going... going... Gone!

This is for my friend Mary in Greeley:

It was quite a progression, really...

Things I'm loving

Paisley Jade reminds us every week that we should remember: I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.

Here's my donation to that cause:

I'm loving

(my first one!)

I'm loving

I'm loving

I'm loving

I'm loving

I'm linking up:

suit tote accessories

zipped lips pouch/key chain
(Embroidery Garden)

larger zipper pouch
(SN2U)

small pouch
(SN2U)

zippered wallet
(The Purple Hat)

wallet with knotted leather button

sweet collection!

I felted the wool for some of these. On others it was to bulky to use with the zippers. I used in-the-hoop embroidery designs from 3 different designers. (More details available on request...)

Breakfast Bars

Not that our house would ever be considered "sane"... but the first day of school for a couple of my guys comes around on Monday. To help tame some of the craziness of the morning rush, it does help to have breakfast ready. (& if it can be eaten in the car on the way to the bus stop or car pool, that's even better!)

Here's my bar "of choice":

chopped apples

a little peanut butter

some protein powder

eggs

orange juice

stir in apples

add spice

oh, how 'bout another spice

well, maybe just one more...

raisins

rolled oats

press it into the baking sheet

heat it up a bit

let it cool

slice into bars

serve it to your honey with his coffee

(Oh, they're not too bad with a tall glass of milk, either...)

Well-Suited

TA - DA!

I finally finished my second bag for the sew-along! 

I don't know which part of the process was worse:

• walking around Goodwill (in Phoenix in the summer) with several pounds of wool suits on my arm
• picking apart well-tailored jackets draped across my lap (in Phoenix in the summer)
• manipulating pattern pieces to capture pockets & labels
• stitching through multiple layers of wool suiting

But -- I do believe it was worth it! I will be making more. (I've got several pounds of suit fabric on my sewing room floor...)

Feast your eyes:

...when life takes away your limes...

... could also be titled "Don't Count Your Limes Before They're Harvested!"  Back at the beginning of the year I blogged about my lovely lime tree with its beautiful blossoms...

I was not counting on there being a hard freeze (in Glendale, in February, for cryin' out loud!) that badly injured my tree. (I am so thankful the tree is nice & healthy now!) So sorry, no limes this summer...

Normally, when we need a lime for tea or marinade we head to the back wall to pick one. Trifle inconvenient to drive to Sprouts each time I want a little icy blender drink!

 My knight in shining armor to the rescue! He bought me a nice large bag of limes from Costco. 

They.are.so.delish. Raspberry tea never had it so good! Diet coke is improved with a little squeeze. Black beans are quite tasty with some lime squirted on... Grilled salmon totally rocks a honey/lime marinade.

However, no matter how many I use, usually toward the end of the bag the poor things are as hard as rocks & difficult to juice. What a waste.

NOT TODAY, FOLKS!

Today I made lime simple syrup: 

4 cups sugar

4 cups water

3 limes, quartered

bring to boil

cool

strain through cheesecloth

bottle

ENJOY!