A Complete Row Done....

on this Coin quilt that I have made for my husband. I love plaids/homespuns and thought this red fabric went well together. It is machine pieced and free formed hand quilting. This will be the largest item I have ever done by hand so far. I have used a template in a few places to create a lighthouse, and in order for it to stand out on the red fabric used gold thread. This picture only shows a small section of the hand quilting.

Wanting to Bake.....

However, I haven't been able to the past several weeks as my husband had dental surgery, so he can't eat anything crunchy, and I wouldn't be able to eat all the bread by myself. Plus, this past week as well as this one, it is way too hot with the heatwave going on to add even more heat into the kitchen. I am sure though most people across the country right now are trying to find ways to not turn on their oven. We have been eating leftovers, but by tomorrow they will have run out, so I need to come up with some good ideas for meals this week. What is your go to meal when it is hot?

WIPocalypse Olympics/July Check In

I am excited as I had previously participated WIPocalypse and didn't think it was around anymore. I found it is still around, and they will be doing an Olympic event next month.

I will be participated in two out of three events they have from Aug. 5 through 21st.

Event One: Rotation challenge, so I hope to complete at least three WIPS (I have already started on two of them).

Event Two: Distance challenge where you only focus on one project or decide on a certain amount you want to complete.


I will be working on Mr. Santa Teddy Bear ornament for my nephew. I assume that I will get it done in the first few days if even that.

I have another ornament to start for my oldest niece. 

The next project will be for the distance event. This is a project that I have a love/hate relationship with this WIP for my sister, it has been in progress off and on for several years for a variety of reasons.

If I happen to somehow complete all three of these, then I will continue on this other project as well;

Casserole

I love casseroles and I usually just make this with taco seasoning (hence the name I give it Taco Casserole) but have a few times used it with other seasonings as well. I am using my homegrown red and Yukon potatoes in the recipe. I use ground turkey but ground beef is fine as well. Brown like normally and drain meat.

Then add seasoning with water as needed, after a few minutes add other items you might want; bell peppers, onions, potatoes, etc.

Add it to the meat mixture for a few minutes (add more water if needed).

Layer in oven dish then add cheese of your choice, add another layer and then more cheese. Place in the oven at 350, covered with tin foil, for 30-45 minutes until potatoes are done.

Enjoy!

Christmas gifts...

When I was visiting relatives my sister picked some cross stitch ornaments that I will make for my nieces and nephew. So far I have the youngest girl's completed and started on my nephew's Teddy Bear Santa. As I have never really used special thread or beads before, they are both in the ornament for my oldest niece, I am going to start on her's be the last one that I start on.