A Block Of Soup

Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours.
~Doug Larson

I had goals I wanted to accomplish yesterday and I think I met them all.  Unfortunately I didn't have any interesting detours so I feel a little deprived.  The trouble is, I can't show you most of what I did because they are swap blocks.  I would like the recipients to receive their blocks before I post pictures.  Perhaps a little tease will be shown.  I was so busy sewing yesterday that I couldn't even tell you what it was like outside other than it was sunny.  It feels good to get all four swap blocks completed and a block for myself too.  I haven't been so driven to complete something in quite awhile.  Well, it was Monday.  So we will see how the rest of the week progresses.  How was your Monday?  Here I come Tuesday!!

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Picture Of The Day

These are a few of the statuary in my backyard.  The bunny trio is one of my favorites.

Garden statuary has been used for millennia. In Ancient Egypt, temples and temple gardens were ornamented with statues of the gods. In Greece, statues were placed in sacred groves. The Romans copied many of these for use as garden ornaments. The Venus de’ Medici, for example, is believed to be a first century BC marble copy of a fourth century BC bronze. This approach dominated western gardens through the renaissance and into the twentieth century. Abstract art has also been used in the garden. Henry Moore’s sculptures at Perry Green are an excellent example.  A wide variety of materials are available today for use in the garden, from traditional stones and metals to polymers. Your choice of material will depend partly on the intended use, partly on the mood you wish to create, and partly on cost.   How do you decorate your garden?

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Did you vote today?  We have a big battle for Governor going on here in California.  Remember, every vote counts.  And I always say 'If you don't vote, you can't complain'. 

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I finished the second block of the Thread Head Quilt Along. 

This is Block #1 again, but made with different fabric.

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And here is a little glimpse of the blocks that I made yesterday. 

One is for the Inchy Flower Swap, one is for Christmas Quilting Blocks Swap Australia, and two are for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia.  I made two for the final group because one I made for last month never reached its destination.  Thankfully, Cathy has been extremely understanding.

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Since I can't show you much of what I accomplished, how about if I share my absolutely favorite soup recipe of all time.  It's a good thing my DH likes it too because the recipe makes a huge pot.

Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup

from Sunset Magazine January 2003 

Ingredients

2 pounds hot or mild Italian sausages

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 onion, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

3 quarts chicken broth

1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes

2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini (white) beans, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon dried basil

2 cups dried medium shell-shaped pasta

4 quarts spinach leaves, rinsed

Salt and pepper

About 1 cup grated Romano cheese

Directions

1.  Squeeze sausages from casings into an 8 to 10 quart pot over high heat and stir often, breaking them apart with a spoon, until browned and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes.  Spoon out and discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot.

2.  Add carrots, onion,and garlic; stir often until onion is limp, 5 to 7 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes (including juice), beans, and basil and bring to a boil.

3.  Add pasta, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just tender to bite, about 10 minutes. Skim and discard fat. Stir in spinach and cook just until it is wilted, about 30 seconds. 

Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve soup from the pot , or pour into a tureen. Offer Romano cheese to add to taste.

Makes: About 5 1/2 quarts; 10 to 12 servings

Served with grated Romano cheese - DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!

Personal Notes

1.  I use two 49 1/2 cans of chicken broth

2.  I have never had to skim any fat off after cooking sausage nor when the soup is complete.

3.  The recipe says it takes about 35 minutes to prepare, but it usually takes me about an hour.

4.  I don't add the full amount of spinach in with the first cooking.  I add a little more fresh spinach each time I reheat it so there is some pretty green in the bowl instead of just brown wilted spinach.

5.  As with most soups, tastes even better the 2nd time around

6.  You can prepare the soup through step 2 up to 1 day ahead, but do not bring mixture to a boil; instead, cool, cover, and chill.  To reheat, lift off and discard fat; bring soup to a boil.

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GIVEAWAYS

QuiltSue is hosting a giveaway at Quilt Times.  She is giving away a great book titled "Country Comforts" and is giving you three different ways to enter.  This ends Monday, November 8.

How about a giveaway for 9 fat quarters?  Then check out A Hundred Billion Stars before midnight on November 5th!

Have you been looking for a Christmasy layer cake?  Violette over at Hand Quilting is having a monthly giveaway and this time she is giving away Remembrance Layer Cake.  And if you should mention that you heard about her giveaway here, I could get an extra chance to win the fabric!!  This ends Nov. 11th.

This is the final day to enter my "Just Because" giveaway.  To be able to enter to win the five fall themed fat quarters, you much leave a comment HERE by 6:00 p.m. PST TODAY!!!!!

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Final Thought

I have enjoyed viewing the autumn pictures on everybody's blogs.  Our trees haven't even started changing colors yet and, even then, they will not put on much of a show.  The weather forecasters are predicting our temperature to be 85* on Thursday!  Now that's just plain gross.  I think Mother Nature has a devilish side to her.  I like sitting here in my hoodie with a cold nose and cold toes (well, I could do without the cold toes), and snuggling with my pups.  I will continue to live vicariously through others as I wander blogland searching for those beautiful fall colors.

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.
~Elizabeth Lawrence

Have a transcendental Tuesday!!