Irish Eyes Are Smilin'

I'm not Irish and I just can't fathom eating or drinking anything green. Although I will wear a bit of green to visit my local quilt shop - you get a lovely discount!

I said I don't bake, but I pulled this recipe (an old label from a can of Lucky Leaf pie filling)from when my kids were little and it was a favorite of theirs:

POT A CAKE
1 21-ounce can LUCKY LEAF Blueberry Pie Filling (or any brand)
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 4-serving size package (3.4 ounces) French vanilla instant pudding mix
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
1 17.4- to 18.3-ounce package cinnamon streusel quick bread mix
2/3 cup water
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide pie filling among eight 10-ounce custard cups or ramekins (for one dish recipe see below). Set cups on a large baking sheet; set aside.
2. In a large bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in pudding mix. Gradually beat in whipping cream until well combined (mixture will be thick). Spoon evenly over pie filling in cups.
3. In another large bowl combine quick bread mix, water, eggs, and oil. Stir until combined but slightly lumpy. Spoon 1/4 cup of the batter over the cream cheese mixture in each cup. Sprinkle evenly with all but 1/4 cup of the packaged streusel mixture. Spoon remaining batter over the streusel (batter won't cover the streusel layer). Sprinkle with reserved streusel. (Note: Cups will be full.)
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into top portion comes out clean. Cool slightly. If desired, drizzle tops of cakes with icing* before serving. Serve warm.

*Icing: If your quick bread does not contain an icing packet, in a small bowl combine 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons milk, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. If necessary, stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make drizzling consistency.

One Dish Method: Prepare batters as above. Spread pie filling in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Dollop pudding mixture atop. Spoon on about 1/2 of the batter and sprinkle with all but 1/4 cup of the streusel. Spoon on remaining batter and sprinkle with reserved streusel. Bake in a 350°F for 40 minutes. Cool slightly and drizzle with icing.

Makes 8 servings ** Apple or Cherry Pie filling could be used instead.

SQUARED UP

I spent the last two days playing in my red scraps since they are overflowing. This photo doesn't show the box dumped on the couch or the 18 gallon tub under the table - yes that much RED! This is how I work scraps, so I try to keep to a day or two and then clean up.

And this is what I'm playing with. String blocks galore. I like to use old phone book paper. You just have to check that the print won't smudge off onto your fabrics; and I always cover my ironing board with an old towel to protect it. These are 6.5" squares and I managed to get 40 blocks done before clean up time.

I know - another red project , but I've already worked on so much green. I made up 3 dozen of these ornaments since my scrap bins were out. The tops were already paperpieced, I needed to just finish them off as part of one of my UFO Challenge Lists. Now some of my Christmas items are done. Christmas on St. Patties Day? Are you confused?

The Noah's Ark is machine quilted and ready for it's binding. That will leave just the Cherry Picnic quilt to finish for my March goals. The sun is suppose to shine today, so I hope to get those other quilts photo'ed outside. And to play a little bit in the flower beds.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you”
** Irish Blessing

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon