Staci Shuck

The Bandit Strikes Again!

It is the season of EGGS!!!!  (It's really the season for much more important things but...at the moment it's all about the EGGS!)  We do eat eggs at our house...some of us that is...others of us just make eggs or cook with them.  On occasion we color them, hide them and fill them.  No matter what we do with them we always seem to attract bandits!  You know...those ghosts who dip into the eggs, no matter what kind, snatch'em while we're not looking and then say..."where did all the eggs go????"  I thought this year might be different, or I should say I had HOPE that it would be different,  but alas, the "Pickled Egg Bandit" is among us.  He (we know who it is) has struck multiple times!  He's slowing down in his old age though as this year he's been caught in the act!  That hasn't stopped him though....The trail begins at the refrigerator and looks something like this...

It, (the drippage), continues across 5 feet of kitchen floor until it reaches the salt shaker on the countertop...then the drops disappear!!!  Down the hatch they must go in a big old purple gulp!  The drippage picks up on the bandits chin(not sharing that picture) and then "he" disappears!!!!
Who knew that these little purple eggs and beets could cause such a mess and a speckled floor!
And yes, there are only 5 eggs left of the original 30.  The bandit has been pretty busy in the last 24 hours!  Here's hoping the "bandit" doesn't strike at your house and that you have plenty of Pickled Eggs with your Easter Dinner!  It's a good think we are going OUT for dinner!!!!!

Happy Easter!

Staci

One last post for Joe...

It's been a few weeks and things are starting to slowly get back to "normal?"  That's not completely correct,  but I think you get the idea.  Still lots of emotion around here and THEEEEE flag
IS (and WILL CONTINUE to fly) to fill the void, show pride and honor PSU and Joe and family.  We still and will always have PSU in our hearts!  We wear it on our cars....

See it in the Scrapbooking and Papercrafting Aisle at Grove's....
in our jewelry....
and it's on our candy wrappers, paper plates and yes, sometimes we eat blue and white pasta!!!!!  Obsessed?  Nah, proud, appreciative, thankful, devoted and very glad to have experienced this during the time Joe was here!  We attended the processional for Joe in our best blue and white out of respect for him, his family, our family and because it was the right thing to do.  We received word that the service was over and cars were beginning to move.  As we looked in that direction to confirm, Jeff noticed this very faint, but very awesome rainbow.  
It is faint, just above and to the right of the trees, but it IS there and we, already emotional, shed a few more tears!  A sign for sure that Heaven was Happy...Joe smiling down on us! (Insert tears here!) Then we saw the cars, those awesome blue buses carrying family members with Sue in the seat that Joe rode in for the last 60 years and Jay and family waving to us as they passed. We have NEVER experienced such quiet in this place.  The hum of the media helicopters, noise from flashing vehicle lights and the snaps of cameras were all that could be heard.  Such respect for a man and his family who have done so much.  Listen for yourself.

The day after this processional was a public memorial service at Bryce Jordan Center next to the stadium.  We did not attend but did watch it live on our local station.  It was amazing.  Such a tribute from sooooo many lives Joe had touched.  This video of Nike CEO, Phil Knight, who also spoke at the service, said what we all have been feeling. We visited Joe's Statue...
so quiet and yes, I cried...Jeff told me to "Buck UP"...that didnt' work at all!  We had our Peach Paterno ice cream....delicious, delicious, delicious...made at the Campus Creamery!
We paid our respects and left messages at the Sports Museum & just one more photo!

Yep!  We're Penn State, Nittany Lion, Joe Paterno, Paterno Family fans!  I will close with that and say that there will be more pictures from this day and days to come but...we'll be sharing some creativity too.  Monday Madness will be here this week too...just a little late!

This is CHANGE....I am working to EMBRACE it!  I may have to borrow some "FOCUS" to continue to move ahead! 

Thanks for allowing me to share!  Have an impact in all you do!

Staci

Happy New Year!

