Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Feeling deflated…

Charlene Becker

I have just spent the last couple of months creating a business plan and working on opening a brick and mortar business in the Colorado Springs area. I have a partner, my best friend who I was going to do this with. I had a meeting with a businessman/commercial realtor this week. He basically told me that the market is taking a downturn and we are heading into a recession that could be the worst yet. He said honestly we should wait it out and NOT start a business. I am completed deflated and unmotivated. I’m pissed off and personally just annoyed. I feel like I can’t get ahead no matter what I do. I have tried hustling cleaning houses, I have tried being a loan officer, now a part-time realtor (seeing major effects of the recession hitting the housing market). I don’t know what else to do. Where do you go when you feel you can’t lose anymore? I have an entrepreneurial spirit but I can’t get anything off the ground to save my life.

I feel I have worked so hard and still have zero to show for it. I have no one (as far as family) giving out handouts, so it is up to us. WTF. Sorry if this is a vent, but it is. It’s a vent to say I can’t win no matter what I do.

Can I just start life over?

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Dinners, food, Recipes, soup, Uncategorized

30 Minute Amazing Pozole…Delicious!

Charlene Becker

People. You need to try this soup. The cold weather hasn’t left us completely so I must strongly encourage you to make this because you won’t regret it! I found a recipe on Pinterest and tweaked it to make a quick, delicious Pozole that tastes like it was simmering for hours. Please try it, and use up your leftover carnitas! (Or shredded chicken!)20200404_134401

Isn’t it gorgeous? Okay, enough chatting,  here is the recipe:

30 Minute Amazing Pozole

2 T canola or vegetable oil

2 T flour

1/2 small yellow onion,  chopped small dice

1/2 T Chili powder (more if you like it spicy)

1/2 can tomato paste (if you don’t have it, sub in marinara or tomato sauce!)

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne powder (if you really like heat, I did not use it)

1 tsp salt

2 cups water

3 cups chicken broth (I use water and chicken bouillon)

15 oz can hominy

2 cups leftover carnitas (shredded pork or use shredded chicken)

1 lime

Handful of cilantro

Cacique queso fresca or Cotija cheese

Directions:

In a soup pot, heat oil over medium high heat and add your diced onions. Sauté until soft and translucent.  Add a pinch of salt. Add the flour with the chili powder and saute for a couple more minutes continuously stirring.

Add the 2 cups of water, tomato paste, garlic powder,  cumin, and salt. Stir to combine. I also squeezed in 1 lime wedge, just because! Let mixture thicken slightly, then add the chicken broth,  shredded meat and hominy (drained). Cook for another 10 minutes or so until heated through.

Serve topped with rough chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of queso fresca.

*if you like heat or spice, you can add more chili powder, cayenne or diced chiles.

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Hope you give it a try! Let me know if you do and what you think!

❤Charlene

 

