Design Wall Monday

I recently enjoyed my first quilt class.  It was so much fun. Sue, from my daughter's church taught a room full of mothers and daughters and granddaughters how to make the Log Cabin block using Eleanor Burns, Quilt in a Day book. I needed a lot of help to get started, but by the end of the class I was able to see the progression of putting the pieces together to make the block. Granddaughter, Elyse, who's 11,  got some practice sewing and 9 year old granddaughter, Abigail sewed for a minute, but was lured away from the sewing machine by the other children. 

The next step is to finish the blocks. Then I'll decide how to finish the project. I'm thinking it will be big enough for a recliner throw. I use those frequently; a snugly throw and the recliner. Ha Ha.  

To see more Design Wall Monday inspiration visit Judy L's, Patchwork Times. here's a link

Popovers

I really like these popovers. My dear husband does not care for them. He'd rather have a hard crusty bread like the bread in the "Artisan Bread 5 Minutes a Day" book I just ordered.

These are so quick to stir up, I can put them in the oven while preparing the rest of a meal.





Popovers

1 Cup Flour (Whole Wheat Pastry Flour or White Flour)
3 Large Eggs
1 Cup Milk
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
1 Tablespoon butter for pan (approximately)

Mix together the flour, eggs, milk, and melted butter until nice and smooth. I use the food processor but you can also do it by hand.

Put a little bit of extra butter in each cup of the pan and put in the oven to melt.

When the butter in the pan is mostly melted, fill the cups about hallway full.

425 degrees for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 for 15 - 20 minutes.

I use Wilton's large size muffin pan, but you can use a regular muffin pan or a popover pan.
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This bread provides some protein so you can serve these with a large salad and have a complete meal or you can also serve with "meat and potatoes" if that's what the rest of your household likes.

UFO Finish February

Here's my completed scarf that I listed in the UFO challenge at Judy's blog.


These two yarns independently, were not my favorite, but when I knitted them together, I liked the way it turned out - just a simple garter stitch (knit every row) scarf.


I'm glad I finished it and I've worn it with this navy jacket. Yeah!! for another finish!!

Growing

My little seedlings are growing. This is a variety of lettuce and Asian greens. After they germinate on the heated mat and get a little bit of green growth, they are moved to the 2 inch block of soil.


Due to the freezing weather, these plants are continuing to stay in the house. They would like more sun instead of the  big window and grow lights. Fortunately, I hear that we should get some warmer temperature and sunshine real soon.  


I"m looking forward to getting to know some new vegetables. Many of the garden farmers who are growing in hoop houses are growing Asian greens, all kinds of lettuces, beet greens, Tuscan Kale, etc.and harvesting at baby size to get a tender, sweeter salad mix. In less than a month I plan to be eating baby salad greens from our small unheated hoop house.

It's a snow day or two or three or a week

We're having some beautiful weather in southwest Missouri. Not much fun to be out in it. I keep reminding myself that after winter comes Spring.. Yeah, for spring!

UFO Finish

I am such a procrastinator. I love starting and starting and starting again. Everyday starting something new is so fun, but eventually that will get the best of you and you'll have UFO's (UnFinished Objects) everywhere. There comes a time when you have to make it to the finish. Here's my first finish for the UFO Challenge that Judy (www.patchworktimes.com) has given us.  So happy with a finish. Can't wait to start on the next one. Hey, that's another start. Maybe I'll start - grow to like these starts - finishes.

This little lap blanket is going to Operation Quiet Comfort for an injured military soldier.  

Planting Flowers

I really like using soil blockers to get seeds started. No need to put on outdoor clothing and I don't have to worry about my seeds taking a ride on the wind into Arkansas or Illinois. The kitchen table is my preferred place for planting. I can sit down and be comfortable as I plant my garden. In a later chapter of this story when seeds have become baby plants, they will be transported and transplanted in their permanent home in the garden or greenhouse.

To start the process, I pour the packet of seeds into the saucer. The pencil is moistened in the bowl of water and then dipped into the seeds carefully to only pick up one. Touch the tip of the pencil to the moistened soil blocker and the tiny seed sticks to the mini - seedbed. One seed planted.

I'm planting lavender (Lavendula augustifolia) in this photo. I don't think I could have too many lavender plants. I just love Lavender. Even though it is slow to germinate (14 - 28 days) and it may (or may not) flower the first year, the good part is that it's a perennial in our zone. Once it's established it will grace your yard and garden for many years. A little mulch blanket for winter and it will produce that lovely scent and flowers each summer and fall. Cutting the flowers as they are produced will encourage more flowers.

What to plant next? I'm thinking salad.