Feeling nostalgic today. Missing Texas. Can you miss a State? Yes, if it's Texas. I wasn't born a Texan, but I was born to BE a Texan. LOL. Maroon Aggie blood courses through my veins. Whoop!
Don't get me wrong. We have made a wonderful life here in New Mexico although truth be told, I'm hoping our state residency is only temporary. When we moved here, I desperately wanted to redraw the state lines.
Why the sudden homesickness? While browsing through my Google Reader today I stumbled upon this quilt: Prarie Points of Interest . It's fabulous and the story behind it made me weepy for Texas. We never lived in the Texas Panhandle, but my childhood is firmly rooted in the hill country along the Blano River and our children were raised in the Davis Mountains where my heart still resides.
And it's spring. You haven't experienced spring until you've experienced it in Texas. My Mom called the other day and gushed about the Bluebonnets. And I cried.
Our daughter is headed off to college in the fall. In August she'll be "Gone to Texas" and I'm envious.
I've contemplated making a quilt to symbolize my love of Texas. I've seen a few, but none have spoken to me. A while back I bought a couple of Jelly Rolls of an older Moda line called Hill Country Spring, but I haven't had the heart to unroll it yet. I'm waiting for just the right project to come along and I'm thinking that my next Trip to Texas will require a trip to the quilt shop that still carries some of that yardage so I can snap it all up.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with a little bit of Texas gold (sniff, sniff):
I Can't See Texas From Here
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Just One Star
This passion for quilting has left me asking 'how can I help'? I want to become more involved in community service and I've been praying for ways to do that. I want God to use this passion for His purpose and I'm beginning to see those doors of opportunity swing open.
This morning, while I was catching up with blog buddies, I found this post from Debi and I jumped at the chance to get my feet wet. Thanks Debi! I've been thinking about joining in with this organization for some time, even before our son decided to join the Marines, and this is a way I can be involved.
Just One Star
This is a challenge from Moda called Just One Star can comfort a soldier. "The Moda challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson." Moda needs 1800 star blocks to reach this goal. The deadline for star blocks is May 1, 2011 so that they can meet their quilt deadline by Flag Day, June 14, 2011. You send completed blocks to Moda at the address in the link.
There is a tutorial/pattern for stars here. I hope you'll consider joining in! If you are close to me and don't want to mail them, I will gather them and send them off. Thanks so much!
This morning, while I was catching up with blog buddies, I found this post from Debi and I jumped at the chance to get my feet wet. Thanks Debi! I've been thinking about joining in with this organization for some time, even before our son decided to join the Marines, and this is a way I can be involved.
Just One Star
This is a challenge from Moda called Just One Star can comfort a soldier. "The Moda challenge is to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the Flag of Valor pattern by Minick and Simpson." Moda needs 1800 star blocks to reach this goal. The deadline for star blocks is May 1, 2011 so that they can meet their quilt deadline by Flag Day, June 14, 2011. You send completed blocks to Moda at the address in the link.
There is a tutorial/pattern for stars here. I hope you'll consider joining in! If you are close to me and don't want to mail them, I will gather them and send them off. Thanks so much!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Blooming Pinwheel Quilt
I haven't had much cause to quilt with girly fabrics so I went on a hunt for something special. I didn't have a clue as to what that was, but on a hunt I went. And I searched a long time for just the right fabric to jump out at me. When I found this "Quite Contrary" fabric, I knew I had to have it. Didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do with it though so I bought some companion pieces that never found their way into the quilt. So the hunt continued and I finally rounded up a few that had potential. Still didn't know where this little quilt was headed. Somehow I decided to try a pinwheel after I saw this great tutorial here...and I was hooked. It measured 42x32. I wanted to make it a bit bigger, but the addition of another column offset the 4 pinwheels on each corner and it bugged me. So a smaller, more balanced quilt was born.
I'm making myself add a label. I should have done that before it was quilted. Why is that so hard for me to do?
Karen, over at Sew Many Ways is having a Sew Darn Crafty Linking Party and I thought I would join in the fun. It's a fun way to discover new bloggy friends and ideas. Lots of amazingly talented people out there!
Now that the last stitch has been sewn, I am completely head over heels in love with it. I prayed for this child as I stitched. That she may have a life filled with love and laughter, good health and joy, and most importantly may the love and grace of Christ fill her heart and guide her days.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What's For Supper Dinner?