Good Morning 2012!
This is the view from the kitchen this morning...no "official" sun at this point, just a pink sky on the horizon and it's the first sunrise of 2012...at least in Central Pennsylvania!!!  Great way to start off the year!  I should have ventured outside for a better photo but instead shot this right through the screen on the kitchen window.  Tradition brings us together today as a family for our "good luck" pork and sauerkraut dinner.  It's a favorite get together in the family and a wonderful way to start off the year.  Special preparations mean getting up at the crack of dawn (or before in this case) to put the kraut and the pork in a slow cook roaster like this... OFFICIAL RED NESCO 18 QT roaster oven.....it's big, beautiful and holds enough for the entire family to feast this afternoon....and the sauerkraut smells wonderful already! I was glad to be working at the window filling this new roaster and get a glimpse on the start of the new year with this sunrise...finally the red sky turned into a bright sun, again through the window...this time the living room window...dirty window at that...but it commemorates the moment...first sunrise of 2012!

Lots of reflection in these few minutes..."changes"(the one little word from 2011) that have taken place in 2011 (and those still to come in 2012), thankfulness for all around me and appreciation.  It amazes me how much can go through your mind as you work and take time to think, relax, enjoy, live and "embrace" the moment!  Suddenly I realized...my word for 2012, which hadn't come to me yet...there it was..."embrace" - the moment, the changes, life, inspiration, family, the adventure and 2012!  May it be a blessed, creative, healthy 2012 for everyone!  Embrace every minute of it!  Happy New Year!

Internal Clocks....

This time of year my internal (seasonal) clock (or calendar maybe) starts clicking away at the things that have to be done.  Because of that "big change" (don't worry...we'll talk about it soon) going on right now...the internal clock is focusing on other things...like "putting up".  Even though the schedule is still jam packed, there is a bit of freedom to do the things that haven't been done for a while.  One of those things is the refolding and changing of some family heirlooms (there's that word Stephanie) in storage.  Soooo...the internal clock said it was time to go get those things from storage and get to work preserving them!  Sooo...I changed the archival tissue layered in these heirlooms

and refolded, repacked and RE-stored them.  The tissue(it's that buffered, lignin, acid free tissue) does a great job preventing yellowing and the transfer of faded colors.  It does need changed every so often in order for this to happen so it's good that the "change" is happening now.  The family became interested too and it turned into a great time to remember people and events from our past.  Hopefully their internal clocks will click in the future and they'll carry on these same events with their families.

Managed to get some creative time in as well by placing pictures on pre-done layouts.  I am way behind my goal of doing a page a day but...I AM still working toward that goal and will hope to get as close to 365 completed pages as possible.  We'll see...lots of catching up to do!  It felt great to be back

in the creative seat again and now I am ready to get started on Random Creative Scrapple Doodle with Miss Stephanie!!!  Can't wait to get rolling on that.  If you haven't signed up yet...it's a MUST DO!  So click this Link (<that word link) and read all about it and register!  It promises to not only be creative but also inspiring with a great group of people too!

Happy Creating!

 

Just like my Nan used to make!

I'm actually starting to worry myself a bit with all I'm doing!  But I think it's a good worry and I know the things I'm doing, like "putting up", making Ham n' Green Beans and making Nan's (she was the bestest-and she liked the bestest wool store in the valley too) homemade vegetable soup... are being enjoyed and appreciated by the family!  So if cooking up some homemade vegetable soup...
just like Nan's, can conjure up comments from the family like "hmmm...that's the good kind too mom" and "mom that soup is great" it is all worth it!   The "big change" (which we'll talk about at a later date) has triggered and enabled me to actually enjoy this season! With that said...4 quart of soup is frozen with a little leftover for lunch tomorrow and there are enough veggies left to make another batch before the weekend is over!  It's pretty good stuff if I do say so myself!!!! 

