Monday, July 23, 2007

Recipes

I have been out of touch due to some computer trouble. I am still in Vermont and had to get my DH to overnight another laptop up here from CT. Needless to say this laptop does not have my pics on it so I have nothing to show you. I have decided to post a few recipes as they do not require photographs.


First let me thank Brenda, Donna, Jen, and Pokua for participating in the PIF (pay it forward). I really do look forward to stitching something wonderful for each of you! I have started on the first but am also quite busy with upcoming exchanges so it may be a while. I have one more slot for a PIF participant, if you are interested just send me an email.

Now for those recipes...

For those that enjoy a good cookie here is a recipe for:

Snickerdoodles

1/2 C butter or margerine
1/2 C Butter flavored crisco shortening
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 C flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven 400. Mix butter, shortening, 1 1/2 c sugar, and eggs thoroughly. Measure flour by sifting method. Blend flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture. Shape dough into 1" balls. Roll in mixture of 3 tbsp sugar and cinnamon. Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. These cookies puff and then flatten out.

Yield: 6 dozen

For those that enjoy the "other white meat" here is a recipe for:

Pork Tenderloin

1 T Olive Oil
1 Clove garlic,minced
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients and coat pork - roast 375 for 35 minutes (use a meat thermometer ~ internal temp should read 160). Broil on top rack 5 minutes to brown, let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

For an easy and tasty breakfast dish:

Omelet for two

1/4 pound good thick-cut bacon
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup medium-diced Yukon Gold potato
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 T minced jalapeno pepper
5 extra-large eggs
2 T milk or cream
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly groud pepper
1/4 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts
4 oz extra sharp ceddar, diced, plus grated for garnish

Preheat 350. Cut bacon crosswide in 1" pieces. Cook bacon in 8" ovenproof saute pan over medium-low heat 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels and discard fat from pan. Add butter to pan, then add yellow onion and potato. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion starts to brown and the potato is tender but firm. Add the jalapeno pepper and cook for 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together with a fork. Stir in the scallions and diced cheese. When the potato is cooked, add the bacon to the pan and pour over the egg mixture. Place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the omelet puffs and the eggs are almost cooked in the center. Sprinkle with a handful of grated cheese and bake another minute. Serve hot directly from the pan.

Until next time...

Monday, July 9, 2007

Join me in the PIF Exchange

I recently took Julie up on a PIF Exchange and am inviting you to join me. Here is how it works:

I will send a handmade gift (I am very crafty ;-}) to the first 5 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I have no idea what that gift will be and only promise that you will receive it within the next 365 days (certainly sooner than later). The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog (or - in your life - if you happen to be blog-less). I hope you will join me in this exchange. All I need is 5 interested stitchers!


Dollmaking


Woodland Fairy

Speaking of crafty this is a good time to show a few pictures of another craft I like to do: Dollmaking. I have made five of these Woodland FairyDolls. One of them (not this one) I entered into a doll exhibit/contest at a local Quilt Show and she was awarded a second place ribbon. I had never entered a doll into a show so I was very excited to see the ribbon placed next to her. I will post pictures of her soon.

I also entered a very tiny doll into this contest and she was awarded a third place ribbon. Stop back as I will be posting pictures of her as well.


I anxiously await 5 Stitchers to join me in the PIF Exchange so that I can start crafting something special for you!

Until next time...

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Fair and Square Exchange Blocks

I joined a great exchange called Fair and Square. With each rotation we are partnered with a different person and we exchange 3" designs stitched on a 7 x 7 piece of 32 ct linen. In addition we send a "signature" square. What each person does with these squares is up to them. Some may make a "Friendship Quilt" while others may use the blocks and make individual treasures: Pinkeeps, Tin Toppers, Pin Cushions, etc. I know of one participant who is going to showcase her squares by constructing a Friendship Book, much like the Sampler Book designed by Erica Michaels.

Rotation #1 is now coming to a close and it will not be long before we begin the 2nd Rotation. You are not required to commit to each and every rotation but I am almost certain that I will. I have signed on for Rotation #2 and am anxious to learn who my next partner will be.


Fair and Square Exchange
Rotation #1
Stitched by: Vonna

I was so excited to be partnered with Vonna for Rotation 1 (she and Annemarie were instrumental in getting this exciting exchange up and running). As many know she is a very kind, helpful, and thoughtful individual who, through blogging, has become a person that I can call friend! I only wish that she lived closer so that I could meet her in person. Well, we exchanged Friendship Blocks and I must say that I absolutely adore the square that Vonna stitched. I love the fact that the design includes the word "Friendship" ~ when I think of Vonna I really do think of friendship. Thank you so very much Vonna for the wonderful block.

I forgot to take a picture of the block that I sent to Vonna but she has it on her blog. I used a section from Victoria's Quaker by A Mon Ami Pierre.

You may want to check out Fair and Square Friendship Exchange to see more of what we are doing.

Sale, Sale, Sale: I happened onto Elegant Stitch Too where there are 4 pages of patterns on sale for 50% off.

I hope that the week ahead is filled with hours of peaceful stitching.

Until next time...

Saturday, July 7, 2007

USEBB: 4th Of July Exchange


USEBB: 4TH OF JULY EXCHANGE
Ewe& Eye& Friends Liberty House
From: Katrina

I was so excited when I opened a package from Katrina that contained the 4th of July Exchange that she stitched for me. Truly my eyes lit up when I saw this wonderful pincushion. Katrina's stitching is absolutely beautiful! The design that she selected is perfect, my first thought was "this is so me" ~ GREAT job Katrina!
In addition Katrina spoiled me with all of the wonderful treasures pictured plus some of my favorite candy: Jelly Belly's that I ate before taking this picture!
Many thanks Katrina for making this such a wonderful exchange!


I was very excited to be stitching for Heather for the 4th Of July Exchange. Heather sent me a wonderful wall hanging for a Valentine's exchange and I was glad to be able to stitch something special for her. I used a design from Birds Of A Feather and finished it as a Tin Topper. I filled the tin and included an Americana Pin that I stitched.

Birds Of A Feather: Liberty
32 Ct Linen over 1
Stitched for:Heather

The Goode Huswife: America
40 Ct linen over 2

Poison Ivy Update: I am absolutely bewildered over the fact that it has been one month and I still have a touch of poison ivy. Fortunately I feel comfortable that I finally am on the road to recovery. NEVER would I have guessed that my day of yard work would result in such a horrendous case of Poison Ivy. After my ER visit I ended up going to a dermatologist where I was seen by all three doctors at once~I guess they do not often see such a nasty case of PI.

A huge thank you to all those that expressed concern over my situation and for those that offered suggestions on how deal with Poison Ivy. I really appreciated your comments!

I have not done any stitching in over a week. My friends from Texas were visiting and we kept quite busy touring around Vermont. We even spent one day in Canada enjoying the landscape and finding great treasures! Sadly my friends left today but I have plans to visit them in early November during International Quilt Festival in Houston. I will find time tonight to continue my exchange stitching.


I appreciate you stopping by and enjoy your comments!


Until next time...