This morning I was working on a list for a menu and I thought, "What's for Supper?" and then my thoughts seamlessly continued..."Grandpa?"
"Chicken Fried Steak. Mashed Spuds. Cream Gravy. Buttermilk Biscuits. Black-eyed peas. And Peach Cobbler with homemade ice cream. " Must be said like Grandpa.
"YUM! YUM!"
Remember Hee Haw? Yes, it was corny, but it was honest to goodness-fun for the family- clean entertainment. And here lately, I've been wishing for a Grandpa like that. You know, one that cooks.
Come to think of it, don't know if I've ever heard of one of those.
Yesterday I read a post from a friend who was bemoaning the fact that it's hard to come up with ideas of what to cook and even if you have a idea, you most certainly will not have the required ingredients to make said meal. I hear you J.
Cue Grandpa's 'What's for Supper' scene.
Around here, our big meal is at noon and we call it Dinner. Our 'supper' is generally light: leftovers, something thrown in a tortilla, or popcorn.
There are days I have it all together and then there are days I do not. However, I figure we can all relate to those 'not' days when you find yourself staring vacantly into the refrigerator and pantry and sighing. You may even have small (or not so small) kidlets clinging to your britches clamoring for their next meal because they are S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G. Those days are a thing of the past around here, but grown kidlets in men's clothing can be just as convincing.
One of the things I have done is make a master list of everything I cook. I have it on the inside of a cupboard door and refer to it on those days I am at a loss. Some things get made more often than others and some only get made once a year, but they are all things we deem as keepers. I'm pretty lucky. My crew isn't picky. They're wonderful guinea pigs although I've made my fair share of "what were you thinking?" recipes. Here's my list:
What’s for Dinner?
1.Catalina Salad
2.Hamburgers
3.Hotdogs
4.Sloppy Joes
5.Steak
6.Barbeque Sandwiches
7.Taco Soup
8.Meatloaf
9.Lasagna
10.Layered Mini Lasagna Casserole
11.Taco Lasagna
12.Bolognese Lasagna
13.Crock Pot Pizza
14.Beefy Beans & Cornbread
15.Beef & Cheese Enchiladas (red & green)
16.Chicken Enchiladas
17.Tacos/Tostadas
18.Burritos
19.Quesadillas
20.Steak Tampequena
21.Spaghetti
22.Chicken Fried Steak
23.Smothered Steak
24.Swiss Steak
25.Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
26.Buckaroo Bundles
27.Beef French Dip Au Jus
28.Hamburger Cornpone Pie
29.Pour-a-Pan Pizza
30.Hungarian Goulash Soup
31.Black Bean Sirloin Chili
32.Chili
33.Hobo Casserole
34.Potato Soup
35.Stew
36.Chicken Tortilla Soup
37.Chicken Strips
38.Smothered Chicken
39.Chicken Spaghetti
40.Chicken Pot Pie
41.King Ranch Chicken Casserole
42.Chicken & Dumpling Casserole
43.Fried Chicken
44.Ravioli Casserole
45.4-Cheese Chicken Fettuccine
46.Ham & Swiss Stromboli
47.BLTs
48.Pioneer Woman’s Sandwich
49.Marlboro Man’s Sandwich
50.Burgundy Steak
51.Steak Burritos
52.Salisbury Steak Deluxe
53.Roast
54.Ribs
55. Venison Backstrap or Tenderloin
56. Beef Tips
57. Chicken Parmesan
58. Homemade Pizza
59. Barbeque Chicken
60. Fajitas
61. Grilled Sausage
62. Breaded Pork Chops
63. Chef Salad w/ grilled beef or chicken
64. Tortilla Stack
Now I won't guarantee you'll know exactly what your cooking every single day, but it does seem to help.
I also try to make a menu for each week. Just jot it down on an index card and then you can refer to the recipes when you're making your grocery list.
I have lots of cookbooks, but I keep our favorite recipes here.
Friends are another great source and mine are great cooks who are more than willing to share their recipes. Something they're completely sick of making might be your family's newest favorite dish! Works both ways! Just added #27 from here. Scroll down for the recipe. Thanks Naomi!
And I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my list so y'all send 'em this way!
In closing, here's a hint: Keep the ingredients for a Cherry Pie on hand at all times. It's guaranteed to put a sparkle in their eye and stop that tummy from rumbling... at least until the next meal rolls around and if y'all ever find a Grandpa like Hee Haw, send him my way.
