A Letter to my State Representatives

I sent this letter to the pertinent people yesterday in hopes I will be heard. It's not often I speak out so boldly, but this really got under my skin.

Dear Representative/Senator

It is with immense concern that I write you. As a parent, a community member, a homeowner and a school board member, I urge you to seriously consider the ramifications of HB1886. I have equal concern over Governor Quinn’s consolidation proposal. Not only are these proposals ill conceived, they are unprecedented. Elementary and secondary education should be our highest priority. To leave such decisions to politicians and committeemen with no formal education training is absurd and dare I say, reckless.
To allow for no input from local districts, educators and citizens perpetuates the “behind closed doors” dirty politics for which our state is famous, as well as send a message to every person in the State of Illinois that those proposing this bill know in their hearts just how wrong it is.
I am a firm believer in standing up for your beliefs and that the right decision is very often not the easy one. If you truly believe your vision is best, you can withstand the ridicule of your opposition because in your heart you know you are doing the right thing. However, acting behind closed doors, stacking the deck with small, inept committees quickly pushing through serious issues shows the complete opposite. By sending this bill to a “committee of counties and townships” versus the education committee, you are doing just this. By avoiding careful consideration of studies such as “Consolidation of Schools and Districts: What the Research Says and What It Means” you are not making good, educated, informed decisions in the best interest of the whole. Instead, you are solving a long term problem with short term thinking and the cost of such short sightedness leaves the state’s budget woes to pale by comparison.

Please, I urge you to consider just a few of the ramifications of these actions.

o Consolidation should be intended to facilitate educational improvement rather than enrollment or geographical location
o Reorganization and consolidation should be initiated by local citizens and determined by a vote of the citizens
o Local citizens, school boards and the school district must have the authority to make decisions affecting the educational well-being of their community members.
o School district organization should reflect the community’s interest and values and not be dictated arbitrarily by the State
o Adjusting school districts by using the census could change school district boundaries every 10 years and vast increases in transportation costs related to these changes.

Equally, HB1886 serves no purpose but to give an arbitrary state run committee the power to force these and other ill conceived plans. I urge you to consider students, children, future leaders, our largest assets and the immense responsibility we have to them in every step of your decision making. “Students” should be the prevailing thought in every consideration, not money, debt or your political ambitions.

Please, do not let these ideas move forward in this way.

Sincerely,



Karen Johnson

Open House March 5th, 2011

It's one of the first signs that spring is in the air and fast approaching. My annual Studio Open House. This is a great opportunity to have "first dibs" on new items and see the fresh new designs I have created over my winter hibernation.

Over the years, this has become a fun, comfortable, laid back event. In truth, maybe just a good excuse to write off the cost of a case of wine, (haha) we do tend to put a good dent in one. Nevertheless, there will be tasty snacks and treats, wine and soft drinks, fresh new jewelry creations as well as old favorites.

Be sure to stop by, and bring a firend or two. Better yet, mention you saw my blog and you'll receive a free gift.

**I know better than to publish TMI on the very public internet. If you are in the area and interested, please contact(convo) me for the nitty gritty.

Happy Birthday My Friend!

I've had an old friend in the back of my mind all week, especially through all the snow. You see, he loved the snow and would have relished in a blizzard of Epic proportions falling on Chicago. As we all grumbled and mumbled about the inconvenience, the closed schools and businesses, the shoveling and the emptying store shelves, my friend Brian would have been relishing in a state of perma-grin. Wonder in his eyes and excitement in his heart as he blazed a trail through the snow.


Yes, I said would have. We lost our friend 18 months ago to the ruthless disease of Cystic Fibrosis at the tender age of 18. You may remember me writing about it then. Well, today is his birthday, and what a day it is. Superbowl Sunday, with his most favorite Green Bay Packers playing in the big game. Two feet of snow on the ground and more fresh stuff falling as I write. What a perfect day he would have thought it to be. Somehow, I know he smiles and roars with that infectious laugh of his as he watches over us today.

So, Brian, my friend, I thank you for continuing to touch my life. I will never look a snow the same way again. I can't promise anything on the Packers, but for the first time in my life, I can smile just a little inside if they win, knowing how happy it would make you.
Happy Birthday!

Virgin Baking (My First Recipe Creation)

Yes, it was my first time. And yes, it was fantastic. I'll admit I was nervous. A little tense and surely overthought it, but it was well worth it. Delicate, sensual, creamy, sweet with just a zing of tartness. What more could a girl ask for her first time out?
Granted, I lost my virginity in the kitchen ages ago. Cooking is always a new and exciting adventure with variety being the spice of life. Don't be asking for a repeat performance from this gal. It's rare you get the same thing twice, even when I try, but baking is a different story. It's an exact science. There's a rule book and the price for not following it can reward you with morning after regrets.

I am here to testify that my first time was legendary. Fireworks, sparklers, rock my world, lick your lips fantastic. So much so, I will definitely be replicating this experience in the near future. Don't beieve me, give this move a try for yourself.





Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Crème Frosting

• 1 cup butter ,softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4eggs
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon zest, juicel and vanilla; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream (batter will be thick). Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups ¾ full of batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Raspberry Buttercream Frosting:
• 1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons raspberry extract
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the butter until creamed. Add the powdered sugar and extract. Mmix until the ingredients are evenly incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Pork Carnitas

A favorite of mine and I love this recipe from many, many years ago on the Frugal Gourmet. Easy Peasy and taste great.

Another Recipe Share

This one for my friend Seb. These are both winners. hearty, rich and more than satisfying, yet not difficult to make at all.

Butternut Squash and Apples

This one's for my friend Fern. I got her all jazzed up about the raisins, only to see they are not in the recipe. I do strongly beieve that I added some sweet, plump raisins to the mix though. It's been awhile, but this is a Thanksgiving fave. enjoy!


Butternut Squash and Apples


2 # butternut or buttercup squash
½ C brown sugar
¼ C margarine; melted
1 T flour
1 t salt
½ t mace (can use cinnamon or nutmeg)
2 baking apples; core, peel and slice

Preheat oven to 350°. Halve, seed and skin squash, slice in ½” slices. Stir together remaining ingredients, except apples.
Arrange squash in ungreased baking dish, cover with apples and pour sugar/spice mixture on top.
Cover and bake 1 hour.