Sunday, February 21, 2016
Bloom Quilt Update
Six weeks ago I began participating in an online sew-along to make an appliqued quilt. Each week the instructor shares the instructions for another block. The finished quilt will consist of 20 different blocks. The instructions for block six will be released tomorrow, I finished block five yesterday. Slowly, but surely, I am keeping up, even with my crazy tax season schedule!
I have now sewn the first four blocks together to make the first row of the quilt. My photography doesn't quite capture how bright and colorful the fabrics are, it's going to be a very cheery quilt!
This is my favorite block, so far, just love the colors in this one and the shape of the leaves. All the flowers and leaves of the blocks are made by using a plastic template to make the shape. More information about the sew-along can be found here.
We are working seven days a week now, long days, lots of stress. This quilt project has been a nice little diversion for me. I try to do a little each night, to keep making progress, and decompress my brain some. We have seven more weeks of tax season. If I stay on track my quilt will be over half done by then!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Limoncello Lemon Loaf
Some of my friends make homemade Limoncello each year to give away as Christmas presents. They start with vodka and lemon peels and let the mixture sit. Making some of my own is on my "someday" to-do list. In the meantime, I keep a bottle in the freezer (it won't freeze due to the alcohol content in it) to have on hand for that after-dinner drink or in baking. Limoncello is an easy, and flavorful, substitute for lemon juice.
I made this cake a few weeks ago when I hosted our neighborhood book club. It was easy to make and well received. I think it's the last thing I've baked. Between tax season dominating my time and an unplanned surgery, there hasn't been much baking being done in my house!
Limoncello Lemon Loaf
2 eggs
1 cup vanilla whole milk or Greek yogurt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Zest of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons Limoncello
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons Limoncello
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil, lemon zest and Limoncello. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated, being careful not to over mix.
Spray a loaf pan with baking spray. Pour the batter into the pan. Bake about 35 - 40 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean and the top of the cake is golden. Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
When the cake is cool, whisk the glaze ingredients together, adding enough Limoncello to make a smooth, pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cake.
And, yes, I have in my collection an adorable lemon pan! Cute cake pans? Well, it's an obsession, I'm telling you!
Monday, February 8, 2016
Beignets!
The end of the Mardi Gras season is this Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday or, by its French definition, Fat Tuesday. It's a day to indulge before the Lenten season. Eating is one of those indulgences! Mardi Gras is more commonly associated with the Louisiana area but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some of the traditions while living in other areas of the country.
If you've been to New Orleans, you know that Cafe du Monde and their famous beignets are a must-have treat. Small little pillows of deep-fried dough smothered in powdered sugar. Yum! Though it's a fun city to visit, you don't have to go there to have beignets, you don't have to wait for Mardi Gras; they are easily made at home.
My Mom has been using this recipe for a while now. She uses a powdered sugar glaze, I go the traditional route and douse them in plain powdered sugar. Either way, they are good! The dough is made the night before, rests overnight in the fridge and requires no kneading. And I bet you can't eat just one! The recipe makes a lot, so invite some friends over. We had a few neighbors over for beignets and mimosas! Laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!
Beignets
1 package ( 2 1/4 teaspoons) dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, egg, and evaporated milk. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Add remaining flour, 1/3 cup at a time, beating after each addition, to form a smooth, firm dough. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
In a large pan, heat oil to 370 degrees.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the dough to 3/8-inch thickness, adding more flour, if necessary. Cut into 2"x 3" diamond or square shapes (a pizza cutter is ideal for this!)
In batches, drop dough into pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook until golden brown, turning to brown both sides.
When done place on a rack over a sheet pan or on paper towels to drain. With a small strainer, shake powdered sugar over the beignets. Serve warm.
If you've been to New Orleans, you know that Cafe du Monde and their famous beignets are a must-have treat. Small little pillows of deep-fried dough smothered in powdered sugar. Yum! Though it's a fun city to visit, you don't have to go there to have beignets, you don't have to wait for Mardi Gras; they are easily made at home.
Beignets
1 package ( 2 1/4 teaspoons) dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar, egg, and evaporated milk. Gradually stir in 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Add remaining flour, 1/3 cup at a time, beating after each addition, to form a smooth, firm dough. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
In a large pan, heat oil to 370 degrees.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the dough to 3/8-inch thickness, adding more flour, if necessary. Cut into 2"x 3" diamond or square shapes (a pizza cutter is ideal for this!)
In batches, drop dough into pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook until golden brown, turning to brown both sides.
When done place on a rack over a sheet pan or on paper towels to drain. With a small strainer, shake powdered sugar over the beignets. Serve warm.
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| The dough doesn't look very impressive after mixing. |
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| The next morning it's risen into a nice, billowy dough! |
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| Little pillows of dough ready for deep frying! |
Monday, February 1, 2016
A Valentine's Themed Tea Party!
This is the 10th year that the ladies on my Dad's side of the family have gathered for a tea party. The first two years we met at a local tea room. They closed, so we have been gathering in my home since then. (A recap of prior years' tea can be found by clicking on 2014 or 2013).
We used to meet right after Thanksgiving. My granddaughters have been involved in the local production of the Nutcracker ballet the last few years. Between rehearsals and performances the time to meet was becoming a problem. The last two years we have gathered in January. As we are almost to February I thought it fitting that we do a Valentine's theme this year.
As we've done all along, I provide the setting, scones, lemon curd, strawberry jam and the tea. Each guest brings either a savory, such as little sandwiches or salad, or a sweet treat. We never lack for food and share the leftovers.
I bought flowers at our local flower mart and made small arrangements, mostly using my favorite vessel, mason jars. My husband helped me hang lights, which I decorated with pink heart-shaped doilies.
Using a tutorial found on Pinterest, the napkins were folded to look like roses. I tucked in a rose leaf for an extra design element. A few rose petals sprinkled on the tables carried out the theme.
I added pink sanding sugar and rainbow sprinkles to the sugar bowl, giving the sugar a little extra sparkle.
We had 21 in attendance this year, ranging in age from 4 to 91. I had music softly playing in the background but it got so loud the music couldn't be heard. A lot of chatter going on!
My sister, who is an awesome photographer, and I both lament the fact that we got so busy visiting that we have very little pictures of the attendees. We have plans to have a family friend be the official photographer next year.
I feel very blessed to be able to host this party. What a wonderful tradition we have established!
I am linking to Inspire Me Tuesday.
I feel very blessed to be able to host this party. What a wonderful tradition we have established!
I am linking to Inspire Me Tuesday.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Beef Stew With Bacon
Like most people, when the weather is wet and/or dreary outside, I like to cook comfort foods...things such as stew, soup, big pot of pasta sauce or a meaty casserole. They warm you up when eating them and warm the kitchen up while they are cooking. Most involve longer cooking times, but once the prep work is done, you let them cook in the oven or on the stove. A pretty low-key way of making dinner!
I also like these type of meals on football Sundays. I LOVE my football! Last Sunday the NFC & AFC championship games were on. This stew was working its magic in the oven while I watched the last game. I love multi-tasking like this!
I found this recipe on the Williams-Sonoma blog. Using bacon in the stew appealed to me. Everything is better with bacon, right? It's a very flavorful stew, we really enjoyed it. I messed up while shopping and bought four pounds of stew meat, instead of the three pounds the recipe called for. Oops! What the heck, I browned them all and we had a very meaty stew! It made a lot. We had it for dinner and then I brought the leftovers to the office to share for lunch. It was even more flavorful the next day.
The original recipe calls for using the cooked bacon as a garnish. I threw the bacon in the pot before baking. I didn't have fresh thyme, was too lazy to cut some rosemary, so used Italian seasoning instead. I like a lot of veggies in my stew, so used extra carrots. It was quite yummy!
Hearty Beef Stew
3 lbs. boneless beef chuck
2 Tbs. canola oil
4 thick slices applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 carrots, cut into chunks
3 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-in. lengths
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
6 Tbs. all-purpose flour
4 cups (32 fl. oz.) beef stock or broth
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 1/4 lbs. red-skinned potatoes
Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 325°F. Cut the beef into 1 1/2-inch cubes and set aside. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the oil. Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and browned, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain and set aside. Pour the fat into a heatproof bowl. Return 2 Tbs. of the fat to the pot and heat over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. In batches to avoid crowding, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef to a plate.
