Diet Monday...!

For a bit of fun and motivation, I've joined "Dieting with Blogger Babes" that Sharon from Red Geranium Cottage has started. Stephen and I have both made the decision to get back on track when it comes to weight and health. Stephen managed to keep his weight gain to a minimum, myself, let's not go there. But..... I am determined.

Stephen and I are following the South Beach Diet. Simple is best for me! I was never one to keep tads on my points and what not. The first two (2) weeks is a detox program whereby you cleanse your body of carbs and sugar. This means no pasta, bread, alcohol, fruits and any type of refine sugar or processed foods. What I like about this program is that you're not hungry all the time and it's easy to follow.

Last night we had baked Cajun spiced salmon with roasted Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower with lemon and garlic. The recipe is an adaption of the original recipe roasted broccoli and cauliflower with lemon and garlic found in the December 2008 issue of Everyday Food. I love that magazine!

I'm borrowing the picture from the Everyday Food site since I've neglected to take a picture of what Stephen prepared last night. Yes, Stephen is the cook in the family. Just pretend the broccoli are Brussels Sprouts! lol

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower with lemon and garlic


1 pound of Brussels Sprouts halved
1/2 head of cauliflower broken into florets
3 tbsp of Olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves (to taste) - thinly sliced
3/4 of a lemon thinly sliced
salt & pepper

Preheat the over 475F - place vegetables, lemon and oil on a cookie sheet - toss - season. Roast until brown and tender approx 25 to 30 minutes. Toss vegetables mid way.

If you do a search on the Everyday Food site you will have the original recipe with "per serving" data. It's a great magazine and I invite you to check it out. Lots of wonderful easy to make recipes.

As for a picture of myself, no I'm not brave enough. Besides, you all know what I look like.

Thanks for stopping by! You have yourself a great day!

Happy New Year.....!

I do hope that 2009 will bring you all that your heart desires or better! Now that the holidays are behind me, time to get back into a healthy eating routine..... sigh!

On the quilting front, I managed to finish machine quilting the last of my UFO pile, Fairy Garden. Last year, while waiting for Penelope to show up, I had managed to complete 8 (eight) tops. The pile is now empty!

I decided to use a dragonfly panto. Gosh, this is a hard one to master. You come in by one antennae and out by the other.

It's not perfect, but as a whole, acceptable.

Yesterday, while on our way back from a friend's house, Jennifer asked when was I going to start doing more custom quilting. It seemed that all I did was pantos.

It's certainly been the case the last few months. I will admit, pantos are quicker for me to do than custom quilting.

I've come to understand that some quilts speak custom and others panto/edge to edge quilting. All of the tops I had completed spoke the panto language. Until I complete a quilt that speaks custom quilting, such as Midnight Silhouette and Sprig Rose, I guess pantos are what I will be doing! lol

I'm curious as to how you come to decide on the type of machine quilting you will do? Do you plan the machine quilting prior to piecing a quilt top? That's what Ricky Tims does; everything is pretty much determined at the planning stage. Or, do you decide once the top is completed? Myself, I let the finish quilt top speak to me.

Yesterday, Jennifer and I went to a friend's house to help un-clutter and clean her home. Jo Ann will have some major surgery done on her back some time this week and will not be able to do anything for quite some time. It was important to both of us that Jo Ann be able to rest and not think of cleaning etc.... It was quite the job but oh so satisfying. It's a great feeling knowing that you're helping a friend. So, if you could keep Jo Ann in your thoughts/prayers this week, I would be much obliged.

As always, thank you for stopping by. I do enjoy reading your comments! Keep well!

Time for well wishes.....!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

What's up doc.....?!

Well, I haven't been much of a socializer as of late. I've pretty much been keeping to myself, allowing my hermit persona to take over! lol

What have I been up too as of late, you might ask?

Last week, Jennifer forced me to book a play date with Penelope. lol We hadn't played in a long time!

