What's Cooking Good Looking

Remember this old thing?  I finished this top in Sept. 2012.

While I wait to get my stencil for my King quilt, I'm marking this one for machine quilting.   I'm using a stencil that I designed and cut myself.

I've approached the Stencil Co to see if there is interest in manufacturing this.  I hope so, mine is getting a little ragged.  Would you be interested in a 18" fan stencil?

FFF - Summer Cooking (or the lack of)

Here's an easy no cook summer meal.  Use any frozen pizza and add dollops of pesto (I use Classico) and cook according to package directions.

I use the Presto Pizza Pizzaz baker.  It makes a frozen pizza in 15 minutes, and you don't turn the oven on.   It's great for heating up leftovers too.

I drizzle the pizza with Balsamic Glaze.  You can add your favorite spices and enjoy!  For supper you can get fancy and add a simple green salad.

Of course this is my all time favorite summer meals fixins'.....heaven.

I just finished this book and really enjoyed it.   It was the first time I have read this author.

This was another wonderful read this summer -

I'm always looking for a good book.  What have you been reading?

Fun For Friday - Morning!!

Morning is my favorite time of day!  I'm an early riser and I love having a quiet house to myself for awhile.  I'm one of those super obnoxious people who go around humming and singing in the morning.  My poor family....

I have a morning routine that very rarely alters and here it is:

I make a cup of coffee (thank you Kurig for being so fast) and step into my office.

That is what Rich calls my table and my spot on the green couch in the Gold Living Room.  I took over the living room 3 houses ago for morning time.  It is a pretty room and often under used - so I use it for me time.

I take my coffee (and usually coco) and sit.  My first task is to make an entry in my Five Year Journal.  It is awesome.  There are only a few lines to fill in and now that I'm on Year 3, it is fun to read back.

The second thing I do is a little spiritual reading of some sort.  I've read the Bible 3 times by doing it one day at a time.  This year I'm working on "The Wisdom of the Tao" and a book my friend Mary B gave me; "Help, Thanks, Wow - The Three Essential Prayers".

Then I either do a little more reading, or I write a note to someone.  I often listen to my book and a do a little applique' and have a second cup of coffee.  Sometimes I work on my laptop, but I'm trying not to get into that habit.

Here are two more new books that I got from Mary for Christmas this year: "Making Time", and "How to Live on 24 Hours a Day".   I'm sensing a theme here.

At 7 am I can almost always be found watching Good Morning America.  They don't know it, but there is a suburban NJ woman helping them co-anchor the show.  I weigh in on nearly every topic, especially the legal issues.

Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly fun, but it wasn't quilting related either.  You know what is fun?  PUPPIES!

Not into the Super Bowl?  Animal Planet hosts the Puppy Bowl click here to see some footage.  It is so cute!  I can't stand it.

http://youtu.be/EjpM-m20pIg

Have a Fun Weekend!

Fun For Friday - Reading as a Sport, Chowder, and a Cheap Trick

When I'm not reading, I read books and lists about Reading.....Huh?

I almost exclusively listen to books on my ipod.  The sources I use are my local library, itunes and audio.com.  I try not listen to my book when I go to bed because I loose my place.

So, instead I read about reading.

Here are my favorite books on the subject:

The books above and below were gifts from my dear friend, Mary B.  We've had many great book talks over the years.

This is a card game that I've never played, but I love reading the cards.

If you google "book lists" or "reading lists" there is a plethera of them on the web.   Also on the web, I'm a member of Library Thing.  Here is my page if you want to see it.



Last weekend my son requested Corn Chowder.  I got this great recipe from Susan McD.  It goes well with a good book on a cold day.

Maize Chowder  - (at our house corn is always referred to as "maize" in November.)

1/2 lb bacon 2" pieces (more if you like more)
4 or 5 red potatoes cut into 1" cubes
1 onion chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken broth (use more for a thinner soup)
3 cups creamed corn
1 cup whole corn
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Crushed red pepper to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 cups half & half  (I use fat free and it works just fine)
Optional:  last time I added cubed cooked chicken

Cook bacon in stock pot
Add onion and potatoes cook 5 mins.
Add broth, creamed corn, corn, and spices
Bring to boil then let simmer stirring often about 30 mins.

Heat half & half in separate pan until it bubbles on sides but not boiling.  Add to soup and serve.

Here is a cheap trick that I love.   I buy cute seasonal 8" paper plates at the party stores, dollar stores and recently the Christmas Tree Shop.  Aren't they cute?
We use them for dessert around here and they are great for entertaining too.

To get the biggest bang out of my cheap plates, I stack them up alternating the designs.

Fun, right?

So grab a book, a bowl of chowder, and a cute plated treat and enjoy!