Bag Lady

I purchased a great leather bag on clearance at Marshall's recently

and decided it is just like a plastic shopping bag.

The brand is BAGGU and I really love it!

So………

I used one of my plastic bags from Target for a pattern.

The hardest part was picking fabrics from all of the awesome choices I have!!

Really easy…….really fun……..really chic!!!!

Try it!!!

On the Hottest Day of Summer…….

I decided to bake cookies!!

I was inspired by a new recipe on Pinterest to make

White Chocolate Dark Chocolate Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

yes, all of those good things.

But I also wanted to try out a new baking mat I recently bought on

The Grommet online.

This is my maiden voyage.

Baker's 13 Ultimate Baking Mat

Designed and engineered in Chicago!!

Cookies will never stick.

No more parchment paper or sprays.

Extra thick silicone lasts longer and keeps it's shape.  

Dishwasher safe.

Dough targets to space cookies perfectly.

Success!!

And it's not just for cookies.

Great Christmas gift idea.

And while I had the oven on and so many ingredients on the counter -

I also made some vanilla blueberry granola.

A good day, indeed!

The Apple Does Not Fall Far From the Tree

A shout out for my youngest daughter, NATALIE!!!

She has been one busy girl lately with projects.

First of all she made the bedskirt. 

 I can't remember if she made this quilt or I did.

Then she started on a bench for her porch.

First, she primed these cinder blocks.

Then she painted them a retro avocado green.

She stained some boards to connect it all together and then made the cushions.

Wait, she is not done yet!!

Then she covered some ottomans 

left behind by the previous owner of her condo.

Oh my…….very proud mother tonight!!

What Have YOU Been Reading this Summer???

Summer is a great time to read a few good books.

I've read my share of them this summer.

Take a look.

I do not usually read Stephen King books, but really got into this one!

This book - Still Alice - is my top pick.

A must read for everyone.

 Cop Town is Atlanta, GA in the 70's.

I especially enjoyed it because we lived in Atlanta for 8 years 

and a lot of the places were familiar to me.

It is also about female cops breaking into the force.

 Very good book.  Very good movie.

The Silkworm is the second in the series following 

The Cuckoo's Calling.

Very enjoyable books.

Next up - 

A good summer read.

I hope you are finding time to read!!

August 10, 1974 - August 10, 2014

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary

to

Big D and ME!!!

Dinner at Coal Fire Pizza in Chicago with the girls.

Thanks to all of you who helped them with their surprise

of many special messages from family and friends.

New Amy Butler Fabrics

Lucky ME!!

I have some cuts of the new Amy Butler Fabrics - GLOW.

I think they are really great and give her fabrics a whole new look.

What do you think??

SWEET Corn!!

Indeed, the fresh sweet corn is in 

and I have been looking for new ways to use it.

Sweet Corn Pizza??

What a great recipe!!

It calls for the 6" Pita Bread Rounds.  Toast them in the oven first for 5 min.

Spread sun dried tomato pesto, top with artichoke hearts, fresh sweet corn (cooked and cut off to cobs), chopped green pepper and fresh mozzarella cheese chunks and shredded cheese - Italian Mix.

Bake 10 - 12 minutes at 425.

Top with fresh basil.

Yummy!!

I did edit this photo and rotate it - but here it is!

Really good stuff!!

1 T. Rice Wine
2 tsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. plus 1 T canola oil, divided
1 tsp. minced fresh jalapeño pepper with seeds
1 c. sliced carrot (1/4" thick)
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2" wide strips
1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (2-3 medium ears)
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

Combine rice wine, soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl.

Combine salt and sugar in another small bowl.

Heat a flat-bottomed wok over high heat.  

Swirl the 2 tsp. canola oil and add jalapeño.  Add carrots and stir fry 1 minute. 

Swirl in remaining 1 T canola oil, bell pepper, corn, sprinkle on the salt mixture and stir fry.

Add lettuce, swirl in rice wine mixture and stir fry another 30 seconds.

Two More Quilts - One Easy - One More Complex

Two more quilts for Michael Miller Fabrics.

The first one I did the pattern for - based on a request from the company.

Love the citron and gray fabrics.

And the second one is made from a pattern by Emily Herrick.

She designs fabrics for MMF and has her own pattern company - 

Crazy Old Ladies.

This is my variation of her pattern SCOTTSDALE.

The large floral is a print named Josephine.

It work well with all of the bright prints.

I have been working on a lot of pillows lately.

Another day……..