Saturday, May 29, 2021

What's Cooking? ("Crafting" Up A Yummy Pork Roast)

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Hope your 3 day weekend is starting off well! I had a migraine today, but thankfully had this recipe planned that is super easy. I was able to get it in the oven, take some meds and sleep for a couple hours while it cooked. 

We love meat in my family, so when I saw a brewery on a local news station several years ago make this pork shoulder, I jotted down the recipe and have used it ever since. I am not a chef by any means, and don't even particularly enjoy cooking! I can follow a recipe, even a slightly difficult one, but I SO prefer ones like this!

I don't even have a real recipe name for this, but we eat it as pulled pork sandwiches usually. Buy a pork shoulder butt roast (about 5-6 lbs), and your favorite beer (usually about 40-48 oz). The favor and type of beer will make the roast taste different, so experiment. My hubby drinks IPAs, and ones that cost more than I want to cook with, so I usually just grab a 40 oz like in the photo, or a 6-pack of lager/pilsner and use about 4 bottles. You need enough beer to cover, or almost cover the roast, so keep that in mind.

Preheat the oven to 250 and place the rack in the lowest position.


Okay, so the ingredient list is all in the picture (except you will want BBQ sauce too - below)! As I mentioned above, grab a pork shoulder butt and some beer. First step is to add salt & pepper to the roast to taste. I have found you need to add more salt than you think to really impact the flavor. 



Next, heat the pan. Then grab about 1-2 TBSP of your preferred oil (I always use olive oil). Cook the roast a couple minutes per side to hard sear the roast, and lock in the moisture. I do this step in a large pot that is oven safe, so it is a one pot meal.


Once it is browned/seared on each side, turn off the flame and cover the roast with beer. You want enough beer to cover, or nearly cover the entire roast. I usually add a bit of water if the beer wasn't quite large enough.


Cover the pot with foil and a lid. The original brewery cook actually used plastic wrap over the foil since his pan didn't have a lid. I made it like that several times, put the plastic wrap would just kind of melt into a ball and end up on the rack under the pot, so I started just using the lid to press down gently and sort of seal the foil. (below)

That is really the hardest part. Place the whole pot in the preheated oven for 6 hours. 
Now is a great time for a nap!!

When the roast is done cooking, remove from the oven and carefully remove the foil. The steam will be hot! Remove the roast from the beer, and place it in a pan or on a platter to tear it about.


When the pot come out of the oven, the meat will fall apart as you try to get it out. It is SO tender and delicious!

Just use a couple of forks to shred it, or just sort of "mash" it with the tongs, because it will fall apart very easily. I hate fat, so I spend a little too long being picky as I shred. Add as much BBQ sauce as you like (or none at all), any brand is fine. We usually change it up. I don't like much sauce, so I leave the bottle on the table for my husband to make his sandwich more saucey. 😉


We had it on a toasted whole wheat bun with a side of onion rings tonight, and there is always leftovers too. 

Dinner is served! BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches for tonight and tomorrow. YUM!

Have a great weekend!

Until Next Time

~Shari


Thursday, May 27, 2021

Dimensional Cards

 I won a package of dimensional folding cards about a year ago (eek, I know that is horrible that I haven't used them until now!) They are so old now, that they no longer make the set I won from Die'sires. 

I have been working on rebuilding my stock of finished cards, after the long and difficult year we all had.


Male Birthday Cards

Do you have trouble find masculine card designs? Not sure why I struggle so much, but usually I feel like they are never quite "manly" enough! 


Anniversary Cards


Sympathy Cards


Thank You Cards




I was still trying to use up some paper scraps, like in my last post. I am thinking it is time to recycle all the smallest pieces, and start over collecting new scraps. What are your thoughts on keep scrap pieces?

Until Next Time
~Shari




Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Scrap-A-Holic!

 If you have been doing any craft: paper crafting, sewing, or any other art form, you likely have a LOT of scraps and miscellaneous that you keep in case you need it one day. I have more than I should, I am sure! So when I sat down every afternoon last week, my goal was to stock up on some cards and use up some of my scrap pieces of paper. How small is too small to keep? I am embarrassed to admit I have some as small as 1" square or 1/2 wide strip a few inches long. You just neve know when they will come in handy, am I right!??




Just a small glimpse of some scraps in my box!


The first two cards I made were get well cards. I used a die cut flower set and similar stamp set to create two different but similar cards. Also, I made one card open sideways, because I have a lot of white cardstock in narrow widths, and decided to make a card a little differently.

Die and Stamp Set used 2 ways


I tried finding scraps of plain color and cardstock to match some inks.


Next up, I decide to use some scraps to make a card where I could practice my coloring skills. I do not do much coloring with my markers, since I get intimidated when I see the "professionals" finished projects. I know practice is the best way to learn and get better, so I need to keep trying.


Since I am just starting to ventured into markers, I only have a few of each brand. I try to buy a set when I find colors on clearance, so I have a random hodge-podge of colors, sizes and brands. To be honest, I can't wait to be able to stock up on Copics! They work like butter on paper (is that a thing? haha) The Prismacolor markers aren't bad, and were definitely a good starter brand. I do think that more expensive markers make you better because they work well.

4 cards and colors with the same design.

That's is all I have to share today! Would love to hear you marker tips and tricks, thoughts and see your projects, so leave a comment!


Until Nest Time

~Shari

Friday, May 21, 2021

Recycling Card Embellishments

 Hello! I'm here today with some birthday cards I made using a lot of repurposed items. I have become quite a hoarder! I keep buttons, lace, trim, or anything I can salvage from all articles of clothing and packaging, before throwing anything away.

I love things that look old or vintage. I have old book pages, crocheted trim I stashed away off an old shirt, and some cardstock I soaked with tea bags.

After sewing masks for many months, I have had the itch to sew more. I made a couple quilts, and now I am sewing on cards too! I also dug out my watercolor pencils and stamps some flowers on the card.


What are you working on today?




Until Next Time 
~Shari