Four Patches and Feathers

Retirement Quilt

This quilt is my latest effort in perfecting my feather. My 86 y/o mother made quilt top. I put the border on it and quilted it with my Tin Lizzie.

I quilted a circle of feathers in each of the white blocks. It gave me lots of room for practice. Being left handed I realize my feathers are "backwards" but if I try to reverse them it doesn't flow easily and they are not very pretty.

This border is a feather with a swirl inside it. I like it but there is definantly more thread in the spine where I had to backtrack to put the swirl in each fealther.

 

The four patch blocks were quilted with a large clover-like flower that matched the tone-on-tone print in the white blocks.

This quilt was made as a retirement gift for the secretary in my office. She really liked it. It is big enough to be a comforter for her bed. This is a bright, happy quilt that cries SPRING!!!! We need that this year after such a long, cold winter.

Nana has her arms full!! I am blessed and happy!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Circle of Life

Love, Loss and Life

 

Today would have been my 33rd wedding anniversary. Jeff and I were married over spring break in 1981. He was a second year medical student. I was working as a P.A. in Charleston, WV. We were young...life was exciting and we hit it together...full speed ahead. Over the next 30 years we had a family, developed his career as a radiologist and made our home in Tulsa, OK. I lost him in August 2012 to cancer. He was 55 years old. I miss him everyday.

Today I am in Charleston again only this time for the funeral of his only sister. She was 17 years older than Jeff and has had health issues for a long time. It will be quite an emotional day. I fly back to Tulsa EARLY (5:30 a.m.) tomorrow. Because it is spring break I was just lucky to get a flight. What a whirlwind trip. Lots of emotions. I spent last evening with my nieces. So glad I can be here to support them.

There is a circle of Life that keeps going even though we face hardships and losses. God sends us "Bright Lights" to illumiate the Dark Tunnels that we are going through. This little guy is shining example. Named after both of his grandfathers, Thomas Jeffrey, has unconditionally won the hearts of our family. Born over a month early, he is a fighter and a lover.

My youngest daughter, Kristy, or Auntie KK as we call her, is holding him proudly. Kristy is Jeff's legacy. She may look more like me but deep within she is her father's person. She followed his footsteps and is a physician. She is in the second year of her residency in Tulsa. Kristy has taught my a lot about love, faith and God's divine presence in our lives.

Jenny, mother of Ella and T.J., is my eldest daughter. She looks more like Jeff but has my heart and spirit. She is learning the ropes of having two small children and surviving without sleep. I am amazed at her strength. Jenny reminds me of an earlier time in my life facing all the things that young moms face on a daily basis. But as with all things this phase in the Circle of Life passes quickly too and there will be future challenges on a much larger scale.

And Ella....well, her world has been rocked and I do mean rocked. She has little brother on scene and life will never be the same again. Good...but not the same!! Ella has been the Shining Star in the darkness following Jeff's death. She has made me laugh over and over again with her antics. Nana and Ella are BFF's.

So had it not been for that wedding on March 21, 1981, I would not have all of this joy in my life today.

I thank you Lord for Jeff and the richness that he brought into my life. I thank you for family, children and grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews. My heart is sadden at the loss of Jeff and his sister, Toni Lee, but I know they are rejoicing in heaven with You Father. I pray that as we continue on this earth we will feel Your Presence among us, seek your will in our lives, and carry out the work that You have created uniquely for each of us for. May we always see you as the ultimate Light in the dark tunnel of this world and seek to follow the light.

MATTHEW 8:12

Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying,

I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Flourless Lactation Cookies- Don't Let the Name Fool YOU!!

Don't these look great???? Well let me tell you, don't let the name fool you....they are wonderful. A giant monster cookie with dark chocolate and almonds. I am in love. These cookies are good for anybody...at anytime. Delish!!

My daughter, Jenny, being a new mama and nursing the baby, requested "cookies" that would help to produce more breast milk. I had never heard of lactation cookies but after a google search I found it was a popular recipe. Being somewhat skeptical I headed out to buy ingredients. I found Brewer's yeast at Whole Foods. I have enough of it to make cookies for a year. The other ingredients were common and easily found in any grocery store.

Flax seed is easy to find in bulk or 1 pound bags. I milled my "flax seed flour" in a small coffee grinder that I had. It worked just fine.

