The Day It Rained

Dover Publications purple swirl

Today is going to be a rainy day. Still warm muggy and grey as grey can be morning skies. Today I need to make a mad dash, timing it perfectly of course, to the post office box. Could be worse and I wouldn't be dashing at all, it could be Winter. Well it looks like today is going to be another great day to stay inside and do Spring cleaning and organizing in my studio. A thought keeps popping in my mind every once in awhile lately and that is to write about growing up a blonde. I don't know why I am being urged by my inner self to write about this so I just keep putting it off. Do you ever get thoughts like this not troubling thoughts just persistent?

Special Saturdays

These are the kind of days that I like. Nothing to really do. No pressure no time lines or deadlines. Today was one of those for me. I didn't even really have to go grocery shopping either. Just stay at home and get a whole lot done at home but it was all fun easy stuff. Washing dishes vs. making something handmade and then trying to sell it. It is nice and warm out. The window in my studio has been open all day......there is city sound....traffic, people, children, music, birds, dogs barking and so much more......I received a Mother's Day card early along with cherry smelling soap in the shape of a rose so that all you have to do to use the soap is pull a petal off.....really lovely. I can't wait to make my cards for my two partners and of course I always have a neat thing to tuck in the card. That would be a bookmark. Today I didn't have to make a bookmark because I have many to share. I have these prints too and there are many of these to share. They would look really nice framed! I kept the Baltimore Oriole bird print because I pretty much grew up in Maryland. Where did you grow up?

Arrival of Spring

From the looks of dates here I have been very busy. I am late posting an Easter Greeting so I thought well why not add it now. So Happy Easter Greetings to all. I hope things went well for you and you had a wonderful day on Sunday. Many blessings!

We are arriving at Spring now. Beautiful bright yellow forsythia bushes have burst open and the lilac is leafing once again. All of the daffodils, also tulips and hiacynths, mostly the small plants like snowdrops have popped up out of the ground. Just this past Saturday we got enough snow that it coated everything. It has been coolish and rainy since but the next two days up here in southern NH we are looking for the 60's and that is going to make a lot of Springtime pop here!

I am feeling better healthwise......I had a rough Fall right through Winter. Feeling a lot better now! Thanks for all of the prayers! I am so grateful to have my windows open in my studio and I can hear the birds chirpping! The best sound in the world to me is that! Frogs croaking would be the second best!

Saturdays Are For Sleeping In

I slept in until the phone started ringing at 10:15 this morning. I got about 6 hours more sleep than I normally do. How is that for sleeping in? I was up at 10:15 AM. So in an effort to post today I have decided to post later than usual! Do you need an alarm clock to wake up? I don't! I am magically up at 4 AM or so every morning. This is quite the clock but it doesn't work or at least wise I don't know if it truly does or doesn't so I say it seems broken to me. Great for decoration though! This alarm clock is an antique that belongs to me.

Things Can and Do Get Worse

2 weeks before Christmas and my debit card was just swallowed by my bank's ATM machine. I ordered a new one. My bank info has changed and I don't know my card info so all shopping on line has ceased until I get my new debit card. Sure I can go to my bank and withdraw money but that doesn't help with the internet. UGHHHHHH! I am grateful for today I am alive and this is real life. I am sure I am not the only that this has happened to.....a really good test in patience. I am told by friends that I am the Queen of Patience. Today is a beautiful day. It is bright and sunny. Day 4 now that they are outside of my space here making noise and repairs I am grateful to hear all the beeps bangs and bumps. The norm is a great amount of silence which I am used to now after 4 plus years. It is so peaceful here in my studio. I am grateful for the use of this computer today so I can share my woe with you. Take no pity please as there are others far off worse than me. Pray for peace! Good things are to come such as seeing my grandsons soon. That makes me melt. My grandbabies I love them. A first Christmas for the little one not quite 6 months old and it will be a third Christmas for the older grandson. He is at the fun age because he knows so much more. He wants M and M's from Santa....he is going to get some from his Nana (me) too. Tomorrow they are calling for snow flurries and colder temps. We just had tons of rain and high winds over the weekend a storm that swept up the East coast. Enjoy your day. I am...not! I will try to!!!!! Yes the mail run just made me happy. Nice cards from family and friends to remind me to be grateful for all of them. Happy holidays everybody! A New Year is fast approaching! Oh the picture is my high school graduation picture in August 1976 and I was 17 years old then. I graduated a year early so I didn't graduate the following year with my whole class instead I went on to college.

