Happy Birthday to my CEO*...

*boss, supervisor and chief bottle washer.

 

 

That baby is now collecting social security!

 

 

It's amazing how time flies...

Life is good.

 

~b



butter

 

The taste of store bought butter lately has inspired me to make my own.

 

No...I didn't use Mother b's butter churn.

Although Mr. b can recall doing a lot of hand cranking with it as a boy.

 

You can find recipes for butter with detailed instructions online.

This is the one I used...

 

Homemade Butter

Ingredients

• 1 carrot (optional)
• 1/4 c. milk (optional)
• 1 quart heavy cream
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. (OPTIONAL) Peel and finely grate a carrot. Heat in small saucepan with 1/4 cup milk until milk is bubbly. Use a clean cheesecloth to strain orange-colored milk into the bowl of your stand mixer. Discard shredded carrot.
2. Pour cream into bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add salt. Cover mixer with a towel–trust me on this one, it will be messy! Turn mixer on high.
3. Continue mixing, checking on mixture frequently. It will first turn to whipped cream, then begin to get grainy and separate into butter and buttermilk, and the splashing will get much worse. The butter is ready when it sticks in a clump to the paddle.
4. Place a colander over a bowl, then strain the buttermilk off of the butter.
5. Using your hands or a spatula, press out excess buttermilk under cold running water until water runs clear. Shape into stick or ball. Butter will keep covered in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Serve with bread and enjoy!

 

Super easy with my Kitchenaid doing all the work for me.

 

I used the buttermilk from my butter to make Ranch dressing.

I could literally drink this dressing, it's that good.

 

 

I made honey butter with half of my butter

 and will use some for herb butter also.

 

 

And this folks...

is what makes me chubby and happy.

 

~b



 

 

 

 



blue

A blue state of mind...

 

 

 

 

 

 

internet image

 

~b

 

 

 

 



Happy Friday!

I've decided I like making these mini quilts...

 

 

and then turning them into book covers, pin cushions,

 zipper pouches and more.

 

 

Scraps don't get wasted in my shop.

 

 

Have a fantastic weekend.     ~b



Sample Wednesday

I have been thinking about a wrist pincushion for a long time.

I am always chasing my pincushion and scissors.

I didn't really want to make one and

I didn't want to pay for one either.

Nice ones are pretty expensive on Etsy.

 

What's a girl to do?

 

 

I told myself, "Just bite the bullet and make one."

 

I also learned paper piecing with this pattern.

 

 

"I did it."

crazy quilted wrist pincushion

 

And now that I have my sample made

Daughter Knit and Pearl

is sure to claim it.

I will have to make myself one won't I?

 

 

~b

 



warmer

I finished this cowl while I enjoyed my morning coffee...

chunky yarn and big needles.

 

 

Sometimes all you need is a little something extra

 around your neck to keep you warm.

 

 

 

internet image

 

~b

 

 



It's February!

Which means my 31 days of zipper pouches is done.

 

 

I have a zipper pouch for everyone...

 

 

Junk food lovers...

 

 

crazy people...

 

 

tea drinkers and dessert addicts.

 

 

I'm serving them up in

an old vintage chipped enamel bowl.

----------------------------

So...

I'm declaring February as muffin month.

 

 

Samples will be accepted...      ~b