Anise Graphics Blog

Coveted Ceramics...

2011-08-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Being my first trip to the East Coast I was excited to see the Atlantic coast line. The colors of the ocean, the tide pools and the different rocks and shells (mostly snails) were amazing. I wanted to gather them all up in an L.L. Bean bag and bring them all home with me.

Fortunately, the array of potter's galleries had a variety of items that captured the colors of Maine. My most coveted piece, my Edgecomb coffee mug (center). I never thought I'd spend $40 on a single coffee mug but, when I saw it I couldn't resist. If you're a coffee lover like me the colors and design on the inside of the mug make the last sip almost pleasing ;-) My husband opted for the more colorful, larger, less expensive mug from a local Maine potter's studio.

My niece, Sorija (with Mom's help of course) wanted to purchase gifts for all of the family from one of the galleries in Old Port. She has excellent taste and a good eye for paying attention to what people like. I must have picked up the blue bowl (front) at least three times and contemplated purchasing it myself. When we got back to my Brother-in-law's we found it wrapped up on our bed. Sorija is such a sweetheart and not only will we remember that day but, her sweet gesture and her excitement as we opened it.

We had a wonderful trip and picked up the rest of our pieces at various galleries. If you're ever in the Portland Maine area and covet ceramics like I do, make sure to visit Edgcomb Potters and Maine Potters Market in Old Port. You won't be disappointed!

Traditional vs. Progressive

2011-04-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

As an avid bed-time reader I've recently contemplated purchasing a Kindle. My husband has one and doesn't go anywhere without it. I've been weighing the pros/cons and although the pros seem to outweigh the cons I fear that I will still be drawn to the one thing I love most about traditional books – the tactility.

Being a graphic designer, I've always had an obsession for paper – it's texture and the appearance of the ink and typography on the paper. I also love the colorful artwork and the new and innovative printing techniques that are constantly being incorporated onto the covers. You don't get on a Kindle.

Seeing these gorgeous embossed embroidered-look covers which Penguin Threads will release on this set of classics in October makes the decision to switch even harder. I found an interesting article which talks about how printers are competing with electronic readers at: http://www.atissuejournal.com/2011/04/03/books-that-make-you-feel/#more-5596.

I have plenty of time to contemplate. Until then, I will continue to enjoy my traditional books at my bed-time reads.

Living on the Edge of Tradition

2011-02-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

This weekend, my husband and I finally got to see the quilt my mother-in-law has been secretly working on for months. "Living on the Edge of Tradition," as she named it, is our belated wedding gift, and it couldn't be more perfect!

I love quilts - I always have. I love the way they feel: the fabrics, the patience and planning involved, and the various techniques of executing them. And, in today's day and age, they are no longer simply a means for keeping warm; they are works of art. So, when I first learned that Maggie was going to make a quilt for us; I was ecstatic.

My Mother-in-law payed close attention to all of the fabrics I pointed out in her collection and made sure to incorporate each and everyone of them into "Living on the Edge…" The majority of the fabrics she used on our wall quilt are batiks, which I absolutely adore. The fabrics are a mix of natural and spice colored palettes with the exception of a couple of additional fabrics - one of which is my very favorite - the Egyptian fabric on the medallion square (above center square).

Each of the twenty squares is a different pattern; and a few are embellished with beads, crystals, buttons and pendants. My Mother-in-law, being an artist herself, knows how much I appreciate a balance of clean yet detailed design. She did a fabulous job achieving both. I could sit and admire our quilt for hours. For me, handmade quilts are one of the most precious, meaningful gifts you can receive.

Thank you so much Maggie, we love it! And , we love you!

Sharing the LOVE

2011-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Valentine's day is in a few days so I thought I'd post this FREE Printable Card and Envelope I designed. It's easy to make and should take less than 30 minutes. The card printout will actually make two cards. One with "for my love" and another with "be mine".

Supplies you'll need:
- An Inkjet or Laser Printer
- White Cardstock (for card)
- Light Weight Text paper or Vellum (for envelope)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Double sided tape or glue

Optional Supplies:
- Stylus (for creating a score line)
- Bone Folder (helps to make a smooth crease)

Card/Envelope PDF files (FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY, all rights reserved):
http://www.anisegraphics.com/FreeStuff/vcard.pdf
http://www.anisegraphics.com/FreeStuff/enveltemp.pdf

Instructions:
-Download both files
-Print the "vcard.pdf" file on Cardstock
-Print the "enveltemp.pdf" on Vellum or Text weight paper
-See diagram above. Cut Card in half vertically to make two cards. Each card will be 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.
-Next, you can either measure, score and fold each card at 4 1/4" across or just fold it in half and smooth it out with your bone folder or the handle part of your scissors.
-For your cards, you can either leave them plain or you can embellish with rhinestones or glitter and let dry while you put together the envelope.
-Score envelope where indicated on template. If you are using vellum be careful not to press to hard and cut through, as I did on my first envelope.
-Cut along edge and fold in sides, bottom and top.
-Make sure the printed side of paper is on the outside of your envelope and apply double sided tape to the sides of the BOTTOM piece. Flip it up and adhere it to the side sections of the envelope.

The inside of the card is blank so you can write the perfect message for your Valentine.

