Yummy Appetizers...

Tuesday night was a fun evening spent with good friends. Our hostess opted for an "appetizer and dessert" menu, which I thought was genius! I had just seen this recipe on FaceBook, so I decided to make them to take along.

The first picture is my first attempt...which means anyone can make these. They were a huge hit, by the way!

The original idea came from EnjoyEasyMeals.com in a video presentation that you can view HERE. I didn't want to have to run the video every time I needed to see the quantities, so I wrote out the recipe as I watched it, and I'm sharing it with you below.

Apple Roses

preheat oven to 375º

Ingredients:
2 red delicious apples
fresh lemon
apricot preserves
cinnamon
puff pastry

Core and thinly slice apples (widthwise), leaving on the skin. Place into a bowl containing water and 1/2 squeezed lemon (no seeds, please). Microwave for 3 minutes. Mix 3 T apricot preserves and 1 T water to thin preserves.

Roll out one sheet of puff pastry onto flour. Roll or stretch out the pastry. Cut into 6 strips. Place apple slices on the top half of the strip, slightly overlapping and extending just past the top edge. Spread lower half of the pastry with the apricot/water mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon on the assembly. Fold pastry up, lengthwise, but leave the top of the apple slices peeking out. Starting at one end, roll the pastry and slices up until you get to the other end. I put a little preserve mixture on the end to seal the edge.

Place into a non-stick muffin pan. Bake in the oven for 40 - 45 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Let them cool down before serving. You wouldn't want to burn your nose!
Enjoy!

If you make these, please remember to go to the original post and leave a comment.

The other dish I took along was a recipe that was shared with me forty years ago by a girlfriend where I worked. I'm sad to say she passed about twenty years ago. This has been a summer standby all these years, and it's a real family favorite.

I shared it with Wisconsin Public Radio listeners when Larry Mieller put together a cookbook in 1988; and then shared it again with my friends and customers in my Stitches' Needleworker's Cookbook which I produced in 1990. I think it's only fair that I share it with my girl and guy friends here, too.

Mexican Confetti
Best if made with the freshest of fresh ingredients, and allowed to marinate a few hours before serving.

Chop and dice the following ingredients, and mix together in a large bowl:
1 can jumbo pitted ripe olives, drained
2 large bunches green onions
3 large green peppers
1 lb. fresh mushrooms (I use baby Portobellas)
6-7 tomatoes

Add:
1 jar of your favorite chunky salsa (desired strength: mild to spicy)
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped 

Cover and refrigerate. The longer it stands, the more the flavors mix - and the better it tastes.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips. I like the blue ones! (Just adds more color to the dish.)

* After you make it the first time, add to or amend the recipe to your own taste. You might like to add avocado, a little lime juice or even a little hot pepper. (I'm partial to the avocado and lime juice, myself)

I hope you enjoy these goodies as much as my family, friends and I do.

Today, I'm gonna meet up with my girlfriend, Carol of Serendipity blog. We're gonna play in her studio for a little while and then we're going out for lunch. We have so much to catch up on before she heads north for the summer! It's always fun to spend the day with a friend. See you tomorrow!

Getting Organized Again...

Saturday was the perfect day to make a new organizer - just for me.

The last one I made that looked like this one went home with my friend, Carol from Serendipity blog. I took it to a lunch date with Carol over a year ago, and she insisted on buying it from me, right then and there. She wrote a check on the spot and I ended up emptying it and carting my tools home in my handbag.

I pulled out the same fabrics I used in the original, and another set of Michelle Palmer artwork (from my "Palmer art-filled tin"), and by the end of Saturday, I put the last stitch in the binding. Done!

It's the same, right down to the acorn charms on the zipper pulls.

The organizer only stayed empty for the few minutes it took for me to take photos, and then I put everything away that's been sitting in a basket since that lunch date.

Oh, yeah! Doing my happy dance.

Everything is right with the universe again. (giggling)

I have three commission orders to finish in the next week...one tablet cover; seven matching mug mats; and a wallet...and I also have two classes to teach in the evening. This is "busy" just the way I like it! I can see a great week ahead. How about you?

Staging Fabrics For The Week...

 

NOTE: This post originally appeared yesterday (Tuesday). I was reminded 

by The Corgi, that I had neglected to put up his "Tuesdays With Tag" post. 
Sooo, I took this one down, put up his TWT post and moved this one to today.
Apologies for any confusion. Corgi is happy again. All is right with the world. 

I've pulled three different fabric assortments together for my next project(s).

Time to make more Classmate organizers!

My favorite personal Classmate went to live with my pal, Carol of Serendipity, 

so I need to make a new one just like it. She was so smitten with mine, that

 I had to relent and let her have it. I know just how much she appreciates it, too.

