Fudge and Oatmeal :) !!!!

Thanksgiving is America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty.
~Michael Dresser

The above quote is a little Thanksgiving humor for you.  Now don't get me wrong - I'm very thankful for many, many things.  But you must admit, aren't we expected to stuff ourselves right along with the turkey?  I can't think of a single Thanksgiving when I didn't eat too much and wish I hadn't.  And it probably won't be any different this year.  To heck with the diet this one day of the year.  Let us eat well and enjoy! 

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

My Japanese Maple is starting to turn. The tips of the leaves were burnt a little this summer.

Have you ever wondered why trees lose their leaves in the fall or winter?  I have, so I went searching for the answer and this is what I found:  As winter approaches, the days get shorter and cooler. This change in day length and temperature triggers some trees to go dormant, essentially hibernating for the winter. A tree's woody roots, branches and twigs can endure freezing temperatures, but most leaves are not so tough. 

It is also very energetically expensive for a tree to run its leafy food factories in the winter, when there is often little sunlight and freezing temperatures make water transport (from the ground into the tree’s trunk and leaves) a problem. So it’s more energy efficient for a leafy tree to close down operations in the winter and go dormant.  So now we know why trees lose their leaves each year.

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Yesterday I was able to get a couple hours of sewing in, along with a little ripping out too.  I began sewing blocks for the Le Petit Butter Churn Quilt.  I had to make 4 inner butter churn squares and 4 outer butter churn squares.

And this is where the seam ripper and I became reacquainted.  I didn't do this only once, but four times!  At least I was consistent.  Why make a mistake only once when 4 times is even better.  Oh well, rip away I did.

I finally made all four of the outer butter churn squares......

I made 16 of these squares.........

And 16 of these HST.  These two batches will be made into the inner butter churn squares.

Tomorrow I hope to make better headway on this little quilt.  I still don't think I will have it finished by the end of the month.  I know that I won't be sewing over the four days of the Thanksgiving weekend :(

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I'm going to share one more recipe with you this week.  Something very decadent but oh so very good!!  I found this recipe on the blog Baking and Mistaking - she has some of the best recipes!!

Oatmeal Fudge Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups oats
2 cups light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted

Filling:
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 stick butter
2 egg
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.  Mix together the oats, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in melted butter until combined.  Press 1/4 of the mixture into the bottom of a greased and foil lined 9X13 pan. Reserve the rest.  Bake for 8 minutes at 325 degrees F, then let cool completely.

2.  Melt the chocolate chips and butter together.  Let cool slightly and whisk in the eggs.  Stir in the flour, sugar, coffee and salt. Spread it over the cooled crust.

3.  Sprinkle with the rest of the oat mixture.

4.  Bake at 325 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes.  Let cool 2 hours before cutting.

Don't these look delicious?!?

Personal Notes:
1.  The recipe says to 'spread 1/4 of the mixture into the bottom of the pan' which is what I did, but I really think it should have about 1/3 of the mixture on the bottom.  This would still leave ample for the topping.
2.  Baking and Mistaking suggests cutting them into circles or other shapes with cookie cutters.  This would be a great idea for serving to guests for a little added flair.

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GIVEAWAYS



Susan over at Country Blossoms is having a Christmas Giveaway.  There are lots and lots of goodies to be won here but you must enter by December 8th.

Allison Anderson over at Strandz is having a giveaway of a charm pack.  You need to enter this giveaway by Monday, November 29th.

Kim over at Chatterbox Quilts Chitchat is having a giveaway too.  She is giving away a copy of "Fast, Flirty, and Fun".  This giveaway closes on Friday at 11:59pm.

Another tease about my upcoming giveaway.....You can no longer find this on any sites or in any stores.  Not much help is it?  Just remember to check back here at Stray Stitches on Friday to find out exactly what my giveaway will be!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Aren't you getting a little tired of the news always giving us the failings of mankind?  The doom and gloom of things to come, how much better it was before?  I believe that we, as people of this day and age, and lucky to be here, in our world today as it is.  Every day we should be thankful for where we are, who we are, and for what we have accomplished.  We are a great and wonderful people.  Celebrate life as it is handed to you.

Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in.

~Phillips Brooks

Was I on my soap box a little too much today?  I promise to step down a bit tomorrow.  Take on Tuesday like there is no tomorrow!!!