This Labor Day weekend will get underway for me by processing a bushel of tomatoes into canned stewed tomatoes.
There'll be nothing better than opening a jar of lovely local tomatoes this winter for homemade spaghetti, chili, or other delicious dishes. A little work now for a big payoff later.
I'd better hop to it a bushel is about fifty two pounds of tomatoes. I'm going to be at this for more than a minute. I hope you have a great weekend!!
I haven't been stitching at all the past two days. I've been busy sending "stuff" on to new homes. Between my sisters and nieces, I've cleaned up an overstuffed buffet, china cabinet, and at least one cupboard.
I have so many useful and nice things I don't use anymore that I decided to let them go. What I've pulled that they don't want will be donated. I have to say, it feels pretty great, too.
I'm not finished yet either, but I work tonight, so I'll take it easy today, and get back to it tomorrow.
Now, about this picture of my butterfly... I'm sure you must be wondering what the white thing is next to it. I can tell you that when I was in Kentucky with Owen and my classmates, there were a lot of jokes about its appearance!
What you're looking at is actually off-white muslin, sewn into a tapered tube, filled with emery (it can be sand, too), and then sewn closed. This will actually be the body structure for my Monarch.
When I finish stitching up the body "cover", it will actually encase the filled muslin piece. Before I can do that, I'll release my wing parts from the ground fabric so they can be attached and the wires imbedded inside that cover, too.
You can imagine, it's going to be a bit futzy manipulating all those parts. I'm going to see if I can get a short video of that part of my process to share with you when I get to that stage.
I have a little tidying up to do this morning, so I'll close for now. I'll see you tomorrow! Have a great weekend, friends.
I got in a bit more stitching yesterday. I sat down between loads of laundry, and enjoyed my dining room view while sheets dried on the line.
I'm working out all the edges and black sections now, and will again finish with the monarch oranges. Perhaps I'll get to that today after this morning's PT session. (I'm sure hoping so.)
What is especially fun is stitching these colors as I watch at least a half dozen Baltimore orioles (same coloration) flying past the windows to the grape jelly feeders I fill daily for them. I'll try to get a few photos of them soon.
After they cooled, I frosted the cinnamon rolls. Most are going to friends. A few will stay here. Bread for the freezer, and some for our neighbors.
Today, I'll be working my regular shift, so I'd better get cracking. See you again tomorrow.
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| LilyLouTay Homemade Stuffed Oreos |
I made Valentine cookies for Handsome yesterday, with enough extra to take to my coworkers last night. They were a first-time success, and I'll definitely make them again.
Hannah Taylor is LilyLouTay, and if you've never watched one of her videos, it's really worth the time. Everything she makes is done with love (and a little humor), and whenever I've made one of her recipes, it's been delicious. Even just watching her cook is a delight. (She's also on Facebook and Instagram as lilyloutay)
HERE is the link for these fabulously decadent cookies - Hannah's Homemade Stuffed Oreos. Mine measure about 3" across, and they're large enough to share. I got messages from neighbors, Shelly (next door) and Dawn (up the road) who I also shared with and got messages that I'd ruined their dinners when they each had one after I left.
I did double this recipe because I knew I wanted extras to give away. The doubled recipe made eighteen or twenty 3" sandwich cookies. I might try a single batch and make them smaller next time...or not. lol
Happy Valentine's Day, my friends
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| 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
