Paper copies, progress and a recipe

It was a great mail day here yesterday as the paper copies of "Quarters Sections" arrived from the printer.  They are available in the Etsy Store or if you are close by,  just give me a call.

 I also made a little more progress on the "Yellowstone" inspired quilt top.  Reached the halfway point, which is always exciting!

And every once in a while I like to share an interesting recipe that I come across.  I have tried this one about 3 times now, and it was a big hit with the whole family.  Nothing healthy about it, but it was a real treat and super easy to do.  The recipe for this One Pan Easy Fettuccine Alfredo can be found on the No. 2 Pencil website.  Thanks Melissa it was delicious!

Joys of Summer

 Summer is fleeting.  I am trying to enjoy it before it is totally gone.  I'll show you a little quilting first.  This is the smallest piece I have ever put on my longarm. I could have easily done this on my sewing machine, but it would have taken me longer to get it set up, than to get it quilted! I decided to try some swirls ala Angela Walters.

This became a new pencil case for Kendra to take to school.  I used this free pattern & tutorial from Craft Passion.  I really like the internal gusset, but those corners were not a fun time!

The girls chose an interesting menu for their supper night last week.  They wanted boiled eggs and cinnamon buns!?!  They thought they would add berries and cream and some sausages to complete the meal.  I was a little worried about the idea of cinnamon buns, but I didn't want to discourage them, so I found a recipe with enough instructions that I thought would be manageable.  I did check in on the dough before they let it rise, but they really did it themselves. They turned out great.  Hopefully there will be a repeat performance of this one!

We spent last night on the lake.  It was the perfect evening.  Nolan caught 4 pickerel - 2 were too big to keep, but we will all get a taste at supper tonight!

And some harvesting and canning from the garden.

Here is my recipe for Crab Apple Juice.  If you have a bountiful tree like I do, it is one of the easiest things you can make.  I think we did 6 batches which resulted in 27 quarts of juice - glad this one is done and that my a/c was working!

Crab Apple Juice

12 cups crab apples (or whatever apple grows in your yard)

5 tsp. cream of tartar

20 cups water

sugar to taste (1 - 1 1/2 cups)

1. Wash whole crab apples.
2. Remove stems and blossom ends, cut into halves or quarters.
3. Sprinkle cream of tartar over apples.
4. Pour boiling water over apples and let stand for 24 - 36 hours.
5. Drain liquid through five sieve, or cheesecloth.
6. Bring liquid to a boil and add sugar to taste.  This will depend on the sweetness of your apples.
7. Boil for 10 - 20 minutes.  Seal in jars.

This has definitely become a family favorite, especially if someone feels a cold coming on.

The Easiest Roast Recipe Ever!

I tried this recipe for the second time yesterday, and decided I just had to share.  A unique cooking method turns a usually tough cut of meat into a delicious meal, and it has quilting time built in!

1. Preheat oven to 500 F.

2. Season an Eye of Round roast with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning blend. (I used Montreal Steak spice). Place in roaster, no cover, no water.

3. Place roast in oven for 7 minutes per pound.  (5 minutes per pound if your roast is 5 lbs. or larger).  Set your timer, for me that was 21 minutes, as my roast was about 3 lbs.

3. Do not be tempted to leave your kitchen at this point.  Your oven is on at 500 degrees!!  I used the time to peel potatoes, carrots and wash some lettuce.

4. When you hear the timer, shut your oven off.  Do not open the oven door or you will spoil the whole thing. Let the roast sit in the oven for 2 1/2 hours.  (At this point it is probably best to leave the kitchen and do some sewing so that you won't be tempted to peek).  Here is the end result.  Seared on the outside and tender and a nice medium on the inside.

My family was very happy with Monday night supper, and I didn't spend too much time in the kitchen!