August Challenge

Here is my layout for the August Sketch challenge over at Scraphappy

paper & stickers: close to my heart

Doodles

doodle by Stephanie

I've signed up to take a doodling class on line.  Go check out Stephanie Ackerman's blog to see her fabulous doodles and to sign up for the class.
Class starts today. It is a self paced class, so you still have time to sign up.

Mad Women

What have I been doing on this tax-free weekend....not out shopping that's for sure.  I've been stitching like a mad women.  The deadline to finish the witch's hat is in one week.  I had stopped stitching on it for about 2 weeks....I'd been fretting over it, but not stitching.
Why the fretting....I was not happy with the flowers.  I had couched down some yarn for the flowers, but it was not the look I was going for.
Finally late last week inspiration struck

I"m going to try putting silk flowers on my hat.  I have to get everything stitched before I glue this on, so that's what I have done all weekend

I only have a small section of black, and the yellow edge to complete.  I had almost given up on having this completed by the end of August, but I now have renewed hope.  The background stitch is hesitation and goes very quickly.  I'm going to basketweave the yellow.
Stop by next weekend to see if I have met my deadline.

Happy Stitching!

Giveaway

Check out Marlis's blog she has a great giveaway, a $40 gift certificate from CSN stores.   While you are there look at the great recipe she posted...looks yummy!

Fitness Journal

I have my fitness journal made.  Now I just have to do the hard part...eat right and exercise so I can log it into the journal.   Hopefully having something cute to keep track will help.

Every 4 weeks I will be taking a picture of myself and putting it in the book (I have already taken week 1 pic, but haven't printed yet.

Each day I keep track of my calories intake(if I went over or under my goal, and let me tell you right now I have not gone under yet).  I also keep track of my workouts.

 I'm training for a 1/2 marathon in October, so I'm trying to run 3 days a week and some weight training at least 2 days a week.  I also try and do yoga a couple times a week and do at least one more cardio workout.  This week I did pretty well.  Would have liked to do 1 more yoga workout, but that just didn't happen.

Eat Right and Get Moving!

Paprika!

 My mom gave me some Paprika that she brought back from Budapest. I couldn't wait to use it. 

I immediately knew the first dish I was going to make was going to be Hamburger Stroganoff. 

I have been making this since I was in high school.  The original recipe came from a microwave cook book that we got with our fist microwave. Through the years I have tweaked the recipe a bit...I don't cook it in the microwave anymore (but, boy was that easy while I was in college),  I use fresh mushrooms instead of canned, use lowfat sour cream and whole wheat yoke free noodles now.  It is still one of my favorite things to cook...it's fast, easy and good. 

Hamburger Stroganoff

1 pkg whole wheat noodles

1 lb ground beef 

1/2 to 1 onion, chopped

pkg of presliced mushrooms

2 Tbs flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 to 1 tsp paprika (straight from Hungry if you have it)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup lowfat sour cream 

cook noodles as directed on package.

In large skillet over medium high heat cook meat, mushrooms, and onions until meat is browned.  Add flour, salt and paprika. Blend well. Stir in soup and cook until heated (a few minutes). Stir in sour cream and take off heat. 

Serve over noodles & sprinkle with extra paprika if desired. 

Enjoy!

Bling

I've been working on my Melissa Shirley's witches hat this weekend. I've decided every witch needs a little bling, so I've added some Jolee's Swarovski crystals to the top of the hat.

I have all my leaves done on the brim and 1 flower. I couched down some yarn for the flower.

The stitch guide uses Flair for the yellow, but I'm thinking I need a little sparkle. I think the more bling a witch has the happier  & nicer she'll be!

Happy Stitching!