Wednesday This ‘N That…

January 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment

In my last post I promised a picture of the jacket I finished at the retreat.  It is actually a “hybrid” using two of SuznQuilts‘ jacket designs, with a twist of my own thrown in.  I wanted to make this jacket just for me.  Valentine’s Day is coming (not that I celebrate it that much), but I thought this jacket was a cute design, so that is why I made it.

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New potato soup recipe I made last night…this one has bacon in it. Yummm…I am so stuck on potato soups right now.

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Today I am preparing to pack my van so that I can leave early in the morning.  Where am I going?  To another quilting retreat, that’s where! It doesn’t get any better than that.  This one will be held in a quilt shop that has living quarters on the 3rd floor.  Hopefully I will have new finished projects to show when I get back.

On another note, I want to congratulate the new president on a fine inaugural event and I wish him the best of success in governing this great land for the next four years.  May God richly bless him and his family as he embarks on the work ahead.

Filed Under: election '08, food, history, holidays, quilt retreats Tagged With: , , ,

The New Year

January 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment

It is the last day of 2008.  My blog is set on some weird time zone, but I think it will show that I am still writing this in 2008.

(Note:  Whoops, guess not…after I published it I see it shows Jan. 1. 2009.  Oh, well.)

It is hard to be pensive and thoughtful about the past year as I am cleaning and fixing food, in preparation for a few guests tonight.  Perhaps I will be able to tomorrow.  Of course, my husband will also be home with me, so, maybe not. I am making that yummy potato soup recipe with homemade croutons that I have talked about before and the shrimp cocktail is on ice.

A lot of people on the quiltart list are already talking about goals for 2009.  Hmmm…all I know is that my first three months of the year are likely to be quite busy and I am gearing up mentally.  I will be attending two quilt retreats (count ’em…two!) in January.  My husband purchased one of them as a Christmas gift to me. What a sweetie.  I have a project class scheduled to teach at the quilt shop in Evansville.  In February I have a machine quilting class scheduled and the rest of the month will be spent preparing to vend at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington, IN.  I received notification that they had a space available.  Since I have wanted to vend there for a few years, I jumped at the chance.  So I will be dyeing fabric as well as making decisions about my inventory of other artsy things to take.  The Indiana Heritage show is a fairly large show lasting 3 days.  I may also have the opportunity to teach a workshop for a Greenwood quilt guild while I am up there.  Currently I am still slugging around trying to complete the commission proposal.  It is not finished yet.  I am making small advances.

Anyway, here’s wishing every reader a VERY BLESSED NEW YEAR!

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New piece I’ve been working on for a “go green” exhibit…I’m sure it’s now done..except for finishing the edges…made from a section of an old quilt…

Filed Under: holidays, new art, quilt shows Tagged With: , , ,

Potato Soup…

November 17, 2008 by Leave a Comment

I don’t usually post about food, but today I am making potato soup before I go teach, so that’s what I am posting about.

When the weather starts to turn cold, I love to start making soup. I love soup. I’m not sure why, but I do. I have never liked potato soup….that is, until recently. I know why I never liked potato soup…my grandmother made it all the time and it was runny, made of mostly milk, few potatoes and celery. I just never cared for it much, consequently, for all these years I never made potato soup. A couple of years ago I found some recipes I thought I would try. There are a couple of different ones I use. They are thick, tasty, and have lots of potatoes in them. I love potato soup! (And I love potatoes, as my hips will attest to) I make it a lot too, as soon as the weather cools. My very favorite potato soup recipe is thick with sour cream, but rather bland….but that is because it is meant to be served with highly seasoned, homemade, deep FRIED, croutons. They are seasoned with parsley, garlic, paprika, salt, and parmesan cheese. Are you drooling yet?

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Simmering potatoes, onions and celery…

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I added some parsley and chives for a little flavor….now to make the croutons…I like to use whole grain breads for those. I have some homemade in the freezer.

I have to run now, but I will post the croutons later for your drooling pleasure.

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Filed Under: food Tagged With: