Sweet & Sour - 2 Ways!

There are so many things that we wish we had done yesterday, so few that we feel like doing today.
 ~Mignon McLaughlin

Isn't that the truth?!?  I wish I had done more organizing yesterday because I certainly don't feel like doing it today.  Actually, I did get quite a bit accomplished yesterday morning.  There are a few less boxes in the living room but I think more of a mess in the second room.  I need to get some plastic storage containers so I can better organize my scraps - that will happen Saturday.  Ziploc bags work great until one bag shifts and then they all shift and a new mess starts.  It's Friday and less than a week until Turkey Day! 

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PHOTOS OF THE DAY

These are a part of my collection of teapots that sit on top of the shelves in my kitchen.  The top one on the right was painted my daughter, Megan, just for me!

Teapots are relatively a new invention compared to the amount of time that tea has been around. In the 7th century, tea came in bricks. A chunk was cut off and then broken up so that it can be boiled in water. They were boiled in cauldrons and then the tea was sipped from wide bowls. The traditional teapots weren't needed until the type of tea changed. In the 1300's, leaf infusion started and now teapots were necessary to allow for the tea to steep. Teapot-like vessels have been around in China for thousands of years, but they were used for wine and water. These vessels had a spout and handle and eventually were adopted for the steeping of tea.

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The other day in the mail I received a very nice surprise from my friend, Leona, of Leona's Quilting Adventure. 

She made a scrap bag just for me!

I had been thinking about making one for myself, but you know how that goes - I will get to it eventually.  Now I don't have to.  After using it for the last two days I don't know how I lived without it.  I'm no longer throwing scraps and threads on the floor.  Who knew that I could be so neat ?!?  Thank you so very much Leona!!!

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Yesterday I took a break from unpacking, putting away, and arranging.  I decided I needed some sewing time.  I had achieved quite a lot in the morning and deserved a break (at least that's what I told myself).  I elected to make the second block of the Layer Cake Quilt Along......

This block was designed by Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts.  I used the same line of fabric, Sweet and Sour by Connecting Threads (which happens to be on sale this week at 50% off!), as I did for Block #1.  I think it looks rather citrusy (is that even a word?).

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How about a recipe today?  I haven't shared one with you for awhile so I think it's about time.  With all of the busy and hectic schedules, how would you like a super simple yet super tasty chicken recipe.  My mother gave me this recipe back in the 70's.

Sweet And Sour Chicken

Ingredients

4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 jar Kraft Russian Dressing

1 package onion soup mix

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

2.  Lay out chicken breasts in a 9" X 13" baking dish.

3.  Sprinkle onion soup mix over chicken

4.  Top off with Russian Dressing

5.  Cover loosely with foil and bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour

As my Mother said "Voila!"

Personal Notes

1.  I used 2 breasts and used the full packet of onion soup mix but only enough dressing to cover the chicken well.  This leaves enough in the bottle for later or to use on  your salad.

2.  Excellent served with pineapple and rice pilaf.

3.  Reheats well but tastes great the first time around.

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GIVEAWAYS

Designs By Kassie is giving away a custom Christmas card design.  Kassie is the one I used to create my beautiful blog.  Enter this great giveaway by November 23rd.

Leona is having another great giveaway!  She says "Let's Get Ready For Christmas!"  .  She is giving away a gorgeous lap size quilt and a copy of Aunt Bea's Parlor.  This will close on Friday, November 26.

Green Fairy Quilts is having a big giveaway - but hurry - this one ends tonight!  They are giving away an Origins fat quarter bundle - beautiful fabric.

It's almost time for my to have another giveaway!!!  Come back next Friday to see what I will be giving away!  I don't think you will want to miss this one.  I will give you a hint - it involves a lot of Thimbleberries from 2006!!

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I know that I have been doing a lot of griping and complaining lately.  That will stop as of today - immediately.  Negative feelings just bring me down so I'm gong to be positive and up.  I look forward to completing the chores I have in front of me.  I look forward to this weekend when I can spend time with my dear, sweet hubby.  I look forward to seeing the sun set tonight and rise again in the morning!  I am ready to take on the day!!!

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
~Author Unknown

Here's hoping you have a super Friday that will lead into a stupendous weekend!!  See you next week, my friends!