Orange-Pumpkin Muffins

While browsing through an old Leisure Arts Christmas
book the other day, I came across this recipe and the
picture looked so tempting that I knew I had to make
some.

They are wonderful and perfect for a crispy fall
morning especially if you love oranges and
pumpkin.  I loved the flavor the orange zest
added.  However, nuts were omitted as I was
out of them and didn't want to make a special
trip to the store for one item.  The nuts are only
sprinkled on top of the muffin.

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try them:

Enjoy!

Nola

Two Years Later

Finally, it is done and ready to enjoy this Christmas.
I started this free BOM: "A Christmas Wish" from
Gail in January of 2009 fully intending to have
it completed for Christmas.

All the stitchery and piecing of blocks were finished
on schedule and I had even started quilting it, but for
some reason (which I have now forgotten) it didn't get
finished and has sat in my sewing room staring me in
the face waiting to be done.

Now it is DONE!  It was a great way to use up my
old Christmas fabrics from my business.  However,
it really didn't make a dent!

The only thing left to do now is make a label for the
back.

Utah's Own Icon

Today I had the opportunity to meet Nancy Halvorson,
Utah's own quilting and designing icon.  She was
coming to "My Girlfriend's Quilt Shop" in Logan
and my friend, JoAnn, invited me to drive up and
go with her.  It was a beautiful drive, perfect
temperatures, and still a little color highlighting
the canyon.

Nancy lives near by in Layton and is a very
talented and gifted lady.  You may be familiar
with her books, Art to  Heart or her fabulous
fabric line.   It was fun to hear her story of how
she got started in the industry and have her share
some helpful sewing tips.

Loved seeing all her wonderful items featured in her
books made up and on display for everyone to enjoy
and "drool" over.

Here she is with one of the store's owners.
Nancy is the one without the microphone.

It was difficult to pass up her wonderful fabric and
books especially because the store was offering a
discount for those attending.  And so I didn't. I
purchased a kit to make the garland hanging above
Nancy.  It is way cute!

It was a fun day and so nice to meet Nancy.
Nola

Priceless!

Stuck in the House

It is such a beautiful fall day and here I am stuck in the
house with an eye infection.  Since I am contagious for
24 hours decided the best thing I could do was cut and
sew the border's to my son's quilt.

Sorry the picture isn't the best.  Now just need
to print off  some more coupons and get the
backing tomorrow.  Then as soon as I find
batting on sale I can put it on the frames and
tie it. 

It will be nice when it is finished and I can cross
it off my "to do" Christmas list.

Off to treat my little eye.  Have to do this every
two hours today and tomorrow. How quickly the
time flies by---seems like I just did the drops.

Take care,

Nola

Taking The Easy Way Out

After searching around for flannel fabric for my son's
quilt, I have decided to take the easy way out and
not piece one for him.

Our local craft/fabric store recently got in these
beautiful Riley Blake flannels and I am going to
use these:

The colors are so rich and beautiful and seem very
manly to me.  The plaid will be the center and I'm
thinking of using the green with trees for an outside
border with a tan for the backing.  What do you think? 
Do you think the trees would make a better backing? 
They have a dark brown that I could use for the back
but it is by a different manufacturer and I'm not sure
I like it.

Good quality flannel is so expensive that I have to
use a 40% off coupon.  The coupon is good for a
two yard cut and you can only use one a day, so I
am stopping by each day.  Now I just have to find
a coupon for the batting somewhere else as they
will not let you use a coupon on batting.

These will now be pre-shrunk, dried and pressed
so I can get the borders cut and sewn in the next
day or so.

And, I'm excited to say my Christmas quilt is
almost done...just a couple of more blocks to
quilt.  Think while I'm pre-shrinking the flannel
I'll go cut strips of fabric for the scrappy
binding so everything can be pressed at the same
time.

Take care,

Nola

Absorbing Vitamin D

How I wish these warm sunny Autumn days could last.
Today was one of those days that just called to me to
be outside and absorb some of that Vitamin D that
only comes from Sunshine!  Spent the afternoon
working in my yard pulling out more annuals,
trimming perennials and cleaning and organizing my
garage.

This is one of the last flower beds needing to be done....

 



 
 ....but I'm going to wait a little longer.  The Mum's
are so pretty and the Profusions are still looking good.
Will need to cut back Jupiter's Beard by the fence
and my Black Eyed Susan's since they are all
bloomed out.  Maybe I'll trim them back tomorrow.

Did get a little quilting  in this morning while
waiting for the day to warm up.

This is the scene out my window where I sit to
quilt.  It is so beautiful when the sun is shining on
the leaves.  My neighbors Red Leaf Maple has
almost faded and dropped all its leaves.  But, oh
was it beautiful when it was bright red!

