cake recipe and donation quilt

A couple of you have asked for my apple cake recipe and this seems like the easiest way to share for everyone to see!

Fresh Apple Cake

4 cups apples, peeled and chopped

2 cups sugar

Mix and let stand 1 hour.

Mix together:

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Add:

1 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

Mix well, fold in apple mixture.

(Optional - add 1 cup nuts - I did not)

Bake in greased tube/bundt pan at 350° F for 1 hour.

Let cool about 10 minutes and turn out onto a plate or platter. (Choose something a little larger than the cake, as the glaze will pool around the edges!)

Glaze:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Mix in small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Boil 2 minutes, then spread on warm cake.

Pretty easy, no?  The hardest part is probably peeling and chopping the apples!

And now on to quilting news!

Quite a while ago (actually over two years, checking back on my blog), I found a gal who was asking for quilt blocks of a specific design to be donated and she would construct tops to be given to families of fallen police officers.  I thought it was a great idea and a nice block and brought the idea to my guild.  We have one member with a former state trooper hubby and another with a fairly newly inducted state trooper hubby and many more with military ties, so there was a good response.  I collected 14 blocks in the next few weeks.

But when I tried (repeatedly) to contact the gal, I got no response.  I was frustrated, but figured I'd keep trying.  And then the blocks got buried in a stack of too much other stuff.  And I forgot.

As I was cleaning and tidying through my UFO finishing last year, I found the blocks again.  And went looking.  This gal had never again once mentioned these blocks/quilts/project.  What should I do?  I told my friends I'd take care of getting these where they were supposed to go!  I felt awful that I had, basically, lied to my friends.

And then, a few weeks ago, Country Log Cabin Quilter mentioned a charity called Quilts for Cops where she planned to send some quilts.  I checked it out and it seems a perfect alternative. (You can also find them on facebook.)  While they send quilts to officers injured in the line of duty (rather than family they've left behind), the idea is still much the same - thanking those who do such dangerous duties - and I was excited to get these blocks sewn into a top!

There is a recommended size range, so I worked a little with some graph paper and did a little math to figure out I would only need 12 of the blocks and some fairly minimal sashing.  The difficult decision was made and the blue-that-won't-go-away was selected as sashing fabric from my stash.

The blocks are large, so the quilt came together fairly quickly.  Even if there were LOOONG seams from the very start.  Unfortunately, I took no photos until I got it onto the longarm!

I only had to purchase a back and the group mentioned that flannel backs are great, particularly for officers based in more northern locations.  Well, JoAnn's has a fabulous sale on flannel, so what better timing!

When I saw this, I was done shopping.  My hubby would love this print (even identified the fish when I showed it to him!) and since many of these quilts go to men, I figured it was a winner.  It could be for an outdoorsy lady, too, but this is definitely NOT girly!

I struggled some with how to quilt these large blocks and what color thread to use, but finally just started the loading process and figured it might come to me!

Part of me wanted to do some ruler work in the hearts, but there are quite a few seams in these blocks and some of them are pressed more nicely than others.  So I needed something that could creatively miss areas that might be extra troublesome.  And once I realized I could do a whole heart without moving the quilt on the frame, swirl-hooks became the plan.  Using blue, of course!

It's not too easy to see here, but this was one of the easier blocks to see what I was doing.  My eyes hurt from straining by the time I was done - with only 12 hearts!  But I got them done.

I also needed to fill in the background!  Pale grey on white-ish?

This isn't the best, but I've only done this once or twice before, and not using it to work around oddly-shaped pieces - working in a rectangular or square space is MUCH easier with this pattern.  I'd like to say I got better as I went, but I think they're all about the same.

I didn't get a photo of the borders, but I did a wishbone/figure-8 design in all the borders and sashings.

And then begged my hubby to help me get a quick photo!

(He's got his pinkies up...what a goofball!)

It's 64x84" and does not yet have binding.  The group asks for diagonal-pieced binding sewn on by machine.  Neither of those are in my comfort zone, so I cut the binding strips to the requested width and included them in the package with the quilt.

Once it was done, I contacted the charity group, making sure the quilt was acceptable, and they were thrilled to have it.  In the box I also included the two blocks that weren't used, hoping they can use them for another project.

Earlier today, I made a special trip out to the post office and sent the quilt on its way.  It may take up to a week to get there, but that's okay.  They know it's coming, but it's no rush.

I hope this alternate proves acceptable to my friends.  And I hope this will comfort and warm someone while they heal...let them know there are folks out there who will never meet them that care about their well being and appreciate their choosing such a dangerous profession.