She needed the quilt pronto so that she could have enough time to sew on the binding.

It was nice to play with Penelope. As for Jennifer's company, it was alright, I guess! LOL Just kidding!

After this quilt, I did load one of my quilts, Alex's pond, which I really should finish sewing the binding soon..... but I digress.....

On the surprise front, I did get lots of fun mail !

My friend Cheryl from Oz sent me this gorgeous pair of black ugg boots! Yippeers, the real McCoys! lol Gosh, are they nice and comfy! Never mind that they keep my feet super warm! lol

Cheryl has become such a dear friend. We met on the newsgroup, many moons ago. I think we're close to 5 (five) years if not more! She is a wealth of information. I'm always picking her brain! And not just on the subject of quilting. lol

I've never met her in person but hope to one day. She is a blessing and such a generous heart! She also sent a pair of ugg boots to dd. Now we're both styling! lol

As for Stephen, she didn't want for him to feel left out, so she sent him packages of Tim Tams! Now, if you haven't had a Tim Tam, you don't know what you're missing. Come on over and we'll do some Tim Tam slams! ;o)

Today, I received these goodies from Sharon.

Check out that bag! It's absolutely gorgeous. And you know what, she actually expects me to use it! lol I love the fabric.

She must have known I had a cold because she sent not 1 (one) but 2 (two) packs of tissues! lol I'm telling you, I'm blowing my nose in style! lol Thank you again Sharon, you made my day!

This week, I played with my embroidery machine. With all that interior decorating going around Blog Land, I thought I would see if I could find a decorating gene in my pool! lol I'm looking to embellish my bathroom with some fancy dandy hand towels!

So, I've been experimenting with different towels. You'd be amazed at what's out there! I did learn to stay away from flour sack towels. What a mistake! They are thinner than a pillow case and never mind that they need ironing after washing! I suppose that I could hand embroider on them, but I do NOT need another hand project! lol

I like the way this one turned out! I used the same blue that's on my wallpaper. I sort of have that French Provincial look going on!

These towels come from William Sonoma - I love that store!

They feel really nice to the touch. I do wish I could find towels of similar quality elsewhere. When you add shipping and all it gets a tad pricey! Oh well... c'est la vie!

As you can read, not much excitement going on in my neck of the wood!

Thank you for stopping by! Keep well!

We interrupt your current program ...!

School is not going according to plan. On Tuesday I was diagnosed with a kidney infection and spent the day at the hospital undergoing various tests. I decided to postpone my exam until Monday. I'm hurting and I wanted the antibiotics to take effect before I write such a stressssful exam. You cannot begin to imagine how I am looking forward to no more guilt ridden quilting. lol

On a quilting note, a while back Wendy, from Snippet of a Quilter, sent me some lovely goodies in the mail, one of which was a charm pack of Sandy Gervais' Merry & Bright. Such bright fun fabrics! During my trip to Pennsylvania, I found the perfect pattern for it!

Tah... dah...! My first time working with charm squares! I started this project during my quilting retreat!

The pattern is called Delightful #381 by Pieces from my Heart. It's so bright and cheerful!

Notice how it is completed!

Yeap, not only did I work to get it done, it also has a label. Why you might ask?

Well, it's a gift for a friend. There's nothing like a dead line to get things rolling. lol I hope s/he will like it.

Aside from Holly Jolly, not much quilting has been going on. I haven't even had play dates with Penelope. Sigh!

A while back a wonderful lady from Ohio sent me some quilt tops to practice my machine quilting, with the only stipulation that they be given to charity. An offer I could not resist!

I did manage to machine quilt 2 (two) of the quilt tops, one of which I neglected to photograph. Both have found a home amongst the elderly.

Thank you again Sheila for your generosity. I have one more to quilt, but it will have to wait until school is done.

Thank you for your visit. I always enjoy reading your comments.

Have a wonderful day!