“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for.”

~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Blustery Day

We're having an extreme afternoon wind storm today! It sounds as if we're under the ocean, with angry waves hitting the trees and tossing everything about. We're hunkered down in the house going about our day, hoping the power stays with us and listening to the sounds of the wind...



‘A breeze came wandering from the sky, light as the whispers of a dream; He put the overhanging grasses by, and softly stooped to kiss the stream, The pretty stream, the flattered stream, The shy, yet unreluctant stream of wind' -
William Cullen Bryant

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Time for Turkey Soup!

It's that time again! A big pot of simmering soup made from Thanksgiving leftovers...my favorite! This post is from last year and features my "Turkey Soup with a Twist" recipe...ENJOY!

Thanksgiving Turkey Soup with a Twist

Oh, how I love making Turkey Soup right after Thanksgiving! I always make a big batch so that I have several containers in the freezer for quick dinners on cold evenings. I don't use an actual recipe so it is a bit different from year to year. Here's how this years batch came together...


Thanksgiving Turkey Soup with a Twist

Turkey carcass
pan drippings (saved from roasting turkey, fat skimmed off)
4 large carrots, 1/2" dice
8 stalks celery, 1/2" dice
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 stick of butter or 1/3 c. olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic,
1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 cups cooked wide egg noodles or 2 cups cooked brown rice
The "Twist"

Place the turkey carcass and pan drippings in an 8 qt stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer partially covered for approx 2 hours. Meanwhile, combine carrots, celery, onion, mushrooms, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper in a large pan with butter or oil and cook over medium heat until vegies are tender, approx 20 minutes. Once stock is ready, allow to cool slightly and strain through a colander into a large bowl. Rince stock pot and pour strained stock back into pot, leaving bones in the colander. Once bones are cool enough to touch, remove any leftover meat and add to the pot with the stock. Add cooked vegies to the pot. Now, here's the "Twist".....got leftover stuffing? Go ahead and add it to the pot (up to 2 cups). Got leftover mashed potatoes? Add them as well (up to 1 cup). Gravy? In it goes (up to 1 cup). And now for something completly different...yams or sweet potatoes? Dump those in, too (up to a cup). All of these ingredients will add tons of flavor and texture to your soup. Stir well to dissolve the potatoes into the soup. Stir in the noodles or rice. Serve hot along with warm cornbread and a glass of sparkling cider...too good for words!

Friday, November 25, 2011

It's a SALE, Yes it is!

Well, I hopped on the bandwagon and I'm having a Big 'Ole SALE in the shop. Check it out!


BLACK FRIDAY thru CYBER MONDAY!!


(of equal or lesser value).
Discount refunded via PayPal after order confirmed.

FRIDAY 11/25 - Monday 11/28


I've added a bunch of new items to the shop as well...I've been a sewing maniac, I tell ya!


have fun shopping!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

A Few Gift Ideas!

I love to bring a special hostess gift whenever I attend a gathering or party. Sometimes it's the standard bottle of wine but most often it is something that I have made, something from the Mama Roux shop. Dish towels are my favorite little gift to give but a cute tote is also awesome, especially filled with goodies. My newest bag is called the Project Tote, inspired by my knitting pal, Diane. She ordered several custom bags to keep her various projects contained. These bags are so practical and would be just grand filled with crafty supplies as a Holiday gift.



My newest dish towels come in sets of 3 and are so plush they would be perfect as luxurious guest towels. I will be making lots more as I tend to go through many of these dish/guest towels during the party hopping season!

All items are available in the shop so head on over and grab a few hostess gifts for your favorite hostess or just for yourself!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Mini Quilt Challenge

A Table runner for me! I was so excited to hear of Amy's Mini Quilt Challenge. I truly do not create enough quilts for the simple fact that I assume that they have to be BIG! I have made a few table runners in the past, which are, in essence, mini quilts! I decided to make something for myself, my kitchen needed a little pizazz.

The inspiration for this table runner came from the red fabric which is from the Artful Home fabric line. I had made window valances for my kitchen over the summer and had about a half of yard left over. I raided my scrap bags for coordinating colors in lime, turquoise and browns. I did not want it to look like a Holiday accent so I added lots of turquoise and brown.

I decided to include a Star of Virginia in the middle to balance everything and add a classic element to the random patchwork design. I used straight line quilting at various angles for a modern flair.

Backed with Greenfield Hill and bound in a bold black and white. This table runner will add a nice touch to my antique sideboard in the dining area.

Thank you, Amy, for inspiring me to do a bit of mini quilting for myself. Take a look at all the other mini quilters who joined the challenge!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Another Random Patchwork Quilt, Brandied Pear

I have an infatuation with Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet II fabric line. It shows up in many of my creations. I started a quilt about a year ago (blogged here) and then stashed it away and forgot about it. Thankfully, I organized my studio a few weeks ago and stumbled upon the "disappearing nine patch" blocks. Ok, I was not really wanting to work on a traditional "dnp" quilt (been there, done that) so I decided to create a random patchwork incorporating the existing squares. I LOVE how it turned out.

Random Patchwork Quilt
56" x 62"
I was able to use lots of fabric bits from my huge scrap stash. Look closely and you'll see lots of old favorites: Chocolate Lollipop. Midwest Modern, Belle, Lotus, Meadowsweet, Hope Valley, County Fair, Drawing Room, Good Folks, etc... and several new favorites, as well.

I was a bit unsure about what binding to use with this cheeky quilt. I considered a dark solid, a black and white checked, but then I pulled out my yard of Ty Pennington's Papercut in Chartreuse and it just popped against all the pinks. The bright white and bold chartreuse brings out the hint of green in the quilt and adds a bit of elegance. Perfect!



Brandied Pear, large Random Patchwork Quilt. This gorgeous quilt will brighten your day! Created with a wide variety of awesome designer fabrics in a random patchwork design. Backed with Kona Bone and more of the same fabrics. Bound with Ty Pennington's decorator weight Papercut in Chartruese. Batting is Cotton Warm and White. Machine quilted in my "random wave" design. Washed with mild soap and tumbled dry for that crinkly, soft touch. Measures 56" x 62". Perfect for adding a sassy touch to the couch, bedroom or as a twin bed coverlet in a little girls room!