Quincy Quilt ~ Finished

I finished the binding on the Quincy Quilt I am giving my friend, who is on baby girl #4. I used the doggie fabric that I used on the inner border...it turned out splendid. I wrapped it up with a pretty bow and off it will go today. I hope she likes it, when you make something personal, like a quilt, with colors and fabrics you always take a bit of a risk...is it their style, do they like the colors? I'll keep you posted.

I also made her three burb cloths from the border fabrics. So easy and quick. Tutorial here.

I added a little baggie of dried lavender (my fav!) and a sweet gift tag from Vintage Fern.

Minimal Monday and more

Tomorrow is Minimal Monday, which means my oldest is out of school at 12:30 (2 hours earlier). Spring break is in about 2 weeks and summer feels like it is right around the corner.

This past year has flown by.

Last March/April, I was pregnant and every morning I hoped to finally be finished with morning sickness.

At about 16 weeks the morning sickness did subsided and at 19 weeks we found out we were expecting a THIRD musketeer.

The beautiful summer came and went with BBQ's, lounging by the pool and of course Tahoe!

Henry arrived and he be more perfect. The boys are so good with him and they really help Mommy.

The Holidays were a whirlwind and we've been nesting and home remolding through the start of 2011.

I hope 2011 will be as wonderful and rewarding as last year.

In church today we had a lesson on Gratitude. It was a excellent reminder. I AM GRATEFUL and I hope I can live a grateful life. Tomorrow I am going to enjoy my minimal day and take "my three musketeers"  and make it a day to remember!

Happy Minimal Monday.

My Favorite Cook Book ~ Mid Week Munchies

This is my favorite Cookbook, "The Heritage of Southern Cooking", by Camille Glenn. Before I was married I lived in the south: Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans. I loved the food, people, places, history, culture.... secretly, I have always wanted to be a southern belle. 

For the next couple weeks I want to share a few of my favorite recipes from Heritage. So stay tuned....

Next week: Homemade English Muffins!

Quincy Quilt Quilted

Over the weekend, I had the Quincy Quilt Quilted (try and say that 3 x fast). I had a soft butterfly swirl quilted in white thread. I think it turned out great and doesn't take away from the propellers and embroidery. I can't wait to sew on the binding, wrap it up and give it to my sweet friend, she only has 6 weeks to go. Doesn't every pregnant Mom need a 6 week pick me up?

Quilted Butterfly.

Salt Lake Real Soccer Game ~ Field Trip Fridays

We have a professional soccer team in Salt Lake City. In 2009, the Salt Lake Real (RSL) won the MLS Cup Championships. So needless to say we have a great team, even a few of our members played for the US national team in the World Cup last summer. On Tuesday night, my boys had the opportunity to see  teh Semi-final CONCACAF game against Saprissa. RSL won 2-0 and my boys had a blast...crazy fans, smoke machines, great gooooooals and of course the concessions.

Any Major League teams where you live?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I hope everyone is feeling as lucky as I feel today....three wonderful little boys, an amazing husband, health, happiness. I wish all of you the same.

Yesterday was the anniversary of my Mother-in-law's death 4 years ago. Although she is missed, we believe she is in a much better place. I wanted to share a quilt I inherited from her when she passed. Bonnie loved quilts, loved to collect antique quilts and was also a huge supporter of the quilts I made.

I call this her St. Patrick's Day quilt. The greens are beautiful in this quilt, and the hand stitching on the white blocks is very intricate. I don't know how old the quilt is, but it doesn't have any batting, so I guess it is called a "summer quilt". I am not sure if the stars are Bethlehem or Lonestar, any opinions?

Have a great St. Patrick's Day everyone, and no pinching!!

Pot O' Gold ~Mid Week Munchies

One of my goals for 2011 was learn how to make homemade Carmel. I have always been alittle intimidated by homemade carmel; my Grandma, Mom and Sisters are all excellent candy makers...carmel included. During the holidays I am was always the first to say "Lets make Carmel", but always defaulted to letting my Mom or Sisters, actually make it. But not this St. Patrick's Day!!!

This St. Patrick's Day I had a great idea for my very own Pot O' Gold. My Mother-in-law gave me a wonderful old rusty cooking pot, that I always use at Halloween....which got me thinking.... Perfect Leprechaun Pot. After I made my carmel I wrapped my carmel in little pieces of gold cellophane, added a pine cleaner rainbow and loaded my pot full of delicious carmel gold.

Carmel Recipe:

2 cups Sugar

1 1/2 cups Corn Syrup

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups heavy Cream

3/4 cup Evaporated Milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

In a large, heavy sauce pan (I use my Gaurdian Service cookware) I combine sugar, syrup, salt and 1 cup of cream. Allow ingredients to come to a soft rolling boil and let cook until a candy thermometer reads 235 degrees. Add the additional 1 cup of cream and milk. (I like to heat my cream and milk in the microwave {2-3 minutes}this helps cut down on cooking time) Allow carmel to continue to boil until temperature on thermometer reads 228 degrees. Take off heat and quickly pour into a butter cookie sheet.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and I hope you all find some gold at the end of the rainbow.