December is Breathing Down My Neck!

"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding

 except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone."
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Morning:)  It would seem that all roads lead to the December first deadline for me eh? Much to do!

I have bloodwork due in, and the BIG decision that my doctor will make as to whether or not I have been good enough NOT to be put on a lifelong sentence to Insulin shots. I think I will please her ( and me). Not that I have lost anymore than 12 pounds, but I have changed my diet dramatically. A few things left to change up , but I'm proud of the ones I have accomplished. My sugar levels are all over the map these days, but for the most part, LOWER than before. Oh how I would love an almond crossaint right now.

Did I say that?

 SYBILL!!!!

The good girl is eating her cottage cheese and peaches. The bad girl is dreaming of the crossaint.

Speaking of dreams. They are back! Remember when I couldnt sleep due to horrid dreams? Yep yep yep... happening again!  My sleep patterns are genuinly messed up due to current issues. The dreams change drastically by the hour, jumping from incredibly sad, to uplifting surprises and happy feelings. Kinda like Monsters verses Santa Claus! No kidding! One minute theres a present in my bank easing the stress, and coming out of the bank my car is sparkling clean and purring.. then the next hour theres a monster in my kitchen window choking the life out of Seymore a favorite plant! Wierd wierd wierd. Now... I have to say that I gave you an easy example because you would run down the street naked screaming if I told you a HARD dream. Not fit for print. Period. Lets CLIC shall we?

Did I tell you that I whacked my hair? I did. I am a fiftyish person, and never in my life have I had short hair. I do now. I needed a change. ( I'll do anything right now to lift my own spirits). I'll show you a picture when I do it up. Right now I resemble a close relation to Tina Turner. I'm SO not kidding either! I was blessed with this bucket O hair, and no matter what I wake up like a lion. ( in more ways than one). My family says that it took ten years off, so I'll take it!!!! Now I just need a face lift, neck job, boob job...etc....

I have to hit the road... shoot I'm late for an appointment!!!

LYG!

PS: Ginger's yakkin too!

http://poodleperspectives.blogspot.com/

MM Yes, I am Here Somewhere

It's damned hard to beat a pesrson that never gives up.

Babe Ruth

 

I'm in hopes that everyone had an attitude of gratitude this past holiday. I tried too. I suppose that I always will. You peoples KNOW how I feel eh? I have suffered the ultimate and still I breath, so nothing will destroy me. It's a good thing. Lets move on. CLICK

What are you working on this week? I am bouncing from kids Christmas quilts to mounds of paperwork, and making soup!I am invoking the "use your resources wisely" and thinking positively for that one elusive lottery win. My lists have never been so wierd ever! Post it notes abound because I think I need to remember myself these days! I sometimes wonder if it has anything to do with the diabetes? My sugar, try as I may as been uncontrollable lately! And yes... I am behaving. Not losing, but eating right and being quite mindful.

I also have noticed that my fingernails are weak. While usually tuff as steel nails, are now just paper thin and wiggly! I am SO NOT LIKING THAT.

I know I have a doctor appt soon.. I need to FIND that post it note. ( lil jokey)
 I have been writing, however not fit for print. As always thanks SO MUCH for your caring emails, they REALLY do help me.

MM Include:

Family and friends

Monday? Tuesday?

OK, I think you peoples should send me some work so I can STOP making potholders and pillowcases and survive! ( this sounds like a country song)

Good Monday Morning:) Second cuppa thoughts....

What follows  "I AM" will come looking for ya!

 I am a survivor
I am successful
I am stronger than I know
I am going to win a huge lottery
... you get the picture right?
I should call Mr Wizard and tell him.

Its easier to say the negative I AM's.. but I dont want THEM to come looking for me. Such as I am poor, I am a victim, I am old, I am... you get it right cause its bugging me to type this)

It really is difficult to use the I AM's and believe it, mean it, live it, but its so worth it.
I suppose this should have been a tell all tuesday post instead of a Marvelous Monday right? Oh well... I have them all mixed up anyway. You people put YOUR big girl panties on and deal with it with me!! LOL
Oh look, she chuckled. Hmmm
I have said for quite some time now. I have been through the worst in life and still I breath. Nothing  can be worse, so forward I move. Rut ro.. I feel it.... CLIC

Marvelous Mondays include:

One quilt to quilt
Friends and Family
Gingers devotion. SHE knows the meaning, as do I.

I AM..............a Queen

Hot Buttered Rum

I decided that I needed a booster shot and the wine wasnt the ticket tonight. Its cold and rainy inside and out so I went to work. AFTER I boiled some eggs. Wierd I know.
Its fabulous and hitting the spot. I just hope that it doesnt make my sugar level go sky high!!!It has been off the charts for a few weeks now. I am trying but I cant seem to keep it low. Not a clue?

