See you at Junk -2- Junque 11/13-Saturday

It was nice to see you last Saturday. If you missed out stop by Saturday, November 13th from 11am-5pm. Check out the photos to see some of what you missed.

Was-Sweater....NOW-Mittens

First felting of the sweater. Then, cutting the pattern. Hand sewing next. Now more felting! What do you think?

Junk-2-Junque SALE! Saturday, Nov 6th - 11am to 5pm. I'll meet you there!

You'll be driving right by on Saturday, November 6th on your way to the Finland Bazaar. Swing in to Junk -2- Junque open 11am - 5pm (or by appointment). See you then!

I'm back and giving the JUNK-2-JUNQUE blog a facelift...join me in the adventure!

Today, Friday, 10/22 - I will be working at the shop with the signs out...come and see me in my painting attire! Saturday, 10/23 the doors will be open 9am-5pm. Check out the new finds!
Junk-2-Junque is also open by appointment.

Saturday (6/5) and Sunday (6/6) afternoons are Junk-2-Junque shop workdays gearing up for summer. I'll be there in the afternoon both days (maybe with painting clothes on ;)...come and visit!

Commission turns into Mission

One of my best junking buddies (OK, my best junking buddy, Patty :o) has commissioned me to make something out of these 'ingredients'. I bet you can guess what it will be? I'm not tellin' until it's done....I have a deadline of mid-July and really want to get-er-done soon. Maybe there could be more than one to choose from?

This is the 1st time I have been commissioned...I am SO EXCITED! You see, usually I see an object that appeals to me (due to color, shape and texture) and think "What can I make out of that?" The dreaming starts there. Being asked to make something is very inspiring because the person asking has confidence in you (or they wouldn't have asked). It's a compliment! Thus, this has become a mission! Stay tuned for the outcome. FUN, FUN, FUN! Don't forget to comment with suggestions.

Mark Your Calendar

SALE! SALE! SALE! Visit me this weekend. Friday 5/7, Saturday 5/8...9am-3pm at Junk-2-Junque. We're in Illgen City at the Junction of Hwys 61 & 1, next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop. If it's nice we'll have a picker's delight outside (rummage sale items). See you there!

Slow Roasted Garlic Tomatoes

OK, close your eyes...imagine this...the smell of garlic, slow roasted tomatoes. I purchased almost 14lbs of Romas to can and make my own tomato paste. Why? Because I am a food geek...I love to cook. and of course the health benefits.

The extra, unnatural ingredients in EVERYTHING, including store bought canned tomatoes, tomato sauces, salsas, etc. has got me going. I am not necessarily an 'organic advocate' but, there is something (unhealthy) about artificial additives. And then there is of course the hype about High Fructose Corn Syrup (sorry Hank & Emma).

So, to start with, from scratch, is tomato paste. It is in the sauces and salsas I will eventually make. Yep, I HAVE fallen off of the deep end! To make tomato paste you have to first cook the tomatoes, so I slow roasted mine with garlic. I have had quite the mouthwatering experience for, 2-1/2 hours while this combination has been cooking. My son Hank said: "Mom, please slow roast garlic and tomatoes often so our house always smells like this." My daughter Emma said: "Mom, you don't have to home make everything."

It is quite easy to make these tomatoes. Just cut the Romas in 1/2 (lengthwise making a boat), line a pan w/foil, drizzle the pan w/olive oil, place the tomatoes in the pan, drizzle apple cider or balsamic vinegar on tomatoes, sprinkle with sugar, sprinkle w/kosher salt, slice garlic and arrange about 2 slices per 1/2 tomato, drizzle olive oil over each 1/2 of tomato and bake at 350 degrees for 2-1/2 hours. There are multiple uses for the tomatoes. They can be left as is for a snack or appetizer, add to a salad, add to pasta...just use your imagination! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm

It's What's For Dinner!

Spanish Meatloaf With Mexican Flavored White Rice

For Spanish Meatloaf:
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef; 1/3 c. tomato sauce; 2/3 c. milk; 8 large pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. dry mustard; 1/4 tsp. pepper; 3 slices bread, torn into small pieces (I toast & cool mine first); 1 egg; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 1/2 c. tomato sauce; 1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 c.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients except 1/2 c. tomato sauce. Spread mixture in loaf pan, 9 X 5 X 3 inches. Spoon 1/2 c. tomato sauce over top. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until done. Remove from pan.

