Bee Day at Tracie’s

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Barb

OK, OK, so I’m a month behind.  We actually went to Tracie’s in May.  Shhhh.  Don’t tell anyone.  I’m really, really, really behind on blogging.  You all have been really nice to me during this long break.  On with the show from Tracie’s!

 

Everyone gathered in Tracie’s lovely living room.  After a bit of time out in the fabulous back yard by the pool.  After all it was May and the temps were still pleasant outside.    I’m working on being more prompt with the updates.

These are the remnants of breakfast.  I didn’t quite get there in time to have any.  I seem to be arriving late to most everything these days.  Sigh.  Life is just different now.  For everyone, it seems.  Many of us JSSers are going through a new phase in our lives.  It’s just a season that’s necessary, I suppose.  Much as we don’t like watching our parents age, it’s inevitable.  I’m just happy my parents are in a good place.  They are making new friends and I’m enjoying having them close by.  Even if it means lots of phone calls and cries for help of some sort.  They took good care of me for lots of years.  I think I owe them.

Oops!  Got off on a tangent there.  I was telling you about Bee Day at Tracie’s, now wasn’t I?

Suz, Patt & Sally had some stitchin’ in their laps as we all settled into Tracie’s living room to catch up on each other.  I cut Sally off on purpose (sorry, Sally) because she had a funny look on her face.  And not a funny, ha-ha funny one.  She would have been unhappy with me if I’d shown that picture on the blog.  I protect my friends that way.  Just sayin’.

Patt was really intent on her appliqué.  Next time maybe we’ll see this finished project in Show ‘n Tell.

Suz put the final stitches in the label on her 2010 JSS Same Fabric Challenge quilt.  So she could give it to me to hang in our display at the shop.  That reminds me that I need pictures of that display to share.  Oh, my.  Another blogging opportunity.

Lynn had this great quilt to show.  I believe it was an Ebay purchase?  Lynn is the Ebay Queen in our group.  If anyone has Ebay questions, Lynn’s your gal.  And this beautiful orange quilt is especially for the enjoyment of LaLa.  We miss you, LaLa!

Lynn had this for Show ‘n Tell too.  It was an orange kind of day for Lynn.  LaLa would’ve been proud.  Not.

Kay was working on knitted baby caps and I couldn’t resist this picture of her ball of yarn by her toes.  It’s a good thing we weren’t at my house.  Miss Kitty and Boo would have run off with her yarn ball lickety-split.

This quilt is Lynn’s too!  It seems that if Lynn hadn’t come to Tracie’s, Show ‘n Tell would have pretty much been a bust.  Either that or my camera failed to work on any other quilts being shown.  But who could tell?  After all, it was over a month ago.  Who can remember that far back?  Certainly not li’l ol’ me.

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch.  Always a good thing at a JSS gathering.

Look at those pretty sandwiches!  Who knew that pimiento cheese could be so good?

And if those aren’t your thing, how about these nice ham & cheese or chicken salad ones?  On flaky, delicious croissants.  Yum.

Ahhhhhhhh.  This was my end of the buffet.  Deeeeeelish-ous salads!  Pasta, fruit, beans and tuna.  At least I think it was tuna.  Who could remember a whole mon….?  But I think you got that picture.

Patt & Sally couldn’t wait to fill their plates.

Even water bottles were chillin’ in style.

Soon the kitchen was filled with JSSers filling their plates.  Don’t you want to know what Davene and Suz were discussing here? 

Meanwhile I took a few minutes to grab some pics around Tracie’s beautiful home.

I wanted to literally “grab” this picture/quilt and take it home with me.  But I just took a pic of it instead.  Tracie does fabulous work!

And how about these cute little quilted puppies?  We have quilted kitties at my house.  I know you’re surprised.

This beautiful hand quilted quilt hangs on the wall in Tracie’s bedroom.  See me in the mirror?  That’s about the only picture you’ll get of me on Bee Days.

Doesn’t Tracie’s bed look inviting?  I wanted to grab her book off the nightstand and jump into those pillows and settle in to read.

This great quilt hangs next to Tracie’s bed.  Did I mention Tracie does fabulous quilting?

She also does fabulous cross-stitch!  Or perhaps she did it in a previous life, as many of us did pre-quilting.  I wanted to pull this one off the wall and take it home too.  Or maybe I just wanted to sit in that great rocking chair on that porch and wrap up in the quilt there.  In the picture, I mean.  Doesn’t it look relaxing?  I’m all for going back to a simpler time, aren’t you?

This wonderful miniature quilt with lots of beadwork hangs in the cute powder room.  Isn’t it fabulous?

I loved this quilt too.  What a great way to use some cute hankies!

And what a cute wool topper on this table in the entryway.  Tracie decorates with quilts in style!

Including this great quilt on her dining room table.  Nice!

I never did see who these beds belonged to.  Tracie had hidden the puppies quite well.  I surmise that they were “off premises” for the day.  Phooey!   Boo and Miss Kitty love it when I come home with new smells attached.

Next I was off to the sewing room to get pics of Tracie’s creative spot in the house.  One whole wall was lined with mirrors and gave the room a really large feel.  If you look just over my shoulder you can see the gals in the kitchen filling their plates.  But I had pictures to take!

Do you think Tracie has enough thread?  Oh, my!  But wait!

There’s more on the other side of the room!  If you need thread – any color of thread – Tracie apparently is your gal.

This cute guy watches over Tracie as she stitches.

And she has three sewing machines all primed and ready to go.

Looking for a good quilting book?  I think Tracie’s your gal.

Tracie also was working on this cute needlepunch project.  She’s a very versatile quilter.

Wonder what these scraps will become?  I can’t wait to find out.

Very cute pin cushion.  I want one.

If you forget your glasses, Tracie can help you out.  There were these…..

…… and these……

….and even these!  All within arm’s reach of each other.  (Cute bluework too.)

I finally made it back to the kitchen and here’s my plate to prove it.

Did I mention there was dessert?  Yum.

Double yum.

After lunch Tracie entertained us all with a private quilt show!

This appliqué is just spectacular!

And how about this one?  I think you need a closer look….

I think I’ve mentioned Tracie does fabulous work?  I rest my case.

Tracie also had show ‘n tell of a different sort.  And a big story to tell of the time her home in Mississippi was in the path of a major tornado.

These are pictures in the album that she brought out to show.  In light of the recent tornadoes in the midwest, these pictures really made an impact on us all.

We passed the album around and turned the pages slowly as Tracie told us the story of what happened.  What a tragedy!

This quilt survived the storm and was found several houses away.  There is dirt on the bottom that was so ground in, no amount of washing could get out the stain.  I bet this quilt could have a story to tell.

I believe this one lived through the storm too.

We were all glad to get to know Tracie better through her quilts and her stories that day.  And a good time was had by all.  As usual.  JSS gatherings are the best!

Our napkins summed up the day quite well.  Wish you all could have been there!

Next stop:  Susan’s in June.  Maybe I’ll tell you about it before the end of July.
Hugs,
Barb

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Boo & Miss Kitty

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Barb

The kids reminded me today that it’s been ages since they’ve been on the blog.  Cat kids, that is.  They’ve been feeling left out and insisted I blog about them today.  And I do my best to keep them happy around here.  It just won’t do to have kitties mad at me. 
 

Here is Boo laying on the quilt that Dear Hubby made last winter.  On one of those icy, snowy days when he was stuck at home and bored.  He wanted to make a quilt with snowflakes on it.  He asked me if I had any fabric with snow.  I don’t think he was quite prepared for the huge pile I pulled out for him to choose from.  I better be careful about giving away too many stash secrets in the future.

