Things I like Oct 5

Greetings!

I cannot believe I am going to say this again this week, but it's difficult to make a list of things I like when there has been  another horrific tragedy in our country.  Our world is changing quickly but I must take this moment to focus on good rather than evil  or I won't have a better day. It's just that simple.  So here's my list of likes for this week:

1. The organic humanity of strangers in a difficult time.  Once more  we have seen so many humans help others with total disregard for their own safety. The stories in the press speak for themselves.

2. The mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Carmen Yulin Cruz.  This wife, mother, mayor  has been living in a shelter  for 2 weeks with her family because her home was flooded and yet has been on the streets (sometimes in waist deep water) caring for her citizens.  She has been on tv many times begging for help for her people. I am so impressed with her devotion and poise in a strenuous difficult time that appears never ending.

3.My teacher Christmas quilt is finished.  My grandson's teacher of his special needs classroom is in her first 2 years of teaching his classroom with 12 special needs kids. She not only is a great teacher but a caring communicator with the parents of her kids everyday with notes in their backpacks. Such dedication.
So, I made her a Christmas quilt:

The fabric was Cookie Exchange Frugals from Moda and the backing was some Bonnie and Camille Scrumptious. There are a few cookie recipes in the design.  I sewed strips of fabric randomly together to make 10 inch blocks and then added a really cute red gingham for the sashing. It's a small lap size.

4.After School Chocolate Pudding.  The recipe is at hallmarkchannel.com.  I originally saw it on the show a few weeks ago and made it with canned coconut milk which makes a dairy free pudding.  Very easy and very good. I substituted "Enjoy"  chocolate chips (in the baking goods aisle) so it was soy free.

5. Making my own tomato sauce. Sprouts had beautiful tomatoes on the vine on sale for $.49 per pound!  So, I thought I would make sauce and freeze it.  Eight medium size tomatoes made about 2 cups sauce! LOL.  I peeled them (simmer 1 minute in boiling water, dump in ice cold bath), chopped them into food processor and pulsed maybe 10 seconds. I cooked them 30 minutes , added 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and dash of salt.  Then I froze the sauce in 2 small canning jars.  I did not season the sauce deliberately.

Even tho it was a messy process and didn't produce much sauce, I will do it again. The flavor is better and no soy was added as they do with most canned spaghetti sauce. I can add whatever seasonings I want when actually using the sauce.

6. Completing my Churn Dash runner. I finally backed and quilted it and of course, added the binding.  One of my favorite fabrics is the bird fabric for the backing.

As you can see, I've been busy and finally got the truck window fixed (sitting in the dealership 2 hours but it was covered under warranty I purchased again before retiring last year), major grocery shopped while running the household. No wonder I'm tired and in pain all the time!  Still no answers from the doctor but I just keep moving.  Maybe I can get answers when I return to the doctor at the end of the month.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a mountain getaway next week with family. Sorry to say we are back to a heat wave here in Peoria Az (100 tomorrow) so I hope it cools off more next week.  Thank goodness I haven't planted a fall garden yet.

I hope this post was uplifting to you and I appreciate you visiting.  Your comments are fun!

Please join us at LeeAnna's post Not Afraid of Color for more "likes".
mary