 BTW, I hadnt bought rum in quite some time, and damn! How expensive is this stuff???? Teeny little bottle of the best was ridiculous!
Side benny: It seems to be calming my month long nagging cough too! ( must be the honey) Naaaa

Hot Buttered Rum

2 or 3 ounces Myers dark rum

lemon peel

 Stick cinnamon

 A pinch of cloves

1 Cup Apple Cider ( I should have used water, less sugar!!)

 1 tablespoon butter

 A pinch of Nutmeg

1 tsp Honey

Put the rum, lemon peel, cinnamon and cloves in your favorite large mug. Heat the cider in a pot to the boiling point and pour into the spiced rum mug. Add the butter and stir well. Briskly stir in honey and grate a little nutmeg on top. EnjoyJ

oh! PS: I'm still trying to write. Its just really snot filled so I dont hit send. I gots these on though..................

 LOVE YER GUTS?

Ginger Has Stuff To Say!

http://poodleperspectives.blogspot.com/

Thanks So Much

I'm trying. Really I am. I am so very grateful for your caring emails. Keep em coming, as I need all my Homies now:) I thought this was quite fitting GIF for the day since I cant seem to blog effectively.

Love your guts!

Dark Days

A Thought

Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?

-- Leo Buscaglia

Work Wednesday, No Breaks Allowed

Yes, that would be me this week! Sorry Dear Blog readers, but I'm trying to get a "family fix" this week end, therefore I am buried in work. I seriously need a maid. Grunt.

Love yer guts!

Yep, It's A Monday Alright......

Experience is simply the name we give to our mistakes.

Mornin`. Four days is all that I have left on a HUGE king custom. YES, I am afraid. Very afraid! I didnt get further than two rows and a border all week end! ( STRESS)

 I just went to buy more coffee. I'm gonna need it. I was actually aprehensive about going to the store and missing the verdict for Conrad Murray trial come in! It didnt happen. Ya know........90 percent of our worries never materialize, so why bother right? Easier said than done. I wish sometimes that I had a genuine give a rats ass attitude about many things, but its an impossibility for me.

I'm having such a great time bonding with the new Janome 1600P. Its just amazing what the right tools can do for your work. Same as kitchen gadgets/tools. It simply makes the work a pleasure. Having said that, I seriously need better piecing skills. I WANT to love piecing, like I love quilting, however it escapes me... the pleasure.... its more frustrating. Can it be alright if ones passion lies in quilting rather than piecing? I think...............one must be at least proficient in piecing while passionate about quilting. Product/construction knowledge. Yes.

OK, so off I go! Much progress to be done here. I wish to see my family this week end so deadlines a plenty.

Have a marvelous Monday, and I'll try to.::wink::

M & M's include:

ZOOMing on the new domestic

My new stronger eyeglasses on order! I cant see a dang thing!

Argon Oil in my lions mane hair. Keeps her tamed:)

Hearing Avi's excitement about Nonni coming and bringing her something. I havent seen her in so long!!!

One tee shirt Quilt down, 3 to go!

Broccoli & Cheese Soup With Bacon Topping

I know it isnt Friday, but I'm quilting while rain pummels my new patio cover! This causes anxiety, so... she cooks.

With every effort to reduce carbs, I love a couple things.. Soups,Breads and CHEESE! So I adjusted this heart attack in a bowl soup to suit my diet.. VOILA! My old recipe has SO much cream and butter and topped with yummy croutons!!! DAMN IT!
 I'm not sure what thrilled me here, the nutmeg or the thyme! Its delish, and you must give it a whirl! Karebear? The kids will adore it!

4 TBSP Butter ( 1/2 stick)
1 Large Onion, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Pinch of Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
1/2 tsp chopper Thyme leaves
3 TBLSP Flour
3 Cups Chicken Broth
2 Broccoli Crowns chopped into florets and blanched (can sub for 1-16 oz frozen florets)
1/2 cup Half & Half
2 Cups sharp cheddar Cheese
Crumbled bacon for topping ( fry up 6 slices, drain and chop)

In a Soup pot, melt butter over med high heat. Add onions,salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook stirring until soft, approx 5 min. Add garlic and thyme and cook stirring until aromatic, about half a minute. Add the flour and cook until well blended. About 2 min. Slowly add the stock while whisking constantly. Bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to med low and simmer until thickened. About 5 minutes. Add broccoli and cook 10 min longer.
Remove from heat and puree in batches. (be careful). Return all to pot and add the cream, heat through. Add the cheese and cook until melted.
Ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon bits.

* to blanch florets:
boil a pot of water, drop florets in, cook 5-7 min. remove and drain. (skip this step if using frozen package)

Spinach & Sausage Stuffed Peppers

We arrive at the truth, not by the reason only, but also by the heart."

– Blaise Pascal

Dang, I couldnt have said it better myself.

Morning:) How you peoples this rainy Friday? I woke up a bit panicky today, thinking about the king custom I am to attack. Then I opened the freezer and starred at sausage I want to cook. Shutting the door and pouring the first cuppa I spied the tee shirt quilt I have almost completed as of last night. It also needs my attention. Then theres the WALK to get in, and the dang dirty floor to mop. The bottom line is that I really want to curl up into a fetal position today, with a good book and contimplate the future.

