Monthly Archives: September 2016

2016
09/16

Category:
quilts

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9 Patch Quilt

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This 9 patch quilt finished at 50 x 50″.   These patches started as 2.5″ square and ended with a  finished 9 patch 6″ square.    I used a different machine to finish.  The machine I was using is having issues with the feed dogs and timing system which means the machine needs to back to be repaired. This will be the 4th time this summer.   Maybe, just maybe, they can get it right.

 

2016
09/15

Category:
food
Garden
Knitting
Life

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Zucchini is done!

 

img_5290Since tomorrow is the day to post our knitting this week, it is time to show that some progress has been made.  These were started mid August, so my goal will be to finish them by the end of September.   Since I’m on the foot, I should be able to achieve that (pending interruptions in the schedule)

This is what I wrote yesterday.   “So tomorrow’s goals are to finish weeding the hoop house, make bread, pick apples, and finish the quilt and to make applesauce” .  So who thinks that actually happened?       Instead, this is what happened.

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img_5284The olive bread and rolls were made and another sponge is started.   The apples, hoop house and quilt were untouched.   They go on tomorrow’s list.

img_5287Instead, today the 9 huge zucchini called to me, and I made 18 cups of relish,

img_528830 patties from a recipe my sister sent me.   Most of these are going into the freezer.  There is a large kettle of grated zucchini in the refrigerator that I will cook into soup for the weekend and 16 cups of grated zucchini is now in the freezer.   There are only 2 very small zucchini left and they will go into a salad.  There will be no more zucchini this year as I pulled the plants.

img_5283These peppers

img_5280and these carrots, along with some previously picked onions were part of today’s ingredients.   I did can 7 pints of applesauce out of previously picked apples.

img_5289This was a lovely small sugar pumpkin until the chickens found it.   They also enjoy doing this to carrots and beets.   So we just plant enough for both of us.

 Tonight I get to crawl into nice clean sheets to dream about the new adventures awaiting me tomorrow.

Then we picked corn, green beans, beets, and carrots with which to play tomorrow.  And we must not forget to pick the apples before the raccoons and deer get to them.

 

 

 

2016
09/14

Category:
Life

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Little inconveniences

img_5268Sometimes it doesn’t pay to try to get something done when you’re in a hurry.   I put the binding on one side and was going to get this side done to have something to show you.   Well I do have something to show you, but not a finished quilt.   The loops are on the back, so two sides were done, before I discovered this.  Tomorrow, I will try again.

img_5265Here is the gang coming to get me to come feed everyone.   They often show up half an hour early and let me know it is TIME.

Speaking of time, are you having trouble with things taking up the time you want to do something.    Today was gym – totally on the schedule, and then a Dr. check back for DH.  Well, the doctor is new and decided to go through all the history for the last 20 years.  When was the last time you had an hour and a half with your doctor?   However, most of the news was good, a couple things to be followed up.   So now the schedule is off because most Dr. appointments are 10-15 minutes.   The attorney called and wants a paper initialed.  No problem, the day is killed anyway.   At least we had the dolmas ready for lunch and as they and the salad are eaten cold, that was good.   Not so good is that I took the sourdough starter out and it is still waiting for me to make some bread, so after this, I will go do that.

And the hoophouse – it has fewer weeds, but is only about 1/3rd weeded – and they are all small weeds.  As soon as it cools down a bit, we will put in the lettuce for the winter.  The apples that I was going to make into applesauce tomorrow are still on the tree.   So tomorrow’s goals are to finish weeding the hoophouse, make bread, pick apples, and finish the quilt.   The apples will wait a bit to become sauce.  Who of you think this will all get done?  Or will some other exciting interruption happen.      I do love the days when I can really get into a project and I’ll probably have more of those days when I get old, so no rush.

 

2016
09/13

Category:
food
Life

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How to make Granola, Tabouli salad and Dolmas

img_5256 My claim is there are very VERY few recipes written in stone.   In fact, those would be canning temperatures and times in my book.   So with that information, today I made up new basic type recipes that you are free to alter to your tastes.

How to make GRANOLA.

  • 15 cups of oatmeal and other grains of your choice.  Mine was all oats today because that’s what was in the pantry.

