Pssst!!! Spring is here, and that means it's Spring cleaning time! So head over to my ArtFire Shop to check out my latest creations and catch 35% off select items in the sale section of my store!
Happy Spring!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Bridge to the Past
When my grandmother passed away December of 2011, I was devastated. I loved my grandparents so very much, and having lost my grandfather at the tender age of 13, I clung to every story and recipe my grandmother, who was my last remaining grandparent, could possibly tell me. I watched her closely when she made her fried chicken, which was her signature dish. My mom was always so upset that she could never get the recipe quite right, and when I grew up, I was able to get a little closer than mom, but still fell short of the awesomeness that was my grandma's fried chicken.
My grandma lived in Wyoming when she passed, and grandpa is buried in Kansas City. So my mom made arrangements and we all packed into a truck with a trailer carrying my precious grandmother, and my car, and made the long journey to Kansas City. For those curious, it's about an 18 hour drive. Usually, we'd stop about an hour somewhere along the way and stretch our legs or take a nap. But this time was different. This time we were on a very tight schedule.
We ended up stopping in Chamberlain, SD, which is about halfway across South Dakota. When you travel on Interstate 90, you cross what is known as the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge, under which the might Missouri River flows. In the past, I'd always wanted to stop at the rest area perched above this bridge and take photos, but I didn't have the right camera, or we didn't have the time. Luckily, this time my dad needed a pit stop (he loves his coffee in the morning lol), so I immediately grabbed my camera and headed for the hill.
It was a cool, crisp December morning. There was no snow, but it was definitely chilly. The sounds of the wind, the river, and the highway were soothing as I found my perfect spot and started snapping pictures. Too soon, however, we had to go, but not before I was able to capture the beauty of this place.
Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge:
Isn't it beautiful? I would have loved a little sunshine, but given the occasion, I think it captured my mood completely.
So for the past couple years, I've had this photo, only thinking about it on occasion. I was going through the photos of 2011, and I came across it. What really threw me is all of a sudden I remembered another bridge, one much smaller and from a long time ago.
When I was a kid, there was a park just down the street from where my grandparents lived called Waterworks. It's still there, but very different from about 20 years ago. But there was this very old, very rusty bridge with a rusty net walkway that had a small creek running under it. It never used to terrify me until the day my grandpa and I went for a walk and when we got to the bridge, the creek was nearly flooded and the water was rushing fast underneath just a couple inches from the walkway. As a kid, I must have been about 7 or 8, I was terrified of that bridge!!! I still am afraid of old flooded or icy bridges, always scared I'm going to slide off or get swept away! But my grandpa, my dear sweet grandpa, he was right there beside me and coaxed me over the bridge to get home. I don't remember exactly what he said, but I do know that he never gave up on me and made me face my fears.
Even today, as life challenges me in new ways everyday, I still can remember how encouraging he always was. Now, when I look at this picture, I think of how ironic it all is. One of the first memories I can clearly recall of my grandpa, and the final journey for my grandma both include bridges, and crossing over them. They say that bridges symbolize important transitions, especially of the spiritual nature, and in this case, I would find that plausible. My spirit grew and faced fears, and my spirit weeped and faced finality. But no matter what bridges I will face in the future, I am ready. For I know my grandparents are watching over me and guiding me with the love they gave me and the love they still give me when I'm at the bottom of the barrel. Because of them, I didn't give up as a kid, and I'll never give up now.
My grandma lived in Wyoming when she passed, and grandpa is buried in Kansas City. So my mom made arrangements and we all packed into a truck with a trailer carrying my precious grandmother, and my car, and made the long journey to Kansas City. For those curious, it's about an 18 hour drive. Usually, we'd stop about an hour somewhere along the way and stretch our legs or take a nap. But this time was different. This time we were on a very tight schedule.
We ended up stopping in Chamberlain, SD, which is about halfway across South Dakota. When you travel on Interstate 90, you cross what is known as the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge, under which the might Missouri River flows. In the past, I'd always wanted to stop at the rest area perched above this bridge and take photos, but I didn't have the right camera, or we didn't have the time. Luckily, this time my dad needed a pit stop (he loves his coffee in the morning lol), so I immediately grabbed my camera and headed for the hill.
