Still weaving...

Visit www.knittynoodle.blogspot.com to see my most recent woven scarf, a silk/merino wool blend.  I have been filling these winter days, weaving as well as cleaning up and puttering in the winter garden for upcoming spring planting.  I comment on garden happenings  my garden blog, www.sweetcasita.blogspot.com.  Too many blogs; I know!  I have considered consolidating; however, there is a service where one can publish one's blog entries into a printed book format; they do it all for you.  I have always wanted to be published and self-publishing my journal is a goal.  Therefore, I have four categories which I try to keep separate:  home, garden, sewing and knitting/crafty things.  We shall see how it all turns out; in the meantime, I am busy, busy, busy and very happy as well.
 

There's weaving going on...

There's weaving going on at the Casita!  To make this scarf, I used a skein of wool yarn for the warp (vertical strands) and a skein of silk sari yarn for the weft (horizontal strands).  The fabric is being woven on an Ashford Rigid Heddle Knitter's Loom.  Mine is a small, convenient loom, but it still provides the simple pleasure of weaving.  I'd have to say, hands down, including all of the various crafts that I dabble in, weaving is by far my favorite.  This scarf is all done; it took two days to complete.

Spring ahead

We're at the beginning of January and there's still a winter chill in the air, but spring planting is already on my mind.  Today, rain-drenched grounds, cloudy skies and cold temperatures keep me inside.  This is a good day to curl up with a cup 'o tea and a good book.  I have a selection of books pertaining to herbs, gardening, cooking, sewing, poetry and such; things that inspire, things that I love to do.  There's been a lot of sewing going on, but gardening's always in the back of my mind.  I have another blog you know, www.sweetcasita.blogspot.com; this is where I log gardening happenings at the Casita (Christine! One blog too many perhaps?)  Today I am feeling compelled to read and study.  I really enjoy this book (pictured), The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden, by David Hirsch; this is today's reading for fun and inspiration. 

Calico Quilter's still sewing...

If you're interested, go to www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com to view the bunch of black 'n white tops, just posted.

Joyful, joyful!

Chloe and Natalie

Here are the girlies enjoying post-Christmas fun.  In their jammies and toys all neat and tidy, I'd venture to guess it's probably close to bedtime and their day is nearly done.  Seeing Nat's happy laughter and Chloe's sweet smile; this Calico Quilter grandma is a lucky duck : )

Palm trees swaying in the breeze...

Backyard view at the Casita; photo taken Dec. 29, 2012

Palm trees in the backyard at the Casita.  In my mind's eye, I had dreamed of a backyard with trees of a different kind.  Not King Palms lined up along the fenceline.  King Palms?  Well, there you go; hard to imagine where the road may end.  Temecula boasts freezing cold temperatures in the winter, not so much freezing, but definitely frosty.  When the thermometer does dip to below freezing, the palm leave yellow and sometimes brown and wither, but the trees do not die.  All of that aside, it's a lovely view from the backyard; skies that rival the heavenly skies of Hawai'i or New Mexico; different temperatures, different climates, but beautiful nonetheless.

Happy New Year to One and All!



Little gnome friend viewing the garden in winter; January 2013

Herb garden in the making; back area of the Casita; January 2013

2013...Calico Quilter's Casita is alive and well!  Papa Paz and I celebrate the many blessings bestowed upon the families that make up our family as a whole.  From Hawai'i to Connecticut, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, California, Idaho, England, New York, we are a diverse group, spread across these grand United States and overseas as well.  Over the past few years bountiful numbers of grandbabies have arrived.  Economic hardship and political foolishness continue, but We, the People, press forward with good intent.  Happy New Year to one and all!

Shells and Picots; Toddler's Poncho

Shells & Picots - Size 18-24 months

Found this crochet booklet on the clearance rack at JoAnn's for only $1.97. These designs are darned cute, so I thought I'd test one out. The little Shells and Picots poncho (pictured) hardly took any time at all to crochet. It's an uncomplicated design, but the yarn I pulled from my bag is just a bit scratchy because of the sparkly thread that runs throughout the yarn. I would use a softer yarn next time, something with a more comfortable feel against the skin. We'll see if the girlies like capes and ponchos and then go from there.  I plan to add a tie string at the neck, with little pompom ends.







