Sunday Soup-athon

Minestrone

  2  cloves         garlic, minced

1/2 C                chopped onion

  1 T                 olive oil

  1 C                 chopped yellow sweet pepper

1 1/4 C             coarsely chopped zucchini

 28 oz               beef broth

 15 oz               cannellini (white kidney) beans,

                             rinsed and drained

  8 oz                green beans, trimmed and cut into

                             1 1/2-inch pieces

  1 C                 dried mostaccioli pasta

  1/4 C              coarsely chopped fresh basil or

                           2 t dried basil, crushed

   2                   medium tomatoes coarsely chopped or

                            1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

   2 C                fresh baby spinach leaves

   1/4 C             shaved Parmesan cheese

1.  In a large pot cook garlic and onion in hot oil until tender, stirring occasionally.  Add sweet pepper, zucchini, beef broth, and 2 cups water.  Bring to boiling.  Add cannellini beans, green beans, pasta and dried basil (if using.)  Return to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

2.  Stir in tomatoes, spinach, and fresh basil (if using.)  Remove from heat.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.  If desired, top with shaved Parmesan cheese. 



    Whenever possible use fresh ingredients.  This is a very healthy soup!

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

The Quilt Fest of New Jersey
2012

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!

Sharyn

Show & Tell Tuesday

Show & Tell Tuesday

Today for Show & Tell Tuesday I will share two very colorful quilts I made a few years ago.  I love how bright colors can make a quilt so cheerful.  I hope you enjoy these quilts as much as I do.

The first quilt I made is called Jenny's Flower Garden, and it was pieced and quilted in 2009.

Jenny's Flower Garden

I followed an Irish Chain pattern and used almost all stash fabric.

This is the first quilt that I attached a pieced border.  Each scrappy square finished at 1 1/2".  

The final quilt measures 86" X 86".  I love to display this quilt at the foot of my bed.

The next quilt is very different from the first in that it only measures 21"X24".  It is similar in that it also is very colorful.


Twist and Shout

I made Twist and Shout entirely from stash fabric.



I made this cute little quilt in 2008.

Jenny's Flower Garden and Twist and Shout are two of my favorite quilts.  Although they are so different in size and different in purpose, they both make me happy.

Words of Wisdom

Never underestimate the power of simple courtesy.

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn

Make-A-List Monday

Make-A-List Monday

March is here and it is time for another Make-A-List Monday.  First, let's see how I did with last week's list:

1.  Go to Lancaster for the day.  Those of you who follow my blog know that I spent last Wednesday in Lancaster, PA...my Happy Place!

It was a beautiful late February day with lots of site-seeing.  We visited five fabric shops and had a delicious Amish inspired lunch.

2.  Attend The Quilt Fest of New Jersey in Somerset, NJ.  I was lucky enough to attend the Quilt Fest on both Thursday and Friday. 

The quilts were gorgeous as you will see in my Wordless Wednesday post in two days.  The picture above is just a tease of some of the pictures you will see on Wednesday.

3.  Go to Kindred Quilts in Clinton, NJ for Saturday Sampler class. 

This was the last month for the current Saturday Sampler quilt. 

4.  Make two Dear Jane triangle blocks.

The first triangle was appliqued and the second triangle was paper-pieced.  Currently I have completed 144 blocks and 36 triangles for a total of 3,732 pieces. 

5.  Work on TOP secret Baby Boy Hutchinson quilt. 

This is just a tease of a small portion of the quilt.  It is a secret after all!

Now, for the first Make-A-List Monday list for March...

1.  Finish Baby Boy Hutchinson quilt.  The quilt top is complete; now I have to quilt it.  Because of the nature of the blocks I will have to quilt this on my DSW.  

2.  Visit Pennington Quilt Works for Quilts for Kids and Saturday Sampler.  This is the second month of the current Saturday Sampler.  I am doing both the Stonehenge colorway and the Stella colorway.
 
3.  Meet my Dear Son, JT, for lunch.  I can't wait!!!

4.  Register for classes at Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA for July. 

2011 Best of Show

 There are two classes that I really want to take.  In one there are only 24 seats available.  I sure hope I am one of the lucky people to get in the class.  Registration does not start until March 10th at noon.

5.  Complete two more Dear Jane blocks.

6.  Complete quilting my Jelly Roll Race Quilt.

Jelly Roll Race Quilt

This quilt is made with one jelly roll.  The strips are joined end to end and then it only takes five seams to complete the quilt.

That's it for this Make-A List Monday.  It should be a busy and fun week.

Words of Wisdom

Outer order contributes to inner calm.  By doing a little each day, you can accomplish a lot.

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn

Sunday Soup-Athon

Mexican Chicken-Tortilla Soup

*   2 medium          chicken breasts

*   1 can (14oz)      reduced-sodium chicken broth

*   1/2 C               chopped onion

*   1 clove             garlic, minced

*   1/2 t                ground cumin

*   1 T                  cooking oil

*   1 can (14oz)     no-salt added diced tomatoes, undrained

*   1 can (8oz)       tomato sauce

*   1 can (4oz)       whole green chilies, rinsed, seeded, and cut into thin

                               bite-sized strips

*   1/4 C                snipped fresh parsley (or 1/8 C dried flakes)

*   1 T                   snipped fresh oregano (or 1 t dried oregano)

*   4 (6 inch)          tortillas

*   1/2 C                shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

 

1.     In a large sauce pan or pot combine chicken, chicken broth, and 1 3/4 C water.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.  Remove chicken.  When cool enough to handle finely shred chicken; set aside.  Strain broth. Skim fat from broth and set broth aside.

 

2.     In the same sauce pan or pot cook onion, garlic, and cumin in hot oil until onion is tender.  Stir in strained broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, chilies, parsley, and oregano.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.  Stir in chicken; heat through.

 

3.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375*F.  Cut tortillas in half.  Cut each half crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips.  Place tortilla strips on a baking sheet.  Bake about 10 minutes or until crisp.

 

4.  Ladle soup into bowls.  Sprinkle each serving with shredded cheese and top with tortilla strips.  Serve immediately.   

 

                                                 

Yum Yum!!!

 

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

 

Sharyn

 

 

Foodie Friday

Italian Patty Melts

• 1          egg
• 1/2 C    spaghetti sauce, divided
• 3 T       seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 t     black pepper
• 1 lb       ground beef
• 2 T       butter, melted
• 1/4 t     dried basil
• 1/4 t    dried parsley flakes
• 1/8 t    garlic powder
• 8         slices Italian bread
• 1/2 C   shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1.  In a large bowl, combine the egg, 1/4 C spaghetti sauce, bread crumbs and pepper.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Shape into four oval patties; set aside.

2.  Combine butter and seasonings; brush over both sides of bread.  In a large skillet, toast bread until lightly brown; set aside.

3.  In the same skillet, cook patties over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.  Spoon remaining spaghetti sauce over patties; sprinkle with cheese.  Cover and cook for one minute or until cheese is melted.  Place burgers on four slices of toast; top with remaining toast.

Words of Wisdom

Grab happiness in the passing moments of life.

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn





Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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