Christen's Creations

Valentine's Day approaches...

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0000

As infamous v-day approaches you start to panic about the perfect card. The "I don't really care about this corporate holiday but wanted to show you I love you anyway" card...

Here's one for the hubby. Feel free to use it, just click the image below then copy image and paste into a word document to print. Once printed, fold in half and write a personal message inside...

I realize this one of course might only be truly funny

if you've been married once, otherwise it might be a bit awkward... so:

If you have any other ideas I'd be willing to make them into cards

for you all to use, so just leave a comment. ^__^

cheese bread

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:28:00 +0000

Okay so in all innocence I thought this place I'm about to mention said Chinese Bread Factory. And so I wanted to see if they possibly made gluten-free breakfast sandwiches... you know with rice flour and such as I often find gluten-free items in the local asian market.

As I got to the front door I realized it is Mama's Cheese Bread Factory... not sure how I saw Chinese from Mama's Cheese! So I walk in not wanting to be an idiot who grabbed the handle and then walked away - but knowing full well that there was not going to be a gluten-free option in sight at this place... I was so disappointed.

I walk in and I'm immediately greeted by a friendly face and, "Is this your first time here?" I of course say yes and she proceeds to tell me about the items - preceding her list of the items she says what I thought sounded like, "these are gluten and yeast free." So I let her finish her sentences and then as she goes to get me a sample - a cheese bread roll (fits in the palm of your hand) - I stop her and ask her to repeat what kind of item they are - she gets what I'm asking and repeats what she had said, "gluten free and yeast free." My smile widens. I happily bite into the yummy little cheese bread as she shows me how they make bigger rolls for breakfast sandwiches. Say what?! The Lord must have let me think I saw chinese so that he could show me this little gem of a place. I can now have gluten-free breakfast sandwiches that are this good?!?! Glory be to God! haha

I'm just so thrilled - that I had to share. I'm going back tomorrow to buy 50 of the little rolls for a very reasonable price, to keep on hand for when we are craving bread with dinner. We're officially going to be a gluten-free household - the hubby's finally on board and is actually the one pushing it. I usually keep regular spaghetti and bread on hand for him - but he wants to be gluten-free now along with me - Yay!

featured: love letters

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:19:00 +0000

featured - It Doesn't Matter If You Win or Lose

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:53:00 +0000

featured - Bright Shades

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Sarah-bear-a

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:42:00 +0000

This is a little post of homage to my pet of almost 11 years - Sarah. She's been having some issues lately - she's 12 years old but that doesn't mean much to me since a cat my family has had since I was little is currently 18 and going strong. So as Sarah cuddles with me with her arms extended around my neck, I wonder why I have to let her go at 12.
The vet says she has a tumor attached to her tongue, under it. It bursts when she moves her tongue too much resulting in a gory murder scene in my home sometimes. He said because it's attached to her tongue and to so much of her tongue, he can't do anything for her. So I'm to wait and watch until it's time to let her go and save her from severe suffering by putting her down... that's going to be hard since she's always pretty cuddly and cheery.
I'm trying my best to keep the bursting at bay - but little Sarah doesn't like wet food very much. She prefers her dry food and in order to keep her eating we've been providing it even though it most likely brings on burst more than anything else she does...

But all in all - she's lived a good life. Here's her story... if you're interested.

I was volunteering at the local animal shelter in high school. She was a feral cat picked up on her own and she wouldn't let any of the staff or volunteers near her without scratching or hissing them. Or so I remember.
So they ended up only opening her cage to feed her and change the litter. One day when I went to do the very same thing she rubbed up against my hand and purred. Someone told me she was in heat - but she was spayed already. That was that - if she was going to like me for even a second then I was going to take her home and try to socialize her since the shelter wasn't even going to try. I locked myself and her in a walk-in closet every night for a while. Forcing her to get used to my presence. She wasn't too happy; every morning when I opened the door she bolted out. But one day I was sitting on my bed and she came over. Since then she's been the most cuddly, sweet cat I've ever owned. No one would ever be able to tell that she was feral. She puts her arms around you like a hug when you hold her, and nuzzles her head under your chin - purring like a motor boat to boot. When she's lying with you on the sofa or in bed, you look down at her and she reaches up for your face... she's so sweet!

