Little Sewing But More Projects

"There's nothing more exciting than starting a new project"
                                                               ~author unknown

Yesterday morning started as just a normal day, first computer time and then breakfast.  After breakfast I headed back into the computer and on the keyboard was a folded piece of paper with my name on it.  My first thought was "Uh oh, what did I do wrong?".  When I opened it I was very much surprised to have a love note from my dear, sweet husband!  How very special I felt!  It certainly put a brighter light on my day.  It was so indescribably wonderful to read how much he still loves me after 35 years of marriage.  I am such a lucky lady!!  Okay, so much for the mush.............on with today.

Photo Of The Day

A partial branch of a Japanese Maple in my side yard

Japanese Maple is a species of woody plant native to Japan (go figure!), North and South Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia. The first specimen of the tree reached England in 1820.  Many different cultivars of this maple have been selected and they are grown worldwide for their attractive leaf shapes and colors. When Swedish doctor-botanist Carl Peter Thunberg traveled in Japan late in the eighteenth century, he secreted out drawings of a small tree that would eventually become synonymous with the high art of oriental gardens. He gave it the species name palmatum after the hand-like shape of its leaves. This would hardly surprise the Japanese who for centuries referred to their group of maples as kaede and momiji, references to the 'hands' of frogs and babies, respectively.  As you can tell from the picture, my tree has yet to start any kind of fall color change.  It is showing signs of sunburn after a long, hot summer. 

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Pay It Forward

I'm joining my friend, Lana, of It Seams To Be Sew, in a new way to share the joy of crafting.  Here's what is involved:

The idea is that 3 of you join my Pay It Forward and then I will send a hand made gift (made with love!!!) to each one of my THREE within the next 365 days!  ( I am one of Lana's 3)

Then, those 3 people must also host a PIF on their blogs and ask for 3 people to join their PIF - To Pay It Forward!

You may send anything homemade (and you get to choose what you want to make)- a small quilt, wall hanging, tablerunner, bookmark, pillow case, mug rug, cross stitch item, embroidery item - well, you get the idea. 

So, this is me, asking for 3 people to join my PIF - just leave a comment to this post stating that you want to be one of my 3.

That's it....No Catches!  Now, I only need THREE.....will you be one of my three?

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Yesterday I also joined in the Quilting Gallery's Candle Mat Swap.  The pattern is Candlelight, by Sandi Anderson, and they provide a free download for this.  It's super cute and easy to make.  One charm pack will make two candle mats, plus you'll need a fat quarter for the backing (two FQs if you are making two) and a scrap (or two) of batting.  Registration closes October 5 and partner info will be sent by October 8.  If you are interested, just click on the link above.
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Can you tell I didn't get much sewing done yesterday?  I did manage to get a few more blocks made for my Paganini, but for some reason, the computer kept calling my name - could that be because my sewing started out with ripping out the first three seams I sewed for the day!?!  So I have decided to share a recipe with you today since I certainly don't have any progress pictures to share.  I snatched this recipe up from my daughter, Megan, over at Kitschy Suburbia!

Lemon-Tarragon Chicken Toss

Ingredients

6 oz dried fettuccine or linguine
2 cups broccoli or cauliflower florets
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
12 oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons olive oil or cooking oil
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed, or 1 Tablespoon snipped fresh tarragon, crushed

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli or cauliflower for the last 4 minutes of cooking;  drain well.  Return pasta mixture to pot; cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine broth, lemon juice, honey, cornstarch, and white pepper; set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet stir-fry chicken in hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes or until no longer pink.  Stir cornstarch mixture; add to skillet.  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.  Add tarragon; cook for 1 minute more.

To serve, spoon chicken mixture over pasta mixture.

Personal Notes:

1.  I used broccoli

2.  In the future, I would begin cooking the chicken while the pasta is cooking.  The pasta cooled a little too much by the time the chicken mixture was prepared.

3.  I used multi-grain linguine

4.  When reheating leftovers, add a few more drops of lemon juice as the lemon taste seems to dissipate over time in the fridge.
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GIVEAWAYS

Here's a chance to win an AccuQuilt GO! Jump over to Jane's Fabrics and Quilts to enter (or don't - maybe I will have a better chance that way - lol!).  This giveaway ends Friday!

Don't forget to enter my Thank You Giveaway!  This will end on Monday.
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Final Thoughts

How has your week been going?  I think I have figured out my future quilting plan - once I get through the 5 projects I'm currently working on (way too many to be working on at one time - I'm usually a one thing at a time kind of gal)  I think I need to be working on at least one sampler quilt at all times.  While working on Cheryl's Sew Along, I decided it is a great way to keep boredom at bay.  I'm even looking into making a Dear Jane quilt.  I think that would be anything but boring.  Any suggestions from you, my friends?

Have a thoroughly thrilling Thursday!