Highdesert Stamper – Artistic Inkspirations

I went out to my stamp room to make a card for the COLOR Guest Designer challenge my friend Sharon Field in Fla. has on her blog….. I got a bit sidetracked. I had been wanting to decorate some more of the little books I had found at our local drug store… someone asked where I got these since they are plain and READY to stamp and decorate.  I don’t know if they have any more in, since I bought all they had several months ago. Who knows… they may have a ton more! So go check out your local drug stores in their school supply and notebook section… you may find some treasures to decorate!  Here is my latest little book. It’s not here any more…. it sprouted wings and flew out with the mailman…someone lucky is getting a surprise!!

I tried making it bigger…. it got so big you couldn’t see the whole book on the page.. so just click on the picture and it will bring it up larger in a new window.

I used several little punches and a band of “homemade” grass.  I didn’t have any more of my favorite vanilla smooch spray (used it all up…that stuff is addictive to use, and use, and use…..)  So I tried the Champagne shimmer paint! Boy is that fun to work with!  I added a pearl from our new jazzy pearls available from SU to set off the flower a bit. What do you think??  Would you like to get one of these in the mail?

Since it got really cold here.. .windy, gusts to 60mph, higher in the canyon…it reminds me of FALL..and pumpkins!! So here’s a really easy Pumpking Cake receipe I got from my friends at The Wooden Spoon..

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cake

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 06:00 AM PDT

I LOVE pumpkin anything but particularly love it in a cake/brownie like version.  I make a mean Pumpkin Pie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting but this recipe is even easier and faster which is great for when unexpected company arrives and you need something quick!

This also makes a big ol’ pan worth so I have no trouble feeding several cowboys and a few cowpokes with it.  It’s very moist and goes great with Cool Whip.

Do you have a dessert that you can whip up in a hurry?  I could always use some ideas!  I’m gettin’ lazy in my old age.

Well, guess I am doing something right!! I received a Sunshine Award from my demo friend Sharon Field in Florida!! Though I am always checking her blog because she’s such a ray of Sunshine to me!! Thanks Sharon!!

So it goes, with all awards and surprises, there are rules:

1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.  The hardest part, of course is narrowing it down to just 12 blogs!!

Her are my 12 Sunshine Blogs!!

1.  Melanie Schulenberg –Pockets of Inspiration

2.Wanda – My Creative Corner

3. Cindy – Stamps paper ink

4. Nancy Riley - I Stamp

5.  Sage Kimble - Stamping Madly

6. Monica – Add a Little Dazzle

7. Heather – Stamp With Heather

8. Debra Currier – ARTfelt Impressions

9.  Jenn Dierks – Stamp Your Heart out

10. Erika – Stampin Mama

11.Jen Mitchell - I  Create

12. Connie & Julia – Inkspired Treasures

Now ladies, it’s your turn to pick your favs!! I really had a hard time.. go for it!

Poblano Peppers are available year round.  They are wider and milder than many chili peppers and very good for stuffing as Chili Rellenos. We don’t have to wait til the fall season (like our local green chilis) to get these wonderful mild tasty Chili peppers.

I bought some from Famers Market, roasted them, peeled them and then made a variation of a dish we have here called callabacitas. It’s usually a side dish made with summer squash,  garlic, onions, chilis, corn, and meat (either pork or beef) and many times served for breakfasts in some of the restaurants in Santa Fe.  I took these ingredients and modified it a bit and made a casserole with a cornbread topping. Here’s the pictures..> FRESH ROASTED Poblano pepper,  ONE chopped up pepper, and the casserole!! YUMMMY!!  I think I’m on to something here!!

Fresh Roasted Poblano chili

ONE Chopped poblano pepper

Callabacitas casserole

I did add some other ingredients that don’t normally go into the traditional callabacitas, but I had to make it unique, low-fat, and nutritious.  Apparently it was REALLY good.. there’s not much left!! If you would like the actual recipe… please leave me a comment and I will post it later.