Napa Salad Recipe...

Napa Salad Recipe

Work went really well yesterday, but I was wiped by the time I finished. Came home, changed into sweats, and thought I'd just take a quick nap. Handsome woke me up for dinner two hours later!

I didn't do any work on his quilt. I didn't really do anything else after we ate. So, I thought I'd share the recipe for the salad I took to the cookie exchange. It's a favorite around here, and although there are a few steps, it's really easy to make.

I use the chicken-flavored ramen noodles, and add the green onions, which are optional in the recipe. If you try it, let me know what you think!

I'll be in the studio today, so I'll be able to share the finished quilt top tomorrow. This afternoon is our classmate dinner, too. Last one for the year. Hard to believe. sigh

Working On A Special Project...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jerry Gadamus Labrador Fabric Panels

This project is long overdue, but I'm going to do it now. If you've followed me for a while, I've sung this song before, but I really am doing it this time.

Handsome had asked me to make a new quilt for him to replace one that I made for him forty years ago. He loved the last one so much that I'm still patching it so he can keep using it.

It's not one of the highly embellished quilts like those I've done more recently. He wants fiberfill batting and minimal finish quilting just like that first one I made from a single, repeating, long panel from all those years ago. 

So I went looking for retriever fabric to stay with the same theme. When I saw the fabric that used the paintings we recognized and loved from years ago, I bought what I could find from the line. Unfortunately, a long repeated panel wasn't available. That means I'm going to have to piece it with other fabrics to create the size I want. He asked for a larger one this time. 

The last retriever quilt was about 76" long by 48" wide. This one will finish closer to 85" long by 60" wide. I began with a drawing of how I want it to look, and worked out measurements from my drawing. From there I started cutting and piecing. 

I'll be working today, so I won't likely won't complete the top tonight, but I'll get it done soon so I can share it with you. I'm really happy with what I've got so far. I think Handsome will like it, too. More soon!

2025 Cookie Exchange...

l-r (Adults Only) Stephanie, Diana, Alexandria, Cassie and Donna

Another successful Cookie Exchange in the record book. Our group was small this year, but that didn't keep us from having a grand time. Stephanie is our annual hostess, and she goes out of her way to have a lovely snack spread, games (and prizes!), and fine company. 

We suspect the weather (-20º F wind chill) may have had something to do with the turnout, but we didn't mind. We're all related! Of course, you will recognize Diana's name (my sister). Steph is her daughter, Alex is Di's daughter-in-law, Cassie is Alex's sister, and those two sweet girls in front are Alex's twin daughters. When it's family, there is always conversation, and we spent some of our visit catching up.

Top Left - Clockwise: Diana's chocolate offerings, Alex's Molasses Cookies, Steph's Pizelles, Cassie's Date Cookies, Twins' Cutout Cookies, and my Koulourakia Cookies.

Diana was the overachiever this year. She brought hot cocoa mix, chocolate marshmallow cookies, chocolate truffles and chocolate no-bake cookies. Alexandria made delicious molasses cookies. Stephanie had time to make cookies, even though she made bbq cocktail sausages and a fabulous charcuterie tray. Cassie made a date cookie recipe that came from her fiancee's mom, carrying on the family tradition. The twins contributed two trays of decorated cutout cookies, and I made our favorite Koulourakia twists, which became a holiday tradition when we lived in Florida. My Panera's group friend, Kathy made them every year, and graciously shared the recipe with me when we moved.

Snacks for the attendees

Everyone brought a dish to share, so we had offerings on the charcuterie tray, shrimp, smoked fish, ham roll-ups, and a non-alcoholic beverage (with the option to add champagne). I stayed n/a. I took a salad that's a family favorite that has a sauteed mixture of water chestnuts, ramen noodles, green onions, mushrooms, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds over Romaine lettuce. The dressing is a sweet and sour sauce.

The Giving Plate

Diana brought The Giving Plates in two patterns, and gave one to each of us. She mentioned that we weren't required to give them away, so I'll probably keep mine at least for this season. Next year I'll load it with cookies to share.

So, that was my Sunday. Cold outside, but happy and warm inside with people I love. Handsome is out from under his nasty cold, so that's a blessing, too. I'll be busy in the studio again this week. I'll tell you tomorrow about the jammies.

Sunday Scripture...

II Corinthians 1:3-4 from Sweet To The Soul

 

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

This Year's Christmas Trees

It's going to be darned cold today, but I'll be cozy inside, baking cookies for the exchange party tomorrow. The wind picked up late last night, and it was even snowing a bit. Neither dogs nor cats wanted anything to do with going out. 