Merry Christmas, Chloe!

Chloe in her apron!

Here's Chloe in her Christmas apron.  Those cookies look yummy, Chloe!

Frosty morning at the Casita...

Spicy oregano, green onion and garlic,
with Johnny Jump Ups for a spot of color
 

Rose geranium

Hey!...isn't this that end of the Mayan calendar date, when all things were speculated to end? Apparently not; so far so good, thanks be to God.  8 a.m. at the Casita; I woke up to clear blue skies and oh so cold temperatures outside.  Here are two closeups from the back garden area, which I snapped early this morning.  Outside, the leaves are frosty everywhere. The sun has not hit this area of the garden yet, but it's coming.  I'm hoping there will not be too much frost damage.   Lucky me, my little herb garden is a small area.  Protecting these tender plants from freezing cold night temps should be a manageable project.  We've lived in snow country before, in the Sierra Mountains, at above 5,000 ft.  A little frosty freeze from time to time in Temecula is tolerable here at the Casita, a place where it's normally sunny and warm.  But my poor tender plants; oh how they suffer...brrrr!



Little Christmas Aprons...

Simplicity 2699; Size 3 and Size 1/2 pictured.  View the back of the l'il apron on the right at www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com. It's pretty darn cute.
 



2012 commentary

I wrote the following excerpt at the end of 2009, and here it is now the end of 2012 with a New Year looming ahead.  With recent events that have unfolded, tragically affecting the lives of innocents and horrified bystanders, that certain sadness noted in 2009 prevails once again.  The best I hope to do is to continue to move forward toward the Light, casting aside darkness at every turn.  Compassion, positive interaction, forgiveness, love, prayer; this simple artist sends these thoughts into the Universe to help in the healing, for every one of us makes a difference.

 "There's a certain sadness that weighs heavily upon my heart, especially as I ponder the state of Planet Earth and humanity as a whole as we move forward into the New Year. In 2010 I will be working on numerous arts projects. I am just a simple artist who hopes to make a small difference through creative expression and positive interaction. So much to do, so little time."

Kwik Sew Vest 3705

Kwik Sew #3705 - inside detail

I have a new vest, just finished, which I posted on www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com.  Yipee!  It's done!

Halloween playtime blankets...

Here they are...playtime blankets finished in time for Halloween.  These will be in the mail tomorrow, on their way to Idaho.  I decided not to use batting in between either of these simple quilts.  Two pieces of fabric quilted together and then finished with a complimentary binding worked out just perfect for what I had in mind.  These are small, lap-size quilts; just the right size for two little girlies to snuggle with.

Ballet bag...all done!

Chloe's bag:  This side...

...that side.  All done!

Here it is...a ballet bag for Chloe.  I used white fabric on each end (instead of pink), each side embroidered with cute little ballerinas, because the pink duck cloth was not easy to embroider on and the colors were simply not as vibrant.  Hurray! all done.

Ballet bag for Chloe

Ballet bag for Chloe...in the making

Chloe will be 4 yrs old in November.  New beginnings for Chloe this autumn, as she has just started preschool part time, as well as ballet lessons.  Chloe saw little girls performing at the mall and fell in love with ballet.  She loves to go to school and loves her dance class, too.  Leaving the nest and her baby sister behind for a few hours a week is a big adventure that our Miss Chloe enjoys thoroughly.  Chloe is in need of a dance bag so I am sewing one up for her.  I made a prototype bag and so I know that this one will come together nicely and quickly as well.  No problem inserting the zipper, but my biggest challenge has been to insert the lining nicely.  The duffle will measure 7" x 14" when finished and will be just the right size for Chloe to carry her things in.  There is an embroidery unit built into my sewing machine which I finally have the opportunity to make good use of.  As you can see in the photo, I am customizing Chloe's bag.  (Did you see?  Chloe and I share the same initials, C.K. Paz.)  I could easily complete this bag in one day, but I have taken two days instead.  This bag will be finished today; that's a for sure.

