Christmas Exchange/WIP/Recipe/Mug

CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE

My dear friend, Harriet and I finally found some time to get together for our Christmas exchange before she headed off to Arizona.  We had a delightful time drinking chai, exchanging gifts, catching up, laughing and lunching. 

Harriet and I started stitching something for each other somewhere around 2002 or 2003.  This year my stitched gift for Harriet was a design by Abby Rose Designs called Bless this Home.  I stitched it on a piece of 48 count linen using 1 thread over 2.  I used a mix of the overdyed and DMC colors listed in the following combination.

Symbol           Color

#                     Piney Woods (GA)

3                     Avocado (CC)

2                     Shaker White (GA)

/                      DMC 407

6                     Cherry Bark (GA)

0                     DMC 3802

%                    DMC 3021

$                     Antique Rose (GA)

*                     Picnic Basket (GA)

4                     DMC 611

1                     DMC 310

+                     DMC 451

When gathering the colors together, I thought it was an unusual combination of colors.  They look so good stitched together I wanted to be sure and list them for future reference.  I see myself using them on another project.

I ended up finding the perfect fabric and finished it into a small quilt hanging for this table top quilt hanger that I purchased 2 or 3 years ago waiting with the tag still on it for the perfect piece.  It seemed like the moon and stars was meant to hang over the house on this piece.  

You all know how my Christmas tree has a collection of ice skate ornaments and a few ornaments with ice skaters as well.  Imagine my delight that Harriet had stitched a skater from a JCS Ornament Issue (I had been admiring this one).  Lucky for me it doesn't reference Christmas at all so I can display for a bit longer during the winter months.

I thought it was quite a coincidence that I had pulled out my pattern a week ago to make one of these project rolls and to receive one made by Harriet's husband, Dan.  Thankfully I can put that little project on the back burner for me at this time and enjoy using this one.  Blue is my favorite color so having this with some many shades of blues/teals is delightful.

WIP 

I am making really good progress on the 2013 Advent SAL I purchased in 2013 from iStitch.  I am really hoping to have it completed by January 24 so I will have stitched it in the 24 days like it was intended.  It will be close!  I am so glad that I chose to use the specialty stitches Carol provided with this design.  I've always wanted to try some specialty stitches and as the bands are so small if felt like a good way to initiate myself to them.  It was a goal for 2015 and am pleased to have accomplished one for the year.

RECIPE

I have added the Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe to my cooking blog.  Just click on the recipe to be taken to the blog.

MUG

I was out shopping at the the book store the other day and happened upon this mug on the clearance table.  I loved the design on it, the shape and size so purchased it and brought it home.  It is my most favorite mug at the moment.

It has come to my attention that I did not make it clear where I purchased these neutral colored matte finish eggs.  I bought them at Hobby Lobby and they come so nicely packaged.  The cost is $7.99 a package but they are in the speciality Easter rows and have been on sale for 40% off for at least two weeks.  When I stopped in at another location of Hobby Lobby, they had one of last season's rabbits left that are made out of wood.  I thought it just adorable and it is larger than the other two I have so couldn't resist picking it up.  

I moving right along on Jardine Prive' Ronde de Fleurs.  I am looking to a tonight finish (might be wishful thinking) but no later than tomorrow night.  I can't wait to have it mounted in the box and on display in my home.

 

Tonight it was stuffed jumbo pasta shells for supper.  Recipe is posted under the Recipe tab.

Started reading In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.  I downloaded it on my Kindle when it first came out but could not get interested in the story.  It happens to be our book club selection for April so I'm willing myself to get it done within a week.  If I don't force myself to read it each and every day, I'm afraid I won't have it finished in time for book club.  It is another WW II book.  It is funny how we seem to have themes some years quite by accident.  We all laughed at the year it seemed to be elephants, then another it was dogs, this year WW II.

Looking forward to paint class tomorrow with my dear friend, Belinda.  Can't wait to share a photo of our "masterpieces".  

Cooties - A Good Word For It!

I wish I had some great photos to show of all I have accomplished over the weekend but trust me wadded up kleenex is not that exciting.  I have decided, however, to put in photos of making my homemade egg noodles.  Teresa (At Willow Tree Pond) asked how I made them and I'm afraid I've been a bit slow in putting up the recipe.

The word chosen by a new visitor to my blog (quiltin cntrygrl) best describes what I have COOTIES!  I'm afraid my little irritating sinus drainage cough turned into a full blown my head is ready to explode cold overnight Saturday to Sunday.  I can't remember the last time my head was so "stuffy" that it feels more like concrete in my sinuses.  I've spent the last 3 nights sitting on my couch instead of sleeping trying to keep my passages a little clear and the cough at bay.  It is like all the times I've nursed my son and husband through the viral stuff this flu season and not gotten sick was so I could save it all up for one miserable cold.  I'm hoping the guys don't get it again from me which will be a miracle as I do the cooking, cleaning, etc.  To that end I spent my day yesterday laundering all the sheets, pillowcases, blankets, etc.  Once I got both guys out of the house for the day I've turned the heat way down and opened windows in every room of the house and sprayed the Lysol.  If the cold doesn't kill the germs, maybe they will blow out of the house.  Whatever it takes to keep from passing it on to the guys as they have suffered enough already this flu season.

Homemade Egg Noodles

You will need eggs, flour, salt.  Mixing bowl, fork, rolling pin, waxed paper, newspaper.

The first thing I do is getting my rolling surface ready to go.  I spread newspaper out on my island and then top with waxed paper.

I crack 2 eggs and put in my bowl.   Add 1/4 tsp. of salt and then beat the eggs with a fork.  DON'T SKIP THE PINCH OF SALT!  I then add enough flour to make the dough a good consistency for rolling (I would say 2 cups).   Once the dough is mixed flour your waxed paper surface and then put your dough on surface and knead until elastic and ready for rolling - you don't want a sticky dough so add flour until a good consistency for rolling during this kneading process.  Very important to keep flouring your surface so your dough doesn't stick as you would for pastry dough.  Roll out your dough to the desired thickness you want 1/8" to 1/4".  Let your dough dry slightly at this point.  Once your dough has dried you can choose one of two methods for cutting your noodles.  Method one is to roll up dough into a long tube (like when you roll up dough for cinnamon rolls) and starting cutting 1/4 inch strips.  This method will give you long noodles.  The other method is to cut into rectangular strips about 1/2 inch wide by whatever length and stack them on top of one another.  You will again cut 1/4 inch strips but will have a much shorter noodle.  I again let dry until ready to cook.  To cook I drop by the handful into boiling broth of your choice and then turn heat down to simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Adding cooked diced chicken, turkey, beef just makes it better.

At least my Cooties had the decency to wait until date night was over to attack me.  Enjoyed a lovely evening out with Bill.  We had a nice dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.  We had time for a quick trip through the book store and to buy Starbucks drinks before heading into the movie Silver Linings Playbook.  I really wasn't sure what to expect of the movie as I've had not heard much about it but found it to be a very good movie.  Bill and I find we tend to enjoy the movies more if we've not heard much about them.  On the times we've heard how awesome they are we end up being disappointed as they never live up to the "hype" we've heard.  We were both very surprised at how packed it was at the theater.  Honestly the movie has been out for quite some time and thought there would only be a handful of people there.  By the time the movie started people were taking seats in the front row as that was all that was left.  Unfortunately for me, I again got to sit next to the couple who talked through the entire movie.  Grrrrr!

I have decided that I'm not leaving the house today in hopes of just resting.  I do think, however, I will listen to the audiobook for the book I must lead the discussion on in less than 2 weeks and pick up needle to put thread to fabric.  Hopefully I will have some progress to show very soon!

Have a great day!

Catching Up!

Time to catch up!  Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers for my son during his dental procedure in the operating room.  He came through it very well and recovered faster than ever.  We were able to get on the road home (2 hour drive) and arrived home safe and sound 1 1/2 ahead of the snowstorm/blizzard that hit here in Iowa.  

We ended up with 12.9 inches of snow and I've been busy with my camera capturing the beauty of our first snow for the Winter.  It was a heavy wet snow so the snow blower wasn't useful.  As you can see from the photo, I can handle a shovel with the best of them.  Everything was shut down yesterday but as long as you drive sensibly you can get around pretty well today.  The temps here are very cold which means we will have a WHITE CHRISTMAS! 

I've opened 3 more gifts from Teresa for the Advent Exchange and can tell you I'm feeling truly spoiled.

Day 19 was this beautiful lined fabric project bag.  The sampler fabric on the front is actually a pocket and it closes with a button.  Teresa, if you made this I'm truly in awe of your sewing/finishing skills. Inside bag was a charm pack called Cinnamon Spice by Blackbird Designs.  Day 20 was an assortment of linens and some GA Limited Edition over-dyed threads.  Isn't the Celadon colored linen beautiful?!   I made a separate photo of one linen included in this package. According to the label on the package it is 36 count printed with original artwork.  It is the coolest piece of linen.  I imagine you are to stitch something on it but I feel like I want to frame it as art instead.  I've never seen anything like it before.  Day 21 was this Longaberger basket with a stitched lid.  The design looks to me like one from L'Atelier Perdu and I'm a huge fan.  

I gifted Teresa on Day 19 patterns x 4 for various pouches, scissor cases, floss keeps, etc. by some French Designers.   

Day 20 was a scissor block and a pair of scissors.  I had my dad make the block for me and I sanded and stained.  Day 21 was a LED Candle in the Sampler style from Where Sister's Gather .  I have several of these candles myself and just love them.   I hope Teresa loves it as much as I do.

Now that my friend, Allison has opened her Christmas gift I can share the placemats I made especially for her based on the colors in her home.  Now she needs a table topper to match.

I just have to share a recipe I tried last night that is a keeper for us.  Many of you have probably already cooked one similar to this.  This recipe was inspired after watching Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri on her show yesterday.  They were talking about chili using ground chicken and I just happened to have some on hand so decided to make some last night.  I kind of made up my recipe based on my mom's original chili recipe and what I happened to have on hand.

1 lb. ground chicken browned
Add chopped onion and celery

Add 1 can petite diced tomatoes

Add 1 can tomato soup (undiluted)

Add 1 5 ounce can tomato juice

Add 1 can white kidney beans (cannellini)

Simmer until warmed through.  I didn't add any additional spices this time (hubby's stomach thanked me) as took all the flavor from the veggies and tomato soup/juice but you could add chili powder, cumin, peppers, etc.  Hubby and I agreed we like this chili better than the traditional chili we've always make.  

Until next time May you enjoy the blessing of family and friends during this Holiday Season!