In the Hive

Michael, Thomas, and Karl went to the Reading Art Museum to see the motorcycle exhibit. The exhibit included the motorcycles that Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper rode in the movie Easy Rider.

I am feeling a bit down this week, so Michael got me flowers to brighten up the hive.

I love this quilt! I started cutting some triangles for it with my new gadget. Today I got the cheddar that goes in the center of the blocks!

I had to get a new stripe for my Bears in the Farmhouse quilt. I did not have enough yardage with the blue I wanted to use. I chose two fabrics and ended up going with this daisy. It's a very subtle stripe (almost unnoticeable) but looks great with my focus fabric below.

I had a request my EQ 6 file for Bonnie Hunter's Old Tobacco Road Pattern. My file is colored as below, you will need to do your own scrappy colors!  Keep in mind, the rectangles have to be drawn as separate squares in EQ so you have to color two to match to make it scrappy like Bonnie's!  Click here for the file. 

I wrote an EQ file of Bonnie Hunter's Jared Takes a Wife quilt pattern.  My file contains a smaller version and Bonnie's size version of the quilt and my colors are civil war. You need to change the colors to what you are using! For the EQ 6 file - click  here.

I haven't posted a chocolate bar in a while! Michael got me this one last week and I just opened it. Yum!

I decided to participate in the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt project! I am so glad I had my accuquilt. I was able to cut and piece just over 200 HST blocks in about 3 hours!

Yummy! Shrimp and Ginger Stir-fry Source: Martha Stewart (4 servings) 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 ½ lbs. peeled and deveined medium shrimp, tails removed 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 red bell peppers, seeds and ribs removed, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 8 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces, white and green parts separated Press out ginger juice (see note); whisk in soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, and 1 cup water; set sauce aside. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half the shrimp, turning once, until just opaque, 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add another tablespoon oil; repeat with remaining shrimp. Set shrimp aside. Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan; cook bell peppers and white parts of scallions over medium-high heat, stirr...

Roasted Pork with Apples Source: Wegmans (10 servings) 1 cup seedless raisins 27 ounces canned sauerkraut, rinsed, drained 2 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup apple cider 3 pounds center-cut boneless pork roast, patted dry 1 tablespoon wegmans basting oil, or other oil 1 pinch each sea salt and cracked pepper 11 ounces wegmans culinary beef gravy , or other beef gravy Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss raisins, sauerkraut, apples, nutmeg, and apple cider in large bowl; mound mixture in large roasting pan. Rub pork with basting oil; season with sea salt and pepper. Place pork on top of sauerkraut mixture. Place pan on center rack of oven; roast 15 min. Reduce heat to 350 degrees; roast until internal temp reaches 150 degrees, about 15 min/lb. Check internal temp by inserting thermometer halfway into thickest part of meat. Remove from oven; let rest 10 min before carving. Warm gravy; serve on side. Chef Tip(s): Wegmans Club Pack Pork T...

This is a photo of the studio cutter from the Accuquilt catalog. Mine arrived today - man is it neat!!!! It makes cutting a dream!

It's freezing cold and winter in PA!  Windy like nobody's business.  And what do I find in the house?  A stink bug!!!!

I was going to work at the quilt shop today, but Karl called me and reminded me he is participating in the Spelling Bee today!  I will have to work on my sample for the shop here and walk over to the bee this afternoon!  Good Luck, Karl!

Split Pea Soup with Rosemary Source: Allrecipes.com (6 servings) 6 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 small onion, chopped 1 leek, thinly sliced 1 large carrot, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 (10.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 1 ½ cups green split peas 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 1. Place bacon in a large pot, and cook over medium heat until crisp. Stir in onion, leek, carrot, and garlic; cook until the vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. Pour in chicken broth. Stir in split peas, bay leaves, and rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover, and simmer until peas are cooked, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

