Tumbler and log cabin --- working on TWO!

I love to wait until a quilt is finished before I show it.   This is not one of those times.  :)  I need your advice with the log cabin layout, but first here is a tumbler with Moda Grace.  The top is not quite halfway finished, but you get the idea.

I fell in love with this fabric the first time my blue eyes gazed upon it.  I had started a 30s tumbler quilt at that point, so had in my mind from the beginning to do a tumbler.  I work on this if I only have 30 minutes or so to sew.  I have already sewn sets of 5, so I simply have to lay the sets down and make sure no 2 like colors are back to back and sew them together and sew the row on.  No trips to the cutting mat, just a few stitches and a quick pressing and another row is on.  I really, really, really want to have this finished and on my bed by December.  The colors are Christmas-y without being exclusively for Christmas. 

The second is a log cabin with Seeds of Time by Kansas Troubles, again Moda.  I am not sure Kansas Troubles has ever made anything ugly.  This Seeds of Time fabric is another one of those "have to have it right now" when I saw it.  I also knew immediately that I wanted a log cabin.  I made sure I had 3 lights, 3 darks, and 1 center block color when I bought it.  It has laid in my stash for longer than I care to mention, but I got it out last week, ironed it all, and cut my strips.  I wanted to make at least 2 or 3 blocks so I could get a feel of how it would look.  I also had in my mind the whole time to do a fields and furrows pattern ....

but then I laid the blocks out in a light and dark pattern ...

Such a dilemma!!!!!!  You quilters help me out here, please.  I need your opinions!  Which layout do you like best with these fabrics?  I only have these 8 blocks finished but I am soooo anxious to have a few hours of free time to get some more together.  

The two quilts are just one more example of my love for traditional quilt blocks.  I will leave the artsy, bright, wonky quilts to others.  Isn't it wonderful that God gave us each different likes and talents?  It would be sooo boring if all quilts looked alike.  I hope each of you has a wonderful day and coming week, full of blessings!  Big hugs from the beautiful Bluegrass! 

A pie (or 2)

My husband brought home some Granny Smith apples this week and asked if I had time to make a pie.  Well, if I am too busy to make my family a pie, I am just too busy.  Here is the apple ......

Then, he asked for a chicken pie.  Not chicken POT pie, but chicken pie, like his Grandma Audria used to make.  I had to call around to some of his relatives in Mississippi to see how Audria made these famous pies that have had children and grandchildren in four states still talking about them.  Here is my result, and my whole family loved it.  My husband stopped short of saying it was just like his grandmother's, but he really did enjoy it and asked if I could make it again very soon and even asked if I could make one for him to take and share with his co-workers one day.  Here is the chicken pie ....

Let me make one thing clear ---- we do not eat like this every day.  Shoot, we do not even eat like this every week.  Especially in the summertime, with access to all kinds of fresh vegetables, our dinner plates are filled with much lighter foods.  We have friends who have had a bountiful garden this year with the best---tomatoes---ever and we have enjoyed lots of sandwiches and salads with these great tomatoes. 

On a different note, my black-eyed Susans have been showing off this year ...

and .... my brother surprised me with a yard sale find ... a vintage wrought iron and wooden bench ...

I first had it against my house, like in this picture, but it has since found a spot underneath a tree.  I will get a picture and show that another time.  He removed the wooden slats and refinished those and put them back on.  I am thinking about my first-ever blog giveaway very soon.  Stay tuned for details.  I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful day!

Cobblestone Quilting at the Kentucky Market Pavillion

I finally did it.  I have been thinking about it and talking about it and finally just took the time to quilt several plastic bag holders for the Kentucky Market Pavillion.  I live about 10 minutes from this sweet little place and I love it.  It is right off an exit on I-64. 

It is a farmer's market, gift shop, and restaurant called "The Lunch Box."  My husband and one of the Amish guys he works with built me a stand last week to hang the bags on and we set it up yesterday evening.  

The pavillion has lots of homemade jellies and preserves, apple butter, homemade goatmilk soap, jewelry, hand carved walking canes, candles, etc., but only one other vendor with quilting (baby and lap quilts).  I may not sell even one bag, and if not I will have lots of pretty bags hanging around my house and have some Christmas presents already made!  The best part is, I have another reason to quilt!  (Like I really NEED a reason).  I know times are tough and most folks are cutting back on their spending, so I tried to make something that is functional as well as pretty and I am hoping others think so also.  I am really hoping to just make a little extra $$ to support my quilting habit. We will see!  I finished two more bags last night and will be taking those down today.  Now I guess it is just wait and see.  I will never know until I dive in and try.

Perking up

One of my true loves is my morning coffee.  Remember the Folger's coffee jingle?   The best part of waking up ....   Well, the best part is actually WAKING up and thanking the good Lord for another day.  Second in line is that first cup of coffee, the smell of it perking and then the first taste.  It is probably the simplest yet most enjoyed part of my day.  I have had several different coffee makers over the years, small to large, inexpensive to expensive, simple to not-so-simple.  As with most everything in my life as I get older, I realize that less is usually more.  Small trumps big.  Simple trumps complicated.  For nearly three years now I have perked my morning coffee on my stovetop.  The taste is far superior than any automatic drip coffee maker I have ever owned.  The aroma when it starts to perk is heavenly.  I got this one at Sportsman's Warehouse in their camping section of all places.  Best coffee around ......

And yes, two new quilted grocery bag holders, Sunflowers and Rooster

I finished a major project that I had on my plate for a while, a commissioned tee-shirt memory quilt for friends in Mississippi.  I have another one waiting to be finished, but in between I have whipped up a couple more grocery bag holders.  Every single time I make a new one with different fabric it becomes my new favorite and these are no different.  First is the sunflower .....

