If you forget your coffee in the microwave...

This week has been one of those "I reheat my mug of coffee every hour and still forget to drink it" kind of weeks. Please tell me you do that too, the constant battle of trying to finish a cup of coffee before you get distracted? I finally gave up trying to finish my hot coffee, and switched over to iced coffee for the afternoon.  

We will see if that gets finished. 

One reason for my inability to focus on my caffeine needs is that there is currently no room on my desk for a cup of any kind. Which is perhaps better because there are currently almost two hundred wedding invites waiting to be assembled, and one wrong move could mean hours of work becoming coffee tinted. 

I've been taking breaks from staring at my computer screen to sit outside on our patio. In between planning out where my new seedlings will eventually call home, I have also been reading my recipe books from the library. I love my library. Seriously. I always have at least six different cookbooks, novels, gardening books, etc. checked out. Who needs to spend money? (besides the occasional late fee, haha)... 

Well I better get back to work.

I'm beyond excited for these wedding invites...final product to be shared soon. 

I usually find the surface of my desk about every other week. The upside? usually the messier it is the more work I am doing. 

currently reading for new recipes.

various herbs, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and garden peas waiting for summer...

P.S. Are you craving iced coffee now? I apologize, and to make amends here is the recipe on how to make it....Perfect Iced Coffee

Turkey Burgers on a Saturday

A Recipe post is long overdue here on the blog...

Just tried out this recipe yesterday and froze a few in preparation for the summer grilling season. They are delicious, and a healthier option when compared to most other burgers. At first I was hesitant to try making these...but I had substituted ground turkey in spaghetti and meatballs quite awhile ago, and both my husband and I loved them. Give it a try and you might be surprised how good they truly are.

Homemade Turkey Burgers

Ingredients: 

• 3 pounds ground turkey

• 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

• 1/4 cup finely diced onion

• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, seasoned bread crumbs, onion, egg whites, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 12 patties.
2. Grill the patties until the internal temperature is 180 degrees, or do like I did and just cut one in half to make sure it's cooked all the way through.
3. OR you could cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat.

P.S. The recipe cards shown above are now up at the shop :)

Coffee on a Sunday

Sundays always seem to be a day where my coffee cup is often being filled. This afternoon I sat down to work on some designs and my breaks consisted of  leaning back in my chair, legs pulled up to my chest, with both hands wrapped around my steaming mug. Mmmm.

Below you will find a few coffee inspired treasures (one of mine included). Click on the photos or title to be taken to the item's page.

Coffee Print (A Snail Mail Design)



Coffee Soap



Coffee Pencils



Coffee State Mugs


Coffee Photography

Why Barnes and Noble Stores have been ruined.

So I've been thinking. I tend to buy a lot of stuff online. Barnes and Noble stores have been ruined for me since I look at the prices knowing I can save quite a bit of money online. I talk myself out of my supposed "I need it right now", and wait and see how cheap I can get it online.

This brings me to the problem. I was house sitting for my parents last week and stopped by the small local bookshop in town. As I was browsing I began thinking about how nice it is that the small town I grew up in actually has its own book store. Then a feeling of guilt came over me because I knew that I personally would probably not buy a lot of books here because let's be honest...I can't afford to buy new books at a bookstore whenever I want. I tend to buy most of my books at the thrift store, online, or for my kindle (since they usually are cheaper as an ebook). I don't know if I can ever fully transfer over to only using my kindle since I love the smell, feel, etc. of physical books. Even the old musty ones. Okay I am getting off track.

In the end, I bought two books at this bookstore because I truly did want to support the small business (and I wanted to read the books). The kind and helpful woman at the bookstore may also have been an influence, because I had I hard time imagining myself walking out empty handed as she watched me. I'm such a people pleaser sometimes...

I bought the books, and felt satisfied about the personal interaction of buying a book from a person who cares about books. Am I crazy? Actually, don't answer that.

So what is the point of this rambling?

I feel like I need to counterbalance for all of the things that I continue to buy online through large companies (aka Amazon). What is my plan you ask? I've decided to try and buy all of my birthday gifts for friends, family etc. from small businesses through etsy for 2012. This will be easy for the females in my life, but will probably be harder/impossible when it comes to guys. I think this goal became more important to me since opening Snail Mail Designs, because I realized how great it feels when someone appreciates the time and effort put into something I worked to create. So there you have it. I will let you know how this new plan of mine plays out. Maybe I will post about all the gifts I purchase after giving them. (I don't want to ruin the surprise after all)

Thanks for listening to my rambling thoughts. This evening the husband and I are heating up some leftovers and cuddling up on the couch. Happy one day before the weekend!

-Britta

Giveaway from Snail Mail

Red with white bows. Silver and gold accents. Striped gift bags and polka dot wrapping paper...

The only thing more fun than giving or getting a present is giving or getting a pretty present! 

Do you have a Christmas wrapping "theme" this year? Snail Mail Designs would love to see and hear about 

it. Please post your photos and/or descriptions on our facebook page to be entered into a contest to win a 

set of 10 Triangle Tree Gift Tags to tuck away for next year's wrapping supply! 

Please make your submissions by Christmas (or earlier for those of you who are allowed to open before Christmas morning)!

Thanks for stopping by! Now I need to get back to wrapping a few last presents myself...

2012 Calendar

We just added this beautiful little desk calendar to our shop.

I couldn't wait to hang one of them on my desk area. Suddenly my to-do list seemed a little easier to tackle ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a wonderful beginning of the week!

Introducing...Snail Mail Designs

The secret is out.

My sister and I have opened up our own etsy shop that specializes in uniquely designed paper goods.

Right now in our shop you can find Christmas cards, gift tags, birthday cards, prints,  and thank you cards. In the weeks and months to come you will start seeing wedding invitations and many more cute things!

Here are a few samples of some of what you will find...

Check out our Etsy Shop: SnailMailDeisgnShop

Find us on Facebook and "like us" to keep updates on the wonderful additions coming to the shop.