Coming To Tea with Prayers and Quilts

Today my PRAYERS AND QUILTS CLUB met at my house for our monthly meeting and I served and Afternoon Tea.  Normally this groups meets in Auburn but since I don't have a car yet they were kind enough to meet here in my home.

In addition to tea I served Lemon Poppyseed Madeleines, Lemon Glazed Angel Food Cupcakes and Chocolate Strawberry Meringue Cookies and all was gluten-free.  (Recipes Below)

Gluten-Free Lemon Glazed Angel Food Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups egg whites
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup all purpose gluten-free flour (for cakes like mine)
1 1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar (be sure it's fairly fresh)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar

1. Place egg whites in a very large mixing bowl and let sand a room temperature for 30 minutes
2. Sift powdered sugar and flour together (I found wisking well worked fine)
3. Beat egg whites, cream of tarar and vinilla wih elecric ixer on med-high speed until soft peaks form (the tips curl). 
4. Gradually add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (stand straight up).
5. Gently fold in flour, one-fourth at a time.
6. Spoon into lined cup-cake cups (about 18).
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar, grated peel of one organic lemon, juice of one lemon.  Combine all.  Prick top of ho cupcakes with fork or toothpick.  pour one tablespoon glaze over each cupcake, then pu back into the warm but urned off over for 3-4 minutes.

Gluten-Free Lemon Poppyseed Madeleines

2 large eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon grated fresh, organic lemon peel
Pinch salt
1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour mix (plus 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum if needed)
1 3/4 cup melted butter, slightly cooled
Powdered sugar to dust Madeleines

1. Preheat oven o 375 degrees F
2. Generouly grease 2 standard madeleine pans with butter
3. Combine eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl.  With electric mixer beat on high until creamy for about 4 minutes
4. Add vanilla and lemon extracts, lemon peel and salt, beat to combine.
5. Gradually add gluten-free flour mix and beat just unil combined.
6. Slowly drizzle melted butter into the mixture while beaing until combined.
7. Spoon batter into prepared Madeleine molds until almost to the top. 
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until tops are puffed and golden brown. 
9. Invert he pans ono wire ricks and give them a hard tap to remove the cookies/cakes from the molds.
10. Serve warm dusted with a bit of confecioners' sugar.

Strawberry Meringue Cookies

3 large egg whites
1/8 tsp salt
3 oz box Strawberry Jello
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

1. Beat egg whites and sal until foamy. 
2. Add Jello and sugar gradually; beat unil siff peaks form (stand straight up) and sugar is disolved.
3. Mix in vinegar; fold in chocolate chips.
4. Drop from teaspoon onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper (you could also pipe them)
5. Bake at 250 degrees for 25 minutes
6. Turn off oven; leave cookies in oven 20 minutes longer.
7. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minues.
8. Remove from pan and store in air tight container.

Scrappy Fridays

Summer can be a busy time but those of us who are creative still like to feel like we can create something.  The other thing we all know about ourselves is that we all have a stash pile of fabric candy we just had to pick up but haven't used.  Then there's the scrap stash of small fabric pieces we couldn't give up because we were sure we could do something with it.

In honor of all this I've decided to invite my friends and followers to join me on my BLOG in Scrappy Fridays.  I'm looking for people to write a guest article about a day or weekend project that you can put together from your stash.

The articles will appear on my BLOG each Friday during June and July.  If you would be willing to join the fun all you need to do is compose the article, include 120 x 120 pictures of the project and one of you, the instructions for the project and a short Bio.  Simply choose one of the dates below and send the article in HTML (plus the pictures) at least three days before it's scheduled to be posted.

We hope you will join us!

Dates Are:

June 1 - Grandma Farmer
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 7
July 14
July 21
July 28

New Quilt Top

Today I finished the quilt top.  Hope to get it put together and machine quilted by the end of the month.  One more quilt for my stash.  I want to have 20 quilts in my stash.  One for each of the grandchildren when they graduate from high school and a few for gifts.

Cleaning Up The Stash Thursday

If you sew and are anything like me I have a HUGE stash of fabrics (this is about a third of my stash) and yarn for projects I was going to get to or from seeing fabric or yarn I just couldn't resist and was sure I'd make something with.  I've decided to do a 'Working Through My Stash' day where I'm going to show you ideas that I've gathered, make them up and show you how you can sew or knit through your stash too!

The other day when I had this idea I was sorting fabrics and ran across a pillowcase panel I bought long ago for my granddaughter.  Remembering that I wanted to make pillowcases for all the grandkids in April I just set myself down and sewed up the pillowcase. It took me less than 30 minutes to throw it together.

Now I'll go through the stash and see what fabrics I can use to sew some for the rest of them!

