January Thaw

I use that title with a chuckle. My SIL and I were laughing about this today. We actually got to almost 30 today! Now we are to have another 2 weeks of sub zero weather. Heaters and oil tanks checked, generator primed in case, and wood piled handy.

Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup
You need:
2 cups chopped sweet potato
2 cups chopped butternut squash
4 cups of chicken stock
1 medium onion - chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups milk OR half and half
1 teaspoon crushed ginger (or ginger powder)
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
In a large saucepan or boiler, melt the butter. Add Chopped onion, garlic and ginger - cook till onion is clear. Add other vegetables, mix, cook a few minutes. Then add chicken stock, salt, pepper, bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Cool (a bit) blend. Add in milk (or half and half), return to heat, bring to nearly boiling.
Serve topped with seasoned croutons and bacon bits.

I used squash and sweet potato already cubed and stored in freezer. Any fall squash or pumpkin will work in this soup too. Canned pumpkin can be used - add with chicken stock.

I finished another UFO and so glad it's done. I wanted to handquilt this, but after a good finger poke thru my leather thimble, a broken needle and stitches not looking neat; I unstitched the thing and put it on the machine. Using non-quilty fabric is a leason learned. They are good quality cottons, and given me when I just started. The border and backing are Thimbleberries fabrics - but what a struggle. Even the binding gave a few finger pricks. I broke a needle trying to tie on the buttons!

I haven't shown these yet - love Kaaren's (Painted Quilt) Raggedy Ann and Andy BOM. I pulled the tote to have things ready for the next block. I need to find a larger box to store them as they are wrinkling badly in the tote. This is going to be a beautiful quilt. I'm not an Annie fan, but this is for my BFF who just loves them. Maybe I'll get ambitious and make a doll to go with it - I have until Christmas anyway

I pulled all my drawers to fold and re-sort fabric scraps to be ready for the Moda Bake Shop Progressive Dinner (see button). I need some new little projects that finish in a day. But I must admit, I started some blocks, too. What can I say - I get carried away when I play with scraps.




Other fun activities - check out Paula's Challenge button and maybe get ready for the BlockAPalooza quilt along.
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon
Support a new quilting blogger - Pauline at phoenixheirlooms.blogspot.com/