That Wonderful Moment When...

...When you take the last stitch on a stitchery you've been working on for a long time.

And there she is!

She's the 2nd of 12 blocks for this quilt.  Here she is with the one from last month.

And the next time I work on this quilt, these two quilting snow ladies will join the party.

...When the furry nip fiend shows up.

Because you know that when your friends are close by,

You can accomplish anything.

...When Oregon strawberries hit the markets.

These were the reason I didn't do any sewing yesterday.  I walked with my friend Sue in the morning, and on the way home I got a yen for some strawberries.  I stopped into the local farm stand and picked up half a flat, and then stopped at a little market for some whole milk and whipping cream so that I could make home made strawberry ice cream.  It's a long process that generally takes two days.  First you hull and slice the strawberries, then mix them with sugar and wait while they macerate.  Meanwhile, you need to heat your milk, cream, and sugar mixture, then mix it with your egg yolks, then cook your custard.  Then you cook your fruit.  Then you strain the fruit juice from the fruit and put everything into the refrigerator to cool over night.  In the morning, you churn.  Not you, the ice cream.  

...When the ice cream reaches a thick enough consistency to add the fresh fruit.

And in two more minutes, it's ready for the freezer.  Yum.  The best strawberry ice cream you'll ever eat.  Want the recipe?  I can't post it because it's from a website that requires a paid membership.  But if you want it, email me, and I'll send it to you.  I think good food is meant to be shared...especially when it's ice cream.

...When you choose a winner for the latest NewFO Challenge.

Which I have done.  I notified the winner yesterday, but have yet to hear from her.  I'll give her until tomorrow, and then I'll choose a different winner.  If you linked up, better check your inbox.

...When the only thing standing between you and your sewing machine is...nothing!!

Today I'm continuing on with my doll quilt.  I'm hoping to get it top stitched, and then it'll be ready for the little bit of embroidery that I need to do to finish it off.  Then I'll quilt it, but probably not until tomorrow.  Smitty said I should give you another peek, but he's going to cover it up so that you can't see it.

Tonight we are going to a neighborhood get-together.  I'm bringing an appetizer.  We used to do these little get-togethers several times a year, but one person tended to do all the work, and gradually, they have tapered down to about one a year.  That's enough for me.  When you live where we do, it's good to know your neighbors.  If something happens, it's a bit of a drive into town to deal with an emergency, and our wonderful neighbors are always willing to help out.  We look out for one another when we get a big snow fall too.  Once a year, we get together to talk about anything new happening on our little hill, and we update one another on our comings and goings.  

So that's it from the Three Cats Ranch for today.  If you need me, I'll be in the sewing room.