Monday, February 26, 2018

February Wipocalypse Update!

My second finish of 2018 was Baby It's Cold Outside by Heartstring Samplery. I stitched it on the suggested fabric; PTP Ale using the suggested threads except for 3 changes. I substituted Victorian Motto Autumn Red for the GAST Pomegranate as I didn't believe I had enough to finish the house. I ran out of GAST Picnic Basket and stitched the words at the bottom in 3-4" cuts of Weeks Havana and am happy with how they match. I didn't stitch the insides of the windows. They were to be stitched using the yellow thread shown, but I didn't like the look and left them empty. 



My third and fourth finishes for 2018 were Blackbird Designs Small Token Pins and Needles pin cushion. I started stitching these in 2009. I stopped I thought because I had messed up, but I didn't find my error when I picked it back up this month.  Here is where I had left off;



And here is my finished pieces;



The color is more accurate in the second picture. 

My fifth finish for 2018 is another piece where I shortened the pattern. I knew I wanted to stitch this as a memorial piece for my maternal grandmother. I also knew I hated the lower section. The colors were too washed out. I picked out all new colors and started this last fall on PTP Ale. I sat it aside in December to start other things. When I returned to it this month, I could no longer remember my vision for the piece with the threads I had selected. My friend Sue helped me change a few of the colors, but still I wasn't happy with it. I decided to frog the stitching at the bottom, finishing the part I'd started and called it good. 

Here is the pattern picture;



And my finished piece;



I've been spending the last focused on All Creatures Great and Small. This needs to be completed in 2018 and I need to pick up my pace! Where I left it on February 2;



And where I am at now;




I've skipped over the center tree, leaving only part of the trunk. I'm afraid that brown won't work. It does in the light where I stitch, but I need to test it in other lights before I get too far. I'm thinking based on this picture, which accurately shows the fabric color, I'll need to change the tree color. To be expected on this fabric color. 

I was going to start My Big Toes It Is Well, but have decided to stay on task with my 2018 list and tackle something I've already got kitted. I've been enjoying Flosstube and making cross stitch wish lists and plans for 2019! I think I had better see how well I progress on my 2018 list before considering next year! 

Till next month, Julie! 

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Note to self; Chicken and Noodles

This is a note to myself. I always forget what to do when making chicken and noodles, which is sad as there is nothing to it!

Large pot.  Chicken broth or stock, no added salt preferred. Bring to a boil.  Add frozen reames noodles and shredded cooked chicken.  Simmer till the noodles are done. 



Nothing fancy, but that's how my family prefers it.  




Friday, February 16, 2018

Beefy Nacho Potato Soup

This reminds me of a cross between Hamburger Helper and CCQ (which is what my family calls velveeta and rotel dip).   The recipe comes from Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom's web site.  If you're not familiar with her blog, please go check it out HERE  She's also on Facebook!





I made this Superbowl Sunday while it snowed cats and dogs outside though we were only to get a dusty.  Two days later when we were to get 2-5 inches, we got nothing!  Zilch!  The day before I made this soup, I was able to walk several miles outside.  I'll share some pictures from the trail at the end of this post.  Winter is hard and I try and enjoy the nicer days when we're blessed with them. 





So, this soup has a surprise ingredient!  A box of au gratin potatoes! 





Brown ground beef, add rotel, corn, water and...




The box of potatoes and the mix. 





There are three flicker woodpeckers on the tree picture above.  The windy was crazy strong as the snow came through and these woodpeckers took shelter on the south side of my tree. 





Back to the soup!  So, simmer the above ingredients until the potatoes are done.  Stir in milk and cubed Velveeta cheese.  Heat until cheese is melted and enjoy! 


Beefy Nacho Potato Soup


1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 pkg Au Gratin Potatoes
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes w/ green chilies (Rotel), undrained
2 c water
2 c milk
2 c cubed Velveeta cheese


In a 3 qt saucepan, mix ground beef, potatoes, sauce packet that comes with the potatoes, corn, tomatoes and water.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Add milk and cheese.  Cook and stir until cheese is melted. 





Public Service Announcement!  If you don't already collect these labels for an organization, Alpha Christian Children's Home in NE Kansas would gladly accept them from you.  They may be mailed to PO BOX 727, Perry KS 66073-0727.  

And finally some pictures from my walk Saturday February 3.  I encourage you to find a local trail and explore it! 











Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Cherry Pie Oh My!

I love Aldi! Back before Christmas I found canned, pitted cherries at Aldi much cheaper than you can find them at bigger stores. 



I saw a beautiful heart covered cherry pie on Pinterest and thought I could reproduce. 



The pie recipe can be found in any staple cookbook. Better Homes and Garden's, for example. I used 1 1/3 c sugar, 1/3 c flour, 2 cans drained pitted cherries and 1/4 tsp almond extract. 