Because of this and work, no progress has been made on the log cabin blocks, but I'm headed to the sewing room shortly!

And in case you were worried the pink star-heart quilt might not be loved...or were missing seeing Freddie...

...Freddie is there, kinda half-under the quilt, enjoying the sunny day we had a few days ago.

Happy quilting!

Katie

the first exchange

Thursday we finally exchanged our row-by-row boxes.  We had a crazy-busy meeting in addition, but the rows were what I was waiting for.

The original plan of the coordinator was to not show even our original rows.  We talked her into letting us share.  (I think this was better - those who didn't participate got to see a little and those of us participating got a chance to hear in the words of the row owners their thoughts.)

We had 10 members with rows.  Since this was planned to be groups of 5, we couldn't have done that better if we'd tried!  So we counted off and determined our groups.  I was a little disappointed my friend Colette wasn't in my group because I had an awesome idea for a row for her already (we'd chatted about our rows in advance), but I'm sure she'll get some awesome stuff anyways.

Since we showed our first rows, I think I can share those here...  I'll save photos of my rows for the end.

The first box theme is "quilting" and she included a lot of bright fabrics.

Her row:



The center is embroidered on her (very fancy) embroidery machine.  I already have an idea for my row and drafted it last night.  It's on the order of the hedgehogs with number of pieces per block, but it's going to be great and worth the trouble.

I think it's probably safe to show the stash she put in with her row...



I think the smallest cut in there is a quarter yard, but other than the solids, all have more.  This is going to be one busy quilt, but there's so much to choose from, I'm having trouble deciding if I want to lean towards solids or go crazy with the prints...

Today I do plan to at least make the first block.  I'll need 5, so hoping the first goes well and I can move on.  They're due the 26th, so I have a few weeks, but this is not a project to procrastinate now that I see the number of pieces per block!

My AQS challenge has had little work done.  The snowstorm predicted last week hit.  And we got probably 14 inches of snow.  And our road didn't get plowed.  Our driveway did, though, so I made an attempt to go to work.  And got stuck at the intersection a mile up the road.  Seems all the snow from the more major road I was trying to turn onto was plowed into the intersection of my road.  I had to call a tow truck because I was really hung up.  I talked him into towing me the mile back home (road still unplowed and nerves of steel long gone after the trip down it nearly two hours earlier) and called it a forced snow day.  So I did work a bit on my challenge quilt, but I'm not loving it right now.  It's not going as quickly as I'd anticipated and I'm having more trouble than I thought I would, so it's just a thorn in my side right now.  But I will get it done.

Yesterday I was planning to lots of quilting.  And I kept getting sidetracked.  As it turns out, all I did was draft the block I plan to make for the row.

But I did make these:



The recipe came from facebook and I can't figure out how to link to that page...so here it is:

KISS ME COOKIES 
heart emoticon
from Coutney Luper
You Will Need:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp. almond extract
6 drops of red food coloring
2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
approx. 50 Hershey kisses
Preheat Oven to 350
In a large bowl beat your butter, powdered sugar, and salt...till well blended...add in cherry juice, almond extract and food coloring...Gradually Beat in flour...stir in cherries.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min. or until bottoms are light brown. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into center of each cookie...it will crack around the edges...cool on pan for 2 min. then move to a cooling rack.

They aren't bad, but I don't think this recipe qualifies as a keeper...

Off to make some rows!

Happy quilting,
Katie

minestrone

Minestrone

1 onion, chopped

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced/chopped

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage

2-3 carrots, sliced

2-3 small zucchinni, sliced

1 small head cabbage, sliced/chopped

3 cups beef broth

1 quart tomatoes

1 tbsp. dried basil

2 cans great Northern beans

In large stock pot, cook onion, garlic and sausage until sausage is no longer pink inside.  (I make sure to chop it up as it cooks so it's in bite-size pieces, too.)  Add carrots, zucchinni, cabbage, tomatoes, basil and broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes, until veggies are mostly tender, stirring every so often.  Add beans and simmer long enough to heat through (10-15 minutes usually does it).  Serve (messily, as my picture above shows), enjoy and try not to burn your mouth because you can't wait for it to cool down.

Pretty much every ingredient above is flexible.  Want a thinner soup?  Add more broth.  Don't like cabbage much or can't find a small head?  Use half a head (and pick up stuff to make coleslaw while you're at it because that's a yummy way to use up the leftover cabbage).  Jars of beans on sale?  Buy them instead!  I can my own tomatoes, but two 15oz cans of stewed tomatoes could probably substitute nicely.