Broken Computer

Of all things my computer is now broken. So on occaision I may borrow my sons. Of course none of my pictures are here or at least not too many as I once had to use this computer awhile back so I know I have some older pictures saved on here. I have 2 computers now and one doesn't work and the other is slower than turtle. I am grateful to be alive! I won't dwell on the negative. There are so many postive things happening today. I can't forget the new roof going up over head above my studio. The owner has sprung for a new roof. I will endure all of this noise for a new roof. Today is supposed to be the coldest day yet well yes it is a frigid cold 24 outside. Bless those men working in this cold.....they had sun all day so I am sure that helped. Here they come again stocking the roof and then maybe they will be done banging for the day. Where ever you are be grateful for today for if you are reading this you are alive! This poinsettia has been alive and is currently just starting to turn red again. It just bloomed this past summer and skipped last Christmas. So maybe now it had adjusted itself. This year I want to get a Christmas cactus for Glenna's Garden. Do you grow holiday plants?

Today Is My Birthday

Yes it is! I am going to a party for me. I am so looking forward to seeing my grands there. Both sons and Dear DIL! Sweet....it is my day! So lately I have been writing lists for Christmas. Do you do that planning and shopping online for ideas? I have been working on cards for everybody. I am making my own cards this year. Well as many as I can....everything Christmas starts Monday. First are the decorations Yay....hunt them down and then put up. Tomorrow that is number one on the list. I have a carrot cake and cream cheese frosting to bake for myself and my son. That is number two for tomorrow and the list goes on. Have a wonderful day wherevever you are somewhere special!

Black Friday

What a nice day today. Cold outside but warm inside. We made it to 42. I have been relaxing all day. No wories no stress. Shopping for ideas online. There are literally millions of items for sale at Etsy.com My shop is closed I probably won't open until Spring and after I find out why my thumb is hurting. I received my Christmas tree today. So pretty! Beautiful table top fiber optic tree that is~for my desk top! It changes colors and flashes. Something different. Fun to watch. Tomorrow is typically a shopping day for me but I am staying home. I have been cleaning and organizing. Catching up on all those chores I missed while caring for my sick grandson for two days. I watched Larry King and Jack Hannah. What a fantastic show with all the diferent animals, bugs, snakes. birds and reptiles. My favorite were the two owls. I am an owl lover from when I was very young. The day before yesterday I saw a large bird of prey perched in the woods looked like a hawk. So beautiful such a nice sight to see. Of course we were whizzing by and I didn't have my camera with me. When was the last time you saw a wild bird of prey?

GOOD MONDAY MORNING

We had 15 minutes of snow Friday. Here is Manchester, NH....snow is expected for Thanksgiving Eve. Lately the temperatures have hovered around 29-33 degrees. Yes it is officially cold and we are heading into winter. I am looking forward to my birthday after Thanksgiving and then Christmas with my family. I love to decorate for Christmas. I don't have a big tree because we don't have the room for one. With my studio being packed up currently I have a few too many totes in the way. I did find a cute small tree that I plan to use this year. I have so many ways to decorate for Christmas without putting up a big tree anyway. I will share pictures with you of my Christmas decor later in another post. These are my adorable grandsons. The younger one born June 2010 is now triple in weight. He has some great smiles, loves to coo, and is developing normally. He was born 2 weeks early and preemie size at 6 pounds. The older one is so much fun to spend time with. He is 2 1/2 years old now and full of energy. Smart little man and a good big brother. This Christmas is all about my grandsons, my two sons and of course my wonderful daughter in law. I am so thankful for all of them.

TODAY IS THURSDAY

This is Manchester, NH the city I love to hate......

