Christmas Concert....and more!

Cake always gets my attention.  My friend Marsha and her husband are part of the Paradise Community Chorus.  They are having their annual Christmas concert next weekend.  This post is for my local followers.....if you haven't gotten your tickets you still have time.  There will be some available at the door, but I'd be thinking about getting them early.

So.....every year it's a fantastic concert, but it's also a bake sale fund raiser to support the chorus.  Marsha purchased some commemorative mugs, and I contributed  my favorite  recipe for this single serving cake.  To the mug, we added mix for one cake and instructions for making more.  I love having the mix on hand for those nights when I want a sweet, but can't be trusted to eat only one piece of an entire cake.    

I hope to see you at the concert and if your sweet tooth is calling to you, please think about this easy, yummy cake.

I love their poster......everything you need to know can be found here:

You may be interested in knowing, I won't be singing....and that is important information, especially if you've ever heard me sing!

Until next time,  Happy crafting/baking and Hugs from me to you.

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Yummy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

The Thanksgiving feast is over, however, with cold weather upon us, what could be better than Turkey Soup.  I posted this photo on FaceBook and I've gotten requests for the recipe.  So.... here it is.

This year I didn't want noodles, I wanted rice, and I didn't want white rice, I wanted wild rice.  So, the inspiration for my soup was wild rice, and what better use of turkey bones than soup.  I've got to tell you, I didn't roast a turkey.  We were invited to spend Thanksgiving with our neighbors, Marsha and Michael.  I did bring mashed potatoes and gravy and a pie.  To make the gravy I purchased turkey wings and cooked them first in the oven (425 degrees for 45 minutes) with carrots, onions and celery.  I then put the wings and vegetables into a large stock pot and simmered them for hours and hours.  I then strained the juices, discarded the vegetables and removed the meat from the bones.  (I couldn't believe how much turkey meat I pulled from those bones.)

Sound like a lot of work?  Not really, but here's the easier way, use left over turkey and either turkey broth or chicken broth.  Below is the easy way....

2/3 cup Wild Rice
2 cups of water.

I cooked the rice according to package directions.  It takes about 55 minutes.  I think there is also an instant wild rice blend if you don't want to invest 55 minutes.  Set the rice aside.

1 TBL butter
1 TBL olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions
1 cup sliced carrots
1/4 cup celery

In a stock pot or large pot, simmer the onions, carrots and celery in the butter and olive oil.  Until the onions are translucent.

4 to 5 cups turkey or chicken stock

Add the stock to the vegetable mixture and simmer until the carrots are nearly fully cooked.  It takes about 20 minutes.

2 cups diced turkey

Add the turkey to the mixture and heat to boiling.

Salt and Pepper - season to taste.

 Add the cooked  wild rice to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.  If your soup needs more liquid add additional stock.

This soup is very hearty and a great way to use left over chicken or turkey.  I served the soup with a crusty roll.

Enjoy and let me know how you like this soup.

This is as crafty as I am this weekend.

Hugs from my world to yours,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

It's Been So Long Since My Last Post

It's been awhile since I've posted.  It's not because I haven't made things to post, I've just gotten busy with life and time has been flying by.  Maybe I should post all the cards I've made at one time.... This card was made with a paper Karen just brought into Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  I love it.  The graphic is from a sheet with 12 equally sized vintage graphics.  It's a box of cards on one sheet.  The collection is Christmastime, by Authentique.  The papers are double sided and both sides of all the papers are gorgeous.  The red paper is called Peppermint (the opposite side is candy canes) and the green paper is Evergreen and the opposite side has gorgeous writing on it.  I love it when I can find papers that make creating a card easy.  

The inside could not have been easier!  The dies I've chosen are new and I love the sentiment.  Both are from the 2 die set by Echo Park.  I purchased mine from PSB.  The word Merry is in beautiful script and Christmas is perfect sized bold print.  The Snowflake is also from Echo Park and both dies cut easily through the thin glitter card stock.  

I guess I should close for now, I have 10 more cards to make!  Until next time, wishing my US followers a Happy Thanksgiving .  While searching the web I found this calendar site - http://www.holidayscalendar.com/month/november/?year=2015  Who knew there were so many reasons to celebrate!  Yesterday was World Hello Day and I missed it....so Happy belated World of Hello Day.  

Until next time, hugs to all, Happy Crafting,

Mary 

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A quick update

Another class has been added.

I'm happy that this little step card is being so well received.  Karen and I are adding an additional class.  If you are interested the class will be November 14th at 1:00 PM.  Give Karen a call to reserve your space.

Ha....I said this would be quick...bet you thought I couldn't do quick!  Have a great week!

Happy Crafting,
Mary Mac

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - November! Already!

Oh my, where did October go?  Honest, even though I've not posted for a month, I have been really, really busy!  Before I go any farther let me tell you this month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge was chosen by Debs and the theme is Decorations.  Mine might be a stretch, as it is a card, with a decoration.  I'm on a rosette kick of late....thank you Karen, Deb and Chris....so, my decoration is the tiny rosette!  I had a bit of time to color, so I did!

How about showing us what you've got.  Just make sure there is some sort of decoration, either by making one, or showing one on a card or project.  And, you could win a great prize.....thanks to:

and

You can check out the ins and outs at:  Sparkles Christmas Challenge.   I'm looking forward to see what you create!

Ok, so here is the inside of my card....you know me, it isn't done til the inside is complete!

Remember I said I was on a rosette kick?  Well let me tell you why.....Karen - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique - had aa 2 day  anniversary crop.  She gave us projects we could make with the beautiful paper pad.....One of the projects is a rosette Christmas Tree that she and her sister Deb created.  

Here's the one I made....mind you it's not done yet, I still have to refigure the tippy top and I want to cover the back too....but here is what I have so far......

The finished tree is about 18 inches tall....not too big and not too small!  And, I've been playing with two snowmen cards.  I saw the pattern on Pinterest, but I forgot to pin it, so this is what I think it looked like.....These two snow people were quick, easy, and flat for mailing!

So see, I have been busy......and if I want to get my tree finished, I'd best get moving!  Sending wishes for a happy crafty week.

Hugs from me to you,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy