Technique Tuesday-Cookies

Every year we plant a HUGE garden...I mean HUGE. We have been blessed again this year with an abundance of sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and ZUCCHINI!! Yes, the plant that seems to multiply right before your eyes-LOL.

This year instead of the usual savory side dish or bread I decided to try something a bit different...zucchini cookies. I found a wonderful recipe in one of my fave cookbooks...

Girls, these cookies were amazing....seriously! First I gathered all my ingredients in one place.

I haven't always been the type to do this...I'm more of a messy kind of cook. Searching for ingredients as I go, making a mess and hoping I have everything. My cooking skills are improving...

and I'm finally using this. Love it!

It looks so Julia-like sitting on my kitchen counter.

Okay. So first take 1 and a half cups sugar, 1 and a half cups butter and 2 eggs and beat for 5-10 minutes.

I just let my mixer go till the mixture got light and fluffy like buttercream frosting-yum;)

 While that mixes add 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon rind and 2 cups shredded zucchini.

I shredded mine using a hand grater. The zucchini is so soft...very easy to do.

To that mixture add 2 tsp. baking powder, 4 cups flour and mix until just blended.

Fold in 1 and a half cups chopped pecans.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. I like my cookies pretty good size. For smaller cookies you should be able to get 4 to 5 across a regular size baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees fro about 15 to 20 minutes. I use an convection oven so it took a bit less time. Really keep an eye on them. they will get a nice golden brown around the edges.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Girls, these cookies are moist and chewy and not too sweet. A perfect cookie!!

And the zucchini? You don't taste it a bit.

Look at these babies...

They were still moist the next day, too.


After the cookies cooled {and I had eaten THREE} I put a few in 2 cellophane bags and tied with a pretty ribbon to take to my Visiting Teachers sisters.

Each bag came with a handmade card, too.

Cards are becoming my new thing. Love making them!

But most of all I love giving them.

So girls, if you have too many zucchini and are tired of the usual breads and sides why not give these tasty cookies a try? I give them 4 out of 5 stars! YUM!

How do you use up your zucchini?

Becoming....

"How does one become a butterfly?"

she asked pensively.

"You must want to fly 

so much that you are willing

to give up being a caterpillar." 

-Trina Paulus, Writer

Today I begin working on my wings.

How about you?

So many good things to come....

 You have heard me say it time and time again....but it's so true.

I am grateful for each one of you. 

Your comments and love and support of me and my passions...

You guys all ROCK!

And as my interest in various art mediums

and writing continue to  change and grow

I have decided my Blog needs to change and grow a bit, too.

Oh, nothing drastic. 

I'm still me.

I will always be me.

That will never change.

But I want to add a bit of spice 

to Words of Me.

Tell more stories.

Encourage and inspire you 

to create and grow and 

change a bit, too.

So here's what we're gonna do...

Starting Monday you can expect a bit more "structure"

to my Blog. Not to say it will always 

be this way...I do like to change my mind...

but most weeks you can expect the following....

Mondays: Anything Goes. We'll catch up from the weekend, share family photos, maybe a favorite quote or poem as well as stories...lots of stories to share...you name it, it can happen on Monday!

 

Tuesday: Technique Tuesday. I'll share a fave technique in Art Journaling, scrapbooking, painting, photography, cooking, cleaning. This will really make me stretch and learn and grow and I hope it does the same for you:)

Wednesday: What's on My Work Desk. I LOVE sharing this with all of you as well as seeing what other crafters from all over the world do.

Thursday: My Favorites. This day was inspired by my blog friend Nicole over at "Destination Unkown". This day I'll share ideas, my fave books, movies, contests, blogs, etc. with all of you. And hopefully you'll share with me, too;)

And on Friday....Weekend Prompt. I will give you some fun project to do or book to read or something inspirational to do to keep you happy all weekend long!

Along with all the weekday fun get ready for an Art Journal Challenge coming very soon!! So excited to share:)

Have a wonderfully fun Friday!!

So much going on!

Howdy, Girls. Lots on my Creative Desk today!! I have been a busy, busy Bee:)

LOL...I know a bed is a weird Work Desk...but this one in my Art Space/Spare Room is a lifesaver...

The floor works out pretty great, too;)

Yes, I really DO have a desk.

And I have been using it a BUNCH this week. Love all this creative time I've been having!!

There are so many projects I've been working on lately including work from the class Soul Restoration 2. Our main project is called our Life Journal. This is the cover of mine.

Don't you just love how the colors green and blue and red all look together? Definitely one of my fave color combos. Inside my journals is all the things I wish for in my Big, Bold, Beautiful Life...

Melody Ross {the teacher of the course} provides us with dozens of writing prompts and quotes to incorporate into our journals and our life.

This is the first time I have added photos to my Art Journals. I love the results.

What I just adore about my journal is how messy it is. LOVE that shabby, vintage look.

We are learning what the best ways to spend our time is. I promised myself that from now on I will Choose My Time Wisely so I can spend more time with Jackson and Emma and Dave.

This book is helping me design a Life I very much want to live.

Love this shade of blue and red...and that stamp is my FAVE of the moment!! {it's an old Memory Makers foam stamp}

Here's the heart of the journal...My Mission Statement.

In it is a detailed list of how I want to live my Life.

This will be my Guide to help me grow and stay on track.

These cute cards are from the Soul Restoration 2 class as well. I made these yesterday.

This color combo rocks, too!

That stamp is in there again-LOL:)

Since the kids were gone for 3 days on the Trek I had lots of extra time so I worked on 3 more canvas's for my Brave Girls...

Isn't she sweet with her little ponytails?

I am loving her sweet little, lace collar, too. I haven't decided on a name yet.

Another girl...

Keep in mind none of my girls are finished yet. They still need details added to their dresses and shoes and more words.

I love that she has a grateful heart.

One more background...

This little darling still needs a dress...you will have to see her later;)

So there ya' go. Lots of creativity!! Thank you so much for stopping by!! Be sure and stop by The Answer is Chocolate Blog Party!

What's on YOUR creative mind today?

Dreaming, Creating, Loving Life

I am feeling so much love for my Blogging Community. What incredibly talented and inspirational souls I have come to know because of Art and Blogging and Community. Love it!!

I have so many things swirling around in my heart to share with you.

I have been planning and dreaming and creating. Creating not only my Art but my life. My Big, Bold and Beautiful Life.
  Melody Ross and her girls over at Brave Girls Club and Soul Restoration 2 are inspiring me to create my Best Life ever. Love it so much!! You MUST take this class the next time they offer it...you simply must:)

I wanted to share some photos of my week before I get to the rest of my post. Remember my kids went on a Pioneer Trek last week? Here they are right before they left!! Ma and Pa Ingalls;)

What an amazing and spiritual experience they had! Em even made the front page of the St. Joe News Press. You can see the article here.

While my kids were trekking Dave and I were playing. We had some very dear friends from Mapleton, Utah stop by for the day and night. We sure had fun!

We chatted, shopped for vintage items {they hit the jackpot!!}, chatted some more, enjoyed great food and even spotted a UFO {another story for another time-LOL}.

Lisa is one talented lady! She worked for Karen Foster Designs for several years, designing and marketing their products throughout the world. Lisa is one of the sweetest people I know. Love you, friend!!

Jacks and Em got back Saturday night around 5 o'clock. By 8 that night we were at the Hopkins Picnic...a tradition over 100 years old. I snapped this darling pic of my kids with their friends...

I sure do love these kids!!! They make my life soooo very happy!!

And what's a carnival without a little dancing. Em and her Dad doing their annual "twirl a-about". So cute.

Can you see them?

Em is such a Daddy's Girl:)


What a wonderful long weekend we all had. Summer is going by too quickly. I am loving all these activities!!

This post is long enough for now. Be sure stop by tomorrow...I have some announcements to make regarding my blog....so excited!!!

I am on Twitter now. If you want to follow along be sure and click here.

How is your Summer going so far?? What have you been doing? I would love for you to share with us!!!!

Happy

Today I am thinking

and planning and creating.

I am happy

and at peace.

I will be back tomorrow.

Hope you're having a wonderful day:)

I am so grateful....

Today is a GREAT day. I am so grateful for....

*NO PAIN! This medication I am on is working. I feel AMAZING!

*I get to create ALL DAY! My kids are on the Trek and Dave is working so I am creating!!!

*Diet Dr. Pepper with vanilla during Happy Hour today:)

*This amazing weather. Lots of sunshine!

