Apple Dumplings and Coloring Easter Eggs

I just added a new page to my blog and I'll be adding to this as I try out more recipes.  There are so many great cooks out there in blogland. I can cook but it is not one of my favorite things to do, there are so many other things I'd rather be doing besides cooking!
I had to learn to cook when I was young when my Mom died and it was just a chore. I don't know if it was because I did not enjoy learning so quickly or because I was expected to do it but I've never enjoyed it. 

Anyway, I have seen other recipes I have wanted to try but sometimes I forget where I saw them.  I decided to add this page so I could keep track of the ones I try so I won't have to remember where I saw them! 

Here's what I made this morning and it was wonderul.. It's called Apple Dumplings and I saw it on Heidi's blog. Handmade by Heidi....

Here's my Apple Dumplings...I made these in my Mom's Cast Iron Skillet...

 

After I put the dumplings in the oven, I got the coloring kit out.  I haven't done this in a while!  It was fun to color the eggs for the grandkids but it would have been more fun if they were doing it with me.  They are having Easter today with the other grandparents and all their cousins. Tomorrow, they'll be over here and we'll have Easter.   Carmen is enjoying seeing the eggs change colors and when I put the faces on them, she really didn't know what to think! 

Here she is sitting on the couch wanting me to get out of her way so she can watch Max and Ruby on TV...

 

I'll try to post later but in case I don't, I hope everyone has a blessed Easter.

 

 

A few wedding pictures.

The wedding was wonderful.  The bride was beautiful and the service was sweet.  The only thing that went wrong was the ring girl didn't want to do anything but run around and play on the piano.  She had to be held by my other daughter in law to keep her out of trouble!  My oldest granddaughter became the official ring bearer and did a wonderful job!  Here are a few pictures of the wedding...

Carmen and Alayna



Alayna ended up being the ring bearer. This thrilled her to death.  She was so good!  She's shy and this was a big deal!

The happy couple.

Fun and productive Saturday

Here's my tablerunner I finished up this morning.  I like it except for the quilting.  I quilted it the way the pattern suggested and the quilt pattern is fine. I couldn't decide what color thread to use and finally decided on an off white thread and I don't like the color.  But, you know what?  This is how it's going to stay. Finished is better than perfect and I can live with it so it is what it is....It will be fine with a poinsetta on it at Christmas, right?   Anyway, I like the pattern and I might make another one.  This is my second one and if I make another one, I can give the other two to my sisters. Hmmm, we'll see. 

I also put the borders on my Thimbleberrie quilt....

And, here's the little dress I made for my youngest granddaughter.  This was a onesie and I cut it apart. I put a little skirt on the bottom and reattached the panty party.  I then put an appliqued cupcake on the top of it.  (The fabric on the bottom was cupcake fabric so I used the applique to match the fabric.)  This was fun and quick to make. This is a 12 month size but it looks bigger. 

Mommy and Daddy liked it too.

A few fun finishes

I have been sewing and I've been making fun things. I like to make quick things so I can get that instant gratification of finishing something. Well, here are the things I've worked on over the weekend and got done.

I did finish sewing up my OBW top but haven't trimmed it or put the outside borders on it but I will and when I do, I'll show it to you...Come back later to see that!

I went to the Plano Quilt show earlier in the year and one of the things I came away with was a pattern and kit for this cute little bear. If you read my blog, you will know that I love bears and this one was so sweet, I just had to make him. I still have to put a bow around his neck, but I just haven't stopped long enough to go get any ribbon. This is made out of Minky and he is really soft. He went together really quickly but he sure made a mess going together. This stuff sheds! Wow, this is the first time I've sewn with this and it was messy. I had to get my sticky lint cleaner wand out and clean it off about 4 times before I got rid of all the fuzz. But, I think he's worth it...so cute!

Then, I made him a little friend.....another rag doll. I like her alot. I have to make another one too but I need special fabric for her. 

Doesn't she look happy? I think that's what I'll name this one....Say hello to Happy!

This pattern is off of Beth's blog, Love Laugh Quilt....

