Wow, what a busy spring where has the time gone.  Been working on a few new projects.  Using our new Brushed papers and celebrating with the Planescrappers of Boeing, at our National Scrapday.  Such fun.

Brushed Paper pack and Cricut cartridges

Great gals who either work for, are retired or who have spouses at Boeing

Girl Scouts Memories, Cookies and Chicken Samo'le

Happy 40^th Birthday Samoas!!!! #samoasbirthday #lovesamoas #GScookierecipe

https://www.girlscoutsww.org/cookies-and-more/HappyBirthdaySamoas/Pages/default.aspx 

When I heard it was one of my favorite Girl Scout cookies birthday, I was so excited, I had to celebrate.  Turning 40 for me was awesome, so I knew I had to help make Samoas birthday, just as special.  Now let me think what was I doing as a Girl Scout 40 years ago??? ok maybe 41.... bridging to Juniors.

 Wow, that does seem like a long time ago. But I remember working on badges, camp and fun times with friends.  

Now that bridge seemed a lot bigger back then, and citing the pledge, On  my honor...  

But the best  thing I could always count on was my mom, I always have and know I always will.  

In fact we continued the tradition with a little Girl Scout of my own. 

 Amazing how things have changed but so many things have stayed the same. 

 I have so enjoyed being her Girl Scout leader and working with such an amazing bunch of girls.  

The time sure does fly, just like this Brownie flying up.




My favorite GS memories now are working with the girls at camp, doing badges, making crafts and my favorite Girl Scout cookie season.  A great time to teach the girls about running a  business.  Our troop has been amazing and done so much with the money they have earned.  It is the best way to teach the girls the essential skills for leadership, success and life.   They learn goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics in a fun and positive environment. 



So when I heard I could have more fun with cookies, especially with Samoas I could not resist entering the GS cookie recipe contest.   Samoa cookies, Darigold products, baking, eating, girl scout fun, what else is there?  

My head was spinning with all the incredible desserts you could make with Samoas.   But as a child, I always remember hearing have your dinner first, then dessert. So.......  I brought cookies to the main course with this recipe.  I put together some of my favorite ingredients with our delicious Samoa cookies....

 Cut some chicken into strips, rolled them around in those amazing ingredients and flavors, then baked in the oven and  Chicken Samo'le was born.

The coconutty taste pairs with the chicken amazingly, the sweetness of the chocolate and carmel is complimented with the crunchy pecans to make a crisp coating, then the sweetness is spiced up with the perfect mol'e sauce to give the dish that kick to the taste buds as it hits your mouth.  

Now doesn't that look like something you want for dinner paired with a nice coconut infused rice, and some steamed broccolli or green beans.  It is a must this spring for dinner, so why not try out the recipe yourself.  I have a girl scout who would love to sell you a case, or I mean, box or two of Samoa's.  Enjoy.

Chicken Samo’le

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 6-8 servings

1 can coconut milk (13.5 -14 ounce)

¼ cup Darigold half and half

2/3 cup toasted sweetened coconut flakes (to toast bake at 325 for 5-10 minutes)

2/3 cup corn flakes crumbs

2/3 cup finely chopped pecans

2/3 cup chopped Samoa Girls Scout cookies (about 8-10 cookies)

1 ½- 2 pounds chicken breast or tenderloins, cut in 1-inch wide strips

1 tbsp Darigold unsalted butter melted (to coat baking sheet)

1 container prepared Mexican Mole sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Put coconut milk and half and half in a small bowl, stir and set aside. In a shallow bowl or pie plate, combine coconut, samoas, corn flakes and pecans.
3. Dip chicken strips in coconut milk to cover,  roll in Samoa mixture. Place strips on  buttered baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350, and bake 15 more minutes. Check that coating browns but does not burn and chicken is thoroughly cooked.
4. Remove from oven and drizzle stripes on chicken with mole sauce, enjoy.  Samo’le!!

Check out the Samoa cookie recipe contest, and more great information from Girls Scouts of Western Washington by clicking here:
https://www.girlscoutsww.org/cookies-and-more/HappyBirthdaySamoas/Pages/Girl-Scout-Cookie-Recipe-Contest.aspx

Time for some coloring

I forgot how relaxing it can be to do a bit of coloring.    I spent the day coloring and creating this card for our Legacy Makers swap with CTMH.  
It was so fun....  give it a try.

broad and fine tip

And with our ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers, it is so fun and easy.  They have a broad and a detail end for great versatility.

http://checkout.ctmh.com/retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=53 

Here is the finished product, what do you think?

Cookies Cookies need your Girl Scout Cookies?

Ahhh, Girl Scout cookie season, my favorite time of year. While I don't remember the cost of a box of cookies when I sold them years ago, the drive people have to hunt down a Girl Scout this time of year to get their "fix" is admirable.   But, alas, look no further I have a scout here ready to help.

Vicki has been working really hard towards her cookie goal this year.  She has a plan, she is hitting the neighborhood and asking local business now she has asked mom to help her reach her goals by asking all of you.  Vicki would really like to have 25% of her cookie sales go towards Operation Cookie Drop or for our food bank at school, St. Vincent de Paul.
Would you like to help a Girl Scout reach her goal?
#girlscoutcookies   #operationcookiedrop   #stvincentdepaulfoodbank

Check out her cookie store here, if you would like to place an order or make a donation:

https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/victoria9763/girlSiteDashboardPage

January CTMH layouts- SOTM trio intertwined

January kicked off our new round of girl time and scrapbooking.  I wanted to do something that incorporated our stamp of the months (SOTM), but was not the classic valentines layout.  Here is the sets that we featured January This Moment, February A Happy Hello, and March Choose Happy.  
(found here,  http://checkout.ctmh.com/ctmh/promotions/sotm/2015/1502-a-happy-hello.aspx)
Thanks to Delores Byrne, a fellow CTMH consultant for the layout basics inspiration.

Notice on this first layout, I distress all the edges and kept it sharp and crisp.

 

Then on this layout I decided to round the corners, no distressing and brought in a bit more of the love of a girl with her dog and family.  Not mushy valentines stuff, but classic loving memories.

The circles on each layout were done using the bullseye stamp set from January and I cut the rings separately apart to create a whole new look.  Love our new Heartstrings paper, what are you inspired to create?

Tastes of summer, in January?

Beautiful sunny days make me think of the warmth of summer.  Time to enjoy a wonderful spinach salad, with raspberry vinaigrette, home made glazed walnuts, strawberries, red onions, feta and avocado. YUM and pretty healthy too.  

Alaskan cruisin'

Have you ever taken an Alaskan cruise???   Well we did back in 2013 and it truly was an amazing adventure with some awesome friends.  Here we are at the Sawyer Glacier.  Another of my passion is travel. I might even do it again this year but head to Glacier Bay,  just us girls though, he he.  Here is a home decor piece I made recently to keep those memories alive.  I love taking photos and creating keepsakes for a lifetime.

Welcome to Reflections Remembered!!! 

I love to talk, share stories, ideas, artwork and recipes.  I enjoy taking pictures,  reflecting on past memories, and then sharing them with my family and friends.  I hope you enjoy the site, as I am having fun learning all it can do. Keep in mind it is going to be a learning experience for me and maybe for you too.  Let us learn and grow with each other and share Reflections Remembered together.