Using some bounty!

  Have not been doing much of anything in the sewing room.  Just spending some time outside and enjoying the weather and garden.
  Neighbor Farmer Steve left some bounty on the front porch....early cucumbers.  And I turned them into lunch  yesterday.....Cucumber Bacon Sandwiches.
  Easy to make....and make up as you go along.  Light and crunchy for lunch on the patio.

Recipe:
  Combine for the spread:
  3 Tbs softened cream cheese
  2 tsp of Ranch Dip Mix
   (  I buy my Ranch Dip Mix in bulk at  Hochstetler's Country Store because I use it in everything)

  Slice cucumber thin and place on paper towel to drain moisture.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper....lightly.  Meanwhile  fry up bacon until crisp.  I cut bacon slice in half before cooking as I was using small croissants for the sandwiches.

  Slice croissants in half and spread both halves with the cream cheese spread.  Layer on 3-4 slices of cucumbers and top with bacon.
  Next time I want to try adding some spinach and see what Sir Old Man thinks.  Or maybe I will just make a nice tossed salad combo using the rest.  Summer's best, I think.


 
   Lots of things in bloom right now.    After some heavy rain, I found these stems bent over and almost broken.  Old fashion gladiolas make a simple and colorful bouquet.   Later that afternoon, I noticed they matched the runner on the cabinet!
  Daylilies are in full bloom  and the daisies and coneflowers are awake too.  So it has been great to enjoy them.
  Sir Old Man is extending the sun shade canopy---from 10 foot to 16 foot---this week over the patio/deck as the new sail was delivered.   It should open up our space a bit.

 


As for sewing....a small bit not much.  I haven't been very inspired.  I found a big stack of batiks matched up along with a print out from a magazine from years back.  My batik pairs are not all exact matches, random leftovers, and gifted fabrics.  But that is fine by me, I probably won't follow the pattern layout exactly either.  So with the heat settling in, I hopefully will get motivated to see how it works. 
  I ran out of fusible interfacing for the watercolor projects.....oh, horrors.  That stuff is scarce as hen's teeth.  I finally broke down and ordered some gridded interfacing which arrived this week.  So maybe another floral project in the future. 
  Like everyone else, I am ready for life to return as it was.....but know it isn't happening soon.  Fair warning to all.....before the next major event/pandemic/apocalypse  buy fabric, thread, interfacing and toilet paper!  Stay safe and sew on. 

Apple Bread recipe

Be forewarned, it takes a while to put together and an hour or so to bake (depending on the size pan you use).    The original recipe I found is from 1982 Southern Living cookbook.....Fresh Apple Loaf----we just call it Apple Bread!

4 cups peeled, grated apples

1/2 cup raisins---optional

1 cup sugar

1 cup of brown sugar

•  Peel apples.......I like Red Rome apples.  Once peeled, I give them a dunk in a  lemon  and water bath----about 4 C water with 2-3 tablespoons of lemon  juice until ready to grate.  It keeps them from turning brown.  Drain before grating.
• Grate the apples.   I use a large food processor to speed up the process and save  my fingers. 
• Place grated apples, raisins, and sugar in large bowl.  Stir and allow to sit about an hour for the juices to run.

3 C of all purpose flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

• Sift all dry ingredients together.

2 eggs

1 cup butter.....2 sticks, melted

2 teaspoon vanilla

•   Once the juices have run from the grated apples, add the dry ingredients.  Mix well.  
• Add vanilla, butter and eggs.  Mix well.

Grease 2 loaf pans----9'' by 5''.   Spoon the batter into the pan and bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

  

If I make smaller size loaves, I  check to see if done at 45 minutes for the mini loaf pans, and at 1 hour for the mid-size loaf pan.   I use a long wooden skewer to check to see if done....as this recipe is dense and moist. 
   These loaves freeze well.  I wrap them in fold and then bag in ziplock type bag.  Perfect served warmed and for breakfast or snack.
Enjoy!

From the oven

    I love  to experiment and make recipes  into my own version.  It must be my  background  in biology and chemistry.   I was a Medical Technologist in my earlier life......think laboratory tests and blood  and that was me.

   I found a recipe a few weeks ago for Pumpkin  Cream Cheese Muffins .....here for the original link from Pinterest.    I had a partial can of pumpkin in the freezer, and some left over sweet potatoes, and cream cheese is always around.   It was time for seeing how it would come together.


Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Loaf

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (pure pumpkin puree)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375°F.   Spray loaf pan with non-stick spray.  I used  2  loaf pans  9'' x 5'' pan.   Original recipe uses muffin tin...see link for those details. 

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, sugar and brown sugar.

Beat in eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture, until there are no lumps.   Spoon about 1/2  of the mixture into the 2  loaf pans.  

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add in sugar, egg and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.

Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter.  Spoon the remaining batter over the cream cheese mixture.  Use a knife to swirl thru the layers to blend into a swirl.   

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  My original batch was a mix of pumpkin puree and mashed sweet potatoes.   That minor adaptation  turned out great.  The extra loaf went into the freezer for later.   And wouldn't you know the photo did not turn out and now the pumpkin loaf is gone.....lol.   You will have to trust me, it was good.  

  Now I want to try homemade pizza dough....I'll share that one too.  

Friday Finds.....October style

From Pat Sloan

   Pumpkins are on the vine, and all over the place right now.  

Pat Sloan is offering this cute block pattern...she made her's white.  The post is here for this Splendid Sampler block.    My idea for it was as a mug rug, or on the ends of a table topper/runner.  It is simple enough to enlarge the pattern and mix up beautiful fall colors.

 This is a Kim Diehl pattern from book published by Martingale, Top Your Table.    The book is on sale right now :)

  You can't go wrong with her designs or patterns, and the colors are always so special.  

From Hill Country Quilter

   This tip was stolen/borrowed from  special blogging friend,  from Mary at Hill Country Quilter.

  Mary shared her tip to keep quilts from falling off the edge of the table and causing drag......dreaded drag that weights down your stitching movement.  She uses a sit down machine like I do, but with a set of bookends (from the thrift store) attached via large binder clips to the table edge.  Brilliant!!!  

I am sure I have a set of those bookends somewhere.
  Be sure to read the whole post.....if you need a needle threader.  I hit the grocery store and found the GUM product for threading dental floss.....it works great as a needle threader.  With my vision changing, I need help to thread the Featherweight.  The floss threaders work perfectly.  Thanks Mary for these ideas. 

One more pumpkin pin.......a sweet treat/recipe for the season.  Pumpkin pecan cobbler sounds yummy and looks so good.  I am glad I picked up pumpkin puree at the store this week because this is on my to do list for the weekend.    This recipe is what my mother used to call  a pudding cake.

Find this recipe at  Lauren's latest.

  As always, please pin from the original source.
Cooler weather this weekend.....finally.  Happy stitching.

Friday Finds...recipes

   Just to tempt your taste buds, I thought I would switch things up a bit.  Quilters have to eat, too.

 

Amish Cinnamon Bread from Redfly....recipe here.   I have made this one several times and it is good!  I cut the recipe in half when I am in a hurry/ or short on ingredients.    Otherwise, the second loaf freezes well once cooled.  

From Mennonite Girls Can Cook

  I love the recipes I find at Mennonite Girls Can Cook.....here is one for a stuffed pork loin.  I plan on trying this soon---maybe without the sauce, as I picked up a pork loin on sale this week.

Be sure to check out their recipe index while there.....so many things.   If you make cinnamon buns, they have an excellent recipe.  So good!

I mentioned I made apple bread last week and the house smelled wonderful.  I forgot to take photos before putting/ hiding them in the freezer.  Sir Old Man can devour a whole loaf in a day!   But I thought I would share the recipe.  Be forewarned, it takes a while to put together and an hour or so to bake (depending on the size pan you use).    The original recipe I found is from 1982 Southern Living cookbook.....Fresh Apples Loaf----we just call it Apple Bread!

4 cups peeled, grated apples

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup sugar

1 cup of brown sugar

•  Peel apples.......I like Red Rome apples.  Once peeled, I give them a dunk in a  lemon  and water bath----about 4 C water with 2-3 tablespoons of lemon  juice until ready to grate.  It keeps them from turning brown.
• Grate the apples.   I use a large food processor to speed up the process and save  my fingers. 
• Place grated apples, raisins, and sugar in large bowl.  Stir and allow to sit about an hour for the juices to run.

3 C of all purpose flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

• Sift all dry ingredients together.

