Cute Frown?

Cute Frown?
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

He was perplexed by the candle!

Did your holiday (if you celebrated) go as planned? Did the menu remain as planned?

I am apparently a go with the flow kind of gal.
1. I don't care for the whole "open the gift for everyone to see" idea. My mother-in-law loves it - she wants to make sure that everything is even steven - aka what her friends give to Jacob better equal what she gave to their grand children... (issues, I know.) But we do it anyway - or it has already been done for us. (Yes, she pulled a gift out of a gift bag for us.)

2. I planned for chocolate cupcakes for desert - we separated the Birthday from the Thanksgiving. Which was a brilliant idea because i had to wash & change the baby after the cup cake.

3. I planned on cooking "everything" on Thursday. I then saw that someone cooked the bird the day before & heated it up on Thursday - I did that & it worked out perfectly! (I also did the cranberry sauce & cupcakes a day or two before.)

4. I planned on:

Brussels Sprouts (roasted) - 2 bags, only did 1
asparagus (roasted) 2 bunches (unchanged)
stuffing two ways (unchanged)
acorn squash (roasted with a brownsugar rosemary sauce) - 2 squash (only did 1)
potatoes - planned on baking 2 or 3 - I found tiny (big grape sized) potatoes that I split & half & roasted - I got 2 bags cooked one
Sweet potatoes - planned to roast them with thyme - baked them plain
cranberry sauce - made 1 lb. to plan - did not get to the recipe that would use some of the rest...
Made pumpkin cookies for desert - was not on the original plan (I have more dough in my refrigerator that needs to be baked soon.)
Made banana bread for desert - was not on the original plan

As you can see - in addition to left over turkey, I have several raw vegetables to take care of in the near future.

Any leftover turkey recipes out there? - that don't include dairy products or "cream of" soups? (I did make a carcass soup & froze some of it.) Or general ideas on how to use leftover turkey? (I froze a breast, but I have several "cups" of turkey chunks.)

FYI - that "skin" only part that is in the crook of the turkey wing - you know it, right? I took a bite of it on Saturday - that is the flavor of Thanksgiving for me. I was so satisfied - but I ate the whole wing, skin & all anyway.

gift quilt

gift quilt
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Anyone recognize the skyline?

This was a non-secret going away gift for a member of my sew-n-tell group. She & her husband are moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

I am really please with how 12 gals did this 1 quilt & our fearless leader was particularly inspiring when she chose the oddly shaped sections - mine was shaped like Nevada (The one with the 2 airplanes in the sky). I was afraid that mine was a bit to sedate when I saw the others - but the overall effect is nice & all of the pieces work well together.

The best part - my block was 100% from my stash! There are definite shadows - so I went right to my "cat fur" fabric stash & used cream/brown, black/gray combinations.

It was nice to see this quilt & the gals prior to the departure - but they did not need anything more to pack!

Makes you want a cup of cocoa, huh?

Makes you want a cup of cocoa, huh?
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Thanksgiving/Birthday we so well. I did not get around to making a bundt that I had planned on making & I simplified the sweet potatoes, but there were no complaints - everyone liked everything that they tried. The Vegetarians did not try the turkey & my GF did not try the brussels sprouts.

Today, we are off to the "MAUL" (Well the Penneys part of the mall) for 12 month old photos. More fun than you can shake a stick at, huh?

Happy First Birthday!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Wordless Wednesday

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

I don't think I shared this one yet

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

My little girl chaneling her inner ____________ (Insert you favorite pianist/composer).

Or just scratching her itch.

Wisdom from the cat

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Apparently there is a thin line between petting a cat & using his body heat to warm up your hands... I may have crossed that line.

Out & About

Out & About
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Nothing to do with the photo, but I was just thinking that I hadn't thought much about dinners this week. Beyond Thanksgiving & tonight... But I am making porcupine meatballs for dinner tonight - 16 meat balls, so those will be served again tomorrow night. & we all create Thanksgiving leftovers - not to mention that my MIL will be in town, so we will probably be eating out... So I just need to decide what to eat on Wednesday night - sounds like PIZZA - out!

I love the light...

I love the light...
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

The only thing better than having scrambled eggs & pancakes (from IHOP) is sharing them.

Oh & I love how the filtered sun light streamed through.

All in all, it was worth the wait. (I went at 10-ish on Sunday morning...)

current project - aka design wall project

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Why yes, this is quilted & the binding is attached. & yet it is still undone - & by my estimation this probably will remain undone until New Years! *
"Why?" you ask. Because I used a black background - the scattered cats & a black binding - the polka dot.
& just for the record, when I got that Laurel Burch print for the border, I thought that its background was also black. It's not... the block is Jacob's Ladder & it pieced scrappy black on black (& dark variations therein) with brights!
For the record, this quilt is as big as it can be & still be long arm quilted... AKA big King.
* about all I can stand to do is one length of thread a night...

HELP - Have you shared a crock pot chili recipe on your blog?

I know that once upon a time ago - maybe a year, a quilt blogger shared a crock pot recipe - where she raved about a brand for the beans or tomatoes... She even got a goodie bag from the company after the post. I tried & liked the recipe... I even saved the recipe (or so I thought) but I can not find it...

Help a gal out - was it you? Does the scenario sound familiar?

(I found my copy of the recipe - but I still have no idea who shared it originally. I am going to make it for my mini-group next month since I know that sweets will be covered.)

party

These photos are a bit old, but they are from the first birthday party that Jacob was invited to.
I probably showed this one already - one of my favorites from the day.
BUBBLES!
An octagon shaped donut - perfect height for the new creeper. (as you can see from the kids in the background, the median age was 3 - so Jacob was a bit young - but not the youngest.)
Grin :o)
Not so happy in the ball pit.
PIZZA! I ate the pizza, he had the crust & loved every bit of it!

mea culpa

I mentioned my winning a bloggy prize earlier, but I failed to show it...

Here is my goody BAG!

I stole the photo off of Karol-Ann's blog, but it is mine, all mine - except for the bib, that is for Jacob & that dinosaur will be for Jacob as well if I ever get my act together & make it into a bag - to hold his burgeoning supply of TOYS!
Click here to be directed to Karol-Ann's blog & then you will get to see the exact same photo. :o) I'm bad that way.
Thanks again!

Its what's for dinner

Spaghetti & meatballs

chicken & stuffing & brussels sprouts

brisket & egg noodles & carrots

salmon patties & edamame

dinner out

Thanksgiving menu - as it stands right now

Turkey

stuffing

cranberry sauce

brussels sprouts

asparagus

sweet potatoes

white potatoes

chocolate cupcakes - someone will turn 1 on Thanksgiving, so we need some cake!

What are you making for Thanksgiving?

paper...

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Said in a Lord of the Rings, "My pretty" manner.

I can't blame him for preferring the paper, he got a size 2T snow suit - which will come in handy next year. :o)

His birthday is still two weeks away, but I was not going to try to keep a tissue paper wrapped gift intact. (That & I have no self control.)

Ack

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

The first 15 seconds explain why I took this video. But I have to ask, "Where did he learn to do that?"

Happy Veterans/Remembrance/Armistice Day

"For your tomorrow, we gave our today." Major John Etty-Leal

I am unsure, but I do believe that there are no more veterans of WWI still alive, we have lost that human link.

Think about it & thank a veteran.

& If you like me are a fan of BBC America, you have been seeing a lot of paper poppies on lapels & probably wondered about their significance.

Here is the story (or at least one story):

So many of the fields in Europe not only were natural habitats for poppies, but were also the battlegrounds of WWI. The poppy became inexorably linked with the slain soldiers of WWI. Tragically, when WWI was not proved to be “the war to end all wars”, the poppy remained a constant symbol for those who gave their lives so that the world would eventually know peace.

In the Commonwealth Nations, the poppy is worn on Armistice Day (November 11) to commemorate veterans and civilians of WWI and the subsequent wars. In the US, poppies are worn on Memorial Day (last Monday in May) in memory of fallen soldiers, and on Veterans Day (November 11) in honor of veterans who are still living. Canadians wear poppies on Remembrance Day (also November 11) and New Zealand and Australia wear them on ANZAC Day (April 25). from Bellaonline.com.