So, I've chosen the exact same fabrics, and when I'm finished we'll have matching

pieces! I'm going to have to make another sewing machine cover to match, too.

This is the assortment I've chosen for two other organizers I'll be making.

One will use the lilac print, sewing tools print and the green fabric for binding.

The other will use the lilac print, text print and purple fabric for binding.

I'm thinking that I'll make little zippered bags out of the plaid fabric.

These are a few of those fabrics that I've been "saving". If you sew or quilt,

you know what I'm talking about, girlfriends. If you're not careful, they migrate

to Permanent Stash status...those fabrics you never want to cut into or use.

I have too many fabrics to be stingy with them, so I'm just going to take a deep

breath, roll my rotary cutter and snip, snip scissors into these. Use 'em up, I will!

Last winter, I made an organizer in this fabric for my friend, Fay. She and I 

both love French General fabrics, so I made hers with this assortment.  In fact,

I liked that organizer so much, I'm going to make it again...maybe for myself.

I'll be opening up my assembly line again...fusing stabilizer and batting, 

cutting and assembling. It will be a repeat of my process for Christmas 2013. 

It takes just as much physical effort, but doing the same thing over and over 

makes for less brain work. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be fun, in fact!

Another Visit To Williamsburg...

We're back in Williamsburg, Virginia, but this year we're living in our Airstream instead of a hotel room. Handsome was invited to again perform with the Williamsburg Consort, so we'll be here for rehearsals and a free performance for the residents of the city.

It's been raining since we arrived, but we've been safe, warm and cozy in the Flying Cloud. I don't envy the tent campers here at all. Our campground is beautiful, tucked into a few hundred acres of wilderness, but we have all the amenities, too. There is a laundry facility, small shop, an arcade for the bored kids, and our campsites have electricity, water, sewer, cable and wifi. I'm happy as long as I can get to my blog and read yours!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a special day that Tag and I spent with friends after we arrived. You won't want to miss our story and photos. Tag is a wonderful little traveler and we're so glad that he's a part of our family. Unlike many of the dogs in the campground, he's not a barker (thank Heaven!), and he only gets noisy when he's running up and down inside the Cloud and playing with one of us. As soon as we "hush" him, he stops and settles down. He's making some of the bigger and older dogs look like delinquents.

I'm going to get back to enjoying the area where our great country got its start. Williamsburg is such a lovely area and I don't want to miss visiting the colonial area again. I just can't get enough of the history around here. Have a great day yourself, and I'll be back tomorrow with photos and a new story to share.

PS. Happy belated extended seventh Anniversary to my friend, Carol (Serendipity blog) and her charming husband, Jack. Their special day was Sunday. Wishing you many more loving and happy years together, my friends.

For The Love Of A Corgi...

(BW file photo)

Thank you to everyone who sent get well wishes and prayers for Fezzik's surgery. I was so nervous about the little guy going to the vet yesterday, but your notes helped bolster me as I awaited results of his procedure.

I want to tell all of you that he is doing just fine and I'll be heading back to Sarasota this morning to pick him up and bring him home. I'm sure he's going to be a little uncomfortable (the vets had to make two incisions to complete the surgery), but he'll get a lot of TLC while he recuperates.

After dropping off Fez for his surgery, I ran a few necessary errands, and then had a delightful time lunching and visiting with my friend Carol from Serendipity. We agreed to both wake up early (in our own homes), make a cuppa tea, put on a pretty hat and watch the royal wedding of William and Catherine. (A guilty pleasure...please don't tell anyone! We can keep it a secret just between us.) I'm sure we'll compare notes soon! Thanks, Carol, for such a nice day. I'm really going to miss you when you head north again for the summer.

My friend, Sue from Granny's World sent me a link for a free pattern to knit this sweet little corgi. Thank you for thinking of me, Sue! I have been quilting a whole lot more than knitting these days, but I'm going to have to get out the needles to make at least one of these little darlings!

If you're interested in downloading your own free pattern of the royal corgi, just click on the photo of the little guy so you can knit one up before Wills and Kate celebrate their first anniversary!

In keeping with the last paragraph of Lynn's post on Lily Quilts (click here to read), my Royal Wedding name is...wait for it, now...Lady Irene Wonser-Bannor. What's yours?

(BW file photo)

Back to quilting after I've brought Fez home again today. I won't be a lonely nursemaid. I'm sure Kessie and Handsome will help me take care of him, too! He'll be right as rain before we know it.

Fezzik Friday On Thursday - 45 weeks...

Anybody know what today is?

No. It's not Fezzik Friday, but I really wanted to say "hi" to you this week...before I go to the vet's office today.

Who's nervous? I'm not! I'm a big boy, and I'll be just fine. Right? Yeah, Right! I'll be back before you know it, but I think I'll just take it easy for a few days after the big surgery, so don't be lookin' for me tomorrow.