2 eggs

1 cup butter.....2 sticks, melted

2 teaspoon vanilla

•   Once the juices have run from the grated apples, add the dry ingredients.  Mix well.  
• Add vanilla, butter and eggs.  Mix well.

Grease 2 loaf pans----9'' by 5''.   Spoon the batter into the pan and bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

  

If I make smaller size loaves, I  check to see if done at 45 minutes for the mini loaf pans, and at 1 hour for the mid-size loaf pan.   I use a long wooden skewer to check to see if done....as this recipe is dense and moist.  I like Red Rome apples, and I use a food processor for the grating to speed up the process.

As always, please visit the sites for pinning.

   It's errand day and my list is calling.  I added "candy" to the list, just in case a couple of costumed goblins show up.   If not, the resident mischief maker will have some sweets to snack on.  She loves candy corn  :)
Happy stitching.

Be good to your foot controller

  So here is the saga....My machine--Janome 6600--began to act up a couple of weeks ago by doing  a "speed up and then slow down" dance.  I took it in for service, and of course, it behaved perfectly normal for them that week.  Back home again and all seemed well...for a day or two.
    Then she added some more moves to the dance by actually stopping in mid-seam and beeping at me.  The final straw was when she began to stitch by herself while I was at the ironing board.  Enough of that and I unplugged the foot controller, which meant I had to sew with the stop/start button.  I managed to get the binding on that I was doing that way, and was now convinced it was the foot controller that was my problem.  Luckily, she is still under warranty, so my dealer exchanged the pedal for me.
   A little added research explains that a foot pedal/controller can be prone to those hated lint / fuzz / fiber / fur bits that are found in our sewing areas.  Add to the fact that my pedal was on carpet, and you introduce static electricity into this mix.  And yes, sometimes those  fuzz balls can be sucked into the foot controller and lodge or take up residence there.  They are known to reduce the sensor and contact ability that govern your speed and ability to stop/start sewing.
    Note: It depends on your machine and model, but my foot controller could not be taken apart by Sir Old Man without damage.  So being the great guy he is, he is working on a prototype pedal station for me to get it off the carpet.  And as much as I would prefer to sew until the room is empty of fabric (Dana's cute comment),  I will need to clean more often, paying attention to the floor and  pedal area.

   And on a happier note......This morning I fixed the Dutch Baby recipe that  Barbara at Cat Patches shared a while back.  I used all blueberries and it turned out so good.  Perfect for a cold winter morning.  This is a keeper recipe for sure.  Thanks.

There is Show and tell of  Winter Landscape Quilts at Quilting Gallery  going on through Monday.  Be sure to check them out.

Project Quilting in review at Persimon Dreams blog  is going on.  The next challenge goes out on Sunday.  And Kim asked that we spread the word about the extra challenge-- Bonus Challenge and bundle --- that is available at the Fat Quarter Shop.  If the weekly scheduled challenge doesn't work for you, consider the Bonus Challenge, as it is on going until May.

And a little tease to remind you of the Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop  that will happen Feb. 11 -15.  It is going to be fun!

Happy stitching.   

Wonders of Color

   Yes, I did find a light bulb for the Featherweight, and got the last few rows of stitching completed.  So the Wonders of Color is pressed and awaits quilting.

    I tried to photograph outside for natural light.....to see if that helped.  This one turned out  34" by 44"....a really nice  large size for a wall hanging.  I added about 200 squares to the original 200 I got from Wanda  at Exuberant Color.    Working with this much concentration of color was a different experience for me, but I really had fun twisting and shifting the squares around.  And I was really surprised how many different fabrics I had to use and  from which to select for this.   To border or not to border.....I will be thinking on that one.
    And I have almost finished up the quilting on the fall wall hanging with the great pumpkins....soon.
    I will be cleaning up the sewing room, as my brother is bringing Remy up for a few days.  Creative time will be limited this weekend.  And tomorrow is Banana Pudding making day.   When Dan called he said that Remy wanted one, but I am not fooled.  I know exactly who wants the all time favorite dessert.  ;o)

Update:  Here's a link to the recipe for the Original Banana Pudding  .  It's the back of the box recipe that my Mom always used.  The custard is from scratch, as she used to say, and that is what makes it so good.
   Happy stitching.
 