Boo was laying on this recliner recently when Miss Kitty jumped up on it and then just plopped down next to him when she discovered him there.  He wasn’t quite sure he wanted her next to him, though.  Can’t you see him giving her the evil eye?  It was the first time this had happened and I don’t think it’s happened since.  But they stayed there side by side for quite awhile and surprised me.

And don’t they look cute side by side?  Aw, Mom.  Make her get down.  This is my chair.  Boo wasn’t quite so sure.

Miss Kitty’s most favorite position for sleeping is flat on her back with her feet in the air.  The other day I walked in the bedroom and found she and Dear Hubby napping on the bed….

Lovely position, isn’t it?  Please excuse the unmade bed.  It was laundry day and the sheets were in the washer.

Here she is from the other side.  Cute, Miss Kitty.  Real cute.  I can honestly say that in all my years of owning cats, I never had one who liked to sleep quite like her.

Keeping the kitties happy,
Barb

Posted in Boo, Miss Kitty | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Kale Chips

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Barb

OK – it’s undeniable.  I am officially the crazy vegan woman.  Never in my wildest imaginations would I have dreamed I’d be making chips out of leafy green things.  If you had told me that 6 months ago, I would have called you crazy.

But these are really good.  And after the doctor told Dear Hubby and I the other day that our health could benefit greatly by just adding a green leafy vegetable to our diet each day, I began searching for all kinds of green things and new recipes.

And kale entered my life.  Isn’t it pretty?  It’s kind of curly on the edges like parsley.  Only bigger.  I also discovered swiss chard.  Yum.  I’ll share a great pasta recipe with that one soon.  We liked the dish so much we’ve had it twice.  In less than a week.

But I was talking about kale.  And chips.  Think potato chips.  Only out of kale.  I know, I know.  Crazy vegan woman.  It sounded really weird to me too.  But I was willing to give it a try.  For our health you see.  And all the recipes I found online had rave reviews.  (Stop rolling your eyes, Suz!)

So I picked one recipe and went for it.

You first have to pull all the curly leaves off the big stems.  And throw the stems away.  At least I threw them away.  Until someone comes up with a kale stems fabulous recipe.  Then I’ll probably try that one too.  I’m all about conservation and using every last ounce of healthy green stuff.  It’s my new mission in life.

Hey wait!  Maybe I can develop a recipe for the stems!  And become world famous!  Or not.  Suz’ eyes are rolling again.

After I rinsed the leaves well (rinsed not soaked) I spun them around in my salad spinner.  It’s important to get them as dry as possible.

So they will soak up the simple ingredients and get crispy in the oven.  Did I mention you should preheat the oven to 350°?  No?  Sorry.  Go turn it on now.

And by the way – tear or cut the kale into pieces about the size of  potato chips.  After all, we want the family to think these are chips.  Then throw the kale into a very large bowl.  And dump 2 Tbsp of lemon juice and 2 Tbsp of olive oil on top.  And about 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of coarse salt.  Just use a little or they will be too salty.

Massage the oil and lemon juice into the kale leaves.  I honestly thought that little bit of stuff wouldn’t cover all of that big bunch of kale.  But no problem!  There was plenty to go around.

I love getting my hands into my food preparation.  So I worked this and worked it.  And took the picture with my nose.  Not.  I called Dear Hubby in on the action to get these 2 photos.  Didn’t he do a good job?  He actually took about 148 and I picked the best 2.  Which is about the normal ratio of chosen pics when I take them too.  This blogging is hard work.  But we’re here for you.  Even with kale.

Aren’t they pretty?  All green and glossy with olive oil.  But I digress.

I had enough to cover two large cookie sheets.  You want them in a single layer so they get nice and crunchy in the oven.

Bake them for 10-15 minutes until dark green (or even a little brown) and crispy.  I actually baked mine for 12 minutes and that seemed just perfect.

Dear Hubby was very surprised at how good they were.  And although they really don’t taste like potato chips, they have the same crunch and saltiness and are a very good, healthy substitute.  These have a hint of lemon flavor, but if you aren’t a lover of lemon, you can leave out the lemon juice and just use oil and salt.