One week until Thanksgiving ~ What I will be serving this year Thanksgiving 2010 roast turkey (I have sucessfully cooked many over the years), real mashed potatos (a family favorite...they all loved my potatos)one year many moons ago I made 20 lbs of my mashed potatos for our usual rather large inlaws outlaws and friends holiday gatherings, then there is the real stuffing I make it from scratch and it always turns out perfect, I am still thinking about a vegetable yet, oh and gravy always have to make homemade gravy with pan drippings, crescent rolls and real butter, my favorite whole cranberry sauce, and this year I want to bake some cookies to serve with dessert ~ pumpkin pie. I will do this for my son and I because I love to cook and bake! If there are others to join us well then I always make a lot extra so there will be enough just in case. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

My Mondays

My Mondays are usually busy days for me. Today should be no exception then. Actually minus a trip to the PO is nice depending on how you look at it. Since I am on leave I don't miss those trips. I have a plan for my new studio space and that is to be super organized. I was and I wasn't before. I am still looking for that new pace. I see that it is going to take time. I even have an agent and I was so excited to get an email from her full of rentals but then I was so disappointed that the places were all super expensive yikes so I have been pursuing my own leads. God always has a hand in this too. For a little bit more money I want more space and to be away from the inner city yet still live in this wonderful city of Manchester, NH. I have found 3 places all close to one of the nicest parks around here. This is a park I have only seen in passing, driving by it. I would love to explore it and photograph it. My city Manchester is among one of the best for parks and preserved areas. I am excited at the prospect of perhaps living close by just this very particular park. Now I have 3 options!

SOMETIMES ON SUNDAY

Just one of many.......such a beautiful city!

Entertainment venue for outdoor summer concerts at Veteran's Park Manchester, NH

Veteran's Park Manchester, NH

Do you ever feel like doing absolutely nothing like sometimes on a Sunday? I can't say I haven't done anything today. I feel like taking a nap but if I do it will wreck my schedule. I had so much fun shopping downtown yesterday, especially at the bookstore, I bought a bunch of Golden Books for my grandsons to have something to read when they come to see me. I looked through them and chose the older ones many vintage because I love the illustrations. Besides that it reminds me of the ones I used to read to my sons when they were little.

It is that time to organize my studio. I have been working on it off and on today. I have some pretty neat vintage items to take pictures of and list tomorrow. I have a few more handmade items to list as well. My goal now is 225 sales. I am at 201. Stop on by a pay me a visit at the garden not just any garden Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ every day there are new listings so we will be fully stocked for Christmas in July 15-25, 2010 on ETSY.

I took some pictures along the way and downtown yesterday so I thought I would share them with you.

This city is full of beautiful murals.

This Thursday I will be taking more city pictures at our downtown Farmer's Market. They will be in next Saturday's blog.

DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

FINALLY FRIDAY

Feels funny not doing a Feature Friday today~please let me know if you would like me to feature your ETSY shop here on my blog. Even though I have FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK this July 2, 2010 and it is Fourth of July Holiday weekend  coming up I will take someone for this next Friday! I have posted for people in my groups and so far no takers.........

I would like to share this quote with you something to think about for today~

"Self-love seems so often unrequited". Anthony Powell



YAY it is Friday finally. Christmas in July on ETSY is from the 15th to 25th so that is what I am working on and thinking about these days. I have been listing many small gifts in my shop to be ready for this event check it out http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ HANDMADE IN NH I like to purchase small gifts throughout the year and tuck them away for Christmas. Shopping online has sure made a big difference in many people's lives.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT ~ Emelia Belle joined Mom, Dad and sister Lilliana yesterday to create an even more beautiful family. I wish they lived near us we are in NH and they are in FL. May God keep them safe and well! My grandson is due to join us next month~I am a very excited Nana these days with the arrival of new babies. It seems like it was just yesterday when the first two children were born. They are still my babies, only 2 years old. I think I am more excited than anything to see Brady interacting with his brother Carter in person and Lilliana interacting with Emelia in pictures. Of course I can't wait to hold Carter and tell him how much Nana loves him. I was there moments after Brady was born, holding him. I will always feel an extra special bond with him. He is my angel born on my Mother's birthday.He is quite the little man these days with a zest for living life to the fullest. Curious about everything! Where do they get all of that energy from? Pictures of Emelia aren't available yet. I saw her on my son's phone though last night. She is very healthy looking nice chubby cheeks....sweet precious beautiful Emelia Belle welcome to this world!!!!!!!!

