Category Archives: Food and Drink

Prizes, Decorations and Candy!

This is such a busy season, shopping, making gifts, baking, cleaning, decorating, school programs and all of those things that make the holidays what they are to each of us. I thought that I would share a couple of things that have been happening at my home during this ‘most wonderful time of the year’…..

As a lot of you may know, Sew Mama Sew just had their ‘Giveaway Day Dec 2, 2009.’ The work we’ve been doing on our house prevented me from participating this year, although I did get by a handful of blogs to enter a few of their contests, and find some new creative inspiration. Well, I won a prize! I received it a couple of days ago, an Olfa Circle cutter!

I received it from Amanda Herring.  She has a wonderful blog called “The Quilted Fish“.  And some great ideas for using this cutter for making circle mousepads for gifts!

I’ve been thinking that a circle quilt is just what I will need to be working on after the first of the year!

Next, I made this wonderful potpourri Christmas decoration from directions that Terri over at Terri’s Notebook has so generously shared with everyone…..

I used a fairly large jar that has bubbles in the glass, and an old crocheted doily that has roses and green leaves around the outside edge.  It works perfectly, and you can smell the pine potpourri’s subtle fragrance that comes from the small amount of warmth of the lights. So stop over and see Terri and her tutorial.  This would make a wonderful gift for a friend!

And next, a sweet treat that I made today, that I just have to share!

This is Cardamom Fudge.  I had never heard of it before, but I picked up an issue of Country Living Magazine – British Edition, and this was included in their baking/candy section.  I made mine with a mixture of dark and light brown sugar so it is a little darker than what they show in the magazine.  It is fairly rich and has a slight caramel flavor.  The recipe can be found here.

We have a bit more work to finish on the house before we put it on the market.  We’re hoping for next month. My bathroom is torn apart as I sit here typing, new tile on Friday and Saturday and the floor will be grouted tomorrow.  New faucets installed there as well, and a new sink in the laundry room.  Yesterday a new sink and faucet was installed in the kitchen.  Unfortunately, this means that I may not have the time to come by and write until after Christmas. I do miss being here, and I try to stop by to see a few of your blogs each day.

I want to thank each and every one of you for coming by and offering your support and encouragement throughout the last year.  I want to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday and the very best for the New Year.  I hope to be back on a regular basis soon.

Take care,     Cheryl

 

 

Family

This week has been geared toward family.  Both at home, and at work.

Wednesday was my daughter’s birthday.  She just turned 26 (how can she be so old, when I’m so young? sigh!)

Kathryn 2009

Kathryn 2009

She requested a white cake, raspberry filling, and cream cheese frosting,

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake

Nothing fancy.  You’re never too old to have mom bake your birthday cake!  And she loved it!

Yum!

Yum!

Then there was the baby shower at work.  I made Lindsey this little basket,

Peter Rabbit Basket

Peter Rabbit Basket

And I filled it with little girl baby clothes, which I didn’t take a picture of.

Baby Shower Potluck

Baby Shower Potluck

It was a potluck so I made a taco bean dip, (you can kind of see it in the middle of the picture).  Lots of food!

Baby Gifts

Baby Gifts

And she received lots of gifts.  This is as far as I got at the shower.   I had to run off for a conference call.  But I did let Lindsey know that she has one more gift coming from me! ( shhhhhhh!  The baby quilt, I didn’t tell her what it was.)  I will have it done by time the baby arrives!

Tomorrow morning I will be flying out to Tulsa to see my in-laws.  My husband is already there.  It should be a relaxing weekend.  I’m going right now to get some fabric and supplies together.  Maybe I can get a start on some more projects or some hand sewing done!

I hope that you enjoy your weekend!  Thanks for coming by!

Bread

Ok, it’s early, and I couldn’t think of anything witty to call this post..

I have found that most people that love to sew and quilt, also love to bake!  So,  I thought that I would share the loaf of bread that I made last night, in between piecing a quilt top (which I hope to have done to show you tonight!):

bread

I got the recipe from a book called  ‘Artisian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day.’  It is a quick, no knead refrigerator bread, and everything they say about the success and ease of making this bread is right!  This loaf is made of white flour, but I have substituted whole wheat for a part of the recipe with great success.

They have several other recipes in the book, I’ve only gotten this far.  Here’s a link to the recipe and some of the vital information that explains the process in more depth.  The link is to Mother Earth News Magazine.  I guarantee that if you like homemade goodness, you will love it!