Biscuits and Gravy

After working for almost 3 years to perfect Biscuits and Gravy for Jason, I have finally succeeded!!!! I figured I should document the recipe so I don't forget since we don't make it often.

Biscuits and Gravy

1 pound Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage (This brand/kind is key. Trust me.)

3/4 cup Flour

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Sage

1/2 tsp Pepper

1 quart Heavy Whipping Cream

2 cups milk

Crumble sausage into pan. Cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Do not drain! Stir in flour and seasonings until blended. Gradually add the heavy whipping cream and the milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Serve over biscuits. Yum.

Next project?

Well, that is once I finish the quilt I have started. I really should finish buying what I need for that. Anyway, look what I found today!!!!

Basic Grey had a line of paper called Blush out a while back. I LOVED that line. And now it's out in fabric. YUM!!!

I seen this quilt on the Moda Blog and I need to make it!! Or at least make something with the Blush line.

Here is the link to the blog and the pattern.

(Image from their blog.)

Random!

I know that I do a lot of posts called random or something to that effect, but oh well. :P

A while back someone asked me for feedback on the homemade laundry soap I made. I think that was way back in January 2009, and I don't think I ever did. Anyway, the first soap recipe I tried, was a liquid soap and I didn't like it. To me it seemed like it didn't whiten my clothes. After that I tried another soap recipe that Ma gave it. We made that up a while back and really liked it. I just made up a second batch tonight. Here's the recipe if you are interested.

Ma's Laundry Soap Recipe

1 box Borax

1 box Washing Soda (I can only find the Arm & Hammer brand around here)

1 bar grated soap (I use Ivory)

Mix it all together, and ensure that it gets mixed up well. When I mix it up, I tend to layer it and then mix it up. I use anywhere between 1/8 cup and 1/4 cup per load of laundry. Depends on how large the load is and how dirty the clothes are.

I finished wrapping the Christmas presents that are in the house tonight! Reindeer names have been chosen, and now I just need to ribbonize the gifts and tag then with reindeer names. :) We are celebrating Christmas up north next weekend and I gotta be ready. :)

Our Christmas tree looks so lonely in the corner with no decorations or lights on. Tomorrow I hope we can get the tree decorated. With me being sick this week, it just didn't happen. Thankfully Cullen has been leaving the Christmas tree alone, expect he likes to drink out of the tree stand water. Silly cat.

I need to give a big THANK YOU to Heather from Cool Zebras. She brought over a HUGE bag full of clothes and another smaller (but still large) bag of clothes over for Kent and Doreen!!!! THANK YOU so much! I am so touched that you did this.

I also got my pay it forward gift from Heather, but that deserves a post of it's own.

I had good intentions of continuing to blog a few times a week, but I haven't been. I need to get back to it, since I realize how much I miss it.

Speaking of missing things, I also noticed that I haven't been taking pictures. I feel like I am missing memories when I don't take pictures. I need to get back to that too. My blog posts look so lame without pictures. Sorry everyone!

Laundry just stopped, so I best go and switch that around. :)

Help for Kent and Doreen

Most my readers know that last Saturday, November 28, my Aunt and Uncle's house burnt down. Kent and Doreen have 1 son, Michael. The house was deemed a complete and total loss. Since posting the pictures (look down a couple posts) people have been asking me what is needed, sizes, and what hobbies and interests they have, I thought it would be easiest to post here and direct people. I honestly can't say how much I appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, and offers of help. You all have truly touched me, and I'm honored to know all of you, whether it be in person or online.

Of course in true Amber fashion, I'm going to break this up in list form. Please keep in mind that used, thrift store items are PERFECT! Please don't go out and spend a ton of money on this.

• Rubber gloves--think latex type. They are using these as they are going through what's left, etc. They will be doing this for a long time as the insurance adjusters are going through the rubble literally piece by piece with Kent and Doreen.
• AA Batteries and D batteries. For the flashlights as they are going through the rubble. Flashlights would also be very helpful!
• Socks for all of them--2 men, 1 woman
• Winter/utility type gloves since the weather is getting colder
• Queen size bedding, including sheets
• Full size bedding, including sheets
• Contact for a photo restoration expert who specializes in recovering fire damaged photos. They are finding some pictures that may be able to be saved. The insurance company unfortunately does not have any contact for this. Does anyone know of one?
• Towels, bath and hand towels
• $5 or $10 Wal-Mart or Target gift cards. These are the closest stores to them and about an hour away, but that would help buy clothes and other necessities as well.
• Anything that you can think of that you would need starting a house from scratch. All of that will have to be replaced.

