I'm Salsa-ing!

Not the dance, Silly! Now that would be something. Something scary! What I meant was I am making salsa. Actually, I am finally DONE! I have spent the last week, at least half a day every day, canning salsa. I ended up with about 45 quarts and 20 pints. I know what you are thinking: "WHAT? What are you going to do with all of that salsa?" To answer your question, since I started last week Dan, Tannon and Dawson have already eaten 4 quarts. No kidding. They love this stuff. They would drink it if it wouldn't burn their vocal cords off. I must admit, I love it too. We are definitely a salsa family! 60 quarts just about gets us through a year. Plus I need to be able to send some to Easton on his mission. It is not September without freshly canned salsa!

Dan's dad is a master gardener. He is a hard working and very generous man. Over the past week he has supplied me with nine 5-gallon buckets of beautiful and tasty tomatoes, two 5-gallon buckets of onions, a 5-gallon bucket of garlic, four 5-gallon buckets of green and red peppers, and one 5-gallon bucket of some very hot and spicy jalapeno peppers....all from his amazing garden. He does it for me every year. I love this man.

So, to make a long story not go on any longer, I thought I'd share a few photos of one of the things that has kept me busy this past week as well as my recipe (if you want to make as much as I did, plan on making about 15-20 batches). I hope you like!

Karen Pedersen's Salsa
single recipe makes 5-6 pints or about 3 quarts

Wash and scald tomatoes. Peel. My family likes smooth salsa so at this pint I gently puree the in my blender, but this step is not necessary. Cut in quarters if you are not pureeing. Cook for at least 1 hour in a large heavy pot. Skim off juice while cooking.

Chop the following by hand or food processor. I puree these too, not until it is totally liquid but until it is a nice thick and smooth paste. Be sure to wear gloves while doing your jalapeno peppers. If they are good, hot ones they will blister your bare hands.

2 large white onions
1 sweet read pepper
2 large green peppers
1/2 medium sized garlic clove, minced
2-4 jalapeno peppers (I love my salsa HOT so I use at least 4 of the hottest peppers I can find. If you leave your seeds in it will be even hotter. I leave the seeds in.)

MIx this in the tomato mixture in the pot and cook down another 45-minutes - 1 hour. The longer you cook it the thicker it will be, but it will also make less salsa.

Then add:
1 Tbs. white sugar
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
6 tea. salt

Cook again for another 30 minutes. Fill bottles and process* for 10 minutes to seal.

Note from Karen:
*I have never processed my jars in the 15+ years I have canned salsa. If you turn them over right after putting your lids on, they will seal from the heat. I just lay out several layers of towels on my kitchen talbe and turn my jars upside down there and leave them over night. I have never not had a jar seal.

By the way, this is my 2nd post today so be sure to check out the first one. Happy canning, everyone!

Alive and kicking...

Did you think I had fallen off the face of the earth? Well, I'm still alive and kicking. This has been the CRAZIEST week of all time. Reader's Digest condensed version: over 40 quarts of salsa, teaching 4 scrapbook classes, 3 day team retreat this Thurs, Fri and Sat that I am c0-hosting, speaking at a conference on Sunday, organizational meeting for the women's organization I am president of, football game, motherhood, wifehood (is that a word?), need I go on? I am excited about all of the things that are happening and love my life, but boy would I love to be bored for a day or two! In fact, I think I will schedule one day of boredom soon. A day in pajamas with a good book and a movie or two with a dose of chocolate on top sounds heavenly.

I promised the details on the Christmas Card (click on the photos to see them larger) Workshop this week, so here it is:

Date and Times: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 10 am - 1 pm or 7 - 10 pm
Where: Karen Pedersen's (that's me!) home in Highland, UT. If you live in the greater Salt Lake City, UT area I hope you can attend!
What: 20 Christmas Cards, 2 each of 10 designs (they are stinkin' cute if I do say so myself!)
Cost: See package options below
To Sign Up: Call (801.360.9896) or email (pedermom@aol.com) me and reserve your spot. You will want to have your credit or debit card ready when you call because payment is required at time of registration
What To Bring: trimmer, scissors, ample adhesive, glue dots, water bottle or covered drink of some kind (and a treat if you'd like)
Details:

Basic Kit
X5808: Creative Basics Jingle ($7.95)
1385: 2-12" x 12" sheets of White Daisy Cardstock (.80)
X5752: 2-12" x 12" sheets Juniper Cardstock (.80)
X5753: 1- 12" x 12" sheet Tulip Cardstock (.40)
BULK159: 10-8.5" x 11" White Daisy Cardstock (cut into 20 card bases-1.70)
Z1225: 1 - Flurries Dimensional Elements (4.95)
Z697: 1 - Round Sponge (1.25)
1- Sponge Paint Brush
1 - Instructions and Cutting Guide with photos

Total Cost with Shipping and Tax: $31

Better Kit= Basic Kit + the following products
Z1039: 1 - Peark Create-a-Shade Paint (2.95)
Z2324: 1 - Grey Flannel Marker (2.95)
Z2105: 1 - Black Stamp Pad (5.25)
Z2166: 1 - Tulip Stamp Pad (5.25)
Z2165: 1 - Juniper Stamp Pad (5.25)
Z2106: 1 - Blush Stamp Pad (5.25)