And .... Cock-A-Doodle-Dooooo!  I love this rooster fabric with chicken wire .....

We have a Farmer's Market Pavilion about 15 miles from me and I stopped in the other day to see when they have their produce auctions because I am going to be making pickles soon and need some good looking cucumbers.  I was so suprised to see the sweetest little cafe and gift shop filled with items from Kentucky crafters and artisans, including homemade goat milk soap, jewelry, candles, canned jellies, cream candy, fudge ..... you get the picture.  I just happened to have one of my bags in the car and showed the lady working there and she wanted to buy it right on the spot.  She asked me if I could make more to sell there.  Any item they sell has to be approved by a board because they want true artisan quality crafts and food, nothing junky.  They called and happily approved the bag, so I am off and running on a new little adventure.  My husband and one of the guys he works with built me a really nice stand with shaker pegs.  I will take a picture when I get it set up at the place later on this week.  Who knows, they may not sell for the price I want to get out of them, but if not I will just keep them or give them away as Christmas gifts.  All you quilting blog friends, I hope you have had time to quilt.  All you bakers and chefs, I hope you have had time to whip up something wonderful.  All you gardeners, I hope your fruits and vegetables are showing off for you.  Basically, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful day. 

Chicken and dumplins, peach pie, and quilts!

Has it been hot in your neck of the woods?  It was a scorching 105 degrees in Kentucky the day we left on vacation nearly two weeks ago.  We visited some family in Mississippi while we were there and, believe it or not, it was not as hot there as back home in Kentucky.  The weather at the ocean was so wonderful.  There is just something about looking at the ocean and the majestic works of our Heavenly Father that makes you realize just how awesome He is.  We had some wonderful family time, just time to rest and relax and enjoy many meals together.  Our son's girlfriend of one year was able to go with us and we loved getting to know her better.  The seafood was wonderful, but I have to admit that my favorite place is Lambert's --- Home of the Throwed Rolls.  I think there are only two in the United States, two in Missouri and one in Foley, Alabama, just a few miles from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  If any of you have been lucky enough to eat at one, you know what I am talking about.  If you have not, you really should put it on your Bucket List.  Oh, they have catfish and shrimp, but they also have meatloaf, pot roast, ham steaks, chicken fried steak, chicken and dumplings, and more.  Ask for a roll, and they will throw it at you, actually a soft lob that you can catch.  Oh...my...goodness.  True yeast-y heaven.  Servers walk around with "the pass-arounds".... pans of fried potatoes, black-eyed peas, cabbage, fried okra, and macaroni and tomato.  Just make more room on your plate and you get all these sides for free.  We had supper twice while we were there --- once just was not enough.  We did have our share of fresh seafood, the kind you cannot get anywhere near Kentucky.  We got back and I was really in the mood for some hearty food (not really sure why since it was still a balmy 100 degrees in Kentucky).  My chicken and dumplins turned out pretty darned good ...

I brought back some peaches from Peach Park in Clanton, Alabama.  Again, the fruit is just sweeter the farther south we went, including peaches, watermelon, and blueberries.  Just enough peaches made it back with us for me to make this ....

The pictures do not begin to do justice to the taste of this pie.  It was gone before bedtime. 

I had been working on a memory tee-shirt quilt for some dear friends in Mississippi and we took it to them ...

They were very happy with it, and that makes me happy.  I also made another grocery bag holder, this time inspired by the lovely southern magnolias ...

It is back to normal, busy, work-filled life.  We have been home a week and are settling back into a routine.  I have caught up on reading all your sweet blogs.  I hope each and every one of you are having a wonderful summer!

Eggplant anyone??

I never had eggplant while I was growing up, ever.  We always had a garden full of fresh vegetables but I guess my parents were not very adventurous when it came to some things.  Anyway, I am 54 years old and had eggplant for the first time around two years ago at Olive Garden, when I ordered eggplant parmesan.  Let me say up front that I love Italian food, so the yummy marinara, pasta, and cheese was part of what I loved about it.  I have also had it at Johnny Carino's, another Italian restaurant in Lexington.  My husband, who is from Mississippi, did have it while growing up and it was battered and fried, much like fried green tomatoes. 

I started doing some googling because my kids also love the dish from Olive Garden and I wanted to make it at home.  I came across several web sites that suggested slicing the eggplant and then laying on a paper towel and sprinkling with salt to get out the extra moisture and soak up any bitterness.  Had I not already had this yummy dish in a restaurant, I would have stopped right there.  Watery and bitter are not adjectives that I look for when choosing my vegetables.  I did as suggested, let it sit for about 30 minutes then rinsed the salt off and patted dry.  Let me tell you, the eggplant experts are not wrong about the moisture.  I was amazed at the water that came out of those slices!!!

I had made homemade marinara over the weekend with fresh herbs from my garden, and all those amazing flavors had two days to "marry" as Emeril would say.

I made an assembly line of sliced eggplant, all purpose flour with a little black pepper and oregano, beaten egg and a little milk, Italian bread crumbs with added thyme and oregano to "kick it up a notch" (also as Emeril would say), then my pan with hot canola oil.  The eggplant really cooked up pretty quickly and browned nicely.  I didn't want anything greasy, so I laid them on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven for about 5 minutes before layering. 

First layer was homemade marinara, then eggplant, mozzarella and parmesan, layer again, and end with marinara. I baked it covered in foil for about 45 minutes then took off the foil and baked 15 more minutes. Not to be patting myself on the back or tooting my own horn or anything, but this is turned out waaay better than the restaurant versions. Sorry Olive and Johnny. Mine is just better. The real test will be when the kids get home to eat.

And this picture has absolutely nothing to do with anything I have just written ----- I am just so happy to have pumpkins on the vine and had to share it!