Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Risotto Pancakes


I hope you all had a most agreeable Christmas! I have been sidelined with my knee injury and then developed an allergic reaction to the latex or adhesive in the bandages used. My teeth pain has slowly diminished with no sign of discoloration, so far. All in all, slowly on the mend and considering myself very lucky.

I thought I'd share a side dish I made for dinner last night. It is not too complicated to make and is always well-liked, to get started you need,
1 TBL butter
1 medium onion, very finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup long grain rice, this cannot be Uncle Ben's brand or Minute Rice brand! I used Mahatma Gold brand.
1/4 tsp salt

Saute the onions and garlic in the butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

Add broth and heat to boiling. Add rice and salt, reduce heat to simmer, with pan covered for about 20 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.

Remove from heat,

and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Let cool 15 minutes,

and add 1 slightly beaten egg.

Mixture will be slightly sticky looking. At this point, I cover it and put it in the refrigerator.

When ready to cook, shape the mixture into 12 pancakes. It helps to moisten your hands with water and shake off the excess before shaping. You can refrigerate again for up to 24 hours before cooking just make sure they are covered.

Using 1/2 cup dried plain bread crumbs, coat pancakes and fry a few at a time in a large skillet over medium heat. I use about 1/3 cup of canola oil and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. They are good served with applesauce or sour cream. Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve


I love the Christmas-tide, and yet,
I notice this, each year I live;
I always like the gifts I get,
But how I love the gifts I give!
~Carolyn Wells

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Did I Mention It Hurts?


Pounding the pavement took on new meaning for me about halfway through my morning walk yesterday. I tripped on an uneven sidewalk and went airborne, yeow!

So I am icing a badly bruised and swollen knee today as well as my mouth. I had to have my front teeth x-rayed as they connected with the sidewalk. From what the dentist said, it would have been better had the tooth chipped, as is, the trauma traveled across the teeth and damage might not be evident for awhile. Did I mention that I look like someone punched me in the mouth? Oh, and my Christmas shopping is about half done. Wish I could have a temporary handicapped parking permit. Hmmm, there are those Pregnant Parking spaces at the mall...

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Odds and Ends


I started working on this quilt this past summer and finally got organized enough to send it out to be quilted.

Then when I got the quilt back I couldn't find the fabric I thought I had saved for the binding and was in a near panic. Most of the fabrics I used were fabrics from a few years ago, Anna Griffin and Urban Chiks I believe. After much sleuthing on the internet I found a yard of what I needed. Lucky I do believe!

Jackie did a wonderful job of quilting it. I made it for my daughter's dorm room, something colorful was definitely needed.

Love the pantograph Jackie used, Dust Devils.

I also got the binding put on one of the Asian fabric doll quilts I finished recently.

I just quilted it with meandering.

Not too sure I like the ecru thread I used but any other color on that ecru inner border would have bothered me.

Here's a picture outside this morning.

Looks like I was being watched from my sewing room!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Fairy Doors


Do you know about fairy doors? I didn't until I overheard a conversation while at the booksellers yesterday and couldn't wait to Google it. Apparently, this little whimsy began a few years ago by an illustrator/inventor named Jonathan b. Wright. That's a nickel above the door below, for perspective.

His wife had a preschool in their home and he built these diminutive doors for fairies. It was a big hit with the kids.

These pictures are of fairy doors found in businesses in Ann Arbor, Michigan where Mr. Wright lives.

Several shops and cafes and even the public library embraced the idea. Maps were made to lead the way.

Coins, candy, small toys, chocolates, are sometimes left on the stoops to entice the fairies to move in. Why there is even a fairy door found at the downtown offices of Google.

Much more can be found at Urban Fairies. Be sure to check out the fairy inhabited pumpkin.
Hope you have an enchanting Wednesday!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Recycling


I have heard of cutter quilts being used to make pillows, stuffed animals, table runners, stockings, or even cut down to smaller sizes but never being given to a baby orangutan! You've got to admit, he's kind of cute! Lots more pictures at ZooBorns.
{photo Willie Stark}

Getting in the Christmas Mood...


I finished the X-Rated Schnibble, or is one still called a Schnibbles? I have to ask Carrie about that! This little top was a bit more complicated than I realized but so fun. I love the way it turned out! It finishes at 31 inches square. A first for me using Charm Packs and I don't know if I like them or not. That whole pinked edge thingy and *gasp* leaving them in the finished product bothered me. I would have preferred cutting them off!


Yikes! What's this??? Two same green Xs too close together?! How did that happen? Jeez, no wonder I didn't have enough green for the border!


Love this fabric line, Portugal by April Cornell for Moda.


I started decorating but the rest is awaiting daughter's arrival from college as she is the expert tree-picker and decorating guru. Perhaps Thursday or Friday.

But the Boys are mine, so out they came! I've been collecting German nutcrackers for a number of years.

I love their sweet cheerful, slightly serious, faces.

I never tire of seeing them.

Fröhliche Weihnachten, Boys!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wish for Joy


I thought I'd share a neat cottage industry I patronize, Charmed Designs.


Dana is a SAHM with four of the cutest kids! She creates her own little works of art using quality materials and also does custom work.


I've bought a number of pieces for gifts and they were greatly appreciated. And she has sales occasionally. And she even adjusts the bracelet to fit your wrist the way you like it. Pictures are from Charmed Designs bracelet called Wish for Joy.

Sneak Peeks


This is a peek at the mini quilt I've been working on.


We had to send some fabric and any embellishments we desired in a small ziploc bag to our assigned partner. We were supposed to use at least a little bit of what we received. I violated that as my partner sent a very dark green and I just could not get it to work with the others. And we could add from our own stash.


I don't want to show the finished quilt until my partner receives it. It's not my usual style but I think she'll like it. She has three young daughters and I know they are all fond of pink! It turned out very girly looking and cotton candy sweet.


And look what else I've been doing. I won this from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company and have been itching to work with the charm packs. I resisted buying these for a while but now think they're kind of neat.


I've mentioned before I am a big fan of Carrie Nelson, the quilt designer behind Miss Rosie. I have a lots of her books, and patterns but never got around to actually making any. You know how that goes! I plan to have this done today. It finishes at 31 inches square. It would be great in Christmas fabrics too.


A peek at my company, happy quilting!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

I Love Etsy


Etsy amazes me. The consummate creativeness of the vendors just blows me away. When I need a special gift I always check out Etsy and have not been disappointed. You can get such personalized gifts such as the clock above for a music lover.


And I love the ACEO cards available for art lovers. These are small, 2.5 by 3.5 inch, original art works. They offer a great opportunity to own art at an affordable price and look great on shelves, counters, etc. and again, make for a unigue gift.


I love this photograph. We have a cardinal that visits our laundry room window on a daily basis. He pecks at his reflection. It seems nothing will dissuade him and we've come to accept his presence. Activity increases greatly in the spring during nesting time. Then he will show up with his mate and she will sit in a nearby tree and urge him on.


Etsy is also great for jewelry. I've bought a number of items and have been very satisfied with the experience.


I'm amazed at the jewelry created from Scrabble tiles! Be sure and check out the Treasury feature on Etsy. This is a selection of favorites from different members using a theme. In Time Machine 2 you can view recently listed items. Outside of Etsy there's even a social networking site We Love Esty with more features like sellers' blogs. And lastly at Let's Ets you can do a custom Etsy search for specific categories. I love Etsy, do you?

{photo credit: designspirit, biggirl4664, ara133photography, BlackWaterSiren, HomeStudio}