Thursday, October 5, 2017

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




17 comments:

  1. Hi Mary,
    Well, that was a blessing that the truck window was covered under warranty! Otherwise I suspect that would have been costly. I love your churn dash runner! That tomato sauce looks delicious! I am sure your grandson's teacher will just love the quilt. My bestie is a first grade teacher for 30+ years and she has never received anything that nice. That is so thoughtful of you. ~smile~ Roseanne

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind thoughts. I admire teachers so much. Have a great day! mary

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  2. I'm very fond of these older style blocks esp. Churn Dash and of course, love that bird fabric. As a retired special education teacher, of course I would think it wonderful you are acknowledging a teacher's work with a sweet gift. She will adore it, I'm sure. I have made note of the chocolate pudding recipe....I always have canned coconut milk on hand. Homemade tomato sauce is the best, isn't it. YOu know exactly what is in it. You have been busy!

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    1. Hi Jocelyn. Thanks for your service to such special kids! I admire teachers as you can see. I made a quilt for my grandson's teacher 2 years ago and she still talks of it to my daughter. That just fills my heart. Enjoy your week! mary

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  3. Love those churn dashes. Mmm... chocolate pudding.

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    1. Try that recipe-it's quick and good-my kind of recipe. Have a great day. mary

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  4. I want to make the pudding with coconut milk. And the soy free chocolate chips. I am allergic to soy. The tomato sauce is a great idea. You could freeze it in ice cube trays, then pop them out and into a freezer bag for a smaller amount of sauce to add to casseroles or soup. Great list. We are not ignoring the world events, but trying to focus for just a moment on the small things that bring comfort and joy to us... I'm with you on the the mayor who has exhibited grace under pressure. Even while being put down by one person in the news. It's a lesson in grace really, to put aside ignorance and continue to do good work. The teacher is doing good work, and will so appreciate your good work on her quilt.

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    1. Hi Lee Anna. I can't have soy-it makes my muscles cramp up. And, it's in everything! I have been mostly gluten free for many years but the soy allergy is only a few years. I get tired of cooking all the time to keep safe. Sometime I just want to buy at the grocery store without reading the ingredients every time! I didn't even think about using ice cube trays. genius. Have a great week. mary

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  5. You're so right about the wonderfulness of people helping! Seeing the stories in the news is the one of the only things keeping me sane. And you're one too! How kind to make a quilt for your grandson's teacher. It's absolutely lovely. I especially like your churn dash too. I don't piece much, but that's one I've always liked and wanted to try. I have to make a baby quilt this weekend, maybe I'll do a few large churn dash blocks for it. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Shannon. This is the first time I've made churn dash blocks. Using the "recipe card sheets from Moda" was so easy and fun. The bad part is the blocks are so small, so next time I'll just make them bigger. I love to piece-it's the quilting I'm not too crazy about. Have a great day. mary

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  6. I love the Christmas quilt for your grandson's teacher! She is going to appreciate it so much! Your churn dash runner is beautiful, too! I really like the colors you put into it. Homemade pudding and tomato sauce - yummy! Thanks for being part of this lovely group who try to be positive even in difficult times. I look forward to reading your posts every week!

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    1. Thanks. Our group is diverse but so interesting! Have a great week. mary

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  7. Mary, I'm so glad to have "stumbled" upon your blog. My oldest daughter lives in Peoria - Sonoran Mountain Ranch. I enjoy your posts and positive outlook. Your quilts are beauties.

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    1. Wow. What a small world! I know where that lovely area is. I also like your blog. You live in such a beautiful part of the country. So green. We are mostly brown here. Ugh. But, our growing season begins now so hopefully, we will cool off and have lovely gardens again. Thanks for dropping by and have a great week. mary

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  8. So much is going on in our country and in my family...can we catch a break? I'm so grateful for Lee Ann's I Like - it keeps me focused on gratitude...though this week has been a challenge - personally and otherwise. Thank you for finding so many likes in your life this week...I'll keep my eye out for my own as well. You've inspired me! :)

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  9. Thank you. I hope you have a better week! mary

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  10. Mary I absolutely adore your list. It's positivity brought a smile to my face.

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