Alas.... I've no time for that. Second cuppa thoughts say "move your ass lil girl... put the big girl panties on and forge ahead."

Fine. But I really need a good coffee chat in real time. It happens.

Here's the recipe that I was GOING to make today. Blima found it, and I hear tell its fabulous! Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not.

I will use red peppers as green and me dont get along well:)

Spinach & Sausage Stuffed Peppers

1. One 5-ounce bag baby spinach
2. 2 slices of white sandwich bread, finely chopped ( I used whole wheat)
3. 1/4 cup milk
4. 1 large egg
5. 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
6. 2 tablespoons pine nuts
7. 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
8. 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
9. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
10. 8 small or 4 large Elongated Red peppers—halved lengthwise and cored, stems left intact
11. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12. 1 cup canned tomato sauce
13. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1. In a very large skillet, cook the spinach over high heat just until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain and press out all of the water. Coarsely chop the spinach. Rinse out and dry the pan.
2. In a large bowl, knead the chopped bread with the milk, egg and cheese to form a paste. Knead in the pine nuts, onion, sausage and spinach and season lightly with salt and pepper. Using lightly moistened hands, divide the mixture among the pepper halves and lightly pack it in.
3. In the skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the stuffed peppers, filling side down, and cook over high heat until well-browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the peppers and cook until the skins are browned and blistered, about 4 minutes longer. Add the tomato sauce and chicken broth, cover and simmer until the sausage filling is cooked through and the peppers are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to plates and serve right away.
MAKE AHEAD
The stuffed peppers in sauce can be refrigerated overnight.

The Quilter Ten Commandments

1.Thou shall not buy another piece of fabric until thou has used two pieces from thy stash. 2.Thou shall not pre-wash RED fabrics with your family members WHITE underwear. If you neglect to pre wash the aforementioned RED fabric and it bleeds all over your completed quilt,thou shall not whine. You may, however drink some. 3. Thou shalt name all beloved machines as if they belong in your family. 4.Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's stash, but you may try to weasel your way into their last will and testament through kindness. 5.Thou shall not work so much on your Grandmother's Flower Garden that you neglect the one outside.There is a reason why you are developing quilter's butt! 6.Thou shalt remember to bestow upon your dog much attention or else she will leave you a poopy present under your sewing machine while you are out running errands! 7.Thou shall not feel obligated to wash any dishes while you are developing a new technique. Or cook stuff. 8. Thou shall not neglect the lint under the bobbin case,otherwise your beloved machine may spit it out at an inopportune time! 9. Thou shalt not sew fabric strips at Mach One with your hair on fire, without occasionally checking for a bobbin thread. 10.Thou shall not pin baste your quilt to the carpet. Or a waterbed.

Ole' Elna Meets New Janome!

"I just kept on doing what everyone starts out doing. 

 The real question is, why did other people stop?"
– William Stafford

Out with the old and in with the new?
NOPE. I now have a tool that I can enjoy going Mach one with my hair on fire!!!It really doesnt do much else, but it does that Extremely well! Backwards, forwards,  FAST
 HOWEVER..... Ole Ellie has some stitches I cannot do without! Next I think I'll get a new serger, and an Embroidery machine!

I'm A HOARDER!!!!

<---keeps her off the streets.

I think I should REALLY clean the shop after looking around here..lol I'm over the moon for this new machine. Man can she go fast! Oh I already told ya that,didnt I?  I damn near stitched my finger nail mending a shirt this morning! I didnt tell you peoples THAT!

Purr? Purrrrrrfect! The speed and extra throat space will allow me to bind more efficeintly. It can take heavy flat fell seams too. Bring on the denim now Baby!

Heres a thought. What if each machine had a remote on them and they could all purr in unison? WOW what a thrill!

<---needs a life

She needs a name.. A thunderous name... like THOR or something...lol. Ellie has a name..Greta has a name, the car has a name! No machine shall be nameless... There are rules. commandments!

Hmmmmmmm

Halloween 2011

So, heres a recap... I ate a TWIX candy car mini. I had Mufasa take all of the candy to his students today. I dont even LIKE candy and it is a temptation. GRUNT. While he trick or treated with Emily, I played with my new sewing machine which I'll show you tomorrow. Let me just say that its SMOKIN hot, fast, and purty!
For today, here is the FAM! I so wish we all could have been together:( I need a big family photo together. H?

Jake and Shawns carving

Jamie and Shawn at the Pumkin Patch

Shawn is a transformer, that probobly cannot see! Jamie a lady bug A SWEETEST ladybug!!

Kendall is a bumble bee! Vogue Bee!

Emily a Pirate, happy pirate!

Aviana a mystical witch! Witches smile!

Ginger a hot dog:)

Heather a chicken! Bless her brave, brave heart!

Sarah is Alice in wonderland for a day! PURRRFECT!

                                                               Bears repeating! LOL

And guess who? Tis SCARY!

Kelly and kids took off to Disneyland!