good riddance

Good riddance February!

I may be another month older but I'm always glad to get through the long/short month of February.

I love winter but surely the month of Feb. tests us all.

The weekend was productive here as I almost completed my to-do list.

These baby shoes were a quick and fun project.

I have the softest baby yarn on my needles for a cap.

Can you guess what I have it pictured in?

It's not a giant tea cup.

It's a chamber pot, ha.

The table runner looks spring-like and is ready for some quilting.

The tomato bisque soup is restaurant good.

Tomato Bisque Soup

(recipe yields 1 gallon, approximately)

1/4 pound butter

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

3/4 cup white flour

1 quart whole milk, warmed

1 46-oz. can tomato juice

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 28-oz. cans tomatoes, peeled and diced

3/4 teaspoon ground Greek Oregano

dash of white pepper

1/2 cup sugar (optional)

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Saute onions in butter until transparent. Sift in the flour, stirring vigorously and constantly. Whisk in warmed milk until it starts to thicken, about 10 minutes of until it starts to bubble. Add the tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes, again stirring constantly just to a boil. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients and bring back to boil.

This recipe can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

b

To-do

- table runner

- fabric baby shoes

-tomato bisque soup

-chili

-baby booties patterns to daughter knit and pearl

- new baby hat pattern

- order sock yarn

- try to keep warm

What's on your weekend to-do list? b

seventh heaven

After a dentist appointment yesterday I discovered or should I say I finally found the nerve to go into a charming quilt shop. It's been there several years but I knew once I walked in their door I would be hooked. And I was!

More fabrics, kits and patterns than I've ever seen under one roof.
They even carry a little yarn, I was in seventh heaven.

Round and round I went, and every time seeing something I missed the first or second time. I managed to get out of there with only two new projects.

I wonder what it would be like to go to work everyday at such a fun place. I suppose I would never get a pay check.

I love the ease of purchasing kits. I just can't seem to focus on one project with so many fabric choices.

Isn't this felted bag just too cute made by daughter knit and pearl?

She's not afraid to step into the unknown with her knitting. She will be a veteran knitter in a short time.
Keep it up Tildy!  b

amorous

I'm getting a bonus round from my amaryllis...

I was so disappointed last year when all four of the bulbs I purchased and gave for gifts failed to bloom.

And I was surprised this year when this second stalk came up to give me four more blooms.

I'm calling it my amorous amaryllis.    b

trouble

Cold, snowy days at home only get my waistline in trouble.

What's better than the oven running with something cinnamon-y in it?

And why slave over bread dough all day to have a hot gooey caramel roll when you can throw this monkey bread together in 15 minutes?

We received another 12 inches of snow here in the middle of the state. But it was nice being stuck inside for three days. I made huge progress on a couple of sewing and crocheting projects. I can wait for the big reveal on these. Better take my lunch and head that way now. b

Hail to the Chiefs...

It's Presidents" Day...

or as I call it, "A great excuse for a three day weekend."

These are just a couple of the projects I have waiting in the wings...

b

Friday Fav's

If you like kettle corn you need to get yourself a bag of this...

Angie's Kettle Corn

I caught Angie and Dan Bastian's success story on Martha Stewart one day and then was surprised to see it on the grocery shelf in our area. I don't know why...it's made in Mankato, Minnesota.

If you want to make it at home this is the recipe...

Angie's Stovetop Kettle Corn

(makes 8 cups)

5 tablespoons high-heat sunflower oil

1/2 cup yellow popcorn kernels

1/4 cup sugar

Sea salt

Heat oil in a stovetop popcorn maker with a hand crank over medium-high heat. Add a few popcorn kernels and cover. When popcorn begins to pop, add remaining kernels, cover and stir to coat with oil.

Add sugar, cover, and cook, stirring, until kernels are popped, about 2 minutes.

Immediately remove from heat.

Transfer popcorn to a large bowl and season with sea salt; let cool 1 minute before serving.

So Good!

"Now why couldn't have I thought of that?"   b

cravings

Strange things are happening at our house...

I'm craving tropical fruits?

I'm listening to Reggae music...

and crocheting with yarn in the color of sand!

Yesterday fabric? Woody's with surfboards...

YIKES! I almost went to work today wearing flip flops!

Yes, this is coconut pie and it is so good.

Can you believe me using garnish? HELP!

Impossible Coconut Pie

2 cups milk

1/4 cup margarine or butter

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

1 cup flaked or shredded coconut

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup Bisquick baking mix

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pie plate. Place all ingredients in blender container. Cover and blend on high 15 seconds. Pour into plate. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes; cool.

Serve with a tall 'sex on the beach' cocktail, lemon wedge and umbrella.  b

wagons

One of the fun fabrics I'm working with today...

Do you remember the old family station wagon?

I do!

Do you remember being 13 and what the family car looked like really mattered?

I remember the day mom and dad drove up in the driveway with the worst looking station wagon

I had ever witnessed. A two-tone baby blue and white 1958 Buick Roadmaster?

 The 13-year-old in me was thinking, "Please don't ask me to be seen in that!"

