ALYOF Mid ~ Month progress

Half the month has flown by already,which means it is time to show my progress on my list (s)...

This is the photo from the book (Simple Choices,by Abby Lane Quilts).  This quilt is titled Simply Spring,AKA my birdie quilt,which is on my projects list.

Here is my version,the blocks are made up with Polka Dot Stitches fabrics.  My birdies are from other fabrics in my stash.  Right now they are just pinned on,since I need to purchase some steam a seam before I can attach them.

The wings and tail feathers pattern pieces cut out of freezer paper.  I still need to pick the fabrics for these pieces...

On to some goals,here are all 20 of the crayon rolls that were sewed up last week!  Obviously I can not count to 20 as I only came home from the store with 19 packs of crayons...

Three new fabric journal covers all ready to go,just need one more composition book for the one in the center.

A few more only,these are chalk board journals.  Killing two birds with one stone,as these have been pinned on one of my pinterest boards for quite a while.

Laundry soap,these are just what would not fit into my big jars!  The one on the left is made with Fels-naptha bar soap,the one on the right is made with pink zote bar soap.  They also both have super washing soda,and 20 mule team borax,I have been using these for around a year now.  They work just as well as store bought at a fraction of the cost :)   Still trying to figure out what to use as molds for my bar soap...

No progress on the clutches yet but,I do have the fabric!  The new bag pattern,bag is in progress and I will post about it as soon as it is finished,or at least to a stage where you can tell what it is from the photo.  Stalking my triple zip pouch partner,and have some fabrics in mind...

Cedar Wrapped Mediterranean Salmon

When posting the Asian Salmon with Vegetables recipe,I promised to also share the  Mediterranean Salmon recipe.

Of course it rained yesterday...but Mr. P. grilled anyway,I know he is a keeper!

Mediterranean Salmon:

• 3 Tablespoons finely chopped sun dried tomatoes (rehydrated in hot water or,packed in oil)
• 2 Tablespoons chopped Kalamata olives
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup zucchini,cut into thin strips
• 2 6-8 oz salmon fillets
• 2 fire & flavor cedar papers(pre-soak in warm water for 10 minutes)
• fresh basil for garnish (optional)
• salt and pepper (to taste)

These are the papers used for wrapping and grilling your salmon/veggies in,and is also where the recipe came from.

First: Combine tomatoes,olives,garlic,oil,and thyme in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Next: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat (about 400 degrees).  Place one fillet in center of each grilling paper,spoon tomato mixture directly on top of fish,and arrange zucchini strips on top.  Fold edges of papers over the fillets and secure with string.  Place packets on grill and cook 4-5 minutes per side,depending on thickness of fish.

Last: Using tongs,remove salmon from grill and serve with fresh basil as a garnish.

I chose to steam up some fresh green beans on the grill (in a foil pack with butter and seasonings) to go with the salmon.  Serves 2

How does your garden grow?

So,since I am about to go take a batch of jam out of the canner,this is going to be a picture post.  All about the garden ...

Even though the Deer managed to get in and Burglarize the Garden recently,as well as my sunflowers GRR...they have survived and are doing almost as good as before the rampage :)

ALYOF July Goals

  This month begins the second half of the A Lovely Year Of Finishes.  I totally missed the link up for last month,but not this time.

First though,how about a little Sunflower Love?  :)

So on to my list...

Goals:

• make clutches for my nice's Bridesmaids 6,(waiting on fabric to arrive at the moment)
• triple zip pouch for swap (stalk secret partner,pick fabric,start pouch)
• crayon rolls,fabric covered journals for FM  
• try a new bag/purse pattern out 
• make soap (Laundry & bar)
• start on at least a couple Christmas projects

Projects:

• work on finishing my birdie quilt top (in progress)
• try something new (more details when it happens)
• make some bags from a few single quilt blocks
• pillow case sets,for my shop or the FM
• list a few items in shop

Now,to see how far I get on both lists...

My nephew and his wife had a baby boy yesterday!!  So I am a great aunt again :)

Row,row,row...

Well,2013 is now officially half over.  Crazy,I know,before we know it December will be knocking on the door!  Saturday I had planned on working on BOM blocks,since it rained,that did not happen,but this did...

Remember my row quilt top?  Well it is a top no more :)  The first rain drops started to fall just as I finished packing up my F M booth.  What timing!  Anyway after a late lunch,and the sewing tables back in place,this was calling my name.

The back is a Joann's fabric called scallops,with the star row a little off set from the center.  At the bottom are the extra geese,as somehow that row ended up with too many!  The binding is made up of scraps from the quilt front,and also the backing fabric.

I am so happy to have this one finished,as it is mine All Mine :@)

Yesterday,was spent in the kitchen and the garden.  Here are the fruits of my kitchen labor!  The four jars at the back are Rhubarb and blue-raspberry (blueberry/raspberry) jam,sounds out there but is really yummy.  The four shorter jars at the front are Strawberry Marmalade,a first for me.  Of course I had to add my own twist to it!

Instead of oranges and lemons,it has lemons and limes,in place of the water the reserved juice from cooking down the rhubarb was added,and to take it over the top fresh French Tarragon from the garden.  A party in your mouth!

On the left is my French Tarragon,on the right Mexican Tarragon.  There are also two sweet peppers in between,also harvested but not pictured...lettuce,swiss chard a bit of lavender,mint,kale,and a couple peas.  Which will probably be all we get as the deer wreaked havoc in the garden one day this last week :(  Thank goodness they were picky and left the majority for us!