A word of caution:  they aren’t as good the next day.  Even if stored in an airtight baggy.  They were pretty soggy and chewy.  However, I was able to revive them several days later by putting them back in a 350° for about 3 minutes.  But be careful!  They were nice and crunchy again, but almost tasted burnt.  Two minutes might have been long enough and better for the flavor.

Happy snacking,
That Crazy Vegan Woman

Posted in food, healthy, recipes | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Roses of Sharon, aka Circles of Bonnie… and Sherry… and Kathy… and…

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Barb

The Rose of Sharon Block Book sparked a lot of interest at Quilter’s Dream last year. 

So we started a club.  Appliquéing all those blossoms, leaves and circles would require a support group, it seems.  Over 40 ladies signed up to be a part!  And I’ve been taking pics at our meetings each and every month.  And haven’t had time to share a single one.

Until today.  Get ready for a boatload of pics of these fabulous blocks made by some fabulous ladies.  A very fun group!

I actually have 71 pics.  It could be a long day.  You better go get your coffee and pinto bean waffles.  We could be here until lunch.

We always have a grand Show ‘n Tell at our monthly Rose of Sharon Club.  Lots of fabulous appliquéing going on here!

I’m not sure if this block belongs to Sherry or Sue, but they both appear to be quite proud of it.  Maybe they are sharing their quilt?  Not.  After all the time and effort this quilt requires, nobody in their right mind would make this one to share.

Some just got their blocks prepared.  And brought the parts and pieces for Show ‘n Tell.  We allow all kinds of  showin’ and tellin’ in this group.

Laura had lots of prepared leaves.

A very nice pile of them, actually.  And blossoms.  And circles.  All prepared.

Lynda was quite proud of her background square all cut out and ready.  Please imagine lots of leaves and circles and blossoms appliquéd on.  We allow all kinds of Show ‘n Tell in our group.  Even when we have to really use our imagination.

Beth shows a partially completed block…..

And I think that’s Teresa hiding behind this partially finished block.

And then of course there are always the overachievers:

This is Marge with her block the first month…..

….and also many of the setting triangles – all completed!

Some just hide their faces when the camera comes out for show ‘n tell.

And there are always other things to show too.  Mary shows a block from another quilt she’s making.  It appears we all do many quilts at once.  And bring them to show our friends.

These are all Bonnie’s blocks.  Overachiever.  She’s also branching out from the 13 blocks that make up the cover quilt in the Rose of Sharon Block Book.  And making the quilt very much her own.

See this block of Bonnie’s?  In the original block in the book the pinkish red circles were actually little bitty blossoms.  But Bonnie chose to make hers circles.  Those little bitty blossoms are a bear to stitch!  Thus we are renaming Bonnie’s quilt “Circles of Sharon.”  Or better yet…. “Circles of Bonnie.”  Some of the others in the group agreed and decided they might like to make more circles too.  Being a part of a group has its benefits.  We learn a lot from each other.

Donna had a boatload of blocks all fused and ready for stitchin’.  Notice the bandage on her left index finger.  Rotary cutter.  But that didn’t keep her from fusing that boatload of blocks!

Tracie’s block is perfect!  She added fancy stitches to hold down her fused appliqué and everyone ooo’d and aah’d over how nice they looked.  Somehow I missed getting up close pics of that!  So I got more pics at her house just the other day.

See the cool stitching?  Now everyone wants to do theirs this way.  It looks fabulous.

Lynda’s block is as pretty as her smile.

Another really fabulous block.  Can’t wait to see these finished quilts.

Another great block.  With well-chosen fabrics from a stash.  Pretty nails too, eh?

Janet shows her cool bag.  Stitched by her friend, Jan.  We all want one, Jan!

And how’s this for Susan’s show ‘n tell?  Cute.

Beautiful block, Susan!

