Shout Your Thanks!

  Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.
~Eric Sevareid

'Tis the season when we happily think of others.  Trying to figure out what gift would be perfect for someone.  Hoping that all will be happy in the coming new year.  I try also to remember those less fortunate by increasing my monthly donations to the local homeless center.  And always remembering those that are serving our country both here at home and those overseas.  Project Linus is always in my thoughts and I try to figure ways to also increase my donations to them.  This year when going through the carpet cleaning out/replacing I found a mess of yarn I will be donating that I know will be made into afghans by others that work faster than I do.  Hopefully this will help ease the pain of some child in turmoil.  By the way, I hope you all had a very wonderful, full stomach Thanksgiving!!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

This is Samson, my DD's corgi when he was a puppy.

Samson is such a smart dog!  Cardigan Welsh Corgi's are known as the Corgi with the tail, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two Corgi breeds. Like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan is low set with moderately heavy bone and a deep chest. Originally used as a drover and farm dog, the breed is small and powerful, capable of great speed and endurance. The Cardigan can adapt to country life or city apartments, but need some form of daily exercise. As a companion dog, they love to be with their people and are loyal, affectionate and even-tempered. I love my little granddoggy!

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Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I was not able to get to my sewing machine for any creativity.  I did have the wonderful opportunity chore of some washing that needed to be done and could not be ignored (*sigh*).  I didn't want to do multiple loads but there was everything from colored items to white things that needed washing.  I threw caution to the wind and decided to wash them all together and added a SHOUT Color Catcher.  I had used these when washing new fabric but usually those were at least similar in colorways.

Here is what I ended up with.................

On the right is an unused sheet of the SHOUT Color Catcher all white and pretty.  The one on the left is what I pulled out of the washer after my mixed load.  WOW!  I was amazed how much color was taken in by that one little sheet.  Everything that was in the washer came out true to its original color.  The whites weren't tan and the orange wasn't brown!  I knew that these color catchers were supposed to do exactly this, but who would have thought that they could actually do precisely what they were advertised to do.  Now, I'm not being paid by SHOUT to endorse their product but I can't help but proclaim their effectiveness.  This is a truly independent review of my very own results.  If you have been considering trying these color catcher sheets, I highly recommend the SHOUT Color Catcher brand!!

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Recently I mentioned Rice Pilaf as a possible side dish for one of my recipes.  I had a request from Julie, of Joe Tulip Quilts, to post my recipe for Rice Pilaf. My recipe was given to my mother by an Armenian friend about 45 years ago. Now your rice pilaf may be different, but her friend assured her that this was the authentic way to make true rice pilaf.

Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

1 small can Swanson chicken broth

1/2 can of water

2 beef bouillon cubes

1 cube butter (no substitutions of margarine or fake butter)

1 cup Uncle Ben's Rice

1 cup vermicelli

Directions

1.  In a small sauce pan, bring chicken broth, water, and bullion cubes to a boil.  While doing this, melt the butter in a fry pan.  At the same time, measure out your rice and break up the needed amount of vermicelli.

2.  When the butter is lightly browned (very bubbly), add the rice and vermicelli and stir until all is coated.  Then add the boiling broth mixture to the fry pan - DO NOT stir the rice and vermicelli after the broth is added the the fry pan.

3.  Cover the fry pan and cook for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  If you need to let it set because the rest of the dinner is not ready, just turn off the oven and the pilaf will hold nicely.

Personal Notes:

1.  I usually add a little more vermicelli than 1 cup.  I just add broken vermicelli until the glass two cup measurer is full (as pictured)

2.  Reheats well. 

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Your response to my two new blogs has been so much better than I anticipated!! 

The membership for Let's Bee Together was quickly filled. However, do not despair!!  I have decided to start a second group, known as Group B so you can still join in the fun of a virtual quilting bee. If you would like to check out a Bee that will be starting in January 2011, then click on the link here or on the button on the right sidebar. This Bee is open to all skill levels and is also open to international participants.








Block Swap Adventure currently has 16 international members.  Would you like to be involved in a new block swap group?  We are there to have fun and meet fellow quilters.  Check out or join in the fun here or by clicking on the button on the right sidebar.  The more the merrier!!  All skill levels welcome and is open internationally.





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GIVEAWAYS

With the Thanksgiving holiday and all of the preparation and family visits, I have gotten sorely behind in finding giveaways.  Here are few that I have found.  If you would like me to post about a giveaway you are hosting, please email me with the info.

Samelia's Mum is have a 100th Post Giveaway.  She is giving away  a "Flower Girls Bag" pattern by Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly.  She's also throwing in a couple of fat quarters with the pattern.  For a second giveaway there are 3 Christmas fat quarters available.  Winners will be drawn on Sunday, December 5th. 

Blue Bird Quilts is having a Christmas Giveaway.  She is giving away one Lilac Hill Charm Pack and one Mystery Gift will be added if Bluebird Quilts - Patterns reaches 50 or more followers.  You must enter by December 6th.

Rebecca over at Merry Made Quilts is have a 100th Post Giveaway!  She is giving away 9 fat quarters (2.25 yards) in a fun sunset colorstory.  She doesn't say when this giveaway will end.

Leona, blogger of Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a special kind of giveaway.  She would like to honor your birthday!  If you become one of her special followers and email her your birthday, she will send you "Happy Birthday across blogland, and know that you are Remembered" gift.  Leona is a very special person to me.  Check out her posting for the very special event.

Don't forget about my own Big Giveaway.  Thimbleberries 2006 BOM Kit is involved.  This giveaway must be entered by Friday, December 10th.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My blogging friends continue to surprise me!  I never dreamed that you would respond so quickly to my two new blogs and with such enthusiasm.  I am truly blessed to have such a such a wonderful bunch of followers.  I don't know what I have done to deserve you all.  Thank you seems like a small way to express my gratitude to you but I hope it will suffice.  I hope you will continue to enjoy my blogging ramblings and to express yourself freely by leaving me your comments.  I do read each and every one and try my best to respond.  Bless you my readers and thank you for making my life ever so much better!  May your coming Christmas season be filled with happiness, sweetness, and joyful blessings!

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels.
~Author Unknown

Have a marvelous Monday!! I'm off to start some sewing :)