Total Cost with Shipping and Tax: $62.00

Best Kit = Better Kit + the following products
D1384: Snow Flurries Stamp Set (22.95)
D1366: Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (22.95)
C1371: Holiday Jingle Stamp Set (18.95)

Total Cost with Shipping and Tax: $136

Add Another 20 Cards to whatever kit you choose:
1385: 2 - 12" x 12" sheets White Daisy Cardstock (.80)
X5752: 2 - 12" x 12" sheets Juniper Cardstock (.80)
X5753: 1 - 12" x 12" sheet Tulip Cardstock (.40)
BULK159: 10 - 8.5" x 11" sheets White Daisy Cardstock (cut into 20 card bases - 1.70)
Z1225: 1 - Flurries Dimensional Elements (4.95)

Total Cost to Add to whatever package you choose: $8.65

Add on Option:
Z1027: Envelope Flats (package of 10): $2.95 per package

The Knights Do It Again

We did it! The Knights (#12 in the state going in to this game) beat undefeated Brighton (#7 before this game) in our region opener last night. WAHOO!

The Brighton Bengals' defense was stifling, but we did it anyway. In fact, before we played them last night, Brighton had allowed 0 (yes, ZERO!) points scored on them in their first 3 games this season. They had outscored their opponents so far this year 110-0. As mommy of the QB of the Lone Peak Knights I must admit this made me a little (OK, a LOT) nervous, but it didn't seem to bother Tannon one bit. He believed that not only could we score on them, but that they were beatable. We WON! 23-7.
And Tannon is still in one piece. How su-weet is that?

Brighton had a HUGE defensive lineman (6'4", 295 lbs.), Ricky Heimuli (#53) who gave this mom a little bit of trepidation. He has over 20 Division 1 scholarship offers and is a sacking machine. But, our offensive line (with 2 starters out to injury) gave Tannon plenty of time to throw and he was able to avoid any sacks by Heimuli...actually any sacks by anyone. THANK YOU, offensive line for saving my skinny little QB. There were a few close calls (you can see a couple in the photos) but the T-man is alive and kicking.

Tannon certainly didn't rack up the best stats of his career last night (11-20, 151 yards, 2 TD's, 0 Int's, 24 yds. rushing), but the important thing is that we won. I have to hand it to Brighton's defense. They were outstanding. We were very fortunate to move the ball at all on this team. Our defense had their best game of the season, too. They held Brighton to one touchdown which was scored in the 4th quarter.

Here are a few photos from the newspapers this morning (thanks to the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune for taking these awesome pics! This scrappin' mom loves it when you do that!). You can read articles about the game here and here.

Always Remember

Let us always remember...

I'll never forget where I was nor what I was doing on 9/11/01. I hope I never do. These horribly tragedies in our nation's history should always be remembered, learned from, and never repeated.

My heart goes out to the brave men and women, and their families, whose lives were forever changed this day. I hope all of our lives were also forever changed.

Christmas Cards Anyone?

I've been working on designing a Christmas Card Workshop the past few weeks. Here's a sneek peak at what the cards look like (don't worry! Those numbers on the cards are just for reference in your cutting guide at the workshop. They aren't really on the cards, Silly!).

You'll get to make 10 cards, 2 of each for a total of 20 cards. I'll give detailed information about this workshop next week, but in the meantime I just wanted to give you some photos to wet your whistle (feel free to click on any card to see it larger).

The cards are made using the cuter than cute Jingle Creative Basics Paper Pack. Doncha (not a word but I like it) just LOVE this color combo? It makes me think of Candy Canes and Chocolate Mint Brownies. Mmmmmm!

Workshop Dates and Times (Mark Your Calendar!)
Tuesday, October 20, 10 am - 1 pm
Tuesday, October 20, 7 - 10 pm

at Karen Pedersen's Home (that's me) in Highland, UT.

Click here to check out my website 24/7...even when you're dreaming about making Christmas Cards at my workshop.

Macho?

The other day I was working in my Stamp and Scrap room when Dawson came in and said, "Mom, really....have you ever seen anything quite like this?" I turned around to see this. Of course I gave him the right answer of, "No! I have never in my life seen a more macho 15 year old. Never!" Then laughing, I grabbed my camera and took a picture. Dawson said it was very important to look mean in the photo. After I took the mean pic, I told him that no matter what he should not laugh. This is what happened next...
He laughed so hard he almost couldn't hold the pose. What a goofy kid I've got!

I've been busy stampin' and scrappin' and pickin'

I've been busy stampin' and scrappin' with the beautiful "Delight in the Everyday" card kit and stamps this week. As you know (and if you don't see the details of this special on the left side of my blog), this kit comes with everything you need to create 16 gorgeous cards. Instead of making all 16, I decided to make 8 and then use the leftover paper to create a two page 12" x 12" layout of the most beautiful baby in the whole world (and I'm not the lest bit biased), my granddaughter, Daci. And, after that I still had more paper left. COOL!