Weather today HOT again and the humidity is back up!!!!! We have stabilized the studio so that it is cooler and no humidity.......I think I actually got better sleep last night than I have in a long time or maybe I was really that tired! I feel refreshed today, alive, awake, happy!

To be listed soon at Glenna's Garden shop!

I like to eat lightly in the summer this is a really awesome salad!!!!!

The Summer's Best Pasta Salad

This recipe was copied to share with you! I have made different versions of this salad over the years but I thought this one looks so simple. I would even add some fresh herbs from my garden like basil.
Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta (semolina or whole wheat, your choice)
5-7 cups assorted raw and washed vegetables
(I used broccoli florets, grape tomatoes, Vidalia onions, edamame, sliced mushrooms - you could also use cucumber, carrots, peas, or your other favorite vegies)
1 bottle (8 ounces) of your favorite *Zesty* Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup salad seasonings (I used McCormick Salad Supreme)

Basil planted in a pot from seed this Spring at Glenna's Garden

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to directions on package. Rinse under cold water; drain well.
2. While the pasta is cooking chop, dice and slice your selection of vegies.
3. Put pasta and vegies in a large bowl. Add salad dressing and salad seasonings.
4. Toss to coat. Cover.
5. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to let the entire salad get cold and marinate the flavors.
6. OPTIONAL: sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese

This takes about 15 minutes to prepare - just about 2 minutes longer than it takes to cook the pasta!

ENJOY!

HAVE A SUPER SUMMER WEEKEND!!!!!!

LIKE THE NEW LOOK?

In response to comments: Yes I did make some changes to my blog layout recently due to Blogger implementing them for our use. I like the way it looks. I try not to make it too complicated and keep it organized. My Owl ACEO sold so I relisted another one. It is my 200th sale, it happened today, and this customer will be getting a special gift from Glenna's Garden along with this adorable vintage owl art card they purchased. I have it in another design as well. I am an owl lover so I may keep one of the other cards. I have been "busy as a bee" listing new summer items in my shop and there is a bunch more to go. Check it out http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Humidity was 87% this morning and it was 70 degrees. It is HOT!!!!!!!!!! We need rain looks dark to the North. Big black clouds too. YAY!

Poking around the internet and I found this:

http://www.craftpassion.com/

Some great how tos!

FOCUS ON ETSY

Yesterday I received a letter from Dr. Dewayne Williams. I looked at his shop and there was an iris wood cutout done in scroll saw work. Dewayne says that you can add stained glass to it. Then for a moment I realized that I have a monogramed tie tack for sale in my shop and the initial is W. So I wrote back to Dr. Williams and he was so kind. I told him I would write in my blog today about him and his ETSY shop. These are the different mediums that Dr. Williams creates fine artwork in acrylics, water color, pen and ink, and pyrography on canvas, wood, paper, bone, leather and leather products. He also has scroll saw designed pieces, carvings, and one of a kind specialty pieces using a combination of the above. You can visit him at http://www.dewaynewiliams.org/ for a complete showing of his artwork. Please check out his ESTY shop at http://www.dewaynewilliams.etsy.com/ He does beautiful work and is such a talented artist. I could go crazy with favorites from in his ETSY shop. I hope you enjoy this blog and meeting Dr. Dewayne Williams from Misssouri. This blog takes the place of the Feature Friday for this week.

I had a huge creative streak yesterday. I made earrings, real .925 silver of course, shepards hook .925 silver bookmarks, a greeting card and a pair of .925 silver and glass beaded earrings. All of these ideas have been in the works I was just waiting for some more materials to arrive. Now what to do. My memory card is full in my camera. I tried deleting pictures and the camera is still behaving badly. Time for a new memory card. This last one held almost 1,200 pictures. The life of a photographer. I finished up my last swap package for June yesterday. It is the Big Fat Stuffed Envelope #4 Swap. I spoiled my swap partner with a bunch of goodies. She is only 20. I am well let's say twice her age plus some. I tried to imagine what someone that age would like. She said in her profile she liked animal print I said to myself "great" because I know I have some perfect ribbons for that I don't like. That is what is so great about the swap, I always have some things to pass along. She likes Hello Kitty so do I. Now I had to share something with her that I liked, my Hello Kitty stickers. I just got them...oh no...I was thinking but then in another thought she will love them. I had an assortment of 100 in this particular set so I gave her 20. I wouldn't do that for just anybody but since she is a Hello Kitty fan well I would feel guilty if I didn't share.

