6/8/13

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.



24 comments:

Kate said...

Congrats on finishing the stitching on Snow Woman #2. She looks great. AS does your strawberry ice cream!

Ranch Wife said...

Your snow gals are the cutest things! I agree - the last stitch is something to celebrate. And fresh, homemade strawberry ice cream?! Celebration x 2! Yum!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I just think your Snow Ladies are the cutest and #3 block is perfect for the next sewing session. Oh, we use to use the old hand-crank at every family re-union picnic at the lakefront. Everyone had a turn thru the day - everyone contributed to the meals (we ate all day) - and everyone caught up.

Quiltsmiles said...

Nice finish on another snowfriends block. You intriued me with your Strawberry ice cream recipe, could you share where you got it or the proper amounts? pleeeze.......! Thanks always my friend. Jane

Quilting Babcia said...

Snowladies and fresh Oregon strawberry ice cream! Can't improve much on this day!

Jocelyn said...

Your stitching is adorable!! Love the snow ladies.

Jocelyn said...

Your stitching is adorable!! Love the snow ladies.

Teresa in Music City said...

Wow! I don't know which I like best .... the amazing Snow Lady, the homemade strawberry ice cream, or furry nip fiends! Great finish! I love all the color in these stitcheries :*)

sophie said...

Do you think that cats believe those doll-sized quilts are really kitty-sized and meant for them?

The ice cream looks like it's going to be scrumptious ... and I love seeing your progress with the snow-women. What an adorable pattern!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Love your snow ladies so much. Just too cute.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Congratulations on finishing your ladies! A nice time to celebrate, I'd say.

WoolenSails said...

I love it when I finish something, such a wonderful feeling. Those are fun ones to do and you did a beautiful job on yours.

Debbie

Sherry said...

Smitty ids quite a tease, he keeps the secret very well. The stitchery is delightful as usual. You come up with such cute patterns!

Junebug613 said...

The snow lady turned out wonderfully, not that I expected any less! That Smitty is quite the helper! Ohhhh that strawberry ice cream sounds scrumptious.

Tami C said...

That last stitch on your Quilting Snowlady must have really felt good! Just looking at those strawberries made my mouth start watering. They looked so yummy, even before you mentioned the ice cream. Enjoy!

Michele said...

Yeah for you for a finish. Very nice. Thanks for the reminder to get my ice cream machine out. I forget a lot that I have it. Fresh homemade ice cream would be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Although I've thought the snow ladies cute before, this is the first I've noticed "retweet center' on the bird house. Now it is even cuter, plus finished.

And oh my does that strawberry ice cream sound good. Brings back memories of when I used to make ice cream. Long past.

Snoodles said...

Lovely way to celebrate...bet the ice cream was yummy!

Dar said...

Oh, fresh homemade strawberry ice cream and a finished block, as Martha would say "It's a Good Thing". Those snow ladies are sure cute. Working on them in the summer should keep you "cool". Your Smitty is such a tease.

Quilter Kathy said...

I just love these stitchery blocks...so adorable!
Thanks for linking up!

Brown Family said...

THe snow ladies are very cute. THe ice cream sounds wonderful!

Nan

Pieces to Love said...

Strawberry Ice cream is one of my favorites! Since I'm trying to shed some pounds, I will just eat the berries and skip the cream for now. Have a wonderful day!

Lynette said...

Oh! "Retweet Center" is wonderful! :D Well done, Barbara. And yes! We would love the strawberry icecream recipe over here. I've had it with all things processed, so we're adventuring into new territory for us and trying to go fresh on everything. Hope your get-together was nice - I've been mulling over trying to get an annual neighborhood party started up.

quiltzyx said...

Hooray - a last stitch! These are looking very nice, as usual. ;^)

The strawberry ice cream sounds yummy, but I know that I wouldn't do all the work. In fact, I usually use a 'no cook' ice cream recipe when I bring out the machine.