Spring Break

"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important

thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that

you have to give."~ Eleanor Roosevelt



     Our family, at least part of us, spent Spring Break in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  We didn't do a whole lot but it was very relaxing.  We did a little swimming and went on a hike in the snow to a waterfall called Treasure Falls.  It was partially frozen and very beautiful. 

      We spent part of one day in Durango, Colorado.  I got to visit two different Quilt Shops and we visited the Durango Museum.

   I spent some time this Spring working on this quilt.  I saw this quilt in a quilt shop in New York and had to buy the stencil so I could make my own.  I love the umbrellas and the machine quilting that Michelle did with the clouds and raindrops.

 

  Spring is the time of year that goes from cold temperatures all the way to hot temperatures and every possible kind of weather can be involved.  Mostly it has been cold here so far with a few warm days.  Here are the recipes that I've found for such weather.

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup with Potatoes

1 medium onion, diced

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 Tbsp. butter, divided

4 Tbsp. flour

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

3-4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small

Salt and pepper to taste

5 cups broccoli florets

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cook onion, carrots, celery and garlic in 2 Tbsp. butter in large stock pot. Add chicken broth and bring to a low boil.  Add potatoes and broccoli; cover and let cook for about 6 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In medium saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp. butter and add flour.  Whisk together and cook 1-2 minutes.  Slowly stir in milk.  Cook until mixture thickens.  Add shredded cheese and cook until cheese is melted.  Stir cheese mixture into the vegetable mixture and cook about 1 minute.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Makes about 6 servings.

 

 

Oatmeal Cranberry Applesauce Muffins

1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

1 ¼ cups oats

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

 ½ tsp. cinnamon

1 cup applesauce

½ cup buttermilk

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup oil

1 egg

 ¾ cup dried cranberries

½ cup cranberry sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg.  Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture and dried cranberries.  Stir until just moist.  Fill sprayed muffin cups 2/3 full, adding a tsp. of cranberry sauce in the middle of each cup.  Bake for 16-18 minutes.  Makes 1 dozen.

 

 

     I enjoy a good book about the Amish and this one had a really good story line.  I enjoyed the characters in the book and could relate to a few of them.