I ran to the store yesterday and got eighty pounds of bird seed, so I know I'll be able to keep our flying friends nourished so they can stay warm. I'd love to think they're all sheltered in the rafters of the Compass Barn, but I suspect most have sought shelter in the woods above the farmhouse when they're not eating.

Once the cookies are done, I'll be stitching. Anything to stay busy - and indoors. As I write this, it's 11º, but with the 17 mph wind, it feels like -7º. Warm socks and sweaters are definitely in order around here.

Stay safe, my friends. 

Brooches...

Materials for Goldwork Brooches

I chose the materials to make a few goldwork brooches for my Christmas list. This is just one colorway. I'll have two different colors when I'm finished.

I'm going to be working on them today, and hope to complete them over the weekend. I'm planning to make at least three. This will be fun. You know how I love working on bright, shiny things! 

We're supposed to get a deep freeze this weekend, so I'll make sure I have plenty of food out for the birds and critters. I'm hoping the opossums find their way back to the barn for some protection this winter. The cabinet I created for the "barn" cats a couple years ago has a warming lamp inside that I think they'd enjoy. I'll have food and fresh water out there, just in case.

I work tonight, but I'll be inside with Handsome and the girls most of the weekend. There's supposed to be a cookie exchange at my niece's on Sunday, so I'll be baking tomorrow. Handsome still has a rotten cold, but I'm taking good care of him. Chicken soup was on last night's menu, and I'll make something warm and hearty again for him tonight. If you're in the "ice belt", I hope you stay safe and warm. 

Completely Done...

"Summer Serenade - Bluebirds" Label

The label is now affixed, and the smaller sleeve has been replaced with a four inch sleeve featuring the selvage from the bluebird fabric.

"As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles."

I sewed the selvage to the sleeve before I assembled it. Then I hand sewed it to the back of the wall hanging.

Now that I've done those things, my bluebird wall hanging is completely done. The three seasonal bird pieces will hang together until a fourth season - American goldfinches for autumn - joins them. 

I may do a pair of black-capped chickadees before the goldfinches. There are a number of these sweet birds who wait for me to fill the feeders every winter. They're usually about a foot over my head when I trudge through the snow to bring their food. I'll say, "Chicka dee dee dee", and those little birds chirp right back at me! I'll really have fun doing them!

Well, it's time to begin my gift sewing now. Best get back to the studio! See you tomorrow.

I'm Going To Do It!...

Selvage From Moda's Bluebird's Nest Fabric - Kansas City Quilters

I'm going to add a wider hanging sleeve to my bluebird wall hanging. It should have been 4" deep, and I only made it 3". sigh Anyway, I don't mind one bit, as I'm going to take MA's steller suggestion and add the selvage from the Bluebird's Nest fabric and sew it onto the sleeve before I attach it. 

This sleeve will be a permanent installation on the quilt - even after I have it mounted into a shadowbox frame. It's fitting that the selvage be a part of the piece. Thanks for the idea, MA!

Work went well yesterday, and I was well settled in at home before the snow started. We're expecting 1-3", and it's going to be cold. Those are perfect conditions for studio work.

So, at this point, here's my Christmas Project list (so far):

• Grammie's Jammies x 3
• 3 table runners
• 2 goldwork brooches
• 3 lap quilts

I'll be starting these projects today, and will share them with you as I complete them. (I'll probably share sneaky peeks along the way, too.) I'm off until Friday night, so I expect to make some good progress by then.

Of course, there will be 6 - 8 dozen cookies made, too. I'm planning to bake on Saturday for the Sunday get-together. I'm determined to have this be a relaxing process this year. No panic. No stress. If it's not going to be fun, I'll do something else. There's always Amazon, right?

First is this sleeve for the bluebirds. Then on to the next thing! See you tomorrow.

Last Saturday's Online Class...

Clara Warschauer Goldwork Cross Class

This was the Zoom class I took last Saturday. Clara Warschauer (@clarastitching) was the instructor, and she taught this in collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing (ES) in Minnesota, USA. Kits could be purchased from Clara, and other materials are available from ES. 

This is a lovely piece, which measures approximately 3" square, and will make a nice tree ornament, box embellishment, or framed piece for someone special. I intend to stitch it in another colorway as a Christmas gift. I'll be using champagne-colored silk dupioni rather than the red, as I think the colors I want to use will look better on that color.

I am making my list of Christmas projects now, and will begin creating them this week. Sunday is a cookie exchange at my niece's, so I'll also be making at least six dozen cookies and a dish to pass for that. Handsome will need some cookies, too, so I'm planning extras for him.