This was dinner, along with brown rice and broccoli: Asian Spicy Chicken Thighs 5 skinless bone-in chicken thighs ⅓ cup olive oil 2 ½ teaspoons soy sauce 2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger 2 ½ teaspoons french bold spicy brown mustard 2 ½ pinches salt 2 ½ teaspoons spice island Thai seasoning Method Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl (except for the chicken thighs). Pour the mix into a ziplock plastic sandwich bag. Place chicken thighs in bag and marinade overnight. On a tinfoil covered cookie sheet, bake the chicken at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes or until no longer pink. Notes Author's note: It's spicy and delicious. I originally made it with chicken thighs but it also works with chicken breasts. Source: Recipezaar (5 servings)

I made these from the Martha Stewart website. It's her photo, not mine! I also yielded 24 cookies, not 12 - which is good since they were a lot of work! Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Source: This delicious cookie recipe is from 'wichcraft restaurant. (24 sandwich cookies) Cookies: ½ cup (1 stick) plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt ⅓ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed dark-brown sugar ½ cup peanut butter Turbanado sugar, for sprinkling Peanut Butter Filling 4 tablespoons unsalted butter ¾ cup peanut butter ¼ cup confectioner's sugar ½ teaspoon salt Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oats and cook, stirring, until toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Spread oat mixture onto prepared baking sheet and let cool. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with ...

Sesame Salmon with Soba Noodles 6 ounces soba noodles ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger, divided use 24 ounces salmon fillets, skinless ¼ cup sesame seeds 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil 3 scallions, coarsely chopped 1) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain the noodles, transfer them to a medium bowl and keep warm. 2) Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, lemon juice and half the ginger. Lightly brush the fish on both sides with a little of the soy ginger mixture and then dredge in the sesame seeds. 3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the salmon to the pan, and cook over moderately high heat until the sesame seeds are golden and the fish is just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. 4) Add the sesame oil, scallions, the remaining ginger and the remaining soy-ginger mixture to the soba noodles a...

I made this today for lunches during the week - it came out good. Roast Chicken Ingredients 2   tablespoons   olive or vegetable oil 1   tablespoon   lemon juice ½   teaspoon   salt ¼   teaspoon   thyme ¼   teaspoon   rosemary ¼   teaspoon   marjoram 4-6   pound   roasting chicken 4   cloves   garlic, cut in half Method Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In bowl combine oil, lemon juice, salt, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. Set aside. Remove fat from chicken cavity opening. Place garlic in cavity. Set chicken in roasting pan (do not place on rack). Brush chicken with oil and herb mixture.  Roast for 1 hour and 45 minutes, basting chicken once or twice, until juices run clear when thigh is pierced with knife. Remove chicken to serving platter and allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

It speaks for itself!

A new chocolate bar Michael got me with a very interesting blend of tastes!

Penne with Ricotta and Pine Nuts In this one-pot dish, the spinach cooks right in the pot with the pasta. Spoon ricotta onto each serving, and let your guests mix it up themselves. Ingredients ⅓ cup pine nuts Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 lb. penne pasta 1 ½ lbs. baby spinach, well washed 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Method Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook according to manufacturer’s directions. Add spinach during last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain; return pasta and spinach to pot. Add oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well. Serve immediately, topped with ricotta, pine nuts, and Parmesan. Notes I think I will cut the spinach amount in 1/2 next time! Prep - Prep: 5 Minutes - Total Time: 20 Minutes Source: Martha...

What a fun day. I got the boys a HUGE Whitman's Sampler. Michael bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers. Andrew made chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Our elderly neighbors also surprised us and gave us a bouquet of flowers for helping them out when they were having health issues.

Another pretty fabric I picked up.

I really liked this print in the green background and the black background. I settled on the black!

This came out great! Pecan Dijon Chicken "A delicious chicken dish with an unusual sauce that is sure to please. Serve over rice." Ingredients 6   tablespoons   dijon mustard ¼   cup   honey ¼   cup   orange juice 2   tablespoons   milk 2   tablespoons   butter 2   teaspoons   lemon juice, to taste ¼   teaspoon   ground mustard ¼   teaspoon   salt 1   dash   ground black pepper ½   cup   chopped pecans 2 ½   pounds   boned and skinned chicken breast halves Method 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, blend the Dijon mustard, honey, orange juice, milk, butter, and lemon juice. Season with ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir in the pecans.  3. Arrange chicken in the prepared baking dish, and cook in the preheated oven about 10 minutes. Cover with the Dijon mustard mixture, and continue cooking 20 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Notes 8 WW points per s...

