Seneca Lake

I just came back from taking a walk along Seneca Lake at the state park. For such a miserably cold day it was really quite pretty. Do you like to see pictures of where your favorite bloggers are from? I do.

Design Wall Monday January 31, 2011

Not great progress on the quilt this weekend, just too much going on. I almost finished one more blue and green block but everyone was hungry. It was supposed to get -8  last night so I had Pat bring the flannel quilt that is usually on the couch, upstairs and we put it on the bed last night. So nice and toasty! I think another flannel quilt is going in the queue.

The mitten was supposed to be finished last night but I must have been tired, because I was decreasing in pattern and I kept screwing up, so I picked up my book instead.
I haven't heard anything about my Singer from the repairman yet, bummer.
Happy sewing everyone and be sure and check out what everyone else is doing over at Judy's blog

Quilt Progress Update

Between gelled fuel and the D.O.T. it's a wonder I have anything done on this quilt. Monday morning in our area it was 10 below zero when we got up and my husband Pat's truck decided not to stay running, due to the fuel gelling up. Now he knew it was going to be cold and added fuel treatment and did other preventative things but the truck wouldn't start. Six hours later after hauling gallons of hot water and changing fuel filters and adding 8 jugs of Power Service Diesel 911 he was finally on his way.

Some sewing was done on Tuesday and then Wednesday I get an early morning call, he is about 30 miles away and his flashers quit working and his spare flasher didn't work and of course the DOT  were set up doing inspections, so he got pulled in and put out of service till I could get there with the new part. I didn't take a picture, I didn't think the troopers would like it. Lol. He was good to go after plugging in the part. Meanwhile I am gazing south (home is north) realizing I am five minutes away from my favorite quilt shop! But I resisted the temptation and headed back home and did a little sewing, a little knitting, and a little reading

I'm reading The Lover's Knot a quilt related mystery. I am enjoying the book and plan to read the rest of the series.

The mitten is coming along nicely too.

Design Wall Monday January 24, 2011

My applique block is almost done but you have seen it twice so I won't bore you again. While going through my EQ project files I came across a quilt I really like.

I'll make a few more and cut out some sashing before I decide if I like it enough to make. Right now the quilt is eighty inches square but I could add a row and make it fit my bed or leave and use it hanging over the couch this fall would be nice too.
The final border needs some tweaking, the proportions are off, I think the triangles should be thinner. Or even better would be an applique border!

Most of the weekend I read or knit and tried to stay warm.The snowflake mitten is coming along nicely.

 Be sure and visit Judy's blog to see what she and everyone else have on their walls today.

What Are You Working On Today?

It's Saturday afternoon and  it's freezing out side!  I don't know about you but when it's this cold out there is nothing better than something cooking or baking in the oven and I won't be tempted to keep turning up the heat, especially since I just paid my heat and electric bill yeasterday.Ouch!
 So I baked bread and put a pot roast  in the oven. I'll only have to make mashed potatoes and dinner is done.

I sort of took over the kitchen table today. You would think the person who lives here has ADHD with all the projects going on; a hat, a pair of socks, a pair of snowflake mittens, reading on my Ipad, looking at patterns in JB's book for a block idea to use with my charm packs.
My sewing room is in the front of the house and it's kind of chilly in there.So no sewing today.
Oh well it's Saturday...what are you working on today?

Yummy Granola

I usually have fruit, toast, or oatmeal for breakfast but this morning I was craving some nutty, fruity granola. The recipe I use is not necessarily low fat or low in calories but boy is it yummy.! Feel free to substitute if you are not a fan of one of the ingredients or don't have it on hand. I had to use spanish pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower seeds. I like it a little fruitier and nuttier too so I add slivered almonds or walnuts or pecans. I also add craisins, and golden raisins too! A palmful or about 1/4 cup each.

Granola
2 1/2 cups oatmeal (any kind but instant)
1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 (4 tablespoons) stick of unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup of raisins

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
In large 11 x 17 inch  lightly buttered pan or roasting pan add oatmeal, coconut, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. Bake for about 20 minutes, stirring several times
While oatmeal is toasting combine butter, brown sugar, honey, and salt in a small pan and heat over medium low heat till it comes to a simmer. Off heat add the vanilla.
Reset oven to 350 degrees, and add the wheat germ to oatmeal mixture. Drizzle butter, honey mixture over oatmeal and toss lightly with a fork. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes then add raisins, stirring to combine. Press mixture firmly into an even layer and bake for another 5 minutes or until oatmeal is light golden color. Remove from oven and let cool for five minutes, using a spatula loosen granola from bottom of the pan into large chunks. Cool completely then store in airtight container.

Eight Point Star

I felt in the mood for something different today. So I picked an eight point star block from my Jinny Beyer Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns printed out a basic eight point star from EQ and then drafted the rest.

I kind of like it.

Going to bed now. Maybe I'll make another one tomorrow.....