My Poodle Hates Me

What happens To Poodles When My Grandkids arent Around? Poor Ginger. She is actually ticked off! You see the stink eye shes giving me? Kind of like Shoe shopping with Aviana! LOLOL  I want my grand babies here damn it!!! Come on kids! Save your favorite dog!! LOLOL

I got her some doggie cookies for trick or treat. She really isnt amused at all. I think I should get in the car and go visit kids... Poor Poo.... poor poor Poo

Click!

Finger Food Fun!

Of course no white at night, but no one said anything about LUNCHTIME! I would REALLY like to add bacon to this recipe, but I better not eh... I think it was Heather last year who got me playing with onions often.. Im not sure what it was for though?

(* note to self, play more memory games on Facebook)

Anyway, I much prefer munchies to biggo meals. Tapas. Lotsa Tapas! Since my huge tomatoe bush is spent, I have to resort to onion bruschettas. Im not crying about it! I love em! But I will sorely miss the maters this winter:(

I am pretty sure that the cheese/fat content put me over my mark on this, but at least the carbs arent too bad, and its early in the day... and I can only eat one... Justify I tell you!

 I need a treadmill.

 Side thought there.

Enjoy Dear Blog Peoples! Make these for your adult Trick Or Treaters!

 Serve with a buttery Chardonay!

Onion Crostini

2 tablespoons olive oil plus 1 tsp butter

2 sweet onions, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

24 slices (1/4-inch thick) French bread baguette

Olive Oil for brushing

1 package (4 oz) chèvre (goat) cheese, softened

1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or oregano leaves

•  In a nonstick skillet, heat oil/butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onions; cook uncovered 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
•  Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in salt, brown sugar, and vinegar. Cook 30 to 35 minutes longer, stirring every 5 minutes, until onions are deep golden brown (onions will shrink during cooking). Cool.
•  Heat oven to 325°F. Place bread slices on ungreased cookie sheet; brush lightly with olive oil. Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until golden/crispy.
•  In a small bowl, combine goat cheese and cream cheese; blending until smooth; set aside.
•  Place 1 tsp caramelized onions onto each warm bread slice; top with 1 rounded tsp of cheese mixture. Sprinkle with herbs.

*Tip

Caramelized onions can be made ahead. Prepare as directed, then cover and refrigerate; allow to come to room temperature before serving. They can also be frozen. Spoon the caramelized onions into freezer zip locs*, seal, label, date and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature before serving.

The Only Thing That Remains The Same Is Change

"Calm self-confidence is as far from conceit

as the desire to earn a decent living is remote from greed."

Morning. So Ma, as usual, is is once again correct. I contend that adaption to lifes directional changes is necessary to good mental health. They dont say " roll with it" for nothin` eh?

Whether its a new computer system to learn, a new home or partner, a lost loved one, I have learned that change is a defining force in mine and you peoples lives. PERIOD.

Now that I have made peace with this knowledge, I can more easily shift from one stage to the next. In total wonderment, I might add. Its not an easy process you know. Especially as I age::::gracefully::::

It has required from me that I learn new ways to "weave and bob" if you will, maneuver through my new life.I have figured out that even good changes are none the less stressful too! Yep... New tech toys, new friends, different living environments, etc.

I have read extensively that these kinds of changes stave off Alzheimer's and keep the mind neurologically sharp. In my case, I feel as though its learning new languages. Some even difficult languages. My tools for the job? I have a pocketful. Most importantly, optimism, involvement in life, acceptance of loss of any kind, and physical activity.  I must admit that these top tools are NOT easily used, but a must for me to thrive. I do not wish to be so rigid in the autumn of my life, that I rationalize not keeping up with the times, toys, and terminology of the current year. I hope and pray that I never feel again as if I'm losing ground. I wish to keep up with my grand babies and SHOW THEM how to use their tech toys instead of the other way around. Some might call it control... ok... I'll buy that for a dollar too.

You peoples may be wondering by now why I am discussing this over coffee today. Well... It would seem that I am constantly going through changes in the past few years and this month is no exception. I am learning the Intelliquilter System, along with a new tablet, and a half dozen other things software ( mind boggling) related. All good mind you, but change, and stress, none the less. All on the heels of trying to convince my body that Diabetes is unacceptable and must be eradicated. The nerve issues alone in my limbs are making me mental.

I may not be able to stop this train from running down the track, but I can slow it down and enjoy the journey, rather than viewing it as a wreck coming soon.

Hey.... thanks for the chit chat:) Damned good coffee!

LYG!

Hey! Lets do Missed Marvelous Monday K? Gratitude...ahhhhhh

New tech toy tools!

PS: This touched me the right way..................enjoy

Threaten Me With Heaven

Pacific International Quilt Fest Winner

Not me, but close! A friend and colleauge here in the area , along with her client took a first in the Brother Amatuer catagory for Grandmas flower basket.

 Heres a pic:)

 Congrats to June and Margaret!

This quilt has actually inspired me to finish Ma's hand embroidery and enter it in her honor next year... Maybe.......

In other news, I am doing my personal best to be on the mend. I think............The older I get, the harder it seems to KICK an illness. Also, trying to keep my blood sugar levels in check is absolutley mind wrenching! I hit highs, I hit lows, I do a little fit throwing dance upstairs with sore fingers and aching ribs daily! grunt. I will win, because I said so!

I finaly finished the DWR last evening. Its ready for its photo shoot as we speak. Next!

Sorry that I missed M & M's yesterday. I am not myself these days. I'm not even Sybil these days. Hey... speaking of that. I understand that everyone talks to themselves once in awhile, but do you peoples ever have entire conversations with yourselves? Complete with arguments? Whats wrong with me????? I just shake my head when I notice this going on. I better stop thinking and move it, move it, move it. My FITBIT misses me:)

LYG!

Sick Or Not, To Begin Again

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be!"

It's as if I do it daily! lol( begin again that is)  Good morning. I'm off to a late but determined start.

I need to finish this DWR quick like a bunny! I am praying that the batting holds out! I had a mini crisis when my arc ruler hit the ceiling and pushed my needle bar out of alignment. Thank God Mufasa was able to fix it!

He also recovered my Big Board ironing board for me and now its HAPPY looking! I truly love it when he does studio projects for me:) I sure miss my big studio, but this little one is shaping up little by little.

I'm feeling better today and my trip seems like such a blurr to me. I certainly hope it all comes back when I recall it! Right now theres way too much on my plate to worry about it.CLIC

So....how ya been? Whats for dinner in your world? I will be making Pozole to sooth my tender throat. Come on over:)

I will try to walk again today too. Yesterday I went and I felt so dizzy and short choppy breathes... Scared me a bit! Oh and BTW, I gained weight on the trip too! DAMN IT!. I really wasnt bad? and I walked all over!! WTH??? Anyway, its 5 lbs and I begin again today to get rid of the mini sack a spuds I gained back. DAMN IT

*Mental note: I have to stop swearing like that.

My second cuppa is so good this morning. My taste buds MUST be coming back right? Are you peoples watching the Conrad Murray trial? I am once again hooked. After yesterday I am edumacated on Propofol like no other Woman is, I'm sure.While I certainly understand that MJ and his money can be quite demanding of his help, I do not understand how a DOCTOR WHO TOOK AN OATH TO FIRST DO NO HARM, could have been so wreckless with his so called "friend". Lord may I never have such a friend or doctor around me.

On that humble opinion note, I better get busy! I'll leave ya with the pictures of above chat! Have a great day!

Home From MQX West

"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn."
Mary Catherine Bateson

I had a wonderful learning experience.

I loved seeing my friends and colleagues.

I was thrilled with so many stunning quilts.

I got SO SICK.

yep yep yep... It began with a sore throat and turned into a chest cold to beat all! pain I tell you! On my Birthday no less!!! I slept away the last 24 hours of my stay, and stayed AWAY from everyone I could. I came home to find Walt sicker than I am!

Needless to say that today he is at the doctor and I am Lysol-ing the house while trudging around with tissues up my nostrils. ( got a visual didnt ya?) I really must push on because of deadlines on quilts, just like last week with techniques to be learned! Did I learn? Dear Lord I hope so.

Okay, so...Portland. Twice now I've been and never saw the sun either trip. I would say now that the Pacific Northwest is not home for me. Nice to visit, but damn......

News from PIQF: We didnt win a ribbon:( Damn.... I'm entering Blue into the next one! I'm so not taking NO for an answer! Beautiful wins there were, including a local first entry, Junes client, Margaret. Congratulations to the two of them! I wish that I could have made it to Santa Clara, but then again, I was too sick for that one too! Next time.

