Gratefull and sewing...

Let me just start of by saying how glad I am to have a blog. Just by getting back and reading all those blogs in my reader, I was able to throw back all the bitterness, anger, stress and soak up inspiration, motivation and peaceful, happy attitude. Why did it took me so long ???
I spent my week catching up (I think that describes it the best) and planning my new project.

And as it couldn't get any better, I was invited to meet my blog friend Jennie at the local quilt shop for a Lock-in organized by her friend Vicki. This was the first time I have met someone form the blogland and the first time that I participated in any of the class/ lock-in/ quilt-group activities.
Oh, and was this fun... I had the best time sewing away and chatting with my new friends.

Thanks again Jennie for inviting me...



Now, on to the project... This little "wall hanging to be" has a story behind it. Every year the first weekend of August we travel to Pennsylvania for a family reunion. It is not my family, but I was taken in as if it was .. well that is a long story. The oldest member of the family is Grandma, she will be 91 next week. The reunion is always the weekend of her birthday. Grandma found out about my love for frugal quilts, scraps and vintage fabrics. She sent me a box full of cut up pieces of her robe that she was not ready to part with and wanted to see if I could use it for anything.
How could I not find the project for it (It is bright fuchsia fabric, puffy and soft, but not quite like minky.). In fact, I had a perfect one in mind. I also wanted to create something for the reunion auction we have every year.



That is how Grandma Secret Garden wall hanging came to life. I used mostly my scraps (I had plenty of greens.), but I had to buy some more of pinks and purples, since I don't have much of those shades.



I started at noon on Saturday and this is how it looks now. I will put it together and quilt it tonight.



The original pattern came from the magazine I have, but I found it here as well (scroll to page #31) . I adjusted the size and number of blocks due to the time crunch I am in.



I just realized as I am typing all this that it has been a little over a year since I had this blog and I totally missed it... :)

Well, we need to celebrate... come back for a giveaway soon.

Hey, do you still remember me?

I hope that at least some of you still might... :)

I have disappeared from this space for some time now, but don't worry you didn't miss much on my front. Only very unmotivated, slightly depressed and totally useless woman that had no idea what is going on with her. I blame it on stress from way too many things happening at the time... I have to blame it on something, right?

This blog is meant to be all about crafts and there is a heavy layer of dust around my sewing area, so I am off to get moving and get some quilts done... The first one actually has a due date, which is next week... here is a peek of where the idea came from...



I am afraid, I have missed out way too much of all that you have been doing. Sorry for that, I will try to catch up on all that in between some crazy sewing marathon...
Do you want to help me out? Let me know about the most exciting project that you have finished or were working on in the past two months...

Poor people food...

I was able to cook this weekend with the first fruits of this year's garden (of course, if I don't count radishes, those we are eating for weeks now...). I have planted about 15 kohlrabi plants and if you grew those before, you know it takes a while until the fruit is ready. However, there is plenty of kohlrabi leaves before that.
When I was little, my grandma use to make this meal every time my dad brought kohlrabi from garden or we bought some at the store. I think she developed this recipe in times when food was scarce and people were trying not to trow anything away. What do you do with the left over leaves?

"PODLUBKY"(I quess it was my Grandma who named it, it doesn't really mean anything, we can call it Kohlrabi greens thick soup....)
What would you need? (4 servings)

• 20 or more kohlrabi leaves
• approx. 10-15 slices of bacon, if you use thin sliced
  
• 2-4 cloves of garlic
• a little milk and flour
• salt, pepper, vegetable seasoning

Wash kohlrabi leaves and cut the main stem out.





Roll the leaves up and cut into half inch pieces.



Here you can see my compost bowl/ colander... everything that can, goes to compost around here...



Next dice bacon, and heat to crispy bacon pieces, then add kohlrabi. If you are vegetarian this could be substituted by onion and bit of olive oil.



Once, kohlrabi leaves are a little softer, add water (broth), so everything is covered.
Add garlic, seasonings and cook until soft for 20-30 minutes. Let it boil and then simmer.



While simmering add mixture of flour and milk (about 3 spoons of flour), just to thicken the soup), if you are used to thickening your soups somehow else, go ahead.

We eat this with egg - "sunny side up" on the top and bread, which is optional.
Use your imagination...
Enjoy!


This might not be that gourmet food that you want to make for your guest, but it is very tasty and also healthy. The most important it is super cheap and quick. Most of the people throw those leaves away.
If you never tried kohlrabi before, than all I can say is, "You should give them a try."

Weekend inspiration...

It is late, but I would like to report on our last weekend spent in Devils Lake, WI. We had the best time.
Take a look...
there was a lot of woodland picture taking...







...hiking with beautiful views...





...fishing and preparing yummy fish on the fire...

oh, and Dominoes playing...

Like I said the best time...

Have a great weekend, mine will be spent outdoors again...

Returning...

I guess, I took almost unexpected break from blogging and bunch of other things, but here I am ready to get back to my normal.
I needed some time off from my usual, at least, that is how I explain myself to myself. :)
I spent a lot of time outside not far, just in my yard, enjoying every new leaf that grew and every new bloom.



My vegetables are all planted in abundance, now I am anxious to harvest fruits.




I visited with old friends and family, who hardly see me during the school time.
The most important, I organized my life a bit (really just a bit) and set my priorities once again...

Now? I am really longing for craftiness.

..but before I have to show for any of that, here are some pieces of my garden...







Thank you all for comments wondering about me and whether I found time to sew... I read and appreciate them all. I guess it is hard to admit several times in row that things are not going the way I wished they would. :)
Thanks for visiting...

Finals are done, I am back...

Just a quick note for those who might want to know... Yep, finals and school is behind me for now and I will be back here enjoying the crafty days with you. I have a long list of want to and need to, but since my work situation is not going to change for now, I do have more time on my hands.
All of you moms out there, enjoy yours Mother's Day weekend! We will be out of town till Monday.

Happy mother's day to my mom that is far far away.... I love you mom.

And here, so my dad does not need to translate:

Mamka,
vsetko najlepsie ku Dnu Matiek!
Lubim Ta a chybas mi...
Som rada ze ta mam...
M.

A bad news...

Thank you all for stopping by. I have been working on my school stuff all this time. All of my projects are finished and I am pretty proud of them. I have last two finals tomorrow. Then I will be back here as usual.
In fact, I might be here more often. I just found out today that my hours at work are going to be cut almost in half starting next week, maybe till June. Reason? I guess economy...
I am more then frustrated since we had lost one income in the house already. What do i do? I am having a feeling I 'll find out soon.
I might have a back up plan, but that will require some prayers. :)
On the other side, Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio is holding the Spring to Finish on till the end of May. I am looking for some quality time spent behind the sewing machine.
Wish me luck... I'll need it.