Love these colors

So excited to start working on a new baby quilt, commissioned by some friends at work for a co-worker.... The baby's room is decorated in pastel pink, green and yellow.  It is very hard to find pastel fabrics these days, so I found some more modern, muted tones that I think will be lovely as a baby girl quilt.   Can't wait to get started!  I will post pictures when the quilt is done.

Of course, I am scheduled to work tomorrow (Saturday), so I will have to wait to get started.  But hopefully, it won't take me too long to finish!

A little cooking and sewing

It has been a very productive few weeks for me; I certainly hope I can keep the momentum going!

Alexis' baby quilt

In the past 30 - 45 days my sewing machine has been putting in over time.   I have made two baby quilts, a really cool kindle cover (of which I failed to take a picture), a very frilly cupcake apron, new pillow cases for my bed, a backpack for myself, sewed buttons with Jeanette Iriye (her father has a million shirts I tell you!), made a VERY PADDED kindle cover for Andrew's kindle, and attempted making a bedrest pillow for my bed.    The last effort was a made up pattern, and while it turned out ok, it will definitely need refining.   Maybe I should just bite the bullet and purchase a pattern instead of trying to figure out things myself.


Quilt for baby Wren Humes

 I really wanted a backpack for work, but I didn't want to spend the money, so I used some material I had purchased on clearance about a year ago.  I didn't have the yardage required, so I used a lot of different, coordinating fabrics on the inside and for the pocket linings, but I thought it turned out really well.   The inside seams of this bag are bound with biased seam binding.  A lot of effort, but the finished product is well worth it! (And I don't know why these pictures won't load right side up!)



George and I bought a new king sized bed earlier this year, and just recently I purchased a down-alternative comforter because he is always complaining that our bedding is too heavy ... not too warm, but just feels heavy.   The new comforter is just perfect (and I got a real steal on it during Macy's recent home sale), but since it is white, and I just don't have it in me to make a new duvet cover right now, I decided to jazz it up with some new pillow cases.  These were a lot of fun to make and way to use fabrics I adore.  I have a batik quilt hanging over the bed and the fabrics in my new pillow cases coordinate with the fabrics in the quilt.  (Again, the pictures are upside down and I cannot fix it).

So, my friend Cheryl loves lime green.  She also loves frilly aprons.  So for her birthday this year, I made her this apron out of a really fun cupcake print, accented by the lime green ruffles.   Frilly she wanted, and this apron is the epitome of frilly :-)   The apron is fully lined, so all she needs is a little petticoat and she could wear it as a dress!

 

I've also been trying to be diligent to do "advanced" meal preparation so that when I work during the week, the family still has healthy, tasty meals --- and to ensure that I actually have something to eat when I get home from work.   This weekend I made my sister's famous chicken quiche, but to add a kick to it, I blackened the chicken and then chopped it up for the quiche.   I also made our favorite standby Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta, which is a variation of the Greek classic dish, Shrimp and Feta.  I love this recipe because it freezes well and always taste better the day after it is cooked.  It is the classic make-in-advance recipe!  Of course, I never remember to take photos of the food as I am cooking or before they are devoured, so the recipes will have to do.

 

Chicken Quiche (makes 2 quiches)

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken

1 green pepper diced (I always substitute 1 cup frozen broccoli, thawed)

1 small onion, diced

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (I use Gruyere)

2 unbaked 9" pie shells

2 tbsp flour

4 tsp butter or margarine, melted

5 eggs, well beaten

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Dash bottled red pepper sauce

1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 - 13 oz can evaporated milk

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

 

Preheat oven to 375.  Divide chicken, green pepper, onion and cheese between the two pie shells.  Top each with 1 tbsp. flour and 2 tsp. butter.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour half into each shell.   Bake 45 minutes.

 

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA

(makes 4 - 6 servings)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

4 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup white wine





2 cans (14 oz) seasoned diced tomatoes (basil/oregano seasoning)

3 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh)

1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

pepper

salt

1 lb medium shrimp, peeled/deveined

1 cup orzo

1/2 cup crumbled Feta

 

Cook orzo until al dente.   Drain and transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.   In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions with garlic and saute for 3 minutes until softened.  Add wine and boil for 1 minute.  Stir in tomatoes, half the parsley, mushrooms, salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for 5 minutes.   Drop in the shrimp and cook, stirring for about 3 minutes until the shrimp are pink.   Pour the shrimp/tomato mixture over the orzo; mix until orzo is well coated.   Sprinkle the feta over the mixture, top with remaining chopped parsley. 