I believe these four blocks belong to Valerie.  Very nice.

Kathy forgot to bring her finished block.  So she showed us a pic she took of it on her design wall.  We’re not buying it, Kathy!  The next month she was sure to bring her actual stitched block.

Nancy was working on one of the more difficult, intricate blocks in the quilt.  And another project that she brought along to share too.

I have a lot more pics of everyone’s work in the group.  Remember I said there were 71?  I wasn’t kidding.  But I’ve been trying to get this blog completed for many days now.  And if I show you all of those pics, you’ll have moved right past lunch and on to dinner.  So I’ll save them for another day.  Or just take more at the next Rose of Sharon Club day.    I think I’ve given you a really good sampling of the work in the group.  So you could be sufficiently jealous.  There will definitely be more to come!

Hugs,
Barb

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Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – YUM!

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Barb

I’ve had several requests for this one.  It’s been my go to snack food during my new healthy eating this year.  And saved me from hunger attacks every day.  Healthy and filling – my kind of snack!

My friend, Suz, just rolled her eyes.  She was hoping for more quilts.  Or a recipe with butter and sugar.  Or <gasp> beef!  But I’m hanging in there with my new healthy eating.  And since I’ve actually had requests for the recipe on this one, I thought I’d comply.  Sorry Suz!

Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus.  Or garbanzo beans.  This can proves that they are the same thing.  I’ve been making my hummus with canned beans, but I just found dried ones recently at the grocery so I’ll be making this in the future with those.  I’ll let you know if I can tell a difference.

Garlic too.  Lots of garlic.  We love garlic at our house so sometimes I go overboard.  No vampires allowed in our place.

Chop the garlic into little chunks.  You can use a garlic press if you want to, but I prefer to chop it instead. 

Tahini is also a staple in hummus.  I had never used it before and even had a hard time finding it in the store.  Then I found a recipe online and now I make my own tahini.  I know, I know…. crazy vegan woman.  But the ingredients in tahini are just toasted sesame seeds and olive oil.  And I found a jar of toasted sesame seeds at the store before I found the actual tahini.  So I choose to make my own.  But you can buy the tahini if you want to.  I wouldn’t want you to become a crazy vegan woman.

So you just dump all the ingredients in the food processor and turn it on.  What’s that you say?  I didn’t tell you all the ingredients?  Sorry about that.  Here they are:

2 cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1/3 c tahini
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 tsp cumin
salt to taste
2 Tbsp olive oil (approximately – I just drizzle some in)
3-5 Tbsp water (for consistency)

Then I throw in a few roasted red peppers.  So far I’ve just used the store bought ones.  But one day soon I may just roast my own red peppers.  I’m a bit crazy about those things.

Then just whir that food processor until it looks like this.  Deliciousness.  I could eat the whole bowl with a spoon.

But I usually use celery or carrot sticks for dippers.  Until recently.  When I made my own pita chips!  Another online recipe find.  And they are easy.  And very good.

Brush olive oil on both sides of pita bread rounds.

Then cut each pita round into 8 pie-shaped wedges.

I did two rounds.  Put them on a cookie sheet…..

And sprinkle them with a little coarse salt.

Bake them at 450° for about 5 minutes.

These are great with hummus.  Or just by themselves.  Suz is rolling her eyes again.

And I’ve also tried various other things in the basic hummus recipe too.  Like artichokes.  And spinach.  Dear Hubby and I like the roasted red pepper the best.  But the artichokes were good too.  We weren’t too crazy about the spinach.

I have loads more recipes to share.  In fact, I spent several hours on the internet the other day printing some great ones.  Last night we had Red Lentil Tomato Stew and it was really deeeelish.  I’m also discovering greens that I never tried before.  Like swiss chard and kale.  Very interesting recipes for those two!  I’ll share them one day soon.

Even at the risk of having Suz roll her eyes again.  Love ya, Suz!

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in food, healthy, recipes | Tagged , , | 7 Comments