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!

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!