Archives for April 2009

A Little Promo For My Little Sister……

April 24, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

My little sister Perry just sent me some new promotional photos. I love them and had to post a few! Perry has been playing the Duramed Futures Tour, the developmental tour for the LPGA. She is trying to raise money right now for her tour expenses. For some of the larger contributions she’ll fly out, put on a golfing clinic and participate in a golf outing. You might have seen her over the past year as she starred on the TV show Road Trip Myrtle Beach on the Golf Channel. Go to her fundraising website to see her video!

A Little Promo For My Little Sister via lilblueboo.com

A Little Promo For My Little Sister 2 via lilblueboo.com

A Little Promo For My Little Sister 3 via lilblueboo.com

A Little Promo For My Little Sister 4 via lilblueboo.com

A little known fact about Perry is that she is also an awesome seamstress and crafter! She made all her bedding and pillows for her college dorm room, makes great headbands to match her golf outfits, and keeps amazing journal/scrapbooks of her golf travels.

I’m pretty proud of my dad too who plays the senior amateur tournaments. There is an awesome profile on him from the Society of Seniors.

Journaling – Part III – Just draw it!

April 24, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

Journaling - Part III - Just draw it via lilblueboo.com The thing I love about “art journaling” is that I don’t have to come up with words to describe a moment in time that I want to remember. I was a math major in college and never really had to do much writing so I struggle with it! This entry back in 2006 was just a picture I drew of the “perfect lunch” with my mother-in-law Gale. We were at this charming little cafe called Squeez-In in Truckee near Lake Tahoe and ordered enough veggies for 4 people…and ate all of it. It was such an awesome spread that I had to draw it in my journal.

Other ideas for your journal:

Draw a map of a place you want to remember. I was on a plane once drawing the below map of the old farm where I used to keep my horse when I was younger. The lady next to me leaned over and commented “you must be writing a children’s book” and I think she was puzzled when I told her that it was just a journal entry. Mr. Rea, the farmer, was such a character and the land had been in his family for over a 100 years so there was much to explore. I had so many memories that kept coming to mind as I drew and labeled that I could barely keep up: the broken down tractors everywhere, the secret locked fields, the tree that Hurricane Hugo claimed, the wrecks on the curved road…..I thought I’d post this page for all my friends that grew up at Rea Barn.

Draw the layout of your childhood home. Draw the floorplan of an old house you want to remember. You will be surprised at what starts triggering your memory….furniture, where you chipped a tooth, the wallpaper color, the fort you had in the attic…..

Draw random pictures from the moment. Flipping through some of my journals I’ve found the most random drawings: embroidery stitches I wanted to remember, seating charts, the shape of a cookie….. My little 2.5 lb yorkie Diesel loves his little miniature toys. Each one has a name. These are old “friends” of his before we had our daughter Sienna. Now he is only interested in whatever she is playing with.

Journaling - Part III - Just draw it 2 via lilblueboo.com

If you need a new journal check out the charming vintage journals by Robin of The Fancy Lamb! Robin repurposes old books into journals. She even throws in an original book page here and there throughout the journal as a surprise. I love recycling old items into new so these are right up my alley….slight imperfections, character and unique charm. Robin has offered 20% off any journal purchase to Lil Blue Boo readers, so make sure to include “Lil Blue Boo” in the notes to seller! Thanks Robin!

Super Yummy Chicken Fried Rice

April 23, 2009 by Ashley Hackshaw

I love my wok. Here is a recipe for chicken fried rice that I prepare at least once a week using it. The fried rice is always a huge hit with guests and is an easy one-dish dinner. We prefer it to our favorite Chinese restaurant now, especially since I use organic vegetables. The secret to great fried rice is to use white rice that has been in the refrigerator a few days. or frozen rice from Trader Joe’s!

Super Yummy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe via lilblueboo.com

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bite size pieces
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 large white onion, chopped in small pieces
2 teaspoons minced garlic (I use the kind in the jar that you keep in the fridge)
4 cups cold, cooked rice (best if 2-3 days refrigerated)
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup small julienned or chopped carrot pieces
4 tablespoons soy sauce

Beat eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Heat very little oil in a frying pan and scramble the eggs. Turn on to a plate to cool and cut into smaller pieces. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, toss chicken strips with the sesame oil and some salt and pepper to taste. Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil over high heat in large frying pan or wok and stir-fry the chicken pieces until lightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the onion and garlic and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until onion has softened (starting to look clear).

Add the broccoli and carrot and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender.

Add the frozen peas and fold through gently. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until heated.

Add 2 tablespoons more vegetable oil and when hot, stir in the cooked rice, tossing with soy sauce and mix evenly. Keeping mixing until very hot.

Remove from heat and stir in cooked egg.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Random tip: Did you know you aren’t supposed to use metal utensils or soap on your wok? You keep it “seasoned” by only using water and scrub brush to clean. I didn’t know this with my old wok and ruined it!