Slow but steady

Back in October, I did a post after cutting out seven hundred and some red pieces of fabric for a quilt.  These pieces were for the sashings of a New York Beauty quilt I had started.  I had hoped to finish that part of the quilt by the end of the winter.  It was definitely work that couldn't be rushed, but by getting just a little done as I could get to it, I am excited to say I finished them tonight!  Total number of pieces in the red and white sashings:  1,608

Now for the round "stars" (you can see three that are partially done) that will be pieced, appliqued to brown squares, and then sewn between the sashings.

Signs of Spring

It's too early for spring to really be here, but we are enjoying a little warm up and seeing a few wonderful signs of spring . . .

The first robin--

The sedum coming up--

First bike repair job since last fall--

Yard clean up--

I think I'll just move
this stick . . .

First ride

The weather was nice enough today for Pip to try out the fancy dog basket that J & J gave Ben for Christmas!  Doesn't it look like fun?!  This was just a trial run in the backyard to get her used to it--now we can't wait for a ride on the trail!

64 degrees

Beautiful weather here this weekend!

Yes, Pip, the sun is shining and that's grass peeking through the snow!

 And, yes, that's our supper outside on the grill!

When you need pie and need it now

I like to make pies (like to eat them even more), though I am still not satisfied with my crusts.  Enter this pie!  It's from The Sweet Potato Queens' Big-Ass Cookbook (and Financial Planner) (p. 113)  by Jill Conner Browne.  You most likely have the ingredients on hand and it makes its own crust (hence the name "It's a Miracle! Pie")!  We made one last night after supper (yes, our second one this week) and added chocolate chips this time with great results.  We feel it's our duty to try all the pie options.

Here's her recipe:
"Get your blender out and dump in 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup flour, 1 running-over teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup flaked coconut, and a dash salt.  (If your blender is in immediate danger of overflowing, don't panic--just put as much milk in as you can, blend it all, and then add the remaining milk afterward.)  Pour all that into a 10-inch pie pan and bake it at 300 until it sets--about an hour."

Sorry--I didn't have time to take a picture--the pie was calling to me . . .

Chicken Posole

Here's the soup I made (following the great recipe organizational event).  We thought it was quite good and it reheated nicely for lunch today.  The recipe is from Real Simple and it's quick and simple to put together.  We added cilantro and Doritos, and next time, I'm going to add a second can of hominy (cause we're fans).

Getting organized

For years now I've kept my recipes in a notebook and file folder--no order, just a completely disorganized and random mess!  Whenever I wanted a recipe that I knew was in there (or thought had to be in there), I had to go through every scrap of paper one by one.  Not a very good system.  But no more!  I finally went through them all yesterday--threw away quite a few that I'd been saving and never tried--and got the "good ones" in plastic sleeves and grouped appropriately!  Now to get a bigger notebook and make some tabs!

I can't remember what recipe I started out looking for when the urge-to-organize hit, but I did end up making some pretty good soup and a pie before the day was over.  Recipes to follow . . .

Snow Days

I've been home from school for the past two days because of the weather . . . we have to make it up in the spring, but it was a really nice break right now.  I've had time to read ( Sarah's Key -- definitely recommend!) and sew on my quilt.  Add a cup of tea and the company of our sweet little dog--and it's been good.