Finally!

It’s hung! 

Okay, it’s partially my fault because I couldn’t find the ‘perfect’ rod but finally, I did and finally, Mr. PQ  did his thing with the drill and it’s up…and I love it!  My A Primitive Garden quilt finally has a permanent home in our den.

In order to free up some wall space large enough to accommodate the quilt, we had to do some rearranging of the furniture.  So come along with me and I’ll take you on a little tour.

The quilt is hanging on the wall to the left as you enter the den.

Then, as we travel clockwise around the room, there’s the outside wall or the one with the window.

Continuing in a clockwise direction is the wall with the sofa.  This is where I read and do most of my stitching…if I’m not at the kitchen table, i.e.

Then there’s the last wall that backs onto the hallway.  You can see some things in the corner on the floor that I had to remove from the wall in order to hang the quilt.  Now I need to find a new home for them. 

And back to where we came in…

As soon as the weather cools down, we’re going to take the room apart again in order to paint and then I’m going to do some stencilling.

While we’re at it, follow me into the garden.  The mid summer perennials are in full bloom and it’s very peaceful and quiet…except for the chickadees who keep on reminding me that it’s time I start to fill their feeders.

In the foreground, the red flowers are perennial hibiscus.  When fully open, the blooms are as large as a bread plate.

Here’s a closer look.  Isn’t it beautiful?

I think I’ll cut some rudbeckia when we’re done to freshen up my indoor bouquets.  I love these flowers and you can find them in several beds throughout the garden.

Here’s a new one I started in the Spring from a tiny cutting, surrounded by Datura, or Angel’s Trumpet.

It’s so peaceful at this time of the morning.  Hummingbirds drink water from the cup and saucer.

Everything seems to to be waiting for Autumn to arrive…

With the cooler nights and shorter days.

Even Mac…who’s just chilling and waiting for the squirrels to waken.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

You’re All Invited…

For dinner, i.e.

And if you can’t make it, then here’s what we’re having and how I prepared it…just in case you might want to give it a try.  It’s easy-peasy and ever so yummy.

Prep time: About 40 minutes…depending on how quickly you chop.

Cooking time:  About an hour and a half at 350 F.

What’s it called?  I don’t know but I call it Stuffed Zucchini…done my way.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Either 1 large zucchini sliced in half from end to end or two ‘pat-pan’ round ones.

Cut the top off as you would when carving a pumpkin and scoop out the innards.

Gather together all the ingredients…brown or whole grain rice, diced tomatoes, small portabella mushrooms, 1 pound of lean ground beef, about a 1/4 cup of chopped onions and a 1/2 a pound of bacon.

Cook the rice according to the package directions and allow to cool while you prepare the rest of the filling.

Cut up the bacon in to small pieces and sauté until almost done.

While the bacon is cooking, chop the onions…

And slice the mushrooms…

Then add both to the bacon and cook until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms just softened.

Remove from the pan and transfer to a holding dish.

Cook the ground beef until done and drain.

Then transfer everything to a large bowl, including the cooked brown or whole grain rice and the drained diced tomatoes.

Salt and pepper to taste and stir thoroughly until mixed.  I prefer not to use salt.  I chose not to add any other spices because the diced tomatoes that I used had garlic and basil already added.

Spray your pan with Pam.

Set the zucchinis in the pan… 

Then pour a can of tomato sauce into the bottom of the pan.

Fill the zucchinis with a generous amount of the stuffing…

And top with grated mozzarella cheese.

Cover or tent loosely with aluminum foil…

And bake covered in a 350F oven for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove from the oven, uncover, add a bit more cheese and then bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese turns a golden brown.

The table is set, and dinner will be around 5:30 p.m.

Oh wait…and there’s German chocolate cake for dessert!

Shall we set another place…or places?

Kaaren ♥

A Child of the 60’s & 70’s

How many of you remember poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes? 

If that’s too far back for you, then how about Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Peter,Paul and Mary or Bob Dylan?

What about Woodstock, Haight-Ashbury or the Village in New York?

I know I’m really dating myself, but those were the “good old days”…the days that had a direct influence on who I was then…

And who I am now.  *wink*

And do you remember go-go boots and the disco era of the 70’s?  I do.  Funny thing though…I was never into go-go boots then. 

But times change and so do tastes.  I’ve mellowed a lot since then.  Now, I’m into Go Go of a different kind.

This kind…

An Accuquilt Go machine!

I found out this morning that I am the lucky winner of an Accuquilt Go machine in the giveaway that Cindy had on her blog!  The best giveaway ever…a superb product and a one day giveaway with no strings attached.  My kind of giveaway!

Thank you Cindy and thank you to the amazing people at the Accuquilt company for their generosity and support to our industry.

I can’t wait to get GO-ing!

Kaaren ♥

Wool Crazy Round Robin and Pincushion Exchange

There are four of us who are taking part in this Wool Crazy pincushion round robin…myself, Lori, Karen and Paulette. 

How ours works is that each individual player designs her own background out of wool and in the crazy quilt style.  It can be any shape but the size in this instance is limited to 8”.  I am also taking part in another RR and showed you how I constructed my base for that one HERE.

Each of us decides upon a theme and then appliqués their design in wool on the base.  Once that is done, it is sent on to the next player who adds their design and then forwards it on.  The round robin is complete when all four players have appliquéd something on each of the four pincushion bases.  

Here is mine which will be sent on to Karen and she will add her magic touch to it.

And a little closer up…

My theme will be determined by Karen because she can continue with the Fall theme or add another season, bird, etc.  When the pincushion finally reaches home after making the rounds, it is up to the ‘owner’ to decide whether to add anything or to leave it as is before turning it into a pincushion. 

I’m also taking part in a pincushion exchange on the Jo Morton Stitchers yahoo group.  I completed my pincushion yesterday morning and am working on a couple of other goodies to include in the package before sending it off.  It is an original design and I’ve been asked by one of the gals to offer it as one of my FFF’s (First Friday Freebie).

What do you think?

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

Raggedy & Friends – Block 2

Where has the month gone?  I can’t believe that it’s time for Block 2 of the Raggedy & Friends BOM.  For those of you who may have missed it, you can find the link to Block 1 here or on the right sidebar under the Raggedy & Friends button.  And speaking of the button, please feel free to grab it and place it on your blog with a link back here for anyone who might visit your blog and not know about it.

To date, there have been just under 3,000 downloads of Block 1.  It is so neat to have photos of completed blocks sent to me from all over the globe.  Some I’ve already shared with you and today I’d like to show you three more.

Here is Sharon’s version.

Here is Pamela’s…

And here is Wilma’s from the Netherlands done in what else but Dutch blues!

No two that I’ve seen have been even remotely the same.  Thank you all for sharing!

So without further ado, here is Block 2.

You may download the PDF file including the picture, line drawings and instructions HERE.  Once you are there, please remember to click on the blue download button on the left and then simply follow the instructions.

Oh and before I forget, Darlene from Quilting Daze has tried a new-to-me product called Transfer-Eze which she talks about and demonstrates here.  For those of you who don’t like to transfer patterns, perhaps this might become your new best friend.

See you on the 20th of September for Block 3.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