(I remember as a child seeing them in the States - I think that we gave them out as girl scouts... but I haven't seen them here in years... Have you? Do you have any memories of those paper poppies?)

Standy-uppy

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

He has been standing without holding on for about a week. But when I was ready to video it, he kept bending his leg so that he could sit - stinker. I outlasted him. :o)

New Skill!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

For quite some time he has been able & has loved taking the rings off - carrying them around & shaking them. This was the first (o.k. second - the first one happened without my video) time that he put the ring back on the cone!

On the move!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

I love how he stops to sit!

On the move! (Posted by my cat, so I'll leave it - even tough it is a double.)

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Anyone want to go to the park

Teeter Totter - he loved it!
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Jacob loved the teeter totter!

They are not up & down with two people like they were when we were kids. They are now spring loaded, so you can totter on your own - as long as your mommy pushes it so that it goes up & down.

Wanted

I want a good vegeterian (no oysters, milk, etc.) bread stuffing (butter/margarine - o.k.). I also want it to have pedestrian (no chestnuts) ingredients. Can you help?

On my design grass!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

The lightest part on the edges is the backing - I had to make sure that it was big enough. I cut my fabric purchase so close on this one. i was being "frugal" & only got 5.5 yards for the back instead of my ususal 6 - I'll never make that mistake again. I sent along some muslin for the leaders on the long arms & a mea culpa.

Oh & my husband officially does not like this quilt. Hopefully it grows on him because it is going up on the wall above our couch as soon as it is 'Done Done.'

Any one want to go for a walk.

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Did anyone miss me? This past weekend was my first days not blogging since September.

On Saturday, we went to Baltimore to see my grandparents & father who was in town from Texas. By the time we got home, I had the worst headache, so I missed blogging. On Sunday, when I realized it, I decided that I could/would go back to being fairly dark on weekends & holidays.

On Sunday, we ordered Jacob's first birthday cake - it really must be happening...

On Friday, he had his longest stand without holding anything. :o)

To keep this a quilty blog, I pieced my back & hopefully it will be in the mail to the longarmer today. It was funny, because while i was piecing, Jacob pulled himself up onto my sewing (TV TRAY) table & was peeking at me through the arm of the sewing machine while I peeked back at him. When he got around the table I scooped him up & put him on my lap. He wanted to push the puttons (Good thing my Pfaff has a locking mechanism!) because he is such a good helper. then I put him in the chair behind me giving me just enough time to finish the seam!

It's Friday!

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

This is just a random photo of Jacob on my bed right after we made it.

Today's post will be one of those "Does Anyone Else Do That?" posts. (AKA analyzing toe lint.)

While watching TV - do you leave to Google what you are watching?
Specifically, there was a movie on Georgia O'Keefe not too long ago. My husband started to watch it, he then got up & googled her. By the time the movie ended & I had seen about her husbands affair, etc. he came back to tell me that her husband had had an affair, etc. My husband does this quite frequently!

Also I like to watch BBC America - specifically the Jonathan Ross Show & Graham Norton's show - in addition to Top Gear & Dr. Who - I can go on... While those shows entertain Hollyweird celebrities, they also chat with Chavvy Britons - who we have not heard about over here. So I have been known to also run to my trusty Google & look them up.

Please tell me that we are not alone.

Knitter for Hire?

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Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

1. Jacob needs a scarf. The local "We sell everything for babies" store does not have any scarves. Jacob has a nice fleece hat/mittens set, but he rides the bus to day care so he needs a scarf. Tweedy brown in color - nothing fancy just warm & hopefully less scratchy than the sweater that I am wearing today.

2. box + cat = boxkitty & here is Rhapsody in the Starring role. She was most delighted when that package of fabric arrived.

3. My borders are all attached, now to piece the back & wait for the binding fabric to arrive.

4. I won a blogiversary present. Thanks again Karol-Ann.

French General progress & WHAT THE HECK!