"Chicken Fried Steak. Mashed Spuds. Cream Gravy. Buttermilk Biscuits. Black-eyed peas. And Peach Cobbler with homemade ice cream. " Must be said like Grandpa.
"YUM! YUM!"
Remember Hee Haw? Yes, it was corny, but it was honest to goodness-fun for the family- clean entertainment. And here lately, I've been wishing for a Grandpa like that. You know, one that cooks.
Come to think of it, don't know if I've ever heard of one of those.
Yesterday I read a post from a friend who was bemoaning the fact that it's hard to come up with ideas of what to cook and even if you have a idea, you most certainly will not have the required ingredients to make said meal. I hear you J.
Cue Grandpa's 'What's for Supper' scene.
Around here, our big meal is at noon and we call it Dinner. Our 'supper' is generally light: leftovers, something thrown in a tortilla, or popcorn.
There are days I have it all together and then there are days I do not. However, I figure we can all relate to those 'not' days when you find yourself staring vacantly into the refrigerator and pantry and sighing. You may even have small (or not so small) kidlets clinging to your britches clamoring for their next meal because they are S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G. Those days are a thing of the past around here, but grown kidlets in men's clothing can be just as convincing.
One of the things I have done is make a master list of everything I cook. I have it on the inside of a cupboard door and refer to it on those days I am at a loss. Some things get made more often than others and some only get made once a year, but they are all things we deem as keepers. I'm pretty lucky. My crew isn't picky. They're wonderful guinea pigs although I've made my fair share of "what were you thinking?" recipes. Here's my list:
What’s for Dinner?
1.Catalina Salad
2.Hamburgers
3.Hotdogs
4.Sloppy Joes
5.Steak
6.Barbeque Sandwiches
7.Taco Soup
8.Meatloaf
9.Lasagna
10.Layered Mini Lasagna Casserole
11.Taco Lasagna
12.Bolognese Lasagna
13.Crock Pot Pizza
14.Beefy Beans & Cornbread
15.Beef & Cheese Enchiladas (red & green)
16.Chicken Enchiladas
17.Tacos/Tostadas
18.Burritos
19.Quesadillas
20.Steak Tampequena
21.Spaghetti
22.Chicken Fried Steak
23.Smothered Steak
24.Swiss Steak
25.Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
26.Buckaroo Bundles
27.Beef French Dip Au Jus
28.Hamburger Cornpone Pie
29.Pour-a-Pan Pizza
30.Hungarian Goulash Soup
31.Black Bean Sirloin Chili
32.Chili
33.Hobo Casserole
34.Potato Soup
35.Stew
36.Chicken Tortilla Soup
37.Chicken Strips
38.Smothered Chicken
39.Chicken Spaghetti
40.Chicken Pot Pie
41.King Ranch Chicken Casserole
42.Chicken & Dumpling Casserole
43.Fried Chicken
44.Ravioli Casserole
45.4-Cheese Chicken Fettuccine
46.Ham & Swiss Stromboli
47.BLTs
48.Pioneer Woman’s Sandwich
49.Marlboro Man’s Sandwich
50.Burgundy Steak
51.Steak Burritos
52.Salisbury Steak Deluxe
53.Roast
54.Ribs
55. Venison Backstrap or Tenderloin
56. Beef Tips
57. Chicken Parmesan
58. Homemade Pizza
59. Barbeque Chicken
60. Fajitas
61. Grilled Sausage
62. Breaded Pork Chops
63. Chef Salad w/ grilled beef or chicken
64. Tortilla Stack
Now I won't guarantee you'll know exactly what your cooking every single day, but it does seem to help.
I also try to make a menu for each week. Just jot it down on an index card and then you can refer to the recipes when you're making your grocery list.
I have lots of cookbooks, but I keep our favorite recipes here.
Friends are another great source and mine are great cooks who are more than willing to share their recipes. Something they're completely sick of making might be your family's newest favorite dish! Works both ways! Just added #27 from here. Scroll down for the recipe. Thanks Naomi!
And I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my list so y'all send 'em this way!
In closing, here's a hint: Keep the ingredients for a Cherry Pie on hand at all times. It's guaranteed to put a sparkle in their eye and stop that tummy from rumbling... at least until the next meal rolls around and if y'all ever find a Grandpa like Hee Haw, send him my way.
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