Add another 2 Tbs. of the fat to the pot and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and let it melt. Sprinkle with the flour and stir well. Gradually stir in the stock, and then stir in the tomato paste, the 1 Tbs. parsley and the thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. Return the beef to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover, place in the oven and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Cut the unpeeled potatoes into 1-inch cubes, add them to the pot, stir, re-cover and continue cooking until both the meat and potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes more. Season the stew with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and the reserved bacon. Serves 6.
Recipe source: Williams Sonoma
I found this recipe on the Williams-Sonoma blog. Using bacon in the stew appealed to me. Everything is better with bacon, right? It's a very flavorful stew, we really enjoyed it. I messed up while shopping and bought four pounds of stew meat, instead of the three pounds the recipe called for. Oops! What the heck, I browned them all and we had a very meaty stew! It made a lot. We had it for dinner and then I brought the leftovers to the office to share for lunch. It was even more flavorful the next day.
Hearty Beef Stew
3 lbs. boneless beef chuck
2 Tbs. canola oil
4 thick slices applewood-smoked bacon, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 carrots, cut into chunks
3 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-in. lengths
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
6 Tbs. all-purpose flour
4 cups (32 fl. oz.) beef stock or broth
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 1/4 lbs. red-skinned potatoes
Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 325°F. Cut the beef into 1 1/2-inch cubes and set aside. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the oil. Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and browned, about 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain and set aside. Pour the fat into a heatproof bowl. Return 2 Tbs. of the fat to the pot and heat over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. In batches to avoid crowding, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef to a plate.
Add another 2 Tbs. of the fat to the pot and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and let it melt. Sprinkle with the flour and stir well. Gradually stir in the stock, and then stir in the tomato paste, the 1 Tbs. parsley and the thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. Return the beef to the pot and bring to a boil. Cover, place in the oven and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Cut the unpeeled potatoes into 1-inch cubes, add them to the pot, stir, re-cover and continue cooking until both the meat and potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes more. Season the stew with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and the reserved bacon. Serves 6.
Recipe source: Williams Sonoma
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Craft Room "Tweaking"
Since designing my craft room a few years back, things have pretty much stayed as they first were. The last few months I've made a few changes and additions, all of which I love.
The window overlooking my sewing machine is on the west side of the house. Our neighbor had a magnolia tree on their side that shaded this window in the afternoon. I loved the shade, hated the messy tree. It was pulled last fall. No more mess, a lot more sun! Previously, I had a sheer accordion shade here. In order to not be blinded while sewing I had to keep the blind closed, which meant I couldn't see outside and I lost the natural light this window provides. There is a trumpet vine that grows on the trellis outside this window during the summer. It's so pretty and attracts hummingbirds, I hate to miss that view. So the solution is a wood slatted blind. When it's extra sunny I can adjust the blind so the sun is diverted upwards. If I want extra light I can pull the blind up. This is going to work!
I recently chalk painted this antique oak cabinet. It hung in our master bathroom for years before being relegated to storage about 10 years ago. My craft room is very colorful and the green adds a big pop of color on this wall.
My husband helped me put together this portable ironing board. I can keep it right by the sewing machine, eliminating having to get up and down to get to the regular ironing board. I can also take it in the RV or when sewing with friends. I'm learning to quilt and finding out there is a lot of pressing of little pieces, having this next to me has proven so handy! The rag quilt was made by my Grandma many, many years ago. This is my dog's spot to rest when I'm playing in my room.
I previously shared how I chalk painted this antique dresser. Originally I was going to put a plush upholstered chair in this corner. After working in my room for a few years I realized I wanted more storage and counter space, rather than a chair! I had a frame made that I also chalk painted and then made into a design board using core board and quilt batting. On it hangs the few quilt blocks I have learned to do!
Not planned for the room is this child's table and chair set. It was our daughter's when she was growing up and it's been in our attic for easily 20 years. We brought it down last year and put it in our guest room, where the grandchildren have their toys and games. A few months back found our five-year old granddaughter dragging it into my craft room as she wanted to work where Nana did. It's rather in my way but I wouldn't move it for anything! We do a lot of projects in this room, mostly at my cutting table, but she likes to do things on her table, too! Her color books and crayons are always easy to get to, I keep them in a plastic carrier.