I like to decorate boxes from tiny matchbox size to cigar box size.

YAY it is 70 in Manchester, NH currently and it rained last night. The plants, bugs, birds and wildlife are happy again. It feels cool but the humidity is supposed to build and be ferocius, somewhere around 75% is predicted for tomorrow. I don't mind heat it is the humidity that I don't like. I lived in FL for 15 years near the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean with nice breezes. It was comfortable not really humid just plain HOT. How has this summer started for you? We still have July and August to go!

From Kraft Foods Kitchen:

What You Need!
1 whole wheat pita bread, cut in half 1 Tbsp. MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing 6 slices OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast 4 thin tomato slices 4 thin cucumber slices 2 thin red onion slices 1/2 of a small green pepper, cut into thin slices

Make It!

SPREAD insides of pita halves with dressing.
FILL evenly with remaining ingredients. ENJOY!

Kraft Kitchens Tips Special Extra
Top filling with a sprinkle of cracked black pepper or chopped fresh dill.

Take Along
For best results, assemble sandwich just before serving. If transporting the sandwich, pack the filling ingredients in separate containers and pack in a cooler until ready to assemble sandwich.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing Kraft Foods here you may use any ingredients as an equal substitute.

SO DOWNTOWN WAS NICE TODAY

I had to make yet another quick trip on foot to downtown, Manchester, New Hampshire, or Manch Vegas as it is called or the Shires. This trip involves one hour of walking. It was so nice out in the shade. Great walk and I feel renewed and refreshed. Today I finally have pictures and new items to list in my shop. There is more to do but I am only one person doing many things that always keep me busy. It is going to be another 88 degree day here. It is now the noon hour and I don't feel hunger yet. So I will blog.

This quote means a lot to me so I thought I would share it with you.

"If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were." Kahlil Gibran

This is a numbered vintage ceramic plate Made in Italy by Nove

I blogged about how I became the recepient of this beautiful leaf plate yesterday.

Strange thing is I have always wanted one but it was not affordable to me.

Purple being my favorite color dominates this beautiful afghan I received, which I also blogged about..

Here is a sneak peek at some items going up for sale at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

I am sharing this recipe with you from StonyField Recipes. http://www.stonyfield.com/  It is a local farm nearby where I am located in Manchester, NH

Do you have a local Farmer's Market? We have a very nice one here in Manchester, NH.

Avocado, Yellow Beet, and Green Bean Salad

The combination of creamy avocado with the crunch of crisp beets and the snap of green beans is a real palate pleaser. The colors are as startling and varied as the tastes. Key to this easy-to-prepare salad is avoiding overcooking the beets; they should still be crunchy. Cook in salty water until your fork just pierces them and the skin is easy to remove.

makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 yellow or red beets washed, trimmed and quartered
2 cups green beans, trimmed
1 cup Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice (optional)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 avocados peeled and diced
4 ounces goat cheese
1/3 cup of chopped hazelnuts
10 ounces salad greens

Directions

Place beets in a medium size pot. Add enough water to cover them and season the water with salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes until a fork just pierces the beets. Remove the beets from boiling water and run under cold water, removing the skins. The skins should come off easily. In the meantime bring 2 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until bright green. Remove beans and rinse under cold water.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, pomegranate juice, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper.

On 4 plates arrange mixed greens, beets, avocados, and green beans. Drizzle each salad with dressing and garnish with goat cheese and hazelnuts. ENJOY!

Time to go back to work. If you want to be on my Feature Friday on this blog please let me know. You have to be an ETSY shop owner. This project is my part of a larger group promoting ETSY shops the AWEteam FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK on ETSY!