Next I found some purple fabric that was just enough for a spring/summer nightgown for the same granddaughter.  I cut it out and sewed it up.  Took me about an hour.  Now I'll find some fabric for the other five little girls. It won't be hard

It's your turn!  Come up with a quick project from your stash and send me a picture and how you made the project including the time it took you to make it. It can be for any craft project.  We'll post some of them here on Cleaning Up The Stash Thursday

Thursdays Grace Study

I'm study Grace this year......everything I can get my hands on that talks about GRACE. This week is catch-up week with our Bible Reading so I'm going to let you catch-up if you need to, but if not, join me in reading about GRACE. I'm also reading the book, WHY GRACE CHANGES EVERYTHING by Chuck Smith. I'm going to be giving away a copy of this book to a lucky winner of this weeks Raffelcopter drawing. Go Here to enter.

The list below was taken from www.biblegateway.com

1. 2 Corinthians 8:9
   For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
   2 Corinthians 8:8-10 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter)
2. 2 Corinthians 9:8
   And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
   2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter)
3. 2 Corinthians 9:14
   while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
   2 Corinthians 9:13-15 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter)
4. 2 Corinthians 12:9
   And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
   2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 12 (Whole Chapter)
5. 2 Corinthians 13:14
   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
   2 Corinthians 13:13-14 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter)
6. Galatians 1:3
   Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
   Galatians 1:2-4 (in Context) Galatians 1 (Whole Chapter)
7. Galatians 1:6
   [ Perversion of the Gospel ] I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
   Galatians 1:5-7 (in Context) Galatians 1 (Whole Chapter)
8. Galatians 1:15
   But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
   Galatians 1:14-16 (in Context) Galatians 1 (Whole Chapter)
9. Galatians 2:9
   and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
   Galatians 2:8-10 (in Context) Galatians 2 (Whole Chapter)
10. Galatians 2:21
    I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
    Galatians 2:20-21 (in Context) Galatians 2 (Whole Chapter)
11. Galatians 5:4
    You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
    Galatians 5:3-5 (in Context) Galatians 5 (Whole Chapter)
12. Galatians 6:18
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
    Galatians 6:17-18 (in Context) Galatians 6 (Whole Chapter)
13. Ephesians 1:2
    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Ephesians 1:1-3 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)
14. Ephesians 1:6
    to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
    Ephesians 1:5-7 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)
15. Ephesians 1:7
    In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
    Ephesians 1:6-8 (in Context) Ephesians 1 (Whole Chapter)
16. Ephesians 2:5
    even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved),
    Ephesians 2:4-6 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter)
17. Ephesians 2:7
    so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
    Ephesians 2:6-8 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter)
18. Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
    Ephesians 2:7-9 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter)
19. Ephesians 3:2
    if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
    Ephesians 3:1-3 (in Context) Ephesians 3 (Whole Chapter)

Harvest Moon Over The Mountain Quilt

Wanted to up date you on the progress of my Harvest Moon Over the Mountain quilt. 

I have appliqued and pieced together 3 of the 5 strips to day.  Tomorrow I will be spending some time in the car again so I will have all the blocks appliqued and ready to piece and put the border around the quilt on Friday. 

This quilt is easy and is going together rather quickly.  Watch for further updates!

I always pictured myself as a 'traditional' quilter but have to say that the two previous quilts were more modern as this one is.  The border will be red with the binding and back of black material in the Amish Quilting style.

Monday's This and That

Welcome to Newsie Monday! 

Two 'winter' tornados hit North Platte, Nebraska last night destroying homes, knocking trains off the tracks and injuring at least two people.

Please, Please pray for all the people affected by the storms!

I'm sure people are walking around numb this morning and the real damage will not be seen until it gets light out today.



Tomorrow is the first official day of spring.  It seems that we've had a little taste of early summer in the last couple of weeks.  I hope we are not going to get hit by late frosts.  I planted like a crazy woman this weekend.  Got all my potatoes in, some green onions, lettuce, Kale, Chard, Mesclin Mix, Turnips and more.  This morning I'm going to run out and plant the Beets I didn't get in yet....it's suppose to rain off and on all week.  Perfect timing!

I was thinking quilting on Saturday when I was planting and I planted one of my 4x8 foot beds in Quilt fashion!  I can't wait until it comes up so I can show you what I did......I can't wait until I see what I did.  LOL

My Harvest Moon Over the Mountain quilt blocks have been started.  I was inspired by our last Prayers & Quilts meeting so I picked up the material.  Of course, what I wanted wasn't in 'the stash'.  I've got to work on my Mystery Quilt for my Nebraska City guild this week also so it will be a quilting party all week long.  I'll post pictures on the Facebook page as we go along so if you haven't liked Grandma Farmer on facebook, you better do it today or you'll miss out.