If you have any questions on the assembly feel free to email me. Happy VDay!

Winter surprises in the arboretum

2011-01-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

After our long drive home from California my husband and I are happy to finally be home. And, although California experienced it's share of rain while we were visiting it's nice to be back to the northwest, even if it's just to experience more rain.

We had a great time visiting family and friends and gorged ourselves for two weeks straight . That being said we ready to get back to our regular diet and get some exercise. So, we decided to go for a long stroll through the arboretum. I love the arboretum, Spring and Fall are my favorite times of year. In the winter most of the foliage is dark green and the paths can be pretty muddy.

On this particular day there were a few "sucker holes" so, we got to enjoy a bit of sun on occasion and I was able to get a few shots of some unexpected surprises. Well, being that I love nature, color and texture they were surprises for me.

I'm no botanist, so the only tree I know the name of is the Chinese Red Birch, which I call "Copper Ring Trees". These are my favorite trees in the arboretum. As the bark peels off, literally in rings around the trunk it reveals this amazing deep copper color with a smooth texture. This one was exceptionally bright.

I also couldn't resist this friendly moss covered tree that looks as if it wants to reach out and shake your hand. And lastly, these caramel colored birch looking trees (I have no idea what their correct name is) looked as if they were just aching for someone to meander through them.

After seeing these photos I think I may just have to add "Winter" to my favorite seasons to stroll the arboretum!

Holiday leftover Brunch!

2010-11-28T15:08:00.000-08:00

Sunday brunches are just a few of my all time faves. This morning (or shall I say this afternoon) I thought we were long overdue for a Sunday brunch. And, I just happened to have a few leftovers that needed to be eaten up.

I love doing brunch in the oven, it's so easy and it left time for enjoying the last of our Costa Rican coffee. I usually start with the potatoes, which is just a mix of whatever I have. Today I happened to have 1/2 a bell pepper, 1/2 an onion a couple red potatoes and one sweet potato. I decided to be completely evil and toss them with an olive oil/bacon grease mix (just a tiny bit gives them that little bit of bacon flavor :-), sprinkle with sea salt and parsley and roast at 400° for about 40 minutes, or until they are crispy.

Meanwhile, you can start your frittata. I used the leftover ham my mother-in-law had sent us home with, some 12 month aged Manchego (which I might add was simply divine) and some roasted baby heirloom tomatoes. Frittatas are so easy, and you can use what ever veggies/cheeses you have on hand. Just sauté the veggies a bit, then pour over a few beaten eggs, top with cheese and bake in a 400° oven for about 15-20 mins, or until light and fluffy.

Today it was all about easy, so I decided to do the toast in the oven as well. I buttered it first and just stuck it in the oven with everything else. OMG, it was the best! It stayed light on the inside and was nice and crispy on the outside.

Oven brunches are very forgiving but usually everything ends up working out to were it's all done at the same time!

Whole Grain Heaven!

2010-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

I discovered a new fave this weekend while visiting my cousin this weekend in Portland, Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store. I had heard of and actually used some of Bob's whole grain products before, but I didn't realize that the company was located here in the Northwest. We originally planned on going there for lunch, but got delayed and missed out since the restaurant closes at 3pm. We decided to go to the store anyway.

I had no idea Bob had such a variety of whole grain foods. They carry pretty much every grain you can think of, either pre-packed, or in bulk. I opted for the bulk as it's considerably lower in price. My husband and I bought everything from quinoa to warm cereal blends to nuts and lentils. And, I can't forget about the amazing pre-baked corn muffins that are to die for.

Bob's Red Mill store also carries a vast array of gluten-free items, baking items, including specialty bread making tools, pans and baskets. They even have a file cabinet in the back filled with all of Bob's recipes for you to take as you please.

Needless to say, I was in heaven! My husband and I walked out of there with a full bag of grains, nuts and baked goods for only $14, and NO tax, since it was Oregon :-) If you're ever near Portland or Milwaukie, Oregon stop by for a visit, you won't be sorry!

Here is a link to the Bob's Red Mill website where you read about all of their great products, their employee-owned company, or find recipes: http://www.bobsredmill.com/bobs-red-mill-whole-grain-store.html

Tomato Vinegrette

2010-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Last night while preparing dinner I realized I had an abundance of ripe tomatoes that needed to be eaten. Of course, tomato salad didn't necessarily go with the main dish (stuffed bell peppers) so, I thought why not make a tomato vinegrette? I wasn't quite sure how this was going to turn out as I did it on a whim (like most recipes). I started tossing ingredients into the food processor and blending away. A few tastes and additional ingredients later I ended up with what I thought was pretty darn tasty. I whipped up a quick Euro green salad with toasted walnuts and voila!

Tomato Vinegrette Recipe:

1 cup ripe tomatoes* (cut in med. pieces)
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried ground mustard
1 tsp. agave (or 1 pkg. sweetener or 1 tsp. sugar)
salt & pepper to taste

Place everything except olive oil into food processor or blender and blend. Once everything is combined slowly drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing.

Dressing can be used immediately or refrigerated for a couple days. Enjoy!

*Note: if you have time to roast the tomatoes prior to making the dressing I'm sure it would taste even better.

Scentsy stripped the smell!