So if you're ever thinking about getting a cat from the shelter - don't over look the ones that the staff have deemed 'un-friendly' like Sarah was, she's absolutely THE BEST cat I've ever had - and the most personable animal I've ever had either.

Catching Up...

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:35:00 +0000

I'm currently (mostly) caught up with holiday print orders and all the giveaways I've done recently ( I gave away 5 prints in various blogs in a time frame of two weeks - NOT a good idea in case you're wondering...)

I just wanted to pop over here real quick and wish everyone who's reading a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

What's Cooking: (better) green bean casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:45:00 +0000

This comes out tasting very similar to the fried onion green bean casserole everyone loves so much... but better - of course. Homemade is always better. It's gluten-free and easily modified to be vegan friendly as well.

1 to 1.5 lbs. green beans (trimmed and rinsed if fresh)

1/4 roasted almonds

1/4 grated parmesan

2 tbsp butter

1 med onion (peeled, cut in half, then sliced thin)

2-3 cloves of garlic (crushed or minced)

Pre-heat the oven to 400.

Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet (that has a lid for later use), then put in the onion.

When it turns translucent I add the garlic, stir and let sit for about 2 minutes while tending to the almonds.

Grind the almonds to a powder, then mix in the parmesan. Set aside.

Then stir the onions and garlic, and then add the green beans. Cover and steam the green beans over the onion and garlic for about 10 - 15 minutes; stirring once or twice to prevent the onions from burning, they (the onions) will however caramelize a bit and that's yummy... ^__^

Then mix in half the almond mixture. Turn off the heat.

Now you can either cook it in the pan for the rest of the way in the oven (if your pan's handle is oven safe) or you can put it into a casserole dish.

Before putting into the oven determine whether or not you need more butter... if you do just put a few small chunks over the top of the green beans.

Sprinkle the rest of the almond mixture on top and place in the oven. Cook until the green beans are to your liking (texture wise), I like them to be fork tender.

If you use frozen green beans I'm assuming the cooking times will lessen a lot. Probably only steam them until they're defrosted...

:) enjoy!

To make this vegan:

simple --- use vegan butter substitute and a vegan soy parmesan.

feature in ctworkingmoms.com

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Hi there! Over at ctworkingmoms.com my graphics have been featured and there's a giveaway going on! Check it out...

& the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:35:00 +0000

And the winner is...

#9 - Pam Koop! Congrats!

You've won the Torani flavored syrups giveaway!

winner numero uno

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Diana won the first giveaway here on Christen's Creations!

She knew exactly what she wanted - and here it is - I love what she chose as her family rules.

I loved it so much it's up for sale in the etsy shop! (Diana said it'd be okay.) Thanks Diana!

and the winner is!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The winner(s) for the family rules giveaway are...

Comment #15 was from Diana - Congratulations!

Comment # 19 was from Tanis - Congratulations!

Don't forget about the

Torani Flavored Syrups giveaway!

Giveaway ends December 7th - get your entries in!

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

a friend of mine recently said:

Thanksgiving is for thanking & eating,

and being thankful for the eating.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Hoping you have a wonderful time with friends and family this year!
- Christen

giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Fully customized family rules digital print GIVEAWAY!!!

Winners (2) will be selected with the random number generator from random.org and will be notified through e-mail. Your number(s) will correspond to your comment(s). So the more entries you earn (thus more comments you leave) the better chance you have of winning! 1st comment left on this giveaway post will be #1 and so on... This is open to anyone worldwide.

Winners will be able to customize their own family rules digital print from every word to every color. Once communication has been opened between me and a winner we will work together to get your print to your liking and once a proof has been approved you will receive the image file via e-mail so you can get it printed at your local shop. This print can be up to a 12x18 size. If the winner wishes to choose any other digital print from the etsy shop instead of a family rules print, that is fine as well and will be customized.

Rules are:

* Post a comment on this post for each entry you qualify for or complete:

> following this blog = 1 entry

> following my up & coming website: amigurumipals.com = 1 entry

> following me on twitter: twitter.com/AmigurumiPals = 1 entry
> liking my facebook page: facebook.com/AmigurumiPals = 1 entry
> featuring an item from my shop (onandoffthehook) in an Etsy treasury (post link to treasury in comment) = 1 entry
> if someone posts in their comment after following this blog that you referred them here. = 2 entries
> mentioning (with a link) one of my items on your facebook page. (please link to your post in your comment below) = 2 entries
> purchasing an item from my shop (post your etsy name and order # in your comment below please) = 10 entries

* There are unlimited entries.
* If someone says in their comment that you referred them to this giveaway I will then post a comment for you in your name - so you don't have to worry about checking back every day.

Examples:
- You'd leave one comment on this post for following the blog, something like, "following - email[at]gmail.com"
- You'd then leave an additional comment for liking the facebook page, "liked fb - email[at]gmail.com"
- You'd then leave an additional 2 (identical; just copy and paste ^__^ ) comments for mentioning an item from my etsy shop on your facebook page, "mentioned item on fb. [link to your post] - email[at]gmail.com"
- You'd also leave an additional 10 (identical) comments if you purchased an item from my etsy shop. "purchase order #7548694 - email[at]gmail.com"

* giveaway ends on Nov. 30th - winners will be announced Dec. 1st. (If a winner has not left their e-mail address then it is their duty to respond to the post of them winning by Dec. 8th, a new winner will be chosen and announced on the 9th if they don't.)

an unconventional Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Let's revisit a post from 2009...

You've got to try these, even if you think you don't like asparagus!

Asparagus & Turkey Bacon Open Faced Sandwiches

Ingredients:

asparagus
2 medium onions
turkey bacon
olive oil
salt & pepper
cheese of your choice
ciabatta rolls or gluten-free rolls

I suggest cooking the bacon while preparing the asparagus and onions. Cook it on a low heat so it doesn't need your constant attention, and this way it'll get nice and crispy without burning. Also, if you wish, cook it in a large skillet that you can then later use for the onions so you have less dishes to do.

While the turkey bacon is cooking, slice your onion into thin strips (cut each onion in half, then each half into strips - don't chop.) and prepare the asparagus.
There are two thoughts on how to prepare asparagus, the beginning of this video shows both the cutting method and the snapping method. (If you choose to chop the ends off I suggest then following this video.)

Once you've prepared the asparagus place it in a cookie sheet and then drizzle some olive oil over the spears. Then sprinkle or grind salt and pepper over them and roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes on 350 (this part I'm not sure of because I always use my toaster oven and put it on the 'toast' setting for about 20-25 minutes...) You want the asparagus to be tender and just starting to crisp up.

Finish up the bacon, and then caramelize the onions. Stir often to avoid them from sticking to the bottom of the pan, if you feel they are sticking too much you can add a little water and stir vigorously to get them off the bottom. The water will evaporate quickly but allow you to loosen the onions from the pan.

Cut the ciabatta rolls in half and toast them until they are a little crispy.

Now that everything is cooked you'll assemble the sandwiches. Put a small amount of cheese on one half of a ciabatta roll, then the bacon, then the onions, then another small amount of cheese, then the asparagus, and then a final small amount of cheese sprinkled on top. Repeat this with the remaining ciabatta roll halves. (The cheese is the glue that holds everything together, so it's not necessary, it just helps in the eating process...)

Place the open faced sandwiches on a cookie sheet and toast them until the cheese melts.
Eat and enjoy!

And a dessert posted in July of this year...

Chocolate Mousse

( 2 servings )

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon water

1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 tablespoon maple syrup (could also try honey)

> in a small, heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips with water over low heat; stir until smooth.

> stir a small amount of the hot chocolate mixture into the egg yolk (this is called tempering)

> return all to the pan, stirring constantly. cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

> remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. set aside to cool, stirring several times.

> in a mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until it thickens. Add maple syrup; beat until peaks form.
> fold in cooled chocolate mixture.
> pour into cups, ramekins; whatever you'd like to serve this in... cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
> garnish with additional whipped cream/strawberries/raspberries/chocolate shavings/etc. if desired.

Product Review: Torani Authentic Coffeehouse Flavor Syrups

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I just received two full-size bottles of the Pumpkin Pie and Sugar Free Vanilla TORANI Authentic CoffeeHouse Flavor Syrups to review and share my experience with you.
The syrups, for what they are..., are remarkably healthy (in a sense). I was totally expecting to see corn syrup in the ingredients list, but - nope! They are flavor syrups after all but to see 'pure cane sugar' as an ingredient instead of corn syrup - it was quite refreshing! The Sugar Free Vanilla syrup has splenda in it, just so you know how it gets it's sweetness... Overall I'm a bit impressed.
The best part, since I am not a coffee drinker normally, is that you can also put the syrups a bunch of things, other than just coffee. I was just talking with my husband the other day about wanting to get a 'not-so-bad-for-you' coconut syrup to flavor sodas and such - and guess what... Torani makes one! I'm siked.
My husband tried the pumpkin pie syrup in an iced coffee the other day and said it was really good, but he wants to try their fruit flavors in seltzer most of all...

