Have Markers will travel...

Nothing like being able to blog, color and enjoy a Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks while waiting on an early flight in the airport!

Thought I'd share my latest Saturated Canary Stamp. Please forgive me for not being able to list the Copic marker color numbers this time, I was just so excited to share these two sweet cards that I had to post it during my layover! (And I was being stared at while I was trying to take the photo! I can practically McGuyver anything when it calls for it! Especially making a tiny light box for photography!)

Thanks for stopping by! More to come!
~Elise

Sosa's 10 min Southwest Sunday Soup

Homemade Southwestern Sunday Soup

Earlier this week I noticed Williams-Sonoma was having their "Celebrating the Harvest: Apples" technique class today, so last night I called up and snagged us a spot for 10a.m. this morning. (And anyone that knows me, knows this would be a challenge for me.) So, we got up and out and we were there 40 min before they were even open!  The class was wonderful, and my next attempt after our vacation will be homemade apple sauce.

So you say what do apples have to do with a Southwestern Soup? Nothing, other than the fact that I bought my Professional Series 750 Vitamix from Williams-Sonoma, and the manager was asking me what all I've made in it, and we started talking about soups and afterwards my husband said, let's try it when we get home!

So...

Within 10 min of getting home and only using 10 common ingredients found in most pantries, we were eating a healthy, filling and most importantly a quick soup!

Servings: Makes 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Hot Water (Boiled if not using a Vitamix with the preset "hot soup" feature)
• 1 Celery Stalk
• 1 Tomato 
• 1 Carrot
• 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon - Organic
• 1 tsp Southwest Spice Blend (I used Blend it Up!)
• Tortilla Chips (about 6-7; and then some for garnish)
• Cilantro (I pinched off a small handful because we like it; can also be omitted)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Salt (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Put first 7 ingredients in the Vitamix, no chopping necessary, it will blend it all up!
2. Turn dial to  preset Hot Soup function and start cycle.
3. Add a handful of tortilla chips and desired amount of cilantro, along with fresh grated black pepper and salt and turn dial to 1 and pulse just enough to chop and integrate the chips and cilantro.
4. Serve with additional cilantro and chips to garnish.  Enjoy!

Variation Note:  Add chicken, corn or even black beans for a more chunky soup.  You can also add jalapenos for an added kick!

I'm not [usually] a fan of soups, but boy was this really good!  If you like tortilla soup, this is "kind of" like it only there's no chicken, no cheese and very quick and healthy.  I'm already thinking of my next soup will be! (Although, hubby hinted I need to try making a pumpkin soup... hmmm...)

~Elise

A little bit of humor...

So, I tried updating/recreating a blog that strictly showcased my artwork.  Um, that didn't work one bit! New blog, couldn't remember how to set up feedburner so you could sign up for email updates, and next thing you know I've got about 10 windows open all with Blogger and one window leads to another, which in turn wants me to set up my Picasa to link with my phone, to link to who knows where else, so guess what? I'm going to cook dinner and revisit this fiasco another day! Maybe when I get back from my vacation and then think a little more clearly.  How does that sound?  And if you have any tips or tricks for me, Puh-LEASE help!! :)
Cheers!
~Elise

Delicious Side Dish (or great GF meal!)

I'm not usually one to try recipes from what I've found on Pinterest, but I found this one and had to try it right away since we've been getting our produce delivered right from the same dairy farm that delivers our dairy and eggs! (Absolutely the best to get fresh milk, fresh cage-free eggs, and now organic locally grown produce!?! Yum!)
So, I've been on a total zucchini kick and of course different ways of cooking it other than steamed or grilled, and happened to come across this recipe for Garlic Lemon and Parmesan Oven Roasted Zucchini over on the Cooking Classy blog.  Why not serve something healthy and delicious to your family? Takes less than 20 min to prepare and cook! 

Now that it's Zucchini season, what do you prefer? Savory or Sweet Zucchini dishes?
~ Elise