Everything Will Turn Out Fine...

I can't believe how long it's actually been since I've sat down at the machine and stitched anything! (Discounting the two microfiber towels that I dissected and hemmed for our son for his camper. That's vastly different than working on a quilt block! And, if the truth were known, that chore nearly sent me around the bend when I discovered that my 30-year-old serger was on the fritz! Grrrr.....) I'm seriously suffering from piecing withdrawal. Between the ongoing kitchen project, traveling and keeping up with life in general there has been little time. Sigh. Without a stove top or oven I'm proud to say that I've become adept at meal prep using only an electric skillet, crock pot, microwave and/or the outside grill! I was craving some homemade bread the other day, I dusted off our trusty bread machine, pulled out my favorite dough recipe and baked a couple of loaves. The recipe is below. When this recipe's author says you can skip things and it will still turn out fine she means it! In my haste I didn't properly count the cups of flour that I was measuring and, probably ten minutes into the process, looked inside at the resulting goo, grabbed the flour canister and added another cup (all the while hoping for the best!). The results are shown above. If you're craving something home baked and comforting like I was you can't go wrong with this recipe. I'll get back to sewing eventually. We'll get our sink, stove, oven and countertops installed before too long. Everything will turn out fine! And, in the meantime, I've got some pretty yummy bread to snack on! 

Bread Machine Dough Recipe *

Ingredients

Bread Machine Bread Dough Ingredients

• 1 Cup Water Warmed (110 - 115 degrees)
• 1 Tbsp Milk
• 2 Tbsp Oil
• 2 Tbsp Honey If you don't have any, you can skip this, and it will still turn out fine!
• 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 Cups All Purpose Flour You can also substitute with half whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp Instant Active Dry Yeast

Instructions

How to Make Homemade Bread in a Bread Machine

• Heat 1 cup of water to 110 degrees.  (If you don't have a thermometer, just use slightly hot tap water and it will be just fine. (really!) I never use a thermometer and never have any problems with my bread machine dough rising.)
• Put all ingredients in the order above into bread machine (you don’t need to stir it , just dump it in!)  Water, milk, oil, honey, brown sugar, salt, flour, then finally - yeast.
• Set bread machine on dough setting, and let it make the dough for you over the next couple hours.
• Once dough is made (it takes my machine about 1 1/2 hours to make just the dough), remove dough and place in loaf pan.
• Let bread machine dough rise for about 30 minutes to an hour, until it's around double the size.   When I don't have time to let it rise, I just go ahead and bake it a little sooner and it works out fine. This recipe is extremely forgiving!  Towards the end of this time, preheat oven to 350.
• Bake bread dough in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, and enjoy!

Life is Good!

* credit for the above recipe: https://passionatepennypincher.com/

It's difficult to answer a question when the commenter is a "no reply"; so I'll do that here:

Terry: my bread machine is made by Oster. It, too, bakes a non-traditional shaped loaf if it runs through all the cycles. For this bread, though, I make the dough only in the machine and then transfer it to a regular loaf pan after the first rising. Then, I let it rise again in the loaf pan and baked it in my small convection oven for thirty five minutes. It's a GREAT! 

Carrying On...

How does that saying go: "Keep Calm and Carry On"? I believe that to be good advice and wouldn't it be even better if it involved a cookie? You know it would! I have another recipe to share from the Pioneer Woman. As I mentioned in the previous post I've been watching a LOT of cooking shows while sewing in the past few weeks. If I'm not stitching it seems that I'm either at the grocery store or in the kitchen anymore- it's hard to keep up! So, these aren't just any old cookies- they're Breakfast Cookies and they are simply WONDERFUL! 

I baked a batch, have wrapped them up individually and frozen them. You cannot believe how handy these are to have ready and available on a busy morning! Grab one (or two) to eat with your favorite morning beverage and you're good to go, they're full of good, nutritious grains, nuts and fruit. This will definitely be a staple around here from now on. My husband can be a little skeptical when it comes to trying new things. Think of that old Life cereal commercial with Mikey: "What's this stuff? Some cereal... it's supposed to be good for you... he likes it!!" 

