Friday, January 30

Quilt-A-Long


As if I didn't have enough going on already, I've decided I'm going to add my name to the list of participants in Melissa's Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long.  Since 2014 was my first year of quilting, I learned everything by watching videos and trial-&-error.  2015 is my year to join in and get out!  I'm joining my local guild, I'm going to QuiltCon in February and I'm going to join quilt-a-longs!  I'm determined to push myself and learn as much as I can:)

<a border="0" href="http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/p/quilt-longs.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lEjVjloJjk0/VMETCW3egJI/AAAAAAAATP0/Jo8wZt3sdtw/s1600/Button.JPG"/></a> 

I'm going to do a Lap size (60"x70") in a Scrappy design.  I think my version will be made using greys, yellows and white.  I can already imagine snuggling with Hubby under the quilt while we watch some HGTV!

 
Here's her layout.  Won't it be a beautiful quilt?  
There's still time to join in if you're interested.  Jump over to Happy Quilting and get all of the details!  

A Lanyard for a Nametag


My quilt guild is having us make nametags to wear at each meeting.  I've never actually been to a meeting (yet) but I want to be ready for February's so... I started by making a lanyard.  It was pretty easy.  I used scraps that were about 2 1/2 inches wide and sewed them together in one long strip.
Then, I ironed the seams, pressing them open to create less bulk.  Isn't my ironing board cover crazy in color?  It's bright and cherry, but it does interfere with pictures :(
 
Here's a close-up of seams open

Then, I folded the whole long piece in half and finger pressed it so I could see where the half-way mark was.  I folded each side up/down to that mark and ironed.  I folded the halves together and sewed down the open side and then back up the closed/fold side.

I put my fabric through the clip and then sewed the two ends together.  The clip I selected was from Hobby Lobby and has another clasp that will allow me to add my nametag once it's quilted (that'll be another post).  This was so fun and easy.  It probably took me more time to select the fabric than to actually sew and iron it all together!  Are you that way too?  I could spend hours picking through fabric!



Here's the sunrise from this morning!  What a GREAT day it'll be:)

I will walk by faith even when I can not see.  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

January 30

Chalkboard Bible Printable


Nightly, when I say my prayers, many loved ones and those mentioned in church whom I don't know, are brought by me to God.  But, special, very specific prayers are always given to those who say to me that they know for certain that God doesn't exist.  Those individuals whose blogs I encounter that say they are non-believers.  Actors and actresses who think they are so wise because they've been paid to play entertaining roles who use their platform to deny God.  I pray for those souls who, to me, are truly lost.  God seeks those individuals, hoping that they'll turn to Him.  I believe it pains Him that they are so certain and so stubborn.  He loves me, and other followers, for sure.  But, it's those that deny Him that He desires. 

Blood Orange Tart

Start with an easy tart shell

Thinly slice your Blood Orange and set on paper towels to dry out a bit

Serve to Happy Hubby :)
Much like Meyer Lemons, we only see Blood Oranges in Oklahoma from late December to early February.  This is another recipe I have been making since we lived in California, when I could get Blood Oranges so much more often.  Hubby looks forward to this time of year, when he gets to eat Tart for Breakfast!

Here's the yummy recipe:
Sweet Dough: 
  • 2 1/2 cups a.p. flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 8 T butter
  • 2 eggs
Combine your dry ingredients in a food processor.  Pulse 3-4 times to mix.  Cube your butter (with as little handling as possible to avoid warming the butter) and add to the dry.  Pulse until you see the butter uniformly mixed throughout.  Add the eggs and mix until it becomes a dough.  Divide into 2 pieces and wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.  Certainly, you can make ahead by a few days or even freeze for later use.  After 30 minutes, remove one of the pieces from fridge and roll out.  I use a 9-in tart pan with removable bottom.  Make sure to take dough all the way up the sides.  Prick all over with a fork and return to fridge for another 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375.  Line tart shell with aluminum foil and beans and bake for about 24 minutes (looking for golden brown).  Cool completely.

Pastry Cream:
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (I use skim.  You can use full fat or whatever you have on hand)
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup a.p. flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla or orange extract
Simmer milk in a medium-sized sauce pan.  Whisk the rest of your ingredients in a bowl.  Once the milk comes to the point where there are tiny bubbles around the edge, remove from heat and slowly add to the egg mixture.  This is tempering.  You're trying to warm the egg mixture slowly to the temperature of the milk.  Make sure you're whisking the egg mixture while adding the milk so you don't cook your eggs.  When all the milk is nicely mixed in, return the whole mixture to the sauce pan and bring to a boil.  You must stir the whole time, or you'll burn your lovely cream!  Simmer for 1 minute once you reach a boil.  Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of your pastry cream and refrigerate until cold.

Assembling your tart:
In our family, I usually cut individual pieces of the tart shell as it is going to be eaten.  If I put the Pastry Cream on the tart shell all at once, since it will be eaten over a week, it'll get soggy and yucky!  It's easier to cut a piece of tart shell, whip up the chilled Pastry Cream (just with a spoon to loosen it up a bit) and cut a fresh Blood Orange each day than serving Hubby something less than yummy!  You might be serving this as dessert to more than one person, so grab your cooled tart shell, spoon your Pastry Cream onto the shell and top with thinly sliced Blood Oranges. 

Enjoy!

Monday, January 26

Thank You ... and progress

Let me begin by thanking all of you lovely bloggers who stopped by my blog yesterday and left such nice comments!  I know that you have lots to do in life, and thousands of other blogs to consider, so I am humbled that you stopped by during the Grow Your Blog event and took a moment to stay :)

I am making progress on my quilts.  It's slower than I'd like but that's life.

Daughter's


Son's

Another I'm working on. 


Have a blessed day!

Meyer Lemon Juice

Please tell me you've heard about Meyer Lemons?  They are so much sweeter than normal lemons.  I had a Meyer lemon tree in my backyard when we lived in Los Angeles, and I got so spoiled.  Since they are only available in Oklahoma from late December to late January, I always make sure I stockpile enough to get me through the year.  Steps are so easy...
Gather supplies

Zest your lemons and freeze separately


30 minutes of work for a year's supply of sweet goodness
  • Make sure to label your zest.  Add 1/2-1 tsp to your recipes to add extra lemon flavor.  It'll darken a little and you might confuse it with orange zest if you forget to label!
  • I stick my jars in the back of the refrigerator.  I've followed these procedures for years and we've never had moldy juice or any other concerns.  I have canned the juice so it could be stored in a cupboard but found this method to be quicker and just as effective (if you have the refrigerator space).
  • For $10, I have enough juice to make a year's worth of lemon goodies: lemon chicken, lemon curd, chicken piccata, salmon, buttermilk pie, etc.

January 26th












I love the idea that we can get all dressed up in our worldly clothes to face the day BUT we can WEAR what's most important to God: love.  God doesn't care if we have the newest fashions.  He wants us to show the people we encounter each day lots of love.  Pretty easy :)