Blueberry Pie - Yummy

I am not especially fond of normal blue berry pies because of the cooked blueberries.  But a few years ago, I developed this recipe and love it.   It is so easy to make too.

 

                  

                         JOAN'S  BLUEBERRY PIE

CRUST

1 1/2 cup flour

2 T sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2  cup plus 2 T oil

2 T Milk

Press into pie shell and bake at 425 until slightly brown
                 
FILLING

1 C Blueberries

 

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup corn starch

1/4 t salt

Mix these 3 ingredients together

before adding

 

1 cup hot water

1 t lemon juice

 add blueberries and water
   Cook these ingredients together until thick, stirring constantly

 

Fresh Blueberries

3 1/2 cups raw blue berries.

Add these to thicken mixture after it has slightly cooked and stir

well.  Add to baked pie shell

 CRUMB TOPPING

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup soften butter

mix until crumbly.  DO NOT use mixer.

Cover the blueberries in pie shell with crumbs and bake at 425 until brown...about 15 minutes.

If edges of pie shell start to get too brown, cover with foil.
 
                       If you decide to try this recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

 

Beets

Canning season for me has started.  I have already frozen Strawberry Jam and several pints of Strawberries.  But, soon I will be in full force as the corn and beans will be ready.

Saturday, I canned 7 pints of pickled beets.  I was a little nervous about doing so, as I had not

done any without my Mom.  I was pretty intent of writing good instructions over the years, but a fear of panic was upon me as I couldn't find my book with my instructions.  I searched and searched and

finally gave into the internet.  But, I was not happy with what I was finding, so kept searching.

Then, the Lord blessed me with a flash of memory and I found it in a drawer that I haven't been able to use because I put a freezer over it and I can only pull it out part way.  I was able to reach my hand into it and I found my precious book with Mom's detailed instructions.

                 MOM'S PICKLED BEETS         

                PICKLING SALT

    2              QUART  VINEGAR

 2             QUARTS  SUGAR

                                  1               BOX  PICKLING SPICES IN A BAG  

BEETS

REMOVE ALL THE LEAVES, BUT DO NOT CUT OFF THE ENDS AS THEY WILL BLEED.

WASH BEETS EXTREMLY WELL...REALLY SCRUB THEM OUTSIDE TO REMOVED MOST OF THE DIRT.   THEN WASH AGAIN IN THE SINK MAKING SURE THRE IS NO DIRT LEFT
ON THEM OR IN THE ENDS.

COVER WITH WATER AND ADD ABOUT A CUP OF PICKELING SALT.  COOK UNTILYOU

CAN EASILY PUT A KNIFE THROUGH THEM.
I LIKE TO COOK THEM THE DAY BEFORE SO THEY ARE EASIER TO PEEL
 ONCE COOLED,  CUT OFF BOTH ENDS AND SLIP OFF THE SKIN MAKING SURE ALL OUTER LAYERS ARE REMOVED.  STRAIN THE BEET WATER  AS THIS IS WHAT TO USE FOR THE BEET WATER.
ADD THE VINEGAR, SUGAR AND BAG OF SPICES TO THIS BEET WATER.
BRING TO A BOIL STIRRING WELL TO DISSOLVE ALL THE SUGAR.  CUT UP THE BEETS IN BITE SIZE PIECES AND ADD TO THE BOILING BEET WATER.
BRING THE BEETS TO A BOIL AND KEEP WARM. 

PUT JARS IN PAN AND BRING TO A BOIL TO STERILIZE,  ADD LID TO THIS PAN OF WATER JUST

BEFORE YOU ARE READY TO PUT ON THE JAR.   ADD BEETS TO JAR, MAKING SURE
THEY ARE COVERED WITH BEET JUICE..  ADD LID AND SCREW RING ONTO THE JAR..
COVER WITH TOWEL AND MAKE SURE AFTER THEY HAVE COOLED THAT THE LIDS ARE SEALED.
 

Card Box Tutorial

Several have commented and emailed me that they would like to have directions on making the 12x12 Card Box.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Scroll down below this tutorial to see the box.

I used plain paper for this tutorial, but the box is so much prettier using double side paper.

I really love the Anna Griffin paper as it doesn't crack when scored.

