Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Another Finished Quilt



Picture it: I was struggling to make it up the stairs with my birthday balloons, flowers, and presents from a terrific class who I love more than anything. I couldn't imagine the day would get any better, but then I spot this adorable kitty outside my door. I assumed that once it got over the shock of seeing me with all my bags and balloons it would scamper off in the opposite direction. It didn't. It pranced right up to me, oh so confidently, and wanted nothing but affection. It started to paw at the door and walked in like it owned the place. She quickly became part of the family. She's a terrific cat and well worth the vet bills and cat fights with Olive (they do get a long now). She is currently in heat, which is taking it's toil on mine and Matt's sleep, but she gets fixed tomorrow morning bright and early. Her name is Iris the Tigris and I love her.
Easy Turnovers: I adapted a Barefoot Contessa recipe (Apple and Dried Cherry Turnovers) from her Back to Basics book.
Thaw puff pastry, roll out into large rectangle, cut into four squares. Mix an egg wash - one egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Chop apples into small dice, add a cup or so of your choice of frozen berries (I used blackberries), lemon juice, a little lemon zest, 5 or so tablespoons of sugar depending on how sour or sweet your fruit is, 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon, pinch of salt. Put a spoon full of the fruit inside the square, turn over, press with a fork and brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 400 degrees for 20 minutes. I freeze mine once I've pressed them before brushing with the egg wash. I love one for breakfast or for dessert with ice cream. Fruit desserts are by far the easiest and most enjoyable.
I finished my farm animal quilt. I love everything about it but the bias tape that goes around the edges. I made the mistake of not sewing the right sides together, but I was confused about what to do with the batting. If anyone can figure that one out, let me know. It's really much prettier in the sunlight. The colors look blah with the camera. I like the rooster patch the best. We're getting chickens this spring. We've already bought our seeds for this year's garden and dad is going to start them in a window. Matt wants us to do a biointensive garden, which is hard to explain, it's best just to google it. Part of the reason I went into garden is to learn the traditional gardening style that I've always seen my dad use, so I could carry that knowledge on to my family. However, traditional isn't always the best method. I'm having a little trouble giving up control over my baby garden, but I will reluctantly try this new type of garden out. Just one more month before it's time to start the garden process all over again. I've missed the soil.