Sew, what have I been stitching? This is block #6 in the 'Aspiring Stars' BOM. The blocks all measure 15"; I'm using a wide assortment of Lori Holt fabrics from different collections. I have absolutely no idea how I am going to set them together yet. 

 

I finally managed to get the borders on my Scrappy, Strippy Diamonds. It's currently loaded on the longarm. I found a low volume backing fabric with an allover tea bag print on the shelf, I had to do some finagling to make it work, size-wise, but I persevered; it's going to be a really a cute quilt.

More oversize blocks for the Cream and Sugar BOM. These took a LOT of time. Whew. This class is a challenge to to stay current with as far as the homework goes but I love it!

 One more thing...speaking of homework... this one will start Basic Obedience classes next week, I sure hope he's ready! 😉 Augie is 25 weeks old today; what joy he has brought into our lives! He's growing fast, just over seven pounds now. He's all about keeping calm (well maybe not), carrying on, and is definitely all about some cookies! 

What's capturing your time and attention, how are you carrying on these days?

Life is Good!

   

It's All Good!

I've been catching up on the two block-of-the-month programs that I signed up for at the LQS. Being gone for just a little over two weeks seems more like two months when it comes to catching up on what I missed while we were away! The Cream and Sugar class (left) required two more identical blocks for November and the Aspiring Stars class offered another block this month which I was able to explore making up in varying sizes.

I'm still not sure what I'll do with the extra blocks when I actually settle on a size for the quilt! Oh, well, I'm having fun experimenting in the meantime. My "orphan blocks" box is currently full-to-overflowing. I'm going to have to get creative with its contents before I feed it any more! 

We needed to catch up with this birthday boy who turned 12 while we were traveling; yes, twelve!! 😲 We asked him to choose where he's like to go for his birthday dinner. That was easy! 

My sister in law belongs to a farm cooperative sharing program; we went with her to the barn while we were visiting her home, she shared with us some of the root vegetables that were part of her take this month. Carrots, potatoes, onions and beets that were all perfect. I cooked the beets in the Instant Pot when I returned home and made the most delicious salad. I'm linking here to the recipe that I used if you love beets the way I do and you'd like to try it. Mr. G doesn't share my affection for this vegetable, I didn't even need to share even a bite! 😉

I've been spending the evenings in front of the TV working on this Vintage Christmas Sampler. It's so cute. A few more weeks and it will be ready for a finish, just in time!

Sew, that's what's been going on around here; and, at long last, the weather has taken a decided turn toward winter.

What's going on where you are?

It's all good!

Life is Good!

It's All Good

I got the Workout quilt off the rails yesterday, it measures 58" square. I've really enjoyed working on this one. It's from the Wonderful Curves Sampler Book and uses the Wonder Curve ruler. I'll get the binding attached and whipped down today. The curved pieces are my last little bits of true Indigo fabric that I have saved hoarded over the years for something special- apparently this was it! I'm going to try more of the blocks from this book, I love using the Wonder Curve!

"Timeless" has all of the blocks pieced but not set together yet, hopefully over the weekend. I have the border fabrics all ready to go for this one too.

While I've been working inside the house Mr. G. has been pressure washing outside: the eaves, the gutters. I'm always scared to death of him doing ladder work, it ramps up my blood pressure to the limit. The other morning I heard noises that sounded unfamiliar, I wondered if he was off the ladder. This is what I found. I almost had a stroke on the spot; I never expected to see this! In all fairness, he was wearing the Cougar Paws that I bought him a few years ago when he had to check on the chimney but, still. He's fine, on the ground and all in one piece. It's all good. 