First of all. cut a 12x12 paper to 8.5 x 12.

Lay the 8.5x12 paper on your score board and score at

2.75 - 5.5 - 8.25 - 11

 Cut off 2 inches of the paper that has been scored.  The nice thing about having had scored it, the score lines are perfect for the supports later.

Put the paper back on the score board and then rotate the paper 90° so the unscored side is at the top and score at 3.75

Cut 4 strips of the shortest score lines stopping at the 3.75 score line.

Make sure you stop at 3.75 inches deep.

 At the 11 inch score line make an angle cut and cut off the shortest piece as shown above.

Add double sided tape to the tab which holds the box together.

Fold at all the score lines.  This is how the box looks before taping it together.

Attach the Double Sided Tape to the inside of the box.

Now fold the box shut in both directions to make sure your box folds flat.

Lay box flat, both directions.

Using the 2 inch strip cut off earlier, place on the score board making sure the scored edges match the earlier score lines.  Score at 1.75, 6.75, 7.25 .  Now cut on these new score lines.

You will be left 2 strips

Fold back these tabs on both ends, applying glue on both ends, both ends.

Slip down into the box for additional support and also a place to add the embellishments.

By the way, I added the embellishments to a strip of clear acrylic that I cut out of Spellbinders packaging.  This allows them to wave in the air when the box is opened.

CARD BOX

I have had several requests for directions for the 12x12 card box.

I am working on that today and hopefully tomorrow will get it posted.

 

 

One of the big rages right now is the Card Box that folds flat to mail it.  I have made 3 of them for birthdays. (the other 2 I sent to my grandchildren and didn't take a picture)

Last night we attended a surprise birthday party for one of my best friends, Sherry.  I had taken a class in Florida to learn how to make this and hadn't used the paper that was included in the class kit.

It is a Anna Griffin Paper and I think has been discontinued, but oh how I love it.

 

 

I fussy cut a fairy that I also found in Florida and used the Exotic Butterflies from Cheery Lynn

DL113.  Also used the Swirl and leaves from Magnolia.  I wish you could see the beauty of this box in real life.  If you haven't made any of them yet, there are all kinds of samples, instructions on Pinterest and Youtube.  Or email me and I can give you the score line you need to use to make this out of a 12x12 paper.  The hardest part of the box is getting the embellishments (butterflies) placed so that they are balanced and in the right places.  I cut plastic strips out of spellbinder packaging as they are clear and you don't see them.

 

The bottom of the box.

 

Folds Flat for mailing.

And the Winner is~~~

And the winner is~~~

You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Judy is the winner.    

Congratulations Judy!!!

 

 Thanks to those of you who joined us for last week's challenge. We had some beautiful cards

made for this challenge.  Be sure to check them out.

I will be sending Judy a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Judy's pretty card by clicking here!  Be sure to leave Judy a comment.  She did a great job creating so much interest with all the circles.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11 

Timestamp: 2014-07-08 12:06:16 UTC

Challenge Vacation Card

Everyone seems to be so busy right now, including me.  We have not had very many entries for the last few challenges, so I am going do things a little different the next few weeks.
I am going to leave this link open and you can find it at the top of the page under Challenges.  When you make a card you can post it and anything goes.  Just  feel free to post your cards or projects (even gardening or recipes) anytime you have something you would like for everyone to see.
I will do the same and hopefully everyone can enjoy each other's projects.  Terri will not be sending any gifts during this time.  So gals, lets have fun and post away.  Enjoy your summer!!!!

I used my Dream Weavers stencil again and colored it with their the acrylic paints. I have fallen in love with stenciling!!! The rectangle spellbinder Gold Rectangle One S411 was cut out and but this time I debossed instead of emboss it..  My friend Judy gave me this adorable Red Poppy Faerie stamp by JustRite and I thought it went great with my flower.  My only negative is I wish she was turned the other way.  I feel she needs to be looking at the flower instead of away from it.  Maybe that is because of my years as an interior decorator that it bothers me.  But. I already had the flower and the rectangle done when I decided to use her.  She was colored with Distressed Inks and I wanted to keep the same color theme, so a select few colors were chosen.  The Love Sentiment by Cheery Lynn and the curved borders by Spellbinders finished off the card

I was about done and I smeared Tattered Rose Ink on the card.  Have you ever done that?  Made me so mad, but I wasn't about to start over.  So, I took a terry cloth towel, lightly inked it with Tattered Rose and sorta stippled all over the card.  I loved it when I finished, so that is I how made lemonade out of a lemon!!   What do you think?
 

