HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SEWING MACHINE

I know that I do a lot of sewing

and the thing that I do is to clean the lint out of it.

It's an unavoidable when anyone sews.

How often I clean my machine

depends on how much I use it.

Many quilters swear by the rule of cleaning the

bobbin case after every two to three bobbin changes.

I have to admit that I have never done that.

Janome America offers an excellent resource

for taking care of the sewing machine.

Click on the link below and you will find the directions.

Sew 4 Home

Off I go to clean my machine to get it ready for tomorrow.

MY SISTER, THE ARTIST, LAURA MOSQUERA

I've got a wonderful sister.  Her name is Laura Mosquera.

Like all younger sisters, she was a pest.

We got into all kinds of adventures.

 

As we have gotten older, our relationship has gotten better.

She has been my cheerleader, supporter, shoulder to cry on, etc.

 

But my sister has a talent that I most definitely don't have.

She is an amazing artist.

Her artwork has been on show all over the world.

Enjoy some of these pictures of her amazing work.

 

This on the Chicago Red Line Loop

 

 

Federal Reserve Bank

 

Interplay

 

Color Plastic Action

 

Saint Vitus Dance

I actually saw my sister work on this painting.

 

I'm Not Sure But I Will Be

 

A painting of our mom.

 

A painting of our father.

 

As you can see from her work, she is an amazing artist.

I am very proud of her.



ANGEL BISCUITS

When my sons used to live at home,

one of their favorite breakfasts was biscuits and gravy.

I would always have trouble in making the biscuits.

They would be either crumbly or not right.

I was always dreaming of them coming out flaky.

 

I then found a recipe on King Arthur's website

the solved all of my problems in making the biscuits.

I've never had anymore problems and my boys love it.

 

So this early Sunday morning, angel biscuits are in the oven

ready to be eaten when they are finished baking.

 

Here's the recipe:

 

1/2 cup lukewarm water

1 teaspoon instant yeast

2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/4 cup cold unsalted butter

3/4 cup milk or buttermilk

 

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast and 1/4 cup of the flour.  Set the mixture aside for 30 minutes.  In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the remaining flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.  Cut in the shortening and the butter, mixing until everything's rough and crumbly.  Add the milk to the yeast mixture, and pour this all at once into the dry ingredients.  Fold together gently until the mixture leaves the sides of the bowl and becomes cohesive.  Sprinkle with an additional tablespoon of water only if necessary to make the dough hold together.

 

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface.  Pat it gently into an 8 x 10 inch rectangle; it'll be about 3/4 inch thick.  Cut the dough into fifteen 2 inch round biscuits.  Gather, reroll and cut the scraps, if desired; the resulting biscuits will probably be a bit tougher.  Place the biscuits on an ungreased or parchment line baking sheet.  Cover them lightly, and allow them to rise for 1 hour, or until they've increased in size about a third.  The biscuits may be refrigerated for several hours or overnight at this point, or frozen for later use.

 

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Uncover the biscuits and place the pan on the top third of the oven.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  The biscuits are done when golden brown on the top and bottom.  Remove the biscuits from the oven and serve them hot, with butter, and jam.

 



FAIRY GARDENS

There has been a trend in gardening for a couple of years

called fairy gardens.  At first, I had no idea what it was.

Now I do and I love it.

You may be wondering what is it.

The basic idea of fairy gardening is gardening in miniature,

creating the appearance that tiny fairy creatures have taken up residence in your garden.

This is a perfect opportunity to let your creativity run wild,

and let your inner child out to have some fun.

This is also a great chance for the children in your life,

be they friends, grandchildren, or your own children, to be part of the process.

 

What is the best place for a fairy garden?

Most sources say it should be slightly hidden,

at the base of a tree or an out of the way corner of the garden

to create an element of surprise and discovery for visitors to your garden.

Incorporating small plants into the scene increases the feeling

that the space is inhabited by tiny fairies.

 

Creating a fairy garden can be as big or as small a project as you'd like it to be.

 Here are some ideas to get you started:

• No garden to make a fairy garden in? Use a container. Place it on your porch or deck to enjoy the tiny landscape. If you use houses or other accessories that can't take the elements, this makes it easy to move them indoors during inclement weather
• Another idea for a portable fairy garden: use an old suitcase and plant one side with your garden, close up the garden when extra protection is needed.
• Look at items with a child's eye, or better yet, work with your children or grandchildren to repurpose items you already have. My young friend that lives next door has come up with amazing fairy houses just using items she finds outside plus what she discovers while sorting through odds and ends in my craft supplies.
• Check the Christmas clearance items for fairy garden potential. Many of the items typically used for Christmas village scenes are perfect for fairy gardens at a fraction of the price.
• Fairy gardens don't need to stay outside. Use small houseplants grouped in a container or terrarium as a backdrop for your fairy landscape.

 

 

HEARTLAND GROWERS

There is a business that I call it my Garden of Eden.

This business is Heartland Growers located at

2621 E 186th St.,  Westfield, IN 46074-9683
Tel.: (317)896-9355,  Toll Free: (800)852-9524
 My friends are the owners of this greenhouse.

 

Every time I walk in there,

I want to come home with a car load of flowers.

They have the most beautiful plants and flowers.

There are acres and acres to choose from.

 

When my oldest son got married,

that is the place we went and got the flowers.

The church looked beautiful.

 

 

I've made my list of what I'm going to purchase.

I'm also taking my mom so she can purchase her flowers.

I can't wait to select and plant.

 



FIBER FEST

I know that I rarely write two blogs in one day,

but I had the opportunity to be in Greencastle, Indiana

and I went to their fairgrounds for their fiber fest.

 

I am pleased with myself because I used self-control

and did not buy any yarn! 

However, I did buy four bars of goat's milk soap.

 

There was so much yarn that I was coveting it.

Lots and lots of ideas were flowing in my head

as I walked into the different buildings

where the vendors were located.

 

I took some pictures with my little camera.

Maybe tomorrow I'll go back and buy some yarn. ;)

 

 



GARDEN CLEANING

The weather has finally cooperated and I

was able to go outside and to some yard work.

There was a lot to do.

I picked up lots of limbs and branches from the front yard

and trimmed several trees the old fashioned way.

We have three black walnut trees that I totally hate.

I raked and filled one garbage can with those walnuts.

There is still more to rake!

I hate those trees!

 

It felt really good getting that all done.

There is still more cleaning to be done

and I'm so glad the weather cooperated

and I'm so looking forward to spending

more time outside this year.

 

 Burning limbs and branches.

 

 I hate these black walnuts.

 

 Since my chainsaw died last year,

I had to trim the trees the old fashioned way.

Boy were my arms tired.

 Nice clean cut.

 

Two of my daffodils.

 Love them.