2010-08-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE our condo but a few weeks ago I noticed the bathroom seemed to always have a slight odor. Of course, I'm the only one who noticed it, probably because I was blessed with my Mom's ultra sensitive nose :( It's mold-free and I am a clean freak so after weeks of pondering we came to the conclusion that it's probably the fact that the bathroom is a very long narrow space with no windows.

While chatting with my sister, who just by chance had started distributing a product called Scentsy I mentioned the odor. She suggested I try a Scentsy in the bathroom. They are these neat little plug in lights that sort of look like a night lights only they have a little dish at the top that holds a wax scent. The scents come in cubes that melt down and release fragrance. The light bulb is a safe way to ensure nothing is at risk of catching fire, unlike other types of fragrance burners. The temperature of the melted fragrance is low enough that if you, your children or a pet accidentally comes in contact with it it won't harm you. My sister mailed me two different sizes as a gift, a large one for the kitchen, which I can't wait to put to use and a smaller one pictured above, which I might add is working wonders for the bathroom smell!

Scentsys come in a variety of sizes, styles and fragrances. To read more about scentsy or to order visit: https://melindanease.scentsy.us/Home

P.S. I forgot to mention how cool they look in the dark!

Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

2010-06-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I promised a friend I would post the recipe for my Mango Salsa. I created this recipe one day on a whim, I thought hmm…I have a ripe mango, ripe tomatoes and a ripe avocado and I just happen to have some shrimp in the freezer. I knew the flavors would be harmonious.

You can serve the salsa with tortilla chips, but I highly recommend you try the shrimp tacos. They are pretty low in fat and very light but, spicy enough to serve with a red wine if you like.

I just sort of winged the marinade for the shrimp so you can adjust accordingly depending on how many tacos you are making. I allow about 2-3 medium sized shrimp per taco.

Shrimp Marinade:
Olive Oil
Chili Powder
Chili Flakes
Garlic powder
Cumin
Lime Zest (save the lime, you'll need it for the salsa recipe)
Salt (to taste)

Place all ingredients in bowl mix with raw shrimp and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Cook on medium to medium high heat on a grill or on a grill pan for about 3 mins per side.

Note: if you are grilling on an outdoor grill you should put the shrimp on skewers.

Mango Salsa
1 ripe Mango (chopped)
1 ripe Tomato (chopped)
1 ripe Avocado (cut in chunks)
1/4 cup chopped Purple Onion
1 Serrano Chili (minced)
2 cloves of Garlic (minced, you can use one if you're not a big garlic fan)
1/2 a bunch of Cilantro (chopped)
juice of one Lime
1/2 tsp. Cumin
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl except avocado. Once everything is incorporated, taste for salt & pepper then lightly stir in the avocado. I found that if you mix in the avocado last it doesn't get too mushy.

Now, to assemble the tacos. You can use steamed corn tortillas, but I like to brush them lightly with vegetable oil and bake them for a few minutes so they are lightly crisp and hold up better.

Top the tortillas with the grilled shrimp (I like to cut it up a bit first), a big pile of mango salsa and some finely shredded red cabbage for a little crunch. Olé, now sit back and enjoy with a nice red or white wine, or a cold beer!

It's DAD's turn…

2010-06-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Father's Day, while my family will be celebrating with a traditional Father's day BBQ in sunny SoCal, I'll be thinking of my father and how much he means to me in gloomy Seattle (insert sad face here).

I love my Dad and I find as I get older I miss him more. I miss his humor, his wisdom, his never ending supply of stories and most of all his incredible smile. I won't go on an on as my Dad isn't an overly emotional person, but I love you Dad and I hope you have a wonderful day you deserve it!

A Tribute to Mom

2010-05-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Inspiring, devoted and persevering are but a few words that describe my Mom. Since I was a little girl my Mom has always put me, my 4 siblings and my Dad first. Even while working full time she managed to always be there for us, instilling values, preparing home-cooked dinners and keeping a warm, inviting home.

When my Mom suffered from a heart attack many years ago my family feared we might lose her. It was her strength, and love for her family & life that put her on a path to a healthy lifestyle. I remember thinking my Mom was one of the strongest women I knew back then. But, only three years ago she proved how much stronger she actually is. She had to have one of her legs amputated due to bad circulation and diabetes. Knowing how active my Mom was we all knew this would be very hard on her. With time, therapy and determination she learned to walk on her prosthesis and was leading a semi-normal lifestyle in just one year.

Then, only a year after her first amputation my family learned she had to have her second leg amputated. It was devastating to say the least. She struggled with the loss, but never once complained. It took her a long time to do the simple mundane things we all take for granted everyday but, she worked hard and is a very determined individual.

I am happy to say on my trip to San Diego this month she was able to walk on both prosthesis. My Mom has truly been an inspiration to our family and friends and I am so proud of her. Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you.

Pentel...do tell

2010-04-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

In the midst of packing up my work materials for my trip to San Diego I noticed that the pencil leads in my Pentel Twist-Erase mechanical pencils needed to be replaced. I quickly reloaded the lead and the eraser tips since those were pretty much wiped out as well.

It was while I was replenishing them that I realized I've had these same two mechanical pencils for about 5 years. Of course, it is only with intense safeguarding over the years that I still have them. Many co-workers throughout the years had tried to waltz off them, but I was quick to retrieve my coveted pencils.