My grandson's favorite saying Nice to meet you! (from a 2 year old) and see you tomorrow.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2010

Happy Father's Day from Glenna at Glenna's Garden!!! For me what makes Father's Day happy is talking on the phone with my oldest son who is now a Father to a two year old son and he is expecting another son next month. I used to read that first book to the son I am speaking of here in this blog, 30 years ago. I am not very close to my own Father in CA. I will call him of course. I always call my sister who raised two children on her own without their Father...she always seems to enjoy the special call, even though we talk just about everyday anyway. We are having really nice and hot temperatures up here at Glenna's Garden in Manchester, NH. My sales need to be hot too. I am stuck at 199 sales. I am offering the person who makes the 200th sale a really sweet extra surprise from Glenna's Garden so please check things out at the garden. Many new things have been listed and new things are ready to go http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/  Did you know that you can click on my banner at the top of this blog and it takes you right to Glenna's Garden? I apologize I still have not taken pictures of my latest work. I really wanted to post it yesterday. I am still feeling sick, ear infection whooping my butt and requiring lots of extra rest. We are going to be having a great dinner tonight. We are having steak which has been marinating in the freezer. Did you know you can do that? Put steak in marinade for a day or two, then freeze when ready to use take it out and thaw it. Cook. It can make a cheap chuck steak very tender and delicious.

I chose this picture I took of my studio calendar because it is a lighthouse.

My Father likes lighthouses and so do I.

What Day Is It?

FEATURE FRIDAY: ART by Marlene http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lazyhawk

1. You have been with Etsy since 02/04/08. How has Etsy changed during this time period?

"I don't think it really has changed that much. There have been a few format changes and some improvements in the listing process but all in all it is basically the same."

2. You are a member of the DAWG team on Etsy. Please tell us what DAWG stands for and what your team does.

"DAWG stands for Designing Artist Women's Group. It had its origins on Ebay and was a group of women who created ACEO's. We moved to a Ning site and focused on selling on Etsy when Ebay started making changes that were not to the sellers benefit a couple of years ago. It is a group of women who not only have a love of art but a love for God as well. We have fun monthly challenges, swaps, and we have done a few things together as a group that we auction off for charity. We made a group quilt that was auctioned for breast cancer and are currently working on a mini ACEO Album, done Round Robin style that the proceeds will be donated to a mission in Haiti. We also have a team blog at:

http://www.dawgteamonetsy.blogspot.com/

3. You create ink drawings, watercolor, create jewelry and collect and sell vintage items. Which do you like best and why?

"I think I like watercolor or watercolor pencils the best. They are easy to take with me to the mountains or the beach. I also love to create with needle felting. ACEO's (2.5 X 3.5 inches) are my favorite size to create in."


4. Are there any other activities that you are involved with that you would like us to know about?

I really enjoy sketching and using graphite pencils for drawing. I try to do a sketch every Sunday. Sunday Sketches is hosted by Sophia at http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

I also have a blog at: http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com/

5. Do you have any advice or tips for running a successful ETSY business?

"The only advice I have is to be as active as possible in the forums. Join in the threads and chat, let people get to know you and get to know them. List as often as you can to keep your store active in the searches."

Thank you Marlene for sharing your beautiful works of art with us!

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS TUESDAY

I have had an EBAY account for years. I never really started using it until recently. I just won a bid for several rolls of Nature themed deco tapes. These tapes are nice and great for decorating your packages. What I can't use will go up for sale on ETSY in http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ Glenna's Garden. I put in a couple more bids for various other craft supplies. What got me hooked back into EBAY was last week I was bidding for a Cricut machine, they normally sell for $300.00 and the bidding in the last hour was at $30.00 I just had to have it so I played the bidding game down to the last second and at $51.00 I was out bid by $1.00. It sold for $52.00 I lost but maybe that person that won needed it more than me. So now I am keeping my eye on the crafts section at EBAY. I don't have that book EBAY for Dummies but I do have some other books for Dummies. I often find them to be very helpful especially when it comes to technology.  I can see how EBAY is going to be another fun activity to complement my ETSY shop.