 
   

Quilter's Pie

High heat calls for a cool, creamy dessert.....
Mocha Cheese Pie, I'm calling this one  Quilter's Pie.
    1 graham cracker crumb crust---ready made makes it easy
    8 ounces of cream cheese---softened
    3/4 C powdered sugar
    1 Tablespoon instant coffee plus 1 1/2  Tablespoon of hot water
    1/2 jar of chocolate sauce (or ice cream topping, I used Hot Fudge Sauce)---calls for 1 C in recipe
    2 Cups of Cool Whip---whipped cream is better, but more calories
Cream  the cream cheese in bowl with mixer until smooth and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and mix till blended.
Combine the instant coffee and hot water. Leave it out if you don't like coffee and use vanilla instead.  Add to the chocolate sauce.  Mix till smooth.
 Add 1/2 of  chocolate mixture to the cream cheese and blend.
Add Cool whip and blend.
Place about one half of mixture into the crust.
 Pour the remaining chocolate mixture over the bottom layer of cream cheese mixture.  Then top with the remaining portion of the cream cheese mixture.
 I added some shaved Hersey's candy bar to the top.  Refrigerate till set.    Excellent!

Tip:   Another type of Quilter's Pie----the math kind, the confusing kind, the don't mess with my brain kind.  I should have learned this in high school, or college, but it never made sense until a few years ago.  I think that's because I had a reason to apply the principle when quilting and remember it.  So, here's a quick tip to help when you are planning a quilt layout with blocks set on point.  I thought it was good enough to share.
 From an article by Robin Strobel that I received from Martingale Publishing.  

".......there are a couple numbers of which I am fond.   My favorite number is 1.414.

That’s because 1.414 is the number they never told me about in that long-ago and best-forgotten geometry class. ...... I’ve since discovered that 1.414 is a quilter’s magic number.   It is how you know the width of a block if you set it on point.   It is how you know the size to cut setting triangles for on-point quilt patterns.   It is how much longer the diagonal of a square is than the sides.

  You can also use the magic of 1.414 to find out how to calculate setting triangles for your on-point blocks.   (Yes, there is a setting-triangles formula!)   Quilters usually make corner-setting triangles from half-square triangles, and side-setting triangles from quarter-square triangles. (This keeps the fabric’s straight of grain on the outside edges of the quilt and makes it less likely the edges will stretch and ripple.)   As always, make all your calculations using the finished measurements and then go back and add the seam allowances.   This is because the amount you add for seam allowances depends on the shape you are cutting.   Add 1/2″ for squares and rectangles, 7/8″ for a square from which you cut two half-square triangles,  and 1 1/4″ for a square from which you cut four quarter-square triangles."

    Deana  came up with a very neat knitting  project bag design.  I think it would be a great quilter accessory bag too.   I love the way she put the zipper on the outside for the pocket.  Too cute.  


  More mystery game hints or clues tomorrow.
Happy stitching.

Do you like Pina Coladas?

     You know those fruity drinks with the little umbrellas that remind you of the tropical islands.  Pina Coladas are the one drink I do like.  Anyway,   Cheree at Morning Latte  shared a recipe for  Pina Colada Zucchini Bread  a while back.  I thought it sounded good and stored it away for the future.   When Sir Old Man picked up a bag of aging bananas at the store this week....very aging and very cheap, I knew what I could do with about half of the bag.    So I sort of blended my favorite banana bread recipe with Cheree's recipe and came up with Pina Colada Banana Bread.

   The changes I made were few.  8 mashed bananas for the zucchini, reduced sugar to 2 Cups, 1 C shortening for the oil.  The pineapple is a great addition to the bananas.  I ended up with 2  regular loaves and 3 mini loaves from this recipe.  This  is a keeper---and will be great to share with others.    
    Thanks, Cheree, for the inspiration from your garden.   I wish you could smell and taste this one.....so good.    

Holiday tradition

  Update on Get Your Mrs. Claus On:  An email from Richard "the Elf"..... The first delivery of doll beds and cradles went to St. Anthony School.  "The sight of all the blankets bowled her over. She was most appreciative. Thank you again on behalf of the kids."    A few more quilts arrived......and I got 6 more finished up.  I will get photos of the latest group this weekend.  Thank you again, to all the Mrs. Clauses.