I was taken with the Pentel Twist-Erase mechanical pencils from the moment I used my first one. Not only is the grip oh so soft and comfortable but it is latex-free. It is so easy to refill the lead and let's not forget the refillable eraser. I can't tell you how many refillable pencils I'd tried prior to the Pentel that didn't have eraser refills. As if we need to add more to the landfills.

The Pentel Twist-Erase mechanical pencils range anywhere from $3.54-$5.25 depending on where you purchase them. I purchased mine in a two pack at Staples. To read more about Pentel's Twist-Erase or to purchase visit:
http://www.pentel.com/catalog_product.php?id=719

I was excited to see how many more colors are available now. Of course, I'm hoping I won't need to purchase new ones for at least another five years!

Nuts about CB's peanuts

2010-04-13T15:09:00.001-07:00

Jumbo in-shell peanuts and sea salt are the only ingredients in CB's small batch roasted peanuts. Maybe that's why they are so good and so addicting!

I had seen CB's peanuts at a local market and I have to confess, being a graphic designer it was the packaging that first caught my eye. I love the rustic peanut logo and I'm always a sucker for kraft packaging.

I'd never really been a big fan of shelling peanuts but while my Mom-in-law and I were out running errands in Kingston one day I noticed the CB peanuts store. I quickly turned on my blinker and whipped into the tiny parking lot. The store is very small, but the people are very knowledgeable and friendly. They also let you try the various nuts and organic peanut butter. After sampling the various nuts I immediately fell in love with the "robust" roasted variety. They are the same delicious peanuts, only they roast them a bit longer. The extra roasting gives them a more toasty, "robust" earthy flavor which I can only imagine would be amazing sprinkled on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

CB's nuts not only taste good, they are good for you. They are naturally cholesterol-free and high in good fats. They are pack with fiber and have one of the lowest ratings on the glycemic index, which makes them a good snack for people with diabetes. They also contain phytochemicals which are said to help protect against certain types of cancer. Peanuts are also high in protein and contain zinc and phosphorus which are good for building strong bones.

To find out more about CB's peanuts or to order them visit: http://cbsnuts.com/index.php. Be advised, they are addicting!!!

Crazy about cloth napkins

2010-03-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying this is one of my favorite blogs, as I absolutely love cloth napkins. I prefer the feel of them over paper napkins and of course there is the fact that they are better for the environment. I began my napkin obsession a while back after using them on a regular basis at my mother-in-laws. She has a huge drawer filled with napkins she has collected over the years. My dream is to have a drawer filled with an array of colors and designs like hers.

You can find cloth napkins just about anywhere. I found the fabulous hand-printed organic muslin napkins on etsy (above). They are by a young artist named Katherine who offers an array of eco-friendly home decor textiles. If you are interested in purchasing the Citrus Blossom Napkins visit her store at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42935894&ref=sr_list_32&&ga_search_query=napkins&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title but you better hurry, I have a feeling these will go fast!

If you are the crafty type you may want to try making your own napkins. There are endless fabrics out there. My mother-in-law found these whimsical veggie fabrics at her local quilt shop and made my husband and I this set for Christmas. I found this great site with easy instructions on how to make your own napkins: http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/20/make-your-own-cloth-napkins/ they have great step by step photos and they even show how to make mitered corners. I can't wait to get a sewing machine!

You're never too young to start doing your part to preserve our planet. Get your kids used to using cloth napkins while they are young. Here are a couple of sites that have great napkins for kids lunch boxes: http://www.fabkins.com/ and http://www.twogreenwitches.com/lunchboxnapkins.aspx.

Once you have a nice collection of cloth napkins you'll want to show them off. And who says the napkins have to take second place to the center piece? Visit: http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/ to get step by step instructions for 27 different napkin folds. With such a variety of cloth napkins and different folds it's easy to make an ordinary meal extra special!

Zip the landfills and taxi to greener pastures...

2010-03-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Did you know it is estimated that each year over 500 billion plastic bags are consumed worldwide? That averages out to over 1 million per minute. Where do they all end up? Well, each year about 4 billion of them end up in the landfills. Personally I find that appalling, which is why I made the switch to wax paper bags a couple of years ago. I have since discovered "Snack Taxis"! And, although I still love and use my wax paper bags every now and then, with Snack Taxis there is literally no waste, which is much better for the environment.

The Eco-Friendly sandwich/snack sacks were created by Erin Kelley-Dill of Massachusetts, who realized that she was packing over 500 lunches a year for her family and wanted to find a replacement for all those plastic zip lock bags. She started making and selling Snack Taxis locally and now sells them nation wide.

Snack Taxis have a cotton exterior and are lined with a waterproof material that is free of lead and phthalates. They stay securely closed with a velcro closure. To clean them you can simply shake them out or wipe them with a damp cloth. If they are really messy you can soak them in the sink or toss them in the washer and let them air dry.

My most favorite part about the Snack Taxi company, aside from the fact that they are eco-friendly is that the owner is committed to keeping their business local and never outsourcing their labor. I wish more companies were like this.

To read more about Snack Taxis or purchase these great little sacks visit: http://www.snacktaxi.com.