 

Bake for 10 minutes or until Feta is bubbly.

 

I've been commissioned to make a little girl baby quilt, so I will be picking out fabrics today.   I do so love making little girl things.....

 

 

 

Summer is gone

Andrew's stance for most of the 1200 mile drive



George looking at rocks at Provincetown

Wow, I just realized my last post was in May!   The end of the school year was busy and exciting and led to a busy, fun-filled summer.   After school ended, Andrew and I drove to Rhode Island to visit George's mom.  George flew up to meet us.  We had fun at a Pawtucket's Red Sox game, drove to Provincetown and ate at Sundae School (best ice cream ever!), and spent many hours on the beach.   They flew home while I drove home through New Jersey, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.  I was able to visit my sister and some very dear friends on the way home.   Lesson learned, however, when driving to Newport, always avoid I-95!  My trip home was so much easier -- and although it was a few more miles, it was several hours shorter journey!  

I was busy this summer sewing and reading.  I read 12 books this summer, or about 1 a week, which is pretty good I think for a working mom :-)   I read classics, a biography or two and a few trashy novels :)  My favorite books were Portia De Grassi's autobiography "Unbearable Lightness" and The Color Purple by Alice Walker.   I had read The Color Purple before, but I guess I remembered the movie, not the book.  The book is so much richer and  more vibrant than the movie (even though I LOVE the movie). 

Andrew has started middle school and has adjusted so well.  He has joined the chess club and spends his Friday mornings playing chess with his friends before school.   He also is sporting new glasses and has grown several inches.   He is such a smart, confident, self-assured young man.  I can only pray that this continues to be the case.    The photo of Andrew is with my father's shotgun (which was left to me when he died) and Andrew in my father's sharp shooter jacket.   My dad would have absolutely adored this young man (as he did all his grandchildren).  I am just very sorry that Andrew did not have the chance to meet him.

We have settled into the school year, so hopefully I will get back to more regular posting of recipes and sewing projects!

Busy, happy, bittersweet times

It has been a while since I posted anything, but I've been busy working (bedside nursing) and sewing --- and enjoying the last few months of elementary school.  Andrew graduates from 5th grade this year and we've been working on science fair projects, field trips and getting ready for his final Walk of Honor.  

Andrew's third grade teacher, Terri Doxsee, has been a great supporter of my handmade "goods" and when she saw my Kindle cover, she asked for something similar for her ipad. She asked for a Seminole themed cover; I was able to deliver it to her last week.    

Outside of ipad cover



Inside of ipad cover



Outside of my new Kindle cover with my cell phone pocket

I also felt the need to make myself a new kindle cover because I was always looking for a place to hold my phone while i was reading or carrying my kindle. I saw these fat quarters at my local Bernina shop and just loved the pattern, so I used them to make my new cover complete with a place to hold my iphone.






Loved, loved, loved this fabric combination!

My sister, Debbie, has been "down-sizing" for lack of a better word and decided to place alot of her stitching books, recipes, photos and patterns onto USB sticks. I had taken an embroidery club class, taught by Beth Burgess at Bernina Connection, to make a USB holder. It was all done in the hoop. I had such a great time at the class and was only happy to oblige my sister with a USB holder of her own. Her favorite color is blue; and she loves blue and yellow together. I was happy that I was able to remember how to use all the techniques I learned in the class!




My sister Debbie's USB stick holder
Everything is done "in the hoop"

The next few weeks will prove to be rather exciting and bittersweet as Andrew moves from elementary to the middle school years. I cannot say thank you enough to the amazing teachers he has had along the way at Roberts Elementary. They have provided a safe, encouraging environment and have helped mold him into the incredible young man he is becoming. So thank you, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Doxsee, Mrs. Fish, Mrs. German and Ms. Follis for 6 amazing years --- and to Mrs. Sever for cultivating Andrew's love of books! 