This print reminds me of all the baking I do! It would look great made into an apron!

I got this really cute print from Andover!

I was surprised my hubby like this one!  He doesn't usually like squash type soups! Pumpkin Soup Ingredients ½   cup   chopped onion 2   tablespoons   butter or oil 1 ½   cups   chicken broth 1 ½   cups   canned pumpkin 1   teaspoon   salt 1 ½   cups   lowfat 2% milk, to 2 cups 1   pinch   pepper and garlic powder or salt to taste Method Sauté onion in hot butter until onion is tender, but not brown. Add chicken broth, pumpkin and salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes. Add milk, pepper, garlic powder or salt to taste. To serve hot, reheat without boiling or chill until icy cold. Serve. Garnish with  parsley or chives. Notes 3 WW points per serving, 8 ounces per serving Source: -- (4 servings)

We girls did a little hop to Lancaster yesterday. I think I will post the fabrics I got here and there, so maybe it won't show how bad I went off the deep end! This is a print called Lotus by Makower. I love the little flowers inside the paisleys.

Pretty quick and easy.  Served with sauteed green beans and rice. Mustard Crusted Tilapia Ingredients 36   ounces   fresh tilapia fillets 1   tablespoon   spicy brown mustard 1   tablespoon   Worcestershire sauce 1 ½   teaspoons   lemon juice ¾   teaspoon   garlic powder ¾   teaspoon   dried oregano 1 ½   teaspoons   grated Parmesan cheese 1   tablespoon   fine Italian bread crumbs Method Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a glass baking dish with cooking spray.  Place tilapia fillets into prepared baking dish, and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, and Parmesan cheese.  When fish has cooked for 10 minutes, spread with herb paste, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Continue baking for another 5 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden.  Prep - Start to finish: 15 Minutes Source: Allrecipes.com (6 servings)

I am working on a sample for the shop.   I made the birdhouse block today.  I have to decide whether I like the wooden buttons or the dark blue buttons better.  I am using buttons because I don't feel like fusing the circles for the holes in the birdhouse!

But at least I only got 1 1/2 yards!  This is Decadent Victorian by April Cornell for Moda.

I made this for dinner tonight.  You can use whatever crust you like!  As noted, you could easily 1/2 the beef and cheese and it would still be good. Cheese "Steak" Pizza Ingredients 16   ounces   Rustic Crust All Natural Tuscan Six Grain 1   lb.   wegmans 90/10 lean ground beef 1   small green bell pepper, cut into strips 1   small onion, thinly sliced, separ 2   cups   mozzarella cheese, part skim milk, shredded ¾   teaspoons   salt ½   teaspoon   black pepper Method Preheat oven to 400°F.  In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat for about 6 minutes.  Add bell pepper and onion. Continue cooking 3-4 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink and vegetables are crisp-tender. Season with salt and black peppers.  Place bread shell on baking sheet. Remove beef and vegetables from skillet with slotted spoon and arrange on top of bread shell.  Sprinkle the Mozzarella Cheese on top of beef and vegetable mixture.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. ...

I went on a bit of a shopping trip with my friend and we did some damage.  I am not going to upload pictures of all of that sinful fabric.  I will show you what my friend's husband go me on one of their fabric jaunts though!  He is not enamored of my sunflower print for the borders of my double delight quilt and is trying to sway me a different direction.  He got me these two prints that he thinks are more appropriate for my borders!

For those who need the Electric Quilt 5 version of Double Delight, I redrew the quilt in EQ 5 using Bonnie's colors.  This file contains a lap-size version of Double Delight as well as Bonnie's original size.  I also used Bonnie's colorings for the project. Download the file by clicking here . 

A Clean house is a sign of a broken Computer!

My Double Delight Electric Quilt file can be downloaded by clicking  here . Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville is the creator of the original Double Delight pattern .  My EQ  file contains a lap-size version of the quilt Bonnie created, the original size quilt on Bonnie's Quiltville site, and my king-size version of the quilt I altered in the colors I chose. You must have Electric Quilt 6 to open this file.

Barbeque Beef Sandwiches 1 medium onion, chopped 3 ½ lbs. bottom round beef roast, well trimmed of excess fat ¾ cup ketchup ½ cup cola 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 3 tablespoons cornstarch ¼ cup water 8 buns 1. Place beef on onion in a 3 1/2-qt or larger slow-cooker. Mix ketchup, cola, mustard and sauce in a bowl; pour over beef. 2. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Remove beef to a plate; cover loosely with foil. Increase cooker heat to high. Stir cornstarch and water in a small cup until dissolved. into liquid in cooker; cook 15 to 20 minutes until thickened. 3. Thinly slice beef, layer on buns and spoon sauce over top. Woman's Day (10 servings) Melissa's note - I cooked mine for 8 hours and then shredded the meat into large pieces and then put back into sauce before serving!

It's not Autumn, but I made this for breakfast today!  Yum! Autumn Pumpkin Apple Cider Bread Ingredients 1   cup   apple cider 1   cup   canned pumpkin puree 2   large eggs ¼   cup   vegetable oil ¾   cup   light brown sugar, firmly packed 2   tablespoons   freshly grated orange zest 2   cups   all-purpose flour 2   teaspoons   double-acting baking powder ½   teaspoon   salt ¼   teaspoon   baking soda ¼   teaspoon   ground mace ¼   teaspoon   cinnamon ⅛   teaspoon   ground cloves ½   cup   chopped walnuts Method Preheat oven to 350°.  In saucepan, boil cider until it's reduced to about 1/4 cup; let it cool.  In bowl, whisk together well pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, brown sugar, zest, and cider.  In bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, mace, cinnamon and cloves.  Add the walnuts; stir batter just until combined.  Pour batter to a well-buttered 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan.  Bake in middle of oven 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean.  Let bread cool in...

I liked both fabrics I chose before, but I have settled on the sunflower borders.  I want to make this king size though.  To do that, I will add another fabric in yellow into the blocks and then alternate the colors of the blocks in "boxes" or rings.  I will start with a cheddar star block in the middle of the quilt, then surround that with yellow star blocks, then surround that with cheddar star blocks, etc. -  kind of like making ripples....If you click on the picture, it will show you a bigger image!

Sour Cream Pound Cake This produces a wonderful flavor and the great texture of a pound cake. It is delicious by itself or with any kind of fruits, ice cream, or whatever your favorite topping may be. (This cake freezes well.) Ingredients 1   cup   butter 6   eggs 3   cups   flour ½   teaspoon   salt ¼   teaspoon   baking soda 2 ¾   cups   sugar 1 ½   teaspoons   vanilla 1   cup   sour cream Method Preheat oven to 350. Mix butter til light. Add sugar and beat til fluffy. Add eggs, beating after each addition. Add flavorings. Beat in dry ingredients and sour cream alternately. Grease and flour a tube pan, bundt pan or 2 loaf pans. Bake in tube pan about 1 1/2 hours and 2 loaves about 55 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely. TIP: The trick to get the wonderful texture of a pound cake is to beat each addition thoroughly, let's say just about until you think your arm will fall off should do the trick! Notes The boys...

I have about 10 of each DD blocks done.  While on our road trip, I helped my friend find a border for her DD.  But I realized I hadn't really considered mine (after the trip was over of course).  I am not sure which way I want to head.  Busy or plain?  What would you do?  I think I am favoring the dark green at this point....

Today we did our own little shop hop. We visited Steve's Sew & Vac in King of Prussia, The Quilt Block in Exton, Chester County Quilting in Phoenixville, and Generations in Pottstown. I got some black and white prints, civil war prints, and the three prints below!