Credit the Sausage

Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift.... The hangover comes the day after.
 ~Joyce Brothers

Frustration.  That is what I'm feeling.  Frustration with myself.  First, I'm frustrated with myself because I can't seem to put a stop to spending.  No, I haven't broken my "no fabric for a month" promise.  I have been good about that.  But I have been buying sewing tools, patterns, books, magazine subscriptions; all things I really don't need.  Well, I really did need the 12" square ruler.  I can't believe I've gone this long without it.  Okay, back to frustration and spending.  I keep telling myself "just this one last purchase" and that lasts until..... So, I think I have come up with a solution.  I'm collecting my credit cards, wrapping them all up in a rubber band and handing them to my DH with the following instructions:  Do NOT give me any of my credit cards unless I can come up with an extremely good reason as to why I need to buy a certain item.  And, why can't I wait until I can afford to use my debit card (same as paying cash, you know) to buy said item.  So, there.  It has been decided and has been executed. 
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Credit Cards

Many consider credit cards and their use as a recent trend that took place during the late 20th century, but the truth is that credit cards have been around longer than most people think. Unless you have been living under a rock or amidst the Amazon rain forest for the past hundred years without any access to modern civilization, we all know what credit cards are used for. A credit card is method of selling and buying goods without having to deal with cash.  According to researchers, credit cards have been around since the 1920's in the United States when individual firms such as oil companies and hotel chains began issuing them to customers. However, some say that credit card use began as far back as the 1890's in Europe. Researchers also say that credit cards back in those days were not made of plastic but most probably from metal coins, metal plates, celluloid, metal, fiber or paper.  In 1946, John Biggins of the Flatbush National Bank of Brooklyn in New York invented the first bank credit card. Biggins invented the "Charge-it" program between bank customers and local merchants where merchants deposited sales slips in the bank after which the bank billed the customer.  In 1958, American Express issued their first credit card and the Bank of America issued Visa later in 1958. By the early 1960's, companies offered credit cards to traveling salesman and promoted them as time saving device and a few years down the road, credit cards became a huge sensation. 

Don't get me wrong, I think the credit card is a wonderful thing.  I just need to be away from mine for awhile. 

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BLOCK FINISHED

Friday I finished the first block of the Secrets of Life wall hanging. 

 The embroidery was easy to do, just a plain backstitch.  I'm starting to get a handle on the machine embroidery.  I wonder why it took me so long to give this technique a try?

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SOMETHING OTHER THAN CRAFTS

Since I wasn't very productive on Friday, well, at least there was nothing more to photograph, I would like to share a recipe I tried last week.  It's easy (which are the best kind) and tasty too (even better!).

ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PEPPERS, AND ONIONS

Ingredients

6 (4 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage

2 tablespoons butter

1 yellow onion, sliced

1/2 red onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 large red bell peppers, sliced

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 cup white wine

I forgot to include the sausage in the photo, but believe me they were there - lol!

Directions

1.  Place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and slice.

2.  Melt butter in the skillet. Stir in the yellow onion, red onion, and garlic, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in the bell pepper. Season with basil and oregano. Stir in the white wine. Combine to cook and stir until peppers and onions are tender.

3.  Return sausage slices to skillet with the vegetables. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, or until sausage is heated through.

Voila!  Excellent!!

Personal Notes:

* The recipe called for 1 red and 1 green bell pepper.  I find green bell peppers bitter so used to red.

* Reheats well

* The recipe suggests fro extra kick to try using half sweet sausage and half hot sausage - I think I might try that next time around.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Well, Friday I didn't get the sashing a border cut out for my Layer Cake quilt.  I forgot I hadn't washed the fabric.  So today's goal will be the same as Friday's...to cut out the sashing and borders.  Maybe I can even start the assembly process.

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GIVEAWAYS

McCalls Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fabulous fat quarter pack from Moda’s Authentic collection.  Just leave a comment on the FB page between now and May 31st.

Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Dream Landscapes by Rose Hughes, a package of Steam a Seam 2, one copy each of Harriet Hargrave's Pocket Guides to Choosing Batting and Caring for Fabric and Quilts, and a Beautiful Fat Roll of 20, 5" X 42" Strips of Flutter Fabric by Windham Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Friday, April 22, at midnight EST.

Jo's Country Junction is having a giveaway.  You could win a Lapel Stick.  Three winners will be selected on Tuesday, April 12.

Two Hippos is having a giveaway.  You could win some Marimekko fabric remnants.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, April 13, around 6:00 pm.

Want It, Need It, Quilt is having an April giveaway.  You could win 12 FQ's of Gypsy by Westminister Fabrics.  This giveaway will run until the end of April.

Craftbuds is having a giveaway.  You could win three yards of custom made bias tape made with Happy Dots in Apricot fabric from Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern Line.  This giveaway ends Thursday, April 14, at midnight EST.

There are only a few hours left to be able to enter my 200th Post Celebration Giveaway.  If you haven't enter  to win the $25.00 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop then you better do it NOW!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

We all have final thoughts throughout the day.  A final thought might be at the end of a meal.  "Was that a recipe worth repeating?"  We have final thoughts when we complete a project.  "Am I happy with the outcome?"  And others that you may not think of as final thoughts....."I'm sure glad I found that"....."Man, am I ever tired after that shopping trip"......"The dogs are finally washed"....."I really enjoyed that book";  just to give a few examples.  And, of course, our final thought of the day as we lay our head down upon our pillows. "Today was a great day".  Is there a better final thought than that?

No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head.
~Terry Josephson


May your Monday be merry and marvelous!