Monday, August 30, 2010

Wasabi Dip

This one came from my book club. And it is so dang good. You will get hooked. Seriously.

1 cup total Mayo and/or sour cream
2 tsp wasabi paste
2 tsp lemon juice
4T soy sauce
1.5 tsp sugar

The original recipe called for all mayo but my sister doesn't eat mayo (gives her the heebie-jeebies) so we made it with sour cream and it was still great. Now we do a mix of both.

really good with sugar snap peas

Yum Yum Yum

Thursday, August 26, 2010

In the eye of the beholder

When we were getting Bug's room ready for her arrival I was looking for a quilt rack, or a blanket rack. But the only ones I saw had only one bar or maybe two at the most for hanging. And I am a blanket girl. I needed many more options than that. So as I was perusing thrift and second hand stores I ran across this.

It was that weird fake pine color so I painted it white. And I loved it. As I was painting it my husband says - Why did you by a shoe rack?

What? Oh, I guess I really did. But I didn't see that until he pointed it out. Here is what I saw. My perfect blanket rack!

Monday, August 23, 2010

What a weekend!

I had such a productive weekend. It felt so good. My mojo is back and I am loving it. I finished quiliting and binding 2 quilts this weekend. Yes, I said TWO finishes.

And I tried two new binding techniques. On my batik squares I attached the binding completely by machine. Not a new technique but new to me, and I like it. And on the holiday whirlygig I did a faux piping technique. And it is great.

Of course you want photos. And I don't have those yet. It was a busy weekend.

Bug got her first official haircut. And last night she slept in her big girl (toddler) bed for the first time. It was rough going down but she slept all night and I was woken up by the soft shuffle of feet to my bedside - and a big smile. I am so proud of her. And a little sad as well. My baby is no longer a baby.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had a craving a few weeks ago for these. It may sound odd but the pumpkin adds just a little bit. Just the right bit. Luckily all items were in my pantry - very rare. I put most of them in the freezer after they were cooked and would take out 1 or 2 (okay, usually 2 or 3) when the need arose. Just hit the spot!

1 cup softened butter: beat until smooth
add 1 cup each of white and brown sugar: beat until light and fluffy
2 eggs: beat in 1 at a time
mix in 1 tsp vanilla + 1 cup pumpkin puree
whisk then add 3 cups flour + 2 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp salt + 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ginger + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups chocolate chips: stir in
Bake on lightly greased pan, or use parchment paper. Rotate pans 1/2 way through.
350 degrees, 15-20 minutes

Yummy yummy in your tummy. Thank you Jacque!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Entertaining Time Suck

One of the blogs I saw on Quilter Blogs.com mentioned a site called Regretsy. Oh my god. It is hilarious. Seriously. I just spent I don't know how much time looking at some of the very odd things people create, and even better, request someone else to make (i.e. matching hats for guinea pigs modelled after the Sister Sister tv show).

It is scary people. Seriously scary.

Another great site along those lines is Kraftomatic.



And I really wanted to sew tonight. Be careful if you go there, you will not get anything else done.

Monday, August 16, 2010

When last I left you...

I was whirlygigging. I still am, this picture is not current, and I have actually finished quilting it and need to get to the binding. All sorts of other things happening in there as well. More to come....
(Nice design wall, huh? My guest bedroom. There is about 18" between the end of the bed and my sewing table. The ironing board is usually wedged in the corner as well. We have big plans for a new room...someday.)