  

Celebrate the gift of re-birth

Easter.  It is the one day that separates Christianity from all other religions.  Almost every religion has a martyr who died for others, but for Christianity, it is faith in the risen Savior; the hope of new and eternal life in Christ.  It is a time to reflect on the Great Sacrifice and how we should live in honor of that gift. 

Of one thing I am sure, our bodies are given to us by our maker.  It is our responsibility to care for them.  There is no magic bullet to keep us healthy.   So, this year, it is my earnest goal to be healthy.  I'm not starting some magical diet nor am I taking some wonder pill or shot to get fit quick.   I'm keeping my focus on one thing:  to feel better and to have more stamina to enjoy life.  Simple.   Even with that goal, I will tell you it is not easy.  It is hard to get up and go to the gym, when I would really rather take a nap.  But, I have found that even though it is a struggle to GO to the gym, and sometimes even a struggle to STAY at the gym, I always feel better and more energetic when I LEAVE the gym.   Actually, by the time I am home, I am thinking and feeling that I could've done more.    

I think my experience with the gym is so true in so many facets of life --- it is hard to start something, and sometimes even hard to stay with something --- but if we perservere, if we push through to the end, the reward is awesome.    I think that was what St. Paul was speaking of in 2 Timothy 4:7:  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."     

Although Orthodox Easter is still not for a week, everyone else's Easter is tomorrow.  So, Happy Easter everyone.  Christos Anesti; Alithos Anesti (Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen)

Spring break and birthdays

It seems that every year my birthday falls during Andrew's spring break which is rather nice because it means that I usually take off some time to be with him.   This year was no different, I took off 12 days in a row (Yay!).  We took a trip to Charleston to see my brother and his family.   Andrew thrives on spending time with his cousin Nic (who is 20 now) playing games, having nerf wars and all those other fun things they do.  


This year, we opted to stay in a hotel since Andrew's foot is still not completely healed.   We had my mother with us too.   Just remind me never to have a crippled 11 year old and a 75-year old grandmother on the same trip again.   Neither of them could help me load and unload the vehicle -- and both of the them had many varying needs --- none of which were even remotely similar.   Thankfully, my niece and sister-in-law helped me get our things into the hotel.  


Because of Andrew's foot, our activities were limited --- but we did get the opportunity to eat at The Early Bird Cafe in Charleston.   This restaurant was featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.   The food was truly Amazing.  So good, in fact, we made the trip twice during the five days we were there.    We also had a great trip to Patriots Point to see the aircraft carriers and all the planes. 


When I returned home, my dearly beloved husband surprised me with a Kindle Fire for my birthday!  YAY....I love to read, and this makes it super easy to tote a book around....But the BEST thing about it is that you can actually enlarge the font enough to be able to read when you forget your reading glasses (am I showing my age here)?    Of course, any Kindle Fire requires a hand-made cover, which I made in about 2 hours.   My sister provided some patterns she had found; I used them as a guide for measurements and ideas --- then I was able to produce this really cute Kindle cover.   The pattern suggested making the seam allowance a little wider so that the fit would be tighter, but when I make my next cover for the Fire, I will use the 1/4 inch seam allowance because I think this may be a little too tight.  The jury is still out on that one.  (P.S.  I took the photos before I trimmed seams, etc., because I was so excited...so please don't be too critical of my work :-)

I'd like to give credit where credit is due, and I did get most of my ideas for making this from a pattern called 'padded e-reader cover with kobo'.   Unfortunately, I don't know where my sister got this from, but I am assuming Etsy, but I'm sure if you google the phrase as written,  you will be able to find the pattern easily.    Happy Spring (although, in Florida, Spring is really over at this point...)

Spring Break and Salmon

So it's Andrew's spring break and I'm taking off some time from work to be with him.  This will be the first time in 2 years that he hasn't had to go to some sort of "camp" for spring break so he's pretty excited.  I will admit, so am I.  It will be nice to spend time with him!    We are headed to Charleston for the first part of our adventure, and then we will come back home so he can spend time with some friends.   During his spring break, The Hunger Games movie be released and I have purchased tickets for us to be at the first showing at 12:01 on March 23rd.   I think it will be fun; the books were awesome if you haven't read them.   Actually, it was one of those "there is no way I can sleep 'til I finish" kind of books.

