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!

Foggy Stacks of Chicken

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.
~Patrick Young

I think I jinxed it yesterday when I said our Tule fog had not arrived.  Guess what came to visit the valley big time.  You guessed it - fog!  Where was the sunshine yesterday?  Non-existent.  Blue sky?  Nope.  Grey, only grey.  Grey as far as you could see.  And, boy, did our local weather meteorologist nail it on the head when he predicted a high only in the 40's when everyone else was saying we would reach the high 50's.  Our high yesterday was a very chilly 44* - it only went up 7 degrees from our low.  And with a house that was built in 1914 that has very little wall insulation, I think the chill has settled in our house too.  Thank goodness I have lots of quilts around - lol!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

A tree not far from our house in the fog

The above picture was taken around 11:00 yesterday morning.  Not much light when the fog decides to set down here.  Tule fog is a thick ground fog that settles in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley areas of California's Great Central Valley. Tule fog forms during the late fall and winter (California's rainy season) after the first significant rainfall. This phenomenon is named after the tule grass wetlands (tulares) of the Central Valley. Accidents caused by the tule fog are the leading cause of weather-related casualties in California.  Tule fog is a radiation fog, which condenses when there is a high relative humidity (typically after a heavy rain), calm winds, and rapid cooling during the night.  I wonder how long it will hang around this time.

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Yesterday I accomplished my goal:  make some blocks for Block Lotto.  This months blocks are very simple to make.  The selecting and cutting out of the fabric is what is time consuming.  This month Sophie, our wonderful administrator, selected the block she calls Stacks.  These blocks are similar to the traditional block, Chinese Coins, except our stacks aren't nice and even, which means no matching seams.

Here are the four 10 1/2" blocks I made yesterday morning.  We were to use bright fabrics with white or WOW (white-on-white) fabrics.  Each colored strip measured 8" X 2 1/2" and each white piece measure 3" X 2 1/2".  Sew the pieces together, sew the strips together.  Then square up the block to the required 10 1/2" making sure that there was at least 1/2" of white on each side.  My mind really wanted to line the seams up but it was rather fun not having to worry about that for a change.

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Have you been looking for a quick but tasty chicken recipe?  I might have just what you are looking for.  Once again, thanks to allrecipes.com, I found this perfect wonderful recipe.........

Aimee's Quick Chicken

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 ounces Dijon mustard

2 ounces Honey mustard

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup bacon bits

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)

2.  Place chicken in a lightly greased 9X13 inch baking dish.  

3.  Blend mustards and teriyaki sauce together.  Slather the mixture evenly over the chicken.  Sprinkle with bacon bits.

4.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle cheese on top and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes.

Personal Notes:

1.  The original recipe called for all Dijon mustard but I like just the hint of sweet added with the Honey mustard.

2.  I sometimes use an Italian blend cheese instead of just Parmesan.

3.  Reheats well.  However, don't leave the leftovers in a Tupperware on the counter overnight like I did last time - no leftovers for me :(
 

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TODAY'S GOAL

Since I have completed all of my swap blocks and lotto blocks, I have given myself permission to finally start working on the Birdie Stitches BOM.  I can hardly wait to begin.  The pattern for this month is so cute.

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GIVEAWAYS

Young By Design is having a great giveaway.  She is giving away 8 yards of fabric and some notions.  You must enter this one by Saturday, January 8.

My friend, Staci, is celebrating reaching 300 followers and her birthday month over at The Confused Quilter.  She is giving away a luscious stack of 11 fat quarters of Essex Linen (a linen/cotton blend) in a rainbow of colors.  This giveaway closes on January 12th.

Keep Me In Quilts is having a Happy New Year Giveaway.  If you would like to try to win a brand new pair of 8" Gingher scissors then you need to enter before Monday, January 10th.

