Today

Today I sewed.  I haven’t sat down at the machine since Thanksgiving.  For me that is pure torture, as I am in the habit of sewing every day! 

One of my goals for 2010 was to quilt some of the many quilt tops I have hanging in the closet.  So today I dug this little quilt out and finished it up.  It was so much fun.  The 9 patch blocks measure 1-1/2 inches.  I purposely used a different fabric for the binding as I wanted it to look like an antique where the quilt makers used up what they had on hand.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.

Tonight the temperature is to drop way down and here in North Central Texas we are not used to these temperatures.  They say it will feel like zero with the wind chill factor.  It will be good weather to stay in and sew and have a cup of hot tea!

Until next time.

Pat

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and I want to wish you all a Happy New Year.

With this new decade starting I have been looking to the past.  It seems just like yesterday that we were frantically preparing for 2000.

Today while looking for something I ran across a box of “trinkets” that my Mother-in-Law left to me.  In it were an assortment of old greeting cards.  I thought it appropriate to share pictures of two New Years cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next year I will need to display them on an easel during the holidays.  They are backed with Christmas greetings.

I do not make resolutions as they always seem to get broken, but I do set goals.  This year one of my goals is to quilt this top.

My Mother appliqued this in the early 1930’s while waiting for the arrival of her first child.  If I am reading Barbara Brackman’s “Encylopedia of Applique” it was a pattern called Pride of the Garden and was published by a Needlecraft Service in the newpaper.  I looks like the leaves were reversed from the original.  My paternal Grandmother was to quilt it, but developed an illness and was bed ridden for the balance of her life.  I would like to pass this along to my Granddaughter someday.

Another of my goals is to finish up some “works in progress.”  I hate to have things “hanging over my head”

Did you make resolutions or set goals for yourself?

Until later.

Pat 

Merry Christmas

Pat

Christmas Baking

Today I made a batch of Pretzel Turtles.  These are my Grandson’s favorite.  I love the salty sweet taste.

As you can see these are very easy to make

 

Pretzel Turtles

1 pkg. small pretzels – I use the Snyder’s square ones

1 bag of Rolos Candy

Half Pecans

Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil and cover with pretzels.

Top each Pretzel with an unwrapped Rolo – flat side down

Bake at 250 degrees for 4 minutes.  Candy will not melt.

Remove from oven and top each piece with a half pecan pushing down gently.  Cool Slightly and then refrigerate for about 10 minutes or until set.

 

I also made Clove Cookies – they are not too sweet and a very good with a cup of  hot tea.  I got this recipe when I stayed at the Case Sedona Bed and Breakfast in Sedona, Arizona

Clove Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar until well combined; then stir in vanilla.  Add egg and beat until mixture is smooth.  In a small bowl, stir together flour and cloves; gradually add to butter mixture blending thoroughly.

Drop dough by level teaspoonfuls onto well-greased baking sheets, spacing cookies 2-1/2 to 3 inches apart.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edge are golden brown and puffy tops start to crinkle and collapse.  Immediately transfer cookies to racks and let cool.  Store airtight.

Makes about 4 dozen.

 

Several years ago a friend gave me a recipe for microwave peanut brittle and it turned out perfect.  Last year we installed a new mixcrowave that is a lot more  powerful than the old one.  So I did not make any peanut brittle.  My youngest strongly protested!  So this year I decided to give it a try.  The first batch burnt.  The second batch was more like a hard caramel – edible but slightly sticky.  So the third time was a charm and I made two batches.

Tomorrow or later today I will make the Pecan Sandies, Santa’s Whiskers – Southern Living 1985 Annual Recipes Page 323, and Cranberry Nut Bread.

Do you have favorites that you make only for Christmas?

Tomorrow will be the last trip to the grocery store!

Until later.

Pat