I've decided to make the delicious koulourakia cookies that my friend, Kathy in Florida always made to share with the Panera's group during the holidays. They're especially tasty because of the bergamot flavoring that goes into them, plus they're not overly sweet, so I think they can be enjoyed by all.

Today, I'm working again my usual 10 am - 4 pm, but I'm going in an hour early. My boss needs to take another day at home, so Teresa will come in early to cashier, and when I get there, she can go home and let her dogs out before coming back to work her usual kitchen shift with me out front on the till.

The projects begin tomorrow, so I'll probably go to bed at a reasonable hour tonight so I'm fresh to start creating. We're supposed to get another snow dump starting after work, so I'll be happy in the studio. I've got lots of food out for the birds and critters, so I'm making sure they're taken care of, too.

If you're in the snow belt, stay safe and warm. I'll be back tomorrow with my list. You'll be able to see what the elves and I will be up to for the next couple weeks!

Date Night With Our Granddaughters...

We had a Friday Date Night with our granddaughters to see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee. This was all their idea, which made it even more special!

We picked them up at Son #2's home and proceeded to Milwaukee from there. When it started snowing mid-afternoon, I was concerned that we'd be traveling in crummy weather, but it stopped just before we left home, so the roads were clear sailing. It did snow while we watched the Milwaukee Symphony perform the music track behind the film, but again, it stopped before the end of the performance.

The coolest thing about driving there and back was that our parking spot is almost where this photograph was taken, so all we had to do was cross the street twice to get back in the Explorer!

 

 

Directly outside the theater doors was this little area with the Hogwarts School flag, so people were taking turns posing in front of it for photographs. Unlike the time when I went alone with the girls, there were no big merchandise sales areas. They had a web address shown during intermission if folks wanted to purchase any show souvenirs.

Of course, there was a butter beer (Granddaughter #1), a soda (Granddaughter #2), and popcorn for during the performance. Butter beer, by the way, isn't beer. It actually is a sparkling beverage that tastes like butterscotch candy. It's quite enjoyable!

 

 

One more photo on the way out after the performance. We had a fabulous time, and were so happy that the ladies chose to spend a Friday night with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate my birthday. Granddaughter #1 is engaged now, and Granddaughter #2 is a college student, so it was a real treat to know that they wanted to be with us rather than the million other things they could have been doing.

 

During the movie, all four of us took turns preempting the dialogue. We've all seen this one so many times that we know exactly what's going to happen next - and who's going to say what. We laughed about that (among other things) all the way home.

We had a great time, and we all agreed that we'll make this an annual event until all four of us (with Potter-loving additions, of course) have seen all seven movies together like this. We're already looking forward to the next one!

 

I agreed to cover an early shift today, so I'll be at work by 5:30 am. I'm sure there's a nap in my future this afternoon. Have a great day! See you tomorrow.

 

Sunday Scripture...

Jeremiah 29:13

One To Go...

Don't Mind The Resident Moocher

As requested, I'm sharing photographs of all three wall hangings together. Of course, I'll rearrange when I complete the autumn wall hanging in 2026, but this is how I've arranged these three for now.

Robins and Cardinals were hanging in my studio until I moved them into our bedroom. Now, I'll see them when I wake up in the morning, and last thing before bed.

Handsome thinks I should consider having custom shadowbox frames with UV glass made for them. I'm seriously considering it! What do you think?

"Song of Spring - Robins"

"Winter Song - Cardinals"

"Summer Serenade - Bluebirds"

Thanks to everyone for all the lovely and encouraging comments along the way. We'll start again next year, but for now, I'm going to take a break from songbirds and get busy on Christmas projects. I'll have something completely unrelated for next week! See you then.

Come Fly Away...

Brynwood Needleworks Design - "Summer Serenade - Bluebirds"

The quilting is done. The binding is applied, and the hanging sleeve has been sewn to the back. I have to add my label before it's technically complete, but I'm calling is finished now. To say I'm proud of this piece is an understatement. 

Bluebird Print Backing

I started this piece in September 2024, so "Summer Serenade" was fifteen months in the making. Granted, I didn't work on it every single day. Even so, there are hundreds of actual needlework hours in the bluebirds themselves.

I found this beautiful fabric that was a near-perfect color match for the Blackbird Designs Blueberry Crumb Cake line. It's from Moda™ and called Bluebird's Nest by Kansas Troubles Quilters. The selvage has bluebird shapes for the color key, and there is a verse on it, too. It says "As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles." I love that. I didn't see my first live bluebird until we moved to the farmhouse, and they delight us every spring when they return.

"Summer Serenade - Bluebirds" Wall Hanging

I really like the final colors and fabric choices that I ended up with here. Everything about it makes me happy. 