How many of you would like a chance to win 7 1/8 yards of fabric and a great full color pattern?  If you are interested then you need to enter my 300+ Follower Thank You Giveaway!  A lucky winner will be selected by random.org Sunday night with the winner posted in my Monday morning blog.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My dog, Snickerdoodle likes to leave what I call booby traps around the house.  NO! Not the nasty smelly or wet kind - lol!!  She leaves her squeaky toys in strategic locations.  These always seem to be in my walking path (which I know is her plan).  And, of course, when I least expect it, I step on one of the toys, scaring the daylights out of me.  You probably ask why I don't see them.  I use a walker that has a seat and it partially blocks my line of vision.  I am sure Snickerdoodle just waits for me to make a toy squeak and then probably is rolling around laughing at me behind my back.  Of course, then she expects you to pick up said toy and throw it for her.  Dogs are funny little creatures.

If you wonder where your child left his roller skates, try walking around the house in the dark.
~Leopold Fechtner
(or in my case, the dog toy)

Thursday - another day to be creative!!

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!

Birds, Blocks and Barbecue

My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather.

 ~Terri Guillemets

Friday!  The promise of the weekend, of fun, and freedom.  My week has been crammed full this week and so far Saturday doesn't look any more promising.  Ah, but Sunday is a different story.  I'm looking forward to reading the morning paper with a warm cup of coffee sitting out on my patio,  to some hand sewing, and to  catching up on some recorded tv shows (our DVR is 100% full!!!).  How has your week gone?  What are your plans for the weekend?  But, that's tomorrow.  I must remember not to wish the day away - I have too much planned!!

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Photo of the Day

Cedar Waxwing

Every spring we get a flock of Cedar Waxwing that visit for about 3 weeks, usually when our mulberry tree is full of berries.  The Cedar Waxwing is a silky, shiny collection of brown, gray, and lemon-yellow, accented with a subdued crest, rakish black mask, and brilliant-red wax droplets on the wing feathers. In fall these birds gather by the hundreds to eat berries (at my house it is spring), filling the air with their high, thin, whistles. In summer you’re as likely to find them flitting about over rivers in pursuit of flying insects, where they show off dazzling aeronautics for a forest bird.  Cedar Waxwings are social birds that you’re likely to see in flocks year-round. They sit in fruiting trees swallowing berries whole, or pluck them in mid-air with a brief fluttering hover. They also course over water for insects, flying like tubby, slightly clumsy swallows.  These are one of my favorite birds to visit my yard and one of our sure signs that spring is here.

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I was able to finish the last two blocks in Cheryl's Sew Along (So Many Quilts, So Little Time)

Block 11 - Tumbling Squares

Block 12 - LeMoyne Star Variation

Now onto the finishing steps of setting and borders.  Maybe this time next week I will be able to say I have finally finished (fingers crossed)!!!!!

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How about a recipe?  I know for most of the country it is past barbecue time, but we are able to barbecue all year round.  I've even had my hubby (who does all of the grilling) out in the rain with an umbrella cooking our meat.  After all, when you have a barbecue that looks like this....................

............... you just can't put it away for the entire winter season - it is an all-weather grilling machine!!

Balsamic Pork Chops

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, sage, or thyme
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
4 boneless pork chops, cut 1 inch thick
salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

Directions

Combine oil, vinegar, and garlic with rosemary in a self-sealing bag.  Add pork chops and turn to coat.  Marinate them for 30 minutes or longer in the refrigerator.

Remove from marinade and discard remaining marinade.  Season pork chops with salt and pepper.  Grill over medium-hot fire, turning occasionally, for 15 to 25 minutes, until meat thermometer inserted reads 155-160 degrees F. 

Chops grilling

Ready to eat

Personal Notes

1.  I used the same amount of marinade for 2 pork chops.

2.  The longer you marinate the meat, the better the flavor - I usually try to get at least 6 hours of marinating time in.

3.  If using dried rosemary, reduce to 2 tablespoons.

4.  Reheats well and is delicious!!!!

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FINAL REMINDER

Today is the last day to enter my Fall Into Fall Bloggers Giveaway!!!!!  This giveaway ends tonight at 6:00 p.m. PST.  I will announce the winner either later tonight or tomorrow morning.  Don't miss out, enter HERE now before it's too late.

This will probably be your final reminder to enter my 200 Followers Celebration Giveaway.  Wouldn't you like to win 2 1/2 yards of Hoffman fabric?  If you do, then you can enter this giveaway HERE!

