I think I need help

I should just stop going to the charity thrift store. Every time I go in, I come out with an armload of stuff.

Today's treasures for $19.11
6 yards of 52 inch heavy cotton fabric in dark brown
5 yards of 50 inch heavy cotton fabric in tan
1-1/3 yard cotton muslin
1-1/2 yard pink gingham homespun
1-1/2 yard rose floral on red
1 yard blue gingham homespun
1 yard fine pink stripe
2 yards yellow floral print
1-1/8 yard of green and blue polka dot

a couple of pieces that are less than 1/2 yard of rosebud seersucker, yellow/blue floral, tan on tan floral.

1 coffee can of old buttons

I'm going to force myself, and I do mean force, not to buy any more fabric until I get some sewing done. This is just ridiculous.

Baking bread

This morning started off cool and cloudy and so I found myself making bread at 5:30. I hadn't even had my first cup of coffee yet.

I just took the bread out of the oven. Doesn't it look yummy? I may make a stew to go with it although it's warmed up outside. A little comfort food never hurt anybody.

I'm nearly done with my yo-yo making. I think I've got 14 more to do and should be able to get those done tonight. School is taking a serious hunk out of my crafting time.

Left pocket syndrome

The attachments have arrived, but I can't play until possibly tomorrow.

Tuesday and Thursday are bad days for trying to squeeze in crafting time because I have class and labs all day.

I started my mom's apron last night and all was well until I discovered a screwed up right pocket. I wasn't paying attention when I pinned the piece and on one pocket the pattern was upside-down. Rather than have an obvious mistake I decided to cut another pocket.

Full of confidence I cut it, only to discover it was another left pocket. Huh? How'd I do that?

So I tried again...and ended up with yet another left pocket. Now I've got three left pockets and no right pocket.

I finally gave in to "left-pocket syndrome" and just turned everything off and shut the door.

I blame my sister for this sudden syndrome. She's left-handed and told me yesterday to be sure and put her pocket on the left side of her apron.

This morning I was determined to get a right pocket if it killed me. I took my left pocket and laid it on the fabric next to the pattern piece and cut out the correct pocket. Whew!

Now I'm back on track. Maybe I can get a little sewing done this evening.

Pink flour sack apron

I finally finished my pink flour sack apron.

















My granny used to get flour in these and would use them for pillowcases since it didn't require any sewing. She would get so excited if Grandad could find two that matched. Then she'd have a pair.

I have two more, a green and a blue. My sister wants the green one.

I serged and hemmed the sides, added the waist, ties, and pocket.

My husband thinks it's too long, but capri length is perfect for messy people like me.

Yo-Yo

I got all of my yo-yos cut out and two stitched up while Sam did his school work. If it continues to go this fast I might do another 50. We'll see.













I'm not crazy about either of these fabrics, but that's what was available today. If I find better fabric I might do more and have 3 different ones. The red really isn't that pink (bad flash) and has a holly design in black. The blue and white snowflake is my favorite of the two.

Chicken and Dumplings - Recipe by request

Sue asked for my recipe and I sure don't mind sharing. I actually have two that I use depending on the amount of time I have to devote to cooking.

Original Chicken and Dumplings
1 3-pound chicken
4 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
1 carrot, roughly chopped
1 medium onion, cut into quarters
1 stalk of celery, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Place the chicken in a large pot, add water, broth, carrot, onion, celery and salt. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat. Simmer until tender and chicken is done. Remove chicken and allow it to cool enough to handle. Remove the carrot, onion and celery pieces from the broth and discard. Reserve the broth. Bone the chicken tear into bite-size pieces and return to broth.

Dumplings
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
1 cup buttermilk

For the dumplings, combine the flour, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture is consistency of coarse meal. Add the buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 4 or 5 times. Pinch off bite-size pieces.

Drop dumplings in simmering broth and cook until done.

Fast Man's Chicken and Dumplings
This is the recipe I use if I'm in a hurry or don't have a bunch of time. Total cook time is 20 minutes.

2 large cans Cream of Chicken Soup
2 small cans chicken broth
1 large can of white chicken meat
dash of celery salt, onion powder, and 1/2 grated carrot
two cans of biscuits.

I dump the soup, broth, and chicken meat in a pot and add the celery salt, onion powder, and carrot. Bring to a low boil. Quarter biscuits and drop in hot soup mix. Cook until done.

My family likes this one almost as well as the original, but only because they get it more often.

Enjoy!

Thrift store apron and fabric find

Here's a cutie I picked up at the thrift store just moments ago. I was so excited to show you fine folks that I forgot to take the price tag off. I didn't realize until I got to the car with it that it is a full apron. The neckline is more square, which I really like. All of the aprons I've picked up at the thrift store have never been over 50 cents.

Maybe I'm too nostalgic, but it makes me sad to see them discarded. I think of the hands they wiped, the tears and noses they dried, and the women who wore them. Sniff.



















I also found a ton of fabric for Morsbags. I found 2-1/4 yard of red and white ticking and 1-1/2 yards of light canvas. I think some of the red and white may be destined for an apron. I love ticking.

This morning before class I picked up my holiday fabric for yo-yos. I think I'll yo-yo this afternoon. Maybe I can at least get started drawing circles.