A few weeks ago, Joann's had a sale on Simplicity patterns and I picked up a pincushion pattern. This is the first one out of this pattern. I think it has about 7 or 8 different little pincushions but this was the one I really wanted to make. I think the owl turned out really cute. He stands about 5 inches tall and is filled with crushed Walnut shells so he feels really stable. Onto the next project.....

After Mr. Owl, I finished up a bag I had in the works. I had sewn this together some time ago but I had put it aside to work on other things. I put the pockets on the lining and made the straps and the closure and finally this project is 99% complete. When I go to get ribbon for my bear, I'll pick up a pretty big Fall button to finish off this cute bag. This is a gift for one of my sisters and I hope she'll like it..... I made this out of placemats.

Yesterday, I was going through my sewing room looking for quick things to make to get out of the way....I ran across a pair of socks and decided to make another stuffed animal. I finished him off this morning. I made one of these for both of my boys when they were little and I made one for my other grandkids, so I just had to make one for my newest grandbaby Carmen. She likes her Mr. Monkey...

Now, I'm working on my Row by Row quilt. I did one row and now onto my next one. I'll show you both of those in my next post. I'll be caught up with this and ready for next month...

I'm hoping to get all of my projects caught up this week. I've taken the week off and I'm sewing like crazy. I was going to my sister's today but I have the crud and don't want to spread it around. That still doesn't stop me from sewing so I'm going to get as much done as I can. Today is my birthday and I'm not going to slow down just because I'm older and sick!!! Ok, got to go so I can stay busy. I'll post more later. Til next time, happy sewing!

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  Please remember to  pray for our servicemen and women, our country and leaders in our country too along with all your personal prayers.

I am thankful for so many things today. I have a new grandbaby that is healthy. A Mother-In-Law that came through major surgery and is doing well. She went home yesterday to her house and is doing great.  I have a wonderful family and three other beautiful grandchildren and I'm healthy too.  Life is good and I feel truly blessed.

Here's a picture of my newest grandbaby. This is Carmen and she was born on April 26th. She is a beautiful sweet baby.

The only thing I need is more sewing time!!!  I have not had any time the last couple of weeks to sew but I'll be playing catch up starting tonight!  I hope everyone has a wonderful week and weekend and I'll be updating soon.  Hugs,

Getting ready for baby

You are probaby aware that we are expecting a new baby in the family.  Hopefully, she'll stay put until she's due the last part of April.  I have too many things to do before she gets here.  I have a quilt retreat to go to in mid April and I really want to go, so, she better be a good little girl and stay put!  Priorities, right?!

I worked on a fabric bag last night (the kind to hold diapers, it's not a diaper stacker, but I might make one of those too)  and a mug rug.  I didn't finish those yet and  I'll show those later.  Today, I pulled out the bassinet and cleaned it up.  I made a sheet for it and a pillowcase for the baby pillow.  Two things off the list!  I want to make more sheets for this and some sheets for the baby bed too.  I'm going to make some receiving blankets to match too.  You can't tell by the picture but the sheet and pillowcase are light purple.  Wow, that pillow looks big!  It's a baby pillow but you sure can't tell it from the picture.

Purple baby quilt for Carmen

Here's Carmen's quilt, quilted and bound and with a label too!  It took me longer to quilt it than I had planned...I had to fight with my machine.  I finally took it off the frame and quilted it with my Pfaff at the kitchen table.  I just can't seem to get the hang of the Brother machine.  I'm going to sit down with it and have a nice long chat with it.  I piddled around with it for about 3 hours and quilted a little bit that I had to take out... Now, I can make a diaper storage and I'm even going to make a mug rug for her. I'm not going to call it a mug rug though...I'm going to call it a bottle rug!  I had two flowers left over from the border and these will be just the thing to hold her bottles or for her Mama's tea cup or whatever!  Anyway, I'll be working on those this week.  The shower is this next Sunday so I'll be ready.  I love not having to rush.  I want to make some receiving blankets with a little bit of crochet around them before she makes her appearance. I want to make some sheets for her crib and the bumper pad too. I have another month before she's supposed to be here so I'm sure I'll get it done.  For now, here's her quilt: