned to cook from my Italian grandmother. If you have ever cooked with an Italian you know everything is eyeballed. I have become that type of cook.

Here is how to make my Roast Butternut Squash. The reason it is perfect for a stormy day is that it is best if you cook it at 325 degrees for 2 hours on a bottom rack of your oven. It keeps your house warm and makes it smell fantastic. It doesn't have to be cooked this way, but the consistency that you get on a slow roast is delectable. The recipe is simple. You don't need to be Martha Stewart to make this come out fabulous.

I buy the pack of already cut up butternut squash. If you have ever tried peeling one or cutting one you know how hard it is. These packs make life simpler. This recipe only requires one pack of squash, which is 1 pound and 4 ounces. First I put 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the bottom of the baking dish and tilt it all directions till it coats the entire dish. You could use spray olive oil if you want, but I try to avoid using that.

Dump in your squash and spread it out. Now you are going to simply spread the rest of the ingredients out over the squash.

                           1/4 Cup of Craisins sprinkled evenly through out
                           1/4 Cup of Raw Pumpkin Seeds sprinkled evenly through out
                           1 Tablespoon of Curry sprinkled across the entire dish
                           2 Tablespoons of Sugar in the Raw sprinkled evenly

Then I salt and pepper the top. I use just a pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. I top that off by drizzling just a little bit of honey across the contents of the dish (I would say it is no more than a Tablespoon). I try to make sure I get a little of all 3 ingredients across the entire dish. Then I dot the top with two tablespoons of butter cut into pieces. If you can bake it for 2 hours at 325 degrees stir it after the first hour and make sure everything is coated then put it back in for the other hour. You can bake it at 375 degrees for just an hour and stir it after half an hour. It is just as good, but there is something amazing about it when it gets to be almost a mashed consistency. Thinking about it makes my mouth water. I included my before and after pictures. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Renovations

I thought for a long time about what I wanted my second post to be about. I decided on one of my passions. That is decorating. My mother is a self taught interior designer.

She has helped me acquire a good eye for design. I also studied a lot of art growing up so I have a strong grasp on color and composition. What I decided to share today is my own home makeover. The pictures I'm including are a little old, but they will help get my point across.

I think people are scared to tackle large projects. My husband and I bought a fixer upper townhouse in 2009. Everything needed work. As you can see from the pictures it was stuck in the 70s and 80s.

We didn't have enough money to fix and replace everything at once. So we made things fresh. Here is a brief description of what I did and the helpful tips I learned.

First to strip wallpaper there are devices you can buy at any hardware store to score the surface. You roll them over the paper in a circular motion. Then I sprayed them down with a mixture of 1 part liquid fabric softener to 2 parts warm water. After I let it dry it peeled off relatively easy, but in some spots I did have to go back over the backing paper with spray and scrape a little with a plastic spackle applicator. Then I just wiped the walls down with a little water and a small amount of Dawn and then repeated with just a damp rag.

The cabinets were another story. They got scrubbed with a solution called TSP that removes grease and wax build up. Then they were scrubbed again with Dawn and water and then just water. All the hardware was removed and soaked in TSP and water over night. Then they were scrubbed with a toothbrush. This included the hinges. We took all the doors off and drawers out. I sprayed all the wood down with Killz oil based primer.

I did inside and out and it took quiet a bit of time and cans, but it was quicker than hand rolling. The second coat was Benjamin Moore oil based white paint that had to be applied with a sponge roller so there were no brush marks. The hardware got sprayed three times with Rustoleum in one of their metal tones. I wanted them to look stainless. A helpful tip is to stick the screw in some foam to spray.

The walls were painted in a soft neutral tone. In fact all the colors on this floor were from the same color strip because I read that in small spaces they feel larger if you use a similar tone through out. I used Benjamin Moore's line called Ben in a flat. Some people like semi gloss in kitchens because you can wipe it down easier, but I don't like the way it looks.

My final money saving tip is if you have a small space and you need flooring look for remnants. This kitchen floor with installation only cost us $50! You can't beat that.

Our kitchen is actually due to be completely renovated this summer. This however made it feel clean and beautiful for the last 4 years. We obviously replaced the stove and lighting, and since this the fridge, but it probably only cost $700 even with those changes.

I like to call the design French Countryside.

Life at Thirty

It is a new year. Not just a new calendar year, but a new year of life. I know some people, mainly women, have a huge problem with the number 30. Why? It's just a number. When I woke up last Saturday nothing was different, except the years I had been alive. Well there was one thing that was different. I wanted a new challenge. I decided to write because it has always been a passion. I know I can't compare to my husband, who is a well respected journalist, but I want a chance to share my voice too. The purpose of this blog is to share life. If people find me interesting they will stick around. One of my close friends has been writing for some time now and I saw she wanted guest bloggers. I confessed that I always wanted to start a blog. She encouraged me to start one first before I submit something for her. So hopefully this is just the beginning. I hope you enjoy the different taste of living I have to offer.