Design Wall Monday

 

Scrappy Baby Girl Quilt Tops

Design Wall Monday

These quilt tops were made from my mother's scraps during my stay in WV. They are made from soft flannel. these kept me busy during the snowy days that kept us inside the house! I need todecide how to quilt them so I put them on the design wall today.

When I started sewing scraps together I was planning on one top but got two. I did have to buy a yard of pink flannel for the outer sashing on the first quilt and bindings.

 

I will probably do some easy meadering in between the sashings and in the ditich stitching around the perimeter.

It was hard saying goodbye yesterday to my parents but I had to get back "home" in Tulsa where my life is now. Had a great visit..lots of family time, snow, quilting, crocheting and reading. Now back to work!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Cranberry-Orange Coffee Cake

Who says we only use cranberries from Sept till December? I love the tart, fresh taste of cranberries all year long. I sustain my love for these berries by buying mutiple bags and freezing them so I can use them all year long. The wonderful thing is you can use them frozen just as much as you can use them fresh.This coffee cake is easy because it starts with a cake mix. The cranberries takethis coffee cake to another level. I make it all year long. Many people "think" it has cherries in it!! No matter what they think....it is good stuff, especially on a snowy winter day with a hot cup of tea.

We have had snow in WV this week. See the deer tracks in the backyard? They are looking for something to eat too! Wonder if they are smelling the coffee cake in the oven?

Cranberry Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 orange

1 box yellow cake mix ( 18 1/4 ounce)

Eggs and vegetable shortening according to the cake mix directions

1 12 ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons water.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 cake pan with cooking spray.

2. Using a zester, scrape the orange peel to yield 1 tablespoon of orange zest set aside. Then squeeze the orange into a measuring cup. Set 2 tablespoons of the orange juice aside to use in the glaze. Use the rest combined with water to make the liquid needed for the cake mix.

3. Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box, using the fresh orange juice combined with enough water to equal the amount of water called for in the directions.

 

4. Add the orange zest and mix well.

 

5. Fold in half of the cranberries.

6. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining cranberries over the top evenly.

7. Combine the pecans, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

8. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.

9. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes, or until a test inserted in the center of the cake come out clean.

10. Combine powdered sugar, 2 Tblsp orange juice and the water. Beat until smooth.

11. Drizzle this glaze over the top of the warm cake.

Now it's time to have a piece of this cake in front of the fire with that cup of hot tea and watch it snow!!

Happy Trials,

Mtn Mama

 

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Snowy Day

Snow, Soup and Scraps

Did you know January is National Soup month? Well, I didn't until I read it today. I am visiting my parents in WV and today we had about 6 inches of snow. It is beautiful. You see...I love snow. I am so happy to be here during this storm.

This picture was taken through my bedroom window. I love the woods at the edge of my parents property. This is the same bedroom I grew up in from the time I was 7 until I left for college. There is something very comforting about coming home. I get to be a child again. I am blessed to have both my parents living and in good health. Thank you Lord for family.

We spent the day inside. I got to visit with a friend I hadn't seen in years. We went to high school together and she lives near my parents so she was able to come over before the weather got too bad. It was great seeing her and catching up. I am blessed with many good friends and people in my life. Thank you Lord for friends.

Since it's National Soup Month we made soup today for supper!!

 

Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

28 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 can corn

1 can RoTel (tomatoes with chilies)

1 pkg Taco Seasoning Mix

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (dry)

1 quart water

Tortilla chips, grated cheese ( you favorite blend) and sour cream for toppings

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef in large pot.

2. Drain the fat from the meat and return to the pot.

3. Add the remaining ingredients...yes everything including 1 quart of water to the pot and stir together.

4. You can turn the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes on the stove in the soup pot and it will be ready to eat or you can put it into a crockpot on low for 2 -3 hours and it will be ready to eat when you are. Either way it is a quick and easy meal.

 

5. When serving garnish with your favorite Tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream.

My sweet mother had bread dough in the refrigerator and panned out cinnamon rolls this morning. I helped her bake and finish them while I was making the soup.

Nothing better than cinnamon rolls on a snow day!! Goodness gracious that's good eats!!

I spent the rest of the day piecing together a baby girl quilt. My best friend from grade school had her second grandchild in October and I am a bit behind with this one but today was a great day to design, sew and complete the top of the quilt. I like it....the colors are light pink, hot pink, turquoise, and a print with all the colors in it. Mother had made a quilt from these fabric and I used her scraps.

Think it turned out well....What do you think?

It was another great day among the hills of West Virgina, family and friends.

Happy Trials,

Mtn Mama

 

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A Day in the West Virginia Hills

Friends are Forever....

I have the very best friends in the whole world. Today on day 2 of my WV vacation I picked up my good friend Mary and together with my parents we headed out to Parkersburg for the day to meet my college roommate. The drive was beautiful with small skiffs of snow on the northern mountain fronts, bright sun and lively conversation which made the 1 1/2 hour drive seem like only minutes. We were headed to the Coldwater Creek Distribution Center where there is a phenomenal outlet. One of a kind. It is where all the online orders are filled for the company. The clearance center is always an adventure. Today was no exception.

Besides shopping we were meeting my college roommate, Debby. It is the halfway point for us to meet when I visit WV. We took a break from shopping and ate at a local Cracker Barrell.

While having lunch Debby showed me the antique "Umbrella Girl" quilt that her Grandmother made her when she was a little girl. Sorry the picture isn't great but hey....we did what we could in the middle of a public place.

