Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Stuff!

There's a hint of Fall in the air this morning.  We got some much needed rain yesterday and as it cleared overnight, we were gifted with cooler, drier air.  

What a great night for sleeping!

Mr. Painted Quilt and I have been sharing in the Ollie sitting and training duties which has allowed me some free time to work in my sewing studio.  I was able to complete the fifth block of the Comfort & Joy quilt hosted by Anne at Cottons 'N Wool and am currently working on September's First Friday Freebie.

My appliqued blocks are done in wool-on-cotton and I'm using mostly homespuns for the piecing.


  
If you'd like to see the blocks that the other gals have done, be sure to visit Anne's blog by clicking on the link above and then on the names within the post.  It's fun to see all the different versions and interpretations of the same design.



At yesterday's hooking group, my friend Diane brought in some zucchinis from her garden to share with us all.




I took two home and made these zucchini loaves last night. 



Ollie kept me company as I did the prep work, sleeping at my feet just in case I needed some help...or in case I dropped something.




Here's the recipe...

Zucchini Bread

3 C flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1 C vegetable oil
2 1/4 C white sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 C shredded zucchini
1 C chopped walnuts (optional)
1 C raisins (optional)

1. Grease and flour 2-8" x 4" loaf pans.  Preheat oven to 325 F.

2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda and cinnamon together in a bowl.

3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together in a large bowl.  Add sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat well.  Stir in zucchini, nuts and raisins until well combined.  Pour batter into prepared pans.

4.  Bake for 40-60 minutes or until tester in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes then remove from pans and cool.


Yesterday we picked the first crop of tomatoes from our kitchen garden.  In spite of the very hot and dry summer, we're pleased with the yield and there promises to be lots more.



I envision many salads, grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and baked tomatoes in our upcoming meals.



Ollie is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds and he's not doing too badly for an eleven week old pup.  Of course some days are better than others and I have to keep reminding myself that he is still a baby.  Just one look at that face and all is forgiven.


Honest, Mom...it wasn't me.  Frankie did it!
Have a super day!



34 comments:

Wendy said...

How could you resist that adorable face. All these recipes showing up on the blogs is tempting. Fall must be coming if we are all thinking about comfort food.

Karen said...

I wish I liked to garden and cook like you do. You are always fixing something yummy. We don't have a place for a garden.

You have made great progress on your Comfort & Joy quilt being as how you got a late start. I am enjoying making mine as you seem to be too.

Diane H said...

Thanks for the recipe, Kaaren. I actually had to buy zucchini yesterday as I didn't plant any this year and haven't run across anyone trying to unload it. Ollie is growing up so fast!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Kaaren, your block is beautiful; zucchini bread looks delicious and Ollie is just too cute!! TFS

Diane said...

Your block is so pretty! I love the way you did the star. That little Ollie is so adorable, I just fell in love looking at his photo!

Quiltgal said...

Ollie continues to be a living doll. Your Loaves look delicious. I was thinking that Apple Crisp time should be coming up soon.

Janet O. said...

Lovely block, Kaaren.
Maybe I need to whip up some zucchini bread with the generous crop everyone is sharing with us. We don't grow it because there is no need--everyone else does. This year my cukes have taken over the garden. Grew a new variety and I've never had such a harvest.
Ollie looks to sweet to ever be guilty of anything! : )

Deb said...

The bread looks delicious! What a cutie, I'd just like to squeeze him just once!

WoolenSails said...

We got the rain too and such a beautiful day today. I will take this over the hot summer days. I got my tomatoes in late, so I am just getting them now, and hope it doesn't get too cold so I can get enough to make a pot of sauce.

Debbie

Janice Smith said...

Ollie is cute as a button. When I went on the sun porch last night to check on my puppy, I found her with one of my leather sandal straps which was unfortunately no longer attached to the sandal. I could have sworn that I had put them up high enough out of Emma's reach when I slipped them off; I was wrong. Oh well, it's all part of the joys of puppyhood!

Darlene D said...

Loving the cooler evenings and today was much fresher!

Abby and Stephanie said...

I think Frankie deserves extra love for taking the blame for Ollie! :o) Very pretty block. Don't you just love Summer harvest!

Angie said...

So many yummmy goodies, fabrics, food, sun warmed tomatoes, and a little white pup...Life is good. :)

gracie said...

Ollie and Zucchini Bread...wonderful!

Mrs A said...

gorgeous block, and such a cutie patuti that little dog!

Trish said...

Your block looks great and I love to see photos of Ollie! He is so adorable!!

Betsy said...

Kaaren, it's so nice to read about your adventures in the garden and Ollie. You are right. He is irresistible.

Elyte said...

I can almost smell that yummy zucchini bread. The usually cheap zucchini is very pricey at the moment so I might try that recipe next season. Your tomatoes look delicious. We have had some lovely early spring weather here in Melbourne and I have already seen many shoppers buying their tomato seedlings.

SueB said...

Now how could that little face get into any trouble? Your blocks look really nice. Love the homespun fabrics.

Miriam said...

Ollie is very cute!!!

Thank you for the recipe.

Your tomatoes look delicious!

Anne said...

Love your blue star. Might have to steal that idea from you! Thanks for the recipe, it looks yummy.

Pam in IL said...

Love the progress on the quilt.

I think I can smell that zucchini bread all the way over here ;) I need to make some bread with my zucchini too.

There really is nothing better than tomatoes from the garden! We've had so many this year, but I'm not complaining.

Ollie is so adorable!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

Love the zuchinni bread! Its my favorite at the holidays! With butter and grape jelly its the best!

Heartsdesire said...

What a sweet face, who could resist those eyes. It's starting to feel like fall here as well. Unfortunately, my zucchini plant did not do very well so will have to buy a few if I want to make that delicious zucchini recipe. Your Comfort & Joy block is looking good. You're going to have it finished in no time.

Elzaan said...

Lovely block and great applique work.
Ollie is just the cutest. How can be angry at such a pretty face?!
Congratulations on the yield of your garden. Those tomatoes look great. And so does the loafs!

Maxine said...

Love your quilt block. Thanks for the recipe. It's different from the one I've used and I am anxious to try it.

Lori said...

A lovely fall post, Kaaren!! Your section of Comfort and Joy is lovely!!

Ter'e said...

I could just eat Ollie up! He is simply a beautiful baby!!!!!! I love that last photo!

Cold I please have a cup of coffee and a piece of that zuchinni bread sent to me? We are floating away, here in FL.

Teresa F. said...

Who can resist such sweet eyes. He's growing nicely and looking more beautiful each day.
Thanks for your zucchini bread recipe, I have to try it.

Polly said...

Oh, Kaaren! I am torn!! I don't know which I want to see more of- your lovely stocking project or dear sweet Ollie!!

Jackie said...

Beautiful blocks you are working on.
I absolutely love the bright color of the tomatoes from your kitchen garden.
TFS.
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Your tomatoes are so gorgeous. Somehow, this year mine grew so weirdly! They are all finished here in TN, too - at least in the gardens on my block. I saw in the first post that you have banana peppers, too. I had one plant, and it must have produced 5 dozen peppers!

Simone de Klerk said...

Somehow I lost track of your blog. Lovely catching up with you. And your newest autumn project is so pretty!
I'm going to try to make Think Fall in turn appliqué. Not my favorite technique, but I do think i should give it another try. Your project seems perfect for it!
Love your new family member. Too cute!

Maxine said...

I made the zuchinni bread on Monday. One loaf is already gone. That tells you just how good it is. Usually I have to throw it out because it dries out quickly. Your recipe is very moist. I will make it again. Thanks for sharing.