Thank you all for your prayers for my Mom; I hope you'll continue to pray for this next step. She's graduated from the rehab and is at home with my Dad again. She's transitioning just fine, it's just going to take time and some patience; she will be attending out-patient PT a few times a week near their home. In honor of her happy news I made her favorite dessert to celebrate! Grape Nut Custard, an old New England favorite. I found the recipe, one that came from Yankee magazine, and linked it here, if you'd like to try it. 

And, in other great news, the baby Bluebirds have hatched 

and are thriving atop that electrified pole!

So far, so good.

Yes, it's all good!

Life is Good!

Sweet Treats

I stitched together those leftover trimmings from using CG's Folded Corner Clipper. They were simply too cute to toss. 

This 36-patch will measure 7.5" square, finished. I'll combine a few of these to make doll quilts for our granddaughters. Isn't it sweet? Speaking of sweet treats, I tried this coffee cake last week. 

I couldn't find a glass pan (as the recipe calls for) that measures 10" X 15", I baked mine in a 13" X 9" pan instead. It was thicker than I would have liked, which called for additional baking time to ensure that it was done all the way through the center. I'd use a bit less batter next time to accommodate the smaller pan size. It was delicious nonetheless. It would be perfect for Valentine's Day breakfast!

Life is Good!

Late August Wrap-Up

I had a friend ask me the other day of I was ever going to post again; that's how long it's been since I've updated here! Sheesh. It's not that I haven't been doing anything, that would be the simplest explanation; actually, the exact opposite is the case. I'm going to bring the blog up to date, but it will take several posts to accomplish that. At last post, I was pulling blocks-of-the-month out of the stash closet (it just keeps giving... ) and setting them together. I'll pick back up there. This one was called The Chain Gang, it's been aging, like a fine wine, since 2010. Out of the bin and into the light: two blocks needed to bring it to a respectable size. I decided on a straight set and sashed it with a gray fabric that I had left over from another, different, (more recent) block-of-the-month. I found some bright grunge fabrics to use as the cornerstones so that the "chains" would remain unbroken. I had to order more Kona black to finish up the borders after the blocks were completed.

"The Chain Gang" ~ 56" X 72"

So, here we are, eleven years later~ finally at the flimsy stage. Another one to add to the ever-growing "to be quilted" queue! After all these years I've decided to not waste anymore time on this one, even to think of a clever name for it. It will simply be called The Chain Gang, as it was titled originally. 

One more late-August update, our baby turned 41 years old; he graciously hosted us at HIS house this year to celebrate! As the month wound down we've been treated to an absolute abundance of fresh tomatoes from the garden of friends. I needed to find a way to use them up quickly. I found this quick and easy recipe for homemade soup.

Fresh and colorful tomatoes before (l) and after (r) oven roasting. 

This tomato soup is smooth, flavorful and delicious. If you're looking for a use for extra tomatoes you might want to give this recipe a try!

I was able to get in some reading time in August; these two books held my attention for a few weeks. I'm already onto a new book for September which I'm loving, I'll report on that in a future post. I can't say that I particularly enjoyed Picoult's novel, it was a little over the top for me. Berg's "The Confession Club" was a fun and diversionary story which I liked very much; a friend had recommended it to me and I'm so glad that she did!

Elmer the elephant made his way down off the shelf and onto my cutting table while I was stitching up the  last blocks of The Chain Gang. He's good company, sewing is always more fun with friends! Stay tuned, I have lots more to show and tell. I can't believe that we're rocketing our way toward Labor Day already! 

Happy September!

Life is Good!

Cooler Days...

The days have turned cooler, fall is in the air, October has arrived. You know, I truly have lost track and sense of time and seasons with all the sameness of these past six months.  I know that it's autumn but I don't feel like it should be. It's more than just a sense of time flying it's more like a disorientation for me. It's hard to explain.  I told Mr. Goodneedle yesterday that if I woke up tomorrow and learned it was January I don't know that I would be surprised or feel any different than I do right now. He theorized that it's because we missed the "markers" this year: Easter, end-of-school activities and attending the swim meets of our grandchildren, summer vacation, etc., those events that place everything into a logical and linear timeline. Maybe that's it, I just don't know. Am I alone in this thinking?       ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Anyway, time marches on and so do I...