Uncategorized

Letter to my 45 year old self…

Charlene Becker

Hello everyone!!I’ve been hearing a lot lately about people writing letters to themselves. You can open it up a year from now or 5 years from now or even 10 years from now. The letter should be something uplifting for your older self. Something you think you might need to hear at that time. I wish I could write a letter to my younger self and have my younger self read it and learn from my older self, but I just haven’t found a way to do that yet. 😉 So until then, this will have to do. I think I know what my older self will need to hear in a year so I’ll try for something like this…Dear Charlene,Read this when you are 45.So here you are, 45 years old and you’re wondering where the time has gone. Please don’t sell yourself short. You have accomplished so much in your lifetime more than you know even though it doesn’t seem like you have. You have lived in 5 states, been married 3 X, divorced twice,have a beautiful 8 year old and a beautiful 6 year old. By now you probably have your real estate license, and you’re helping your husband run a business. It might be starting out slow or you could already be very successful, but what you need to realize is that you are already successful. Having and caring for your children is a success. Providing for them is a success. Taking care of your husband and your family is a success. People need to realize that we need to celebrate the small successes and realize that is what matters in this life. You might also be working a full-time job and that could be taking away from the family. Just remember it’s temporary. Nothing lasts forever. You might be missing your family as well. Just know that they are always thinking of you, and always pulling for you and in your corner. Even though it might not seem like it at times. Be strong.Hopefully the business is booming, and you are looking for your forever home. As soon as you get this forever home I think you should get a puppy. Or even a kitty. Animals fill a void nothing else can. I know there is an empty spot in your heart that Hunny has left. She was the best dog ever. I know you are skeptical if you will find a pet that is as special as she was, but I know you will because most dogs and cats are pretty special. God will be looking out for you and he will match you with one that needs a home just as much as you want to give one to him or her.I’m pretty sure you also went back to school, most likely for general education. Keep your eye on the prize and realize that this is something you were always meant to do. Teaching others, guiding them, inspiring them to do their very best and becoming who they need to be. This is how you will make a difference in the world.Be the change you want to see.I have to go now spend time with your 7 year son and your 5 year daughter. I think some Play-Doh is on the agenda. Remember they are only little for a little while. Enjoy them and their sweetness and innocence.Love your 44 year old self!CharleneI encourage you all to write letters to your future self encourage them, and congratulate them. This life is pretty tough but we should be easy on ourselves, always. Xoxo

Uncategorized

One Pot Sausage & Kale Pasta

Charlene Becker

This is a consultant exclusive recipe! It’s a 5 star favorite and I wanted to share it with all of you 🙂 Enjoy!

ONE POT SAUSAGE & KALE PASTA1125027-lg

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) canola oil, divided
  • 1 lb. (450 g) mild Italian turkey sausage (casings removed)
  • 1   medium onion
  • 2   garlic cloves
  • 4 cups (1 L) unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (1¾ cups/425 mL)
  • 1 can (8 oz/ or 398 mLg) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp (7 mL) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 lb. (450 g) farfalle pasta
  • 2 oz (60 g) fresh Parmesan cheese, plus additional if desired
  • 8 cups (2 L) fresh kale, stems removed and torn into bite-size pieces (see cook’s tips)
  • 4 oz (125 g) ⅓ less fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat ½ tbsp of the oil in the All-Purpose Pot over medium heat for 1–3 minutes, or until shimmering. Add the sausage. Cook uncovered for 4–6 minutes or until browned, using the Mix ‘N Chop to break the sausage into crumbles. Drain and remove from the pot.
  2. Cut the onion into chunks. Chop with the Food Chopper. Add the remaining oil, onion, and garlic pressed with the Garlic Press to the pot; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the sausage, stock, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, and pasta to the pot. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover and bring the mixture to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Grate the Parmesan with the Microplane® Adjustable Fine Grater. Stir in the Parmesan, kale, and cream cheese. Cover the pot and simmer for 4–6 minutes, or until pasta and kale are tender. Serve with additional Parmesan, if desired.

Yield:

  • 8  servings of 1½ cups (375mL)

Nutrients per serving:

Calories 440, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 650 mg, Carbohydrate 56 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugars 7 g, Protein 28 g

Cook’s Tips:

To remove stems from your kale, fold leaves in half with the vein side out. Then trim along the stem from top to bottom.

You may substitute baby spinach for kale.

 

Breakfast/Brunch, Recipes, Uncategorized

Zucchini Deep Dish Pie (Quiche) by Pampered Chef – Modified

Charlene Becker

Zucchini Deep Dish Pie

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

zucchini pie

Ingredients

    Crust

  • 1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    Filling

  • 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini (3-4 small)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1   garlic clove, pressed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (I increased this to 1 tsp)
  • 1/2  teaspoon salt (I increased this to 1 tsp)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper ( I increased this to 1/2 tsp)
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
  • 2   eggs
  • 1/4 cup cream (I added this to mine)
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. For crust, unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Arrange evenly in Deep Dish Pie Plate with points toward the center. Using lightly floured Baker’s Roller®, roll dough over bottom to seal seams. Press dough halfway up sides to form a crust. Spread mustard over bottom of crust.
  2. For filling, slice zucchini using Simple Slicer Set blade to #2. Coarsely chop onion using Food Chopper. Melt butter in (12-in.) Skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir zucchini, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in parsley.
  3. Whisk eggs & cream in Classic Batter Bowl. Stir in cheese. Add vegetable mixture; mix well. Pour vegetable mixture over crust, spreading evenly. Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set and crust is golden brown. Cut into wedges to serve.