No peaches today or tomatoes but I'm hoping the weekend will bring a few our way!  I can see that creative time light at the end of the tunnel!!!  Looking forward to attending Art On A Limb with Lisa Patterson, Cheryl Darrow and my good friend Laurie Hunt in a few weeks.  Check it out and join us!!!  You WON'T be dissappointed!!!  Miss Lisa was just named to the Authentique Design team too ...yeah Lisa!!!

That's all for now!  Hope to be back tomorrow!!!!  Happy Friday!

Things are changin'

and it's not just the season!!!!  Things are changin' around here and I am lovin' it!  There's lots going on but for now I'll start with today and a trip to the "valley"!  The BIG Valley that is!  Not sure how it became Big Valley but it's a wonderful valley.  I enjoy weekly trips during summer for dry goods, fresh produce and shopping at the flea markets!  It's full of farms, amish and mennonite families and businesses, antique shops, flea markets, livestock and fresh produce auctions and the bestest(I don't think that's a word but it really describes my feelings about this shop!) place to buy wool and felt for use in my felting machine... thank you dear friend Stephanie Ackerman for your encouragement and guidance (enabling me) in the purchase of this wonderful machine!!!!  My mind continues to spin with ideas for my felt and wool stash!  It IS THE BOMB!!!!  More on that in future posts though!

Back to the Valley...today's trip was a bit later in the day...around Noon (usually it's 6AM or so) so we missed the prime goodies but we managed to do pretty well.  It is the time, here in rural Pennsylvania anyway, for "putting up" for the winter!  You know...harvesting all the goodies from the garden that are plentiful and canning and freezing for meals through out the coming year????    It's something I've done since I was a small child helping my mom and grandmother.  Trust me when I say that I really DID NOT enjoy prepping for canning while I was doing it but now...I cherish those memories!  What a skill I learned at an early age.  I am thankful!  Tending garden was part of the tradition as well and even though we've had gardens in years past, we completely miss planting season this year.  We have NOTHING to harvest!  Thank goodness for neighbors, the local farmer's market and "the valley"!   Today's trip was about finding large quantities of these....
and some potatoes, onions and ham for what else....Ham and Green Beans!!! 4-Half Gallons frozen!  Yippee! There was even enough for dinner and to share with some special neighbors!  It was lots of snapping, washing, scrubbing, crying(silly onions), peeling and cooking but it tasted great and we've got food for winter!!!!  Next up...some sweet stuff!  Peaches...regular and WHITE PEACHES!!!!
The traditional orange colored(inside flesh) were not quite ripe but the white peaches(they're actually white flesh) were deeeee-licious! Outside coloring is the same just a little lighter.  The kids agreed...those were the favorite.  Next week...a bushel or so of those to freeze for fresh fruit in the coming year!  Picked up some red ripe tomatoes as well...and hope to try freezing them for marinara, taco, chili sauces and soups.  Local farmer's market tomorrow...will be checking it out for some celery, carrots, onions and peas for veggie soup!  Things are changin'(oops! there's my word of the year again!) around here and I'm liking it!  Hope you're enjoying some fresh market fair this season and are changin' things up a bit!

Secret...I figure if I "put some things up"  I'll have more time for some creativity!!!!  Keep the fingers crossed!

Happy rest of the week!

Happy 2011!

Best of good health and happiness to all of you in this new year!  I look forward to sharing it with you as well!  I trust you all had your pork, sauerkraut and masked potatoes for good luck!  We've had ours and as most of us agreed this is a favorite meals because of the leftovers!  Somehow that sauerkraut tastes the day after and the day after that!  The pickles are tasting pretty good as well...that brine makes them better day after day! Here's that recipe for those who requested.  I really meant to post it the other day but...here it is...

Micro Pickles

3 cups finely sliced cucumbers (the little ones)

1 small onion, chopped finely

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. celery salt

1 tsp. mustard seed

1/2 tsp. tumeric

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar.

