Peanut power ahead on show

Information on the creativity vortex, the power of the peanut, and making a velvet stamped photo book will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday (all times Mountain).

Writing coach and author, Annalisa Parent is going to explain how timing is key to finishing a long-term creativity project, such as a novel, and getting the book published. Parent’s book is titled “Storytelling for Pantsers,” and she helps non-outliners work through the writing and revision process with ease. Her company is Date with the Muse and she lives in Colchester, Vermont.

Shelly Nutt is the Executive Director for the Texas Peanut Producers Board, and she’s going to talk about the “power of the peanut.” She emphasizes how important it is to pack protein rich plant-based nutrients into our diets, especially when you’re exercising and working out hard. Nutt lives in Lubbock.

Lisa Rojas is a mixed media artist and designer, and she’s going to show how to make a beautiful velvet stamped photo book. Who knew you could stamp on elegant fabric such as velvet? Her company is Stampin’ Queen Creations and she’s the co-founder of Bella Crafts on-line magazine and lives in Victorville, California.

Information on tinting fabric with crayons, oven drying tomatoes, and making Vintage paper crafts will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Evelyn Terhune is the former owner of Ozark Crafts, and she will demonstrate fabric tinting with crayons, which is a great technique that even younger children will enjoy as much as the older ones will. Terhune lived in Gilbert, Arizona.

Cookbook author and dietitian, Carol Fenster will show several ways to preserve tomatoes to prolong their taste and good nutrition. Tomatoes are an important part of a healthy diet, whether it’s a Paleo diet, Mediterranean diet or many other diets. Her company is Savory Palate, Inc. in Centennial, Colorado.

Extension Home Economist, Shannon Wooton will demonstrate making some Vintage paper crafts, including paper wheels, pom pom wreaths, subway art and more. She’s with the NM Cooperative Extension Service and lives in Roswell.

Steps to drying tomatoes

You can use grape, cherry or plum tomatoes. Wash and pat dry with paper towels and remove stems and leaves. Cut in thin slices, toss with just enough olive oil to coat (optional), and arrange on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, if desired. Dry at 180° F. – 200° F. in conventional oven or 180° F. in convection oven. Watch carefully to avoid burning. If using a food dehydrator, follow manufacturer’s directions. When dry and shriveled, cool thoroughly on the baking sheet. Then refrigerate in clearly-labeled plastic bags for up to a month or freeze for up to 3 months. Dried tomatoes can be used as is, as a snack or in salads, soups, stews, casseroles, and sauces. They can also be soaked in hot water to reconstitute them before use.

“Creative Living” is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations. Contact her at:

[email protected]