Closeup of the Stumpwork Bluebirds on the Wall Hanging

I ordered the stickers of these bluebird embroideries already, so soon I'll offer up the set of the three seasons that are already done...robins, cardinals, and bluebirds. Next year, I'll add my autumn piece featuring American goldfinches. 

For now, I'm going to enjoy this finish, and will be hanging all three in our bedroom where I can see them every day. Once they're installed, I'll take another photograph and so you can see them all together.

Onward, Birthday Girl!...

Me At Seventy One

I spent the day in the studio (Big Reveal tomorrow!), and then Handsome and I went to Wendi's for my hair appointment. By the time we got home, the temperature had dropped into the 20ºs and it was windy. I was freezing, and so were my newly-uncovered ears! lol I went straight upstairs and changed into my warm, comfy sweats!

Handsome had gone out in the morning to the butcher shop up the road that sells local beef, and chose two tenderloin steaks for dinner. When I opened that package to grill them, they were huge! I cut one in half and then butterflied the halves for our meal, freezing the other for another time. 

While I was with Wendi getting my hair cut, he went to the grocery store and bought a birthday cake for dessert. So, I was telling everyone we were having steak and cake for my birthday dinner! 

I finally started to warm up after a steaming hot cuppa and dinner, and the sweats didn't hurt either. Before bedtime, I asked Handsome to "take my picture" and this is the result. This is who I am most of the winter. Of course I dress up to go out, and there's my work uniform, but at home, I'm most comfortable in this attire. Function before form, right?

I'll be debuting my completed bluebird project on Instagram, Facebook and here tomorrow. I can't wait to show you! For now, I'm making my list of Christmas projects so I can get started on those next. 'Tis the season!

Celebratin'...

71st Birthday Web Image

It's official. Today I begin my next trip around the sun. 71 and aiming for 100. Women in my family are long-lived, and I hope to be among them...in time.

I'm going to share my official "71" photo tomorrow (along with my completed bluebirds) rather than today because I have a hair appointment at 4 pm, and I'm a bit frowsy right now. lol I know. It's not like I'm actual royalty or anything. Just ask Handsome.

After I complete the bluebirds, I'm going to rest on my laurels the balance of the day. When I go out for my hair appointment, I intend to return with my actual Birthday cake, too!

I'd love to stay and chat, but bluebirds are impatient. I'll be needle dancing this morning, and then slow dancing with Handsome to one of our favorite songs later this afternoon. If you share my birthdate, let me know! I'd love to celebrate you, too!  See you tomorrow.

Nearly Done...

Freehand Quilting The Bluebirds

I was hard at it yesterday, quilting on my bluebirds. I spent hours quilting a meander pattern around the main block that will highlight my birds.

Border Details

The meandering was the easy part for me. I'm working on the borders now. I've done a straight stitch "in the ditch" (along the seams) for the straight borders. Those were all complete, leaving the half square triangles. By dinner I'd completed two sides of the wall hanging. I have two sides and corner details to do before I've finished the quilting. Once that's done, all that will be left is to trim the excess, bind, attach my hanging sleeve and my label.

I work today, so I know I won't get it all done until tomorrow...My Birthday! It will be a perfect day to finish this piece! Then I can really celebrate!

Plenty of Snow...

West View From The Farmhouse

Once the snow started to fall on Saturday, it continued into the next day. We don't know for sure, but we're guessing we got eight to nine inches when all was said and done. Thankfully, it was the dry, flaky kind that's easy to move and shovel, until it starts to melt.

We went downstairs Sunday morning to Andy plowing the drive, so Handsome went out and did a little shoveling around the edges. I went out later and did the front walkway and staircase. That was plenty for me!

South View From The Farmhouse

Even though it stayed cloudy most of the day, when the sun peeked out, the effect was pretty wonderful. The birds were grateful for the seed I'd put out for them, and I went to the apple tree right away yesterday to clear the snow off the feeders for them. I also tossed seed on top of the snow so the mourning doves and other ground dwellers could get at it. 

I spent time in the studio, but I'm not quite ready for the big reveal. I'll share it very soon, though. Things didn't go exactly as planned, so I'm still working on it. I'll be back upstairs today, so we'll see how far I get.

This week is my Birthday week, so you know the drill. I may work; I may play; I may just party like a teenager! As always, I'll draw it out for just as long as I'm able! 

Happy December!

Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 95:2-3

 

Saturday Silliness...

Oh, Steve! While you're tucked in bed contemplating UFOs, I'll be in my studio - snowed in - and sewing. I'll have something wonderful to share with all my online friends on Monday! Stay safe and warm!