Welcome to the "new" Country Chatter
 

It is time for another issue of Country Chatter, I hope everyone enjoyed the July issue.  It is monsoon season out here, which means we have a chance of rain every night plus dust storms and winds.  We had a couple storms the middle of the month, which blessed us with 2 1/2 inches of rain.  I know that does not sound like a LOT of rain but........ we only get 7 inches for the whole year out here.  The grass is growing in the front yard and all the plants in the back yard are doing wonderful, whenever is rains the Texas Sage blooms and blooms these wonderful purple flowers and of course, the weeds are here, too.

Claudia and I ventured out in between storms for the Christmas in July, I looked like a shaggy dog, hair went straight and was looking at everything thru my hair.  But it was wonderful to see everyone in the stores again, and of course we had to check out all our favorite shops and spend some money to help the economy.  We had lunch at one of the last tea rooms and had a wonderful lunch, I invited a lady to have lunch with us, and what a wonderful surprise - she is an editor for a newspaper out in Sun City.  Downtown Glendale and Catlin Court are changing so much, a lot of the shops have closed, changed owners, and new ones are moving in.  When it cools down, I will be featuring one or two of the shops in the newsletter.  I know that it is going to cool down, football has started!!!!!  Claudia does not like sports, she goes when I force her to go to a game, but when the first pre-season game is on, I call her and ask her to change the channel and then you hear this yell, she knows Fall is coming.  Go Bears!!!!!!!  If you are in the Phoenix area and see a brown Chevy Blazer with Chicago Bears stickers all over it, that's me.

Claudia and I have been friends now for about 17 or 18 years.  We met when I was doing Christmas Around the World and she had a party for me.  We are so different but....... so much the same, we bring out the best in each other and besides we both like to shop, explore, yard sale and so much more.
I have gotten back in touch with three of my friends from high school, two back in Chicago, Judy and Valerie and one out here in Phoenix, Morlene.  They knew me when I was wild and crazy and the wonderful thing is that they still like and love me.

If Ever You Need Me

If you ever need me,
I'll be right here.
To chase away the sadness
And wipe away the tears.
If you ever need me,
I'll be two steps behind
To follow in your footsteps,
And hear what's on your mind.
If ever you need me,
You'll never have to fear,
That your presence isn't important,
And your love isn't dear.
If ever you need me,
I'll always be around,
To bring back the laughter,
Where deep in your heart it's found.
You'll never have to worry,
For I'll always be here.
To chase away the sadness
and wipe away a tear.
By Becky Williams
 

Activities Around the Valley

This is for my friends who need a little reminder about what is going on around my part of the world.
Well, the heat has hit the Valley and this is the time of the year, when everyone heads up north
to the "High Country" or over to San Diego to "cool" off and only the brave ones go
out in the heat but the nights are soooooo nice.
Time to take a class or two at the Park District or your local craft shop

Downtown Glendale and Catlin Court are still open during the summer with new shops and restaurants, be
sure and stop in and say hello.

Crafter's Corner

Calico Kitten Designs will be having their "Grand Re-Opening" in September.  Calico Kitten Designs would
like to welcome Claudia's Floral Designs to the Craft Shops.  Please check out her beautiful floral creations.

If you are in the Phoenix area and are interested in any shows, please get in touch with the kittens at
admin@calicokittendesigns.com and they will be more than happy to send you a list of shows.

I would still like to start a Quilting Club for quilters or anyone who would like to give it a try.  I have one person who has joined the group, along with me so we are looking for more wonderful people to join us.  I am looking for classes for quilting here.
I want to start a mailing list of people who would be interested in doing this.  Each month, you will send to one person on the list, four 5 inch squares of fabric of one theme.   We will do this for 3 months with one theme and then choose another theme for the next 3 months.  At the end of the three months, please design something with your fabric and send me a photo and I will put it in the newsletter with your name and website.  If you are interested in doing this, please email the staff at Admin@calicokittendesigns.com and please put quilts in the message line.

Bear is in charge of link exchanges and was wondering if anyone would like to exchange links with Calico Kitten Designs.
You can get in touch with him at admin@calicokittendesigns.com and he will be more than happy to sent you ours. One small note from Bandit, if you have any EXTRA Pringles (the original favor) he will make sure that you on the front page of the links.

Recipes

Each and every month, there will be a special section for them. 
This month we are featuring some dishes for that hot August dog days.

If you would like to have yours in
the next issue of Country Chatter, please email Bandit at admin@calicokittendesigns.com
and he just loves samples.

Slow Cooker Barbeque

1 (3 pound) boneless chuck roast
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce

Place roast into slow cooker.  Sprinkle with garlic powder (we put in garlic cloves) and onion powder, and
season with salt and pepper.  Pour barbeque sauce over meat.  Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove meat from slow cooker, shred and return to slow cooker.  Cook for 1 more hour.
Serve hot.
 

BBQ Beef Fajitas
 

1 Tbsp. oil
1 lb. beef sirloin steak, cut into strips
1 red pepper, cut into strips
1 green pepper, cut into strips
1 onion, halved, sliced
1/2 cup original barbeque sauce
8 flour tortillas

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Add meat; cook and stir 3 minutes.  Add peppers
and onions; cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until meat is cooked through and vegetables are crisp-tender,
stirring frequently.
Add barbeque sauce, mix well.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Cook until heated through, stirring
occasionally.  Spoon evenly into tortillas, roll up.

Well, I hope that you have made it down to this little part, I love talking about
Arizona, sharing this state with everyone.  I want to share a part of my world
with everyone and doing this newsletter is my way of thanking
everyone for being a friend.  Say a prayer for our Armed Forces and pray that
they will be home soon.  Tigger and Katie want to say hello, they have been real good tonight, found out the secret to get them to keep happy, give them treats. Tigger is so excited that football season is starting again, he loves football, yells all the time and seems to know what is going on with the game.

Count your blessings, hug your family and friends,
thanks for being a part of Country Chatter
And just remember Fall is coming !!!

Hugs,
Cindy and the Kittens

Country Chatter
Cindy Kingren
623-210-3511
(after 4 - Pacific time)
dacarebear@yahoo.com or
admin@calicokittendesigns.com