  • 3/4 cup of honey – heated to distribute

  • 1 cup of coconut

  • 1 cup of almonds – chopped if you like

  • 2 cups sunflower seeds

  • 1 cup of hemp hearts

  • 1 teas sea salt

Dehydrate for 2-3 days, rotating trays morning and evening.  When it is done, I will add some dehydrated blueberries and/or mulberries and maybe some raisins before storing.   As you can see, one can easily add or subtract.   The oatmeal, the honey, and some salt are the only constants.   I  keep the added items to fewer than half the amount of oats with which I start.   I try  to remember in the two weeks before I know I will have to make more to pick up extra items from the coop or the grocery store.    Every time you make it, it can be slightly different

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How to make TABOULI SALAD

Soak l cup of bulghur wheat in 1 cup of boiling water.  While doing that assemble the other ingredients.

  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill bulghur wheat

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 cups parsley

  • 1/4 mint (from your potted herbs)

  • 1/4 cup little green onions or chives

  • 1 medium to large tomatoes, diced – depending on your tastes

  • 2 medium (8″) cucumbers, peeled and diced

  • 1/3 cup pine nuts.

  • 3/4 teas salt

  • 4 T lemon juice

Mix all together and serve cold.

I keep mint, chives, parsley and other herbs in pots outside the back door for instant access.   This recipe is again very adaptable.  Use more or less of each of the ingredients as you choose as according to your families likes.

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How to make DOLMAS  – a Mediterranean food

This is the first time, I’ve made these and I think next time, I’ll add more herbs and spices as they are just a bit bland.  On the other hand they are meant to have a yogurt dip or dressing.   When we have eaten these in other countries and even locally, they are just too oily for our taste buds, which is why I made this recipe, after reading several on the internet.    I have grapevines from which I got my leaves.    Next summer, in July and August, I plan to make many of these and freeze them.    If you do not have access to grape vines, the leaves are sold in jars at the grocery store.

  • 16-20 grape leaves

  • 1/2 cup long or short grain uncooked rice soaked in a cup of water for an hour

  • 1/2 cup pine nuts (optional)

  • 1 T mint leaves

  • 1/4 C chopped onion (or chives)

  • 1/2 C chopped parsley

  • 1 t red chili powder

  • 1 t sea salt

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice  (another 1/4 cup later)

Drain, rinse an add all ingredients.   Mix well.

Steam grape leaves 2-5 minutes to make pliable.   Immediately immerse in cold water.  Dry – I patted them with a towel.

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Remove hard stem from leaf at base of leaf,  then lay shiny side down so veins are facing you on cutting board.  Place up to 1 T of mix on each, near where you trimmed the stem, then fold up and roll up to tip (not too tightly as it needs to expand).

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I then folded the “wings”  under the roll.

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I use a covered saucepan and placed leaves on the bottom but one could use thinly sliced carrots or potatoes on the bottom of the pan to make a bed for the dolmas.  Place the dolmas touching side by side in the pan and cover with 1.5 cups of water with the 1/4 c of lemon juice in it.   Place a plate or something heavy on them to keep them down while cooking.   Then place lid on pan.  Bring them to nearly a boil, then simmer for an about 45 minutes.   Check them at the midpoint to be certain they don’t run out of water.   If you like the oil, add 1/4 cup of oil the last 15 minutes of steaming.    img_5264Rest for 2 hours or until cool.   They are meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature with a yogurt/cucumber dressing.   (that I have not worked up yet.)

 If you’re not vegetarian, often times a lamb and rice stuffing is used.

I hope you’ll try one or more of these recipes and add your own touches to them.   I’d love to have you share back.

 

 

2016
09/11

Category:
Life
quilts

COMMENTS:
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16 patch flimsy

img_5254All those minutes here and there have produced a 50 x 63 quilt top.  Even though it used many 2.5″ squares, there are many more where those came from.   There may be several scraps blocks in the very near future as the scrap drawers are a bit full.

2016
09/11

Category:
Garden
Life
quilts

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A few minutes

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Just 10 – 15 minutes here and there can make a big difference in a project.  Most of these blocks were made with minutes here and there.   Here I have laid out the blocks that were on the board in the order that I wanted to sew them.

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Then I gathered them into piles with each row kept separate to sew them together.

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With just half an hour, I was able to put this strip of pale green down the sides and

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here they are waiting on the ironing board to be pressed and cut apart when I have a few more minutes.   In this way, I can get much more done, then if I have to set aside a larger space of time.

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They are cut apart and are being put back up on the wall, waiting for the next step.