For Mexican Flavored White Rice:
2 c. white rice
4 c. water
Bring rice and water to boil. Cover and turn heat to low. Simmer on low for 15 min. Remove from heat, let sit for 5 minutes covered. Fluff with fork. Add one 14 oz. can of flavored tomatoes, drained, 1/2 packet of taco seasoning mix, 1/4 c. tomato sauce to rice. Heat until warm and serve.

Tips: Spanish Rice would be very good with this meatloaf. I, personally would add the whole packet of taco seasoning mix to the rice for more flavor, but my family wins on the 1/2 packet.

Double the Meat Loaf recipe...it makes great leftovers or sandwiches. Sadly, we do not usually have leftovers when doubled. The rice recipe is already doubled, It serves 6-8 (or my big eater family of 4).

Question? What will happen to me if I already ate a piece of meatloaf after lunch-time and before dinner?

Answer? I'm a lot happier (and fatter) than before I ate it.

Happy Dinnertime!

Try this pasta salad...I whipped it up yesterday!

Chicken Craisin Pasta Salad

One box of Whole Grain Penne Pasta

One 10 oz can of chicken

1 c. Craisins

8 oz. frozen peas

1 Cucumber

1 1/2-2 c. light Miracle Whip

1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1 tsp. Onion Powder

Salt

Pepper

1/2 Tbsp. white vinegar

1/8 c. milk

Boil pasta according to directions, drain and rinse in cold water, let stand until cooled. Drain canned chicken. Cut whole cucumber into quarters then slice. In small bowl mix together Light Miracle Whip, dijon mustard, milk, vinegar, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste. When pasta is room temperature or cooler, in large bowl mix well with frozen peas, Craisins, cucumbers, chicken (I also salt and peppered this mixture to taste). Stir in sauce mixture. Refridgerate to chill before serving.

Suggestions: I used Sweet Hot Mustard instead of dijon-yum. The frozen peas will speed up the chilling process (it's like adding a bit of ice w/out the water to make it runny). My measurements are approximate, so add more or less to your tastes. To the sauce you could add a bit more vinegar and a tad of sugar for extra zing!

IT'S HERE! Junk-2-Junque Sales: Unique vintage finds, Re-invented treasures, household items, gifts and MORE. The sales are in Illgen City at the Junction of Hwy 61 and 1, next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop. Fri. & Sat. April 2nd & 3rd; May 7th & 8th. Sale hours 9am-3pm. We open shop by appointment.

Is it Light, Serving Bowl or Globe

Multi-purpose globe...reinvented!

For the lamp:

1/2 globe (cut with saw)
lamp base
lamp arm to glue to globe for shade

For the bowl:
1/2 globe
plastic picnic serving bowl for liner
bottom of globe or base

For the globe:
Leave as is and enjoy!

Please comment with your own re-inventions!

Remember to stop at Junk-2-Junque on Saturday, 3/20 from 9am to 2pm! There are GREAT Junque Sales in addition to Limited Time Only Rummage Finds....we have been adding new items often. If you visited last Tuesday, you will see something different tomorrow! You can find us in Illgen City, at the junction of Highways 61 and 1. Next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop.

Junk-2-Junque and Rummage Sale. Tuesday 3/16 and Saturday 3/20 from 9am-2pm. Check out the NEW Junque, the Junque on Sale and the Limited Time Only Rummage Sale Items.

Re-Invented Wool Sweater

This is 3 VERY felted wool sweaters. I cut the sweaters up at the seams. My Aunty has the coolest Accu-cut machine. It cut the sweaters into rectangles with fringes around the edges for me. I sewed the pieces together, then washed and dried the finished throw, making the fringes curlier, more straggley (is that a word?)...I wish the throw were bigger but it is still VERY fun! It would be perfect to throw over the back of any kind of chair...it is just the right size! It works OK for a lap throw. It is for sale at Junk -2- Junque.

Junk -2- Junque OPEN SATURDAY 2-13-2010. Hours are 9am-1pm...THEN by appointment with the quilt shop...THEN 4pm-5pm. See you there!

The stage is set...meet me at the shop tomorrow (Saturday, 2/6/10 from 9am-5pm). Bring your junking tales and friends. It will be so much fun! Remember we are located on the junction of Highways 61 and 1...next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop and Whispering Pines Motel.