I found a new (to me) recipe for peanut butter cookies this week and I have to share it, it's my new, absolute, favorite! Having said that, you should know that peanut butter cookies have always been sort of "meh" for me; I suppose it's because I hadn't tried these before! Here's the link , these have a nice crunch on the outside but remain soft and chewy inside. I substituted extra crunchy peanut butter for smooth. If you even marginally like peanut butter cookies this is a must try!

I have two more tumbler quilts ready for binding and donating. Ordinarily our church supports an outreach program in West Virginia that gives aid to families in need at Christmastime. I have been stacking up these quilts all year for children in that program but, as of this past week, we're still unsure as to the plans for this year's distribution of needed items. I'll just keep stacking up needed items until we know more.

Yes, the calendar says it's October. I'll go with that. One step at a time...one day after another.

Go ahead, try the cookies! 

🍂

Life is Good! 

Monthly D.E.A.R. Report and Something Sweet

Here's my August reading list, these were all good; actually, D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time has become one of our favorite hours of each day! I especially enjoyed the historical fiction works: A Well Behaved Woman, The Giver of Stars and The Union Quilters, as that's become my latest favorite genre but the other was a great read too. The Giver of Stars was most interesting to me because it is the second book in two months that I've read on the pack-horse library initiative of the WPA under President Roosevelt to supply rural patrons in the hills of Kentucky with books and reading materials during the 1930's. I've been giving our own local library a vigorous workout, using the library-to-go feature: ordering my books online and then picking them up in a "holding room" outside of the library proper. It works well, I put the title on hold for my local branch and when it comes in I receive an email. I'm super grateful to my daughter to turning me onto this service. The money that I'm saving on buying books can be directed toward fabric purchases; a  definite win-win!

When Lucy Ann was here the week before we made a fabulous, no-bake, freezer dessert: Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. This particular recipe is a new twist on an old-stand by and really is a keeper!

It might just be that repeating chocolate pudding/crushed Oreo layer that puts this one over the top, 

I'm not sure, but I highly recommend this as an easy to prepare and delicious summertime dessert. 

You're welcome!

Life is Good!

Off The Wall...

I need to re-title this, "Still On The Wall" as not as much progress happened on the Scrappy Sixteen as I had planned. I'm blaming my sinuses for this setback over the last few days. What began as a mild cold lodged itself firmly behind my eyes and resided there for altogether too long. Today is much, much better! Yay!! I wanted to bring attention this morning back to my guiding word this year, "VISION" and my action plan for 2020: to see what's right in front of me. Let's start with this bin of precut 2.5" squares. This is but one bin (of eleven) that wait patiently (all are mostly full, one is beyond full) on pull-out shelves beneath my cutting table. These are the remnants of projects past that have been dutifully (and deliberately) cut into predetermined sizes employing Bonnie Hunter's "Scrap Users System". My precut scraps are even broken up into lights and darks, the bin pictured here is only 2.5" squares of darks, it has a companion bin of 2.5" squares in all light fabric scraps. Instead of thinking of these as "scraps" or "leftovers" I have shifted my thinking to realize that these are really as good as money in the bank-- they're in my fabric savings account and they're collecting interest! If I decided, once upon a time, that these were worth saving, then they're certainly worth stitching! I began to think about just what this bin would be worth to a beginning quiltmaker, someone who was just starting out and had no scraps on hand. That was me-- a hundred years or so ago. Then my thinking swung around to considering who could benefit from these stored scraps and I realized that my hoarded scraps were actually making me miserly. Did I want to be tight-fisted with my resources, those right at hand? NO! And, sew-- (sorry, that was too easy!) I set to work to find fun and simple scrap patterns. This one is a free pattern called "Perfectly Scrappy Sixteen Patch". It goes together quickly (even more so if one remains healthy) and has great visual appeal. What scraps are lurking on your shelves?

