My Wonderful Little Red Machine

Have you ever heard of the Xpress Redi-Set-Go Cooker?? Well, I ordered one in March 2010 from QVC. (Unfortunately, it's no longer available through QVC).  I hate to admit it, but I have a terrible habit of ordering things that I think look really cool and then not really using them.  The Xpress Cooker was no exception.  I used it once or twice and then it was put away in a cupboard.  I had almost forgotten about it. I can't stand on my feet for long periods of time, so cooking breakfast really isn't an option.  I was telling daughter Mary how much I wished I could cook good things for the kids, and she asked me why I couldn't use my little red machine.  And so, I dug it out. I can sit at the table and use it there. It came with all these other pans (which I haven't tried to use yet) but the inside is non-stick.  A few weeks ago, I used it to make scrambled eggs for the kids and I for lunch.  I use egg beaters, which are convenient and more nutritious, and added a slice of fat free cheese when the eggs were nearly cooked.  It was delicious, and the kids were really impressed.  I know to most people cooking eggs isn't a bit deal, but for me it was a small victory. This morning I used it to make french toast, again with egg beaters and I added Splenda, vanilla and cinnamon to the egg mixture.  We all loved it, and the kids ate every bite.  They say that you can make a small cake in the bundt pan, but a small cake in my house would be ridiculous.

I think I may try to make heart shaped pancakes with some Bisquick Shake and Pour.  And who knew that Bisquick now makes Shake and Pour Brownies!!!  And now I'm thinking about little cocktail wieners and corn muffin mix to make mini corn dogs in the pan next to the heart shaped pan. Eureka!! the possibililties are endless.

Ramblings of a Dizzy Broad

All my best laid plans for the Christmas quilts have fallen by the wayside. My vertigo reared it's ugly head suddenly and without warning, and has left my world spinning - literally.  Usually it strikes in the summer when there's a lot of high humidity, so I'm not sure what kicked it into gear right now.  We've had a tremendous amount of rain, so maybe that's it.  I can only thank God that it hasn't been snow or we'd be up to our "well you get the idea" in the white stuff.  Sure would love to have some snow for Christmas, though.  The dizziness has interrupted my life,  I can't bend over, I can't put my head down or back, and any sudden movement results in the room spinning.  So, sewing has been out of the question.  It's getting better, so hopefully I will be able to return to life as I know it very soon.  I've been spending most of my time watching Christmas shows, both for kids and adults.  And I introduced Izzy and Jake to "Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas".  It's one of my favorite holiday videos, and now the kids like to watch it also.

I've also been spending a lot of time on Pinterest.  I've added new boards, new pins, and would love for you to "follow" me on Pinterest.  You can find me by searching for "Linda Burton".  Each year at Christmastime, we exchange food gifts with some of our neighbors.  This year I decided to do Cinnamon Spiced Almonds, and I found a recipe on Pinterest  for making them in the crock pot, which I'm going to try today.  If you're interested, it's on my Christmas Gift Ideas board.

I've also been toying with the possibility of opening an Etsy store after the first of the year.  Check back later for more news on that.  I need to clean and better organize the sewing room before starting that new project.  So, finishing the quilts and reorganizing the sewing room are the first two items on my agenda after Christmas.

A Christmas Tail

Just to set the stage -- We live in the country surrounded by lots of fields.  Field mice are just part of life here.

Tis two weeks before Christmas and all through the house,

We’ve got critters stirring, one is a mouse.

I think one’s a mole, cause it hasn’t a tail

We’ve tried hard to trap them, but to no avail.

They run ‘cross the glue traps while singing a rap

They steal PB and cheese right out of the traps.

We’ve sent in the cats – they run back out scared.

They’re both really old and one is impaired.

Willy has but one eye and his hearing is shot.

They’re sweet, loving kitties but no mice have they caught.

These critters run out and they laugh in my face,

They scream “neener, neener” all over the place.

I’ve so much to do, but my vertigo’s back

When I move, I get dizzy and fear that I’ll yack!

So instead I just sit here, I’m stuck here at home.

I’ve nothing to do but write stupid poems.

Lost and Found

 Remember the fabric that's been lost for months???  It has been Found!!!  Yesterday while working on some appliques, I needed a piece of pink.  I pulled the pink fabric bin off the shelf and, WAHOO there behind the bin was the mailing bag with the missing fabric still inside.  I jumped up and did the happy dance! I needed the red dot that was in that bag for Bubby's Mario quilt, and didn't really want to order more, so it appeared just in the nick of time.  That's how I was able to finish the "Mushroom Guy" that I showed you yesterday.

This morning, I was up before dawn and got an early start in the sewing room.  I've been avoiding Mario and Luigi since they looked so difficult.  But I was in a good frame of mind, so I decided that today was the day.  I've very pleased, I like how they look.  I have three more to go, and I'm ready to start the finishing stitching.

I may finish in time yet!!

More Mario

Today, I am working on more of the Mario Brothers appliques. Done so far are (as I refer to them:

Chompy Flower

fishy

flower guy

polka dot mushroom

Show and Tell

Here's the finished Princess Quilt top.

And I have two more blocks finished for Bubby's Mario Brothers quilt.  Since I don't play the game, I don't know all the character names, so I call this guy "Blah Guy."

And this is "Squiddee Guy".  If you know what they're real names are, don't hesitate to post them.  I am totally video game illiterate.

Moving On

The Princess quilt top is finished.  I had only 3 strips left to put together yesterday, and the electric went out. Do you have any idea how quickly your hand tires when turning the machine by hand?!?!?!  It came back on 1-1/2 hours later, but by then the sewing urge was gone!

Now that it's finished, I'm moving on to Bubby's Mario Brothers quilt.  Since I don't play video games, I don't know what all the characters are called.  I call this dude the "Meanie Mushroom".  He's ready to fuse onto the background - as soon as I decide what it will be.  Have a good week.