Design & Inspiration

2010-03-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

As a graphic designer people sometimes ask where my ideas come from. The answer is easy, everywhere. I remember back in college one of my first design instructors began the class by saying that at the end of the course if we didn't walk away with a different view of life and our surroundings that he didn't do his job. His goal was that we walk away with the ability to see design in everything, from simple daily mundane items to the most elaborate things. I am happy so say he exceeded his goal as far as I was concerned. I had always been attracted to design and details, but after that class I saw the world in a completely different way. There was design in everything, whether it was deliberate, accidental or natural.

Above are a few of my latest inspirations for design,texture and materials. The first two are weaved trivets that I came across at my mother-in-law's a couple of months ago. I love the design, the weave and the colors. Since she is an artist I can always find and abundance of inspiration when visiting. The Third photo is of a bracelet I've had for years. Although the design in the center of the brass band is appealing, I think I like the combination of wood and brass the most. I also like the swirl pattern on the earring bases, not to mention the deep turquoise blue of the beads.

Speaking of color, my most favorite places to get inspiration for color palettes are nature and food (especially spices). Why spend countless hours searching through swatch books for new color palettes when you can go for a stroll through the arboretum, a hike in the mountains or peruse your local farmer's market?

Hopefully I've inspired you to be on the look out for fresh design & inspiration, after all, it's everywhere!

Tangy Broccoli Salad

2010-01-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

While I was at the market today contemplating what to make for dinner, I came across some really nice looking broccoli that was on sale. I remembered a salad I made for a picnic one day and since it had been a while I thought it was time for a repeat. I happen to love broccoli, even though it is messy, gets caught in your teeth and smells a little funky while it's cooking. Anywho, if you are a broccoli lover, or even if you're not you'll probably enjoy it prepared this way.

Tangy Broccoli Salad Recipe:

Ingredients
1 lb. fresh broccoli flowerets
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
1/2 cup red onion, sliced thin and cut in quarters (you can sub. yellow or white)
3 slices cooked bacon, sliced in small pieces (OPTIONAL)

Dressing
1/2 cup mayo
1/3 cup non-fat yogurt (you can use all mayo, but I like the tang the yogurt adds and it cuts down a little on the fat)
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 Tablespoon orange zest

Instructions
Blanch broccoli flowerets then immediately submerge in ice cold water until cool and strain. While it's straining mix all ingredients for the dressing.

Combine all ingredients, reserving a few of the almonds to garnish the top with. Refrigerate for at least one hour and serve.

Relief for a cough/cold

2010-01-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

If you are part of the large majority out there who've started the new year off with a bang, I mean annoying cough/cold here are a couple of pointers that seemed to have helped my husband get through the night without waking up every half hour in a cough attack.

I'm no health expert and these are not guaranteed to work, but they are worth trying. First, rest as much as you can. While resting try and keep your upper body as erect as possible. Second, bundle up and try to stay warm. Next, try rubbing Vicks vapor rub on the bottoms of your feet and then putting on 2 pairs of warm socks (don't ask me where I got this from, probably from one of my aunts??). Also, rub some on your chest and cover it with a steamy hot towel. Re-rinse the towel when it starts to cool and repeat a few times to help with congestion.

While resting with the hot towels drink LOTS of water and alternate with hot tea and fresh lemon juice and a bit of honey.

Now, the most important thing... cough up all that yucky stuff! I actually set up a little trash bucket at my husband's night stand, this way there was no excuse not to spit it out. I know it's grouse, but your body needs to get rid of that yuck.

The whole process takes about an hour, but is well worth it. My husband finally stopped coughing enough to have some hot and spicy vegetable soup. After dinner I gave him some cough medicine and he passed out for the entire night without coughing and felt a lot better the next day.

If you aren't feeling well enough to go out, call a close friend or family member and ask them to stop by the store and pick up a few things for you. Heck, have them leave the groceries at the front door if they don't want to risk catching your cold. I'm sure the opportunity for you to return the favor will arise soon enough. If not this flu season, then probably next.

Canning improvised

2009-12-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

On my last trip to visit my Mom I had a chance to catch up on all my favorite magazines, one of my favorite things to do when I visit. She can afford to subscribe to all the trendy magazines and I get her hand me downs. Anywho, one of the Martha Stewart Living mags inspired me to make some orange marmalade as Christmas gifts. To my delight my local market had oranges on sale for an irresistibly low price when I returned home.

Having canned before with my mother-in-law I knew I needed all sorts of handy dandy gadgets, but being Mrs. Frugal I thought I'd just improvise since I only planned on making a few jars. Above is my substitute for the large canning pot and jar holder. Behold — my le creuset stock pot with forks to keep the jars from touching the bottom of the pan. Well, I thought it was pretty ingenious and my forks were nice and sparkly when I was done. I also used my tongs with plastic ends to lift the jars out instead of the standard jar tongs. If you try this at home make sure you have a folded dishtowel handy to set the jars on and carry them to the cooling rack, don't trust the tongs as they tend to slip.

I was shooting for plain old regular marmalade, but it took so long to reach setting temperature that it caramelized, which was a fantastic mistake. It turned out amazing, at least my hubby thought so. I created some simple Homemade labels and cut out a piece of kraft colored wrapping paper to cover the tops and tied them with red cord. Hopefully all the "foodie" recipients will enjoy it as much as we are!