Now for Clothing:

• Kent is a size L to XL
• Doreen is a L to XL
• Michael is an XL

Clothing Items

• Sweatpants
• Sweatshirts
• Hoodies
• Jackets
• Yoga type pants for Doreen
• Long Johns

Now for everything, Doreen really wants it to come from a Thrift Store or be used for the time being. The reason being is that while they are sorting and going through things, right now the clothing will most likely be worn once and then tossed. Obviously if the clothing is new, it won't be worn like that, but thrift store items are perfect!

People were also wondering hobbies, interests and such.

Michael is a 16 year old boy and is into cooking and books. He loves to cook, and try new recipes. His favorite type of books are science fiction/fantasy type books. He also enjoys watching movies, specifically comedies and of course Sci Fi stuff.

Doreen is a crafty woman! She loves to sew, make soap, make clay beads, do beading, quilting, candle making, anything crafty.

Kent does wood working and thankfully all of his tools were in the garage and were not even damaged by the fire.

Right now it is up in the air as to when Jason and I are heading up north, but at the absolute latest it will be December 19. I am willing to come and pick up items, or meet you somewhere if you feel the need to donate something. You can email me at gamerbabe360@yahoo.com Or you can find me on twitter at www.twitter.com/gamerbabe360

I hope that this makes sense and if you have any questions either leave a comment or send me an email.

If you are new to my blog and haven't seen the pictures, scroll down a few days and you can see the pictures.

Once again thank you all.

Everday Minerals

I'm not one to usually post about products on my blog, but I have to share about Everyday Minerals. Since Kent and Doreen's house burned down, I know they are going to focus on the essentials first, as they should. I know that make-up is going to be one of the last things that Doreen replaces. She was the one that turned me onto Everyday Minerals and told me that it was the best makeup out there. I tried it and fell in love.

I thought I would contact the company with her email address, explain the situation, link them to my blog post about the fire, and get a list of the colors that she uses so I don't have to guess. I was going to buy her some since I knew it would help her feel a bit more normal.

I got an email today from CJ at Everyday Minerals saying that they are going to send her products FREE OF CHARGE!!!! Can you believe that?!?! All I was truly hoping for was a list of the colors so I could buy some for her. When I read the email I started crying. It was so sweet of them to do. I know that they have a customer in me for life now. They are an amazing company to do that. So generous.

So if any of you are in need of new makeup please go and buy some from Everyday Minerals!!! If you haven't used mineral make-up before, try out their free sample. You only have to pay shipping. I did that so I could figure out what shade I was. Their prices are reasonable, fast shipping, and a GENEROUS company.

Thank you Everyday Minerals for sending makeup to Doreen. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

I did it!!!

I can't believe I did it!!!! I posted 30 blog entries in 30 days. I will admit some days I kinda cheated and didn't post much, but man it felt great to do it!!! I'm hoping to continue blogging with some regularity since I've gotten back into the swing of things. I didn't realize how much I had missed blogging until I did this. Now let's see if the trend will continue. ;) I hope so, since I think I'm going to do a December Daily type of thing but put it together after the fact. Though I don't know if I'm going to do it daily. Anyway, the blog will be the keeper of my memories so I can scrapbook it at a later date.

I need to thank all of my blog readers, Twitter followers, and Facebook friends who commented on Kent and Doreen's house fire. I can't believe how many people want to help in some way. At this point I don't know if we will be planning a benefit, but I would think that the community will do something as they are both very active in the community. All of your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated as they work through this.

I'm still going to help out as I can. I have quite a few ideas going around in my head trying to figure things out. My mind is racing with ideas on how to help and the best way to do it. I will keep you all posted as well. Thank you all.

Kent & Doreen's House

This afternoon while at work I learned that Kent, Doreen, and Michael's house burned down last night. Kent and Doreen are my Uncle and Aunt and Michael is my cousin. Called Ma as soon as I got in the door. Basically they think that something electrical happened to start the fire. They lost essentially everything. Pictures, clothes, everything. Thankfully all the humans made it out fine, but sadly one of their cats, Rupert did not make it out. Ma was out there today and snapped a few pictures. I am so saddened by this, and can't imagine going through it. I'm devastated that this happened and just want to cry. I've shed a few tears already, and I'm sure I will shed more. I just can't imagine this happening.