Bubbles...

 

 

BUBBLES

 Round and bouncy, delicate orbs;

merriment in motion.

Mini Pie Maker...Chicken Pot Pies

See what I made?

Here's my own recipe for yummy chicken pot pies, using my brand new Breville Mini Pie Maker.  I also use this recipe to make handheld pies.  You may want to include cooked potatoes, mushrooms, onions or peas and carrots to this recipe according to your own preference, but pre-cook before adding any of these ingredients to the filling so that those veggies will be yummy tender.

FILLING INGREDIENTS:
2 cups chopped and shredded, *roasted chicken breast
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp Knorr chicken boullion granules
1/2 tsp Lawry's garlic salt
A sprinkle of pepper
About 1 cup chicken broth

*ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST:
Place chicken breasts skin side up on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Generously sprinkle with salt (I use kosher salt) and pepper.  Place in pre-heated 350 degree oven; bake for about 35 minutes or until done; meat temperature should be about 165 degrees inside.  Don't overcook!  Remove from oven when done; allow to cool.  Strip and discard skin and bones, then chop and shred chicken meat into chunks.  All done!  I usually roast and prepare a large pack of chicken breasts, then divide pieces into 2-cup portions and freeze, to be used as needed.

CHICKEN PIE FILLING:
Combine flour, chicken boullion granules, garlic salt and pepper in a large sauce pan.  Slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly.  Continue stirring over a medium heat until sauce begins to bubble and thicken.  Add chopped roasted chicken pieces to sauce.  Remove from heat and allow to cool. 

PASTRY:
3-1/2 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 stick butter, chilled well and cut into 1/2" pieces
1/2 cup vegetable shortening (I used lard for a very flaky crust)
5 tbsp (or more) ice-cold water

Combine flour, baking powder and salt.  Cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles a coarse meal.  Add enough cold water for the dough to come together and form a ball.  Knead until smooth.  Let rest for 10-15 minutes. 

BREVILLE MINI PIE MAKER:
Roll out dough, top and bottom crusts; fill and cook in pie maker, according to manufacturer's instruction.

TO MAKE HANDHELD PIES:
Roll out dough and cut out 5" or 6" circles.  Fill each circle with cooled chicken filling (about 2 tbsp per circle).  Fold in half and crimp around edges; slash top to allow steam to escape.  Brush tops of pie with an egg wash (1 egg slightly beaten with a little milk or water added).  Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place pies on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until pies are golden brown.



 

Sourdough starter...

The sourdough experience begins...

Today I received sourdough starter that I ordered, all the way from Vermont, from the King Arthur Flour Company.  Accompanying paperwork says this starter has been passed down in one form or another for the past 250 years.  That's a long time ago!  Tonight, I began the process of getting my starter to come alive.  If all goes well, it'll be bubbling and ready for use in no time at all.  Today's date...September 6, 2012.  I kept a sourdough starter years ago, but somehow over time, I let it fizzle.  You have to feed the starter regularly to keep it going.  Nonetheless, I have many good memories of sourdough pancakes, biscuits and breads that my family enjoyed way back when.  Sourdough starter; I'm ready to commit to its keeping once again; maybe pass it along to my granddaughters some day.

What are you doing today, Calico Quilter?

Halloween fabric; 2012 season

Halloween blankies in the making

Following the picture of Halloween fabrics above, here's today's project.  I'm focusing on autumn crafty things that need doing.  That means putting aside a couple of other projects that are on my table, but only for now, to make Halloween quilts for the girlies.  I imagine my little girlies examining their finished fun-time quilts with curiosity.  The prints are so adorable, there's not much I have to do to make these quilts be special.  A little bit of work, work, work, but oh such fun to make!  It's a very quick project and these will be done in no time at all.  Then it'll be back to the 8-point scrappy star wall hanging (leafy appliques are almost all stitched down) and the quilt blocks (about 12 more blocks to make) for my Colores quilt top.