Monday, November 27, 2017

So many reasons to be thankful...

I was not going to write about it because this is a quilting blog and not an everyday life kinda blog. But it is my quilter friends that I am thankful for and it is the everyday life that inspires my quilting.

with Sylvia in Reading Mall

Earlier this month, I drove to PA to meet with my quilty buddies.  Sylvia and I met up for lunch. She brought me this gorgeous Kaffe fabric. Not a FQ or a sliver but 3+ yards of it.

I love you!!!
Thank you, Sylvia.
How did she know I am having an affair with Kaffe Fassett fabric? Well, I am but that is another blogpost.

Next stop was Mari. We had so much to talk about that I forgot to take pictures - tch tch tch.  I showed her my WIPs. We exchanged ideas, lots of laughter and some yummy food. Yes, of course she showered me with fabric too.

You make me happy!

This is so me!!!
But this is not all. I received more fabric, but that is yet another blogpost. Thank you, Mari.


I have not met Bubby, but I know her from the M* forum.  I was tickled when I received this lovely card and this adorable turkey coaster from her.

Cuteness Overload
And I love the coaster. Thank you, Bubby.


Two weeks ago, Paul had to go to work really early. He had to be there at 3:00AM (yes, it is insane) to coordinate with team members in Australia.
Would I pack him a few sandwiches?
Of course. As I placed the sandwiches in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, I noticed that there were several plastic bags (with leftovers) in the fridge.
Since I would not be up at 2:45AM to hand him the correct bag (and he may be too sleepy/groggy to pick the right one), I placed a note on the sandwich bag saying "THIS IS THE ONE".
Made sure that it was front and center in the fridge and went to sleep.
Later in the day, Paul sent me the following picture.
Melts my heart

The original from February 2008
Of all the joys and blessings in my life, Paul tops the list. Thank you, Paul.


Every year we go to Paul's parents for Thanksgiving but this year Paul had to work on both days.  I assured him that I would prepare the turkey and all fixings.  When my sister asked about our holiday plans I told her that I am staying put to make sure that the hardworking man got a home-cooked meal on the holiday.

Can we come, she asked.
Yes, of course, I answered.

My sister is vegetarian and my niece is allergic to nuts. Paul loves turkey and stuffing etc. We sisters find that food bland and blah. I needed a game plan and an elaborate one to please everyone and kill no one.


When my sister arrived on Wednesday with her 2+1 (my nephew, my niece, and the exchange student from Guatemala) kids, the Indian lunch and the no-nut banana muffins were ready.

I had also prepared the dough for making thumbprint cookies. The kids gleefully made the depressions and messily filled them with jam and marmalade.

Making cookies - making memories
Can you see them smiling?   They were being so goofy!!!  Look at the picture below - everyone is so involved. And my sister took the perfect shot.

My favorite picture
Twenty minutes to heavenly bliss.

Strawberry Preserves & Orange Marmalade Thumbprints

We went out for a Mexican dinner, courtesy my sis :-D Thank you, Sis!!!

Mexican Dinner

Good times

In addition to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, I chose to make roasted butternut squash soup, spaghetti squash fritters, roasted root vegetables, roasted broccoli, and an apple spinach salad.

Butternut Squash - cleaned

Seasoned with salt, pepper and cinnamon

Caramelized Sweetness
 Roasted the squash on Tuesday. The soup was made on Wednesday, while muffins were in the oven.
Can you see the silky smoothness?
I have made spaghetti squash before but this time, I wanted to do something special with it.  After roasting and scraping the strands, I added spices, boiled and grated potato, egg and breadcrumbs.

Spaghetti Squash - Roasted and Scraped
Shaped them into patties and refrigerated till an hour before dinner time.
Fritters
 Deep fried in hot oil till golden brown.
Deep Fried to Golden Brown

I don't think I would have tried these new recipes, if it was just Paul and me. I am glad that my sister came over. I had been wanting to cook squash and this was the perfect opportunity to show off my skills :-)
Cubed Sweet Potatoes

Red Beets

Broccoli

Root Vegetables in an olive oil bath

Roasted and Yummy

Roasted Broccoli

Mashed Potatoes - A little Forkplay

Buttered and Broiled Sexiness
Oh yes, I did make the turkey. Just one breast - in the slow cooker.

Sow Cooker Turkey Breast
Shredded and served.

Paul was happy with his regular Thanksgiving food and my sister was impressed by all the non-traditional items. Even the kids had seconds.

Our Table
It was my first time hosting and it was a hit. Here is my colorful plate.

My plate

I am so happy. I need to write down that squash fritters recipe before I forget it. Did you want it too?

A clean house, a refrigerator full of food, and a happy family. Could I ask for more?
Ah yes, fabric. Well, I took care of that this weekend. Here is a glimpse of my loot.

Yes, I bought the bolt

Saved 134, spent 81

Floral Magic

Perfect Backing for Baby Quilts

Look at those rich colors

And here is a glimpse of the works in progress, which were put aside for the last three days but are now back on the machine, the design wall and everywhere else.

My favorite bag - Becca
Making these for an upcoming art/craft fair. If you are interested in making these bags/pods, I suggest the Craftsy class by Joan Hawley.

A few of the Sweet Pea Pods
Here is another work in progress. The plan (hope) is to have it done by the end of the year. Therefore I am making it my OMG for December.

