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……..

Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer!!

Yes, those words remind me of an old song.

I am sure some of you will remember it!

I can't believe I haven't posted any news for over a month.

I have been keeping very busy.

What would you make if you opened a box of fabrics from Michael Miller Fabrics

and these were inside??

THe request is for something "girly".

Hearts were mentioned.

I went a little overboard - and this is what I made.

I wasn't real wild about the lions - so those prints became the backing.

I added a couple of additional Cotton Couture Solids

and also passed on the stripe this time.  I often use it for binding but went with the white for an over all look.

The real kicker here is that I received the fabric on a Thursday at 4 PM

and shipped the completed quilt on the following Monday

complete with the pattern directions!

Stay tuned for the second quilt I finished that week!

Gotta' love it!