We are getting a new buckling tomorrow.  Making the trip to Topeka to pick him up.  His mother is an OUTSTANDING milker and we are very thankful to Goddard Farms for sharing him with us.

His name will be Goddard Farms Jared  and will be the proud pappa of most of our 2013 kids.  He is one of the brown kids pictured.

We have Boer Meat Goat kids due to be on the ground in May and ready for processing in March 2013.  Order early as we already have two reserved.

We will have Fresh, Raw Goat Milk available June through December.  Supplies might be limited so get your spot soon!  Milk will be $3.50 a half gallon.


Visit FOOTSTEPS BEHIND ME soon and see if I'm researching any of your (our) family sir names!

I've been building this blog and expect to begin blogging on it by the end of the week.  It's been difficult to get all the pages complete so I can share with you what directions we are going with these first 5 generations to be compliled in a book with the above name and published (hopefully) in 2015.

The picture posted here is of Aquilla Hall, a popular Stella, Nebraska figure in the 1800's.  Aquilla love young people and worked with and for them.  He was also popular among the adults and served in public office in Nemaha County.

Aquilla, is a handsome dude with crystal blue eyes.  He is Mike's 4th Great Maternal Grandfather.

WINNER!!!!

We are excited to announce that Erin S.  is the winner of our last give-away!  She gets a free $15 gadget from PLEASANT HILL GRAIN.  Congrat's Erin!  Special thanks for Pleasant Hill Grain of Aurora, Nebraska for participating in our kick-off give-away!  No give away's this week but watch for special announcements and a new give-away next week!

As usual watch this week for some new and marvelous Gluten-Free Recipes from

Grandma's Kitchen!

Prayers and Quilts

My quilt group, Prayers and Quilts, from Auburn met at my house on Thursday.  Four ladies came and sat around my table as we learned a new Quilt Square and began the appliques  Margaret read from Psalms 121. Of course we began with prayer.

I liked the square so much I decided to make one for myself.  This one is great for watching TV with my hubby or working on in the car.  Simple but Striking! 

Moon Over The Mountain
12.5 inch block

For 1 block:

1 - 12.5 inch square (background - dark (it's night)
1 - 8.5 inch square (moon - light)
1 - 8.5 inch square of non-fusible interfacing
1 - 13.25 inch square, cut in quarter square triangles (mountain-medium - need 1/4 of square per block)

1. Crease the moon fabric in both directions to find center. 
2. Use a compass to draw a 8.5 inch circle on the fabric.  Cut out.  Place circle right side toward interfacing.  Sew around outside.  Cut interfacing to match size of circle.  Snip a slit in the interfacing.  Turn moon right side out.  Press
3. Crease lightly the background square to find center.  Center moon on back ground.  Pin.  Hand or maching applique moon to background.
4. Press edges of Mountain peaks back.  Place at the bottom of your block with peak on moon.  Applique in place.

For 20 blocks you will need

2.5 yards dark - Background
1 yard light - Moon
2/3 yard medium - Mountain
1 yard non-fusible Interfacting

This will make a 48 x 60 inch quilt without sashing (if you desire) or borders and the backing.  Have fun!

Labeling Your Quilts

As you know a well made quilt can last for 100 years.  I have one and it's a beauty.  It would have been nice if my great aunt would have at least put a label of some kind on it with her name and the date she finished the quilt.  I haven't started doing this yet but with this link I may just get a start on getting this job started.

Victorian Quilt Designs is among several options for some great FREE  label designs for you to get started with.

There are tons of options for the label from just using a fabric marker and writing your name and the date on the back of the quilt to a fancy paper pieced fabric label that has the information embroidered on it. 

Some companies offer pre-printed labels and there are companies that will custom make labels for you to use.

Some folks put awesome little sayings and quotes on the label to further personalize the label.  Quilters Diary offers many for you to choose from.

With all these options you're sure to find something to document your cherished quilt that you spent so much time making.

HAPPY QUILTING

Scrap Stash

We all have it, whether we want to admit it or not. 

First of all we all play the

SHE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST FABRIC WINS

Then...........when you start to quilt you play the

SCRAP STASH GAME

We just can't bare to throw those scraps away.  I have several boxes of these types of stashes and to many piles of quarter yard fabrics. 

Good News!!!!

Now you can convert those scraps into managable sizes that are easy to conform into wonderful

SCRAPPY HAPPY QUILTS

Bonnie Hunter can show you how to get organized and how to build beautiful quilts out of those scraps.

http://quiltville.com/scrapusersystem.shtml

Have fun!