Open 2 Saturdays in February (so far)! Visit the shop February 6th and/or 13th. You know the drill...there is at least one new item each time.

These sales are just in time for Valentine's Day...and, I guess if you're a past or current President...you have a day coming up too!

Saturday's hours are 9 am - 5 pm...you won't want to miss them.

Junk -2- Junque is located at the junctions of Highways 61 and 1, in Illgen City. Conveniently located next door to Behind the Seams Quilt Shop. The quilt shop has an awesome sale going on during those dates so swing in to see ALL of us...you will TRULY be inspired!

Times don't work? Set up an appointment with me: Cindy 218-220-0901

Simple, Homemade Salsa YOU can (should) do:

With flavored, canned tomatoes this is a no-brainer and much better than regular, store-bought salsa! It takes just seconds (OK minutes). I tend to do it while I am making dinner or baking something...when the food doesn't necessarily need me but I need to monitor it. And, I'm making a 'mess' anyway, so I can clean it all up at once...you know what I mean.

Kitchen tool tip: Have/purchase a chopper. I bought a small electric one. In my opinion, your money is better spent on pampered chef's hand chopper...easier to clean and you can switch from onions, to green peppers, to whatever more simply, just rinse/wash if needed. I have a consultant...Cindy Rowlee (she travels, for my friends living south of me). Her website: www.pamperedchef.biz/crowlee the Food Chopper is #2585.

Food tips: I gravitate towards the garlic flavored tomatoes but there are several to pick from. And, there is a generic brand I like too. If the tomatoes are too big, even diced, I will chop them (with the chopper) after draining (this is messy, so I put a piece of freezer paper down on the cutting board and chop them on that for easy clean-up). Sometimes I reserve the liquid in a jar, when draining the tomatoes. I put it in the fridge and I use it instead of using water when making taco meat with a packet of seasoning. Be careful when buying chilies...look at the can...you can buy them hot or mild.

Recycling Tip: I keep some of my cute glass jars from other food items. Take the labels off, dishwash and use them for storing the salsa in the fridge. I usually mark with a permanent marker (not so permanent after dishwashing) "Salsa" and the date I made it.

The beauty is you can add whatever you like in salsa to this recipe and feel like an 'inventor'!

The Salsa:

2 (14.4 oz can) flavored tomatoes, drained
1 small green pepper
3 cloves garlic, finally chopped (if your tomatoes do not already have)
1/2 c. green, red or yellow onions
1 (4 oz.) can of diced chilies, drained
2 TBSP lime juice
1/2 tsp salt (kosher works too)

Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl. Transfer to glass jar, put lid on jar tilt the jar up and down to mix. Refridgerate before serving.

To Comment on Blogs:

Thank you for your interest in my blog! There is some confusion on how to comment to a post...I had trouble too and am learning right along with you...hang in there, we'll get it and it will be FUN. OK, so: Under what I have posted you will see a number and Comment. Click on Comment. Type your input and follow instructions like if you need to verify a word, etc. Then, there will be a drop down menu that says Select Profile. I selected Google. You then type in your email address and create a password. This will set up an account and you will be able to enter comments on other blogs too! If you have questions...let me know...we'll figure it out...I NEED your comments! Happy Blogging!

There's a magazine coming out in February that I am so very excited about. It will be an occasional (not monthly) magazine. I have met one of the editors (Ki) at a sale that she had in Minnesota (talk about 'junk' heaven). Check out this blog and enter to win their prize. http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com

Here's what I mean about re-designing...this is the finished product of a Hudson Bay purse...I re-created it from a Wool Hudson Bay Blanket/Jacket. Here's how each piece of the blazer was used in making the bag:

• The wool straps are the cuffs of the blazer
• The leather strap is part of a leather belt
• the X stitch is sewn with strips of leather
• The front of the bag is the front of the jacket w/pockets
• The back of the bag is well, the back of the blazer
  

This was one of my FAVORITE wools to work with...every time I washed and dried it, it took on a better shape...This is for sale at Junk -2- Junque.

OK, here goes...my first post. I will try to keep entries short and helpful. I will share the happenings at Junk -2- Junque, re-purposing of items, decorating tips, recipe creations or finds...and, maybe even cleaning tips. Move over Martha...just kidding...maybe without the jail time? ;) Let me know what you think...SHARE your thoughts!