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