Junk drawer...

I've always wondered... should a "junk drawer" be neat and tidy, perfectly well-organized?  Or would that be wrong?  Shouldn't it be a hodge-podge mess of all the stuff that doesn't fit anywhere else?  I mean, if it's organized, then it's not really a "junk drawer", is it? 

And why am I asking this?  Probably because this is a junk-drawer kind of post.  It's this, that and other stuff.

I did get a little bit of sewing done today ~ I needed a break from what I've been working on so I spent a little bit of time playing with something that I knew would make me happy.  Since I knew I wouldn't get to finish anything, I just decided to get done what I could... so I pulled out my Aster Manor pieces...

A whole bunch of flying geese.  Cut some squares and a little over two hours later...

I know... I'm just a little OCD.  Okay, maybe a lot.  Don't worry... it isn't contagious. 

Another hour or so of pressing everything and this is where I am now.  And where I'll have to be for a little while because I have to get back to other things.  But this is a good stopping point.

I also cleaned off my desk... which had become piled with all sorts of stuff that really needed cleaning out or putting away.  Do you save recipes then wonder why?  I sure seem to do a lot of that. 

I also put away some goodies I brought home from work ~ my other work.  It seems that red and khaki/tan is going to be a more popular color trend this Fall than anybody would have guessed.

It isn't just quilters who are excited about those colors...

 

Hmmm... how do you think that will look with Rouenneries?

Thank goodness I didn't have to wait until October for the towels. 

Yes, I probably would have bought the towels even if they didn't match the fabric.  They're that pretty... but shhhh, don't tell my family.  I've been forbidden from bringing any new towels into the house.  And bowls.  Actually, the list isn't that specific.  All it says is "nothing new from Williams-Sonoma". 

Rosie's stew ~ since I was asked about it, I'm including the recipe for that.  Two things to tell you about it first.  Yes, it is edible for humans but it is pretty tasteless.  Bland.  But Rosie loves it.  She gets this instead of canned dog food, its' purpose is to make her kibble a little more palatable and interesting.  I usually use ground beef, but any ground meat with will, as will any vegetable ~ canned, frozen or fresh.  Second thing, she gets 1 to 2 Tbsp. of it with her kibble. 

Rosie’s Stew

1 to 1 ½ lbs. ground beef

2 to 3 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning mix

2 to 3 Tbsp. garlic powder

1 – 28 oz. can tomato puree or crushed tomatoes

1 – 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 – 16 oz. bag frozen mixed chopped vegetables ~ corn, carrots, green beans, spinach, etc.

2 c. rice, uncooked

 

In a really huge stockpot, bring about 8 cups of water to boil.  When the water is boiling, start dropping in small pieces of the ground beef.  Then add the Italian Seasoning and garlic powder.  Break up pieces of ground beef as much as possible.  Add tomatoes, frozen vegetables and rice and bring the mixture back to a boil.  Turn heat to low and cover.  Simmer about 25 to 30 minutes until rice is soft and cooked.  Turn off heat and put top askew so that stew cools.  It is okay if all or most of the moisture is absorbed.  When the “stew” has cooled, transfer to 4 cup, freezer-safe storage containers.  Store the containers in the freezer for up to three months.  For best results, let the stew thaw at room temperature instead of in the refrigerator.  Store the container in the refrigerator.

 

And that's it for now. 

I'm crossing my fingers ~ Sweet Tea covers should be ready on Tuesday. 

Later...

Comments

[Kathy]

Any info on the quilt in the Australian magazine? I've been looking at my LQS and I don't know which issue to look for. They have quite a few different issues and I (and they) don't know which one is the most recent.

I'm really looking forward to making Sweet Tea.

I was at the Quilt Odyssey Show in Hershey, PA this past week and I bought Charlie Brown. Yes, an older pattern, but one of my favorites. They had it kitted with Civil War prints, but I already have a stash of them so I will make the blocks and THEN choose the sashing. It's a great pattern to use up LOTS of scraps.
The booth I was at always features one of your patterns and has it available in kit form...they sell like crazy! Ladies were actually grabbing them out of others hands...and that was the 1st day of the show! Luckily, the vendor came to the rescue with a box of them from under the table!

[dotti white]

I am excited to see Sweet Tea! Thanks for sharing that you have other "obsessions" other than fabric or actually, that go along with fabric! Have an awesome week!

[Janet/What Comes Next]

I like my junk drawers to be suitably messy when I pull them open - that way I know I have the right drawer! I could get very use to a bit of khaki and red. hmmm might be time to go do some more shopping! I also make our dog's food, and he loves it - very similar to your recipe, with no tomatoes, but a bigger quantity, as it is all he gets!

[Chris]

Those Aster manor pieces look cute. I am piecing mini 1/2 square triangles which are left from another project - so sweet & tiny I couldn't bear to throw them away!

Loving all the Rouenneries - october seems far away (may even be longer in UK!)

Chris x

[a good yarn]

Your quilty pieces look like tasty little morsels. No wonder they cheered you up. Until your family issue Williams-Sonoma with your picture you've got nothing to worry about. Red and khaki would be a nice change for Christmas.

[Lisa D.]

I can't wait to see what those sweet geese are going to become. Flying Geese - be still my heart! Those towels are too pretty, I can see why they came home with you.

[Carol]

Looking forward to Sweet Tea...Miss Rosie is a lucky girl. I make treats for the boys and they just go crazy.Love those Aster Manor pieces...cute flying geese. Love all the stacks.

[auntiepami]

Love those towels! I'm ready for some new ones and just so happens, I think I am ready for a road trip to WS (only 90 miles away). And, of course, I adore Aster Manor, could that be a new Schnibble?

[sherri]

Those flying geese are great...I love looking at so many...and can't wait, of course, to see what they will become! Aster Manor looks great as well!