So my Monday has to MOVE... Hope you have a productive one too!

LYG!

G

M & M's include:

Quilt trips! Sick or not!

New tools!!! All over!!!

Safe flights across four dang states! WTH?

That new Pandora charm:)

Stamina. grunt.

Portland, Day One, I made it!

Not with any help from airlines! Remember when I went to MQS and they lost my luggage? THIS time they nearly lost ME! I was re routed to Phoenix! WHAT?? Ahuh... Bad weather in San Francisco... AHUH... how bad could it be in SF? I finally arrived long after midnight and hailed a cab instead of the light rail. Because I'm a chicken, thats why. Forty bucks and an hour later, I fell into my room. Slept in late on my birthday, cause I could!!! I met up with June and we got our walk on......and on, and on, and on. No need for treadmill today for sure!We walked the mall here and watched ice skaters dance. I also found .....wait for it........ A Pandora dealer!!! My bff Linda slipped me a very cool birthday card and she KNEW what I would get! Wanna see?

Its two of the above looking bubbles... in honor of our impending win at PIQF Bubbling Beauty:) The swirls you see is just my safety catch, Its not easy taking a pic of your wrist with a cell phone!

Ok, So I have early classes tomorrow, so I will leave you with a few shots of Portland. I'll try to blog this week, or least pst pics right!!!

Love yer guts! G

the view from my home for the week,

MQX West Longarm Show

Mornin! I woke up excited and scatter brained! In 24 hours I'll be on my way to a weeks worth of learning and loving up my passion of machine quilting! ( OK, and my Peeps too)

I'm not so thrilled about my air travel plans. They pretty much stink, but who cares! I'm going! I get scared on turbo props, and for the life of me I dont understand why Phoenix is a layover to Portland!

GRUNT

I need an umbrella and about a dozen other things. I have to go do my laundry. Ok, and clean the house. And I cant THINK with all this hair!

LYG!

Woohoo!

Chicken and Swiss Chard

Hey!!! I been playing with food again! Watch out! This is delish! Next time I think I'll try some toasted nuts in it! On it. And red bell peppers too!
I have chicken issues. Its not a favorite. So I need to find innovative ways to prepare it. After I made rainy day chicken and dumplins, I made this. Healthier and better for me, live it approved. I love swiss chard. Ma made it all the time with just carmelized onions and garlic. Remember to wash it well and remove stems or you will have a woody taste.

•         1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced onions
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon  red pepper flakes
• 1 lrg bunch  Swiss chard, stems removed and thinly sliced, leaves chopped
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 pieces cooked chicken, cut up. ( I stole 1 thigh and 1 breast from my soup)
• Sprinkle of Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes; stir 1 minute. Add chard stems; sauté for about 3 minutes. Add leaves and cook, tossing often, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes, maybe less. Stir in apple cider vinegar. Add butter; toss until melted.  Add  chicken bites and Season to taste with salt and pepper.

*Paws ~N~ Claws are pretty! Trips almost here!!

On The Move

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

  Abraham Lincoln

And passion literally defines us right??? RIGHT!

Mornin:) I'm so late. I slept in. I think I may have had way too much FUN at Stitch N Bitch last night...lol. I am working on the fourth Double wedding ring for a woman with 5 kids. ( one to go!) In the past years i have done these mostly the same. King sized and very pretty. What a touching gift when all these kids are married off eh?  The trouble is that its a custom. Long and arduous journey. No IQ on board due to lack of confidence with it, and also it would mess with her kid plan.

I have nerve test results today... stay tuned:)

I am sipping and creating a list to beat all lists this morning. I leave on Monday for my classes and wow do I have much to do to make ready for that! I am in hopes that it includes a much needed manicure. It doesn't look promising for a haircut... I will go El Naturellll. We shall call it Central coastal curls. Yeh, lets run with that. I made soup last night. The Italian sausage soup. Today I will concur chicken and dumplins. Leaving easy fix meals for Mufasa. I'm trying to figure out how to stay on task for my weight loss while I'm gone. A bit frightened about that one! Hmmmm tread mill or Hot tub....hmmmmm

I wonder if there are any Pandora stores there? I could use a new charm for the upcoming PIQF quilt wins! ( positive thinking). Hey, I better run... Two cups doesnt seem like enough today. Have a great day! And like Jamie always said...." I'll see ya when I see ya!"... Lord I miss that.