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Final Thought

With cooler weather already being experienced in a great deal of the country, our thoughts turn to all of the looming holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I usually do not look forward to many of the holidays because of all the busy schedules, shopping, people, and general stress that goes with it all.  I will do my best this year just to take things as they happen, enjoy the little things that I might normally overlook, and, most importantly, not to stress - what will be will be.  There.  You are all my witnesses.  I know that my family reads this too, and it is my promise to them that I WILL NOT STRESS!!!!  (I hope, I hope, I hope!!)  I will remember this quote for the coming holidays...........

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

                             ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

Have a fun, fantastic, frolicking Friday!!  And, enjoy your weekend too!!!!!!

Who Is The Winner?

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself. 
                                                                  ~Benjamin Franklin


Today is Tuesday and time to announce the winner of the giveaway.  So, thank you to  random.org, a number was selected. 

And that number is 89.  Congratulations to CRAFTY PUG!   I will be emailing Crafty Pug to get her snail mail address.

Photo Of The Day:

Succulents on my back porch

Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climate or soil conditions.  Succulent plants store water in their leaves, stems, and also in roots.  The storage of water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or fleshy appearance than other plants, a characteristic known as succulence.  The best known succulents are cacti.  Virtually all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.  My succulents should be very happy today as our temperature is supposed to reach 102*.  I told you we weren't through with summer!

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I was able to get a little sewing in yesterday.  I finished the top for my Paganini. 

This is a sample of the some of the fabrics I used

Here is the top. 

The lighting wasn't very good for taking the picture so the different fabric prints didn't show up well, but you can at least get an idea of what it looks like.  I plan to get it sandwiched today and maybe even start quilting.

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I am sharing a recipe for chicken that can either be prepared in the oven or grilled on the barbecue.  As usual, this recipe comes from allrecipes.com.

Lemon Barbecued Chicken

Ingredients:

2/3 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 medium onion, chopped

1 (3 1/2 pound) broiler-fryer chicken, cut up ..... I used 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Ingredients (minus the chicken)

Directions:

1.  Whisk together the first 10 ingredients. Add onion; set aside 1/4 cup if barbecuing. Pour remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.

Chicken marinating

2.  For barbecue:  Drain and discard marinade. Grill the chicken, covered, over indirect medium heat for 45 minutes or until juices run clear, turning and basting with reserved marinade every 8-10 minutes.

3.  To bake chicken:  After marinating, place chicken in a greased 15" X 10" X 1" baking pan. Pour all of the marinade over it. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 1 1/4 hours or until juices run clear, basting occasionally.

Ready to eat!

Personal Notes:

1.  I used 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2.  I put the chicken in a 9" X 13" baking dish. Then added the marinade, turning the chicken to coat.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

3.  I used the same dish that I used for marinating to cook in - straight from the frig to the oven (plastic wrap removed, of course)

4.  We found the chicken to have more flavor when baked that when barbecued.

5.  Reheats very well!

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Reminders

Don't forget about the Fall-O-Ween Quilt Designer Blog Hop.   Today's host is Sandy Gervais!

Another reminder, Friday is the start of the Fall Into Fall Quilters Giveaway (the scarecrow link on the right hand side)!  If you would like your blog to be part of the giveaway, tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last day to enter.  You should see the list of blogs that are participating!!  The giveaway starts Friday, October 1!!!!!

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Final Thoughts

Even though there was only one winner today, we are all winners in the game of life.  As long as we are able to breathe, think, love, and feel we are all successful and should feel proud just to accomplish those four remarkable gifts.  Remember, the next winner could be you!!

Have a tenseless, tireless, tremendous Tuesday!!

Little Sewing But More Projects

"There's nothing more exciting than starting a new project"
                                                               ~author unknown

Yesterday morning started as just a normal day, first computer time and then breakfast.  After breakfast I headed back into the computer and on the keyboard was a folded piece of paper with my name on it.  My first thought was "Uh oh, what did I do wrong?".  When I opened it I was very much surprised to have a love note from my dear, sweet husband!  How very special I felt!  It certainly put a brighter light on my day.  It was so indescribably wonderful to read how much he still loves me after 35 years of marriage.  I am such a lucky lady!!  Okay, so much for the mush.............on with today.

