I'm participating in the HeartStrings Pillowcase Party this weekend. Here are my first four! I'm hoping to get at least that many completed tomorrow. I will be sending these off to Alycia with the two completed quilts for her QOV project. If you've got some free time, I urge you to please help out this worthwile cause. And, if you're really feeling motivated, make a quilt, or two to send along. Alycia's goal is 400 quilts by May.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Holiday Wrap Up
One holiday down, one more to go. I'm not a big fan of holidays. I admit it, I'm a grinch. I hate the crowds, I hate the hustle and bustle. I hate the fact that Christmas stuff is displayed in the stores in October! What happened to the times when you'd not see Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving? Ok, I'll stop grosing now.Meanwhile, we had the requisite turkey and all the trimmings. My lovely 16 year old niece did most of the meal herself with a little help from Uncle David, mom & yours truly. She's quite a cook. Here's her turkey. She brined it so it came out nice and moist.

Here's Grandpa trying to get every last piece off that carcass. Arlo really, really wanted to help but for some reason nobody would let him. Poor guy. That's ok, when he wasn't busy begging food, he was on window duty. Somebody had to guard us from all those s
trangers walking around the lake!This morning, before the rain became seriious, The Bearded one and David decided they should help Dad put up the Christmas lights. This involves tramping around on the roof installing angle iron stands to hold the lighted wreath over the carport and a star at the end of the house. For some reason Dad still thinks that climbing around on ladders and roofs is ok for an almost 79 year old man. I really wish he wouldn't.
Once we came home this afternoon, I went downstairs to finis
h quilting that last bottom border on the Disappearing 9-Patch and the inner black borders. That done, binding sewn on, I came upstairs to make dinner. Silly me, I put the quilt down on the couch and my Official Quilt Tester promptly settled in to test it out. The Bearded One then covered the rest of him with yet another quilt since this is the dog that must be covered by a quilt. The floral under Arlo's chin is the D9P. Once I get the binding sewn down, I'll get some pictures of the actual quilt. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.I'm hoping to spend some time this weekend making pillowcases for Alycia's QOV project. I'm hoping that lots of other quilters take up the challenge. For more information, see Heartstrings Pillowcase Party.
Labels:
Disappearing 9-Patch,
pillowcase,
QOV
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Orange...
...truly is my least favorite color. I dislike it intensely enough to say that I "hate it". I know hate is a strong word, but then, so is my dislike of the color. So, I found it almost amusing today to realize, as I was preparing the dishes I said I would do for tomorrow's feast, that they were both ORANGE! Aacckkkkk! I'm sure if any of the QB's are reading this now, they're laughing with delight.
First up was this sweet potato casserole, still needing it's topping of brown sugar and pecans.
Then cam the Roasted Carrot dip. This gets served with these great, crunchy pita chips. If you're ever looking for a great potluck offering, this is it. And, to top it off, it's not filled with all the yummy things that are bad for you. Well, ok, it does have some mayo & sour cream, but I always use the light or no-fat versions.
Roasted Carrot Dip
Recipe By : Adapted from: August/September "Taste of Home" magazine
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:15
10 medium carrots
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic -- sliced
6 Tablespoons water, or more
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Pita wedges:
4 - 6 pita bread rounds, 6"
2 Tablespoons butter, melted -- or more
Cut carrots in half widthwise; cut lengthwise into 1/2" thick slices. In a bowl combine the carrots, garlic and oil; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. (I just used my 13"x9" pyrex pan.) Bake, uncovered, at 425º fpr 20 minutes. Stir; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until carrots are tender. Cool slightly.
In a blender, combine 6 tablespoons water, vinegar, mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, salt, pepper
and carrot mixture; cover and process until smooth. Add additional water if needed to achieve
desired consistency. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until serving.
Pita Wedges: Brush both sides of pita breads with butter. Cut in half; cut each half into six wedges. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350º for 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Serve with carrot dip.
Note: I don't bother making the pita wedges since my local Costco sells the pita chips pictured here.
Just so you don't think I've been a total slackard in the quilting/sewing department, here are a couple finished projects. The little santa wallhanging on the left and one of two completed pillowcases on the right. The pillowcases are the presentation cases for the two QOV's still awaiting labels before I can send the out to Alycia.
Here's hoping you and yours have a happy, safe Thanksgiving.
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