Creations By Cathy - live happy
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Tag Archives: “live happy”

steak soup weather

11 / 11 / 14

IMG_3289

Right off the bat I’m gonna tell you that I am a believer in recipes, but more as a guide than a rulebook. Sort of a suggestion on how to “begin the process” of creating your own personal culinary masterpiece!!

Or not.

Yep. That’s part of the deal when you allow yourself to be a creative cook. You must take risks, think out of the box, have fun and – yes – be willing to fail sometimes. Boo-Boos happen. So what. One of the biggest problems I have is trying to re-create something that does end up coming out pretty tasty. I start “creating” with a little of this, a pinch of that, a little more of the other and a whole lotta whatever.  At the end of the day, I have NO IDEA how much of this or that is actually in the final product. My poor hubbie… “Hey sugar lump; any chance you can duplicate this?” Ummm… ya… No. Sorry. And, sadly, he does not actually call me sugar lump.

So I’m getting better about tracking my “culinary creativity”. I have always been one to mark all over the recipes in my many, many (many) cookbooks.  Cross this out, halve that ingredient, omit this, sub that… What I have also started doing is making notes on a post it note until I get to the “final answer”. I write down the exact ingredients as I add them, updating the amounts as I go along. For example, I may start out by adding a tablespoon of minced cilantro to a dish; but after two more adjustments I end up at 1/2 cup in the end. The same goes for something you might add that you aren’t so keen on. Make a note. Cookbooks were meant to be tattered and dog eared and scribbled on!! It’s a sign of love and affection!  (Side note: the exception is BAKING.  For the most part, stick to the exact measurements when baking)

So it’s the first really cold day outside today.  All thoughts are on comfort food. So how ’bout some Steak Soup? I am going to give you the recipe as it was given to me, first.  Then we’ll talk.

STEAK SOUP

8 T butter                                                                                                                                                                           ½

1/2 c flour

40 oz. cans beef broth

¼ c diced carrots

¼ c diced onion

¼ c diced celery

½ c chopped canned tomatoes

1 T Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce

¾ t seasoning salt

¼ t black pepper

5 oz frozen mixed vegetables

½ lb lean ground chuck, chili grind, browned and drained

Melt, but do not brown, the butter in a large soup pot. Add flour and stir to form a roux. Cook over medium heat without browning for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add beef broth to roux and stir until smooth and slightly thickened. Bring to a full boil. Add the carrots, onion, celery, tomatoes and pepper. Return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are just tender, 20-30 minutes. Stir in browning sauce to achieve a richer color and flavor. Stir in frozen vegetables and cooked ground beef. Simmer an additional 15 minutes, or long enough that the flavors become well blended. Makes about 4 servings.

IMG_3267

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Here’s how I “personalized” this soup to make it mine… I gathered whatever veggies I had fresh, and oven roasted until tender, rather than boiling them in the soup. (In this case that included carrots, onions and tomatoes.) I had frozen peas and corn on hand, so those were my frozen veggies. (On the fresh and frozen veggies – I don’t measure. Just add as much as you want) I also had some oven roasted sweet potatoes leftover from the night before, so in they went as well. I don’t use butter.  I use a combination of a little olive oil and some of the stock.  I use unsalted beef stock, eliminate the seasoning salt and add in 1-2 packets of beefy onion soup mix.  My hubbie likes a meaty soup, so I double the amount of meat… or more!! I also add dried thyme; to taste. (I like a lot) and I double the pepper to 1/2 t (or more).

So there we go.  My version of Steak Soup. Would love to hear what YOU add into your Steak Soup to make it special…

live happy

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Human Beings are all Kinds of Awesome-Sauce (Part-2)

4 / 28 / 14

Having a rough Monday so far? Well, I’m about to change all of that. This is from a blog that I follow… “The Kindness Blog”. I guarantee a change in your day once you read through all of these. Promise. I was going to try and list my favorites; but it was just too hard. Do be sure to read the one the one of the gentleman in a dark blue jacket holding a Starbucks coffee. Then get out there and “Do some kindness”… xo
Kindness counts. live happy…

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why do I blog?

9 / 19 / 13

life journeyWelcome to Post #100, friends!

The obvious question, at such a pivotal, historic moment; what to blog about?  I pondered the possibilities. And then I pondered some more.  At the end of the day, however, the answer seemed obvious.  It simply must be the answer to YOUR burning question.  “WHY (the heck) do you (I) blog…?”   

This is a question that I am often asked by people who do not blog.  Or even know what a blog really IS! According to the Merrium-Webster Dictionary; “blog” is defined as follows: “A web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences”.  So there it is.  Pretty simple concept.  But that is merely the definition.  I still have not told you WHY I blog.  There are several reasons.  Pull up a seat, friends, and get comfortable…

journey

Blogging is really not that different than someone who journals with pen and paper in a pretty little book that is safely tucked away in their nightstand.  The only real difference, basically, is the fact that Bloggers choose to share their “journal” with the world!  Or, at a minimum,  anyone who will listen!  Blogging is very much a creative outlet for me.  A way to share, with you, my daily life experiences – my passions, joys, triumphs… and even my sorrows. Blogging keeps me present in the moment(s).  MY moments…  MY life…  I journey through my day with a heightened sense of awareness as to what is happening all around me. Every experience has the possibility of becoming part of a blog.  A beautiful sunset, an event that moved me to tears, a conversation with a stranger new friend in the grocery checkout lane, a mouthwatering dish at a favorite restaurant…  So often I find myself pausing to take in the moment, rather than rushing right through it. Affirming gratitude in my daily life.  And this is good.

In the “blogging world” there are people who blog about absolutely EVERYTHING!!!  I am, apparently, what is referred to as a “lifestyle blogger“. Basically, I am random and don’t fit into any specific “categories”.  Ya. OK.  I’m good with that.  That is who I am.  My blog is “live happy“.  Definition:  I blog about family & food; creativity & cocktails; homemade & humor; motherhood & marriage; parties & procrastination; girlfriends & gratitude;  London & laughter…

To put it simply – blogging about my life makes me happy.  And having people follow my blogs, like my blog posts or comment…?  Ahhhh….. Very, very happy!!!  My goal is to share a little piece of my world with you, in the hopes that we will connect.  And I so hope that we do.    

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

happy life

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business? ethics

8 / 23 / 13

be yourselfYesterday my daughter’s boyfriend approached me with a request.  Could he interview me on the topic of “business ethics”.  Hmmm…  On the first night of class, his teacher made the statement that there is really no such thing as “business ethics”.  Nice.  Couldn’t agree more.

So he did our little interview, and I, shockingly, rambled on and on and on… (SO good at that!). But our conversation stayed in my little brain long after “the interview” had ended, thoughts rolling around up there like little tiny frozen peas.  So here’s how I feel about it. (I sensed that you were dying to know)  I feel that ethics are ethics.  Period.  You can’t have a different set of values, morals and ethics – one for your personal life, and one reserved solely for business.  Nope.  Doesn’t work that way.

walk away

I have been in the retail world basically my entire life.  I started selling Avon door-to-door (And I mean that literally!) with my best friend, Laura, when we were 14.  Our moms had to drive us (Ha!) to the “required meetings”, where we rubbed shoulders with all of the “old ladies”.  (Yep.  Those “old ladies” were probably well into their 30’s… at least!!  HA!!)  Time marches on, and along the way I did everything imaginable with regard to retail; ultimately starting my own retail business, “Creations“, over eleven years ago.  Being an entrepreneur means having to get out there on your own and make it work.  I was a “one (wo)man band” – the CEO as well as the gal who makes the coffee.  And sometimes the coffee got burned.  There are lots (and lots) of people out there who really don’t care about anyone but themselves.  Fact.  However…. there are so many more who DO!!!  I really do believe that.  You just have to search them out and make them part of your circle.  When I say “circle”, I don’t mean in some “exclusive, you gotta meet all of these expectations, uppity, nose-in-the-air” kinda stuff.  Just the opposite, actually.  I care about the people that I call friends, and I want THEM to succeed, as well.  If we all work together in that circle, promoting each other, sharing info, contacts, suggestions, positive energy… we will ALL grow in ways that we cannot ALONE!  On the contrary, those who are out to (negatively) compete, with gossip and backstabbing… well; I would just have to ask them if they believe in karma??  I sure do.  If we are good and kind to others, the world will give all of that back… and more.  Believe it.   (Insert music to Kumbaya, and let’s all hold hands.)

So there it is.  That, my friends, is how I feel about (business) ethics.  Any other questions…?

live happy

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a summer sabbatical

8 / 22 / 13

flip flopsA summer sabbatical.  From social media.  Interesting.  So what does that really mean, and why do it?

Well… by definition, it just means that I took the complete summer off from participating in any form of social media.  At all.

Ya, right.

I do have to say, however, that I really did try.  There were a few “cheats” along the way; but for the most part I honestly tried to steer clear of the constant temptations and did my very best to avoid this love/hate relationship that I seem to have with my computer.  Hmmm.  Think I just stumbled across the perfect segway into the real “meat and potatoes” of this post… “Why do it?”.

A couple reasons, really.  First of all to test myself.  Can I possibly survive without social media?  Will the world – or, perhaps more specifically, MY world, cease to exist without the constant stimulation of my daily dose of social media buzz?  As it turns out, one can exist, and dare I say, thrive, WITHOUT social media.  Who knew.  That being said, however…  What about my readers?  My fellow bloggers?  My Pinterest peeps?  My Facebook friends… and likes… and followers…?  Will THEY be able to survive the summer without my insight, my perspective, my wisdom, my knowledge, my non-stop chatter…. ???

In a word – yes.

So, there it is, friends.  The summer sabbatical is complete; and I am back.  I (quite sincerely) look forward to our time together going forward.  There is just so much we have to learn from each other.  And yes; I missed you.

live happy – Cathy 

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trash day

10 / 9 / 12

Today is Tuesday, and Tuesday is “trash day” at our house.  In our home, this is a day of scheduled acts of kindness… vs. “random”.  I have a story to share, but I have to admit that I was torn about whether to “put it out there”… or not.  I am a HUGE believer in “Acts of Kindness” that come from the heart in a spirit of love and generosity.  Not attention or recognition.  When I came across this quote (below), I knew that sharing my story was the way to go.  I realized that in the sharing of these “good deeds” – we are really sharing the “spirit” of these deeds, therefore making them contagious.

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.”

~Amelia Earhart

It all started about 20 years ago.  My twins were very young and absolutely fascinated with watching the trashmen in their big trucks. They would wait for trash day every single week, and then they would pull up their “Little Tikes” chairs to their second story bedroom window and wait… and wait… and wait… for the trashmen to arrive.  I cannot honestly tell you how the conversation originally began, but suffice it to say that we decided that the trashmen were probably quite thirsty in the middle of their long, hard day.  So we started taking cold sodas out to them when they would arrive.  Every week.  The problem would arise, however, if we were not there at the moment that they arrived.  So we started a new plan.  We bought a little cooler that was big enough to hold a few sodas and an ice pack.  If we were not going to be there, they knew that the cooler was for them.  This soon stretched into winter, and we knew how cold the trashmen must be on their long winter days.  So we started making hot chocolate and got a big thermos that we could fill in the morning.  The kids would make little “goodie bags” for them at Christmas time with snacks, McDonald’s gift certificates and homemade cookies.  This whole idea blossomed into taking sodas on a hot summer day to anyone who looked thirsty… even if it was roofers working on a house three doors down!  They had internalized this spirit of kindness and were thinking kind thoughts – independent of their mom – with their own little hearts.  Wow.

Fast forward twenty years.  Our kids are away at college, and their hearts will always be kind.  Tuesday is still trash day… a scheduled act of kindness day that has been so richly rewarded through the years in hugs and smiles and gratitude.  WE are blessed.  Pass it on…

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

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a faraway (facebook) friend

9 / 12 / 12

Today I just wanted to share with you a dialogue that transpired this past weekend with my new (Facebook) friend, Eunice…

“To welcome my newest Facebook friend, Eunice Hohn, from the beautiful country of Germany… I share with you one of the most recognizable landmarks of Germany – Neuschwanstein Castle.  It truly is what “fairytales” are made of!  We were there in 1987.  An absolutely GORGEOUS country! Breathtaking.  Munich, the “Black Forest”, Baden-Baden… Ahhhh; so many beautiful memories  🙂  Welcome, Eunice!”

Eunice: “Olá, muiito obrigada pelo carinho e receptividade essa foi a melhor desde que estou no Face … realmente esse País é cheio de encantos…com pessoas honestas…pontuais…e competentes!Vivo aqui há quase quatro anos e minha única dificuldade é o idioma…nao sei um dia conseguirei vencer esse obstáculo…mas vou vivendo e aprovetando da melhor forma possível o que posso.Desejo um excelente final de semana com muiito carinho a Creations by cathy.”

Translation: “Hello, muiito thanks for caring and responsiveness that was the best since I’m in the Face … actually this country is full of charms … with honest people … timely … and competent!Live here for nearly four years and my only difficulty is the language … do not know one day be able to overcome this obstacle … but I’m living and aprovetando in the best way I can.Wish you a great weekend with muiito affection the Creations by cathy” (Translated by Bing)

” It IS a beautiful weekend here, Eunice…  blue skies, sunshine and a cool breeze.  Absolute perfection!  I wish, for you, the same…!”

And just to prove to Eunice that sometimes the language barrier is NOT a problem…  A little German video for you to enjoy.  Watch this video until the end because the last two gals are proof positive that we ALL laugh in the same language!!   German water bed prank…     live happy

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(french) deals and donuts

9 / 6 / 12

For those of you who are “Kansas City friends”… You are probably aware of the fact that I have a booth out at Trendz Market.  Well, I have to let you in on some breaking news.  This week (thru next Tuesday), I have the “item of the week” (big gasp; then silence…)  Yes.  It’s true.  While you are sitting here reading my blog post, you could be up at Trendz saving 20% on anything french…!  Oooo la la, my friends.  (Click on my Facebook page if you want a “sneak peek” at some of the featured items!  For store hours and info, click on “shop with me at Trendz” link at the top of my blog site)  OK.  Maybe you are not here in Kansas City, or you are a new reader of my blog, and therefore have no idea what Trendz is…  No worries.  Simply click on the links at the top of this blog page…”who is creations by cathy” and “shop with me at trendz”.  That should get you up-to-date.  So now you’re sad.  You wish that you lived here so that you could stop by Trendz and check it out.  I’m sorry.  I do, however, have two bits of good news that might cheer you up a bit.

