Thursday, December 29, 2011

Amish Hash Browns

This morning I had a house full of boys (3 young men-age 17 and 1 hubby) Thomas had a few friends over to play x-box and watch movies..... the last one standing remembers looking at the clock around 4-ish this morning.  Being the awesome mommy that I am, I decided to make them a large brunch.  The menu consisted of 'Auntie Vivian's Banana bread, Egg bake and Amish Hash Browns.  Now I am on my way to my studio to come up with some new ideas.... or finish up some old ones and UFO's.

Makes 10 servings
Amish Hash Browns
From allrecipes.com

Ingredients


1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 onion, minced
1/4 cup vegetable oil


Directions


In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder. Add potatoes, 1/3 cup of oil, eggs and onion and mix until evenly blended.


Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop heaping tablespoons of the potatoes into the hot oil, flattening slightly. Cook until browned on the bottom and then flip and cook on the other side. Keep in a warm oven while frying the rest.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who

Isn't it adorable!  Especially with the Cindy Lou Who Mug
that my sister gave me for Christmas!
I know that Christmas is past, but I'm still enjoying my tree and all of the other goodies that go along with the season.  This year I was more Grinchy than Cindy Lou Who-ish.... often muttering " I must find some way to stop Christmas from coming...." Several times I thought about dressing Wilson up like Max. But Christmas came just the same... I find that I am able to relax and enjoy the season after all of the stressful Christmas preparations are done.  Unfortunately, I was shopping and wrapping right up to Christmas Eve this year.  Again, like last year, I will vow to be more organized next year!  So to remember Christmas this year I have drawn up this Grinchy Mug Rug to share with you!  The free pattern can be found on my website.  (Look for the Grinchy Green button on the left hand side) It's fun to make up, get a head start for next year!  There's a little bit of Grinch in all of us. Remember... "The Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day!" We all find the joy in the season, it just took me a little longer this year.
Instead of cutting one 7"x10" piece for the front like I wrote in my pattern.  I pieced together a few left over strips to create the front of my mug rug.

Here I have all of my Grinch pieces lined up and ready to be ironed.  Remember it will be a 'mirror' image from the pieces that you traced onto your heat n bond.

I am sewing on the binding onto my mug rug.  Notice that instead of doing a blanket stitch around my applique pieces.  I used invisible thread and 'quilted' a scant 1/8" from the edge  to secure my design.

All ready to sew on the eyes and nose and hand stitch my binding... almost done!

The Grinch!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Fat Quarter Bundle- Blogger's Choice

Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle Competition
There's this great contest going on over at Quokka Quilts along with The Fat Quarter Shop I had fun coming up with my 15 fabrics for a bundle.  (12 prints and 3 solids) I looked for a collection for a Civil War themed quilt.  Felt it would be a good choice since I have been on a Civil War Journey with the Doodle Blog.  I think this collection would be lovely together.  Here they are....

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!
Wilson and I would like to take some time and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  The presents are wrapped, Grandma's quilt is under the tree, the cookies are made.  I just finished making chicken wings and barbecued ribs for Christmas Eve with my family. 
We're looking forward the smell of cinnamon rolls baking on Christmas morning.  Wilson is all ready for the Holidays and is wearing his jingle bells.... it sounds like Christmas as he prances around the house.  Sounds like one of Santa's reindeer, especially when it's two in the morning!  We are looking
forward to taking some time off  and spending time visiting our family and friends. 

May Santa spoil you rotten and the love of your family and friends surround you this joyous season...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Peppermint Meringues

I love meringue cookies so I thought I would make some.  Last year I blogged about my 'Forgotten Kisses' which have been a family favorite for years.  (I'm making 14 dozen of these for the cookie exchange this Wednesday) This year I am trying a new recipe that I thought I would share with you... they look so festive on the cookie tray.  These would also look so cute packed in a Holiday cookie gift box for the neighbors....

Peppermint Meringues
from: allrecipes.com

2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Sprinkle with salt and cream of tartar; (I also added 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract);  beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased foil lined baking sheets; sprinkle with the crushed candy.  (I also sprinkled red edible glitter on the cookies) Bake at 225 for 1-1/2 hours.Turn off heat; leave cookies in the oven with the door ajar for at least 1 hour or until cool. Store in an airtight container.  I doubled the recipe and got about 4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!  Happy Holidays!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Flaky Monkey Bread

My boys love Monkey Bread and I found this recipe on the economy sized box of Pillsbury's Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls that I purchased from Sam's Club. I thought I would give it a try, how can it go wrong, butter, sour cream, sugar.... yum!  The smell of cinnamon is filling my house as it bakes.... an easy breakfast so I can go quilt some more.

Flaky Monkey Bread

3/4 cup chopped pecans (I used walnuts)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cans (13 oz each) Pillsbury Flaky Supreme refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing

Heat oven to 350. Grease or spray bundt pan.  In a large bowl, mix the pecans, brown sugar, butter, sour cream and vanilla.  Separate rolls in both cans and cut into quarters. Add dough pieces to the pecan mixture; toss gently to coat.  Spoon mixture into pan.  Bake 30-40 minutes or until deep golden brown.  Cool 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; remove pan.  Spread with glaze. Serve warm.

