Places and Spaces | Memorial Day Edition

Since Mark and I live one thousand miles from our family and friends, we spent Memorial Day at local park called Bethany Lakes. We bought a fishing license and spent the day on the waters edge. It was relaxing and kind of hot. Thankfully, it was partly cloudy so it was quite tolerable. We caught a dozen fish and, of course, we released them. I also caught a few turtles. There were more geese and mallards at this park than I have ever seen in one location. There were also huge amounts of feathers floating through the air! It was like confetti! Never seen such a thing. 

Although, I have never lost anyone to war. I did repeat silent prayers for those who have lost love ones. It reveals ones true character and takes such courage to stand up and fight for your Country and to pay the ultimate sacrifice. On our Countries most solemn holiday, we thank thank and pray for those in active duty. Past. Present. And Future.   -Ruth-

 No turtles or fish were hurt in the making of this post. 

Technology

Technology. Folks, my computer at work has been in the Computer Hospital (aka w/ the Geek Squad) for exactly one week now. I feel lost, helpless. How does a graphic/apparel designer get any work done without the beloved Adobe Creative Suite? This whole experience has gotten me thinking about technology. I don't think it's a good or a bad thing. I think it just is. It's part of our lives now. I love having access to the world wide web. I love having information at my fingertips. I love being able to create. I love the ease of communication computers and smart phones have allowed. I love all these things. But, some days. I feel like a slave to technology. I feel like, how did or how can I live without these things. I don't like feeling that way. Just a thought. That is all. -Ruth-

Cold Brew

Who doesn't love iced coffee??? I mean are there really people out there who don't drink coffee? I can't imagine a life without the stuff. Seriously, I'm being serious. I can't live without this stuff. It's not the addiction to the caffeine. It really is the taste, the smell, and the feeling I get from a good Cuppa Joe. Once it gets warm outside, I love to drink the stuff iced. Here's what I do...

Cold Brew Coffee Method

4 cups cold water

Whole Coffee beans

(Approx. 2 cups coarsely ground)  

French Press, Mason Jar, other container

It is really important that you use whole coffee beans and grind them yourself. If you try to use ground coffee it will be really, really hard to strain out all the grounds. We use this grinder and I like to use setting 13 or 14. After you grind the beans, dump them into the french press and pour cold water over the top. Put the lid on the press, but don't press it! You can also use tin foil or something else to cover it. Let sit at room temp for 8-24 hours. I like to fill my press full with water. So, I use a lot more coffee! 

After time has expired, press and pour over ice! You can store the coffee for 2-5 days in the refrigerator. Some folks don't like strong coffee, so you can dilute it 2:1 or 1:1 ||water/coffee||. But, as for me, I take it straight up! You can also add cream, sugar, or simple syrups to mimic your favorite coffee house beverages! Enjoy!!! -Ruth-

Giveaway

Good Morning y'all! Please stop by and visit Sabrina at Cattails+Cardigans for a chance to win this awesome Hair flower from Hell Razor and my first ever Isn't that Sew Handmade necklace! As you may or may not know, I discussed in this post that I am working towards opening an Etsy shop. I created this necklace as a prototype for the shop and today I am pleased to be offering to one lucky winner! Stop by Cattails+Cardigans for a chance to win!!!

Don't forget that there is only 1 week left to enter the Giveaway at Until Only Love Remains. If you're getting married, or know someone who is...you can win this sweet birdcage veil! Check it out! You can even enter right below!!! -Ruth-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Plans

We haven't officially made any summer plans, have you? There are so many places in Texas I want to visit. Did you know, Texas is huge? Well, it's big...really big. And there is all kinds of stuff to do here. I really want to head down to the coast and check out the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe Corpus Christi or Padre Island. I also really want to visit Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country, Palo Duro, and Big Bend. I think I might need to come up with a 5 year plan! In the meantime, I'll focus on visiting one of these places after my folks visit in July. What are your summer plans? -Ruth-

Happiness...

This weekend, my husband and I went downtown Plano to grab some lunch and do a little antique shopping.. One thing I love about Texas, is every town has a "Main Street U.S.A." and they are all so cute! We passed a boutique that had this inspiring sign sitting outside on a rustic bench. The words it spoke are SO TRUE. No? 

It seems to me like more often than not, the collective "we" are living a less than mediocre life. We aren't living to our fullest potential...not becoming the best versions of ourselves. I still cannot come up with enough excuses to justify this. Being busy, stressed, broke, tired, or just a product of contemporary society just doesn't cut it in my book. Now, I am just as guilty (if not more so) than the next guy of making constant excuses for not trying (fill in the blank) or for not going to (fill in the blank). But, the last few years I've really been striving to listen to God and follow his path for me...and live a life based on intention. 

Since I am human, I fall off the wagon for minutes, hours, days, and sometimes months at a time. But, I always get back up. Since well before college, I have had every intention to start up a handmade shop. I've filled my brain all sorts of excuses why not too. Etsy is too competitive, I'm to busy, I don't have the time or the money. But, you know what....that's just stupid. This chalkboard sign is right. I should do more of what makes me happy. And, if it truly makes me happy, then I should be able to find time for said activity, ay?

Well, that is what I intend to do. More things that make me (and my husband) happy. While, I'm not really sure an Isn't that Sew Handmade Shop will bring my husband true happiness, you know what they say? A happy wife is a happy life. Ha! Just kidding. Well, maybe not...But, you get the point. The point is that I have been working toward building some prototypes for shop. I've been working out the designs, packaging, policies, and more! It's a ton of work so I can't really say the exact launch date. But, it will be this summer for sure. Stay tuned for updates! -Ruth-

Salted Peanut Butter and Nutella Cookies (Flourless)

Do you love Peanut Butter? How about Nutella? Me too! Wow, we have so much in common! Seriously though, these cookies were amazing! Since going Paleo, I don't eat much peanut butter, nutella, flour, sugar, etc. Basically, everything that goes into a yummy cookie. My favorite, mmmm..cookies. So, since I love cookies so much, I have to cheat now and again! I decided to make them gluten free (aka minus the flour) but with all the nut butters and sugars I could cram into these delicious treats. This recipe is really lax, there is virtually no way you will screw it up. (okay, don't hold me to that one. I'm not aware of your baking skills)

Salted  Nutella and Peanut Butter Cookies (flourless)

350° || 11-14 minutes

Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky, but not natural peanut butters) || 1 cup sugar (brown or white) || 1 large egg || 1 tsp salt || 1 tsp baking soda || Nutella (optional) || Sea Salt or Kosher Salt (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth. Roll into 1 tbsp balls and press on cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 minute. GENTLY and I mean, ever...so......gently use your tbsp to depress the center. Add a dollop of Nutella to the center. Bake  another 3-4 minutes. Remove from baking sheet with a spatula and place onto cooling rack. Sprinkle with sea salt or kosher salt. Enjoy! -Ruth-

Places and Spaces; Lake Texoma

Several weeks ago, Mark and I ventured up to Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma is on the boarder of, get this, Texas and Oklahoma! No way, right? I love how Texas combines it's names with other states, for example, Texarkana,  Texhoma, AND Texoma. Well played Texas. Anyhow, this place is amazing! We enjoyed a nice overcast, but warm day and hiked the rocky shores for hours! -Ruth-

Macro Photography

I have always loved Macro Photography. I have also been meaning to buy a Macro lens for...oh, about 5 years. I know, what is wrong with me? I decided to shell out the big bucks (a whopping 10 bucks) and buy this macro lens attachment from Amazon. It is both a wide angle and macro lens in one. (I like the macro better because it doesn't distort as much as the wide angel...But, it's nothing Photoshop can't take care of!) It screws right on to my standard 18-55mm lens and it works great! I'm pretty happy with this investment. (because it was so expensive it nearly broke the bank) I am sure I will get a lot of use out of these two attachments.  I really could have used it for this post. I'm regretting not buying them sooner. -Ruth-

The Wedding of your Dreams! On a budget....

Good Morning all! Today it is my pleasure to announce I will be guest posting over at Until Only Love Remains. I share my experience on having the Wedding of your dreams, on a budget! Plus, there are tons of photographs that I've never shared here, so go check it out! Elizabeth is darling and if you've never been to her blog, I encourage you to follow her blog. Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm giving away a birdcage veil! Enter for a chance to win!!! -Ruth- 

Roadway Survey

I am a proud wife today! Let me give you a bit of the backstory, back in Chicago, my husband worked in roadway construction as a union laborer. However, he had been laid off for quite some time due to the poor economy in and around Chicago. When I was offered an apparel design position immediately after graduation, we packed up and moved to Texas immediately! We had nothing to lose, right? We moved to the Lone Star State with no place to live and only one job to support us. 

