Sewing Sunday

Ah yes the woman is on a mission.  A sewing mission, that is.....

I spent the day working on sewing up items for my craft shows in November.  If I wasn't sewing, I was cutting up fabric. Aren't you amazed at how nice and neat I am?  I amaze even myself sometimes ;-)

I cut up at least 4 packages of Wrap-N-Zap batting and had a bunch of leftovers, so as any good quilter knows, I decided to just zig-zag the leftover pieces together so I can have bigger pieces to cut out.  Thrifty, no?

 

 

I was able to get quite a bit done, actually.  I have quite a few things on my list that I want to make before November, so I'm actually starting to feel like I'm getting somewhere.  I also had some of my inventory that I left in Minnesota sent to me; I received it on Saturday so that'll definitely be helpful. 

 

Besides my sewing bonanza today, I also managed to make my Beef Stroganoff for dinner (sorry I was already digging in when I realized I forgot to take a picture first (oops):

 

 

 

This is a really easy crockpot recipe, perfect comfort food.  I normally make a double batch and have it again the next day.  Here's the recipe:

 

BEEF STROGANOFF



1 pound stew meat

1 can cream of mushroom soup (or golden mushroom soup)

1/2 chopped onion (optional)

1 package fresh mushrooms (I use the bigger size container but I love mushrooms)

1/4 cup red wine (cooking or otherwise)

2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire

1/4 cup of water

1/2 block cream cheese

Pepper to taste

Cooked egg noodles

 

Mix everything except the cream cheese and pepper into a crockpot; cook on low for 4-5 hours or high 2-3 hours.  When the meat falls apart, its done. 

 

Chunk up the cream cheese and stir into stroganoff just before serving, allowing to melt completely.  Add pepper as desired.  Pour over cooked egg noodles.

 

If you make this recipe, let me know what you think!

Vanessa :)

 

 



Happy Belated 4th of July :)

Hi again - I meant to post last week *before* the Fourth of July, but time got away from me (what else is new right?)

Spent the 4th at some friends house and took this video; now keep in mind that I'm used to Minnesota, where you cannot have shooting fireworks.  These were being shot off in the neighborhood and were spectacular.  These folks spent some serious money, let me tell ya!

Did a couple new recipes for the 4th as well; Banana Pudding and a hot Bean Dip. 

The Banana Pudding is actually a Paula Dean recipe and all I can say is "OHMYGOD".  It is thick, it is rich and it was a huge hit.  Here's the one I made:

The recipe calls for bananas, but if you (or one of your guests) doesn't like bananas, this recipe can easily be altered.  Skip the fruit and change the cookies/pudding flavor.  How about Oreo's and chocolate pudding?  Or Ladyfingers and butterscotch pudding?  I'm sure you see where I'm going with this :)

The other recipe I made was a baked Bean Dip - I absolutely love it.  I had planned on taking a picture as soon as I brought it over, but it was immediately attacked so here's what it looked like about 5-10 minutes after I brought it out:

 

 

 

This is a good Southern recipe, with black eyed peas and artichokes. Let me know if you'd like the recipe and I'd be happy to send it to you :)

 

We played softball over the weekend - well, let me know get real here:  we took turns hitting balls while the rest of us chased them LOL  Even so, after 1 1/2 hours in the hot sun you get a good workout!  I'm sore head to toe, but its a good sore.  I even hit a few balls; everyone took turns hitting 12 balls.  I only missed three....not bad for not swinging a bat since 8th grade.  One even managed to roll into the outfield so I'm pretty happy about that!!!!  It was a good showing for someone who was playing with people who have played baseball/softball practically all their lives.  I got lots of good tips on swinging the bat (apparently I swing like a girl - go figure LOL) but we had a great time overall.

 

Still no sewing - yeah, I know I'm a slacker!  Haven't painted anything lately either - I don't know where the time goes every day.

 

And a quick shoutout to Kathy Luehrs - again wishing her a Happy Birthday on the 5th!!!

 

How was your fourth of July?  Feel free to post in the comments section :)

Vanessa

Father's Days A-Coming!

Father's Day is on Sunday the 15th and I'm going to make Monkey Bread since I'm going to a bunch and need to bring something:

Looks yummy doesn't it?  I've had it before and MAN-O-MAN is it really good!!  Sweet, gooey, sweet......did I mention its VERY sweet???  LOL

Anyway if you're interested, here's the recipe:

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MONKEY BREAD

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury Grands! Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cups walnuts (or nuts of your choice), optional
1/2 cups raisins (optional)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine 


Cooking Instructions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 12-cup fluted tube pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces

 

In small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.  Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve. Serve warm.             

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 I won't be using raisins (because I don't like them) but otherwise I'm not changing the recipe.

 

I'm not sure *why* its called Monkey Bread - I looked it up on Google (because if its not on Google then it doesn't exist LOL) and there are all sorts of theories, but no one agreed on the origins of the name.  Ok I'll go with that.

 

So.....what are you doing on Father's Day?   

 

Vanessa