Looking Forward To . . .

New Year's Eve says goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one. Most people hope that the incoming year includes more blessings and bounty than the previous year and that negative emotions, bad luck and old habits will remain behind when the calendar page flips over. Various traditions, customs and superstitions accompany New Year's Eve:

Many people create resolutions for the coming new year - less than 50 percent keep them for six months. Sharing a kiss at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve assures that you will receive lots of affection in the new year . Various New Year's Eve traditions revolve around preventing bad luck and seeding good luck into the new year - break dishes, wearing red or polka dots, burning paper and wood scarecrows, remembering the dead, open up the doors and windows just before midnight and sweep out the old, letting the new blow in, and singing the song "Auld Lang Syne" following the stroke of midnight. And as old as time - fireworks!

BRING ON THE NEW

You have to check out Barbara's Challenge at CatPatches as I think this is so going to be fun - starting NEW UFOs! And it's OK!! It fit's in my plans for 2012 - lots of fun new small projects, some with new techniques to learn - like Shell's Hannah & Harrington BOM - working with wool applique will be new and fun for me.

I want to do a monthly mini for my new Ackfeld Wire table stand - a lot of projects will be tied into these minis. I got a little bored and already have my January mini ready. You may have noticed the new buttons - Little Houses here a really cool site, too. And the Mini Sampler at Temecula Quilt Co. with simple little squares is easy peasy.

And check the button for Marcia's Scrap Challenge. I went thru my one scrap drawer and pulled my fabrics to play with. And the Color Pallette Challenge should be a lot of fun to tie into all this along with the Free Motion Quilting.

I want to make at least an ornament a week to plan ahead for a future swap as well as gifts - and as part of Sue's Christmas Quilt Along monthly fun (hostess for July). Since my sewing things were packed away for the Holiday, I spent time starting a few. And I want to continue with my block swaps and Cheryll's wonderful Season and specialty swaps. Oh, and the Jelly Roll fun - have my JRs and even some Charms ready to play with (loved those sales).

And there are already plans in the works for May For Me in 2012. For my new followers, you may want to peek back into May 2011's posts for an idea - I celebrate my birthday all month long!! But, something new is in the works for you all to have fun with - we (yes, there is more than me in this mix of fun) hope to release details in February, tease!!! AND really, who knows what other fun activities bloggers, quilt magazines, sponsors, and the whole net-working source will have to offer us in 2012 - I'm excited!

NEW YEAR'S BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

I haven't had a recipe in a while - so sharing one of our New Year's brunch favorites - SCRAMBLED EGG NESTS **linking up with Marcia's Minutes for Me**








Ingredients:
1 (3 1/2-cup) bag frozen shredded potatoes, defrosted
vegetable oil or butter
salt
pepper
6 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup finely diced onions
1/3 cup finely diced bell peppers
3/4 cup diced cooked breakfast sausage
Shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions:
Pre-heat the oven to 400°. In a large bowl, toss together the potatoes, 1/4 cup of the oil or butter, salt, and pepper. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the potato mixture into each cup of a 12-serving muffin tin. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of each cup, then bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the nests from the oven and allow them to cool.

While Nests are cooling, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add a little oil or butter to a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions and peppers to the pan and saute until both are soft and the onions are slightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sausage and cook until heated through. Add the egg mixture and stir until the eggs have set and small curds have formed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove the potato nests from the muffin tin and place them on an ovenproof platter or cookie sheet. Fill each cup with some of the egg mixture, top with a sprinkling of the cheese, and place the nests in a 350° oven until the cheese is melted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm.

Alternatives:
Mushrooms, baby peas, cilantro, capers, bacon crisps, or a cheese blend instead of cheddar. Potato mixture can be spread into a pie dish or baking pan instead of the individual nests. Then add your scrambled egg/extras.

CLOSING THOUGHT

We've Holidays and happy days, and memory days galore;
And when we've toasted every one, I offer just one more.
So let us lift our glasses high, and drink a silent toast;
To the day, deep buried in each heart that each one loves the most.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon