A Time for Change

Some people do it in the spring, some in the summer, but I find cleaning and organizing my home and life feels better in the late fall and winter.  Perhaps it is because of my busy season in the fall and I feel I have neglected my home, business, family and friends, or perhaps it is the fact I am trapped inside and have little else to distract me.  Regardless, the process has begun.

Business has been challenging this year. The last few years has brought concern, but this seemed to be the cresting of the battle.  My crafter friends and associates all sing the same song of how their sales are down,  and in most cases, there is one thing to blame, the economy.  So it is time to review the process, the product and the business' direction. If you are like me, I love the creating process of this life, so I am going to scrutinize everything to continue to do what I love.  Change my show schedule, change the product and mostly change the way I market my line of products.

This brings me to my 'change.'   Effective immediately I am directing my online business to my Etsy store.   Etsy does  a great job of marketing, and networking and has provided me with a excellent venue to sell.  This will allow me to concentrate on one site that is bringing the most traffic.  I can add more new products, from my handmade items to my line of vintage.

I thank you for your support over the years, and hope you will continue to visit my shop.  www.kpdreams.com which will take you to my Etsy store and my e-mail address will remain the same;  karen@kpdreams.com.

Karen

Potato Soup to warm your heart

Well, fall is here and it brings that chill in the air.  Working hard on my fall projects and while pondering dinner, I remembered this post from last year.  Well, I think it holds very true for this year as well.  I am still looking for and painting on spoons; and tonights pot of potato soup will warm the soul.  I hope you enjoy this 'repeat'.  Make sure to follow for more posts and projects to come.

I have been busy painting spoon ornaments for the holiday season.  I have several designs for  Ohio State Buckeyes, Ohio University Bobcats, Cincinnati Bearcats and many more.  I enjoy the challenge that painting on this small surface gives me, and am always looking for new spoons to use.  I have used all the spoons that I have with the exception of my personal stash in the silverware drawer.  So when looking for spoons, I headed for the drawer and immediately thought, "how will I enjoy my warm and comforting soup?"  Which caused me to think of a good warm soup for dinner. 

I decided on potato soup. A large pot of soup that I can enjoy today and which can be warmed and eaten tomorrow for lunch.  I am sure it will leave me feeling very cozy inside.  Here is my recipe which is very simple and quick.  I hope you enjoy!

               Ingredients:  6 medium russet potatoes

                                   1 cup milk (whole or 2%)

                                   1/4 c chopped onion

                                   1/2 pound smoked sausage

                                   1 tsp each butter and olive oil

                                   1 cup half and half

                                   1 tsp parsley flakes

                                   1 tsp celery seeds

                                   1 egg yolk                                  

                                   1 tsp salt & pepper to taste                              

Peel and dice potatoes and set aside covered in water.  Chop onion and dice smoked sausage and saute in pot with butter and olive oil.  Saute until onion is clear making certain not to allow the onions to scorch.  Once onions are clear, add the drained potatoes to the pot.  Add  just enough water to cover potatoes.   At this time you can add celery seeds and salt and pepper and bring to a boil.  Stir occasionally and once the pot begins to boil,  lower the temp to simmer.  Allow to simmer until potatoes are soft and can be easily mashed with a fork, approximately 30 minutes. Using a potato masher, work the potatoes until most are mashed, but a few cubes are left. 

Add to the pot the  half and half  and 1/2 cup milk holding back 1/2 cup milk.  Add egg yolk to 1/2 cup of milk, mixing well and stir into soup mixture.  Let soup return to boil, stirring occasionally as it thickens.  Taste for additional seasoning at that time. Can be served with crackers, a dollop of sour cream, chopped chives or

any topping of your choice.  Guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.

So make a big pot, sit down and check out my new ornaments on http://www.etsy.com/shop/kpdreams.