G

Moneyball! Go "A's"

The main thing is to care. Care very hard, even if it is only a game you are playing."
– Billie Jean King

Its all about passion eh? Good morning:) I'm not awake, but I'm moving. Kinda.It's raining. grunt. WHY??? I just cant believe its started already. I'll make soup and it will all be good. Maybe the Italian Sausage soup? Hmmmm

Do you peoples know how much I like to go to the movies? Yep yep yep, I do. This week we had the fun of a baseball game in comfort! Moneyball didn't disappoint. I have always had a love /hate relationship with the A's. I cheer them on only to watch my favorite players to be traded up for more money. Then I have to BOO them on other teams. Not good. Anyway, I still have pendant after patches stashed for the quilt to beat all quilts. UFO am I! I wont say that the movie was great, but it was entertaining. It told a true story that I was actually privy to. I got a kick out of the economics geek more so that Brad Pitt! Its sad that its all about the money in the game. Its hopeful to see that its all about ones own passions as well. Moneyball gave me warm fuzzies and a real craving to go to a real game. A real "A's" game! I think next up is Happy Feet 2!!!

7:00 am... gotta move it! LYG!

G

WW

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people."

And Holding.............. Good morning:) Its a tell all Tuesday isnt it? Grunt. Ok, let me guzzle this coffee real quick like a bunny first. BRB

Whats it been now a month? Five weeks? I forget.(menopause happens) I still have no dang results from the nerve testing. That ticks me off as my feet and hands seem to be worsening. My energy levels have gone up however! I do not SEE a differance anywhere having lost the first ten pounds, but I do "feel" it. I'll take it. Yeh Buddy, I'll take it! Ten pound loss to date.

NO White At Night

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1573222917/qid=1090626030/sr=1

 I'll say here and now that i am advocating this little, simple sensible book to anyone and everyone. I pray everyday that I continue. I do not feel hungry, nor deprived. I do WANT white at night, but I summon up all that i posess in will power ( which isnt much) and I dont cook it.

Why?

I love the feeling of "hope" for the future. It has seriously become my new normal... ... New book... Waiting for normal...lol

 My little FitBit Buddy is a great motivator all by itself. I find myself being held accountable to my computer stats! lol I have been amazed at its tracking abilities, and it has helped me greatly to "KNOW" where I am screwing up in food intake. ( searching for 40/30/30)

Last but not least FOR SURE, is my BFF linda, affecionatley known as the punisher, makes me GO when I would rather not, and is a great "pacer" As I would rather stroll and chat than kill myself trying to keep up with her little fast self! I used to be THAT person, so i am definetley on her heels.

Second Cuppa:   Heres the thing, just as with quilting, cooking, business, almost anything, we must have the right tools for the job at hand. Without them, our tasks are just more difficult, with less chance of success. I have the above tools, and in my opinion, the RIGHT tools for the job. Today.... I am successful. Tomorrow? Is another day, but I am hopeful.

Make it a great day!

Love yer guts!

G

Design Wall Up! ::::CHECK::::

It is good to act as if. It is even better to grow to the point where it is no longer an act."
– Charles Caleb Colton

Mornin`!Its been a long time coming, but the new design wall is up and its fabulous! It measures five foot x seven foot, with a nice wood trim with a quilt design of vining leaves travelling! Ms artsy fartsy and bob the builder spent our Sunday hard at work:) This, much like the IQ will make my work life easier and increase, read: improve production! Thanks Mufasa!
This one is made from Insulation foam, one inch thick. It was adhered by that far out nail gun of his with nail brads. Covered in marbled flannel, and trimmed out with the pretty wood. It too was nailed in with skinny brads right in the spot s as not to show.  I oil paint sticked the leaves in meadow green for a natural pop of color. I L.O.V.E. to bring the outside in!
The flannel was put on with Loctite spray adhesive, lightly, and allowed to dry. This wall is considerably smaller than the others, but it works!
Check this one off the list, and onto the next!

Happy Monday dear blog readers! i gotta move my butt right now if I Will get through this list!

M 7 M's include:

IQ Arrival!

Design wall up!

A partner in projects

Date night

A really cool birthday month, yeh!!! October!!!

Talking to Shawn and Jamie after they received their pillowcases and sleepy time books!

 Airfare to classes! ::::Phew:::