Thursday, February 24, 2011

Chips on the Mug & Cake, Too


Hunger: One of the few cravings that cannot be appeased with another solution.
~Irwin Van Grove

Yesterday I had a salt craving attack.  The more salt the better.  However, I did not give into it.  Partly because there was nothing that sounded remotely salty enough to fill this craving.  There were no potato chips in my house, no pretzels, and no saltines (with good reason).  What should I do when there is nothing salty in my house?  I could go dump some salt into my hand and give that a lick....yuck.  I could go to the store but I really don't like being on the roads in my power chair.  Maybe I should have cooked something nice and salty at lunch...but the DH brought home chili cheese fries and that did the trick!  What do you do when you have a salt craving or is your craving only for chocolate?

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Tortilla Chips

February 24, 2011 is National Tortilla Chip Day.
There are many reasons why people love tortilla chips including their crunch, taste, and versatility. Tortilla chips can be made out of white, blue, red, or yellow corn. They are commonly served as a snack or appetizer alongside salsa, sour cream, chili, or guacamole. They are also an extremely popular dish when served as nachos!
Tortilla chips were invented by Rebecca Webb Carranza in Los Angeles during the 1940's. She came up with the idea to use all of the misshaped tortillas that came out of an automated tortilla machine rather than throw them in the trash. The rejected tortillas were cut into triangles, fried, and sold for a dime a bag by the El Zarape Tortilla Factory. They soon became immensely popular throughout the country. In 1994, Carranza received the Golden Tortilla Award for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.
To celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day, buy a bag of your favorite tortilla chips or try baking your own. Then enjoy with some salsa or dip for a tasty snack!

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MUG RUG SWAP

Yesterday's mail brought me two wonderful mug rugs from my swap partner in the Quilting Gallery Mug Rug Swap.

These beautiful mug rugs were made for me by Mary Green.  The top one is a selvage strip mug rug with the most gorgeous purple fabric that was also used as the backing.  The bottom one remind me of spring with its bright, cheery colors.  On the back is some of the cutest cow fabric I have ever seen.  Mary also included a great little note pad.  You can visit Mary's blog, Mare's Nest, to see her other great creations.  Thank you, Mary!! 

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LAYER CAKE QAL

Yesterday I made block #9 in the Layer Cake Quilt Along

This block is called U Pick and was designed by Jovita's Patchwork.  Once you had assembled the primary 9 blocks, there were 4 possible layouts to choose from - unless you were Gene Black who came up with a 5th layout!  I continued using the Sweet and Sour by Connecting Threads.  This was a fairly easy block.  Most of the time it takes me longer to decide what colors to use than it does to make them - lol!  Only three more blocks and our QAL will be over.

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ANOTHER MARCH MINI QUILT

Yesterday I prepped the fabric for my next mini quilt. 

This one will be 12" square - twice the size of the one I shared with you yesterday.  The pattern I'm using is by The Wooden Bear Quilt Designs called It's Spring Again. 

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FED EX DELIVERY

Fed Ex made a delivery to my house the other night.  If you might remember, I won two CSN giveaways last month.  This is what I bought with the first gift card......

6 storage units.  They are actually for scrap booking but as we all know they do quite well for quilting storage too.  These are not the sturdiest units that I have come across but when they didn't cost me anything I probably shouldn't complain.  And guess what?  They have already been put to use and are nearly full.  I'm not sure if I will order more of these with my other gift certificate but maybe.

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HELP, PLEASE

I'm looking for this book...

Does anybody know an online store in the USA where I could purchase this book?  When I did a search, all of the stores were in Australia.  I would appreciate your help in locating a copy.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will work on the It's Spring Again mini quilt.  If time allows, I just might work on my wool table runner too.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Adhotaeiloa Family is having a CSN giveaway!  You could win a $70 gift certificate to spend any way you would like at the CSN online store.  This giveaway ends March 22nd at 10 pm MST.

The Fair Gardener Quilts Too is having her first giveaway!  Gail is giving away 6 - 1/2 yard cuts of some very pretty fabric.  This giveaway ends February 28th.

Shannon, over at Nunu's Quilt World, is having her first giveaway too!  She is celebrating her 100th post by giving away the Traveling Stash.  This is a box that you could win chock full of all sorts of things.  You get to pick what you want to keep out of the box, add more to the box, have a giveaway of your own and then send it on its way.  Shannon will pick a winner Saturday night.

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FINAL THOUGHT

We are going to get hit with winter one more time this weekend - well, starting tomorrow.  The weather forecasters are predicting a high of 45 degrees on Saturday with an outside chance of a sprinkling of snow.  It has been over 12 years since we last saw snow here in our neck of the woods.  At that time we had around three inches of the white stuff and it shut the city down until almost noon.  I actually had a snow day from work.  It was awesome.  I remember waking up thinking I had overslept because it was so light outside.  No, it was snowing.  I went outside and couldn't believe how quiet it was.  Nothing was making a noise until the tree branches started cracking under the weight of the snow.  Don't laugh, our central California trees are used to having nothing heavier on them than leaves and/or birds.  It was a magical morning.  Even us adults felt like kids again.  So I say, let it snow.....let us feel young again and enjoy the beauty of winter one last time this year.