Mom wouldn't let me model the bowtie and hankie pocket insert that she made for a local young man to wear to prom. Looks a little girly for me, but I'm told it's this color because he wanted to match the dress his date is wearing. He'll be wearing it this weekend, and I'm sure his date will be impressed.

I'm impressed with Mom. She hasn't made one of these before. Now, Dad wants her to augment his performance wardrobe with new bowties and cummerbunds. She said she's looking forward to doing that for him.

Mom is going to take me to the vet's office this morning, and then she's off to have lunch with her friend, Miss Carol from Serendipity. (She said she's sorry Miss Rett from The Gazebo House isn't here to join them, too.) I'll have to stay with the vet overnight, so I'm hoping Mom comes back to get me early on Friday. I'm not going to like staying away from her, Dad and Kessie overnight! Mom will write a post tomorrow to let you know how everything went. Think good thoughts, ok? Thanks! 'til next week

"More wagging, less barking."
Fezzik Inconceivable

All Is Revealed - Including A Winner...

I can finally reveal who I spent a little quality time with over the past few weeks. The beautiful blonde locks belong to my friend, Rett of The Gazebo House.

Sandy of Vintage Sandy guessed her identity from the photo I posted of the back of her head, and I'm sending a little gift off to her for being right. Congratulations, Sandy.

Rett and I met face-to-face the first time at Panera's not far from my home. She brought along the gorgeous table runner she had finished, with a wonderful heart design incorporated into the piecing. When she was finished, she added embroidered applique' daisies. Isn't it stunning?
Rett is also friends with a mutual pal, Carol of Serendipity. Carol lives in Sarasota each winter, and I've known her for a couple of years. We couldn't wait to get all three of us together - and we did that more than once. We really had a ball chatting about quilts and sewing and blogging! (Photo creatively cropped by Rett! lol)

Rett gave each of us a pattern for a batik quilt, and we all agreed to make our own version of it. I know Carol is already nearly finished with hers! Rett will start hers soon, as will I, and then we'll share the finished pieces with our readers. We've also got a little party cooked up, but I'll tell you about that later.

It was wonderful meeting Rett in person and being able to share a few laughs. She really is delightful, and if you haven't visited her or Carol's blog (each title above is a link), please do so. You'll be glad you did. We all agreed that it's probably a good thing that we don't live in close proximity year-round. We would be a force for good - and mischief! I can hardly wait until next year, when we can do it again!Time to announce the winner of my giveaway drawing!

Congratulations to
Patty
of
Shoofly Quilts and Other Musings

Patty, please email your address to me so that I can send your package of goodies to you!

Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing. I wish I could have sent something to each of you. Please know that you are all a gift to me, and I appreciate you every day. I promise another drawing very soon! (March 15th will be my SECOND Blog Birthday!)

I'd Like You To Meet Sofie...

Miss Ellie (my Babylock Ellisimo) and Prissy (my Espire) are the hardest working employees a seamstress could ever want, but there's just one thing. They refuse to leave the house. They love being in the studio on their respective tables and they prefer to wait for me right there for me.
I found myself needing an employee who was willing to travel, who didn't take up much room and who would happily tackle any project I might want to attempt while on the road.

I reviewed a number of resume's, and yesterday I hired Sofie. Her full name is Babylock Sophia, but like Miss Ellie and Prissy, she likes having a nickname. It's a good thing, too, because I told her that's how we roll at Brynwood.
At a mere fourteen pounds and a petite fifteen inches long (without the embroidery unit attached), she won't add much weight to the coach or need a room to herself when it's time to hit the open road. She can embroider small designs (up to 4" x 4"), and she's sturdy enough to quilt. She also has many of the features of the "big girls". She has an automatic thread cutter, the much used and appreciated needle threader, and built in specialty stitches. I know that our association will be a match made in...Sarasota!

Now, don't think I went out and paid a full contract price to employ Sweet Sofie. Thanks go to my dear friend, Carol of Serendipity (who lives part time in Sarasota). She wasn't using Sofie to her full potential and decided to let someone else hire her. I jumped at the chance! I'm sure that she'll enjoy working with my other two girls...and I know she's going to love the wayfaring life I have planned for her.
If you haven't visited Carol before, be sure to stop over to see her beautiful spot in Blogland. She and I have been friends since meeting a few years ago at a local quilt shop. We've taken classes together, and since her latest trip south, we've met with another blogging friend (who I'll tell you about soon) for lunch, shopping and visiting. She creates truly fabulous quilts, participates in Tablescape Tuesdays, and she's in the process of redecorating her blog these days. Of course, you'll remember to tell her "hello" from me, right?

Sofie is looking forward to sharing some of my creative collaborations with you over the summer and into fall. She'll be back to visit again before you know it.