Side Note: I increased the seasonings and I would say it was just right. You may need to taste your zucchini after it is done sauteing to see if it has enough flavor. I feel like the cream gave it a little bit of richness but not too much.

 

Enjoy!

Uncategorized

Grilled Salmon Salad w/Edamame

Charlene Becker

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I made this very easy, healthy grilled salmon salad for lunch! It was delicious!

Grilled Salmon Salad w/Edamame

  • Servings: 1-2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • Couple handfuls of assorted lettuce – I like to use 2 green leafy lettuces and arugula
  • 1/2 small cucumber, chopped or sliced
  • 1/4 red bell pepper, chopped or sliced
  • 1 small mandarin orange or 1/2 an orange, peeled & segmented
  • 1 4-5 oz portion of salmon, grilled

Mix all ingredients for salad and top with the grilled salmon. I like to sprinkle my salad with olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper and a little lemon juice, but you can top with any dressing you like for this!

Enjoy!

Mom Life, Parenting, Uncategorized

I Feel the Need, the Need to Write…

Charlene Becker

Anyone else get this 80’s term? Maybe this will help, “I feel the need, the need for speed!”. Whoever thought that would be iconic one day.  (Top Gun…if you didn’t get it!) Maybe something in my writing will be iconic one day. Ha…one can dream right?

I am sad that I haven’t been writing. I haven’t had that “release”. Where you feel that things and emotions are bottling up inside of you and you might explode if you don’t get it out…do you ever feel that? Well maybe you need to write. Let it out. Let it go. “Let it goooo!” (Little Frozen reference there)

It’s about to get REAL…

I can’t believe I haven’t written since November. I have been slacking. That’s probably also the last time I have felt “creative”. It’s so sad really. I was really into Stampin Up and thought I was good at it but now I’m not so sure. I guess when you don’t get much business and sales you start doubting yourself. I’ve done a lot of that…doubting…

Let’s take a poll, shall we?

How many of you have done home based businesses? (Hands raised…ME!) Now, how many businesses have you done? …. Let’s see…Mary Kay, Stampin Up, Premier Jewelry, Thirty-One, It Works… ok so that’s 5. That’s not too bad I guess. I guess most of us stay at home moms are looking for the next best thing. The next thing that will get us out of the house for a “break” for some “me” time. Because why? Because “Mommying” is HARD. Being a mom, I’ve realized after 5 years, is the HARDEST job, EVER. Sometimes probably just as stressful as being an air traffic controller. Well almost.

How do I know this? Because I think I lost 6 months of my life when I went out to lunch with my 2 toddlers today, by myself. Because I have 2 toddlers that are 19 months apart. I wasn’t by myself, actually, I was with a few other mom’s from my daughter’s pre-school. I said ok to the lunch invitation in hopes of meeting the “cool” moms, making new friends and just feeling accepted. I knew that it would be tough. I knew that Sophie would not want to sit in a “baby” chair and would try to leave the table after 3 bites. I knew that Wyatt would start acting cranky after barely eating anything. The kids had already been at school for 3 hours and I knew they just wanted food and a nap (or quiet time).  So did I too. Want them to have nap time that is. Well, lunch went well, it was great meeting new people. They were helpful letting Sophia sit on her lap and watch our things when I had to take the kids to go potty, twice. Of course my son had to poop while we were there. I let him go by himself, but thank goodness one of the other moms was in there and came out to let me know my son needed me. Of course. All the while Sophie kept running away from the table. I finally strapped her into the baby chair much to her chagrin. I even pulled out the crayons, small tube of play-doh and coloring books to help keep my kids busy. (Since the cute paper puzzle dinosaurs the restaurant gave us were not working)

One of the moms commented, “you’re so good, look at you with your bag of stuff for the kids!”…Um well, that’s one way to look at it, put nicely. It’s more like, I know my kids are going to misbehave at some point and they’re gonna need some shit to do. Hahaha!