4th of July Party

Jon and I love to entertain guests in our home.    I love all the small details of planning the party and coming up with a theme etc.  And, Pinterest makes it so easy these days.  The only problem is that I need to start a month early to use the many ideas I find.  I searched for 4th of July Party and wow how fun.

I printed out the 4th of July labels for our water bottles, painted my ice bucket white and covered it with red, white and blue card stock which I printed after finding it on Etsy.  I used the same paper to make pinwheels to stick in my flower pots.  We have a new Joann's fabric store on the south end of South Bend and it is wonderful.  I found this flannel backed fabric to make table cloths and a couple decorations on sale.  I wanted red, white and blue flower arrangements and was limited on red flowers. So, I added red food coloring to water in mason jars for the red and used white lilies and blue larkspur to complete my arrangement.

We invited 8 couples from church, each brought a  yummy dish and I grilled honey orange chicken, made corn bread salad, lavender lemonade and a dish of sour creamed onions and cucumbers.  Everything was delicious.  God blessed us with a gorgeous evening and a good time was had by all.

 

 

Happy 4th of July everyone.  May God bless America.

A big thanks to everyone who protects our freedom!

 

Subscriber Challenge

I am happy to announce the winners of the Subscriber Challenger I did a few weeks ago.

And the winners are: Barb Macaskill and Jessica Shelton-Buffa.  Congratulations to both of you.

Please send me your mailing address to jfricker@fourway.net so that I can get your gifts sent off to you the first of next week.  Again, thanks so much for subscribing to my blog!!!

 

I love my gardens this time of year!

We were so blessed yesterday not to have any storm damage.  Lots of trees down all over, 2 people killed and much damage. Our power came back on about 8:00 PM last night and we were so thankful.  They are saying some won't have it until Saturday.  We do  have a generator, so we were able to keep our freezers and water going. 

I love this time of year. The flowers are at their peak and such a joy to look at in the morning.  My Mom's favorite song was "In The Garden" and I so enjoy God's gorgeous creations as I take my morning stroll.  I hope you enjoy it too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WITHOUT POWER ...

ATTENTION!!

Due to the horrific storms that ran through the midwest last evening, both Joan and Terri (Joan's Gardens) are without power or internet service.  Please keep them in your thoughts as they go through the ordeal of storm cleanup.  Terri has the new Memory Box Release all set to go once she's able to 'hit the button' and share it with you.  Thank you for your understanding!

And the winner is~~~

And the winner is~~~

You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Lori is the winner.    

Congratulations Lori!!!!!

 Thanks to those of you who joined us for last week's challenge. Not many entries this week, but the ones that did enter are very pretty.

I will be sending Lori a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Lori's pretty card by clicking here!  Be sure to leave Lori a comment.  Her card is a great for this 4th of July weekend.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2 

Timestamp: 2014-06-30 23:52:46 UTC

Card for #20 Challenge

 

I am in the process of organizing my dies.  As I was doing so,

I found a Spellbinder Gold Round One Die that I had not ever opened.

Not sure how to use it, I went to YouTube and searched for a video.  The video showed using the  Gold Round One and a Standard Round die together.  Notice the

embossing around the cut out.  I loved how this turned out.

 

 The Fancy Lattice die was die cut and placed  on the inside of the card for interest.  Another favorite die of mine.

 

Next after cutting out my circle I wanted something different on the side,  I played with several things, but then remembered I had this Shasta Flower stencil from Dream Weaver.   Using White Embossing Paste I stenciled the flower and let it dry, inked it with Tim Holtz Spun Sugar and Moss Green.

 

Jerri Jimenez of a Touch of Grace did several tutorials on making flowers.  So, I tried her technique and even though I certainly haven't mastered it yet, I was pleased with the way they turned out.

 

I added this gorgeous butterfly, Magnolia leaves, Magnolia swirl dies and the Exquisite Circle which had been stamped with Best Wishes.