It was a cool, crisp December morning. There was no snow, but it was definitely chilly. The sounds of the wind, the river, and the highway were soothing as I found my perfect spot and started snapping pictures. Too soon, however, we had to go, but not before I was able to capture the beauty of this place.
Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge:
Isn't it beautiful? I would have loved a little sunshine, but given the occasion, I think it captured my mood completely.
So for the past couple years, I've had this photo, only thinking about it on occasion. I was going through the photos of 2011, and I came across it. What really threw me is all of a sudden I remembered another bridge, one much smaller and from a long time ago.
When I was a kid, there was a park just down the street from where my grandparents lived called Waterworks. It's still there, but very different from about 20 years ago. But there was this very old, very rusty bridge with a rusty net walkway that had a small creek running under it. It never used to terrify me until the day my grandpa and I went for a walk and when we got to the bridge, the creek was nearly flooded and the water was rushing fast underneath just a couple inches from the walkway. As a kid, I must have been about 7 or 8, I was terrified of that bridge!!! I still am afraid of old flooded or icy bridges, always scared I'm going to slide off or get swept away! But my grandpa, my dear sweet grandpa, he was right there beside me and coaxed me over the bridge to get home. I don't remember exactly what he said, but I do know that he never gave up on me and made me face my fears.
Even today, as life challenges me in new ways everyday, I still can remember how encouraging he always was. Now, when I look at this picture, I think of how ironic it all is. One of the first memories I can clearly recall of my grandpa, and the final journey for my grandma both include bridges, and crossing over them. They say that bridges symbolize important transitions, especially of the spiritual nature, and in this case, I would find that plausible. My spirit grew and faced fears, and my spirit weeped and faced finality. But no matter what bridges I will face in the future, I am ready. For I know my grandparents are watching over me and guiding me with the love they gave me and the love they still give me when I'm at the bottom of the barrel. Because of them, I didn't give up as a kid, and I'll never give up now.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Nostalgia and the Imagination
When I was a kid, I loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. They were the epitome of perfect grandparents. My Grandma always scratched and rubbed my back before bed, and Grandpa and I used to walk down to the park and play on the playground. Then we'd always sneak to the 7-11 for ice cream before dinner. Try as she might, Mom could never stay mad at Grandpa for spoiling us so. My grandparents had a limited number of toys, though they were well built and had seen many a years of kids hands. My favorite toy of all was a little painted wood dog that you pulled behind you, and his little rubber feet would flop around and around on wheels making a slapping sounds against the concrete while his little spring tail with a red wood knob on the end bounced merrily. I played with that dog everytime I went to see Grandma and Grandpa, walking back and forth underneath thier porch pretending he was my very own dog and we were out for a stroll.
Memories like this are precious, like gold. Whenever life gets too much, I look back on those fond memories and remember what it was like not to have to worry about bills or getting gas in the car, or whose turn it was to vaccuum. When I saw this adorable little Turtle Push Toy by berkshirebowls, I was immediately taken back to my childhood days at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and I thought to myself, "I want my children and grandchildren to have memories like that."
Though seemingly simple and archaic, this toy offers something that modern technology and the digital age cannot: imagination. Growing up, that's what we lived on. Our bicycles were horses, our Barbies real people that WE made the voices to, and our stuff animals and our inanimate creatures went on great adventures! And, most importantly to me, Scruffy was my puppy and we would go on great walks through the mountains and to the park. He made me happy. The seemingly lifeless creature was full of life, and was loved.
Many people sneer at these simple toys, calling them barbaric and claiming they won't teach their child or grandchild anything. But those of us who had "simple" toys know better. We know that a "simple" toy can supply days, weeks, years of entertainment and fun. The greatest thing these toy teach us is the power of the imagination. For without imagination, life loses it's magical quality and becomes too analytical, too robotic.
So open your mind, and as the door creaks open, reminding you of all the possibilities your mind could unravel in an instant, think of how inspiring that could be to a child.
"Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun." ~George Scialabba
Memories like this are precious, like gold. Whenever life gets too much, I look back on those fond memories and remember what it was like not to have to worry about bills or getting gas in the car, or whose turn it was to vaccuum. When I saw this adorable little Turtle Push Toy by berkshirebowls, I was immediately taken back to my childhood days at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and I thought to myself, "I want my children and grandchildren to have memories like that."
