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!