Free gift tags for your holiday goodies

2009-12-14T15:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! I've officially started my holiday baking! This year I had planned on going with natural colors for my gift & goodie wrapping, but I had no luck finding kraft colored boxes in small quantities so I settled for an old fashioned red & white color scheme. Since a lot of my gifts this year will be homemade, I thought I should spruce them up a little.I designed my "Homemade By" labels, which I'll print on white cardstock and adhere with double stick tape or with a simple hole punch and ribbon.

Since a lot of people will be giving homemade gifts this year I thought I'd go ahead and whip up a couple of tags in non-traditional colors. I've uploaded the files to my website and they are available for you to download for personal use at: http://www.anisegraphics.com/FreeStuff/. The files are named according to the pictures above, RedHomemade.pdf, BlueHomemade.pdf and PurpleHomemade.pdf. They are set up to print 9 per page. Enjoy!

Back to Nature for the Holidays

2009-11-18T12:19:00.001-08:00

With all of the holiday gatherings approaching who has time to search the isles for the "perfect" crackers? I don't, which is why I'm happy to have discovered Back to Nature's crackers on one of my many trips to Whole Foods. In an attempt to stock up on holiday necessities I took a stroll through the cracker isle, just to see if there were any on sale that I could stock up on. I found the Back to Nature varieties on sale and there was an additional coupon in the store's flyer so I thought, what the heck, they're organic and they look really good. I purchased a couple of boxes and let me tell you, I scored big time! They were delicious and priced right.

And if that's not enough, they are organic and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives, which is probably why the taste so great. So far I've tried the Stoneground Wheat, Flax Flatbread and White Cheddar Flax varieties of the crackers and all of them are delish. They also make pasta dishes, granolas, juices, nuts and trail mixes which I am anxious to try. For a list of where you can purchase Back to Nature products visit: http://www.backtonaturefoods.com/Where-to-buy.aspx

While I'm making suggestions, Paper Mart is a great place to stock up on all of your holiday gift giving accessories. I have used them for years to purchase packaging and promotional supplies. Throughout the years they have expanded their holiday gift wrapping line to include everything from baskets, boxes and tissue to ribbon, bags and food containers. They are extremely affordable and very responsive with questions and deliveries. There are minimum qualities on some items, but if you're creative you can find uses for left over items throughout the year. Best of all you can relax, kick your feet up after all that shopping and order all your supplies online and have them delivered in a matter of days. Visit them at: http://www.papermart.com.

Glitter and inspiration...

2009-11-11T18:44:00.001-08:00

I have been aching to work on stationary designs lately. So, with my upcoming jewelry show I thought it would be a great time to introduce a few new designs.

These two were tied for my favorites. I've had peacocks on the brain ever since my niece decided this would be her wedding color palette. I first created the earrings which I'm secretly hoping no one purchases so I can keep them for myself ;-)

After the earrings I moved onto the card. I created the art in Adobe Illustrator, then printed it on a metallic white card stock. I was completely happy with it as it was (at least I thought). But, then I remembered I had purchased some glitter a while back and decided to try it out. Wow, I couldn't believe the difference! Needless to say I was even more pleased with the outcome. Then of course being the anal retentive designer that I am I had to find the perfect matching envelope, which I ended up making out of a metallic olive glassine paper. Together they look absolutely fabulous.

Now, onto the crow card. I don't know why, but I have always had a fondness for crows, even thought I'm not a big bird fan. I think it's the fact that they are so black they almost have an iridescence to them. Another reason is because they always show up around Fall, my favorite season. I created this first as an illustration and then recreated it in Illustrator. I printed it on a textured white cover stock and embellished it using a rhinestone for the eye and crystal glitter for snow on the branch. To add a little more punch I applied some thick clear glue to the wing which gave it a nice gloss.

If you're planning on using glitter to embellish this season I highly recommend the Martha Stewart glitters. Normally I'd shop for the best buy, but it's worth it to splurge on these. They come in a nice sturdy glass container so they won't tip over easily. All it took was one spill of the plastic bottle and I was sold. They also have twist tops with shakers which I found very convenient. For glue, the "Quickie Glue" pens are the best. They work just like a writing pen and don't clog. They run about $3 and you can usually find them at your local rubber stamp store. Happy crafting!

A few of my favorite things

2009-11-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

With the holidays fast approaching I thought I'd share a few very affordable gift ideas which also make great stocking stuffers (hint, hint).

The first is for all the foodies on your list with an appetite for expensive cheeses. I learned about Cheese Paper at one of the local cheese shops where my sister and I purchased more cheese than we could consume in her short visit. After a week and a half I was pleased to find that the leftover cheeses we wrapped in the Cheese Paper were still good. Cheese Paper is a porous paper that simulates a cheese cave environment and keeps cheeses fresher longer. Packages of 15 sheets, which can be cut down for smaller pieces and labels that you can record origin, type and date of purchase run about $9. To learn more about Cheese Paper visit: https://www.formaticum.com/shop/product.php?productid=16157&cat=0&bestseller=Y .