Slice cucumbers and onions and place in a shallow pan.  I use a glass, microwave safe, round casserole. Combine all other ingredients and stir until well blended.  Pour over cucumbers and pickles.  Place in microwave 3 minutes - stop and stir.  Heat 4 minutes more.  Stir and then cool.  Place in refrigerated sealed container til completely cool.

While I'm on recipes...I had a few other request for the peppermint bark recipe I use.  I promised to post it with some pictures as proof that I use a food processor to crush my peppermint (when I can't find it already crushed that is!) rather than using the old rolling pin method.  However, if you NEED to get rid of some frustration...there's nothing better than placing peppermint into a bag and banging it to smitherines with a rolling pin or mallet!!!!  I usually alway end up popping a hole in the bag though and all the crushed peppermint ends up on the floor!  Soooo...I instead, I use my little food processor  and the peppermint goes from this.... to this.... in a matter of seconds....truly not a soothing but...much faster and much less mess!  Get's a little smoky but I'll take that over cleaning the floor any day!  The recipe is easy...1 box candy canes, crushed (it's the equivalent of about 12 candy canes-whichever flavor you like.  1 bag of mints would work as well) and 1 bag Wilton vanilla baking chips.  Cover 1 cookie sheet with waxed paper.  Crush candy canes or peppermints.  Melt chips until smooth and pourable.  Pour onton waxed paper lined cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with crushed mint to cover.  Place in refrigerator for 2 hours or until completely cooled.  Remove and break into pieces.  I use these red and green candy canes by Bob's.  They are a bit milder than some of the others...but you can use whichever you prefer.  Mine ends up ont the tray like this...I have a few big pieces on this batch because I pulsed the processor instead of just letting it run by itself....Again it's your preference!

That's all for now!  Happy Cooking!  Happy Monday!  Happy New Year! 

Out with the old....In with the New!!!!

To celebrate the new year I literally move alot of things OUT and replaced it with a new cleaner look....not necessarily new things!  Specifically 4 garbage bags full of old!  Great feeling I must say and I am looking forward to starting 2011 in a clean workspace that should make getting things finished alot easier!  We can hope!  Had to get the cleaning done today (the 30th) so the cooking can commence Friday for the New Year's Day dinner!  Pretty pleased with the outcome...still lots to do but it's a start!  Also have a few more layouts to share.

First...a 2 page layout using the December Sketch from Sweet Peach Crop Shop on one of the pages but not on the other.  Notice this is 2003!!!!  But it's done!!!!! Next up a close up of the Tea Time page and another layout using the same Sketch from the December Challenge done by Trish at Sketch Inspiration. 

Last but not least some before and after pics of my mess... and a short video to ring out the old!


 

Tomorrow brings the end of 2010, lots of cooking, cleaning and preparing for New Year's Day dinner and...if all goes well...lots of creating in my cleaned up craft space!  Happy New Year everyone!

Sketches and Pickles!!!!

Quite the combination I know...and NO...I am not pregnant!!!!!  Just trying to multi-task and get as much done as I can before the mayhem begins again!  Got a few more layouts done...photo of one for now...this time I used Sketch #156  from Trish at Sketch Inspiration....needed some variety so went searching for more Sketch sites.  This is a great community and I finished 5 more page layouts and using my scraps did some cards and big journaling tags too!  It's all in the name of progress! And my version....(better photo later...I took this in the darkness of my craft room at 1AM this morning...just  a little off!)

