Point Lobos, Carmel California

Point Lobos, a State Park in Carmel California took only a few million years to make. 

It's shows doesn't it?

My husband and I recently took a morning hike in this place during our "Get-Away" from kids to celebrate 25 years of marriage.

I'm not a hiker by nature, but with these views I could quickly become one.

This is a trail leading through an old Cypress Forest. 

The colors and drama of nature were stunning. Red moss! Who knew such a thing existed?

(To see some before and after versions of this photo, see my other posting titled: Red Moss /Photoshop Before and After).

I couldn't pass by this little guy without getting a picture. 

My son will be happy to see this lizard and he will ask if I held.

I'll respond, "I tried. But failed. It was too fast."

It's true!

During this shot, my husband was feeling uneasy about how close I got to the edge of the cliff.

He was yelling at me, "Monica, what are you doing?"

 

"Oh nothing honey. Just testing the waters. I'm fine. Stop worrying. Let me get my photos."

THE AMERICAN FLAG

Today is Flag Day. Fly it high, fly it proud. It's a beautiful sight.

Can I share a story with you?
When I was a little girl, I always wished my birthday was on a Holiday. My sister's birthday is on Halloween, my father's birthday is on St. Patricks Day. I wanted a special holiday birthday too. 

One day, I looked on the calendar at my birthday. June 14th. To my suprise, Flag Day was written. 
All these years my birthday had been ON a Holiday and I never knew it.

Obviously my family didn't officially celebrate FLAG DAY. I'd never heard of it before!

Have a great Flag Day today.

For more information on what this Holiday is about, click here: AMERICAN FLAG DAY

Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii

Saturday Night.

I know the person on keys and she is stellar!

If your in town, check it out! Tickets at the door are only $15.00 bucks.

Carmel By-The-Sea

Let me share with you what I'm seeing right now.

Shhhhh...... Just watch and listen.....

Are you relaxed yet?

This sign says it all.

It's next to a home that overlooks the ocean in Carmel California USA.

Vegetarian Enchiladas from the freezer

While I'm away with my hubby on a lovely holiday, my kids will be eating this dish from my freezer: Vegetarian Enchiladas. They're quick to make, freeze well, and served with a green salad they are a complete and filling meal...even for the non-vegetarians.

Ingredients:

• 1 can whole Pinto Beans
• 1 can refried beans
  
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  
• 1 small can chopped mild green chilies
  
• 1 can mild enchilada sauce
• 6 corn tortillas
• 1- 2 cups brown rice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 cube knorr vegetable bullion or equivalent
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

I don't play favorites with my brand names. Can you tell? But I would if someone paid me.

1. Cook brown rice (according to directions on box). For a bit of flavor and mexican punch, you can add the cumin, bullion cube and red pepper flakes to the boiling water prior to adding the rice. 

2) When rice is done cooking, divide between two small casserole dishes. I prefer to divide my ingredients into two containers and freeze one for later. This recipe will also work well in one 8x8 pyrex casserole dish.

3) Combine beans, cheese, and green chilies. (no, that isn't dog food).
4) Spoon bean mixture onto a warmed corn tortilla and spread around. 

I warm mine directly on the stove top individually. You can also place a stack in the microwave with a damp paper towel for a few seconds too. Warming prevents the tortillas from splitting when they are rolled.

5) Place the enchiladas on top of the rice. Squeeze in as many as you can so they fit snuggly like peas in a pod. And while you are doing it, your hand will look more alive and colorful than mine! Promise.

6) Pour Enchilada sauce over all of the enchiladas, making sure the entire corn tortilla is drenched in sauce. I start with ends first since they will tend to dry out if not covered in sauce.

7) Sprinkle with cheese and place into an oven set at 350 degrees. Cover and bake until heated, aproximately 45 minutes.

Yummm.

These will really hit the spot.

In fact, if I wasn't away on vacation, sipping wine and relaxing by the ocean with my high school sweetheart, I swear I'd be devouring these right now!

Never Say Never

Check this place out.

