Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sorry I've neglected blogging

I've got a lot on my plate & mind, what's left of it!
But Tango is so sad:( do to financial issues I'm going to have to put my house on the market & hope it sells or go into foreclosure. Our mortgage company is not working in our favor they jacked up up payments in a re modification & we can't make it!
I hate my job, I hate my life!! I have been crying since I got home from work yesterday!
So tonight I'm going to spend at x roomies house. I need to get away from here! I get so stressed at work, than come home to I can't find anything?? DH really needs to find a job!! But even if he got one now it still wouldn't save the house:(
We need a miracle!!


Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Quilter's Night Before Christmas

The Quilter's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And the quilts were not made.
The threads were all tangled, the cookies delayed.
The stocking weren't hung, the pantry was bare.
The poor weary Quilter, was tearing her hair.
Stacks of fat quarters, tipped over in streams.
Visions of Log Cabins, had turned into dreams.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,
But a bus full of quilters with all of their gear.
They went straight to work with just a few mutters,
Sorting and stitching and brandishing cutters.
The patterns emerged from all of the clutter,
Like magic the fabrics arranged in a flutter.
Log Cabins, Lone Stars, Flying Geese and Bear Tracks -
Each quilt was a beauty - even the backs.

Her house how it twinkled, her quilts how they glowed.
The cookies were baking, the stockings were sewed.
Their work was all done, so they folded their frames,
And packed up their needles, without giving their names.
They boarded the bus, and checked the next address.
More quilts to be made, another quilter in distress.

She heard one voice echo, as they drove out of sight,
Happy quilting to all and to all a good night!

Author Unknown




Sunday, December 20, 2009

Cold Sunday!

But no snow here!!! Yippieeeeeeee Hope all that do have stay safe!

After Church I made some Almond Toffee yummy I got the recipe from Oprah's site.
I only did the chocolate on one side.
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Almond Toffee
Recipe created by Kate Stewart Rovner


Kate Stewart Rovner's almond confection won Best of Show in the candy contest at the 2009 State Fair of Texas.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup European-style butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. corn syrup (Karo)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups almonds , with skins, coarsely chopped and toasted
12 ounces milk chocolate , chopped, divided use
2 cups finely chopped almonds , toasted, divided use
Butter a 15"x10" jellyroll pan.

In a 3-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the sugar, brown sugar, 1/3 cup water, Karo and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to medium. Cook at a gentle boil for 10 minutes, stirring often, until temperature reaches 290°. Add almonds and stir until thermometer returns to 290°.

Remove from heat. Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet and spread. Sprinkle 6 ounces of the chocolate over the toffee. Let stand for 2 minutes. Using a small offset metal spatula, spread the chocolate over the toffee. Sprinkle with 1 cup of finely chopped almonds. Press gently Refrigerate uncovered until firm, about 2 hours.

Microwave remaining chocolate until melted.

Invert toffee onto a waxed paper–lined baking sheet. Spread with melted chocolate and sprinkle with remaining almonds. Press gently. Refrigerate uncovered for 2 hours or until set.

Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Print Recipe

My newest snowman!! He's tooo cute. A hair client gave him to me for Christmas.

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Draggy week, this post is attracting a lot of unwanted comments??

I have worked all this week. Usually I'm off on Friday & Saturday, but the boss went to New Jersey till. Monday. So I've been working for her. 9 to 6 was a long day today ugghhhhhh & tomorrow is 10 to 2!
I took off around 2ish to run to the bank & get some lunch. I decided to stop by the Good Will store cause it was right there. I found a Sak purse for my Mom, she loves those for $1.99.
And this quilt for $5.00?????????? It's so pretty & the colors are so soft! Anyone know the pattern??? I threw it in the washer & it's in the dryer now.
I'm tickled!!
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Monday, December 14, 2009

So it's Monday again!

I so don't want to go to work! LOL
I did manage to get some stuff done. I went & paid some bills, mailed out a baby quilt that was way over due in mailing, bad me!! I had boxed it up & stuck it in the closet & totally forgot about it!! At least she'll get it before she's grown!
We made
Gumdrop Fudge
1-1/2 pounds white candy coating, coarsely chopped
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped gumdrops
Directions
Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; set aside. In a large saucepan, heat the candy coating, milk and salt over low heat until coating is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and gumdrops.
Spread into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Using foil, remove fudge from the pan; cut into 1-in. squares. Store at room temperature. Yield: about 3 pounds.

But the print is so small I miss read the directions. So I'm missing 1/2lbs of white coating. Can I reheat it & add it , or will it make a total mess??
Right now it's sticky & if I leave it out to cut it just goes blahhhh all over itself!

*********Edited to add***********
So I put the whole pan in a warm 200 degree oven. Melted the other 1/2lb in the microwave. Stirred it all together & wa la I have it done right! No melted gumdrops either!

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Than we made dog cookies for Harley in moon shape
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Than I finished the wayward block Christmas table runner. It's a bit big for my table:(

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Saturday, December 12, 2009

A fabulous giveaway!!

Y'all need to head over to Green Fairy Quilts. She's having a fabulous giveaway!!
She's giving away 1 layer cake, 1 jelly roll from the Hello Betty Retro line, along with her pattern "Flower Patch" !! So "click here" she's picking the winner Tuesday night!!
Also check out her longarm quilting. Her work is amazing!!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

She Scores!!!! LOL

The pie was a total HIT!!! Everybody that got a piece raved that it tasted just like Grandma's!! Whoop Whoop Whoop!! Tango score's big points!!
I got a picture of a mess of a piece that I had to take away from my DH LOL he was rushing me, but haven't uploaded it to see if it came out! It's ALL his fault if it didn't!! It's looks OK?
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Half the Ho Ho cake got gone too!! I don't like the picture of this one. I'll get one tomorrow!
This is from today
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left to right SIL, BIL, DH in back, Me, FIL, MIL

Than for all y'all that have snow I have these blooming!!
Paper plant
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Azalea
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Lantana
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Than I made this dip last night that I didn't tell you about cause I was waiting on permission to post the recipe on my blog!
You can find the original recipe here at Big Red Kitchen, she has a lot of good looking recipes!
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It's super fabulous!! I should have cut it in half but my my my is it good!! It's a keeper in my book!!

JalapeƱo Popper Dip
2- 8 ounce packages cream cheese, room temp
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1- 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
1- 4 ounce can sliced jalapeƱos- double if you like heat

1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 stick butter, melted

In a food processor add the first 6 ingredients and process until smooth. You do not need to drain either can of peppers. Spread the dip into a greased 2 quart casserole. In a bowl mix bread crumbs and the other 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Pour melted butter over top crumb mixture and mix well. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the dip and bake in a 375° oven for about 20 minutes. You want the top to get browned and the dip to be heated through and bubble gently on the edges. Do not over heat this dish or the mayonnaise with separate and you will have a grease puddle in your dip. Serve with Buttery crackers or a sliced French baguette. Serves 8-10.




Ha Ha Ha my Mom sent me this!

Waiting for Santa

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be fat quarters or a pattern or lace?
Or a quilt kit, I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa," I said
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds ".
"I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly, And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear,
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"

~Author Unknown


I think it's hilarious!!


Saturday, December 5, 2009

Orange Pineapple Meringue Pie

3 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 small can Mandarin oranges crushed, half drained
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 baked 9 inch pastry shell

Beat egg yolks; combine yolks, sugar, flour, pineapple,oranges, lemon juice, and salt in top of double boiler; stir well.
Cook over boiling water, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Remove from heat; stir in butter.
Pour mixture into pastry shell.
Cream egg whites, water, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl; beat until foamy.
Gradually add sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Spread meringue over pie and seal edges carefully.
Bake at 400 degrees about 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool. Refrigerate pie until chilled.

Print Recipe
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Hopefully I can get a picture of it cut tomorrow at the reunion.

DH loves Ho Ho's, Ring Dings, Devil dogs, yodels, Swiss rolls, Me,I don't like that white cream Yuck! Don't know if this going to the reunion or not?? At the moment it's waiting on the frosting!
Chocolate Ho-Ho Cake Recipe

1 box Moist chocolate fudge cake mix
1 cup Sugar
2/3 cup Vegetable shortening
1/2 cup Butter
5 oz.Evaporated milk
2 tsp.Vanilla extract
1 can chocolate frosting
Pan Type 9x13-inch pan

Prepare cake mix as directed on package in a 9x13-inch pan. Chill cake thoroughly.

Prepare filling mixture by creaming sugar, shortening, and butter. Stir in evaporated milk and vanilla. Cream till light and fluffy. Spread over chilled cake. Refrigerate until set.

Melt chocolate frosting in microwave 30 seconds (until runny). Pour over cake and spread. Let set in refrigerator.

Print Recipe



Got it done!!

Finished the baby quilt order!! Delivered it too!!


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I got a surprise in the mail yesterday!! DH brought a box that was left on the steps. Said your next order is here!! I'm like what?? So I get to the box & see it's from a Rose buddy ( group I belong too!) What a sweetie!! she sent me all these wonderful vintage salt & pepper shakers!! Are they not too cool!! I freaked out while unwrapping them, I was soooooo excited!!
Thank you Puff!! I sooo love them!!



No clue as to what's on for today. Other than making a orange pineapple meringue pie for DH's family reunion tomorrow. So back to Kinston we go!! His grandma used to make this pie many years ago. So they were all talking about it on Thanksgiving.
So I picked DH's brain about the pie, LOL MEN!! So I'm going to wing it!!

Oh I made a table runner out of some wayward Christmas blocks, needs binding!



Don't like it??


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Originally uploaded by
Testing a Flickr account. Don't think I like having to type here & than it goes to my blog??
Plus it's put's one of my emails out there for all to see??

Thursday, December 3, 2009

December??

Just how in the world did that happen????
My big plans didn't work out as I would have liked :(
But I did get the baby quilt, quilted. Hope to get the binding on today in between haircuts!
DH's computer died poor Frankie!! LOL it's a wreck of a computer parts!! So on the look out for one. So he's been using my laptop. He needs to find some work before I lose my mind. Between him & the tech's at work, my heads gonna explode soon!!

Boo no pictures!