WIP - December OMG

So much is happening. I have four holiday parties to attend. Cards to write and gifts to pack. Trying to squeeze sewing in between. It is pure chaos and I love it.  So, what is up with you? I'd love to hear from you.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties - see sidebar.


28 comments:

  1. omg. That food looks so good. Even like I could make it and anyone that knows me knows that I eat to live and only have a kitchen cause it came with the house. Maybe I will have to print out this post and make my shopping list....

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  2. I love hearing about your traditions! That squash soup looks amazing. Actually, all if it looks amazing. And it looks like you've been scoring fabric left and right. Great things are going to come out of your sewing room, I just know it. Can't wait to see that last quilt--it looks almost as yummy as your food! Use that letter fabric on the back!

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  3. Friends, food, and fabric --SO much to be thankful for!! And yes, please share the squash fritter recipe.

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  4. What a happy post! Your joy shines through in friends, fabric, food, and your forever man. 😁

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  5. I love your posts which aren't all quilting as much as I love your quilting posts. Gorgeous food to suit everybody and time with family and your friends. And as a footnote, I envy you all your Joann and Michael shops. We just have fabric that is expensive here, and even that has to be mail order these days.

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  6. I am glad you had a terrific holiday. Nothing beats family and food together. Love the fabric you got this weekend.

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  7. A beautiful plate! A beautiful post! And great fabrics.

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  8. Looks like you had lots of good food and fun with your family over the holiday! That, plus a wonderful husband, quilty friends, pretty fabric and fun projects - everything I am thankful for, too!

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  9. What a fun post. Love me some Kaffe fabric. You have generous friends! The turkey coaster is adorable. That was a huge meal you made and looks really good. Love the "forkplay". I had to stay away from Joanns last weekend or with the sales I would have been in trouble. You did good. Have fun with all your purchases and gifts! mary in Az

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  10. Your Becca bag and Sweet Pea bags are so darling. I have taken Joan Hawley's classes and love her technique. She's a fine teacher. I wish she would come out with a new class. I'm so happy you liked your turkey coaster.

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  11. Hi Preeti,
    What a newsy post! Family, friends, fabrics - lots to be thankful for. And that not for Paul and reused in a clever way - well, that is priceless. I think you two are made for each other. You dinner choices look OMG delicious! I am ready to eat my screen. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  12. I am glad you all had a great holiday time. The food looks delicious and it sounds like you all enjoyed it - always the best when putting some time and thought into it. And "Amen" to the friends, family and fabric prayer :)

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  13. For your first hosted Thanksgiving dinner you did very well. A veritable feast with something for everyone. I'm going to try that roasted vegetable medley which looks delicious (well, it all looks delicious).
    Pat

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  14. Your Thanksgiving meal looks so yummy. Love the forkplay on the mashed potatoes. I am glad you were able to celebrate it with family. I went to Joann's too, and saved more than I spent. Your OMG design is so cute.

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  15. I always love to hear of the quilters life besides her quilts - such a interesting post - great to see how others do
    Thanksgiving. You really saved a lot on that fabric - good buy

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  16. Hey Preeti! What a fun post full of family, friends and food (& fabric too)!! It looks like a good time was had by all and you can't beat that!!

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  17. You always make me smile and being touched by your lovely writing

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  18. What an enjoyable post! It looks like you had a wonderful holiday, thanks for sharing!

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  19. Love you holiday meal, some wonderful ideas. Plus great fabric to go along with it all.

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  20. Wow! That post was packed full of wonderfulness! I enjoyed every single thing about it. I am a horrible cook so I am very, very impressed by your talents and the photography was making me hungry. YUM!!

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  21. If there is anything nicer than a home cooked meal it is when it is shared with those you love. I love seeing what you cooked, I'm veggie too, I've never used cinnamon with butternut squash, interesting, I love butternut squash soup. Now I have to go make something to eat...........

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  22. Looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. That's a challenging set of diet restrictions to work with! Ooooh, lots of pretties from your black Friday(?) shopping. Hope you've been able to get back to the sewing room this week.

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  23. Oh my goodness your food looks like you are on a cooking show... I am drooling just looking at the photos! And I laughed out loud about trying to feed everyone and kill no one!!

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  24. Loved your blog! You seem like such a positive person. I too like sewing, quilting, baking, cooking, writing. I remember the days when living in a small town meant being stuck to buy fabric until you went to a city, now thanks to online shopping, anything goes! Cynthia

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  25. Yes, please post your recipe for the fritters! Christmas is coming and we will be feeding 14 people and juggling celiac (which is new to our family), vegan (which doesn't worry me overly) and a bunch of other food allergies that I have been dealing with cooking around for so long I just avoid them without thinking.

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  26. Such a happy, colourful, sumptuous post, much like the author. :-) Oh Preeti, I'd have loved to be in attendance! Such fabulous dishes you made (I've had the root vegetables roasted like that and they are the BEST. Please also share the recipe (I know you have done with the fritters) for the squash soup you made too?! One day, yours and my photo will be on here too right?

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  27. So nice that you were able to meet up with some quilting friends. Great fabrics you got. Well done on your Thanksgiving cooking. It looks like everyone had a great time.

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  28. You have been busy. This was such a fun post to read. Food, fabric, friends, and sewing fun. Sounds awesome.

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