12 servings.... maybe 4 with my family....

Saturday, December 17, 2011

FNSI and a Winner!

So it was the FNSI that wasn't.  Note to self... do not go out with the girlfriends before FNSI.... even it it's just for appetizers and drinks.  Here's what happened... it was the Secret Santa 'reveal' at Teresa's for appetizers and drinks after work.  It was a long really really long week at work so I ordered a Margarita, wanted the fish bowl sized Margarita but settled for the normal sized one, some guacamole and chips, had some laughs, a really great time with all the girls.  Got home early, 5:00 pm early!  In time to tell my boys there's cheesy potato soup in the crock pot for dinner.  I actually planned ahead for FNSI!  Decided I would sit down for a minute or two before I start sewing.... fell asleep!  ASLEEP!  My sweet husband woke me at midnight, so I toddled off to bed.... mumbling that I missed FNSI.... darn margarita....

So in an effort to redeem myself, I worked on my quilting today.  Kim's quilt is finished for her son, got the binding sewn on.  Started some more mug rugs and worked on some applique.  Oh, Santa, please sprinkle me with some more magic glitter.  There's so much to do.

"Blog Hop Give Away from Quilt Doodle Designs"
Before Wilson and I announce a winner, I want to thank everyone who has been following me so far and those of you who are new followers too!  The Blog Hop was so much fun!  I enjoyed checking out the blogs and am looking forward to reading them... The Quilt Doodle Doodles has been a terrific journey so far and I look forward to all of the projects yet to be done!  To choose our winner, Wilson and I assigned everyone a number that follow, then numbers to those who emailed me and left comments too. Wilson and I went to random.org to draw our lucky winner!
And the winner of the Snowman Pattern Collection  is............... drum roll please... 'roooo roooo roooooo!' Wilson can't wait to announce the winner, he's soooo excited............Lee D! Congratulations! Lee, please email me your address so that I can send you your prize! Congratulations!!

LeeD said...


"love snowmen, so these patterns would be perfect to make. thanks for the chance to win them."




Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Give-away!

Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways


Ho! Ho! Ho!
Christmas Give Away!!!!
It's a Blog Hop Party!



You could win this set of four Quilt Doodle Patterns!

It's easy... just post a comment to enter to win.... Want to up your chances to win? Well to get an extra name in the bag, click 'follow me' too! Want a third name in the hat?  E-mail  me and tell me what you are currently working on.  I would love to hear about it!  On December 17th Wilson and I will draw and announce the lucky winner!  Check out the other blogs in the Blog Hop Party, there's all sorts of goodies that you could win!

It's been busy here at Quilt Doodles, Santa's little elves have been working so hard to get ready for Christmas.  Don't forget this Friday is also FNSI.  I will be working on some Holiday projects, hope that you're able to join us!

And don't forget Quilt Doodles is having a SALE on our Etsy site.  With the coupon code, (remember you need the code to get the discount) ~~~~ JINGLE~~~~~ you will receive 25% off now through Christmas  because I feel it's never too late to work on those holiday projects.  So grab a hot cup of coffee, or tea stop by my Etsy shop and take a look, enter my give-away, check out the other give-aways, and plan your projects for FNSI.
Happy Holidays,

Ho Ho Ho!  Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!


 





Tuesday, December 6, 2011

I Love Sock Monkeys!


Isn't it cute!
 I am in love with sock monkeys.  They remind me of my childhood.   I never had one, always wanted one.  My childhood friend, Leslie, had three of them.  A little family... so cute....
so, I'm making  a sock monkey.  Not a family of sock monkeys, but a goofy one for  a member of my family.  Shhhhhhhhhh, it's a Christmas gift. The rage seems to be these character ski hats, I'm sure you have seen them, zebras, koalas, pandas on the kid's heads lately.  Well I found a sock monkey ski hat!  A hat!!! It's sooooo cute! I found the pattern from Sandys Cape Cod Originals. She has an Etsy store too. The hats are sooo darn cute. I'm in love with the Santa hat too!  In fact I've ordered that also.  Do you think I'll get one done for Christmas?
Isn't this hat just adorable!  The pattern includes infant to adult sizes... so much fun to wear while playing in the snow!
This  FNSI I might just be working on one of these projects!  I know, another project started.... I really must get back to my Civil War Quilt.....   I also want to make some snowman mug mats, have to finish quilting two quilts, pin a third and fourth quilt.... it's almost Christmas. That insane time of year where I think I'm super mom.  I'm sleep deprived and really think that I am sprinkled with Santa's magic glitter.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Oyster Cracker Snack

I tried a new recipe today, a really quick recipe.  Not many ingredients takes 2 minutes to throw together and about that long for the family to mow through it, so make a bunch.  You won't be able to stop munching on it!

Oyster Cracker Snack Mix

2   10 oz packages oyster crackers
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning (oops, I forgot this when I made it...)

Place crackers in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; pour over crackers and mix well.  Let stand for 2 hours.  (my boys found it before the two hours were up.... half of it was gone when the buzzer rang...)  Store in an airtight container.

enjoy!