sugar-free?

super-bowl sunday - and i didn't want to fall completely off the 'diet-wagon'! so here was my attempt...and a good one it was! brad's most favorite quick dessert is jello instant cheesecake! i thought i had a box mix in the house but as it was i did not! so research on the computer and i found a recipe for an 'instant' recipe! when i looked at it i thought - hey, that would work as 'sugar-free'! better for all of us! they were amazingly good ... super light and creamy. you could dollap sugar free jam on top instead of the light sugar pie filling. so i have to share the recipe! you will not be sorry...and they are super easy to create!

Crust:

1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers

2 T. melted REAL butter

2 T. splenda

mix this together. i used small cupcake liners (2 biters!) or you can do a pie plate!

Filling:

(yes, really there are only 3 ingredients!!!)

1 8 oz. container sugar free whipped topping

1 8 oz. block light cream cheese

2 T. splenda

let all warm up a bit. Mix with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Fill your 2 biters or pie plate. I made a little 'dip' in the middle to hold the filling.

Cool in fridge...ENJOY!!!

time out!

time out of our busy schedules to wish my grandpa joe a happy 88th birthday.

this is the man who:

*taught me how to fish

*gave me a lesson (or two) on hunting morel mushrooms

*built me the most awesome dollhouse for my 9th birthday

*taught us animal respect

*played cards with us

*picked us strawberries and dug us potatoes

*sat on the porch swing and shared wonderful memories

*babysat my girls one summer while i cleaned houses

*worked on math with amanda

*combed my long hair 100 strokes when i spent the night

*played us the harmonica

*owned a rockin' red mercury!

*taught brad how to clean fish

*still gives me 'chicken raising' pointers

*showed me love & taught me respect

~loves to you grandpa~

...miss sophie...

i know i introduced you earlier to our sophie. she is now 8 months old and the love of our lives. she has made it her life goal to please us ... and please us she does! she loves to be right next to us and i truly think if she had thumbs she could crochet! :)


can't wait until the weather warms up for many reasons, but one is to take her on the boat again and introduce her to the water! she loves her baths...just sits down, once even laid down! so i'm thinking she'll be a good swimmer! but for now, the temps are cold (today -3*) so we'll just cuddle on the couch, eat treats and talk!!!

angie meets crochet...

anyone who knows me well enough knows that when angie gets the notion to 'learn' she goes all out. no holds bars! so 2 weeks ago i decided that i needed to learn how to crochet! grandma babe taught me how to 'chain' but after that i was lost!!! my sister.in.law (sandy) got me going and I WAS OFF!!! crocheting everything in sight! what fun and a true addiction! and i truly believe grandma would be proud!

so, long story short, recycks has some new items in her line! the above picture is a dish scrubber. soft on one side and scrubby on the other! soft side is 100% cotton yarn and the scrubby is - you guessed it - plastic grocery bags!!! totally machine washable & dryable and they do their job...WELL!!!

2011 shows will have some new items along with the good ole stand-bys. i'll keep ya posted!

moral of the story ... don't be afraid to try something new...keep your mind young. the internet is the host to many wonderful instructionals to help you along. youtube is an amazing tool. think about what you want to learn to do! AND GO FOR IT!!!

goodbye 2010...

as we prepare for the closing of one year and a fresh start with a new year...i sit and think. think about what an incrediable 2010 i had. recycks just continued to amaze me, i amazed myself with attending shows, meeting new people and making life-long friends. i can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for my little business!

personally - i made some awesome friends this year...you know who you are!! too many to mention ... but kia you are at the top of that list! when you find that one friend that you just click with it's amazing! my girls, well - what can i say? i am so proud of our children ... they continue to surprise me with their beauty and knowledge. they are incrediable. my husband? he's top notch - he supports me with whatever crazy whim i have~at least we survived fall harvest together! love you brad. i am blessed with wonderful parents, grandpa, my brother and his family - and a lovable dog. oh yes, and don't forget the ladies! what more could i ask for?

but every calander year comes with trials and upsets. i wish those times could just be contained to 'honey, the alternator is out of the pick up' or 'my burners on the stove are not working' moments but unfortunately accidents happen, friends are lost, feelings are hurt or money is tight. as we close 2010 we are faced with the fact that this is not a perfect world ... things don't always go as planned...but, we come out the other end stronger. that's what we do when we ... love.

so, hold the ones you love close ... grow in 2011. learn something new! be daring! have fun. smile and enjoy each day.

blessings....
angie

well, it's been awhile!

it has been awhile since i've been here. i apologize...the craziness of Christmas caught up with me! so many shows for recycks...orders coming out my ears...and preparing for Christmas! but don't get me wrong i loved the running, preparing, sewing into the early morning hours. yet, on the other hand i'm sort of thrilled it's over and we are one week for my favorite holiday!

snow has hit ... brad got out the new tractor and snowblower and did his thing! the farmstead looks beautiful with a white covering! the cows love it! the puppy loves it! the chickens...well, not so much. let's just say they will not come out of the coop!!!!!

there are still some sewing projects to finish up for christmas presents. then i suppose in the middle of winter i will begin my spring line! hmmm.....wonder what that will involve! guess you'll have to look me up and find out! i am hoping to get my etsy site up and running again after the holidays. right now...well, it's empty!!! :)

until then....
have yourself a cozy little christmas! love your family & friends. slow down, take in the moments. enjoy each day and don't take any for granted. thank you for an amazing 2010 ... can't wait to see what 2011 holds for us!

...holidays are upon us...

recycks is in full swing for the holidays! the beaverdale holiday boutique was very good to me! i had a wonderful weekend...great venue, great vendors & they even delivered our lunch! :)

what's next you ask? well, a pretty full couple of weeks:

sunday, november 21st (noon-4) you will find me set up at prairieland herbs (woodward, ia) for sample sunday! a truly wonderful event ... 3 farms included, great gift ideas ... and praireland has i think they said 10-15 guest vendors invited to set up! a do not miss event!

friday, november 26th (9a-3p) you'll find me at the pappajohn center in downtown des moines for market day's black friday event! over 60 vendors in this beautiful building showcasing thier hard work. another great event to come and find those one of a kind holiday gifts!

and finally - thursday, december 2nd - i will be at the santa maria winery in carroll, iowa. 20 vendors in this beautiful winery for your shopping pleasure!

so, make it out - visit these wonderful local events, buy handmade! you'll never regret it!