Mice and men...

This isn't about mice or men.  And no, I'm not having any problems with either one because I don't have any of either one around to cause me problems.  

This is about that "best laid plan" thing -- what I was planning to do, what I wanted to do, and what I actually did.  

I know, I'm preaching to the choir here because we've all been there.  The good news is that it has been a very nice week even though it whizzed by at light speed.  I have been out a little and had a bit of fun, which always seems to get me in a little bit of trouble, monetarily speaking.  

Have you seen the new issue of Where Women Create?  

The woman on the cover is Kristin Alber of Found in Mesa, Arizona.  I used to shop regularly at Domestic Bliss, the first of Kristin's shops.  When it first opened, it was a bit like Found but with more gifts.  Then it changed into more of a gift shop and I didn't get over quite as much.  Kristin moved on to open a a couple of design businesses, and Found is part of that.  While Domestic Bliss is open daily, Found is only open by Appointment or once a month for an event.  Starting this past Friday, they will be open Friday and Saturday through the holidays.  If you are in the area, its worth the trip.

 

That gorgeous chest of 30 drawers in both pictures... I really wanted it but I couldn't fit it into the trunk of my car.  And I didn't have a clue where I would put it.  Oh... and there was the price issue.  But they were having a special and I could have gotten 20% off.  Of $1895.00.  

On a side note, have you ever noticed that a woman who would emphatically state that she was terrible at math can figure out the discounted price of something in her head?

As I am currently in the midst of a pillow-fetish, I used my discount to get one of those candy cane pillows on the couch.  It's very cute.  

It's a beautiful shop.  

Lest you think it was all fun and shopping, I also got a little bit of sewing done.  Okay, there was a little more shopping because I bought two quilt magazines.

What caught my attention in this issue was the article about the Infinite Variety -- Red & White -- Quilt Exhibit from this past March in New York City.  Three of the quilts in the exhibit are included in the magazine as patterns.    

I also had to get the latest issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks -- this one is Volume 4.

There are at least a dozen blocks I love, including Monique's -- Open Gate Quilts -- applique block.  It's terrific.  But the only one I've made so far is Jo Morton's block, Times Nine.  Or Nine Times.  It's one of those.  

Yesterday afternoon, I made this.  It's 1 1/3 blocks... you know how I feel about changing things.  

Since it isn't quilted and I don't know when I'll get around to that, I decided to frame it for the time being.  It's already on the wall.  

This came on the heels of making two other little Jo quilts this past week.  This is from Jo's Little Women's Club No. 10 -- Courthouse Steps.  

Can you believe I made this in an afternoon?  Or that I quilted it that night?  And stitched on the binding before I went to bed?

Neither can I.  But I did.  The only thing that really slowed me down was trying to remember how to do a single-fold binding as it had been a few years -- okay, decades -- since I'd done that.  And how wide was I supposed to cut those strips?  After playing around with some leftover pieces on the cutting table, I decided to cut the strips at 1 1/8" wide and that worked perfectly.  

After making that and getting really inspired, I decided to make another one -- but different.

This measures 20 1/2" x 20 1/2" -- 16 blocks that finish at 5" x 5".  The logs are 1/2" wide.  

And I do apologize for the funky pictures.  I also took those late at night.  With my phone.  I know that millions of people can take world-class pictures with their iPhones but I'm different... I can't don't do what other people do.

The last thing I'll bother you with today is this -- have you ever made "Overnight Oatmeal"?  I love it, mostly because it means I can have my favorite steel-cut Irish oats every morning without having to do instant or wait for an hour.  I can store it in the refrigerator and heat it up on the stove or microwave, and I can add whatever extras I like on a day-to-day basis.  If you've not heard of it, here's how simple it is:

At 9:00 or 10:00 pm, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.  When the water comes to a full rolling boil, add 1 cup of oatmeal -- rolled oats or steel-cut oats.  Not quick-cooking oats.  Bring back to a boil and stir for 1 minute.  Seriously -- stir it and keep it boiling.  You will have to watch it and maybe even reduce the heat a little bit as it will want to foam up and boil over.  But keep stirring and boiling for 1 minute.  Turn off heat.  Put lid on saucepan.  Remove saucepan from stove and place on hotpad or trivet -- a pretty one.

By 6:00 or 7:00 the next morning, you've got oatmeal that is ready to heat and -- this is the best part -- ready to eat.  It's fully "cooked".  I store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and each morning, I spoon out what I want into a bowl and zap it in the microwave.  I then add whatever strikes my fancy that day -- dried fruit, nuts, a little bit of pumpkin puree (it's terrific, by the way), bananas, fresh fruit, etc.  And a very light sprinkling of Turbinado sugar -- it's the law.      

