Sites that I like...

Looking for children's fabrics?  Two sites for a good variety of print fabrics; I've had good luck with these.  Plus, Burdastyle provides outstanding articles that are current, cutting-edge, interesting, fun to read.  My opinion:  A+

www.fabricworm.com
www.thefabricfairy.com 
www.burdastyle.com 

Pants that I made...

Me in the garden, in pants that I made

It's true, this is me.  The green pants are for real...pants that I made; soft, washed linen.  My sis says I look like a Dutch boy in these; they are very boxy and non-descript, but oh so comfortable.  I do these caricatures of myself because, well...I can take photos of many things but I have yet to figure out how to take snapshots of myself, by myself.  Early June 2011; cutting roses in the garden.  First blooms are already done with; too bad, because I'd like to make rosewater using petals from my garden.  The recipe is simple enough; it requires vodka as well as rose petals (vodka acts as a preservative).  Maybe with the second bloom of roses; we'll see.

Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread

I found this recipe from Jeannette Mango of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania who noted,“I received this recipe as part of a gift, along with a lemon thyme plant and a fresh loaf of this pound cake-like bread. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe.”  Since lemon thyme is one of the herbs I grow in my garden, I thought I'd give it a try.  Yummy!  It's another of my husband's favorites; he seems to especially enjoy quick breads to go with his coffee for breakfast or dessert.  Photo credit: Taste of Home, www.tasteofhome.com.

LEMON-THYME TEA BREAD

    Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

GLAZE:

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine milk and thyme. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved milk mixture. Stir in lemon juice and peel. Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.  GLAZE:  In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over bread. Yield: 1 loaf.

Machine Embroidery Applique

Here is my first attempt at machine embroidery applique.  I have had only mediocre results with machine embroidery in the past and was hesitant to try applique because I simply did not know how to.  But there are projects that I have in mind to do, so I finally gave it a try and now I am glad that I did.  Not the disaster I thought it would be and I actually enjoyed the process.  This design comes from Juju's "Tutti Frutti" collection, purchased through Oregon Patchworks.  I will use this piece to make the bodice of a summer dress or top for Chloe.

Photos from the garden.  My Brandywine heirloom tomato plant has grown beyond expectation.  Good news; this tomato plant is healthy and has set fruit.  Now it's patience time to watch them grow and ripen on the vine. 

Our New Casa - Dining Room

We have been in our new home for one year, come August 2011.  Here's the dining area which I recently worked on.  Newest additions include the mirrored console and the two over-sized wall hangings which my sister helped me pick.  I plan to change the lighting fixture next.