Hearts and Flowers

Flowery Fabric Hearts decorated with ribbons, buttons, and pearls.
I made a collection of these to decorate a Christmas tree; they have stayed as year round decorations.

Hanging Around Clever Karen - Episode 3

The necklace by my neck is a silver snowflake with small diamonds
(a Christmas gift from my friend)
Long necklace is my creation, based on a necklace from Brighton.
It has liquid silver beads with Swarovski crystals in shades of blue and aqua and Bali silver bead caps.

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

I made these cookies this week for a luncheon at school. I think the pink frosting peeking out from under the chocolate looks perfect for a valentine treat. I based them on a recipe in the September/October AAA Magazine. I liked them, but I think next time I would change a few things. Perhaps a different chocolate cookie on the bottom - I thought this one tasted a bit flat. And I would adjust the frosting a bit so the taste of the cream cheese came through a little more.

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1. Cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
2. Slowly sift in flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat until combined.
3. With a spoon, drop onto an ungreased baking sheet. (It is helpful to bake these on a silpat or on parchment paper.) Flatten the cookies with a glass that has been dipped into sugar.
4. Bake for 350 for 8 - 10 minutes. Cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon almond extract until smooth. Blend in 8 ounces maraschino cherries that have been chopped and drained. (Add more powdered sugar if the frosting seems soupy.) Chill the frosting. Spread one spoonful of frosting on the top of each cookie. Chill for a half hour to help the frosting become firm.

Chocolate Topping: On low heat, melt 1/2 cup butter with 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate. Stir to blend. Add a bit of water if it seems too stiff to spread on top of the frosting.

Store in the refrigerator. Makes about 2 dozen.

Live Creatively

I've been reading from Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the Bible called the Message.
Part of what I read today (from Ephesians 6) said,
"Live creatively, friends...Make a careful exploration of who you are
and the work that you have been given,
and then sink yourself into that...
Each of you must take responsibility for doing
the creative best you can with your own life."

I've thought a lot about being creative since starting this blog.

People always say they feel better when they exercise.
I have never had that feeling when I exercise!
But I do have that feeling when I am creative!
When I make something new to wear
try a new recipe
make a new discovery on the computer
add a new decoration to a room
plan a new lesson for school
make a gift for a friend
plant my garden -
These are things that bring me satisfaction and a sense of completion.

I am following God's example when I am creative.

May we keep striving to be our creative best....

Hanging Around Clever Karen - Episode 2

Top necklace with silver and drippy pearls is from Brighton Jewelry.
Bottom necklace is a Clever Karen Creation with freshwater pearls and crystals strung on silk cording.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Often I like to roast tomatoes on Sunday afternoon. (I learned this trick from my friend Sally.) I use them on salads or for pasta. Roasting them gives them a sweet rich flavor. For lunch this week I'll put them over lettuce with some grilled chicken, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese, and drizzle with a bit of balsamic vinegar. It makes a good salad for a winter day.

To roast the tomatoes: Cut roma tomatoes in half and squeeze out the seeds. Put them in a baking dish that is covered with foil. (Trust me, it makes clean up easier if you use the foil!) I often add onions, portabella mushrooms, and red peppers, too. Drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 425 degree oven for an hour and a half. They will shrink down and be a bit golden around the edges when done.

Beware: your house will smell like a pizzaria all day!

Snow Day Slippers

I have been waiting a month to try these slippers on! My friends gave me a "Snow Day" box for Christmas. I already tested the tea and biscotti (couldn't hold out for a snow day) , but I waited until after the happy phone call early this morning to put the slippers on. I plan to spend the day wearing them, drinking pear ginger tea, and listening to this music CD purchased with a gift card to Borders that was also a part of the snow day box. (Click here to listen to a preview of the soundtrack online.) And after I clear the driveway I plan to do some digital scrapbooking - something I haven't had time to do for a while.

By the way, yesterday someone at school was talking about wearing your pajamas backwards to get a snowday! And then last night on Twitter someone else said that kids wear their pjs inside out! So which one is it???!!! And how come I never heard of this until yesterday???!!! I've been missing out all these years! So did I wear my pajamas both backwards AND inside out last night? I'll never tell! But we did get a snow day!