Feeling blue....

Not really but I was working on some blue blocks last weekend after cutting up a bunch of blue 2.5 inch squares so I could finish these blocks. I needed one of the stars and twelve of the nine patches. That gave me 40 each of the stars and nine patch blocks. Here is a shot of 80 6.5 inch blocks.

I think that will give me an 8x10 setting... but I had some notes of making 8 more of each block.... so I guess I was thinking I needed it longer and two more rows would do the trick. I need to do some math and see how many more blue squares I need to cut..... I believe I have that many hst's left still so it will clear out all the remaining leftovers from my parents anniversary quilt! I just love using up existing pieces that are just sitting around waiting to be invited to join a quilt. Don't you?

On the other front....time to clear out the fridge. When you don't feel well and don't cook for 3-4 days.... sometimes you need to poke around and see what needs using up. I talked the kids into eating some apples for a snack this morning... they were getting soft. A bunch of oranges will probably be squeezed into some juice and used with some honey to make some orange chicken for dinner tonight. The kids won't eat oranges... but will drink orange juice and eat this chicken. The two cukes..... one was made into a dill salad for lunch and the kids each had 3 or 4 spoonfuls! It is a quick salad I found years ago from the Taste of Home Magazine. I never use the recipe anymore and just do it by taste. A big spoonful of mayo, some vinegar - maybe 2-3 teaspoons, some sugar - 1 tablespoon or so, some salt to taste and then some dill weed. I use a good sprinkle - maybe 1-2 teaspoons. Stir this together with a whisk. Then add some cucumbers that have been sliced. I usually use one European cuke or a couple of regular ones from the garden. Put in the fridge for a bit before eating... although I never get around to it and it tends to get eaten all up before I can chill them.

Waste not...

No quilting today but wanted to share an idea and recipe. My kids love banana's... and there is always some in the house. Unfortunately, they do go through stages and sometime they turn brown before they kids eat them. My solution.... I peel them and then pop them in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer door.... with a note of what is in there. Right now.... I have a bag with 2 banana's in there. Earlier this week I had some that were starting to attract flies so I planned to make some banana bread. Of course.... the kids decided to eat 2 of my 3 bananas. I still wanted to make them ( and so did they... did I mention they measure all my dry ingredients for me - leveling off and everything!) To the freezer I go and grabbed the 2 frozen ones. Popped them in the microwave to defrost slightly and I was good to go. This is a recipe I grew up with so I'll call it Mom's Banana Bread.

3 large banana's (mashed)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
4 Tablespoons melted shortening (I use canola or vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon soda
1 1/2 cups flour

Mix all ingredients. Bake in a greased 8 inch bread pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Sorry no picture... it seems to have disappeared. We also add handfuls of chocolate chips and sometimes some walnuts. Chocolate chips make everything better!

Starbursts and Sugar Cookies

I think that is what I am going to call the Star Struck Graduation quilt. It reminds me of starburst candies....the bright colors and all. Since my G girl did not say which setting she preferred..... I'm going with this one cause I like it better!

This is what it looked like when the kids and I laid it out yesterday. I have to thank them... they let me finish sewing the double line on the last 20 of the yellow's and then cut and press a bunch of these blocks yesterday morning. Now.. I just need to find the time to sew them together into stars. I think I do need to make another row of them to make it just a wee bit longer and more of a twin size quilt. Probably adding a few more yellows and another each of the red and pink. I have a plan for the extra half square triangles and hopefully I can play with them a bit next week and see how my idea looks.


We also did some baking this week and made these awesome sugar cookies. I've tried a bunch of recipes and they were ... ok... but the shapes were never defined well and they just got big...know what I mean? I got this recipe from my old quilt guild newsletter back in April 2010. There is a link in my side bar - the Franklin County Quilters Guild. I finally tried them out before Christmas and we've made them a few times since then. We decided to make hearts this time since Valentines day is coming up. One change I made was to swap out the vanilla for almond extract. Yum! Give them a try. You'll thank me (and Sharon for putting them in the newsletter!) Here is a link to the cookies on my recipe page.