Messy Crafting

During my time off from my blogging I got a part time job. One day my husband saw an ad for an activities assistant at an independent senior facility. He said, "This is right up your alley. You should apply." Its some place I never thought of. I've always worked in retail. So I stepped outside my comfort zone. I interviewed. And guess what? I got the job. I've been having fun there for just short of two years now.

I love my job!

One of my job responsibilities is to come up with a monthly craft. Since these are independent seniors the craft should have at least a little bit of challenge. I  can't stand the ones that are like a kit (that I would have to prepare).

We have already done at least eighteen crafts so far. Im running out of original ideas. One of my residents asked me for a repeat of one of the projects we did last year. Kitchen clay jewelry. OK. I guess we can do a repeat. We have loads of new residents at the facility so many of them have not seen this yet.

I had to go back to Pinterest to go find my original recipe. It is a mix of flour, salt and corn starch. Only one problem, I could not remember quantities.

Change

I know it has been about 2 years since I have posted on here. I am going to try to get moving and start using my blog again.

I purchased myself a tiny little book a few years ago. I seek it out on some of those days that I need a little boost. It has an affirmation per each calendar day. I am not really into "affirmations" but this was a tiny little 365 page book that I bumped into on the bargain table at the book store. I think you all know that I can't pass up a useful bargain. I really liked today's. Here it is. I might have to share some more that I really like.

"Today I will embrace change. I know that change is the only true constant in life and today I will not resist it. I will let change happen.

Everything in nature changes - the seasons, the water levels, grass, leaves, wind, fruits, and vegetables. Nature is in a constant state of flux and change without this, there would be no growth.

My child and I are part of nature too. We do not need to force change; it happens by itself. Ours is to allow it and in this way we grow.

I will allow change to happen."

All is flux, nothing stays still...Nothing endures but change. - Heraclitus

--Daily Affirmations for Parents, Tian Dayton.

Candy Cane Kisses

So much for my "no sugar" or low sugar diet!

I bought some candy cane Hershey's Kisses just before Christmas. I LOVE them! I have been eating at least one, or maybe 3 almost every day!

Just after Christmas, I bought another bag.

It was 50% off! I couldn't resist!

I get home and my hubby helps me unload the bags. He asks, " You bought more kisses? Why?"

"Uum...'cuz I can't help myself...?" As I slink away...

So, how am I going' to lose these 15 pounds I want to lose?

Maybe not!

Does anyone else have something they just can't pass up on that is killing their diet? Come and share it with me!

Gluten free Seafood Breader Mix

Hmm...my kid,D (13 years old and picky) has been sick with stomach pains for weeks now. An upper GI xray series showed nothing.

But we had him eat only eggs and yogurt one day because those are the 2 things that consistently did not cause him pain.

So we decided to give him a special diet for the week or so we waited to go see the pediatric GI. Gluten free and. Dairy free. Yogurt doesn't count. It is digested differently than other dairy but we are keeping him off of that too. Just to make sure...

We decided to ask him what kind of protein will he eat besides eggs. He says "catfish!" We used to eat it all the time. At least a few times a month because it used to be the cheapest fresh fish out there at $3.99 a pound. Lately, it has been almost as expensive as salmon. If we had a choice between salmon or catfish...salmon wins!

So since he chose catfish I needed to figure out how he planned on eating it. We usually use this. So I needed to come up with a gluten free option.

Let's see...the label starts with corn flour. Got it. Then it adds wheat four and a variety of other things, I can't remember what, including spices. Just from tasting and looking at it...salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder...

OK. I'm game! I'll try it.

I bought some corn flour. I already had Gluten Free Bisquick in the house. For a pound of fish nuggets I put about 3 tablespoons corn flour, and 2 of Bisquick. I figured that the Bisquick would be salty. I didn't add any salt big mistake! I would definitely start with at least a 1/4 teaspoon. Then I added some pepper and paprika just by shaking some in. Wrong! Not enough! It needs to be measured! 

Think about it...You are cooking a pound of meat. You need seasonings!

Next time I'll add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/8 the teaspoon of ground black ( or white) pepper and 1/4 paprika. That is what I was shooting for when I just shook it in. I obviously failed! Mine was tasteless! It's a good thing I made tarter sauce to go with it! D didn't notice the difference! 

Thank goodness! He'll even have some leftovers!

So here it is:

1 lb catfish (cut in nuggets)

3 Tbsp corn flour

2 Tbsp (gluten free) Bisquick mix

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

Toss all ingredients into a plastic or paper baggy. Shake well to coat. Place in hot skillet with a little oil or cooking spray. Catfish is a fatty fish. It doesn't need much oil. Brown on each side for 3-4 minutes. Voila! Serve warm with tarter sauce if desired. Also tasty cold as leftovers. It gets rubbery if you nuke it (put it in the microwave).

The measurements to make tarter sauce depends on if you are a heavy or light condiment user. I just use proportions. 1 part sweet relish (rinse spoon, I'm lazy!), 2 parts mayonnaise, one part lemon juice. Mix until well combined. Enjoy! Just a tip...it's much easier to put the tarter sauce on the fish than it is to dip...

I hope you love it like my picky guy and I did (...or would have if I wasn't to lazy to measure the spices) !

I'm in a Treasury!

I received a convo the other day...

It was from Lee Kuri of Carnivalamigo at Etsy. She informed me that my purse in a treasury she put together. It's "andes..where my heart is."

If you are wondering where I got the name Andes for my purse...That is what the yarn color was called.

Go check it out! It's a great collection!

Jeans and a Sweater Coupon

Anyone looking for an inexpensive way to give a good quality recycled/upcycled gift?

Come and check out my shop Jeans and a Sweater.

Use the coupon code HOLIDAY12 at checkouts.

Receive 15% off the prices listed in the shop.

Easy Peasy!

Happy Holidays!

Blue Screen Update

Well...my 15 y/o genius, who is my computer, man said that we will need to buy new RAM to replace the old RAM.

Hey...It's a much cheaper fix than I thought I'd be getting off with!

YAY!

I guess I'll be heading to Best Buy really soon...