Creative Memories Enchanted

Today, I am just sharing some projects using the Creative Memories Enchanted paper and embelishments. When this paper came out, I thought it was the most beautiful paper that Creative Memories offered, yet I didn't want to use it!

Then I found out that neither did anyone else who bought it from me. So I decided to bite the bullet and create some cards and a Chipboard Album with it!

Here are the cards....

And here is the Enchanted chippbaord album...

Soon, I will post some page layouts for my scrapbook!

Happy Creating, enjoy your week!

Better than Starbucks Blueberry bar

When I have a day of writing ahead of me, I like to take my laptop, my journal and my notebook and go to Starbucks for hours on end. Yes I have become one of "those" people! One latte in, before a second coffee, I like to get myself a blueberry bar. I love them. Well, I can tell you, I am no longer in need of their blueberry bar, because I have perfected my own sweet, oatmeal crumbled goodness. I present to you, a lovely recipe for the best blueberry bar you will ever taste. Try it, and you will love it!

Blueberry Bar

Step 1 for Filling:

3 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
4 tsp cornstarch

In a saucepan, bring blueberries, sugar and orange juice to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes.

Next wisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp water; whisk into blueberries and boil, stirring until thickened, about 1 minute. Place plastic wrap directly onto surface and refridgerate until cooled.

Step 2, for base and topping:

2 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (I have used 1/2 whole wheat flour as well)
1 cup brown sugar (you can use 3/4 cup if you like)
1 tbsp grated orange rind
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup cold butter or margarine, cubed

In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, sugar, orange rind and salt. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until you get course crumbs. Press 1/2 into an 8 inch square pan; spread with blueberry filling. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture, pressing lightly.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F until light golden, approximately 45 minutes. Let cool on baking rack before cutting into squares.

Enjoy this blueberry, yummy, slice of goodness! Try it and let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tannis

Oatmeal Cookies

I just needed to share an oatmeal cookie recipe with you! It's one I use often, actually it's one of only two oatmeal cookie recipes that I use. But it is fool proof and I know that is always a good thing. Please note at the end of my recipe I will give you some ways to alter it, as always!

I am not sure what possessed me to bake tonight, when it's so hot in my house, but I did. Of course Haley wanted to help, so to keep my patience about me, I decided to start a second "somethin' somethin'" while she was scooping the cookies out into balls. I know it doesn't sound like a good idea, but trust me, while she is taking forever and a day to scoop, I kept myself occupied with cooking fresh blueberries on the stove. We won't be needing any Starbucks blueberry bar tomorrow, let me tell you, because the one I have baking in the oven, is sure to be a winner!

So here we are, onto the Oatmeal Cookie recipe!

Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips (or a combo of chocolate chips, coconut, pecans, walnuts, cranberries, etc.)

Cream together the margarine or butter with the brown sugar. Add in your eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda. Add flour mix into the bowl of margarine and sugar. Add in your oatmeal and chocolate chips.

Use a cookie scoop, and place about an inch apart. Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Note: in the one cup of chocolate chips, you really can add anything you like, as long as it is approx. 1 cup worth of goodies. If you add flax seed, these cookies are phenomenal! Use about 1/4 cup of flax seed and the rest chocolate chips. Then they have some health benefits right?

Enjoy! Please let me know if you made them, if you like them, and if you added anything different!

Thanks for stopping by.

Tannis

Lemon Feta Salad Dressing and Marinade

This is great on salad or on chicken! Try it, go ahead now, if you're going to the store, get the ingredients! Go!

Lemon Feta Salad Dressing and Marinade

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove (or two, is what I would do)
1/4 cupp fresh dill
1/4 fresh parsley
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
salt and pepper as desired

Wisk all ingredients together.

If using as a marinade, let chicken soak for 15 minutes.

Variations for this....use mint, oregano, chives, or whatever is your favorite herb. I add a dash of agave nectar to this for a hint of sweetness! It is a large lemon flavor, so make sure everyone eating it, likes lemon!

Happy grilling and salad eating, bring on summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tannis