I used refrigerated all ready made pie crusts. I didn't know what to do with the edges on the bottom crust and ended up forking the edges.  For the top crust I cut out little hearts and arranged over the top. 



It baked a little longer than necessary, but I think it's still very pretty and it tasted SO good! 



There's still time to make one for your sweetheart this Valentine's Day! 

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Save The Stitches! Estate Sale 1/27

Winter hasn't released her grasp, but estate sales have slowly begun to return. Folks, I am beyond ready for spring flea markets and garage sales.  Bring them on!

I went to my first 2018 estate sale the weekend of January 27 and found these beautiful stitched cross stitch finishes.  I left so many there.  





































The pieces above are all Paula Vaughn designs.  There are several I love and plan to frame and hang in my house.  I haven't decided what I'll do with the rest of the pieces. 

And I couldn't pass up on these cute small religious pieces.  



















Oh and this one Christmas piece.  




I also got a paper grocery bag almost full of patterns and kits.  I hadn't ever considered her patterns before, but seeing these stitched has me tempted to kit one up soon.  They're beautiful pieces!

Only one sale last weekend and one this coming weekend.  Nothing at the last sale.  Only time will tell what jewels, if any future sales will yield.   

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Easy As Pie Cake!

This is a wonderfully easy cake to throw together in a pinch. 

 

My favorite version uses a white cake mix and peach pie filling made in a 9x13. 

 

All you need is a can of pie filling, cake mix and 3 eggs. I used a yellow cake mix and strawberry pie filling this time. 

 

I made it in a greased bundt pan sprinkled with sugar. I don't know that sprinkling with sugar added anything. I never frost this type of cake as I think it's perfect without frosting. 

 

Easy As Pie Cake 

Mix a dry cake mix, can of pie filling and 3 eggs with a spoon until combined. Do not add the water and oil the cake mix calls for. Pour into a greased bundt pan or 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Apple pie filling - use a spice cake mix
Cherry pie filling - use a chocolate cake mix
Peach pie filling - use a white cake mix














Monday, February 5, 2018

White Bean Chicken Soup

I suggested this soup for lunch with a friend recently. She was celebrating her birthday and striving to make healthy lifestyle changes. I thought this would be good, healthy and less tempting than choices at a restaurant. 

 

The recipe is from 
Gimme Some Oven
She has a lot of great recipes and is the daughter of cross stitch designer Lizzie Kate. 

 

It turned out really good. Comfort food. Not at all spicy. We added shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips. 

 

Gimme Some Oven 
5 Ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili 
4 servings 

6 c chicken stock
4 c cooked shredded chicken (I used the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken) 
2 15 oz cans Great Northern beans, drained (I used 3 as 2 didn't seem to be enough)
2 c (16oz) salsa verde 
2 tsp ground cumin

Additional toppings; diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, crumbled tortilla chips

Add chicken stock, chicken, beans, salsa and cumin to a large stockpot, stir to combine. Heat over medium-high heat until boiling, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for at least 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings. 

Visit Gimme Some Oven for instructions on making this in the crockpot or instant pot. 

Friday, February 2, 2018

Cheese Enchiladas

Last month while making a pantry/freezer inventory list I wrote down the items that needed to be used sooner than later. Lemon pie filling, Alfredo sauce and a fruit crisp mix were on that list. All those items have been used. An enchilada seasoning packet remained. I found a recipe calling for one in the Fairbury NE D.A.R.E. cookbook and decided to give it a try. I made these for my father and never tried them, but he says they're excellent. 

 

To make brown a lb of ground beef. Add hot water, the seasoning packet and a can of tomato paste. 

 

The tomato paste looked like a tornado mold. 

 

Stir in shredded cheese and let simmer. 

 

Meanwhile, wrap sliced of cheese in tortillas. I used corn. 

 

Folks, that is a lot of cheese! 

 

Lay the rolled cheese tortillas in a greased 9x13 and pour meat mixture over the top. Bake.

 

Cheese Enchiladas

1 1/2 lb ground beef (I used 1 lb)
6oz tomato paste
1 12oz pkg block co-jack cheese (I used what I had in hand)
1 8oz pkg co-jack shredded cheese 
1 pkg enchilada seasoning 
1 1/2 c hot water
10 flour shells (I used corn)

Brown hamburger and drain. Add seasoning mix, tomato paste, water and half of the shredded cheese. Simmer 10 to 15 min. Slice block cheese into 10 slices (mine were cut in pieces as I used a rounded block) and wrap 1 slice in each of the flour shells; place seam down in a greased 9x13 pan. Pour meat mixture over flour shells. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes and then go wrestle the cat out of the sock drawer;