Upon arriving in Texas, not only did we sign a lease within 2 days of our arrival....My husband had a new job as a Surveyor. Survey was something he had some prior experience with, but not much. He quickly learned the job and was promoted. He has been working in his new career field for two years. This past weekend he was offered a position with a well known company here in Dallas. Do you know what that means!?! We're staying in Texas! His previous employer was a global company...and that means when the jobs done, so are you. Or, you can move to another state and in some cases, a different Country. 

I couldn't be more thrilled with my husband's new job opportunity! I also couldn't be happier that he has a gotten a job with a local company and we will be able to make Texas our home State! It won't be for another year or so, but we will be looking to buy a house in this great State. I may be a Chicagoan at heart, but I have fully embraced being a Texan. I just love this place! -Ruth-

Tomatillo Salsa and Tequila Lime Chicken

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I decided to post this recipe. It's pretty old and I've had it in my queue for a long time. I wasn't actually going to post it....but, here it is...for all to see...

Tomatillo Salsa Ingredients: 8-10 Tomatillos // 1/4 cup chopped onion // 1/4 cup cilantro // 2 tbs fresh lime juice // pinch of sugar // salt to taste.  First, remove the paper like husks from the tomatillos. Cut in half, placing cut side down, line tomatillos on a cookie sheet (lined w/ tin foil). Place under broiler for approximately 5 minutes. Place tomatillos, lime juice, onion, cilantro, salt, and sugar into a blender and pulse until all ingredients are mixed. Cool in refrigerator. Serve with chips. 

Tequila Lime Chicken Ingredients: 2 Chicken breasts // olive oil // 1/4 cup tequila // juice of 2 limes // salt // pepper // 1 tsp ground cumin // 1/2 cup cheddar cheese // 1/4 cup fresh salsa // 1/4 cup ranch dressing. First, rinse and dry the chicken breast. Pound them slightly, season with generous amounts of salt, pepper, and cumin. Place in a dish and marinade for 30-60 minutes (or longer) with olive oil, tequila, and lime juice. Pan fry chicken breasts over medium heat until cooked thoroughly. While chicken is cooking, mix together fresh salsa and ranch dressing, set aside.  Remove from pan and place on oven safe dish. Garnish with cheddar cheese and ranch/salsa mixture. Place in broiler until cheese is melted. -Ruth-

**Tomatillos can also be pan roasted or boiled. However, oven roasting brings out the most flavor.**I enjoy using this salsa to top my enchiladas or side dishes, like rice and beans**Black beans pictured are made from canned black beans and canned diced tomatoes and green chilies. 

Freezer Paper Screen Print

Did you know you can design your own custom screen prints at home without any fancy screens, photo emulsion, or squeegees  Of course, you're not going to get as nice of a print, because this is really more of a stencil. But, you can still customize tee's at home relatively easily and inexpensive. Behold, the magic of freezer paper. Did you know when ironed, freezer paper sticks to fabric. Yeah, I didn't either until I took a textile printing and dyes course in college. We did all sorts of fun things I plan on sharing with you. This was one of them! 

Supplies

Freezer Paper

 T-shirt or fabric

 Exacto knife

 cutting mat

 Fabric Screen Printing Paint

1. Print template below or you can draw your own design. You could even draw right on the freezer paper if you wanted too! Or, how about printing text!  2. Lay freezer paper (shiny side down) over template and tape to cutting mat. If you made your own template, you can trace it directly onto the freezer paper or just cut straight away like I did. 3. Using a ruler and an exacto knife cut out the shapes. Don't worry if your cutting isn't perfect. If some of the shapes tear, no worries. You will iron them in place later.  4. Iron template to fabric in desired location. 7. Paint. 8. Keep painting. Make sure to coat the fabric really nicely. I let the t-shirt sit for an hour or so and then carefully peeled away the freezer paper. Then, I let dry over night and heat set with an iron. But, make sure to read the direction on your fabric paint!

#. - Indicates corresponding photos above. 

I love this project because the possibilities are endless and it's so much fun! I hope you have fun making all kinds of fun things with this technique. -Ruth-