*My Blog and my fabulous readers. You all mean the world to me!

*This is my 375th post! WOW!

*All the on-line Challenges and Classes that are helping me learn and grow and stretch myself in Art.

*My Father in Heaven who created this beautiful Earth we live on.

Have a beautiful Friday girls.

What are YOU grateful for?

Pioneer Trek

As I sit and write this post my two kids are packing and bustling about for an adventure of a lifetime.


You see these two kids...{Em is 14 and Jacks is 16}...are headed to a whole new world. For the next 3 days they are stepping back in time...a place where ipods and cell phones and texting don't exist.

They are going to a place where they will learn more about themselves, their faith and the importance of working together as a team. They are going on a Pioneer Trek. And for the next three days they will be pulling something that looks like this....

4 years ago my husband Dave and I were able to go on the Trek as a Ma & Pa. It was such an unbelievable Testimony builder!! I am so excited for my kids to go...so much thought and preparation is put into the Trek by our Church leaders.

Don't know much about the Pioneers??

The Mormon handcart pioneers were participants in the migration of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church) to Salt Lake City, Utah, who used handcarts to transport their belongings.^[1]

The Mormon handcart movement began in 1856 and continued until 1860.
Motivated to join their fellow Church members in Utah but lacking funds for full ox or horse teams, nearly 3,000 Mormon pioneers from England, Wales, Scotland and Scandinavia made the journey from Iowa or Nebraska to Utah in ten handcart companies.

The trek was disastrous for two of the companies, which started their journey dangerously late and were caught by heavy snow and severe temperatures in central Wyoming. Despite a dramatic rescue effort, more than 210 of the 980 pioneers in these two companies died along the way. John Chislett, a survivor, wrote, "Many a father pulled his cart, with his little children on it, until the day preceding his death."<sup>[2]



I am so proud of my kids for going!! It's hot and humid in Missouri, yet the youth are required to wear long skirts, pants and long sleeve shirts plus hats. However, despite the sultry conditions it is a worthwhile adventure...one they'll never forget!</sup> 

People made fun of us

as we walked, pulling our handcarts,

but the weather was fine and

the roads were excellent and although 

I was sick and we were very tired at night,

still we thought it was a

glorious way to go to Zion.

^-Pioneer

We are Family

This is where I was all week-end...

in Southeast Iowa/Illinois...right along the Mississippi River. 

It's where I grew up.

It's where I spent my summers running around 

with Jamie and Johnny and 

Rose and Renee and Bills playing Midnight Ghost and kick ball. 

It's where my Mom and Dad 

and I went fishing and boating

and swimming. It's where I learned that I loved

to act and speak and be in front of people.

It's where I fell in love for the first time.

It's where I met some of the dearest people 

I will ever know.

It's where I learned to rely on my My Father in Heaven

for love and support. It's where I learned about the power of prayer.

It's where my faith was born and nurtured.

It's where I grew up and

where I left when I came to 

Maryville for college.

It's where I married my Soul Mate.

Dave & I along the Mississippi Saturday night.

It's where my Dad died 15 years ago.

It's where a little piece of my heart still resides.

Much of my family is still in the area.

And this past weekend we celebrated one another with

our annual Kern Family Reunion.

There may not be many of us...but we sure do love 

one another. I am so grateful for families.

I am so grateful that I am a part of this one.

What a fun weekend spent catching up,

reminiscing, laughing and crying. 

It went too fast.

I miss them all so much already.

My family and I had fun with a photo shoot on Saturday.

We all had these matching Flag Shirts...

Jackson didn't want to wear them at all. He was like "Mom, REALLY??!"

I was like..."Yes, son. REALLY."

The best part was Saturday morning...Jacks had gone to breakfast and came back to the room.

He had this look on his face...

"Mom, guess what? Kristy and Andy and all their kids have the 

SAME EXACT shirts on as us!"

LOL!!

Turns out great family minds DO think alike...Most of 

us had on the same flag shirts. 

It was sweet!:)

To us,

family means putting your 

arms around each other

and being there.  

~Barbara Bush

What does family mean to you?

Let's Remember...

My God! 

How little do my countrymen 

know what precious blessings they are

in possession of,

and which no other 

people on earth enjoy! 

~Thomas Jefferson

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day!!