Well, I'm off to see if I can get a little Christmas stitching
done this evening.

Take care,

Nola

Update!

Today we are all feeling very grateful and excited as
we learned that my young friend, Daniel, who recently
endured a bone marrow transplant just received great
news.  The bone marrow en-graphed and if all
goes well he may becoming home this week.

We continue to pray for him and his family, but feel
so grateful for this blessing.

Halloween Carnival and a Finish!

Last night was a perfect evening to be outdoors.  The
temperature was very mild.  We didn't really need a
jacket until close to the end of the Halloween Carnival
when it started to cool down.

We all gathered at my son's home for a spaghetti
dinner---which the kids could hardly eat because
they were so excited.  Then off we went to his
neighbor's for their annual Halloween Carnival
which goes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

They really go all out decorating their home and
yard making it fun for kids of all ages!

Ian dressed up as a rock star.  (Notice his hair color)
Kohler came as a butterfly, Hailey dressed as a
friendly witch and her friend Jennifer "cheered" them
all on.

Each activity takes one ticket and there is a prize or
treat given to each child.  Their little paper sacks
were overflowing with goodies by the end of the
evening.  They had a great time!

Today I finished the binding on my table
runner which completes my fall projects for  this
year....

...as I need to get started on Christmas.  It will be
here before I know it.  Am making three sets of the
Christmas Sew Along Banner for my family.
(http://www.sewhappy.me) That's going to keep
me busy stitching in the evenings.

While the weather is still nice I think I'll slip
back outside and see if I can do a little more yard
work.  Pulled up some of my annuals and tomato
plants this morning and put all of the cushions
for the patio furniture away as well as all the
little garden accessories I add to the yard in
the summer.  It's looking quite bare and empty
out there, but I'm glad to be getting things in
order before winter arrives.

Have a great day wherever you are!

Nola

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Don't remember if I've share this recipe before, but
this is one of my favorite fall recipes.  It's good any
time of the year, but as I've mentioned before fall is
pumpkin time for me so we especially it enjoy it now.

It is wonderful on bagels, toast, etc.  I especially love
it when my daughter makes her homemade bagels
and shares them.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl
with an electric mixer on medium speed until
smooth.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour
or up to 24 hours.  Makes 1 1/2 cups (24, 1-Tbsp
servings)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
  Tuesday, October 11,2011

Outside my window...There is a little sunshine and the
storm clouds that delivered rain this morning are
breaking up.  Temperatures have warmed up to about
60F which is really nice.

I am thinking...I now know why the plaids are not
working that I wanted to use for my son's quilt.
My daughter stopped by today and in the course of
our conversation I asked her to take a look at the
quilt and give me her opinion.   Well, to make a long
story short, over the years she has been using some
of the plaids for projects, returning flannel pieces
that she has also bought and used for her projects.
No wonder things didn't seem to come together!
So, I have decided to let it rest for awhile until I can
find some plaids to supplement what I have left.

I am thankful...for Sunshine!  It warms me, brightens
my day, and makes me feel happy. 

In the kitchen...Navy bean soup simmering on the
stove.

I am wearing...Levi's and blue plaid shirt.  Hmm...
I must be on or in a plaid kick.

I am creating...Nothing now.  I have set the quilt
to the side.  Will have to work on some of my
other UFO's.

I am going...To try and get my granddaughter's
photo/scrapbook up to date.  Worked on it a little
today.

I am wondering...Where my time goes.  Just doing
four pages for Hailey's book seemed to take most of
the afternoon.

I am reading..."Montana Summer" by Jeanette
Miller

I am hoping...To find some plaids that will work
with what I already have.  Didn't make it to the fabric
shop today.

I am looking forward to...Relaxing and reading my
book this evening after I go for a quick bike ride
now that the weather is good.

I am hearing...My clock chime the hour.

Around the house...Halloween decorations have
now been added to the fall decorations and it is
looking quite festive. 

One of my favorite things...Playing in the leaves
as they fall from the trees with my grandchildren.
It won't be long now as a few are beginning to
drop.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Work Wednesday and Thursday
Much needed hair cut Thursday
Relief Society Humanitarian project tomorrow
Attending the annual Halloween party in my
son's neighborhood Friday
Saturday fall festivities at Heritage Park with
the family

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I have loved this quirky little doll ever since my
mother and sister each made one many, many
years ago.

My children call her the "witch" doll because of her nose.

We looked forward to visiting mother and
seeing this special doll dressed for the different
holidays in the clothes mother had lovingly made
for her.  When mother passed away I claimed
this doll for my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Nola