Thursday, 6 March 2025

March Quilt and Slow Stitching Update, Food Chat Too

We had a snowfall warning yesterday which didn't materialize and now are under a rainfall and freezing rain warning. The ground is still very frozen so where will the water go is the worry. I'm hoping it won't get as icy as we have had it so often in winter. Turkeys from my sewing room window...

Yes, I've been busy in the sewing room stitching more of the Everglade blocks together. This project is entering its second year? but I'm no longer berating myself about timelines. My stitching world is just for me, myself and I and the three of us are fine with it. ;)
 And I've been choosing fabrics and cutting out the initial templates for Liberty's Birds. I notice the original photo showed mostly the primary colours in solids were used. But I don't have many solids so I will have to use more prints. The yellow fabric below is gorgeous and I do want to use it for the Yellow Goldfinch. 


How many of us said prayers at night before going to sleep, I wonder. I know I said a prayer every night that Mom had taught me. I don't know when she stopped listening to it but I continued to say it long after she stopped hearing it out loud. At the end, I would always add family names for God to bless. I came across a sweet cross stitched version of it at This Etsy Shop. Past Pattern Palooza is a great place to visit...lots of familiar items us older folks would recognize. 
It's thought this prayer originated in 1698!

 Meanwhile in my cross stitching, I'm finishing up another of the bees. This one is Tudor Bee and I'm enjoying putting in the finishing stitches. I wanted this one completely stitched before my new start which I'm itching to begin. 

Wanda over at Exuberant Color shared her lovely Tilda Whimsy quilt. Such a neat and simple pattern and perfect for showing off pretty motifs in fabrics. The free pattern is found at Tilda's World; actually I think that is a link to the pdf of it. How generous these fabric designers are!

For tonight's meal I'm trying out the Easy Baked Spaghetti recipe from the Feel Good Foodie. I love when you can eliminate pots and pans. Since I'll have the oven on, I'm going to try the roasted potatoes recipe I saw on Instagram. You just put potatoes, olive oil and an envelope of dry onion soup mix all together and bake. It's been years since I've used this soup mix in a recipe...I used to make a chicken recipe with it that was tasty. I'm going to be adding carrots to this as I have some that need using up.  I'm making this much food because with a freezing rain warning we might lose power. Always good to have leftovers in any case. I'll let you know how these recipes worked out. I love to read about what is cooking at your house. 

We are almost finished the latest batch of Raisin Buns or Biscuits or Scones, whatever you call them in your part of the world. 
I used my old recipe and they were fine, a little dry maybe but we eat them with butter and jam so that helps, washed down with tea. I cut back the sugar as always. I don't know if that affects dryness; you wouldn't think so. 
Well, I'm eyeing the weather out there trying to decide about a walk which I badly need. Should get it in now, says Ned, who knows what the afternoon will bring. Good advice.
Hope you are warm or cool in your part of the world and your stitching fingers are flying!

22 comments :

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love that you have that view of woods and wild turkeys from your sewing room window - so lovely! Lovely fabrics for your bird project. Is the Tudor Bee design part of a series? It's beautiful! Hope you and Ned enjoyed your walk - he's a good companion to have around!

Jenny said...

Bad weather warnings are a worry, I do hope it is not as bad as originally thought. It's a good idea to cook big and have a couple of meals in reserve, ready to be reheated. I love that Tudor bee, so pretty. And the word is definitely scones here in New Zealand, due to our English ancestry.

Jenny said...

PS. What we call biscuits here are cookies in USA.

Susie H said...

I sure do love walking through your yard, your sewing spaces, and kitchen! Your bee looks super wonderful and brings a promist of Spring. Have a great day!

loulee said...

I hope you are keeping warm. Your Tudor bee is adorable.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you probably need to get that walk in now I sure hope you do not get rain and ice. That would be bad with all that snow still out there and so many nice trees. The scones would be biscuits here and the dryness maybe a little more butter or shortening whichever you use? Mine always turn out dry and I hardly ever make them any more but do love muffins which I have better luck with. I have no Tilda fabric I might need to look at it. I have used the envelope of dry onion soup but not for awhile I need to remember to get some - with potatoes it sounds really nice - always nice to have several meals prepared in advance if the power goes out

Jackie said...