 

Products used on this card can be purchased by emailing Terri at Joan's Gardens by clicking here!

 

Shasta Flower Trio - LL3031 - Dream Weaver Stencil

Gold Round One - S4-412 - Spellbinders

Standard Round Die - S4-114 - Spellbinder

Fancy Lattice - S5-152 - Spellbinder

6002/0159 - Flower Dies - Joy

Spun Sugar and Moss Green Distressed Inks - Tim Holtz

Best Wishes - C6105 - Impression Obsession

Exquisite Circle - S4-384 - Impression Obsession

Rose Leaf - YS11 - Magnolia

Summer Foliage - SM12 - Magnolia

Swirl - SM 12 - Magnolia

Small lace Fairie Butterfly - DL161 - Cheery Lynn

Dream Weaver Embossing Paste

Ultimate Glue

Glue Glider Adhesive

E-bosser

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be sending a prize to the winner.

You can make as many cards this week as you have time to get done.

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Use White-Pink-Green Colors
• Use a Circle
• Flowers - handmade or purchased
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Touch Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.joanstouch.com

 

You will have until next Monday, July 7 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

 

A winner will be chosen from a random drawing for week #20 and the winner of the challenge will be announced July 8.

 

 

 

 

Guys Graduation Card

One of my favorite young men (2nd cousin) Peter graduated from high school this spring.  His passion is baseball (just like his father).  I found this cool vintage baseball image on Etsy for $1.00 and thought it would make a perfect card for him.  I love the way it turned out. 

First I inked the Impression Obsession Stripe Stamp with Versa fine ink making sure there were some blank lines to give it more of a vintage feel.  You do this by rubbing the ink on instead of blotting. I learned that tip from Wendy Vecchi.

Tea Dye was used to give everything an aged look.   Using Tim Holtz  Slight Alterations CMS060

I stamped on the background of the Congrats and the year.  I love that stamp as I think it adds so much interest.  I am sorry but I don't know which set of numbers I have. I think it is Memory Box but I did not label it. (shaking my finger at myself)  I personalized the inside too with a graduation cap and a note to Peter.  I think he will like it.

 

You can purchase all the following products from Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com

 

Thin Stripes Stamp-  B5199 - Impression Obsession

Slight Alterations - CMS060 - Tim Holtz

Congrats - 656360 - Sizzix

Tea Dye Distressed Ink by Tim Holtz

Numbers - I think Memory Box, but not sure.

 

 

Guy's Birthday Card

Todd, our grandson-in-law's birthday is the 29th and so I made this card for him.  I don't know about you, but it is harder for me to do a guy/boy's card than anything else.  First of all, I don't think they have near the fun and cute dies that are available for women/girls.  And, It is hard not to "frill" them up.  But, this is what I came up for Todd.

Have a truckload of fun on your birthday.  The stamps are both very grungy, so they might be hard to see/read.  In real life though they look just fine. 

I started out using water color paper. I inked a brayer with Fired Brick, Scattered Straw, Ripe Persimmon Distressed Inks (separately) and brayered each ink until I got the look I wanted.  Then I did the same thing for the bottom Peacock feathers and Vintage Photo.  I spritz them lightly with water making sure all the inks were blended together.

Using Time Holtz Slight Alterations, I stamped over the bottom for texture.  The trees were stamped and everything was dried with a heat tool.

A piece of dry wall tape that had been inked was laid on top of the bottom.    The small town was attached after stamping it with another stamp from the Slight Alterations stamp set.  The truck and sentiment were popped up. This card was easy once I figured out what I was doing. 

 

Products used that can be purchased from Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com

Zutter Distresser

Special Boy Stamp - F401 - Our Daily Bread

Slight Alterations Stamp- CMS060 - Tim Holtz

Autumn Treasures Stamp - G1896 - Memory Box

Winter Neighborhood Border - B323 - Cheery Lynn

Potting Soil - Archival Ink - Wendy Vecchi

Distressed Inks - Peacock Feathers, Vintage Photo- Wild Honey- Fired Brick - Ripe Persimmon

 

53 years ago today

Fifty Three years ago I was 17 and I married my high school sweetheart Duane.   We were married 28 years before he lost his life to Esophagus Cancer at the age of 47.  I was 43.  My world fell apart and I had to make a new life.  I wondered how I would go on, but I did.  I made a new life for myself, not always making the wisest decisions, but learned a lot by during those years of being single.  One of the hardest things was making decisions by myself.  There were some rough years, but I made it!
After 6 years, God blessed me and sent me another wonderful husband...Jon. We have been married 20 years and it has been truly a great 20 years!!! 

