Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Try these yummy flax seed crackers!


Finally, here is the updated link to the recipe for the flax seed crackers I have obsessed about here and here. I love them. Adore them! Think you should definitely try them. Crunch them. Munch them. Snack and dip and devour them.

Now I'm going to have to make myself a batch soon....yummmmeeeee!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Wilderness


"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds, the ebb and flow of tides, the folded bud ready for spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature..."

- Rachel Carson -

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Cornmeal Lemon Bars (sans powdered sugar)

I've had lemon meringue pie on the brain for weeks, but when I finally pulled out the recipe book at 7:30 pm Sunday before last, I discovered that it would be at least 5 hours from that moment until a lemon meringue pie would be ready to eat. After-midnight pie wasn't much of an option, but my lemon-y hankering was growing by the minute. Something had to be done.

How about lemon bars? Prep time only 45 minutes? Sold, but a quick ingredients check revealed there was no powdered sugar in my kitchen. None. I checked twice. I even used the stool.

As a side note, I ALWAYS have powdered sugar in my kitchen because I NEVER use it. If I want to make frosting or lemon bars or . . . (what else do you use p. sugar for?), I'll stand in the baking supply aisle straining (and failing) to remember the last time I bought it and how much is left. In exasperation, I buy another box...and then add it to the stockpile when I get home. So imagine my surprise when I actually didn't have any powdered sugar. Do not fear. I am a creative girl and was not about to be stopped from satisfying my craving for lemony desserts due to a lack of time and/or powdered sugar. The result?


Cornmeal Lemon Bars (sans powdered sugar):

Crust:
1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
zest from one lemon

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Press into pan and bake for 13x9x2. Bake for 15-20 min. at 350. Don't overbake.

Filling:
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 Tsp flour
1 tsp zest
3/4 cup lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons worth)
1/4 cup half-and-half, light cream or milk

Mix filling and pour onto hot crust. Bake 15-20 minutes more, until center is set. Cool. If you don't eat them all promptly, store them in the refrigerator.

My vote? Yummy. Tweakable? Sure, but definitely yummy.

Now, if your helpful hubby, after listening to your tale of despair at the woeful lack of powder sugar in the house and your explanation of how ingenious and creative your dessert solution is, opens the cupboard and pulls out this...

...you have every right to eat all of the lemon bars yourself.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Show quilt photo....finally!

Here she is hanging in the show!

(She's not trapezoidal...just hanging high and hard to photograph!)

The show was an interesting experience and I'm glad I participated. Maybe I'll write about it later. Or not. It's been such a crazy couple of weeks that blogging hasn't gotten anywhere beyond the mental processing stage, so we'll see.

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments in the process! Be back soon. (I hope! Another busy, busy week is in full swing already!)

Hope your weekend was rocking and this week is looking good too.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Current Favorite Necklaces

I just love delicate necklaces. I seem to be wearing one of these almost every day.

This one is just a bit of upcycled bit of hardware I found.

And this one was from my honey for Christmas from lolabean.

Do you have something you wear all the time?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Amazing Empire Quilters' Raffle Quilt

Isn't this quilt just phenomenal??? It is the raffle quilt for our guild's show, which will be happening next week-end. I am selling 30 raffle tickets in support of the show. Anyone interested??? They are cheeeeeeeap! Only $1 per ticket, or 6 for $5. I know you want at least a shot at owning this quilt....and for $1??? You can't go wrong!

You can see more details about the quilt here. (Be sure to check out the details and the pieced backing.) Wow, I want this quilt!

UPDATE: A little more info about the tickets....I will be turning in all raffle tickets stubs and the money to the guild the day of the show (March 20th), a week later than they would be due if you were sending your money directly to the guild via mail. That means if you want tickets, you and I just need to have it all arranged before then...kind of like someone who goes to buy lottery tickets for the office! Just let me know and we'll find a solution. :)

p.s. I'll post about my show quilt too, including pics soon. :)

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Show Quilt. Done.


My image of accomplishment after a late, late night push to sew on the binding last night. It's finished. It's turned in to be judged. It's ready to show in 2 weeks.

Sigh of relief....

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Protecting growth


On a recent walk through a local garden, I noticed these little burlap fences. While I loved their visual impact on the garden (their color, their texture and how they redefined the space), I wasn't sure of their use. They were so fragile and so open. What could they possibly be protecting?

When I saw one of the gardeners, I asked. She explained that there are several types of heather in this garden and some are more fragile then others. These simple fabric fences surround the more delicate varieties, offering enough protection against the winter winds to prevent dessication and subsequent freezing. Clearly, the gardeners here care for each variety of plant in the garden with detailed attention to their unique needs. They make plans to ensure the growth and full beauty of all that grows there. They protect what needs protection. They nurture what needs more attention.

Could I be more like these gardeners? Could I can give a bit more attention, protection and care to what grows in my life? Can I be clearer in my intentions in choosing what I plant and how I nurture?

I can. I am.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Honoring YOU!!!

As I was writing down the names of those of you who put your name in the hat for my giveaway so I could, uh, put them in the hat, (see favorite, favorite hat below)



I found myself thinking how grateful I am for each of you and that I wanted to send this little scarf...

...to Bumblebeans for her ongoing efforts to use her creativity for the good of others....

...to Brenda for complimenting my quilt-making efforts when I was new to blogging and showing me see how inspiration passes from person to person....

...to Carolyn, for sharing quilts that inspired me to start a blog in the first place....

...to May, for being funny, open and honest in beautiful and unique ways....

...to Amy, (who lives in my home state!) for simply sharing her life...

...to Jessica, for sponsoring the Soup Swap and reminding me of the little pleasures in life...

...to Mom, for loving beautiful things and always loving me...

...to Alexis, for always finding the coolest things....

...to Megs, for sharing her voice of faith and hope...

...to Amy, for being the first person to really show me what a blogging community is about through her friendship...

...to Kendra, for her enthusiasm and creativity and for extending friendship...

...to Latharia, for amazing me with her energy and generosity...

...to Jean, for creating such beautiful art...

...to Jen, for loving her family and the adventure of her life...

...and anyone else along the way who has made the little collection someplace I like to sit and visit awhile.

Alas, I have only one scarf to give away tonight. And so it goes to.....

(interlude with hubby assisting with very formal drawing)


Jen! The newest visitor to the little collection! Congratulations Jen!