And no, there's no pasta in there.  (But you could add some.)  :)

This recipe won 2nd place in a healty recipe competition at a local gym a few years back.  I have no idea how fantastically healthy this might really be, but I do know there's less fat in Italian sausage than hamburger, beans are a great source of fiber and look at all those veggies!  (And I'm prefectly okay with 2nd place - the prize was better (in my eyes) and I'm thrilled to share such a yummy recipe with anyone willing to try it.)

And because I worked on quilty stuff today...

...I know, I know...overachiever...

These are for #1 of the UFO challenge.  I thought about doing more blocks from the quilt I was working on yesterday, but decided that a 4-block month would be easy, so I might as well work on something and get myself ahead.  I'd lay them out, but you've all seen the Luka-nado and I know I won't get these together before he wakes up from his nap.

Happy quilting,

Katie

PS  I got my International Quilt Festival (in Cincinnati this year) brochure today.  I'm really considering going.  That Thursday preview night was so much fun to shop and there are a few classes that might be fun...

christmas goodies

The cookie exchange yesterday was a success.  Only 5 of us total, but this time of year, that's pretty good!

Pretty good loot, no?

And when I arrived home, the candy-making commenced.

3 batches of peanut brittle, 2 batches of fudge and 1 batch of truffles.

Each of my hubby's 21 employees plus my boss and our secretary will get a tin like this in the coming week.

And, as promised, recipes!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

Mix in glass bowl:

1 cup sugar

1 cup raw peanuts

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1/8 tsp. salt

Microwave 4 minutes.

Stir.

Microwave 3-5 minutes more, until light brown.

Add:

1 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla.

Stir

Microwave 1 minute.

Add:

1 tsp. baking soda

Mix thoroughly.

Spread on lightly greased cookie sheet (or aluminum foil).

I've made this dozens of times and it always comes out well.  And as for that 3-5 minutes, in my new 900-watt, .9 cubic foot microwave, 4-5 minutes was about right.  I have a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup and that worked PERFECTLY for this...the handle was a lifesaver!

Fudge

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter or margarine

6 cups sugar

2 cans (5 oz each) evaporated milk (or 1 1/3 cups)

2 packages (12 oz each) chocolate chips

1 jar (13 oz.) marshmallow creme

2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

2 tsp. vanilla

In 4-5 quart heavy pan, mix butter, sugar and milk.  Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly.  Continue boiling 5 minutes (or until candy thermometer reaches 234F), stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and add chocolate chips.  Stir until melted.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Pour into TWO lightly greased 9x13 pans (or 3 9x9 pans).  Cool at room temp.

I've made this for years and my mom has made it for longer and we NEVER use the candy thermometer and we've NEVER had a bad batch!  It originally was on the container of one of the ingredients (marshmallow creme?) but no longer is.  It's delicious and creamy.  I've made it with peanut butter chips and with white chocolate chips (plus a little Kaluha!) and it's also yummy.  Semi-sweet chips give a darker fudge than milk chocolate, but both taste fantastic!

This is also a good recipe to have a big strong man help with, as stirring in those chocolate chips and marshmallow creme wears my arm out!

The truffles recipe can be found here.  It's super easy and I made about 75 and still had dough left over.  (Maybe I made my balls a little small?)  I rolled 1/3 in powdered sugar, 1/3 in cocoa powder and 1/3 in chopped pecans.  Well, the hubby rolled them in sugar and cocoa, if we're being honest here.  :)

And since we're talking about Christmas goodies, I tortured my hubby to get a photo of the whole, finished Christmas quilt this morning.  (You know, biddy stuff can kill a man, right?)  It's a grey day, but with the snow, the lighting was much better outside!

It's called "Trees for Sale" by Pieces from My Heart.  I used the same fabric as the original pattern, Crazy Eight by (I think) Sandy Gervias.  And no, that border is not pieced...it's printed (because one of you asked). 

And the back, because it's too cute!

The colors don't quite match the front, but it's a cozy flannel and perfectly whimsical for my tastes!

And now the hubby had to run into work, so I'm going to haul out his quilt and hope to get that binding finished!

Happy quilting!

Katie

fruit pizza

fruit pizza

crust:
Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar.

Press into 9x13 pan and bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes.

Cool.

"sauce":

Mix 8 oz. softened cream cheese (room temp), 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.

Spread on cooled crust.

