Tilda and Summertime

 

Oh, I love this quilt so much! All the beautiful Tilda fabrics from several collections all playing together so nicely and backed with a hot orange batik fabric.

This quilt was just a joy to create, and I am sure it will remain a joy around here for years to come!

 

 

Does it look like Summer? Well, it definitely IS!!! All the brilliant colors, the one white chicken strolling around out there, the coleus ,the bright pink zinnias, lots and lots of figs ripening on the tree all combine to make me happy, even in the heat.

The lower right picture in the collage above is a couple of gifts for our great niece's baby girl set to make her appearance in August. I only had a Christmas gift bag, so I used a colorful napkin or two and trusty Mod Podge  and turned it into a Summer bag! 

 

I hope you're seeing lots of things that make you happy! The world is so full of beautiful things. We just need to notice them and it will make our life so much more enjoyable!

 

Hugs and kisses,

Elaine 

 

 

Another One for the USO Lounge

 

But first, take a look at this gorgeous, brilliantly colored plumeria!  Isn't it beautiful! My next door neighbor gave it to me a couple of years ago, but this is the first time it has flowered. I am so excited to see it! 

 

Don't you love this backing fabric for my newest quilt for the USO Lounge at our Houston airport! From my friend Deb.

 

 

And here is the front. Very simple rail fence with a couple of nine patches in the middle. Fun quilt to make!

 

 

I read a really interesting article the other day in which a woman who is a food scientist made the case that a lot of the health decline in our country is directly traceable to the commercial milling of wheat grains starting in the 1920's. Freshly milled wheat grain spoils rather quickly because of the wheat bran and wheat germ which are both somewhat fatty, and therefore will spoil or go rancid relatively quickly. Commercial mills discovered they could profitably sell ground white flour that would not spoil IF they removed the bran and wheat germ first before milling or grinding the wheat berries into flour.  Of course this also removed the majority of the real food value from the bread made with that wheat!

 

 

So, I bought a grain mill, the one she recommended, and it worked perfectly, quickly and quietly!

I had ordered five pounds of the hard red wheat berries and I ground up all of that last night. This morning I got up early (Yes, this is a miracle!) and mixed and kneaded and waited for that to rise, cut it into three, formed into loaves and put in pans and waited for that to rise. Baked and deliciousness was enjoyed!! I also made some pimiento cheese which Mr. Muddling and I slathered on a couple of pieces of the bread. Heaven! 

I was really impressed with how easy it was. Needless to say, I've ordered more wheat berries!!!

 

It's always good to learn something new, and to go back and renew your mind to things you once enjoyed. I am so happy it turned out so well! 

 

I hope you are growing in the things you know and learning new ones! It's always good to learn and to do!

 

Hugs and kisses,

Elaine 

 

 

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Three Cheers for the Red White and Blue

 

I finished this one. Just got photos taken. It will be going to the USO Lounge at IAH Houston. I am so glad to have another one ready to go. My friend Sandy has some ready as well. Three Cheers!

 

 

In other news, Mr. Muddling's darling baby girl Lady had surgery this week. It went well and we expect a full recovery, but she does NOT like her new wardrobe. Life is just full of challenges for all of us, isn't it?

 

 

This one is getting closer to completion. Maybe a couple of borders. It will be going to the USO Lounge, too. We are behind in what we want to give them, so once we get this latest batch there, we should be caught up. YAY!!!

 

 

How cute is this pin cushion!!! A friend from our prayer group at church gave it to me. I love it. What would we do without our friends?

 

My very good friend who has been our across the street neighbor for over forty years moved to heaven this morning. She was in the her nineties, and has had a long, good life. But I will miss her.

 

I am so glad our good heavenly Father knows all our joys and sorrows and is with us through them all.

 

I hope your week has been wonderful so far!

 

Hugs and kisses,

Elaine