One more thing "on the wall". Lynneligh's artwork was chosen to be displayed at school system-wide art show for the winter term. Here's the proud artist and her work, an example of pointillism, at the reception last week. There was an awards presentation following, she represented her school very well. 🥰

From the wall to the table. I made four more placemats for my son's family's kitchen table. You might remember that I posted about this a few months back. Here's the link and the pattern if you're interested. I told my D-I-L that now they can have guests to dinner, this makes a set of eight.

And, since we're putting things on the table: what could be better than a perfectly poached egg on toast? One that is easy-peasy and quick to prepare! I read about this somewhere on Facebook last week and cannot find the recipe from the original source but will share it from memory-- break an egg into a mug or cup (I use a pyrex custard cup) pour 1/2 C of water mixed with 1 TBSP of white vinegar over the egg. Place a saucer over the cup and microwave on HIGH for one minute (this is  for a medium egg, 45 seconds for runny and 1 min, 15 seconds for hard). Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and place onto your buttered toast. Voila! Have fun trying this. 🍽

Life is Good!

Up next: Getting it Together

Which Came First?

Which came first-- the dog or the quilt? Well, definitely, the dog came first; last month he celebrated his fifteenth birthday, but, he assuredly inspired this quilt pattern, don't you think? There's been a LOT going on in the sewing space these days, so much so, in fact, that I am woefully behind in posting to this blog. Hannes hangs out with me here in the studio and yesterday, when I looked up, this is what was looking back at me. So sweet! 😍


Speaking of Hannes and quilts-- do you remember when Lynnleigh insisted that Hannes have his own birthday quilt? She put some orphan String-X blocks together and we had a Hannes-sized nap quilt that same day. 

Since then it has been quilted, bound and enjoyed fully!

In honor of National Wildlife Day yesterday, we've been up close and personal with nature around here this summer. Our THIRD bluebird family fledged last week, five more babies(!) and twin fawns have been seen in the woods behind our home all summer as they've grown.

This smallish deer was spotted out the kitchen window while doing dishes the other day (sibling is on the very far left, almost out of frame); we were privileged to witness the baby bluebirds launching out into the world late one afternoon.

This wall quilt was worth the wait; begun in 1999 and hung last week in our bedroom. I just love waking up to this one each morning. 

 I had been working on this "Split Square" small quilt to use as a table topper, gathering the "charms" from my own scraps. (Pattern from Sew Charming by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene). I pieced the blocks leader-ender style while working on other things. When it was time to set it together it DID NOT work! The edges didn't line up, but I struggled to make things fit. I "webbed" it using chain piecing but when I finally began sewing the rows together horizontally it was horrendous AWFUL. All the steam in the world could not convince these blocks to lay flat; there were puckers and pleats everywhere. I balled it up and threw it in the trash. I was defeated. But then, it began calling to me from the depths of my trashcan. "I wonder", I thought, "did I miss a step?" I went back to the book and realized that I had, indeed, missed a step-- a BIG ONE; the trim down! 🙄

I dug it out. I took it apart. I trimmed down the blocks (see above). I reassembled. Voila! Success. 

There is a lesson to be learned here-- don't give up, always do your best and read ALL the directions!

Let me conclude today on a sweet note. I have lots more to post, stay tuned; but in the meantime let me recommend this recipe that I got from our daughter-in-law for Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake that's mixed and cooked in the crock pot. It is easy to assemble and absolutely delicious. We topped ours with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Which came first here? The ice cream-- Mr. Goodneedle is an ice-cream making machine; he lives to try new flavors and crank out more batches, but in this instance, it matters not which came first; combined in the same bowl at the same time is perfection!

Enjoy~

Life is Good!