Though seemingly simple and archaic, this toy offers something that modern technology and the digital age cannot: imagination. Growing up, that's what we lived on. Our bicycles were horses, our Barbies real people that WE made the voices to, and our stuff animals and our inanimate creatures went on great adventures! And, most importantly to me, Scruffy was my puppy and we would go on great walks through the mountains and to the park. He made me happy. The seemingly lifeless creature was full of life, and was loved.
Many people sneer at these simple toys, calling them barbaric and claiming they won't teach their child or grandchild anything. But those of us who had "simple" toys know better. We know that a "simple" toy can supply days, weeks, years of entertainment and fun. The greatest thing these toy teach us is the power of the imagination. For without imagination, life loses it's magical quality and becomes too analytical, too robotic.
So open your mind, and as the door creaks open, reminding you of all the possibilities your mind could unravel in an instant, think of how inspiring that could be to a child.
"Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun." ~George Scialabba
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
My Latest Handmade Cards & Jewelry
Hi all! Just wanted to share with you some of my latest card creations and a jewelry set I completed last week! If you want to purchase any of the below, please visit my shop at ArtFire by clicking here: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/foreversmemories
Have a great day!
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| Blue and Green Cake Birthday Card |
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| Gold and White Floral Sympathy Card with Paper Flower and Pearls |
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| Blue and Green Floral Thank You Card with Blue Rhinestones |
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| Black and White Floral Anniversary Card with Rhinestone "Buckle" |
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| Blue Wire-Wrapped with Heart Handpainted Washer Necklace and Earring Set |
Fantastic Gluten-Free, Lactose Free Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
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| Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes |
I absolutely love finding new, creative and delicious ways to eat gluten-free! So I wanted to share this incredible recipe I made for the most amazing gluten free cupcakes I've ever baked. Now I don't know about you, but the cupcakes I've made before turned out terrible! Flat, gritty, tasteless messes that ended up under cooked or burned on the bottom. Bah! So when I decided to try a new vanilla cake mix, I was skeptical, but it turned out amazing! Crispy, sweet tops...Soft, fluffy centers... mm mm....
So how do you make it? Let me tell you...
What you'll need:
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix
3 Large Whole Eggs, Room Temperature
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Water, Room Temperature
Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon (depending on how much you like cinnamon)
Now, my first confession, I didn't let the eggs sit until room temperature. I cheated. I took a 2 cup measuring container, filled it about two-thirds with very warm (but not boiling hot) water. I then put the eggs in the water and let them sit on the counter about 5-6 minutes, or until I gathered the other ingredients, sprayed my cupcake pans, and did a quick once over on the recipe on the back of the cake mix package.
My second confession is that the water wasn't room temperature either. I turned some cold water on with the hot until it felt like room temperature, then filled my measuring cup. Trust me when I say that even though I shortcutted, they still turned out fluffy and amazing! OK, confessions over! Let's get down to business.
Step 1:
I made the cake mix according to the instructions on the back of the cake mix package. I didn't have a timer for the 30 and 60 seconds, I just counted them out aloud. If you are a poor judge of time, like I used to be before I starting cooking a lot more, then you can use a stop watch, or whatever you are comfortable with. But here's a few tips if you don't have a timer:
1. When whipping the eggs, I found they became really bubbly and foaming, almost to the point if you were making a meringue or beginning an angel food cake.
2. The cake mix gets reeeeeaaaally thick during the 60 second interval, but DO NOT STOP MIXING!!! I found the easiest way is to stroke from one side of the bowl straight across to the other, and then raising up slightly while spinning the bowl just a smidgen for another stroke. This makes a good way to count out 60 seconds if you do 60 strokes. Just be careful of the splash effect from your mixer! :-)
Step 2:
Pour your mix into your cupcake pan, filling each cupcake hole about 2/3 full. I used the mini one cuz I like more crispy edges and less mushy in the center. You can use a regular cake pan, regular size cupcake pan, or round pans. I also didn't use liners as I didn't have any, but if you spray just a smidgen of cooking spray in the very bottom of your cupcake holes, they should slide right out. Just don't go overboard with the spray as that could ruin the cupcakes!