 It's going to be quiet Thanksgiving here--no cooking! no leftovers, yay!... so I thought I would get a jump on the December preparations.
  There are always one or two things that bring back memories of past holiday seasons.  For me it is when I pull down---or rather ask Sir Old Man to get down ---my Mom's old dish pan.   It's an old enameled oval one with dings and dents, white with black trim, and the size of a turkey roaster.  It's just the size for a triple batch of a family tradition.....Chex Mix!  And you thought I was going to say cookies.

  This pan has been filled with cookie dough, snapped green beans for canning, strawberries we picked  for jam, and so on.  It resides on the top of a kitchen cabinet now.   But once again, this year is brings forth the memories it holds.

My mom used to make batches of her Chex Mix and give it to the neighbors, the mail man--he would wait each year for his bag--and then bring up  huge gallon size jars  filled for the family to devour over Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

  One year I made my mix and used Emeril's Bam seasoning and got it toooooo spicy.  I have since learned that  too much Bam is not a good thing. 
And last year, Remy was introduced to this snack.  He quickly figured out which pieces he liked best, the cheez it crackers,  and then he would try to put back the pretzels and nuts! 
My  triple batch version is simple:
1 box each of corn, wheat, rice, chex cereal
1 box of cheez it crackers
1 large can or jar of honey roasted peanuts  (slight sweetness to balance the salty)
1 bag of butter flavor pretzels
3 sticks of butter melted
7 Tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
3 teaspoons of season salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic
  Combine all the cereals, nuts, and crackers and pretzels.  Combine melted butter with seasonings.  Drizzle over the dry ingredients and toss well to coat.  Spread onto large cookie trays and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hours and 15 mins.  Stir every 15 minutes.  Cool and store in air tight containers. 

  Now it is time to wash the dish pan, dry it well, and store it back on top of the cabinet.   Do you have something that holds wonderful family memories?
  I am thankful for all the wonderful things in my life, and all the trials.  I am thankful for projects begun, and projects finished....and all those scraps.  I am thankful for sunny days, and misty mornings, and moonlit nights.  I am thankful for hands to hold, friends to call, and those who touch my life along the way.  These are the moments that take my breath away.   A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you all.

Quiche, please!

I served this quiche Friday night at Bee.  It is a variation of the Bisquik Impossible pie recipe.  I noted my changes too.  And any leftovers reheat well too.
Impossible Quiche---without a crust
6-8 slices of crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 C diced or cubed ham---I use leftovers
1/2 package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1/4 C chopped sweet onion
1 C of cheese--I use a mixture of Colby, Cheedar and Monterey Jack, rather than Swiss
3 eggs
1 1/2 C milk
3/4 C Bisquick mix
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Sprinkle bacon, ham, onion, and the spinach  in a  greased 9 inch pie plate.  Whisk eggs and mix together.  Add the Bisquick and pepper. Stir in the cheese combination.  Pour over the meat and onion in the pie plate.  Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until set in the center and lightly browned.   Serves 6.

Be sure to check out the finished snowflake quilt at 365 days of free motion quilting.  I think it is an amazing design and the quilting is wonderful. 
Happy Stitches.

Lots of snow and lots of food....

Our few days in Asheville, NC was wonderful.  There was lots of snow on the ground, and thankfully the roads were mostly clear.  The cabin was just a dream with a huge long covered porch and a bird feeder.  So guess what was the first thing that greeted us....a cardinal, so I knew we were welcome here.  We did a little bit of shopping and found  a quilt shop, The Cotton Company, and of course I added to my stash.  And I found the Isacord thread that Leah at 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting reccommends.  So I can't wait to give it a try.
Christmas Day was cold and rainy.  I got up early to put on the roast and guess what?  It was still in the freezer and I went into a panic.  After a strong cup of coffee,  I calmed down and gave thanks for the frozen roast.  We got it thawed enough for the crock pot, so all was not lost.
The Corn Pudding my daughter made was so good and even better the next day.  So here is the recipe.
Corn Pudding
1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can whole kernel corn--drained
1 can of cream corn
4 eggs--beaten
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp  sugar
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 tsp of fresh nutmeg
1/2 C melted butter
Mix all ingrdients together.  Pour into greased baking dish--about 1 1/2 quart dish.  Let sit for 1 hour.  Then bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes till the center is set and lightly browned. 
I did manage to get blocks stitched and cut into pieces for assembling for the scappy mountains.  I only got one block completely pieced.  And that is okay, because as I finish it up I will have the wonderful Christmas memories to stitch into it.