Bisquick Recipe for Picnic Chicken

Ingredients

2/3 cup buttermilk

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 1/2 lb)
1 cup Country® Corn Flakes cereal
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix or Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 packages (1 oz each) ranch dressing mix (dry)
Cooking spray

1.Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

2.Pour buttermilk into shallow glass or plastic bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat. Let stand 5 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, in 2-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag, crush cereal with rolling pin. Add Bisquick mix and dressing mix (dry) to cereal in bag. Remove chicken from buttermilk; discard buttermilk. Add chicken to cereal mixture. Seal bag; shake to coat.

4.Place chicken on cookie sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).

Do-Ahead Tip

Bake it the night before, then pack it up for a picnic in the park the next day!

Variation

Create a new recipe just by cutting up the chicken! For Oven-Fried Chicken Fingers, cut chicken breast halves crosswise into 1 1/2-inch strips before coating with buttermilk. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Turn strips; bake about 20 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

 (I make this all of the time and everybody always loves it)

Disclaimer of course you may use any manufacturer's product equivalent as a substitute.

ENJOY!

Feature Friday: Charlene from Cssupplycloset on ETSY

FEATURE FRIDAY: Charlene's Creative Closet of Great Supplies

Charlene says when asked how she has become so successful on ETSY:

1. I truly don't know how I have had such a successful Etsy shop. But, I think there are a few key things you can do, finding out what people like/like to buy, pricing right, and posting at least every other day if not every day (including when you re-post from a sale).



2. I love Etsy, it has never given me any problems. They are quick to refund if you get an order that doesn't pay on it. Easy to navigate and have a great social community. I really couldn't tell you the least favorite, might be the way they have the posting set up. I'd love if they could have it all on one page!

3. Brads are my favorite. If I had more time I think I'd make my own like http://www.aimoobaroo.etsy.com/

4. I belong to Team Esst (Esty Supply Street Team) and FirstFridayArtWalk which Glenna from Glenna's Garden introduced me to.

Some feedback Charlene has received:

ThePinkZebraCompany says:

Unique products! I will definately purchase more supplies from this seller!

NVBarbarella says:

Recieved Quickly, Packaged Nicely, Will purchase again!

Pugglebugs says:

Flawless international transaction. Excellent item, service and communication - thank you so much!

5. Other Activities thats a Great question! I think my life is one big activity. From running around with the kids for soccer and swimming. I'm the secretary for my local MOMS Club, I sit on the Soccer club board as the Uniform person. I'm a part of MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) which is an group of women who get together for support and fun! I'm a hardcore swapper on swapbot (charlenescreativecloset). I have just started posting my finished items on Artfire (http://www.artfire.com/users/charlenescreativecloset) The reason I'm using Artfire is because it's free. I'm really only using it to send people to that I meet at craft fairs. I'm not depending on it to sell anything. I occasionally go to the gym... when I feel a little heavy and next on my list might be to join a soccer team. Oh yeah and tonight I have Bunco :) What a cazy busy life us Moms lead!

Before I go I'd like to say thank you to Glenna for featuring me and my ETSY shop. Glenna is a great friend.

~~Charlene Moss~~

http://www.themossfamily123.blogspot.com/

http://www.charlenescreativecloset.blogspot.com/

http://www.cssupplycloset.etsy.com/

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love smores now you can make them in a new way without the campfire. I love to camp and have campfires and make smores the old fashioned way too.

Here is a delicious interpretation of a campfire classic from Epicurious Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup whipping cream
5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
16 large marshmallows
1 1/2 pints coffee ice cream

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 8-inch square baking pan. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Whisk butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Add flour mixture. Stir to blend. Mix in nuts. Press dough over bottom of prepared pan. Bake blondie until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool.

Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store blondie airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate chocolate sauce. Rewarm sauce over medium-low heat before using.)

Cut blondie into 16 squares. Place 2 squares in each of 8 large sundae dishes. Thread marshmallows onto 4 skewers; hold over gas flame or under broiler until soft and golden. Place 2 scoops ice cream atop blondies in each dish. Spoon sauce over. Top with 2 marshmallows.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smores-Sundaes-101824#ixzz0ppewPSHk