So you know that I got 5 charm packs & several yards - one of which was the solid "Roche" for my Stacked Coins quilt.

On Monday, you saw the in progress shot of my coin sewing. Here is another on my Dining Room chair (Is anyone still wondering why I like this line?)

Those are my columns of coins. What's next? Cutting the solid sashing, right? Right.
Its a bit fuzzy, but you can see the brown "decoration" that is on purposely put about 1 inch from the selvage on an otherwise solid piece of yardage, right? WHAT THE HECK! (I saw some of this in my charms while sewing, but I thought that it was an error & I got a bad pack, oh well - Keep sewing.) The width of that brown "Decoration" (THAT no one mentioned, when advertising "SOLID" Roche) is about 1/4 of an inch, so I cut my selvage off right up to the dots. For the most part the brown "decoration" is in the seams. & Boy are they lucky that even with cutting more off of the selvage edge than anticipated I still had long enough strips with about 3/4 of an inch to spare.
O.K., so I went back to verify - they call it "Texture" not Solid. - YET Here is the description verbatim from the shop where I made my purchase:
Rouenneries by French General for Moda Fabrics
Inspired by vintage French textiles, Rouenneries is sophisticated and elegant! The color palette of faded reds, pearl and oyster offers the look of aged tapestry. This collection includes 36 pieces, and presents a wonderful array of large, medium and small scale florals along with coordinating solids. Surround yourself with the rich colors and prints straight from a beautiful French chateau! We also have the woven and silky companinion fabrics for this collection along with all the cut goods.
Never do they mention a Brown "Decoration" 1 inch in from the edges.
I eventually got the center portion sewn together:
& I am pretty happy with the randomness.
Onward to getting a top pieced:

As of right now, I have three borders attached - I just need to press the one on the side & attach the last side.

Now to purchase a bit of faded red for the binding.

Any ideas on quilting?

It's what's for dinner

I mentioned previously that I got this chicken recipe here. But I just spent too much time trying to find it over there, so I am typing it out here too. Maybe that way I can find it easily next time. Maybe not...

Neil Sedaka’s Chicken
Adapted slightly from a late 1970s NY Post interview with Neil & Leba Sedaka

1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 roaster chicken, in eighths (skin on or off, your choice) I use boneless skinless breasts
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. prepared mustard (I used one with whole mustard seeds)
4 Tbsp. ketchup
(I am probably going to double the sauce - you'll see why in a minute.)
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Spread half of the onion in a layer on the bottom of a roasting pan and arrange chicken skin-side up (even if you have removed the skin) on top. Add remaining onion on top of the chicken. Sprinkle with vinegar and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Mix garlic, mustard, and ketchup together and brush over chicken and onions. (I am going to flip the chicken pieces around a bit so that the sauce is on both sides.)
Bake for an hour and a half, turning once, until chicken is cooked through. Serve hot, room temperature, or cold straight from the fridge.

Laundry guard

Laundry guard
Originally uploaded by aviva_hadas

Not quite the plan buy if it is warm, he will find it! He has actually burrowed himself in better in the past.

I cut my sashing strips & sew some on my French General quilt last night. Woo Hoo!

Oh & for all of my chatter in meal plans & such - I decided quite at the last minute that "if chili is good, then Frito pie is better." So we ran to the grocery store for Fritos & salad. :o)

What is on your design wall?

The General! Someone said to me the otherday, "That line sure is popular." Well I hope ot have this quilt done while it still is popular!

I have all of my 10 pieced columns done. Now to cut the sashing...

While I was pressing, Jacob was snacking

or playing.

Meal plan

Today I made Cincinnati Chili for tomorrow's dinner. & may I just say for all the years that I watched WKRP in Cincinnati that it is a good thing that I do not live there, because I could not spell Cincinnati for the life of me. But I made enough Cincinnati chili to freeze some for later.

On Tuesday we will have chicken with brussels sprouts - probably using the Neil Sedaka recipe.

After that we have planned three things that can be easily pulled off the shelf or out of the freezer, pierogies, pasta, & pea soup that I froze the last time I made it.

What do you have planned? Do you plan? Do you stick to the plan?