So Maybe I Over Did It?

Cause I thick and hab a temperture :( ( yes, read it like that)

I did the 7 quilts and gave thanks for the opportunity to have done them. Karen and family were here, and I did so enjoy that too. Walt was sick over the holiday which is giving us all a scare, and now its my turn. I contend that I am just too darn stubborn to be ill right now. I have boxes yet to unpack, a shop to finish, and company coming!! I will be fine, I WILL be fine.

Here are a few Pics until I find more:)

Emily helping Pappa make bisquits N gravy:

Karen & Aviana helping float quilt #7!!


New coats for the baby girls!!
Karen and Nonni get new Kicks too! Hey! I just noticed something. I am going around calling MYSELF Nonni??? Did I age over the season? I am no longer Mommy?? WTHELL??? Thinking back over the last couple weeks.. its funny how I got frustrated a few times hearing the name NONNI so much. ( much like the MOMMY days) Now its Nonni... humph... just thinking... yeah, Just thinking I miss the kids damn it... both mommy callers and Nonni callers. dang it.
Heres one of Jake and family who made it home for christmas after 5 very long weeks of snowy roads delivering trees. He looks so tired... poor thing.

Back To Work!

Ahhhhh, Finally! The shop is nearly completed! We have yet to do overhead lighting or computer area, but she is operational! Good thing to as I ONLY have 7, count em SEVEN quilts to get out before Christmas! We had hoped to be up and running by Thanksgiving, but it didnt work out so well. So...While Walt was leveling Greta, I put the coffee on, put on some tunes, fed him and Rudy corn dogs, and I'm never coming out! Heres a few pictures, and as my James would say............. I'll see you when I see you!! (sigh, if only)

LYG!

DInner.........................

Bob The Builder: Long arm area, thread etcKitchen entrance, intake, and yes, more boxes.....grunt.Cut table, domestic area, office area, design wall

Birthday's, M & M's, Grand Girls, Oh My!

Not feeling well today but there is so much to do I must push on. Tummy issues kept me up all night.. maybe it was the pistachio nuts? I duno.... We had a much deserved underwear day yesterday and stopped the clock, ate like piglets and watched 6 episodes of the Sopranos.lol The girls went home to Mothers, and I am exhausted, but missing Aviana too. I see her cheezy smile and twinkling eyes whatever room I walk into. Oh, and I see the tornados too... but Lifes messy, I'll clean it up. Here is our Gingerbread house building evening............

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Happy Birthday to a few more of my favorite peoples!! Julie & Heather:) Have a marvelous Monday you two, I will be thinking of you. I wish I was close enough for a coffee chat.

M & M's Include

* Netflix Soprano Beginnings! ( I never saw it?)

* A brilliant Studio designer!

* A week with the girls

*Gingers good nature

* Wood Glue, ( dont ask)

* A great back yard for girls to run

*Little Yanagi's around the corner

Where Are Those Mother's?

Just keeping the girls busy while the suns out.. here are a few pics of evil Kneival and her side kick. Aviana will try anything once, and twice if she likes it! Kendall on the other hand, plays it safe on the slides and gets her clothes soaked...lol
The grocery store STARTED out fun, until there were no toys at the check out stand. Then we had another throw down... geezzzz, where's their Mothers??
Mission accomplished Nonni, wore em out!

First try

SECOND TRYSUCCESS!!SAFE!!!!GOT TOYS?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Wine 30 For ME! Poor Babies...lol


I just got busted blogging and the girls yelling for pancakes... Where ARE Those Mothers???

Where Are Those Girls?

Day 3, Battle # 1.. it was bound to happen. We had a rule breaking drama over the treasure chest and they both hid from me bawling thier lil eyes out. Short lived, as I found them hiding in the cut table cabinet in the shop.. smiling faces again. I suppose I wasnt too hard on them afterall eh?
I swear looking at this Mini Me is indeed an aged old mirror. Cept maybe Aviana is prettier than Nonni.

Chicken & Pasta Risotto Style

Would you like to put a BAM in your otherwise bland pasta? You never tasted your pasta until you cook it without water! It becomes creamy and rich without added calories of cream. Its a bit time consuming given the fact that you babysit it while it cooks, but well worth the effort. The kids love it too, especially if you change from a Penne to a rotelle to make it fun!
When ya cant quilt, play with food!

TIP: This can be a meatless side dish if you prefer. Feel free to play with different ingredients as its the pasta that steals the show.

2 TBLSP Olive Oil, or a little more as needed
1 small onion chopped
1 TBLSP minced garlic
2 cups of crimini, shitake, baby bello, or buttom mushrooms trimmed and sliced
1/2 lb cut pasta like penne
1/2 dry white wine ( or water if u like, but why?)
3-4 cups chicken broth
2 chicken thighs ( or breasts) bite sized diced
salt & pepper
Chopped Italian parsley
Fresh grated Parm cheese

Put olive oil into a deep skillet over medium heat. add onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook until mushrooms soften and begin to brown on edges. Stirring occasionally ( 10 min)
Add pasta and stir until glossy and coated with oil. ( 2-3 min). Add salt & pepper and wine. Stir and let liquid bubble away.
Ladle broth into skillet 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after every entry, a minute or so. When liquid is just about evaporated, add another 1/2 cup, repeat. Mixture should be neither soupy, nor dry. Keep your heat at a constant medium and stir frequently.
Begin tasting pasta about 10 minutes in. You are looking for tender, but al dente, to the tooth crunch:) When pasta is on its last liquid addition, add chicken pieces and cook until white inside when cut ( 3-4 min)
Adjust seasonings, garnish with parsley, and serve with cheese.

Manja!

The Bee/M & M's

First let me say that we have our Grand Aviana and her bff Kendall over for the week. YES, during shop erecting. But they help...LOL When they arrived, much to Avi's distaste Pappa made a "smelly" comment about her "BEE". Avi's BEE is her woobie blanket of 4 years. Its so old now that it has taken on a life of its own and talks to her. YEP YEP YEP... they have entire conversations together. The BEE has had many operations and washings, however, its still ...ahhh...ahhh smelly? No matter, its still a very huge part of Avi's daily life, and no one has the right to touch, wash, or call it names. Bad move Pappa. So he set out to build trust immedietly. They worked in the shop together and swept floors, and he then decided to wash HIS OWN BEE. ( yes, he has a very big tye dyed quilted BEE) He allowed Aviana to do all the buttons on the washer, add soaps and Downey.. then told her that she might be able to do HER BEE tomorrow. She was quite hesitant, but thrilled to be doing the wash. They folded Pappas Big Bee and she saw that it wasnt eaten by the machines at all.
First thing this morning Avi asked me if she could wash her BEE. I nearly passed out. She told me that she wanted to surprise Pappa after work. ( I guess his plan worked yeh?) We loaded up the BEE and put in good smells, pushed all the buttons, and she called out to it saying." bye bye BEE, I love you!" Now you would think all is fine right? Nope. As you can see, she refuses to leave the side of her beloved BEE in the wash. She reswept and remopped the floor. She danced and played in the shop until her patience wore thin. Pictured here is Avi eating a snack while we are on the rinse cycle. I cant get her out of the shop! LOL I suppose she will be taking her lunch out there as it isnt ready yet. grunt.
It's pouring rain today and projected for the week. I am trying to think up rainy day activities as we type. I know any minute now they will be bored and whining. I cant sew yet as the shops still packed tightly. Speaking of the shop, the ceiling, walls , and floor is fantastic! ( can you see some of it?) The ceiling off white, the walls, whisper yellow, the cabinets melted butter, and the floor Brazillian Cherry plank laminate. Walt is really BOB THE BUILDER I tell you. I am so thrilled that his health is even better than I expected. It's incredible to think about a few months ago he was so very ill. Just incredible. I am so very thankful for this.

Marvelous Monday's include

*Walts recovery and his Bob Villa talent:)
*My new shop being up and coming!
* My Aviana and her Bff to entertain her! lol
* Great non picky eaters!
*Princess bed for a princess
*a doubled headed shower... omg I love that!
* Visiting, if only shortly with my daughter.

Shoe Chuckers

I woke up to yet another news tickle of a shoe chucker. Remember when President Bush got nailed? This time a reporter got it from a man defending US troops in Afghanistan. Now while this makes news (read: shocking news, looks of disbelief) I have been chucking shoes since I was quite young. I have no idea where this idea came from.. but its so effective! Look, its not a weapon, but it sure drives home your distaste in the actions of whoever is on the receiving end of the chucked shoe! Almost in embarrassment I am sitting here cracking up just remembering a store trip to Mervyns, all kids in tow and my James and Jake in the clothes rounders at least 20 feet away from me. I caught a glimpse of wiggling sweaters, and in a deep voice called out BOYS! Their little bodies popped out of the sweaters and a shoe was chucked. Now miraculously they knew to bring the shoe back and not make a sound doing it.... lol How? Effective I tell you! Damn I wish I had more than a mental picture to show you. I so love pictures.... James and his big blue remorseful eyes. Jake sheepishly hiding behind his sister. Lord how we miss him. I would give anything to chuck a shoe at him, no... watch him chuck a shoe at a boy of his own. Hmmmm I wonder if that sounds mean? Over disciplining.... Ya never know these days whats acceptable or not eh? One acquaintance of mine thinks telling her child NO is violent.... Glad not to be a young Mom right now. I may go to jail for being a shoe chucker.
Hey, on another note, anyone pick up the new John Mayer CD? Its soooooo worth it!!! Highlights: Heartbreak Warfare, The War Of My Life, on and on... I tell u this young man can write!
I'm off for a doctor appt.. have a good Humpday:)

Sirloin Tips Made Easily

This should go on one of those 30 minute meals eh? My sis originally sent it from a favorite magazine, and I tweeked it to my own tastes. Its a wonderful run to when I have left over rib eye steaks or Tri tip. In fact, I dont believe I have ever planned this meal and bought specific ingredients for it! It got me to thinking the other day when Judy was wondering what to do with LO roasta Beef:) So last night, while I had a shop being walled, I played with gravy, and it was delish!
I think..................this smallish kitchen requires lotsa 30 minute meals!

TIP: I have a lil ingredient in my pantry that is a staple( in addition to wine, of course) and used when I like to change the color of stews, gravies, etc. "Kitchen Bouquet". It was yet another one of my Mama's secrets she didnt tell me about until my 30's! No msg, good flavor, and a perfect rich brown color. Its found in the spice section and used by chefs everywhere! If you try it, remember that less, is more.)

Sirloin Tips In Wine Sauce:
Serves 2-4

2 Tbls. all-purpose flour
1/8 Tsp. ground mustard
1 lb. boneless beef top sirloin steak, thinly sliced or cubed (or left over steaks!)
2 Tbls. butter ( PLZ dont use margarine, I'll smell it from over here!)
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup sliced mushrooms ( your choice, button or baby bellos)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 Tsp. worcestershire sauce

Hot cooked linguine, fettucini or any egg noodles

In a large Zip Loc bag, combine the flour and mustard. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown beef in butter. Add mushrooms, cook down a little. Add wine and cook down again. Add broth Stir in the onions and worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. ( At this point it will be a caramel color. You can change to dark brown with kitchen bouquet if you like)Serve over linguine. If you like you can sprinkle a little more diced green onion shafts on top, but if you serve with a green vegetable, no need:)