Stage Fright

So I started this blog with a head full of topics to cover, information and pictures I want to share, and an "oh, so witty" dialogue transcribed in my brain. Then the blog was up, and I froze for a few days. What should I say? Will people really find anything I have to share interesting and informative? Will anyone even get as far as reading what I have to say, let alone forming an opinion about whether it's witty, interesting, or informative? In the end, I've decided I'm just going to write. I'm sure over time I'll develop my "voice" and probably focus on what this blog is really about. So bear with me please as I find my way.

Last week-end my husband, Paul, my girls, and my parents went to Kreuger Farm's pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island near Portland, OR. It was a glorious fall day (my favorite kind) and we had a great time.

Once we got home I was in the mood for some good old-fashioned comfort food. I have recently put myself back on a running routine after an almost 3 month hiatus (which led to a few unwanted pounds), so I also wanted semi-healthy food. hmmmmm... comfort and light, culinary bed-fellows do not generally make. I decided to try my hand at shepard's pie. I'd never even had shepard's pie before, but for some reason got a hankerin' for it. I wish I had thought to take pictures (still getting used to being a "blogger"). It really turned out fantastic and by subbing ground turkey for beef and going light on the mashed potatoes, I think I managed to make it figure friendly. I was even able to work in the tomatoes and corn for our garden that I had oven-roasted then frozen earlier this year. Everything else I used were items I rummaged from my fridge or spice cupboard so no trip to the store was necessary - I love that! One thing I probably would have added had I had enough is frozen peas. A classic shepard's pie ingredient, but I don't think the final dish suffered. I got the idea for the cinnamon from a turkey chili recipe I love. I think it really added that special something to kick up the dish.

Bottom layer:

1 onion

2-3 carrots, diced

1 pkg (approx. 1.25 lbs) ground turkey

1 large can stewed tomatoes

1 c. frozen corn

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. chili powder (or to taste)

1/2 t. cumin

salt to tast

pepper to taste

Potato Layer:

Mashed potatoes made with butter and low-fat milk mixed with

grated cheese of your choice

Put onions and carrots in large saute pan with evoo. Season w/ salt and pepper and cook until slightly soft. Push carrots and onions to one side of pan and add ground turkey. Season turkey w/ S&P and cook until browned. Add stewed tomatoes, corn, cinnamon, cumin and ground red pepper. Once the turkey is completely cooked through and most of the water from the tomatoes has evaporated, taste and check seasoning. Add salt or pepper as necessary.

Spread turkey mix in bottom of caserole. Cover w/ layer of cheesey potatoes and put in 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until top of potatoes are nice and golden. Bon appetit.

That's probably enough of me for one day. I do want to mention that we are now announcing the official opening of our etsy store after a few weeks of tweaking and adding items. www.dimplesdesignstudio.etsy.com. Also I have just completed my daughter's Halloween costume (she's going to be a peacock princess) and I'd like to share that process and some pics sometime in the next few days.... Not to mention the fabulous recipe for pumpkin donuts I made this morning... or the cute headbands, barrettes, and flower pins I'm making to coordinate w/ the skirts I've been sewing for our shop.....

A Blog Is Born

I have Creative ADD. Why else would I, a happily married and busy mother of two young girls, run a small catering company, start a new childrens clothing and housewares cottage business with my mother, paint, knit, make jewelry, garden, sew, make my own cards, bake.... you get the picture, while still trying to balance a life with my husband and children? If it involves using your right brain, I've probably tried the craft, currently practice the craft, or plan to pursue the craft.



I blame it on Martha. I was young and impressionable when she burst onto the scene. I've always been inspired by her magazine and her show - though I must say I preferred her pre-prison show over the current, post-prison version. I am my own person and only do what I do because I love to create, in fact, I need to create. I don't juggle so many interests because I'm trying to be someone else (I admit I concurrently bristle and feel flattered whenever someone calls me "Martha"), I do it because I love the process and the triumph of having made something beautiful and/or delicious. Having said that, however, I have no doubt she has influenced me over the years.



A Little Background: I am a thirty-something woman, wife, mother, business owner, crafter, artist, cook, runner. I have two darling (most of the time) girls: 2 1/2 and 11 months. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past 12+ years, but was born and raised in Alaska. I own Sweet Pea Catering based out of Vancouver, Washington. I also own with my mother Dimples Design Studio (ww.dimplesdesignstudio.etsy.com).



I imagine this blog to mostly cover different creative endeavors (many of which will probably relate to Dimples Design), with other daily life happenings sprinkled in (family, kids, home, travel), and occasionally the seemingly mundane events that are somehow often the most charming parts of life. I guess I can now add blogger to my long list of endeavors. I can just see my husband shaking his head in disbelief.