Carmel Valley Ranch 

My sweet husband of nearly 26 years suprised me with a weekend get-away to this location. Wow is all I can say. He's never suprised me like that before. We've never left our kids for more than a night. He's never arranged a get-away for just the two of us. And he's never picked such a nice place to stay. 

All I can say is NEVER say NEVER.

Winner...

"son, pick a number: One, two, or three."

THREE

That's it. SEW N SEWS PLACE, you are the THIRD person to leave a comment. So guess what? You are the winner of a handmade glass pendant.

Contact me with your mailing information.

Pendant Give Away...

I cannot believe it's that time again already!

I'm teaching another DIY class at Collage this week.

That means some lucky person will receive this glass pendant...for FREE.

Simply leave your answer to this question in the comment box below: Where in the world is your favorite place to vacation?

I will randomly select a winner and announce it on Saturday Morning.

Samples of Good Font Combinations

Here is a nice contrast of fonts.

The actual fonts are called out where they are used.

To learn more about choosing type and creating successful combinations, click on links below:

Before and After.
Type Combinations by Yours Truly
Inspiration Bits
Jon Tan Web Font Test Stacks
Samples for headline and body by Unitinteractive
Smashing Magazine

TO REACH ME

1) Leave a comment on my blog
2) Convo me through my Etsy Shop: www.thecraftjunkie.etsy.com

Read on for more than you'd like to know!
I live in beautiful (though rainy) Portland Oregon with my 2 kids and husband of 28 years. I'm a mother, artist, educator and active community volunteer. My passion is for crafting & and almost anything that is creative. I absolutely love figuring out how to make something, then figuring out ways to simplify the techniques in order to teach others.

For me, blogging is a way to organize my thoughts, improve my writing skills, learn more about photography, share my crafts, research ideas and connect with others who have similar interests.

For many years I enjoyed a professional career as a Graphic Designer - working with reputable companies such as Nordstrom, Ninetendo, and Microsoft as well as several Design Firms.

Favorite things (in no particular order)
Documentaries. Chocolate Chip Cookies. Rascal Flatts. Sunshine and Tulips. Car seats with warmers. Massages. Non Fiction. New tools. Haircuts. Getting my magazine subscriptions in the mail, seeing my dog wag her tail when I walk into the room.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you find something interesting or useful in my blog. Please stop by again soon!

A dog and her boy.

There is something really wonderful about a dog and her boy.

Their bond is like no other.

They never worry about combed hair and brushed teeth when they're together. Lounging around all day in pajamas is perfectly fine, and morning breath or foul odors is just an accepted and humorous part of their relationship.

They can find all sorts of ways to spend quality time together.

Chewing on a stick...

Taking a jog...

Or just plain smootching.

Time spent together is never dull.

Out of all the humans that visited her litter, this little dog chose my son to be her boy. And that will forever warm my heart. 

Basket Ball and Beagles

I absolutely love this painting of a Beagle playing basketball.

Created by a 5th grade student and based on a lesson plan about Marc Chagall. To view more elementary student art click here. To view a lesson plan about Marc Chagall click here. 

Have a wonderful weekend. Forcast is for sunshine in my neck of the woods and that makes me about as happy as a Beagle. 

Button Crafts

Here is an awesome book on Button Crafts.

Button Girl

by Mikyla Bruder "More than 20 cute-as-a-button projects."

If you're a weekend crafter, into buttons, or just looking for something fun to do with children, you should take a look at this book. The projects are relatively simple to create, with great results. It contains projects such as: Hip Ribbon and Button Belt; Snuggly Scarf with Button Trim; Slumber Party Slippers; Button Rings; Button Earrings; Button Napkin Rings; and Button Coasters.

Below are photos of a button necklace and hair clips I made.

This book contains lots of big photographs showing the finished projects.

Sidebars list all the items needed like a recipe. The spine of the book is a spiral wire which allows the book to lay flat while you work. Very convenient for reading directions while making the projects.

I found this book at JoAnn's Fabrics for $12.95.