The recipe/instructions are easily found online, the only change I made was to reduce the amounts of water and oatmeal.  The original recipe called for 6 cups of water and 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal and that was a lot, more than I was using in a couple of days.  The 4:1 water to oatmeal ratio I use makes enough for three to five portions.  

Which reminds me... I need to put oatmeal on the shopping list.  

Ugh.  The grocery store.  Tomorrow.  Right before Thanksgiving.  

I'm guessing the "fun" part of being out is over for a few days.     

 

Comments

[Nancy Watkins]

I love your little projects and Times Nine has my heart a thumping! Do you know what background fabric that is that you used for the border? Gorgeous!

[Nancy]

I was going to pick up a copy of the new 100 blocks magazine today but didn't get there...I stuck my nose out the door, felt the cold, the rain that was trying to turn to snow...I could actually hear the little drops saying in tiny voices, "I think I can, I think can, I think I" *splat*...some evidently couldn't, so there were a few snow flakes but not many. However those raindrops were very cold as was the air and the breeze...SO, I didn't go anywhere except the post office to mail the cookies I made yesterday to my grandson back in Maryland at Andrews AFB. I just didn't feel right asking my hubby to drive me all over looking for the magazine. OH, I know where it is, but I thought I would start where I knew it wasn't, browse a bit, then move on, until I was ready to head home, which is of course where I stayed after getting back from the PO. Wow, I'm out of breath and haven't said a word!!! Now Carrie, if you don't have a headache from my ramblings, I wanted to tell you that I love the framed Times Nine project. I adore Jo's patterns and fabrics anyway, but really like the way it looks framed. *even though I think it's a pretty sneaky way to get out of quilting it, LOL. Well, I've rambled enough, bedtime for Bonzo around here. Big Hugs, and scratches for Rosie. Ummm, the hugs are for you Carrie...

[ina]

lol, I hit the grocery store today and it was so crowded. I sighed a big sigh and got out of there as quickly as I could! ;0

Thanks for the oatmeal tip. I usually make instant because I'm impatient. ;0

[Leah]

I love that you framed that little quilt top. Great idea!!

[LizA.]

You will probably like this recipe: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/breakfast/recipe-baked-pumpkin-steel-cut-oatmeal-159872. I top it with the turbinado sugar, milk and candied pecans. 1-1/2 cups pecans, 2 Tbs maple syrup bake on cookie sheet @300 for 20-25 minutes? They are beyond scrumptious and I must hide them from DH not to mention myself if I want any for my steel cut oatmeal.

The little quilts are just darling. But what does one do with them? And no, I don't have any more wall space....

[Debbie Goad]

Great little quilts! One can never have enough! Times Nine may be on my next to make list. I'm headed out to the store today with Mom to pick up our T'giving fixins. Must look at the magazine rack for those two issues. Would have loved to see the red and white exhibit in person so can't wait to see them in a magazine. Happy Turkey Day to you and Rosie.

[Auntie Pami]

Found looks very interesting. But totally out of my budget. I really like that dresser. Wouldn't that be fun to fill with all of our sewing goodies? The 100 Blocks magazine is great. I'm saving them aside for a retirement project.

[Mary]

I love those little quilts you made and framing the 'raw' top is a fabulous idea!!! I'm headed for the market in less than an hour so the mags will go to the top of my list. And I'll have to try the oatmeal recipe. Love oatmeal, hate instant.

[Archie the wonder dog]

I love the mini quilts you've made - gorgeous! And thanks for the porridge recipe, I'm going to give it a go!

[Wendy]

love the little quilts, and especially like the idea of framing them. I also love me some steel cut oats and really don't mind waiting for it to cook because it is so much better than instant, however, can you guess what I will be doing tonight at around 10:00 p.m. Thanks for the tip!

[Lisa D.]

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Carrie. I love the little framed quilt - blue and gold... just precious!

[Mary Flynn]

My heart skips a beat for the little quilts....love em!

[Sandie~ call me crazy]

Oh my~ you must be related to me! :-) I love oatmeal! And to cook it ahead of time and reheat is my favorite way too. Your little quilts are lovely! And yes, I can get into trouble browsing magazines too. LOL Have a happy Thanksgiving!

[Joann McLean]

I also make overnight oatmeal but to make it even better I brown a nice sized pat of butter in the saucepan before I add the water and then the steel cut oats - tastes and smells just like oatmeal cookies! Yum!

[Ulla's Quilt World]

Hi! Greetings from Finland! Your quilts are so fantastic! It's so nice to find other quilters all around the world! :)

[Carol]

Bought my Steel Cut oatmeal yesterday...I'll be making my oatmeal tonight...thanks so much...yummy!