Popular Drink concoctions with Torani Syrups:

Flavored Coffees/Espresso Drinks Italian Sodas (mixing the syrup with sparkling water and sometimes other ingredients)
Flavored Tea (hot and cold!)
Flavored lemonades
Flavored sodas (coca-cola, sprite, etc)
Cocktails
Mocktails ( mock cocktails, or those that do not contain any alcohol - virgin pina colada anyone?!)
Flavored energy drinks (like Red Bull)

Torani flavored syrups are available in over 122 flavors, which includes regular and sugar free varieties. The sugar free varieties are made with splenda like I mentioned before and have zero calories. You can find TORANI syrup products in Walmart, most major grocery stores, Amazon and Torani.com (widest variety of flavors).

SheSpeaks and Torani is giving Christen's Creations readers a special 10% off Coupon Code to use on TORANI.COM – simply enter “shespeaks” at checkout to receive your discount!

For more information about TORANI, check out their website: www.torani.com

or visit their Facebook page or Follow them on Twitter

Giveaway info:

One Christen's Creations reader will be deemed the winner and will receive two coupons so that they can get themselves two bottles of Torani syrup at their local retailer for completely FREE and test them out as I've done... You must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment below with a way to contact you for a mailing address. Open to residents in the USA and Canada. Giveaway ends Dec. 7th. Coupons don't expire until 6/30/12.

If you'd like to earn extra entries into this giveaway you may:
> follow my up & coming website: amigurumipals.com = 1 entry
> like my facebook page: facebook.com/AmigurumiPals = 1 entry
> refer others to follow this blog (they need to put in one of their comments that you referred them here) = 2 entries

* There are unlimited entries.
* If someone says in their comment that you referred them to this giveaway I will then post a comment for you in your name - so you don't have to worry about checking back every day.

SheSpeaks is a fun and FREE community that offers Free products to test to it's qualified members. If you want more information about this great site, you can join here.

What's Cooking: Garlicious Spinach and Chicken stir fry

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:37:00 +0000

Okay, so the ingredients are...
<<< Salmida's state fair lemon garlicious sauce
fresh spinach
boneless, skinless chicken (marinated, grilled, then torn into pieces)
cream
butter
olive oil
italian blend shredded cheese
(onions would be a great addition, slices very thing and caramelized a bit - but that'd add time to what's meant to be a 5-minute meal! ^__^ )

> Marinated the chicken over night or for a whole day. Then grill or bake, putting aside the leftover sauce from your night of marination, not what's left in the bottle. Once chicken is done and cooled, using your fingers, break it into bite-size pieces. Put aside.

> Using the leftover sauce from marinating, put it into a small pot and bring to a boil to make sure there are no yucky chicken germs having a party in there... add some cream and some butter... stir and continue to boil for 5 minutes. If it's not thick enough already ( you're going for a gravy type consistency but an easily pourable gravy; a slightly thin gravy....) then add 1/2 tsp of starch or arrowroot powder at a time, whisking in until you've reached your desired consistency. Give it one minute each time before adding more...

> Those two items can now be packed for the fridge and saved for quick lunches... but of course you're hungry now so let's get started! We'll pretend it's the next day though and you're starting with cold ingredients from your fridge...
------------------------------------------------------ - - - - - - - -

>Take a small handful of chicken pieces and heat up in a small skillet with a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat.
> Once chicken is sizzling a bit, add two good heaping spoonfuls of the sauce. Stir.
> Now take your (rinse and patted dry) spinach and simply tear in into smaller pieces and toss into the skillet along with the stems. Stir carefully, trying to cover the spinach with the sauce.
> Once spinach is sufficiently wilted remove the pan from the heat, sprinkle with a little italian blend cheese and let cool for 1-2 minutes.