My very favorite verses are Philippians 4: 6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Every time I would be afraid or anxious during Duane's illness and after his death I would repeat this verse. It was a huge comfort to me and is still my favorite verse after all these years.

 

Beautiful Flowers

I purchased 2 new lilies last summer and I thought that they did not make it through the harsh winter.

What a nice surprise to walk out to my garden a couple days ago and find them blooming.  I thought I had planted them in a different location.  I want to move them once they are done blooming as they are among taller lilies and aren't as showy as they could be.  Aren't they gorgeous??

I wanted to take more pictures this morning as several more have opened, but it is raining again.

Hopefully tomorrow.

 Red and yellow Lilly

 Pink Lilly

 Peach Lilly

 

 

And the winner is~~~

And the winner is~~~

You can see all last weeks challenge entries by clicking here!

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Darlene is the winner.    

Congratulations Darlene!!!!!

 Thanks to those of you who joined us for last week's challenge.  Great job everyone on the layer cards.   I love how some of you changed it up from my design.  That's what this is all about...new ideas.

I will be sending Darlene a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Darlene gorgeous card by clicking here!  Be sure to leave Darlene a comment.  She is one that changed her card up a bit from the original design and I loved it.  Great job Darlene!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

4 

Timestamp: 2014-06-24 11:54:48 UTC

Challenge 19 CARD

 

 

 

 

This card is my favorite kind of card to make.  Lots of layers of ink, different textures using more than one layer, stencils. distressing, curling, inking, more inking.  I love the raised look of Embossing Paste.  Isn't this stencil gorgeous?   I wanted to use some cheese cloth, but after searching everywhere I gave up.  I will have Terri order some for me....then I will find my other package as I know I purchased some....know what I mean?

 

I first started out using the Dream Weaver Hydrangea Stencil, and several Tim Holtz Stencils.

I applied several different colors of ink to get the interesting effect.  I also added half of a Cheery

Lynn doily, some Dry Wall Mesh, colored a charm and wooden leaves.  Everything was inked with Tim Holtz Distressed Ink and Acrylic Paint by Dream Weaver.

If you want any more details, please comment or email me at jfricker@fourway.net

 

One thing I want to tell you...I LOVE Dream Weaver Stencils.  These stencils are metal and they don't tear or bend easily.  Terri is considering carrying them, so take a look at the Dream Weaver web site and see all the gorgeous stencils (and now some dies).  Then drop Terri an email and let her know that you are interested in them.   http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/  There are lots of pages, but the page numbers are listed at the top of the page rather than at the bottom, so be sure don't miss them.

 

The Products used on this card can be purchased by emailing Terri by clicking here!

Hydrangea Stencil - LJ858 - Dream Weaver

Dot Fade Stencil - THS 006 - Tim Holtz

Shatter Stencil - THS014 - Tim Holtz

Bubble Stencil THS002 - Tim Holtz

Vintage Photo, Iced Spruce, Wild Honey, Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord, Distressed Ink by Tim Holtz

Flowers Lattice - 656979 - Sizzix

Exotic Butterfly - DL113 - Cheery Lynn

Script SB1 - Stamp - Indigo Blue

Aged Aqua Embossing Enamel - Stampendous

Thanks Stamp - A833 - Memory Box

Embossing Paste - Dream Weaver or Wendy Vecchi -

Violet  Acrylic Paint - Jack Richesons - Dream Weaver

 

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

 

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Use lots of colors of ink - your choice
• Use Different Textures
• Stencil. ..  either with paste or ink.  You can use a die if you don't have a stencil.
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.  Also, mention that you are doing the card/project for Joan's Touch Challenge. It would be nice if you would add this link to your post: www.joanstouch.com

 

You will have until next Monday, June 30 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

 

A winner will be chosen from a random drawing for week #19 and the winner of the challenge will be announced July 1