I've finished a cross stitch piece that will be displayed in here and am working on a banner to hang on one wall. This room is a bright, cheery space. It is my happy place!
The window overlooking my sewing machine is on the west side of the house. Our neighbor had a magnolia tree on their side that shaded this window in the afternoon. I loved the shade, hated the messy tree. It was pulled last fall. No more mess, a lot more sun! Previously, I had a sheer accordion shade here. In order to not be blinded while sewing I had to keep the blind closed, which meant I couldn't see outside and I lost the natural light this window provides. There is a trumpet vine that grows on the trellis outside this window during the summer. It's so pretty and attracts hummingbirds, I hate to miss that view. So the solution is a wood slatted blind. When it's extra sunny I can adjust the blind so the sun is diverted upwards. If I want extra light I can pull the blind up. This is going to work!
I've finished a cross stitch piece that will be displayed in here and am working on a banner to hang on one wall. This room is a bright, cheery space. It is my happy place!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Bloom Sew Along
I've sewn since I was a little girl, following in my Grandma & Mom's footsteps. First it was little Barbie outfits. In high school I made a lot of my pants and my prom dress. After I had children I made many Halloween costumes and dresses. I never imagined I would be making quilts.
My friend, Bernice, first convinced me to try quilting by teaching me how to make a rag quilt. Easy, not fussy, I liked it. Then she moved me up to making a jelly roll quilt. Again, pretty easy, no cutting of little pieces. As I perused websites looking at fabric I begin to fall in love with many of the quilts. I thought to myself that surely I can do this, I'm not stupid. So, I jumped in headfirst and began making a country quilt with various blocks of different designs, such as a teapot, barn, milk pail. That has been slow going; a lot of cutting itty bitty pieces of fabric, the holidays, a little travel. I've gotten bogged down, a time or two, and had to run to Bernice for rescue. I've only completed 3 blocks of that quilt and I've jumped into another one.
Why? There is an online sew along to make a "Bloom" quilt. Each week the instructor guides us through one block. It started this week and will go through the middle of June. At times I wonder if I'm a blooming (yes, that was a play on words!) idiot to start this as I'm also beginning another tax season. I don't have time to sew this time of year! What am I thinking? I'm hoping I can do a little each night, that it will be something, besides numbers, to keep the stress at bay. Time will tell how that goes but I have completed the first block! It's so cute!
Each of the 20 blocks on the quilt are appliqued using templates as a guide. I spent 2 afternoons cutting out all the fabric so I would have that task behind me. If all goes well my completed quilt will look like this.
More information about the quilt and the sew along can be found on this website.
In the meantime my three farmhouse blocks are hanging on my design board, waiting. I don't think I'll get any more work done on this quilt until after April 15!
My friend, Bernice, first convinced me to try quilting by teaching me how to make a rag quilt. Easy, not fussy, I liked it. Then she moved me up to making a jelly roll quilt. Again, pretty easy, no cutting of little pieces. As I perused websites looking at fabric I begin to fall in love with many of the quilts. I thought to myself that surely I can do this, I'm not stupid. So, I jumped in headfirst and began making a country quilt with various blocks of different designs, such as a teapot, barn, milk pail. That has been slow going; a lot of cutting itty bitty pieces of fabric, the holidays, a little travel. I've gotten bogged down, a time or two, and had to run to Bernice for rescue. I've only completed 3 blocks of that quilt and I've jumped into another one.
Why? There is an online sew along to make a "Bloom" quilt. Each week the instructor guides us through one block. It started this week and will go through the middle of June. At times I wonder if I'm a blooming (yes, that was a play on words!) idiot to start this as I'm also beginning another tax season. I don't have time to sew this time of year! What am I thinking? I'm hoping I can do a little each night, that it will be something, besides numbers, to keep the stress at bay. Time will tell how that goes but I have completed the first block! It's so cute!
Each of the 20 blocks on the quilt are appliqued using templates as a guide. I spent 2 afternoons cutting out all the fabric so I would have that task behind me. If all goes well my completed quilt will look like this.
In the meantime my three farmhouse blocks are hanging on my design board, waiting. I don't think I'll get any more work done on this quilt until after April 15!
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