> EAT! Right in the pan - so now you've made yourself a yummy lunch within 5 minutes and you only have two things to clean - a pan, and a fork... ^__^

Enjoy!

remembrance poppies

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

So, today (11/11/11 - Veteran's Day) is a day where the internet's images are flooded with red poppies and yellow ribbons. And as I see these dainty, paper-thin, red flowers that are supposed to represent our remembrance of our veterans, I can only think of one veteran most often; my Poppy. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that have the same thing happening today - many grandpas are called 'Poppy' and many grandpas especially of my grandparents generation are veterans...

So while a dainty, paper-thin, red flower doesn't do my stubborn, thick-headed, kind-hearted grandpa justice, it does bring him to mind a whole lot today. I think of him often, but poppies of any kind remind me of him just because of the name. So, of course, it's not unusual or odd.

My grandpa never got to fight even though I believe he wanted to, he was stationed here to work as a mechanic I think. I do know of a great guy who has had many trips to the middle east though - I used to work with him. He started off as a confident, haughty, secure guy - and last time I saw him he still was acting confident and haughty - but he had such a sadness and emptiness about him. He saw some really disturbing stuff over there. But for all the veterans, and those currently serving - I thank you for your time, your sweat, your tears, your blood, your effort, your heartache, and most of all your lives - because you're never the same after experiencing a war; if you come back home... So, thank you ! ! !

Dec. 9th GIVEAWAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:26:00 +0000

Gear up - there's a giveaway going on soon!

Every Friday www.ctworkingmoms.com has giveaways.

On Dec. 9th they'll be featuring www.onandoffthehook.etsy.com !

... no worries - I'll remind you as we get closer to the date! ^__^

germy rant... excuse me for it.

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:49:00 +0000

artistic rendering of the infamous evil germ

In one of the rare moments I actually listen to the local radio station... the DJ was reading a recent report about the top germ-infested places in cities. Parking meters, traffic buttons, hand rails, etc, etc, etc... He made sure to dramatize it as so many Americans do these days... saying multiple times how important it is to carry hand sanitizer and/or wash your hands after touching those surfaces. This gets me riled...

Have we learned nothing from the antibiotic issues we're having? Silly question - Drs still prescribe antibiotics like crazy... But seriously, if we keep scaring people into being paranoid over germs and dirt we're going to have super-germs that are resistant to most anything we throw at them. And who decided that all germs are horrible?! If a child is not exposed to germs on a regular basis and basically allowed to be a child, you know - an inquisitive and often messy, muddy, germy little being that enjoys animals, dirt, and sharing toys... If they're not allowed to be children without constantly wiping them down and pouring who-knows-how-harmful hand sanitizer on them we're going to have generations of people who get sick on a regular basis; there won't be such a thing as a healthy being.

We've got people so scared of germs that they are clogging their body with chemicals through hand sanitizer, vaccines; Lysol... everyone is focusing on health these days but all of the popular/advertised/government advocated 'solutions' that are coming forth are pretty much doing the exact opposite of helping us to be healthy. I vow to never use hand sanitizer again - yup - I'm living on the wild side! I vow to never spray Lysol in my home... and I vow to touch those surfaces which were declared dangerously germy, without shame or guilt, when I need to, knowing that I can build up my own natural antibodies by having contact with said bacteria and germs. I vow to not let this advertised paranoia enter my own mind and to never become fearful as it seems they want us to become.

^__^

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:33:00 +0000

little Totoro makes his rounds - he's the item that always seems to get into treasuries above all my other items...

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Now, many might be upset by my next sentence... prepare yourselves. In this household we don't celebrate Halloween...

Think about it, we spend hours upon hours telling children to not trust strangers and to not accept candy from them or anything else for that matter. Yet, every October 31st we parade them around various neighborhoods bringing them door to door to collect candy from, yup ... strangers. While I don't mind those who do celebrate Halloween having a good time, we do choose to not give out candy. So, respectively we keep our porch light off. Un-respectively kids and their parents choose to ring our doorbell anyway - upsetting our dogs, and eventually really getting on our nerves. Two years in a row we've tried putting hand-written signs on the door - they've helped about 50% I'd say.

So this year I've designed signs for us and for anyone reading this who isn't giving out candy this year. I'm personally going to get a dollar store clip on book light to put above the sign to illuminate it since our porch light will be off. See below; click to enlarge.

My husband's 'polite' version (we're not putting it out, don't worry); he especially gets annoyed.

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:24:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:48:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Christen) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:53:00 +0000