 

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Yesterday the pumpkins were picked and some headed home with daughter and her husband.   They don’t look all that big in this photo, but that post is an 8×8.   There were 6 large, 6 medium, and 6 small.   The plants did a great job of producing some of each.

img_5255Today. the hoop house received new skin and the vents were moved down low to better suit our needs.   This has been an all day job, with two men working all day, another doing odd jobs and part of the day, I played go-fer.

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2016
09/09

Category:
Life
quilts

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16 patch and mistakes

img_5244These 16 patch blocks were made as 4 patches and then put together as a larger 4 patch.   Most of these fabrics were from left over pieces of other quilts.   When I have leftovers, often I take time here and there to cut them into usable sizes.   Sometimes, I do leave larger pieces for applique.  However

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I make mistakes, especially when I am in a hurry.  Last night was one of those times.  I was in a hurry to get the block made and instead of cutting 2 7/8″ blocks for the triangles, I merrily went my way cutting 2.5″ blocks.   Then I realized that was not going to work.   Not to worry however, now I have many dark green blocks cut for the next time I need 2.5″ blocks.   Mistakes happen and when they do, I just try to make the best of them.

Have a blessed Sabbath tomorrow.   We will have company joining us for lunch.

2016
09/08

Category:
farming
food
Life
quilts

COMMENTS:
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Christmas quilt etc

 

Today I want to share with you a new pattern that found it’s way into my mailbox.   It is fairly easy and you might want to make it for Christmas.  And while here, enjoy looking around her sight. You’ll find the complete pattern by Debbie Kratovil:  http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com/2016/09/christmas-in-september-free-pattern.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DebbyKratovilQuilts+%28Debby+Kratovil+Quilts%29

 

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 I’m making it in colors and animals for fall.   If you do choose to make this quilt, make a note that “c” on the pieced block should be 6.5″ as it is incorrect on the pattern.img_5238 Also just a reminder to mark the sewing lines on the light fabric to make the half square triangles.

img_5241Here is the photo I promised yesterday – of Juliette and her two lambs who are slightly bigger at 4 months than mom.

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The sourdough bread turned out so good, that I made another batch today.   Today’s dough was even better than yesterday’s so I’m anxious to see how that turns out.   I have to wait because this rises 8-24 hrs in the refrigerator and is than baked.

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Oh, and this is exciting to me.  This is the first red pepper that I got to before the slugs.

 

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2016
09/07

Category:
farming
food
Life
Shopping

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Fast days

After breakfast and feeding the sourdough culture, the gym was first on our list today.   On our way home, we received a call to come look over some house papers.

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Then it was time to make our first sourdough bread as the culture was ready.   As I was finished kneading it, the hay arrived along with Juliette (sheep) and her 2 lambs. Photos will be tomorrow, because when I get busy, I forget the camera.

img_5225Lunch was a stir fry as the rice was cooked and the refrigerator is full of vegetables.

img_5227Dessert was thawed strawberries over zucchini bread.   We often eat seasonally.

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Then it was off to the bank and the grocery store.  I needed olives to make olive bread.   As we were leaving, we received another phone call about more papers, only these had to read to be signed.   So we picked those up on the way out, went to the bank, where the machine ate some of our deposit,(bank official is taking care of that), then off to the grocery store for olives.  Above is the bread, which the directions tell me to rise overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature in the morning before baking.

We signed the papers and returned them on the way home.   Now the title search should be set in motion.  I love these full days, but I feel like I’m watching life whiz by.

2016
09/06

Category:
food
Knitting
Life
Serger
Sewing
Shopping

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Socks and honey

IMG_5219Slowly, but surely, with little minutes here and there.  The gussets are nearly done.  I think I’m a slow knitter because it takes me 18-20 hours to do a pair of socks -time dependent on how much cuff and how many stitches I drop and have to pick up and how many times I have to lay the project down and pick it up again.

No photo, but I spent an hour in the dentist chair this afternoon having 2 small cavities filled.

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On the way there, I stopped and bought 2 gallons of honey from a friend who has many hives of bees and has them at various people’s farms.   I learned that our hardware store now sells food grade buckets for food.  And guess what,  their logo gets spread around.  DH believes that everything one sells should have something to help sales.   This qualifies.

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The last thing to purchase was a storm door for the hoop house which will be recovered this weekend.

IMG_5220And here’s a HINT: for all these holidays coming up.   Buy yardage, serge or hem the edge, pop it on your table to look all cheery and when the holiday is over, you can save it for next time, or make something else from it.