We are leaving for Charleston Friday (today) because it is Field Day at school --- and since Andrew is still in his walking cast and cannot participate, I thought it would be very frustrating for him to have to go watch his classmates from afar.    

George is not coming with us to Charleston, and I didn't want him to feel neglected so I made him one of his favorite meals last night --- Salmon Plaki.  Publix has fresh salmon on sale this week .... so it was nice to be able to not have to use frozen filets.   I love this recipe because it is oh-so-very-easy, very healthy and full of flavor.  And, my dear Presvytera Elena, this can be easily adapted for Lent :-)

Salmon Plaki
(note:  you can do this with most any sturdy fish --- cod, swordfish, tilapia, mahi)
About 6 oz of salmon filet per person
Feta cheese crumbles (just a couple of tablespoons)
olive oil for the pan
1 can seasoned diced tomatoes (I use the basil & oregon seasoned)
Jane's crazy mixed up salt
freshly ground (a little coarse) pepper

Heat the pan to medium high heat with just a touch of olive oil (or use pam if you prefer)
Season the fish with salt and liberally coat one side with the coarsely ground pepper
Sear both sides of the fish (about 1 minute on each side) to form a "crust" on the salmon
Add the canned tomatoes.  When the tomatoes are bubbly, reduce the heat to low-medium (about 4 on my stove) sprinkle on the feta cheese, and cook for an additional 6 - 10 minutes (until the fish is cooked through).   

NOTE:  If I am not using salmon, I do not use as much pepper.  The lighter fish can become overwhelmed with the peppercorn crust.

I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to be able to spend time with my son and cook regular meals for my family.   Returning to the hospital to work on the floor has been one of the best decisions.   I am truly fulfilled providing direct care and am a much nicer, happier person at home.   I still haven't made it into my sewing room...but I'm hoping that next week will provide time for that!  

Happy Spring!

Spring is here

What a beautiful day in Tallahassee.  Not only is the weather nice, but the azaleas and dogwoods are full of blooms.  Springtime in Tallahassee truly is splendid.

I got to play visiting nurse to one of my friends who recently had surgery.  She was desperately wanting her JP drain out, so I went and did a little makeshift nursing and pulled it for her.   But it was just so nice to go to a friend's house and have true adult conversation.   She is an amazing seamstress so I was able to see one of her magnificent creations.   She's not quite up to crafting/sewing yet, but I'm sure that very soon she'll be back to creating up a storm.  Her work inspired me --- I may make it up to my sewing room yet today.  I have lots of unfinished projections (UFOs) in my sewing room and I need to get motivated now that I have time.   Maybe tomorrow.

I made the absolute greatest meatballs the other day --- seriously, the best meatballs I have ever eaten.  I just modified my normal recipe slightly but oh....what a difference.....I think it was the fact that i used the shredded cheese, added the milk and turned the temp way down after they were browned.   The milk suggestion came from my culinary hero, Ina Garten.   The rest was just the way I learned to make meatballs.  I think it would also make an amazing meatloaf.

Meatballs ala Anna

A little over 1 lb of ground round
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 finely chopped onion
1/4 cup DiGiorno Three Cheese shredded cheese (in the specialty cheese section at Publix)
About 1 cup of 4 Seasons Italian Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup skim milk
Salt, pepper and my secret spice -- Alessi dipping spices.

Put all ingredients  in a medium mixing bowl.  Take off your rings, wash your hand and then sink your hands to mix all the ingredients well.  Form into 2  inch balls and place into a heated, nonstick pan that has been coated lightly with olive oil.   I used med heat (a six on my stove) to heat the pan.  I let the meat balls brown on one side and then turned them all to brown on the opposite side.    I then turned the heat down to 3 and let them cook slowly, turning them once or twice.  They cooked for about 15 - 20 minutes.   And Voila, the perfect meatball was born :-)   Makes about 15 - 20 meatballs.

Enjoy.  Even if you have a favorite meatball recipe, I would certainly use the Ina Garten milk trick --- and the use of the fresher, more coarsely grated cheese really added a great deal to the flavor.  

