Tuesday 1 December 2015

Virtual Cookie Exchange

Just Let Me Quilt Virtual Cookie Exchange is now available for snacking at a blog near you from December 1-4!!

































December 1
December 2
December 3
December 4
I'm excited to share my recipe with everyone! Make sure to check out yesterday's blogs and see the yummy recipes from 4 wonderful bloggers...not to mention the next 3 days...you're in for a real treat!!

Spoiler alert! Before I share the process, I'm going to sneak in a picture of the finished product...
As my husband and I race toward sixty, we're starting to realize the necessity of tweaking our meals to exclude things like white sugar. Here's a link to a magazine I've discovered has some fantastic recipes that are healthy and super-scrumptious. Clean Eating Magazine, released quarterly, never disappoints with flavour.
On a side note...my husband, Michael, prefers to say "We're journeying at a snail's pace toward sixty.", but that's another story.
In the December issue, I stumbled on this recipe that satisfies the sweet tooth and is delicious, and festive, enough to share during the holiday season.
First, crystallize ginger...
Peel and slice a 3-inch piece of fresh ginger into 1/4" thick pieces. (I cut them into thumb-nail size pieces afterward.) Place 1/2 cup organic evaporated cane juice with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil on medium-high heat, stirring until dissolved. Add ginger pieces and reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring often, until most of the syrup has been absorbed and ginger is very tender, about 25-30 minutes. Using tongs, transfer ginger pieces 
to paper towel and let cool completely.


Here's the recipe...courtesy of my favourite foody magazine
 I only needed half of the almonds and cherries to complete the recipe. The chocolate chips measured 2 cups or about 1 1/2 packages. These chocolate chips are made with cane sugar, found in the organic section of the grocery store.

Preparing the almonds for toasting was easy. I zipped them up in a freezer bag and, in no time at all, hit each one, ever so gently, with a hammer. I laid them out on a cookie sheet and roasted them in a 350 oven, turning them every 3-5 minutes for about 15 minutes.
 A 9x11 inch cake pan worked well to spread the melted chocolate. It provided the appropriate thickness and spread to within an inch of the edge of the pan.
As you can see, my chocolate spreading spoon accidentally "fell" into the almond pieces...guess what I did with that!! Mmmm-mmm good!
Lastly...the recipe didn't suggest this, but...pairing this delectable treat with a tasty glass of wine was the "piece-de-resistance". 
Oh, and I mustn't forget...I couldn't resist adding some colour and sweetness with crushed candy cane pieces. I was lucky enough to find some that are made with natural cane sugar instead of processed sugar. 
This recipe was easy and fun to make.
Thank you Carol at Just Let Me Quilt for creating this blog hop. It's been so much fun and I can't wait to see the recipes over the next few days!!














Sunday 18 October 2015

Oh What a Weekend!

It was Fibre Artist's Heaven in Amherst, Nova Scotia this weekend. The Annual Fibre Arts Festival was a huge success! I met so many inspiring women this weekend...and re-connected with some of my faves! Here are just a couple of them:

I give you...The Three Karens!
Karen, middle - 'moi' from this little blog


 Our very own Madame Prez of our Maritime Modern Quilt Guild, Adrienne, showcased her talent, as she did some 'quilt-as-you-go' pieces. In no time, it'll become a beautiful pillow, similar to the ones you see on the floor in front of her. You can visit her blog at http://chezzetcookmodernquilts.blogspot.ca/

 whipped up her improv block for her Kona Nerd quilt. Can't wait to see the finished product! 
 
And then this happened...

And here are a few pics from our beautiful display of talented members of our guild!



Check out our blog! Maybe you'd like to join us.

Of course we did a little shopping! Karen Neary, from Sew Karen-ly Created, displayed her fabulous designs and patterns. So much to choose from!!
 
Our visit wouldn't have been complete without a visit to Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium! 
I was so immersed in the experience...I forgot to take pictures of the real thing so here's a couple of snaps from Mrs. Pugsley's brochure. I'll take some pics next time...oh believe me, there will be a NEXT time!!
 

 
 




Monday 12 October 2015

It's time...time to get over my fear of blog posting.
With the support of so many wonderful people in my life, I've finally transitioned from an "armchair designer" to seeing my sewing pattern "PiNS" in local Maritime fabric stores.
Along with this transition comes knowledge-seeking in all things Social Media. Wow! That's a doozy, for sure! What a journey these last few months have been!
I'd love to hear from anyone else who has struggled with the Monster that is Social Media. It's exciting and daunting all at once. They have installed a revolving door at the library just for me as I check out book after book with all things related to this Monster. Yes...I still love the printed page but am starting to embrace an online presence as well.

And now for a shameless plug...Our wonderful little guild, The Maritime Modern Quilt Guild, will have a display of all things modern and quilted at the Fibre Arts Festival in Amherst, Nova Scotia from October 13-17th. Come on out and check us out. We'd love to see you!
 
And now...I'm off to explore all things bloggy...widgets, buttons and what-nots, before I take to the friendly skies, this afternoon.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I am so grateful for my amazing family and friends! And while my dishwasher decided to stop working this weekend, I am decidedly grateful that I am fortunate enough to have one in my kitchen.

Monday 27 April 2015

Okay...so here goes...my first post.
I figured I'd learn as I go and go ahead and get this party started.
Please stay tuned as I add photos and posts in the coming days.