I'm going to pick up some things for them and bring them up when Jason and I head up north in December. Everything was lost. Expect for 2 baskets of laundry, both Kent and Michael's since they didn't put theirs away yet. All Doreen has is what she was wearing yesterday, plus she found 1 pair of jeans that could be saved. I honestly can't imagine going through this, but I know that I need to do what I can to help, and that I will do.

My Wish List

Since I've had my itouch, I have created many, many lists, as I've talked about before on here. I also started creating a wish list. With things that I would like someday. Here is what is currently on it, in no particular order. Oh and you can click on the links to see the item.

1. Gift card to Rochester Scrapbooking Company. They are running a promotion where if you buy $50 worth of gift cards you get a free $5 gift card and if you buy $100 worth of gift cards you get a $20 one free!
2. ATG Gun. It's an adhesive gun for scrapbooking, and the refills are cheap and they last forever. Ever since I've used Jen's gun, I've wanted one. I'm in love.
3. Bread Machine. I have been missing ours like crazy since it died, and we haven't replaced it yet. I've been doing some researching on them and I'm hoping that Santa brings me the Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme. But at this point, I will take even a cheap one and save up for the other one.
4. Comfy pair of heels for work. Jen, my big footed friend (we wear the same size) told me about Softspots shoes and how comfy they are. I fell in love with this one. They are much more expensive than I normally spend, but being in class and on my feet I need a comfy pair of heels.
5. Comfy pair of sneakers. I think I may have found one pair of these, but would like another. I need something with good support for when I'm working at RSC.
6. Corner Chomper! It's a scrapbooking tool that works AMAZING! LOVE IT!
7. Large cutting mat. I need this to work on my quilt that I started over the summer.
8. Lipped ruler. Once again to work on my quilt. :)
9. Metal Pastry scraper. I want this for making bread and pastries.
10. The Bread Baker's Apprentice book. Don has told me so many good things about this book and I have decided I need it.
11. The Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher. Another scrapbooking tool, but it works so much better than a normal stapler and I am in love with the mini staples!!!
12. Tonic paper cutter. Not just anyone, but the one I linked to. The more I use it for prepping at RSC, the more that I want it. I can cut multiple papers at the same time and it gives me a straight, non-frayed cut every time. It is amazing. I have never had a paper cutter that worked that great.
13. iPod player cable for the car. We have had ours stole twice now. I miss it very much.
14. Finding Nemo. I can't believe that we don't own that movie.

Progress

I've been at RSC all day and I'm finally making progress on my South Dakota trip pictures!!! Jason and I only took the trip in 2006 and I'm finally working on the scrapbooking pages. I've only done a few pages, but it feels great to make progress on it! I should be taking pictures of my layouts and sharing them, but I am too lazy and I'm using Jessi's laptop so I'm not going to yet.

The best part is that I decided that I'm not scrapbooking all of the pictures that I printed, so I bought some of the photo album pages so I can incorportate all of the pictures into the scrapbook. That is if I can fit them all into one scrapbook. I'm thinking it will end up being two scrapbooks.

I'm sure this blog entry made so sense to anyone since I'm carrying on conversations at RSC while I'm supposed to be scrapbooking and that I'm super tired and have an awful headache. But oh well.

Thanksgiving

I thought that this quote was very fitting for Thanksgiving, in a funny way. :) Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and counted your many blessings. I know I did.

“Thanksgiving is America’s national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty.”

―Michael Dresser

The Day Before Thanksgiving

I feel all out of sorts this year. Usually on the day before Thanksgiving I have lots of things going on. The past few years Jason and I have done Thanksgiving here at home, with me cooking the big meal. I love it. We are in comfies all day, watch movies, play video games, and eat a big meal. Of course go through the ads and make a plan for Black Friday as well. So much fun. It's one of my favorite days to spend with hubby, just the two of us.

This year it's a bit different. Tomorrow we have the day all to our self, but we need to be at Jason's parents in the evening. For once I'm not cooking anything either. We are bringing buns and coleslaw. We even bought the buns this year since we haven't replaced our bread machine yet. (That is on my Christmas list by the way, hint, hint.)