Now, 45 years later, I have lots of fond memories of that ol' wagon with it's worn out shock absorbers.

Us kids liked to sit in the very back of it for the fun ride it provided.

 Mr. b and I bought a wagon when our kids were young and probably embarrassed them too.

 They still talk about it also.

Grandpa had an old wagon like this for their flower business.

 I remember going with him to pick up flowers in a nearby town.

Isn't it funny how cars play such a big part in our lives in the way of memories? b

promises

Today's weather reminds us that spring will come.

With temperatures in the upper 40's and melting snow I'm dreaming of spring projects...

particularly a spring wedding.

It is so fun experiencing our daughters enthusiasm over every little detail.

I guess the question is - "Will there be life after the wedding?"

Don't these embroidered pillowcases scream spring?

They were done by my mother who still does beautiful handwork. She is 80!

Of course they're much too pretty to use and I have them safely tucked away for the next generation. b

lovin' love

It's a perfectly lovely day for love!

All I wanted to do was eat frosting on this cake!

Do you remember my question a few posts back...

if you were a pink or red valentine person?

Well, I'm definitely a pink valentine girl.

I'm loving these two little pink girls...

I think they are like pink flower buds peeking through the snow.  b

smiles for cookies

What are these two sisters smiling about?

Well this of course!

A cookie fit only for a princess.

And these two girls make me smile, smile and smile...b

ol'man winter

We're getting a nice reprieve here from ol'man winter for a few days.

He'll melt some of our snow before blasting us again I suppose.

I ventured out of town Wednesday to visit my sister.

 You can drop in on her via blog land at Sall's Country Life.

But you have to promise to not laugh at the white overshoes

I'm wearing in one of her photos.

On my way home I saw lots of pheasants foraging for food.

It's tough for them with all this snow cover.

But they really are a pretty sight on the snow.   b

birthdays

Happy Birthday!

to my Mr. b...

No, this isn't my Mr. b.

This is Tom Morris golfing at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1900.

But, Mr. b does loves to golf and I hope he is still golfing when he's ol'Toms age.

Mr. b would title this photo "Missed Opportunity."

It is the Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach.

While we lived in Salinas, Ca., Mr. b had the opportunity

to golf Pebble Beach but at the last minute got called in for guard duty.

Now, almost 40 years later, I think he wishes he would have risked the dishonorable discharge.

Today Mr. b is still doing his "duty" according to Uncle Sam,

only it's jury duty.
I hope the jury reaches a verdict quickly and I'm not eating birthday cake by myself tonight...b

kisses

Where do you like your kisses?

In a favorite piece of pottery?

or in a crystal bowl?   b

duffers

Our computer was on the blink this noon

forcing me to forgo my daily words of wisdom here

AND forcing me to pedal my butt around this living room an additional 10 minutes.

Mr. b took the computer to work with him

 where a specialist diagnosed our problem and sent it back home with him, whew!

A couple of new parts are also on their way,
and I'm back in bloggy land.

Here is the latest pile of yarn I have been working on...

The easiest slippers ever...

19 row felted slippers, really! only 19 rows.

And the pattern was free, thank you Mindie...

They're called Duffers, funny huh?

My feet, but I'm only being a foot model here.

I know...yes, I wear white socks.

I'm sharing these with my favorite knitting student.

She'll want to make her own, maybe she'll knit me a pair.   b

super weekend

Did you have a super weekend?

I enjoyed the food...

this buffalo chicken from Papa John's was delicious.

Today I'm detoxing with fruits and vegetables.

 

And the half time entertainment was fun to watch,

but mostly I waited for a new episode of Glee to come on after the game.

These beach fabrics on my sewing table helped me endure the snow and cold...

this beach chair has my name on it...

Would you like to join me for a glass of vino?  b

doggy bones

I whipped up some treats for the gran-dogs.

(aren't they too cute?)

Their mom and dad went out of the country on a business trip and made them stay home.

I remember how nice it was to get away without the kids...

all that barking and fighting wears you out at times. 1355

I will be shipping these bark-b-q treats up north soon.  b

in the pink

Are you feeling the love yet?

completed...

and future pink projects...

Are you more of a pink valentine or a red valentine?  b 1220



sweet things

In honor of February...

I changed my header to some really sweet things don't you think?

1400
And talking about sweets,

I think I've had too many because I spent an hour in the dentist chair today.

Do you think it would be appropriate to reward myself with this...

It's just a little treat

served up in one of Grandma Jessie's antique oatmeal bowls

and I promise to brush my teeth immediately after enjoying.   b

cream and butter

   Nothings better than a bowl of warm Amish baked oatmeal with cream before heading off to the work in minus temps and blowing snow.

Amish Baked Oatmeal

(4 servings)

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup dried fruit (optional)

 Mix all ingredients and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 30 minutes

The Amish know how to cook - cream, butter, eggs and sugar!

I was fortunate to grow up in a time where these ingredients weren't off-limits

and (that's a big AND) our dad worked in a creamery.

We never ran out of dairy products! 1190

Mr b loves this recipe enough to make it for himself.

Stay warm...b