Fall, a time of change

Is it in the air?  Fall is a time of change, the weather is changing, the leaves are changing and it leaves me in the mood for changes.  I am currently reworking my website, blog, etc.  so things are more coordinated and easier to tend to.  I have also been changing things around my home, painting, cleaning, etc..  What are you changing?

I am sharing a recipe to change up your dinner time for the fall.  It is a Pampered Chef recipe from the newest Season's Best Cookbook!

Autumn Risotto with Chicken & Cranberries
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Ingredients:
1  cup (250 mL) sweetened dried cranberries
2  cups (500 mL) hot water
1  medium onion
1  cup (250 mL) uncooked Arborio rice (see Cook’s Tip)
1  tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
2 3/4  cups (675 mL) chicken stock
3/4  cup (175 mL) dry white wine such as Chardonnay
1/2  tsp (2 mL) each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1/2  cup (125 mL) blanched slivered almonds
2  stalks celery
2  oz (60 g) cream cheese
2  cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken or turkey breasts
1/4  cup (50 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:
1.  Combine cranberries and hot water in Small Batter Bowl; set aside. Coarsely chop onion using Food Chopper. Combine onion, rice and oil in Deep Covered Baker; stir using Small Mix 'N Scraper(R). Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 2–4 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper; microwave, covered, on HIGH 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring once halfway through.

2.  Meanwhile, toast almonds in (8-in./20-cm) Sauté Pan over medium heat 5–7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Slice celery using Veggie Slicer. Cut cream cheese into cubes using Utility Knife. Drain cranberries using (7-in./18-cm) Strainer; set aside. Carefully remove baker from microwave using Silicone Oven Mitts. Add chicken and celery to baker; stir. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3–5 minutes or until rice is tender and risotto appears creamy.

3.  Carefully remove baker from microwave. Add cream cheese and almonds; stir until cheese is fully incorporated. Fold in cranberries. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings (about 6½ cups/1.5 L)

Nutrients per serving: (about 1 cup/250 mL): Calories 420, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 470 mg, Carbohydrate 51 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 23 g

Cook's Tip: Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice that can be found in the rice or ethnic section of most grocery stores.

If desired, substitute an additional 3/4 cup (175 mL) chicken stock for the wine.

To cook on the stovetop, soak cranberries as directed in step 1. Place almonds into (12-in./30-cm) Skillet. Cook as directed above and remove from Skillet. Add onion, rice and oil to Skillet. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until onion is softened. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer; cook 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, prepare celery, cream cheese and cranberries as directed in Step 2. Add chicken and celery; cook 2-3 minutes or until hot. Remove from heat. Continue as directed in Step 3.
(C)The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2006 

If you make it for dinner make sure you come back and share the results with us!


Have a great weekend and week!

Back for my workshop with Hadar Jacobson

I just returned from a 2 day class with Hadar Jacobson in Brighton, Michigan.  First, I was lucky enough to get away for 2 days and thanks to all my friends who helped out with my kids.  Sometimes, the planning to go away is just so darn hard, you have to coordinate everyone's schedules, that I just want to say nevermind.  I am so glad that this time I didn't and made it happen.

We did a 2 day class on using base metal clays and doing mokume gane patterns.  I learned so much and as soon as I get my pieces fired, I will post a picture of them!  Hadar was just a great teacher, she is so patient and accomodating.  I was lucky to meet some very interesting and great people and found a new bead store to add to my list in Michigan!

I think it is so important to do these things, to feed your heart with the things you love!  In the end, it makes you a happier, more fulfilled person, so I challenge you all to think deep and find something you love and go do it, take a class, take a few hours and just immerse yourself in it!

This picture was taken when I was trying on a necklace she made and I was trying to convince her it looks great on me!  It was embedded with a magnet, a very cool style!

New Experiences

This past weekend I did a 3 day show at the state fairgrounds.  I have been extremely stressed about this since I have never done something of this size before.  Well, I am happy to report that it went very well.  Some things could have been done better, and you always learn from every experience but I am happy with the results.

Best of all, I have met some awesome people.  I also got to add to my jewelry collection, I purchased two pieces from other artists.  Yes, I not only like to make it but love to buy and wear it!

The next few months I will be focusing on creating a new website look and listing more online.  I welcome any and all suggestions to make this better!  I am also going to be trying to get a good system in place to incorporate all aspects of my day, kids, work, house, etc, so when I have some good tips or ideas I will share!

Hope you all have a good week!

Birthdays

It's Monday, it's the first day back to the normal routine after spring break, and it's my birthday.  I have been reflecting alot today and the changes I have made,  the things I want to do, and the way I role model for my kids.  Last week, we had a shooting in our school system.  The parents are angry, I understand that, but there is a contingent that are trying to get the principal fired.  They say she knew and didn't do anything about it.  So far, everything is hearsay, but what I know to be fact is the child that did the shooting was expelled.  He was kicked out of the school.  What more could she have done?  What exactly do people want these days? 

Everyday, we have opportunities to talk to our children, friends, etc...  Everyday, I enforce the thoughts that your actions are your actions to my kids, whether it be hanging up their clothes or breaking something in the house, or lying to their parents.  Yes, I get the but she ......, or I did it because........, and I always stop and say, you are the only one responsible for your actions, period.

So, I will leave you with this thought, treat each day as it is your last, treat every person the way you would like to be treated and always take ownership of your actions!

New Day, new experiences

This Saturday I will participate in Women in Art Marketplace at the Eiteljorg Museum.  It is a small show held at the museum.   It is a juried show, which means you had to apply and be chosen to be in it.  I wanted to apply, but then found out it was the Saturday before spring break, so I thought no, I won't.  Yet, I kept thinking about it, I had never applied or been in a juried show of this level.  So, I thought, I will apply for the experience, I probably won't get chosen.  So I did, then the email came that I was chosen.  Now, a big decision, delay spring break for a day and do the show or be happy with being chosen and go on vacation.  My very supportive husband urged me to do it, so here I am, nervous and excited for this new experience, but thinking that I am crazy for doing this the day before a vacation! 

It has been stressful but it has been very rewarding.  My hope is to have a great day and a great spring break.  I have been asked multiple times, why did I do this to myself, and I had to think about that and ultimately, my answer was that I was being true to myself, this is important to me and I needed to do it.  I needed to do the things necessary to make it happen because I didn't want to live with the "what if's?" if I didn't do it. 

Was it easy? no  Was it convienent? no but will it be worth it?  It already is!  So my conclusion is this, if you have a dream, or a need, or a want, go for it and do what is necessary to make it happen for you!

My hope is you all have a great day and think about your dreams.