This year on the day before Thanksgiving, it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.

Fill-In Tuesday

I can't think of anything to blog about today, and Jessi did this fill-in, so I'm stealing it from her. :)

Outside my window is darkness. I can't believe how early it gets dark now.

I am thinking about why in the world I am so tired today. I know I didn't sleep good last night, and I even took a nap this afternoon and I'm still tired. Going to be an early to bed night for me tonight.

I am thankful for friends who are there to make me laugh when I want to cry, who don't judge me for who I am, and for being able to be me around them and not someone else.

From the kitchen, I am thankful that Jason is making supper tonight. Chicken and Rice hotdish. Yum.

I am wearing comfy clothes and no bra. I'm all about comfort this evening.

I am creating scrapbook pages. Right now that's about it. I really need to get my scrapbook room cleaned out so I can create on a daily basis.

I am feeling very tired, but thankful.

I am reading a pirate romance novel. I love my light and fluffy books.

I am hoping for far too many things right now.

I am hearing the sound effects/shooting from Jason playing Gears of War 2.

Around the house are lots and lots of dust bunnies. I need to dust. I hate dusting.

One of my favorite things is Christmas Music. Right now nothing makes me happier than listening to Christmas music.

A few plans for the rest of the week include working at RSC tomorrow, Thanksgiving at the Schmitt's on Thursday, shopping and cropping on Friday.

Monday, Monday

In list form. I haven't done a list form in a while.

• Susan gets to do a page and a half in the CLC newspaper! I'm so proud of her as the new kids that are there only get 1/4 page.
• I love hanging out at the scrapbook store. It's like a second home to me. The only thing that is missing is Cullen. I would love to have a kitty around here, but most people wouldn't. :)
• I actually finished a page today too. And I brought only my tool bucket and cutter. It was for a class at RSC, and it's a cutesy layout, but I do like it. I should have taken a picture of it. Oh well.
• Work today went fast. I worked 8-12 and was in class. Good group and didn't need much help. Then tonight I work from 5-9 at the scrapbook store, to help make and prep layouts. I'm so looking forward to it!
• I GET TO GO TO CHA IN JANUARY IN CALIFORNIA.
• I need to start a count down to CHA.
• I'm not excited about CHA at all.
• I wonder where I should go for supper. I'm hungry.
• My stomach is growling.
• Lots of laughs today at the scrapbook store. It's awesome.
• Jessi is going to put googly eyes on the cows.
• Jenny is working on getting the store organized. It's awesome. I love being organized.
• I feel not so far behind anymore. It's a good thing.
• I love lists. So very much.
• Jenny just called Nancy a ho-ho.
• The Quickutz exclusives this month are so cute!!!! I had to buy the alphabet.
• I must go and get supper before I start work.

Sunday, a good day

Today was a wonderful day. It started out with Jason taking me to go and see "New Moon". Mmmm....some wonderful eye candy in there, and it was pretty good. Obviously the book is much better, and I think that they left out some important bits, but it's a movie, and has a time limit. Then we went to Pannekoeken for lunch/brunch! So yummy! That is one of my favorite local places to eat. I came home and took a short nap. Mmmm...naps on a Sunday afternoon are amazing.

Shortly after I got up, my mother-in-law Marie, and my niece Cassidy came over! Cassidy and Cullen had fun playing together, I don't think Cullen quite knew what to do with so much attention. I think he loved it though, because after Cassidy left, Cullen was whining for more attention. :)

Before coming over to the house, Cassidy and Marie stopped at Rochester Scrapbooking Company to pick up a few things. I guess Cassidy wanted to make me a Christmas tree and a card. I didn't know that they were for me, but we had a blast making them. It was a wonderful surprise when she gave them to me. I just love crafts that kids make. They have so much love put into them. Of course I forgot to take a picture of the card, but here is Cassidy and the tree. The little white puffballs on the tree skit are snow balls. After I took the picture, Cassidy decided to make the tree skirt circular, so we cut it out. I just need to glue the snowballs down onto the tree skirt so it's just how she intended it. What a wonderful way to spend a couple hours this afternoon.

Annette

One of my scrapbooking friends Annette was called home yesterday by our Heavenly Father. She lost her battle with cancer. She was so young and had a 7 year old daughter. Jessi said it best, yesterday when she said Annette chose to go yesterday just so she would be up there scrapbooking with us in heaven today.

Speaking of today, there is a crop and silent Auction going on at Rochester Scrapbooking Company today where all of the money goes to Annette's family. There are some fabulous items, including two signed books from Cathy Zielske! As well as whimsey jars, gift certificates, crop certificates, jewelry, and much more!!! Stop by RSC today anytime between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. It is by Hy-Vee South! Just look for the big red "Scrapbooking" sign.

Get something, Give something!

I signed on to participate in a Pay it Forward game thingie...and since the holidays are right around the corner thought this would be a great time to spread the love.

This is how it works:

The first five people to post a comment here will get something made by me, especially for you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.
2- I will create something with you in mind.
3-Supposedly I have a year to get it to you. But it will NOT take that long.
4- The item will be a surprise. You will also need to send me an email with your mailing address if you are one of the first 5 commenters. (My email is gamerbabe360 @ yahoo .com I'm sure that you all know that you have to remove all the spaces. :))

Here's the catch: You must do something similar on your blog and offer something to the first 5 commenters on your blog who agree to play along.

So the first five people who comment here, and are willing to pay it forward on their blogs, will get a handmade gift in the mail from me.

When you get your gift, please let me know that it arrived safely. If you are so inclined, post a photo of it on your blog.

I thought this would be fun! Hope some of you want to play along too.

Pictures

I found this picture tonight while going through older pictures. It's from March 15, 2009. I just love it when Jason does little things like that.

Dirt Dessert

Does anyone else remember Dirt Dessert? I know that Ma used to make it, and put it in a kids sand pail and serve it with a shovel. It was so cute. Then she put gummy worms in it too! Google it if you want to see a picture of it. It was so cute!

Tonight while tossing items in the cart with wild abandon carefully choosing healthy items all that were on the grocery list, I happened to walk by the deli area at Hy-Vee. I first spied dirt dessert! Boy that looked good, especially since Jason turned down Cold Stone ice cream. Then I spotted a Pumpkin Parfait. Now for those of you that know me, I'm a wanna-be domestic diva in the kitchen and don't like to buy pre-made. But I just couldn't pass up the dirt dessert. YES, I turned down pumpkin! (I don't know what I was thinking, especially since Pumpkin is good for more than just pie!) Of course as soon as the groceries were tossed on the floor and I dug through the bags frantically looking for my dessert carefully put away in their proper spots, I sat down to enjoy my dirt dessert.

I am saddened to say that it is only ok. It is definitley not Ma's Dirt Dessert. It tastes like it is missing something.

Ma, if you are reading this (and I know you are!) please, please, please send me your dirt dessert recipe. I think I might make it for Thanksgiving. I think the kids would enjoy it.

I almost forgot...

I can't believe that I almost forgot to blog today. Jason tried to convince me that it was ok, but I wasn't having any of it as I thought that would make me a failure of NaBloPoMo and I didn't want that.
I worked 11.5 hours today at RSC and it was a blast but I'm so tired tonight that I didn't even touch my laptop and am typing this on my itouch. I'm very thankful for being able to sit in bed and do that.
Sorry for the lame blog entry tonight but I'm too tired for anything more than this and 5:15 a.m. Comes very early.
Amber out.

Minnesota Etsy Love!

I finally figured out how to browse/search for local places on Etsy.com and thought I would share some of my favorite finds!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34417305
I adore this sign!! I just love it! He also has one that says "read". One day when I get my library.....



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34603314
I have a thing for coffee, and love this coffee cozy! If I routinely bought coffee I would have to buy this!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34032949
If I'm ever lucky enough to have a baby, I hope they love hats! I think babies look so stinking cute in the little crocheted hats. Look at the ears on the hat! Awwwww.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15570332
And if I have a girl baby, she will for sure have a tutu!!! Adorable! I wish I could have a tutu in my size.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34579820
LOOK at those stinking cute mittens!!! I want them!!!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29453833
I've never been a coaster type girl, but look at those! They are so me!!! Those coasters I would use. Though they would clash with my bright red walls in my living room.

There is some amazing talent here in MN! Want to view more Minnesota Etsy items? Here is a link to some on Etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop_local.php?place=Minnesota