I've been having a ball cutting, pasting, trimming, etc. Found this idea on the Stampington site and knew it was something I'd enjoy playing with....I had so many papers that needed to be used up so this was perfect for "scraps". The book was just a regular book from which I removed all the pages, and then covered the inside with scrapbook paper.Then I added two pockets to hold the recipe cards. The thickness of the cardstock with the added papers didn't allow more than three in each pocket. Shouldl have made the pockets a wee bit larlger. I typed out some recipes and pasted to the backside of each card. The outside of the book worked perfectly with checked tissue paper after I first gessoed it to cover up the title. This little book is only 4 1/2 by 6 1/2. I am working on a little larger one but I really like the charm of the smaller one. It's fun finding images that work with the papers....get your scraps out and have fun. You might end up with a neat gift for your favorite cook!

Spooky Halloween and Barley Water

Here's a little ATC I made for Altered StART's mingle. The theme was "spooky Halloween" ....hope this doesn't scare anyone too much! LOL

As promised, here's the easy recipe for barley water. As you probably know, barley is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. I love barley in soups, salads and even as a cereal for breakfast. Barley water is simply the water in which you cook the barley, but you need to do a couple of things to make it a very refreshing drink. It is really an English idea but seems to be catching on here.

• Cook 1 cup hulled barley (don't use quick cooking...may have to search for "hulled" a bit in 4 cups of water. After it comes to a boil, simmer for 30 minutes & let stand for 30 minutes. While the barley is cooking, peel 2 lemons (try not to get into the white part) and place the peel and the juice into a 2 quart pitcher. Strain the barley water from the barley with a fine strainer into the pitcher. Most recipes call for honey as a sweetener but since I am diabetic, I use blue agave as a slight sweetener. Actually, I could drink it without any sweetener. It's quite refreshing sort of like lemonade but with a lot of nutrients. Try it!