she did it!

My sister has e-published her book, Confessions of a Redneck Romeo!   Check out her blog about availability from Amazon, including a special offer.  I admit I'm partial, but I do think you'll enjoy it.

Been a bit busy this week, but found time to make a little dress for Elise.  I was given the fabric over a year ago from one of my quilting buddies, Linda, but just now got to it.  Good thing I didn't wait any longer, she's growing so fast.  Maybe she'll get a few weeks wear out of it!  ;)   She was so sweet when she told me "it's beautiful".  Awwww.  (she's sitting down in the picture, it's not as short as it looks)

I know I usually get a post out on Friday, but it's coming out a day early this week.  Have a good holiday weekend everyone...and thank a vet.

chicken soup

I'm not known for cooking a lot,  but there are a few things that I enjoy and prepare regularly.  Lately, this chicken soup has been a favorite.  

I've had this recipe for several years...long enough that I can't remember where it came from, and I don't still have the original written copy.  Usually I just wing it, and it seems to work.   I don't want a huge pot when I'm finished because I'll  be about the only one eating it, unless I happen to take a bowl to my neighbor or give one to Elizabeth for her lunch, so I just use one chicken breast.  You could certainly use more if you want to.  Even with a giveaway or two, I still have several bowls to enjoy for a few days.   Its flexible enough that you can add or delete whatever you want.

Chicken Soup or maybe a version of Tortilla Soup

1 chicken breast (or more if you prefer)
1 1/2 - 2" of water to cover      
boil chicken, then shred it and put back in the water; removing bones if necessary

add the following, and simmer awhile:

1 can chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes and  chopped green chilis (I use the store brand of Rotel)  (optional)
salt and pepper to taste, if any
1 Tbsp chili powder or to taste if you want more
couple sprinkles cayenne pepper (to taste, and definitely optional)
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2-3 ribs of celery, chopped
1/2 onion, diced or chopped

 then add and cook until these are heated:
1 can great northern beans, drained
1 can carrots  (if using fresh, add them with the bell pepper, celery, and onions)

can be served with any or all of the following:

grated cheese          sour cream             sliced avocado     
tortilla strips (in the area of croutons at the grocery store)

Some may not think of soups as summer fare, but this tastes good and is a nice break from sandwiches.  Or heck, even have it with your sandwich!

Here you see it just cooked, served up, and embellished with cheese and tortilla strips.  Yummo.  :)

Alaskan purse

Last summer I took a cruise to Alaska with niece Tammy, and of course happened to visit a couple of quilt shops.  I picked up fabric, as well as patches at various tourist sites, with the vague intention of some kind of quilt commemorating the trip.

Almost a year later, and the fabric was still tucked away neatly in the bag along with the patches.  Truthfully, I just don't need any more quilts and my heart wasn't tuned in to the idea.  Then the other night a little light bulb came on in my head and the idea of a purse or tote bag showed up.  Yesterday I dug through the prints, and most of them are fat quarters (I know I'm repeating myself here, but fq's are 18" x 22" cuts), with a couple of one-yard pieces.  I went through the patterns I had for totes, and none of them really "hit" me.  Then I saw the Gracie pattern, and I thought that just might work.  Having made it before, I know it's not complicated, and it would lend itself to some piecing to come up with what I'd want.

So, here we have it.  One side has a print of the trees (remember Alaska is the second largest rain forest in the world), and the other side has a river rippling over the rocks.  (My creative writing teacher would be proud of the alliteration.)   There are also some whales on a little batik print.  The patches worked in nicely, and the handles pieced together to coordinate.  

Wah-lah, another project done!

Parks!

One of Elise's favorite things to do is go to the park.  Friday we got out, ready to visit a new-to-me park that Elizabeth recommended.  The skies were overcast, but the air was nice and cool, just fine for playing.

After one misturn and a small detour, the park came into view.  As we approached, a fine mist landed on the windshield.  By the time I pulled to a stop, they were good size sprinkles.  Within seconds, it was a downpour.  Had it not been for the detour, we would have been soaking wet I'm sure.

Since no new pictures were forthcoming from this adventure, here's a previous park visit.

I have a couple more to add, and will try to slip them in later today.   Edited to say, for some reason I'm having a hard time getting my pictures from my phone to the computer.  May not happen.

Also I want to add a picture of a wall hanging I've completed for Angela.  I've mentioned it to her, so it's not a big surprise, but here it is.  She likes coffee a lot, so I thought of her when I saw this pattern.

Then I made this little sewing caddy the other day.  They go together really quick, and are convenient for keeping supplies together.  I'm sure they could be used for other crafts as well.  Thanks again Sherry for the class you taught on this.

Okay, maybe this posting is finished now.  Have a good weekend everyone!

retiree's option

No Friday favorite today folks.  Sometimes retirees take a day off.  ;)

things have been busy

Time manages to move right on by, doesn't it?

Rhett had a birthday party recently, and has reached the milestone age of 7 years.  Looking back, I think seven years old was one of my earliest birthday memories.  Someone told me that I'd have a whole new body by the time I was seven, and I awoke expecting to see a new me in the mirror.  Silly, I know, but there it is.  Anyway, friends and family gathered at Chucky Cheese's to wish him well, and a good time was had by all.  Here's birthday boy and the festivities.

Then since Spring has come along and it's been so pretty, I thought it would be nice to have everyone over for some burgers.  Poor David wound up doing all the cooking, after I tried to smoke everyone off the porch when getting the fire going in the grill.   The burgers were good, and as always, good to see everyone.  We even had my nephews Mike and Tommy and their families.  Mike just returned from a military assignment in Japan, and was here before moving on to his next assignment in California.  Tommy made the trip from Oklahoma.   Here are a few pics.  Didn't get everyone, but that can be a hard thing to do, especially when they turn their heads the other way when the camera goes up.  :)
 

On Monday I finished a little patriotic angel quilted table runner I've been working on.  I've donated it to our local TOPS chapter as a fundraiser...hopefully it will raise a few dollars.

Guess that's it for now.  Have a good week.