I've been busy pickin' (not my nose...STAMPS, silly!) because I thought it might be helpful to you. As you know (and if you don't see the details of this special on the left side of my blog), if you purchase $60 in stamp sets this month, this gorgeous "Delight In the Everyday" kit is yours absolutely FREE! I thought you might be thinking, "Yeah, but there are so many great stamp sets to choose from. Where do I begin?" So, I'm sharing some of my faves, sets that are my picks for versatility and that get LOTS of use in my Scrappin' Room.

Karen's Picks (page numbers are from the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book, which you can view by clicking on it on the left side of my blog):

• D1280 - Spot On Backgrounds - pg 58 - $22.95 (I use this versatile background set over and over and over!)
• D1361 - Thank You - pg 74 - $22.95 (If you're like me, I'm always needing Thank You cards. This set includes 19 different ways to say thank you!)
• D1222 - Tiny Typewriter Alphabet - pg 87 - $22.95 (Perfect for journaling under, above or along side photos, for labeling, and for anything small. This font is versatile and mixes well with just about any other font you want to use for your larger titles)
• C1371 - Holiday Jingle - pg 11 - $18.95 (LOVE this brand new holday stamp set. Take a look at the examples stamped with it on pages 8-11 and you'll see why! We will also be using this set in a Holiday Card Workshop I will be hosting in November. Be watching for more details in a couple of weeks.)
• D1372 -Grown With Love - pg 23 - $22.95 (This might be my favorite new stamp set in the new catalog. I have made so many fun things with this set. We will also be using this set in our Play Group layouts in October)

Of course this list of stamp sets would total more than $60, but I thought I'd give you a little variety.

I wanted to remind you that if you happen to spend $100 (before shipping and tax), then you will also receive the September Stamp of the Month (D1375 - Treasures) absolutely FREE. This is a $22.95 stamp set. If $60 of that $100 is in stamp sets, you also get the Delight in the Everyday Card Kit free. Think about that. By spending $100, you would get $71.45 in products FREE (Delight in the Everyday kit is valued at $48.50 and the Stamp of the Month at $22.95). WOW! What a deal!

I have included a photo of the September Stamp of the Month here for your convenience. Actual
You can order the "Delight In the Everyday" kit on my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com) or by calling (801.756.9797) or emailing (pedermom@aol.com) me.

4.A.M.H.

Friday night was good! The Lone Peak Knights came away with another victory; 38-26 over Riverton High School. Woo Hoo! Homecoming is this Friday, the 11th against Brighton High School. They are undefeated and no team has scored on them yet this year (3 games in). That should be a challenge for my QB son! We hope not only to score on them, but to outscore them (FYI: that would mean we win. tee hee). We are currently ranked #14 in the state and Brighton is #7. The Homecoming Dance is much more fun after a win, ya know? I would hate to be Tannon's date after a loss. It's a good thing we hold our dance the night after the game.

I had to share this photo of Tannon getting a drink during timeout in the 2nd half because you can see his eye blacks (feel free to click either photo to see them larger). They say "4AMH", which he wears on them every game. It means "for all my haters." When I asked him to explain he said, "Well, Mom. When I throw a touchdown pass on another team I want them to look me in the eye and know that was for them, my haters." What a goof! The other photo was taken during warm ups before the game.

Woot!

I am so excited. I happened to peek in at the 2Sketches4You blog this morning and saw that my card was chosen as the Card of the Week. Woo Hoo! I am honored! Here is the card they chose. I shared it earlier this week but am so thrilled to be chosen I am sharing it again!

Happy Sunday!

Lovin' September

I am just lovin' September and all the good things that are happening this month at Close To My Heart; a brand new Idea Book (click the photo of it on the left side of my blog to view it page by page), an awesome National Stamping Month special (see left side of my blog under "Delight in the Everyday") and a Stamp of the Month that is to die for.

Today I thought I'd share a close up of what the September Stamp of the Month actually looks like (actual size of the square this set is on is 6" x 6") as well as a card I made using it. Gosh, I love this set! You can order it during the month September only.

There are 5 ways to get it:

• Spend $100 (before shipping and tax) and get it FREE
• Spend $75 (before shipping and tax) and get it for 75% off ($5.74)
• Spend $50 (before shipping and tax) and get it for 50% off ($11.48)
• Spend $25 (before shipping and tax) and get it for 25% off ($17.21).
• Buy it outright for $22.95

The order number is as follows (in order of the ways listed above): D1375D, D1375C, D1375B, D1375A, D1375.

Don't forget the awesome "Delight in the Everyday" special that is going on this month to celebrate National Stamping Month. Details are on the left side of my blog.

Click here to order from my website 24/7. Every purchase during the month of September qualifies to win one of the awesome "Delight in the Everyday" 16 card kits (you have everything you need to make 2 of each of the 8 cards you see below. Kit is a $48.50 value). Close To My Heart is giving one away every day drawn from online purchases that day. If you order from my website, you qualify!