Add fruits of your choice.  Sliced or not, whatever you like.

topping:

Boil 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp. corn starch and 1 tsp. lemon juice until thickened.

Cool.

Spread over fruit.

Refrigerate.

It's a little time-consuming with all the waiting for stuff to cool, but delicious!

I've had trouble recently with the topping getting runny.  It's been suggested to serve the topping on the side, but I've been wondering...  I know kiwis keep jello from setting up, so maybe they're causing the corn starch to un-thicken?  I'll have to try it without kiwis next time and let you know - unless someone else makes this without kiwis first...

You could also use pre-made sugar cookie dough to make the crust, but I never have.

Enjoy!

Katie

Mom's Apple Pie

I decided to make a pie...apple pie using my mom's recipe.  I know, I know, it's not apple "season" but this sounded so good.  Hot out of the oven:

The recipe came from the newspaper many, many years ago...I can't give credit where it's due because I'm sure the original is LOOONG gone...  It said to cook it in a paper bag, but I didn't.  My mom used to.  I've done it when they were easier to come by.  My grandma tried and I think said a few choice words to my mom when it lit on fire...

The recipe:

about 6 pie apples (I like Red Rome)

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 deep dish pie crust

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

Peel, core and cube apples.  Sprinkle with lemon juice.  Add 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp flour and cinnamon.  Toss to coat.  Dump into deep dish pie crust.  Mix butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup flour with pastry blender (or fork) until crumbly.  Dump on apples, pat down.  Bake at 400F for 45 minutes.

I also sprinkled a little instant tapioca into the bottom of the pie crust before adding the apples because it's always a little runny.  I've never done it before, but I hear it's supposed to help.  We'll see...

What I was doing while baking pie:

I quilted 1/4 inch inside each star.  I bet you're all snickering.  I think my mom was too when I told her my plan.  It's not that big of a quilt, but jeez oh pete socks...what a lot of work to move it around every few inches...  Now I'm just doing 1/4 inch in on the log cabin "L"s...that's a little easier!

I'm kinda suprized no kitties showed up to be in the picture, but one was sitting in the window directly behind the table.  She just didn't make it into the picture - you wouldn't want to see the mess between her and the quilt anyways!

Katie

Playdough and Birdie Bag

I've had two nieces and a nephew here overnight.  I'm exhausted!  We made playdough from scratch.  It's a recipe that was in a cookbook put together by my elementary school MANY years ago.  I had to call my mom for it, but the kids had fun, though video games were a bigger draw.  (Guess I'm getting old...)

Playdough

1 cup boiling water

5-10 drops food coloring

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1/2 cup salt (yes 1/2 cup)

1 cup flour

1 tbsp. alum

To boiling water, add food color and oil.  Add remaining ingredients and stir/knead until well-conbined.  Add more flour if too sticky.  Store in an air-tight container.

This came from the mom of a girl who was in the same grade as one of my brothers.  Hearing her last name reminded me of stories of her "marrying" my brother on the playground in about 1st grade!  Thanks Mrs. Ekkins for the recipe and trip down memory lane.

Also, the Birdie Bag is done!

I feel a sense of accomplishment, but feel a little guilty at it...there are a number of other projects I started in 2009 that are being neglected for new ones to be started in 2010.  I suppose eventually I'll run out of newer projects, right?

I think it's time for a nap...

Katie

peanut butter cookies

This recipe came from a cookbook my grandma's chuch put together back in 1990.  When my grandma's Alzheimer's got bad enough that she had to go into a nursing home, my parents cleaned out the house and brought me home a big stack of cookbooks.  Most were the 5x7-ish ones you can get in grocery store checkouts, but this was a treasure.  There are notes on recipes in my grandma's handwriting, which I love.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. margarine

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

Cream together margarine and peanut butter.  Add sugars and mix well.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.  Add flour, salt and baking soda and mix well.  Drop on cookie sheet, press with a sugared fork and bake at 350F for 10-11 minutes.

Actually, the original calls for butter, but I made two batches one night a few years back and asked friends at work to test them.  One was made with butter, one with margarine.  I almost always bake with real butter, but the flavor of butter fought the flavor of the peanut butter and EVERYONE agreed that the margarine version was better, though they didn't know what the difference was.

It's credited to Renee, Rachel, and Angi Fields.  Noone I know, but I thank them wholeheartedly, as these are the best peanut butter cookies I've ever eaten!  They're great warm, cold, plain, dipped in milk...any way you like your cookies!

Coming soon:  Love is Blind...

Katie