If you need a good cup of tea....I suggest Teaforte English Breakfast...had a cup while doing the page and it was delightful!  More examples of this sketch to follow as well as a few of the December sketch.   Now for the Pickles....there is absolutely NO connection between pickles and sketches...yet that is...I will be doing a page about pickles in the future though!  I began preparations today for our New Year's day dinner....grocery shopping, cleaning, washing dishes....you know the drill...also on the list was "Pickle Prep".  Mom is the queen of making pickles and has tried many recipes...they have all been good but I have never ventured to make them myself until now!  Tasted these..... 
thinly sliced morsels at Christmas eve dinner and was immediately hooked on the crispy, crunchy texture and the sweet and tangy taste.  I responded with a "these are gooooood" and mom said "7 minutes in the microwave"...she is such a smart lady!!!!  So I ventured into "pickleland" yesterday and did 2 sweet batches and then created my own "dill" version.  Hope there are some left for New Year's Day dinner!

Happy Thursday!

I've said it before....

Where DOES the time go????  Can it be that 13 days have passed since I posted last???  Oh my...and as my students remind me daily...today there's only 11 more days until Christmas!!!!  and...NO, I am NOT ready!  But I am as ready as I'm going to be and that's okay with me!

So sit back, relax, sip some coffee or...well, whatever you'd like to sip and I'll get you caught up!

Hmmm...I'll go back to Dec. 2nd...and my December daily journal...I did finish it!  Here's proof....
and I LOVE it!  Thanks you Stephanie Ackerman for sharing this wonderful project with us and the magic that goes with it!  My book is full and I'm journaling and taking photo's and adding little pieces from each day!  Look forward to doing one of these every year for the holiday but just may have to do one for the entire year!!!  I'm working on that idea!!!  Stay tuned.  Next up was the decorating of the Crismon tree at church!  I was so happy to place this wonderful Crismon...
created by Stephanie, on our tree at church!  Has a special place on the tree and in our hearts! First weekend in December is alwasy a busy weekend. The 4th we set up the Nativity Display that featured over 100 different Nativity sets collected by members of our church.  This year I displayed...
this Willow Tree set and 2 others including this "Black Bear Nativity" -so cute I just had to have it!
Also this weekend is the annual craft bazaar at the local community center and the Garden Club Festival of Tree's!  Busy...Busy weekend.  Mom did a wonderful living wreath that was perfect fo the decorating the mantel at the Historical Society building where the Festival takes place.  She did a great job as usual...take a look...
I just love it and of course want one of my own!!!!  Maybe she can teach me!!!  I'll keep my fingers crossed!  These events are annual events for the this weekend and they make it a very special weekend too.  The Christmas parade comes through downtown, Santa arrives officially and the lights are lit down through town... so pretty when it's dark and even prettier when it snows!!!  This fella...(sorry I  can't get him turned)
is hanging just outside the store and has been around for quite a few years.  Another tradition to record in my Countdown to Christmas book!  Last week was busy decorating gingerbread houses at school...love what the kids do...their creativity and interest has come through in their designs...I'll be posting finished project pictures of them later. Just look at this box of candy
for decorating....so much sugar!  Lots of graham crackers, pretzel rods and ice cream cones too...and I love this roof
...using Non Pariels with red,green and white sprinkles.  More to come with these...they finish tomorrow and judging follows! Had a wonderful crop this past weekend at Grove's.  I am so fortunate to be blessed with such a great group of people to create with.  They are family and I love spending time with them.  They worked VERY hard and completed tons of projects
...had our traditional crop cookie...Mallomar's and shared some other snacks too.  Floodie, aka Tootie brought some delicious pumpkin bread...my favorite and Trikka shared some homemade thin mints too.  Sue worked on her December Countdown to Christmas book too...she is so creative!  We all signed her tag to prove we were with her at the crop on the 10th and 11th
...such a very cool idea!  I was able to finish my Christmas Cards...
FINALLY...it's only taken me 9 years...yes...9 years ago, 2001 I started these cards....found them in my "hoarding mess" and well, I can cross that project off my list...they are done and will be mailed out this holiday!  I WILL GET my HOARD cleaned and organized!  I WILL DO THIS!!!!!  I think that brings me up to date..feeling very blessed and thankful for the little I have accomplished!

Hope you are enjoying the season and staying warm too!  Stay tuned!

Hugs!

Staci