So that’s cute that other moms thing I’m prepared, that does make me feel good. But don’t think for a second it’s because I have my shit together, because trust me, I don’t.

As I left the restaurant $22 later and with 2 takeout boxes of leftovers of all the kids food they didn’t touch, I vowed that I wouldn’t go back to that restaurant without reinforcements…or any restaurant without a “play place” for that matter. We all decided to do that next time.

I don’t feel like I have “bad” kids, I just think that the timing was off for them, they were tired and also needed “something” to do. It’s hard keeping a 2-5 year old “entertained”. If you don’t believe me, just ask a mom or a dad of one.

Anyone, hope you enjoyed this writing and maybe got a little chuckle out of it. I know I did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas, Uncategorized

MOJO Monday #472 – Making Spirits Brights

Charlene Becker

Hi there Stamping Friends!

Just thought I’d play along this week with MOJO Monday. Super cute sketch and I was able to use my circle framelits set from Stampin Up. These circles are so great for layering! I also cannot wait to make a cute scrapbook page using them to show off our adorable design paper!

mojo472

Here’s my card for this challenge. It was pretty quick and easy.

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See the twine? It’s actually the burlap ribbon we have! It’s very versatile! I will try to make a video to show you the different ways to use it!

And here are the other items I used:

Anniversary, Hunny, Paper Pumpkin, Uncategorized, Wedding

And Back to Our Scheduled Cardmaking…

Charlene Becker

Hi Friends!

Remember me? That crazy lady who’s motor home burned to the ground and was traumatized so she quit posting on her blog???

Ok, so I wasn’t “traumatized” (maybe just a wee bit stressed out???) but it has been difficult getting back into the swing of things! We were living with the in-laws when we got here, and it was difficult, especially with 3 dogs (1 was ours). Then in June, I had to put down our 14 year old dog Hunny. She was the SWEETEST dog. It was one of the HARDEST things I’ve ever had to do. I miss her every day.  Here’s a sweet picture of her exploring the snow when we first got here. Sometimes I still can’t believe she’s gone. Love you Hunny Bun. Always.

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In July we finally found our forever home (hopefully!) and moved in. We’re pretty much settled in now just finishing the backyard and doing some decorating. Still a ways to go but it’s wonderful. First thing was first and I took over the space under the stairs (temporarily) for my stampin space. It’s so…Harry Potter-ish! haha…My stamping space is the “cupboard under the stairs”! I love it. Here’s a pic!

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The kids are adjusting to this life and Wyatt is doing much better. Poor thing, you could really tell he was having a hard time when we first got here.

I’m doing home pre-school for this year for both kiddos and Sophie is in Gymnastics once a week. She LOVES it. We’re looking into soccer for Wyatt. They have some cute toddler teams out here like Soccer Buddies.

So…on to cardmaking!! I received my holiday items and I’m in love! The cookie cutter stamps and punch are SO darling. If you haven’t seen some of the products, check out my pre-order haul video HERE.

I actually wanted to share a cute alternate project (which has nothing to do with the Holiday Catty – HA!) I was in need of a wine tag and thought that the cute gift card holder from the March 2016 Paper Pumpkin – Pocketful of Cheer kit would be neat! Also, minimal work because it’s practically done for you! All I did was punch an 1-1/4″ circle into the top, did some embossing and stamping with the Endless Birthday Wishes set,  and used the pieces in the kit to add a pull tab. Then all I had to do was write on the card.

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Here’s a close up:

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Yep, should have used the embossing buddy so I wouldn’t have the tiny specks of powder all over it! (I was being lazy! hahaha)

This tag was perfect! You could even fold it up and adhere it with washi or a mini staple if you think it’s a little long.

Well I’m so glad to be back! I hope to be posting more, making and sharing more videos and writing more (little anecdotes & short stories!). Thanks for sticking with me!

Be back soon with more stamping FUN!!!