Where does the white go when the snow melts?
~Author Unknown

Thank you for stopping by - you made my Thursday happy!

22 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Oh I get salt cravings terrible. But not good for me - I have lightly salted pretzels for those occassions. Less calories,less salt.

Your block came out wonderfully - just love that line of fabric, Sweet and Sour is just perfect a name. Just got the new CT catalog, but sitting on my hands.

We've had too much snow and too much cold. It is to start another storm this afternoon and thru tomorrow.

Cheryl said...

For me it is chocolate, so I opt for dark chocolate covered fruits-cranberries being my favorite! Enjoy the snow. It will probably only be rain by the time it gets here.

Lynda said...

Mine is usually chocolate but I'm trying to be strong and not ALWAYS give in.

Love the Mug Rugs. Every time I see something done in selvages I think I should be saving mine too and making something fun.

Your Layer Cake blocks are looking good. Will we get to see them all put together in the end?

So far I've found that the more storage bins I buy the more projects I start. When one is emptied because I've finished a project it just seems to fill up again.

Needled Mom said...

Salt AND chocolate seem to be my cravings too.

I love your selvage mug rug!!! Too cute. Both are wonderful.

I am NOT happy about this new storm coming in. I was hoping to give my snowbound relatives a little warm sunshine while they are here. :(

Cynthia said...

I was at Half Price Book Store yesterday and I THINK I saw this book there. Do you want me to check again this weekend and let you know?

Staci said...

Yes, salty cravings as well as sweet ones. Popcorn usually does the trick, but sometimes I NEED some Wavy lays or a trip through the drive in window for some fries.
I love your LCQA block. It turned out so well. I think that is the version of the block I will make as well. And, you are so right! Most of the time I spend more time trying to choose the fabrics than I do actually sewing it up!
Enjoy your winter blast!

Scrappy quilter said...

Oh we love those nachos around here too. Your block is so pretty. I have a giveaway on my blog (with a twist). That looks like a wonderful book. Have you checked out your libraries? Hugs

Alberta Gal, Shauna said...

I was in the same vote as you. I actually had to order it from her websits. It was pretty much the same price as it would have been at home, the exchage rate is not that bad.

Unknown said...

Hi Linda. Your block looks great!

I have searched for the book you are looking for and was not able to find it other than from someone in Australia.

Good luck with the search. I will search again later to see if I can find another place that might sell it.

Natalie A. said...

Thank you so much for blogging about the CSN Stores Gift Certificate Giveaway! You are so kind to do that! Have a great day!

Jocelyn said...

I always have a box of microwave popcorn in the pantry. I find that it has just enough salt to fill the craving (although I need to cut back now because of Blood Pressure issues :-(

Stitched With Prayer said...

Linda, I am looking for the same book here in the US but not having much luck. I know where I can order it in Australia but I would rather find it here if possible. If you find it, please let me know where. I absolutely adore the quilt. Hugs...

Shannon said...

The mug rugs are so cute. I love the bright colors. I am a sweet person and my husband is the salty. Thank you for adding me to your give away list. It is weird seeing my name there!

quiltzyx said...

I found the book! I tried googling first, only found it Australia, like you. But then I googled Anni Downs & found her website & then was able to find a list of shops that carried her items in the U.S. Finally, found one that had the book!! Here you are: http://www.pumpkinvinecorner.com/bookspapers.htm
And now, I need to go find some tortilla chips.... ;^)

KQ Sue said...

http://www.treasuredthreadsonline.com/store.php?cat=4
They have the book you are looking for and are in the USA.

joe tulips said...

KQ Sue has the place I have shopped at for Australia stuff. They are very nice. They are in Iowa!
I never really crave salt...except years ago when I was pregnant, (I could eat a whole can of sauerkraut!) Or maybe I already eat to much and I never crave it???...
these days it is mainly chocolate.
We go through tons of tortilla chips in this house. Never knew they were developed in the US.

Maria McCabe said...

Treasuredthreads.com just reopened an online store and I saw this book there yesterday for 24.00 I think.

Maria

Maria McCabe said...

Oops - it is treasuredthreadsonline.com...here is the link. They import all things Australian!
http://www.treasuredthreadsonline.com/store.php?cat=42&all=1

Sarah Craig said...

I have read that if you are craving something salty, eat something sweet to kill the craving - and vice versa. Personally, I find if I am craving salt, it's usually because I've hot-flashed all my personal salt out and need a refill!

By the way, I'm having another giveaway on my blog tomorrow.....

Gene Black said...

Ha ha.. I am glad I am not the only one who takes more time picking fabric than sewing.
Thanks for the shout out!

Miss Hillbilly said...

If I could have only gotten my store open. Now I have to wait another year. I've already got it all lined up to carry that book and all books from Australia, New Zealand, etc. Looks like Mama got you a link though.

Also...celery helps with salt cravings.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Block looks great! I'm behind again as usual. Love your plastic boxes.

Billie

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