"sew" done!

We have had a beautiful weekend...

sunny and warmer temperatures.

Spent some time outside yesterday working

on some projects.

 

But, today I was determined to finish something

at my sewing machine.

If you remember, I went to a quilting class back in August.

That's what got me interested in quilting.

Well, the quilt I started at that class had gotten

put aside so I could make one for the grandson.

Then the holidays came and then I made one for my friend.

Last night, I pulled it out and while I was watching the Olympics

I finished stitching it.

Today, I put the binding on...

 

 

It was a difficult pattern for a beginner. I would have

given up on it if it had not been for my sweet friend, Danna.

She came over to help me with the piecing and she

encouraged me to finish it.

My plan is to hang it...I have a piece of wall

that needs something!

 

I feel good about finishing it...

there's something to be said for persevering!! :-)

art and war

.

Saw this at the movies today.

It's the true story about a part of WWII history

that I never knew. There were 7 men

(five Americans, one Frenchman, and one Englishman)

whose job was to retrieve art and atifacts

stolen by the Nazis and return them

to their rightful owners.

Thus, "The Monuments Men".

They recovered over 5 million pieces.

It was very good...some funny lines,

some touching moments.

And it stars George Clooney, Matt Damon,

and Hugh Bonneville...Lord Grantham for

all you Downton Abbey fans!!

It's not often that you can go to the movies

and actually learn something...

but I did today!

d is for doughnuts!

A friend of mine made these and posted this picture 

on Facebook. Seems her husband said they were

better than Dunkin Donuts...even

without the frosting!

I plan to make them this weekend.

Doughnuts

Yield: 12

2/3 cup cocoa
 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups lightly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 stick (8 tablespoons) melted butter

Chocolate icing
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons milk or half & half

Directions:

To make the doughnuts:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the wells
 of two standard doughnut pans. In a large mixing bowl,
 whisk together the cocoa, flour, sugar, baking powder,
  baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.

In a large measuring cup or medium-sized mixing bowl,
 whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and vinegar.
Add the wet ingredients, along with the melted butter
 to the dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.

Remove the batter to a zip-top plastic bag or piping bag,
 cut a hole in one corner, and pipe the batter into the
 doughnut molds, filling them between 3/4 and full.

Bake the doughnuts for 12 to 15 minutes,
 or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one
 comes out clean. Remove the doughnuts from the oven
 and let cool for 2 minutes.
Loosen their edges, turn the pan upside down over a rack,
 and gently let the doughnuts fall onto the rack.

To make the icing:
Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a
 microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup.
Heat until the milk is steaming and starting to bubble.
 Remove from the microwave, and stir until the chips
 have melted and the icing is smooth.
Dip the top of each doughnut in the icing;
 or spread icing on the doughnuts.

I don't have a doughnut pan nor does my friend.
She found this at Aldi...

a mini bundt cake pan.
I went quickly on Monday morning to get my own.
Can't wait to give it a try...
I'll let you know if mine turn out as well as hers! :-)

makes me want to shout hallelujah...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

Yes, always...no exceptions.

2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?



We have had several young men go to the NFL, one young man to MLB. Our Little League Boys Baseball and Girls Softball Teams have both won the World Series, and Bobbie Eakes, the actress is from here.

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?


Yes, I have a slow cooker and I use it quite often. I cook my roast in it, several chicken recipes, soup, and chili.

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?


Not crazy about it, but I think it is a sign of the times.

5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

I love the Olympics. We had the opportunity to go when they were in Atlanta in1996. I will watch as much as I can. I am usually sleep deprived during the two weeks of the Olympics...summer and winter! I would enjoy seeing the figure skating. There are lots of places in the world I would like to go, but Russia is not one of them.

6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

My brother was an All American High School football player and was recruited by several big colleges. So, they invited us to come for weekend visits. We went to their games and were treated like royalty for the entire weekend. As a family we did not travel much or eat out much, so that was quite a big deal for me at the age of 12.

7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that motivates you to at least get up off the couch?


"Your Grace is Enough" by Chris Tomlin.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This is my first time doing the Hodgepodge. I just hope I am doing it right! :-) Look forward to meeting some new friends! :-)

a "super" weekend

I spent the day with my daughter at her house Friday.
At lunch time, she made Little E a cheese quesedilla
to go with her veggies.
When she asked her what it was, she said,
"Quese-dada!!"
We laughed out loud!!

C.W. spent the night with us Sat after we went to
the circus. Sunday morning, he woke up at 5:45.
When he came in our room, I said it was too early
and told him to go back to bed.
He was back at 6:15....I repeated myself.
At 6:50, he was back and, this time, he said
"Gran, I know it's time to wake up now
because I heard the birds "cheaping."
I pulled him to me, gave him a kiss and said,
"Chirping, sweetie, chirping!"
He smiled, said "chirping" and I got up!! :-)

The week before the "big" game, I heard on the radio

that the top three foods at Super Bowl parties are

pizza, wings, and nachos.

Well, at our house (for the third year) it was taco salad.

Our friends, the Deans, came for dinner and the game.

It was fun and, because, we weren't pulling for either team,

it was very relaxed.

It was a busy weekend filled with family, friends,
fun, laughter, and good food! :-)
 

it's circus time!

So, it was off to the circus for C.W, and I on Sat!

We made the drive to Macon where

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey 

was waiting for us at the Centreplex.

I bought our tix on line so we didn't have to stand in line,

but I had no idea where our seats were.

They show you a chart, but it is difficult to figure out.

So, I just clicked on "best available" in the price range

I was interested in and bought them.

Wonder of wonders...they were great seats...

close to the action!

It was a good show and we had fun. 

I mostly enjoyed watching C. W.'s reactions.

He laughed at the clown's antics and marveled at

the daredevils feats.

He was impressed with the animal's tricks

and he thought the 20 minute intermission was way too long! 

Here we are waiting for the show to begin!

If you got there early enough, they invited you back stage

 to see the animals up close.

This isn't a very good shot, but you can see (barely!) 

Sophie, the elephant, in the background.

  

Our seats were just a few rows behind this sign...

first level above the floor.

I was impressed and grateful that the ringmaster sang the 

Star Spangled Banner at the very beginning.

The tight wire troupe did a great job.

The camels and horses (and there were dogs, too!)

did their tricks...

as did the elephants!

The last performance was the motorcycle riders

taking spins in this...

 

Scary...I know!

There were other acts as well...which made for about

a 2 hour performance. I wouldn't say it was

"the greatest show on earth",

but it was an adventure and we did it together!

That's the stuff memories are made of! :-)