Number one; I am working on getting a little shopping page together so that I can share some of my Creations goodies with all of my friends, near or far. It will be the “shop now” link at the top of this blog site.  I will keep you posted.

And reason number two (the more delicious of the two); I found this yummy looking recipe at Camille Styles blog site.  (Thank you, Camille!)  Indulge and enjoy…

Baked French Breakfast Donuts

Adapted from Cooks.com

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup milk (I used whole milk)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat donut pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add egg; mix well.
  3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg together. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk.
  4. Fill donut tins half full. Bake 15-20 minutes. Take out of pan immediately and swirl tops into melted butter, then sugar and cinnamon mixture. Makes 6-7 big donuts.

*Note:  These work just as well in a muffin tin, too!

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

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the “Maine” goodbye…

8 / 27 / 12

We have said “goodbye” so many times over the past couple of months, but I always knew there would be one last goodbye before she left…

My dear friend, Mary, is moving to Maine with her hubbie.  They moved out of their house (only one house between us) and into temporary housing a couple of months ago.  We said goodbye.  The neighbors had a going away party.  We said goodbye.  We got our little “girl’s group” together for one last coffee.  We said goodbye.  Went out for Indian food with our hubbies, one last time.  We said goodbye.  Finally – we met up briefly at a neighbor’s house last night for one final goodbye…

I cried each time, but tried to keep it “polite and reasonable”.  I reserved my gut wrenching “throw yourself on the floor” sobs for private home time.  The truth is – Mary doesn’t do the whole crying thing.  She is “matter-of-fact”, positive and reasonable… on just about everything.  Her determination and positive “never-give-up” attitude helped her survive cancer.  Three times.  Oh ya… and a miracle.  You see, “medically”… Mary really should not be here.  Doctors still have no explanation as to how or why she survived her most serious bout with cancer.  But I do.

And so my heart is filled with an explosive mixture of happy and sad, all combusting within me at the same time.  I am (selfishly) very deep down in my soul sad.  But, in the same breath,  I am absolutely ecstatic for Mary.  She so deserves this happiness.  She has been given the precious gift of time to follow her dreams.  And that is exactly what she is doing.  She is not the kind to sit around worrying and “what iffing”.  She appreciates and savors each moment as it is in front of her.  I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, however; She’s not perfect.  She does have one well known shortcoming…. Mary loves doughnuts.  A lot.

So this morning I am (sobbing) in the shower (which, by the way, works very well).  We said our final goodbyes last night.  Right…?  No!  I have to see her one more time.  One more hug.  One more goodbye.  So I get an idea.  Unfortunately for Mary, I know where she is going to be at exactly 9:30.  I have one stop to make on the way there and miss her by a hair.  Panic mode sets in.  In the end, we meet briefly in a grocery store parking lot for a quick chat and one more hug.  I present her with one little gift for the road… doughnuts.

And we say our final, final goodbye.

She tells me “No crying” (ya. right.) and I get back in my car and watch as her car disappears from my rear view mirror.  As she drives away, I realize that she has left me with a hole in my heart… and I believe it to be about the size of a doughnut hole.

God speed, Mary. 
Your rainbow is waiting…
live happy… laugh, love dream, create
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blessed with babies

8 / 14 / 12

How can you not smile when you look at this sweet little face…

Goodness gracious; I have had babies on my mind lately.  Between our two families, we have three little ones turning one within a month and a half of each other.  And, on top of that, we just welcomed another precious little one into the family this month!  Fourteen nieces and nephews.  We are so blessed.

Distance; and time…  they are the enemies.  On my side of the family, every single one of my nieces and nephews is far away. That is just so very hard for me.  There are so many milestones, moments and memories that pass… without me.  Sometimes I just have an “Aunt Cathy hug” deep inside that makes me feel like I am going to explode if I can’t deliver it!!  Ya – I know.  I’m their aunt… not their mom.  But for me it goes really, really deep.  I would do anything for any of them, as if they were my very own.  Because they are.  They are family… and there is nothing more precious in all the world.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

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Hello, friends!!

I love mismatched chairs and organized closets; springtime thunderstorms and Sunday morning coffee; pearls and puppy breath; welcome home hugs and walking the beach; fresh flowers and flea markets; autumn leaves and afternoon tea.

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