While you're out shopping for cheese and anything else under 40 lbs. you'll definitely want to bring along a Chico Bag. These reusable, washable bags are convenient and stylish. They fit into the attached little pouch and can be tossed in your glove box, or if you're like me you'll keep one or two in your purse for those spur of the moment shopping sprees. I paid a little more for mine at REI, but you can purchase them for $6.49 at: http://www.chicobag.com/p-17-chicobag-vita.aspx. Chico Bags are available in an array of colors and make great stocking stuffers for all the eco-friendly people on your holiday shopping list. This is one gift you won't mind receiving duplicates of.

Last, but certainly not least...SoftLips lip moisturizer. I keep one on my night stand, desk, glove box and my purse. My niece turned me onto SoftLips when she included a two pack in a hand bag she gave me as a Christmas gift last year. I was hooked with the first application which left my lips feeling silky soft without feeling waxy. And, if that's not enough it also has SPF 20. SoftLips is available in a variety of flavors, my favorites are vanilla and winter mint. Unfortunately, you can only find the winter mint during the holidays so if you find it, stock up! You can find SoftLips sold in two packs at Target and at most drug stores and they run about $2.79 for 1 or $3.99 for a pack of 2.

Vibrant Autumn

2009-11-02T18:44:00.001-08:00

As we are right smack in the middle of my absolute favorite season I couldn't resist posting a few of my favorite shots from our many strolls throughout town. This Fall has been extraordinarily vibrant. That being said, my camera has taken semi-permanent residence in my purse.

I've already baked three batches of pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, butternut squash ravioli and tonight I'm going to try my hand at pumpkin squash soup. Hmmm... I don't know which has more calories, the pumpkin bread or the soup. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to pick up the pace on my strolls to burn off those calories!

Seems as if I'm not the only one taking advantage of this Fall's bountiful harvest. You can pretty much spot squirrels and raccoons foraging around every corner. My husband and I spotted these little cuties on our way home the other day. They look like triplets.

September's bountiful harvest...

2009-09-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

After a busy summer of moving, family visits, weekend camping trips and vacation I finally feel like I'm back to my normal routine.

My husband and I decided to spend Labor day weekend out at his Mom's in Hansville. We always find it so relaxing out there, no matter how much gardening we end up doing.

As fall is fast approaching we found that most of the veggie's in Maggie's garden were ready for harvesting, including some local black berries. Everything was so fresh and colorful that I couldn't resist taking a photo after getting it trimmed and cleaned. One of my favorite things to do is clean the fresh potatoes. I think it is so neat how the skin just rubs right off.

I've been in my glory the last few days in the kitchen with all of the fresh organic veggies and blackberries. I've been making Salads, Fried Green Tomatoes, Zucchini, Blackberry Cake, and my favorite, Spring Onion Soup (recipe below).

As if the bounty of veggies/fruits wasn't enough, Maggie and I had planted a variety of Dahlias a couple of months ago and they were all in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous. She has a great talent for planting them so that when everything blooms they contrast so well with one another.

It's cooling down and I am so excited as my my favorite season approaches. I can't wait for our annual visit the pumpkin patch with my niece and nephew in a few weeks and am dreading the day they say they are too old for it. Oh well, I can always look forward to baking lots of yummy pumpkin goodies and caramel apples. I don't think they'll ever be too old for those!

Elena's Spring Onion Soup
I created this recipe to use up all of the fresh green onions that I harvested at my mother-in-laws. I recommend using fresh homegrown and/or organic vegetables if they are available.

Note: all amounts are approximate since I did it on a whim. You can adjust for your tastes.

Ingredients:

2 bunches of large Green Onions (3 if small), sliced
2-3 cloves of Garlic, sliced
3 Tbsp. Flour
5 Tbsp. unsalted Butter
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 tsp. dried Thyme
2 tsp. dried Dill
1 tsp. smoked Paprika
1 tsp. Mustard Powder
2 Carrots, peeled and diced in small cubes
3 med. Red Potatoes, diced in small cubes with skin on
4 cups. Chicken Broth
1/2 cup good White Wine
1/2 cup Plain Low fat Yogurt
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preparation:

Heat half of the butter and half of the olive oil in a heavy stock pot. Add about 3/4 of the onions, garlic, salt & pepper. Saute until all are tender and add about 1 cup of the broth. Remove from pan and let cool to room temperature in a separate bowl.

Meanwhile, using the same pot heat remaining butter and olive oil and add flour and spices, salt and pepper to create a golden colored rue. Cook at medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly. If rue gets too thick just add a little water.

Add remaining broth and wine to rue, mix until well blended. Add carrots, potatoes and remaining onions and simmer on medium high. Meanwhile, blend cooled onion/garlic mixture in food processor until well blended and add to the soup.

Reduce heat to med. low and stew for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally (if soup gets too thick you can add more broth, or water if it's flavorful enough). Add yogurt and salt and pepper to taste and simmer about 1/2 hour. Enjoy!

Optional Toppers: Crumbled Bacon, Gruyere Cheese or Croutons.

Blooming Expressions

2009-03-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

With more idle time on their hands these days, many people may find themselves wondering endlessly about what the future holds for them. It can be challenging, stressful and a bit overwhelming at times. Which is why I recommend a stress break.