The appique is needle turn and the quilting is done by hand. It is exquisite! We had people ooohing and aaaahing beside us. Debby has given me several extra blocks she found that her grandmother did many years ago. They are the same Umbrella Girl block. I treasure them and someday will put them in a quilt. I began teaching Debby to quilt about 5 years ago and she is addicted like the rest of us. We have "Quilt Camp" in Tulsa every year. Debby is coming to T-Town Jan 31 for a week to sew on a very special quilt. Her son is getting his PhD this year and she is making a quilt for his advisor. Isn't that great? We will show pix when we get it started..

Debby surprised me with this wondeful cake today! This cake has a history with Debby and me.....we have been eating them since college (1973 -1977). The Bonnie Bell Bakery in Clarksburg, WV makes the most delicious vanilla layer cakes that I have ever eaten. We have celebrated many occasions over the 41 years since Debby and I first met but each one is just as special as the last and always with a Bonnie Bell cake. Today we celebrated our friendship and being together again....which is something worth celebrating!! Having Debby as my lifelong friend has been a precious gift from God. Today we celebrate my coming home to the mountains, friends and family that I love!!

Besides Coldwater Creek there is another "junk" type store in Parkersburg which has the greatest books at discount prices. As many of you know I have a "Thing" for cookbooks...especially at great prices. This is my "loot" for today. I will love looking and cooking from these beauties.

As you can see my trip is full of friends, family and all the things I love....especially snow and the mountains. Tonight and tomorrow we are expecting 3-5 inches of snow, blustery winds and temps around 5 degrees tomorrow night. I LOVE it!! Sounds like a day to stay in....make soup (I have a plan and will share tomorrow!).... and quilt ..(I have a plan for that too!!!) So stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures in the wonderful WV hills!! How appropriate this was the cover of the bulletin Sunday in church....

And so it shall be tomorrow.......God is so GOOD!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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California Cheesy Vegetable Soup

This soup brings back lots of memories for me. I started making this soup as a "new wife" over 30 years ago. I had just discovered the "California Blend" frozen vegetables. This recipe was in a seasonal cookbook in the 1980's. Since then I make it as my "comfort" food when the air is cold and I need some "comforting". It is easy. I even put it all (except Cheese) in the crockpot on low for 4-6 hours then add cheese at the end. It only takes a few minutes for it to melt in the hot soup. Either way this is a quick soup that is full of veggies and flavor.

California Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 quart water

2 chicken bouilion cubes

1 cup dices celery

1/2 cup onion

2 1/2 cups diced peeled potatoes

1 cup diced carrots

1 pkg (16 ounces) frozen

California Blend Vegetables

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubes

Directions:

1. Bring water to boil in a large soup pot.

2. Add next six ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until all vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

3. Stir in chicken soup and cheese; cook until soup is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Yield - 3 quarts (10-12 servings)

Crock Pot Method

1. Combine all ingredients into the crock pot except the cheese.

2. Stir to combine.

3. Set on low for 4-6 hours.

4. Uncover and add cheese. Stir. Cook uncovered for 5- 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

This week I am enjoying time with the family among the "West Virginia" Hills. Last night we had a little snow to welcome me "home". Looking forward to lots of time with loved ones both family and friends. Time to read, sew, cook and rest. Isn't that what a real vacation is all about....doing the things you love to do but don't have time for in your daily living?!!!

We will see what great recipes we try this week!! I already have a baby quilt pulled from my mother's stash to start tomorrow.

Happy Trials,

Mtn Mama

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Work in Progress Wednesday

Baby Nine Patch "Leftover" Quilt

This baby quilt was made with leftover blocks from the Snowflake Nine Patch Quilt below. Mother put the center blocks together and I added two borders from my stash to finish the top. It has a completely different look than the original quilt.

This is going to my "soon to be born" grandson's quilt. I want to finish it this week and use on the table as a cover during the "Sprinkle" that my other daughter and I are hosting Feb 1st for baby "TJ". It will be done...I am good at deadlines.

Snowflake Flannel Nine Patch

The top to this quilt was pieced by my 85 year old mother. She keeps me busy quilting her tops. I meandered the entire quilt. Nothing fancy but the quilt is soft and very functional. It is going to be a gift. Gotta get a label on the quilt and get it in the mail tomorrow. I am trying to label all of my quilts again this year!!

 

 

 

Mother also made the top below for this baby quilt. I told you she keeps me busy!! It is a gift for my dear friend's next grandchild. I love flannel quilts. They are my favorite. This one is soft and made from random blocks mother had left over in her stash. She said...."There will never be another quilt like this one!!!" I love the pastels and all the different prints that blend together.

 

 

Now they wait patiently in the sewing room for labels.

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Work in Progress Wednesday

Scrap Happy

I started a scrappy quilt while hanging out at the lake last week. I got all 20 blocks made. They are made of 64 two inch squares alternating light and dark. So many memories as I sewed all of those squares together.

I set my scrappy 64 patch blocks with 2 inch sashing strips of a washed blue fabric with dark red cornerstones.

 

I used a two 1/2 inch white on white sashing around the perimeter of the quilt. The outer shashing is a floral print on a stone washed background.

This quilt is going to be a wedding present for a couple getting married in March. I have a pale gray fabric that is being washed for the backing.

Tonight I sewed the label on the Christmas Quilt I finished last week. It is going to be a 50th wedding anniverary gift for a dear couple that lived across the street while I was growing up in WV. All packed up and ready to go!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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