Such pretty colours of fabric. The yellow is perfect for a Goldfinch.
I used to say the same prayer with the God bless naming of family members.
My husband taught our children a different prayer that he learned as a child, and would say it with the boys every night.

God bless.

PaintedThread said...

Love those fabrics. I am big for one-pot meals. Yes, lack of sugar will make things drier (I've noticed that with my baking with reduced sugar). I have not been getting out for walks - good for Ned for keeping you at it. ;-)

Linda said...

Those Everglade blocks are beautiful. Like you, I have very few solids - I love that you are using prints. Your ceiling is spectacular! We love a good baked spaghetti too. That is a sweet little prayer cross stitch. I used to leave out the "if I should die" part, because at that age, I was terrified of dying and did not want to give God the opportunity to let that happen - lol!

Pamela Dempsey in Northeast Texas 😻 said...

Great shot of the turkeys! I saved the baked spaghetti 🍝 recipe to try. I still say that prayer as well. Your Ned is just a sweetheart, so handsome too.

Melva said...

I hope that your power remained on and that the freezing rain passes without too much damage. Your stitching projects all look lovely. Thanks for sharing the free pattern and for joining my Sew & Tell party. Blessings!

Deb Hillyer said...

I so enjoy reading your blog and thought it was way past time to tell you so! I especially connected to the evening prayer, my Mother taught to me also and it still brings comfort to me. I am trying (and failing) to start a quilt, I have so much fabric and so many patterns. Not sure what is holding me back. Hope you and Ned had a good walk and that your power remains on. Best to you and your family.

Carol in Texas said...

Jocelyn, that is the very prayer I say every night in bed. I guess I learned it as a child. I remember being worried about that line…..if I should die……when younger, but now at my advanced age it is comforting! I love your blog and I usually check out each blog or pattern source you mention. I will be getting recipes from the source mentioned today. Do let us know how the spaghetti turns out…..that recipe sounds very interesting and fun to make! Stay warm. Here in central Texas it looks like spring is on the way. The wild plum trees are in bloom and our temperatures are in the 70s and 80s each day. I just hope summer is not early!!!!! We have a long enough one of those! We will set our clocks up Saturday night. I dearly hope the Congress puts a stop to that! I just hate moving the time back and forth and it takes a week or more for my old body to adjust to a new time. Take care. I look forward to your next visit!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

It seems like it's not all that many years ago when turkeys were reintroduced and it was a huge thrill to see one. Now they're becoming almost commonplace (but still a thrill!).
I didn't say prayers when I was a kid but I do now. The list of things to pray for gets longer every day it seems.
Tilda fabrics are so pretty - and so are many of her patterns. I've made a couple of her dolls over the years and will have to check into them again because our wee grandie just might *need* to have one (or several).

Rosemary Dickinson said...

We've had a few very windy days. We actually lost power this morning but it was back within an hour and a half so it wasn't too bad. I haven't been out walking much this winter. I tend to hibernate and just stay indoors. I wish I was more motivated to get out!

The Cozy Quilter said...

I said a version of that prayer when I was a child. Lovely bee! I found a finished bee cross stitch in my sewing room…I just have to buy a hoop the right size to display it. The snow has mostly melted here. Spring is around the corner.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

I hope that the power stayed on and it didn't rain after all! Your bee is amazing! I am adding solids to my stash in small increments; but, like you, use what I have as often as I can. I like where you are going with your Everglades blocks.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

Oooh I love the view of snow!! Your Everglade blocks are really pretty, and it doesn't matter how long it takes to work on them! I need to try that Easy Baked Spaghetti - I love easy recipes! Thanks for joining in on Monday This and That! I will be featuring your post this week! xx

smithcindyk said...

Thank you for posting the free pattern link from Tilda. I think I need to make one or four lol. What if you added applesauce to help with the dryness of the muffin? Stay warm!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

hope you don't lose power - but those recipes looks good. And yes - Me myself and I is all you should worry about when creating - its good for your soul!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

The weather may be keeping you indoors, but you sure are creating some lovely stitcheries! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/03/05/wednesday-wait-loss-422

dq said...

I absolutely LOVE your tiny sampler book!!!
It is so fun to see your tongue and groove lined home. The wood on the walls and ceiling is so PRETTY! I grew up on a house like that and helped mom and dad put it up.
Wishin' you could send some of those fresh bakes my way.