No, I'm not talking about a spa, but I am talking about something refreshing, soothing and inspiring. I'm talking about the art of Soojung Cho.

Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, Soojung moved to the States in 1977 after college to study Fine Art. Her work has been exhibited from Korea to New York and New Jersey. Her work is like yoga for the soul. Her color palettes and composition are energetic, yet calming at the same time. Her Oil on Canvas paintings range in size from 18"wide to 36" high.

I think many of us can relate these days with "Red Way". For me it's full of energy, like the energy flowing around this country right now. It shows a path, which leads to a hill that, to me, represents the hardship we are going through. After the hill, the path continues. The end of the path symbolizes the uncertainties and makes me wonder about the outcome.

"Cherry Blossom" just makes me happy. It makes me feel like walking through a path of blooming cherry blossoms in a white flowy dress without a care in the world.

Finally "Lotus Night" is like sitting under the stars after a long summer day and reminiscing about a glorious day while contemplating what tomorrow will bring.

So, grab a cup of your favorite tea and take a break. Visit: http:www.soojungcho.com to view Soojung's latest work!

Quilts, Cheeseburgers & Harps?

2009-02-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

You may be asking what do these things have in common. Well, these are just a few of my favorite things from the Kitsap Quilters show I attended this weekend.

I've always loved quilts, I love the history behind them, the fabrics, colors, textures and new techniques that constantly arise. I love to touch them and feel the different textures of the various stitches. But, I had to refrain with all my might this weekend. These pros wouldn't appreciate 100's of grubby hands all over their fine works of art so there was a strict "No Touch" policy.

I learned about this show (as I do all quilt shows) from my wonderfully talented mother-in-law, Maggie Magee (shown above with Sarah's Quilt). She designed and pieced each square in unique patterns and angles which add to the whimsy of this quilt that I'm sure her granddaughter, Sarah is going to love. Maggie was also responsible for coordinating and coming up with the theme for this year's Challenge Quilt that was featured in the Kitsap show. She came up with the theme of Music & Song. When she first mentioned the theme I thought it sounded so interesting and knowing what fabulous work Maggie and her guild have created in the past, I was anxious to see the outcome.

Indeed, these women did not disappoint when it came to originality, composition and application. It was hard to choose, but my favorite of the Challenge Quilts was, Cheeseburger in Paradise by Laura Jacobs.

It is my favorite for many reasons, first because I love this wacky song, second, who can refuse a yummy cheeseburger with fries? Finally, the thought and creativity that went into this quilt was amazing. The photo does not give it justice. I think Jimmy Buffett himself would be proud to hang this on his wall. The artist used traditional Buffett themed fabrics. She actually hand stitched the chorus along the top and applied a tiny hammock that hung between the palm trees. But, my most favorite thing about this quilt is the cheeseburger itself, which has tiny beads for the sesame seeds and lettuce that curls over the tomato. Let's not forget those delicate little French fries, which can actually be partially pulled out of the bag (sorry Laura I absolutely could not resist touching those cute little fries and I swear my hands were clean). If Jimmy doesn't want this quilt, I'll definitely take it.

There were numerous other categories of quilts and I could go on and on, but I'll finish with the last two of my favorites, Barack 'N Roll & Kenya Celebrates the Inauguration, both by Karen Knowlton.

I love the vibrant colors and patterns of Africa and there is no shortage of them on these two quilts. Karen has surely captured the excitement and energy that I'm sure people all over the country and Kenya felt during the historical inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.

Now for the harp....While perusing the many quilts we stumbled upon musician, David Michael, who plays the harp and numerous other instruments. In an attempt to occupy my dear, sweet and amazingly patient husband, I asked him if he wanted to listen to and select a few CD's for us to purchase. My husband returned with two of the most beautiful harp CD's I've heard. David Michael's style is World-Fusion, another of my favorites. He also produces music with his wife, Dari Michael and special guests. If you're into World-Fusion or Ambient music check out his site at: http://www.purnimaproductions.com/biography.htm. We purchased Chantilly Mae and Courtship of the Moon and love both of them.

Ahhh.... Robledo

2009-02-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

As an avid wine lover and a love of different cultures I was delighted when my husband and I stumbled upon the Robledo Family Winery while on our honeymoon in Somoma, CA.

I became especially interesed in this winery for it's history. The founder, Reynaldo Robledo, Sr. came to the U.S. in 1968 and earned a mere $1.10 an hour as a migrant farm worker. He spent three decades working in several vineyards learning about vineyard managment. After purchasing a few vineyards of his own Reynaldo, his wife and nine children started producing their own award- winning estate wines.

All of the Robledo children share in the responsibilities. And, by what we've experienced from our tour of the tasting room and facilities and the newsletter & marketing it seems that each of the siblings excels in their particular area.

They offer a great discount to wine club members. My husband and I look forward to our bi-monthly shipments. My favorite is the Petite Sirah which goes well with tapas and Mexican food and the Moscato with any citrus flavored dessert to cool your palette.

We recently learned that the 2005 Los Braceros Red Blend was served at the January 12th lunch between Mexican President Felipe Calderon and U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama.

Visit: http://www.robledofamilywinery.com to learn more about their wine and the La Familia Wine Club, or if you're lucky enough to be in the Sonoma area stop by and visit Larry in the tasting room.