Photo Of The Day

A partial branch of a Japanese Maple in my side yard

Japanese Maple is a species of woody plant native to Japan (go figure!), North and South Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia. The first specimen of the tree reached England in 1820.  Many different cultivars of this maple have been selected and they are grown worldwide for their attractive leaf shapes and colors. When Swedish doctor-botanist Carl Peter Thunberg traveled in Japan late in the eighteenth century, he secreted out drawings of a small tree that would eventually become synonymous with the high art of oriental gardens. He gave it the species name palmatum after the hand-like shape of its leaves. This would hardly surprise the Japanese who for centuries referred to their group of maples as kaede and momiji, references to the 'hands' of frogs and babies, respectively.  As you can tell from the picture, my tree has yet to start any kind of fall color change.  It is showing signs of sunburn after a long, hot summer. 

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Pay It Forward

I'm joining my friend, Lana, of It Seams To Be Sew, in a new way to share the joy of crafting.  Here's what is involved:

The idea is that 3 of you join my Pay It Forward and then I will send a hand made gift (made with love!!!) to each one of my THREE within the next 365 days!  ( I am one of Lana's 3)

Then, those 3 people must also host a PIF on their blogs and ask for 3 people to join their PIF - To Pay It Forward!

You may send anything homemade (and you get to choose what you want to make)- a small quilt, wall hanging, tablerunner, bookmark, pillow case, mug rug, cross stitch item, embroidery item - well, you get the idea. 

So, this is me, asking for 3 people to join my PIF - just leave a comment to this post stating that you want to be one of my 3.

That's it....No Catches!  Now, I only need THREE.....will you be one of my three?

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Yesterday I also joined in the Quilting Gallery's Candle Mat Swap.  The pattern is Candlelight, by Sandi Anderson, and they provide a free download for this.  It's super cute and easy to make.  One charm pack will make two candle mats, plus you'll need a fat quarter for the backing (two FQs if you are making two) and a scrap (or two) of batting.  Registration closes October 5 and partner info will be sent by October 8.  If you are interested, just click on the link above.
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Can you tell I didn't get much sewing done yesterday?  I did manage to get a few more blocks made for my Paganini, but for some reason, the computer kept calling my name - could that be because my sewing started out with ripping out the first three seams I sewed for the day!?!  So I have decided to share a recipe with you today since I certainly don't have any progress pictures to share.  I snatched this recipe up from my daughter, Megan, over at Kitschy Suburbia!

Lemon-Tarragon Chicken Toss

Ingredients

6 oz dried fettuccine or linguine
2 cups broccoli or cauliflower florets
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
12 oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons olive oil or cooking oil
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed, or 1 Tablespoon snipped fresh tarragon, crushed

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli or cauliflower for the last 4 minutes of cooking;  drain well.  Return pasta mixture to pot; cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine broth, lemon juice, honey, cornstarch, and white pepper; set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet stir-fry chicken in hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes or until no longer pink.  Stir cornstarch mixture; add to skillet.  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.  Add tarragon; cook for 1 minute more.

To serve, spoon chicken mixture over pasta mixture.

Personal Notes:

1.  I used broccoli

2.  In the future, I would begin cooking the chicken while the pasta is cooking.  The pasta cooled a little too much by the time the chicken mixture was prepared.

3.  I used multi-grain linguine

4.  When reheating leftovers, add a few more drops of lemon juice as the lemon taste seems to dissipate over time in the fridge.
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GIVEAWAYS

Here's a chance to win an AccuQuilt GO! Jump over to Jane's Fabrics and Quilts to enter (or don't - maybe I will have a better chance that way - lol!).  This giveaway ends Friday!

Don't forget to enter my Thank You Giveaway!  This will end on Monday.
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Final Thoughts

How has your week been going?  I think I have figured out my future quilting plan - once I get through the 5 projects I'm currently working on (way too many to be working on at one time - I'm usually a one thing at a time kind of gal)  I think I need to be working on at least one sampler quilt at all times.  While working on Cheryl's Sew Along, I decided it is a great way to keep boredom at bay.  I'm even looking into making a Dear Jane quilt.  I think that would be anything but boring.  Any suggestions from you, my friends?

Have a thoroughly thrilling Thursday!