Sputter proof simmering...

When cooking rice, quinoa or anything that requires to be simmered while covered so that the liquid will be absorbed, this is what I do. Once the water is boiling and you add the product and stir, normally per instructions, I place a piece of paper towel between the pot and the cover and then lower the temperature for simmering. Follow the product directions for the length of time that it needs to be cooked. When it gets to that point, remove from heat and leave covered for approximately 5 minutes. Then remove cover and fluff. I have never ruined a product since doing this.
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Microwave Potato Bag

Hubby and I love baked potatoes but we don't like how long it takes to bake them in the oven. We use the microwave and I must admit that hubby has made an art out of doing it. BUT, when I do it, I usually ruined the poor spud. I would under cook it or overcook it, you name it, I did it. 
A few years ago, I heard someone had made a cotton potato bag to use in the microwave, so my search brought me to YouTube and hence my potato bags were born. ;-)

The dimensions I used for the single potato bag are 5.5” X 16.5” and I used 1/4” seams. If I made another one I would make it 6.5” wide rather than 5.5”. I used leftover fabric from the bigger one I made and that is all I had. (I like using the smaller one to bring with me for an all day outing when a lunch is brought along and a microwave is available.)   

It is made with 100% cotton fabric and batting.

The bigger one is 11” X 24”.

Here is the link to the YouTube video I found for the instructions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGvHSwp3iyg

Fell off the wagon for a bit...

Yep, no hexagon assembling yesterday. I have made a few friends at the senior home where my father stays that love to play bingo and they only have small plastic containers or tiny pouches for their bingo money. I searched the web and found instructions on making a very basic quilted zippered pouch. 

http://lolosinclair.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-cute-quilted-zipper-case.html

In lieu of quilting it, I used very stiff iron on interfacing that is usually used in making window blinds. 

After a few hours (well many hours lol) here they are. I hope they like them.  

Now, back to hexing! Hum, maybe not, I have been wanting to make a small zippered notions holder so I just might do that. These pouches have peeked my interest in making one. I have no pattern, so, imagination here I come! :-) 

An obsession??

Obsession or a much loved hobby, that is the question!

I cracked the whip and here are all the remaining hexagons in order and patiently waiting to be sewn. Good little soldiers! :-)

I don't have visions of sugarplums, I have visions of hexagons for my next design...LOL

Ohhh, the colors I can choose... 

Yep, soon, it will be time to put my design to paper!

Hum...

Hubby is gone to help out a friend, my arm is a bit sore from too much sewing and the massage therapist said to take it easy for a few days. NOW, what can I do. Oh yeah! Bake! Kitchen Aid does all the work! 
Love, love the fudge squares that are still a little warm but since I have already posted these, which I like to call a "delicacy", I thought I'd post another one of our favorites. 
Now, which ones...Ohhhh, these are nice and gooey and really easy to make. They just might be the next ones on the agenda! I have an agenda? I think not! lol

Chocolate Marshmallow Bars 

24 bars                                    Preheat oven 350F

1 cake mix -- butter pecan or chocolate or vanilla, etc…any one you have on hand.

1/4 cup margarine, melted

1/4 cup water

2 cups miniature marshmallows

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, or flaked coconut.

Mix cake mix, margarine and water until blended. Press into greased 9x13 inch pan lined with parchment paper (It handles really well with your hands). Bake 15-18 minutes. Then layer marshmallows, chocolate chips, and coconut over crust and return to oven and bake 2-3 minutes or until marshmallows begin to melt. Cool. Cut into bars. Enjoy! 

Feb 27th, 2012, 3/4 of the way... all hand stitched.

A sneak preview of my 2nd hexagon quilt. Nov 14th, 2011 1/2 assembled.

 

Feb 27th, 2012, 3/4 of the quilt top assembled.

My sewing room.

Compact with all the items I need for sewing. 

I had it specially built by Trifab for my small studio room. 

 It's not always this neat...

It's freezing outside but my flowers are starting to pop up anyway! :-)

Fudge Squares
I'm not saying that these are healthy for you, I'm just saying that they are delicious! ☺
I found the recipe in my mom's old 1954 cookbook. She used to make these and they were so good after coming home from school. 

It did not mention the size of the pan, so I used a 9x13. It also did not indicate the oven temperature so I used the basic 350F. They are a dense square, more like bars. I only made 1/2 the recipe for the icing. It would have been way too rich. 

Preheat oven to 350F

Melt 1 cup butter and add 2 cups brown sugar. Mix together and let cool. 

Then beat in 2 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla.
Sift together 2 & 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt and add to 1st mixture. 
Mix in 3/4 cup chopped walnuts.
Pour in greased pan. (I prefer lining my pans with parchment paper as it makes it so much easier to remove the squares)
Bake 25-27 minutes or until done. (A toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
Cool and then put icing. 
Icing: (this is the recipe cut in half, if you want more, just double it)
1 cup brown sugar, 
1/4 cup cream
2 tsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla.
Boil for approx 2 minutes... no longer! I did and had problems with it. 
Cool it and then add icing sugar until it is no longer runny. Spread on squares. 
Makes about 30 bars.

Progress...

Although it was a yucky day, I did sew and yes eat carrots :-)

Here are the next 5 rows of my quilt top all lined up and ready to go. A quilting friend told me that there is a pill for my method...hahaha...at least I know there is help out there! LOL

A VERY nice day!

Hubby and I went for a drive today to Campbellton. We met Lorraine, a polio survivor and had a very nice chat at Tim Hortons. Of course I just had to have a chocolate milk and my very favorite treat a chocolate chip muffin. Hum, diet, did someone say diet?
Since we had a few Poule aux Oeufs d'Or tickets (only sold in Quebec) we crossed over in Pointe A La Croix to check them and get more as I had won a big $10 and a free ticket! Woopeedoo!  Wish me luck people as ya never know. 

Tomorrow, is my wonderful husband Gerald's birthday and since the weather is predicted to be yucky, we decided to go to the restaurant today. We chose Mai's restaurant as we had never been there and had a marvelous supper. Then ended it with a McFlurry... OMG... I have learnt one thing, the word DIET is an acronym, it stands for Do I Eat This and by gosh my brain usually says......yep! :(
Tomorrow, sew, sew, sew..... eat carrots, carrots, carrots..... :)

My 1st hexagon quilt.

Waves Across The Ocean. 

My friend Sophie in England also started an identical one in different colors and that is what we chose to name them.

There are 1804 hexagons and 42 half hexagons.  
Cynthia from Chaleur Quilting quilted it and did a fantastic job. 

One of the flowers in the quilt.

There is a different flower print for the each flower. 

The assembling begins...

Colors all chosen and fabric basted on hexagon templates ready to be assembled.

Cutting and basting.

Blogger newbie, Oct 27th 2011

Hi, I was a bit frustrated with the internet social media I was using and my wonderful niece suggested I start a blog to share my love of quilting and baking. A member of our quilting guild also created a blog and I love visiting hers and reading all the wonderful things she posts plus seeing all the photos she shares. As soon as I figure out how this works, you will see the different quilts I have made and the quilt top I am working on. At times I will also post recipes along with pictures.