So good to see the sunshine....

Today the sun came out in the afternoon for the first time in a long while.   It probably really hasn't been that long, but in Tallahassee, where you expect to see the sun everyday, 3 or 4 days of damp, blustery days is a lifetime.   But this afternoon, when I emerged from the hospital training room, the sun was shining brightly.  It was glorious!  I took the opportunity to walk to the parking lot rather than ride the stuffy shuttle.  It has been a long time since I have been able to enjoy the sunlight on a weekday. 

I have been truly blessed these past 2 days seeing old friends and former colleagues who seem genuinely happy that I am back at the hospital.   I have met new friends and colleagues who have made me laugh until I cried with their stories of volunteer fire departments in rural north Florida counties.   Even though I haven't taken care of a patient yet, I feel at home; I know for sure that I belong in direct patient care in the hospital.

This evening after dinner, I had to take a trip to Goodwill.   Andrew has an event called, "Gone but Not Forgotten" at school on Friday.   Each student in his class picked a famous (dead) person who was gone, but yet still had impact on society.   Andrew, of course, picked his greatest American hero, Milton S. Hershey.   In Andrew's words, Milton S. Hershey is the greatest American because he made chocolate accessible for all.   So I was sent to Goodwill for his costume .... a suit, white shirt  and a man's hat.   Fortunately for me, I found the perfect clothing and even the hat ....and there was a special of everything being 25% off.   Even better, when I brought the items home, they fit him nicely.  Whew... I was afraid I'd have to be up all night altering clothes.   We're gonna have to change things up just slightly, though, Andrew will have to wear shorts with his suit jacket, because I don't think his pants will fit over his lovely cast -- but he believes no one will really notice because he plan to pass out Hershey bars to everyone, just like Mr. Hershey would have done.   

In all seriousness, I'm actually grateful that Andrew looks up to Mr. Hershey.  Although he became a hugely successful man, he had many struggles getting to success.  When he did become successful, he gave back to his community and made education of troubled/ underprivileged children his priority.  Success, kindness, perseverance and love of chocolate are certainly qualities we all want our children to have!  So thank you, Milton S. Hershey, for inspiring my son.   Now if we could just get him to drink milk....

It's New Year's Eve -- or at least it is for me

Yes, I know that it is really February 25, 2012 -- not really New Year's Eve, , but for me it is the eve before a "new year" dawns for me.   Actually, Monday my "new life" starts, but tomorrow will just be cleaning out the cobwebs of my "old life".   

For the past 18 months or so, I have been in nursing management.  I liked the Monday - Friday concept of it, and thought it would give me more quality time with my family.   But I was so very wrong.  Not only do the weekends wind up being absorbed with work or work-related activities, but my days don't end at 5 or even 6 .... and I have missed more of my family time than I ever expected.    Sure, the money has been great and "constant" unlike doing shift work, but it really isn't that much more.  And, if I need "more" money for some reason, I can just pick up an extra shift or two.   But I am excited to go back to what I love doing most --- taking care of patients one on one.   I won't need to worry about what services or how many visits their insurance allows --- I'll just get to take care of them and meet the immediate needs of the patient and their family.     It's what makes me happy.  It's what I was born to do.   

I received an e-mail from a patient I had nearly 2 years ago.  She had been in the unit with some cardiac issues and I sat down and explained the circulatory system to her because she just didn't understand what congestive heart failure was.   I drew pictures and explained how each of her medications affected that cardiac cycle.    She wrote me the e-mail around Christmas time 2011 because she had found my drawings and my notes about her medications.    She told me that she had not had a re-hospitalization in the 2 years since I explained everything to her.   It was that e-mail that really started me thinking that I needed to return to bedside nursing.   

So, not only did I quit my management job to make a return to bedside nursing, I made a list of my priorities.   I am going to post that list in the visor of my car and in the front flap of my calendar and wherever else I can so that I will always remember what things are most important to me.    Because, in the end, what you do for others is the only thing that will last.   We are put on earth for relationships; that is what makes human unique.   So, Happy New Year to me.    I plan on seeing all of my friends and family a lot more this year!