Step 3:
Now the fun part! Mix your cinnamon and sugar together. Using a small spoon, sprinkle the mixture over the tops of your cupcakes (or your cake). I put about 3/4 of a teaspoon on each cupcake, but you can use more or less, depending on how much you like cinnamon. Just don't go over board, or like the spray, you'll throw the composition of the cupcake off and they could be ruined.
Using a toothpick (or small spatula if using a cake pan), swirl and tuck the cinnamon sugar into your cupcakes (or cake). I found the best method for me was to swirl up and down three times, then twice across, making a pattern similar to a tic-tac-toe board.
Once you've completed all your cakes, walk the pan over to the sink or over the garbage can and blow off or wipe off the excess cinnamon sugar. If you don't, it will sit on top and burn and create a not-so-great smell and make it harder to clean your pans later.
Step 4:
Place in a 325* over for about 20 minutes or so (you'll need to cook large cupcakes or a cake longer). I will give you a heads up and tell you that because of the sugar crystallizing, they will not look done on the top, so don't try to brown the tops. When you start to see some golden edges down the sides just below the top of the pan, stick a toothpick in the middle of a couple and see if they come out clean. If they do, they're done!
I really hope you have a much success and fun with these as I did! Good luck!
~ Jen
Monday, May 14, 2012
Novels That Suck You In
So last night, I started reading a new novel. It looked really cheesy and heavy on the romance side, so it's definitely something that's outside my normal realm of historically based, non-fiction, political, or classic works genres. I know what you're thinking: "*yawn* Geez Jen, get a life." But what can I say? I like the "nerdy" stuff. :^) And besides, it was 3am, I had 3 more hours to stay at work waiting for the phone to ring (which it never did...the city actually behaved itself for awhile lol), the first book was free, and my Kindle thought I would like it. So I thought "what the hell?"
Fast forward 6 hours, 200+ pages, and half an Amp, and I've bought the second installment for $4.99 and I'm still awake reading. What the .... ?
How on earth did I get sucked into the crap? The plot line is predictable (damsel in distress + bad guy turned good guy + need to save the world = cheesy to the 1000th power), the humor is albeit witty, but again, predictable, and the main character is so cliched that I'm starting to question copyright violations...but I can't put it down...even though my eyes are giving out.
Funny thing is, as much as I hate them, I LOVE authors like that. They are the talented ones who could be writing the same old routine of a novel (aka hero + misfortune + damsel in distress = I'm bored...), but their story telling skills are so unbelievably incredible, they leave you perched on the edge of your seat, eyes pouring over the page...faster...faster...sleep forgotten...just wondering what will happen next.......Coincidentally, you already know how the story is going to end (aka the bad guy always loses), but you just can't help but get wrapped up in the world that is the author's creation.
*sigh*
So here we are. Even now as I'm typing this, I'm thinking about that damn book. Wanting to read it - no - needing to read it - even thought I know I should be doing more productive things. Like finishing the programs for my wedding, or finishing the list of songs for the DJ, or even creating the card I've had stuck in my mind for two days...but no, I want to finish that book. So I can get to the next one...and then read her other works...
Hi, my name is Jennifer. I have an addiction to ___________'s novel series ______________. It's been 3 hours since I've put it down.....wait, hold on................................sorry, just let me finish this chapter................I...yeah, I'll be right there................................................................................................I'm sorry, what was I saying?
~ Jen
Fast forward 6 hours, 200+ pages, and half an Amp, and I've bought the second installment for $4.99 and I'm still awake reading. What the .... ?
How on earth did I get sucked into the crap? The plot line is predictable (damsel in distress + bad guy turned good guy + need to save the world = cheesy to the 1000th power), the humor is albeit witty, but again, predictable, and the main character is so cliched that I'm starting to question copyright violations...but I can't put it down...even though my eyes are giving out.
Funny thing is, as much as I hate them, I LOVE authors like that. They are the talented ones who could be writing the same old routine of a novel (aka hero + misfortune + damsel in distress = I'm bored...), but their story telling skills are so unbelievably incredible, they leave you perched on the edge of your seat, eyes pouring over the page...faster...faster...sleep forgotten...just wondering what will happen next.......Coincidentally, you already know how the story is going to end (aka the bad guy always loses), but you just can't help but get wrapped up in the world that is the author's creation.
*sigh*
So here we are. Even now as I'm typing this, I'm thinking about that damn book. Wanting to read it - no - needing to read it - even thought I know I should be doing more productive things. Like finishing the programs for my wedding, or finishing the list of songs for the DJ, or even creating the card I've had stuck in my mind for two days...but no, I want to finish that book. So I can get to the next one...and then read her other works...
Hi, my name is Jennifer. I have an addiction to ___________'s novel series ______________. It's been 3 hours since I've put it down.....wait, hold on................................sorry, just let me finish this chapter................I...yeah, I'll be right there................................................................................................I'm sorry, what was I saying?
~ Jen
Monday...again
Another month is flying by quickly, and our wedding date is literally right around the corner. I have to say I'm pretty excited. Especially when we still have enough free time to work in the yard. This past weekend alone, AJ and laid sod in the backyard, which took two days of tilling, shoveling, raking, smoothing, watering, laying, smoothing, watering again, and smoothing again. Plus, we started edging the walkway to lay down some nice tan brick stones to accent the red brick walkway. Add to that the fact that I worked twelve hour night shifts all weekend and that sense of accomplishment is pretty high. However, the lack of sleep is starting to catch up with me...so forgive any run on sentences or misspellings (thank goodness for spellcheck...I've already had three. :^)
Anyhoot (purposefully misspell :^), I must toot my own horn for a minute, so bear with me here. So amid all this work, I have my second "job," which is my handmade card and paper goods store on ArtFire (foreversmemories.artfire.com). Last month, I kinda let my shop slide because I was too busy to craft anything new. Well, I decided I missed all my AF friends, so I made a few items to post and started getting busy there again in the forums and the guilds, and I was so happy to be back interacting and following them again. They are all such nice people, and AF is such a great community! (Ok, seriously, I'm done...maybe lol). But anywho, I made some new collections, and one of them was selected as the daily email!!! Which is like a big deal over there, so just pretend to be astonished and excited ok? :^) This is my second daily email selection in about 4 months, so I figure I have to doing something right, right?
So now what I'm curious about is how they select these daily emails...Is it a clever title? (my most recent being named "The Eclectic Librarian") Or a certain feel to the collection? Or how many views/comments/ratings it gets within a certain time frame?
Yes these are the crazy wanderings of my mind...I taking something wonderful and think: "How does this happen to little old me? I don't deserve this! I just like putting pretty items together that I really wish I could buy, but will collect instead just in case I happen to get permission to use a rich man's black credit card..." hehehe (ok, seriously? I think the sleep deprivation is starting to show...)
Ok, well, now that I've gotten this out of my system, AJ is awake and getting ready to leave for work, so I'm going to spend the precious few early morning minutes with him. I love him so much...
~ Jen
Anyhoot (purposefully misspell :^), I must toot my own horn for a minute, so bear with me here. So amid all this work, I have my second "job," which is my handmade card and paper goods store on ArtFire (foreversmemories.artfire.com). Last month, I kinda let my shop slide because I was too busy to craft anything new. Well, I decided I missed all my AF friends, so I made a few items to post and started getting busy there again in the forums and the guilds, and I was so happy to be back interacting and following them again. They are all such nice people, and AF is such a great community! (Ok, seriously, I'm done...maybe lol). But anywho, I made some new collections, and one of them was selected as the daily email!!! Which is like a big deal over there, so just pretend to be astonished and excited ok? :^) This is my second daily email selection in about 4 months, so I figure I have to doing something right, right?
So now what I'm curious about is how they select these daily emails...Is it a clever title? (my most recent being named "The Eclectic Librarian") Or a certain feel to the collection? Or how many views/comments/ratings it gets within a certain time frame?
Yes these are the crazy wanderings of my mind...I taking something wonderful and think: "How does this happen to little old me? I don't deserve this! I just like putting pretty items together that I really wish I could buy, but will collect instead just in case I happen to get permission to use a rich man's black credit card..." hehehe (ok, seriously? I think the sleep deprivation is starting to show...)
Ok, well, now that I've gotten this out of my system, AJ is awake and getting ready to leave for work, so I'm going to spend the precious few early morning minutes with him. I love him so much...
~ Jen
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