This recipe was found at www.organicmamacafe.com

Flourless Lactation Cookies

Wet ingredients

• 1/2 c. butter (softened)
• **16 oz REAL peanut butter – I used Jiff Natural chunky style. It worked great!!
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 T. real Maple syrup (optional)
• 2 t. vanilla

Dry ingredients

• 1/2 t. salt maybe 1/4 if you’re using really salty butter
• 3 T. Brewer’s yeast
• 1 c. flax seed meal (Grind the flax seeds in a coffee grinder for freshest taste.)
• 3 1/2 c. oats
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1 c. dark chocolate chips (or toffee, butterscotch etc.)
• 1 c. almond slivers

Preheat oven to 350º F

1. Stir together butter, peanut butter and brown sugar till thoroughly mixed.

2. Add eggs and beat till mixed.

3. Stir in vanilla and maple syrup.

4. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Nothing like biting into a pocket of baking soda. Yuck!

5. Use an ice cream scoop to shape cookies. Press flat on cookie sheet before baking. They are kind of sticky and a little hard to shape but press on. It is worth it.

6. Bake 17 minutes. The cookies should be chewy and soft, not crunchy. Your oven might be a little more or less so keep an eye on them.

 

This recipe makes a boatload ( 4-5 dozen) of cookies. They freeze well...so when you need a cookie you can sneak one from the freezer and nobody will know what you are up to!!

7. Pour yourself a glass of milk and nosh.

This little guy can't eat the cookies but is going to benefit from them nonetheless.

It doesn't matter if you need the cookies for the purpose they were developed for or if you are just being healthy these cookies are great!!!

Big sister is feeling left out of all this baby stuff. She is reclaiming her baby swing before little brother can use it!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Cheesy Good Potatoes

The Love Affair Continues......

I don't know if I mean hers with him or mine with both of them but I do know that it doesn't get any better than this!! What joy!! What a pure reflection of the Father's love for each and every one of us.

 

 

This year I have made it a point to label all my quilts. First I embroidered the label.

Then I added lace and sewed in onto the quilt that I gave my friend for her birthday.

For family dinner last weekend I made Cheesy Potatoes and rolls. Wonderful comfort food. The Cheesy potatoes and roll recipes came from the Six Sister's Stuff cookbook with a few of my own twists. You can find this and all their great recipes at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com.

 

Cheesy Good Potatoes

Ingredients:

1. 4 -6 potatoes

2. 1 can cream of chicken soup

3. 1/4 cup sour cream

4. 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

5. 2 Tbsp melted margarine/butter

6. 2 Tbsp dehydrated minced onion

7. 1/8 tsp garlic powder

8. 1/8 tsp onion powder

9. 1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Peel potatoes

2. Cut up them into cubes.

 

3. Cover potatoes in cool water and bring to a boil. Continue to simmer for 15 - 20 minutes until they are soft and fork tender.

 

4. Drain cooked potates in colander.

 

 

5. Add sour cream, cream of chicken soup, onion powder and minced onion, garic powder, salt and cheese.

You can use your favorite cheese. I used a tripled blend of sharp cheddar, american and swiss. Use what you like!!

6. Place cooked potatoes in a 1 quart baking dish or a 9x9 square baking pan.

7. Cover tightly with foil. and place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

8. After 30 minutes uncover and return to oven for 5-10 more minutes until browned and bubbly.

 

These potatoes are soft, creamy and just down right comfort food. Eat them with a meal or by themselves!!!

Is there anything better than potatoes and bread?? The hot rolls were divine.

Rising to the occasion!!

Browned and beautiful!!

Hope you enjoy these "comfort foods"!! Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a note and let me know you have been here!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Week 10 Sunday Stash Report

Sunday Stash Report

This week was very busy with a new baby and taking care of little sister not to mention that my parents came for a month long visit. They will stay at our lakehouse during the week and up to visit me and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren on weekends. Makes for a very busy time for me.

I did take time to finish several projects. Deadlines are great and I needed this quilt for a birthday gift. It will be in the mail on Monday just after I sew the label on it tomorrow.

Here is my report for this week:

Week 10 - Sunday Stash Report, March 9, 2014

Used this Week: 12 yards

Used year to Date: 15 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards

Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Net Used for 2014: 15 yards

A friend gave me this panel several years ago. I just LOVE it. This year in my bible study leadership council we have been learning the "Art of Sheperding". I wanted to finish this to hang in my office during the Lenen Season. It will go up Monday Morning.

I used my embroidery machine to do the beautiful stitching in the cornerstones. The rest I did FMQ on my Tin Lizzie.

I finished Mr Turkey Number 2. The first I did with a friend and this one is for me. I will be so glad to have him all ready to hang in November!!

This nine patch scrappy top was made by my 86 year old mother. It is brightly colored and squeels HAPPY!! I bordered, FMQuilted, and bound it. It is a birthday gift for a special friend who needs a warm hug....quilts can do that!!! In the mail it goes...after the label is sewn on it.

That about wraps up my week!! I am blessed beyond measure. God has given me two precious angels in my life!! Now if we can just keep her from loving him "to death"!!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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