More than just Candy Eggs and Bunnies

"There is nothing more universal than death, and nothing brighter with hope and faith than the assurance of immortality." ~ Gordon B. Hinckley


    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      We usually spend the Saturday before Easter having an Easter egg hunt, a hot dog roast, flying kites and dying Easter eggs.  It's even more fun with the next generation; the grandkids!
 
 

 

 

     This quilt pattern is called Kiss Me by Fig Tree Quilts.  I enlarged it a bit by adding 2 more rows of blocks.  It has just a "kiss" of applique.  One of my sons got engaged a couple of weekends ago and maybe I'll use this quilt for their wedding quilt.

      Here's a fresh recipe for Springtime cooking.  It could be used as a nice dinner meal for Easter.

Shrimp Scampi

olive oil

6 garlic cloves, minced

Juice from 1 lemon

Fresh parsley sprigs

About 48 medium size shrimp

1 cup chicken broth

2 cups milk or heavy whipping cream

2 Tbsp. butter

Red pepper flakes

 Salt and pepper

Rinse shrimp and pat dry.  Season both sides with ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper.  Add pasta to boiling, salted water and cook until al dente, 9-10 minutes. Drain in colander and return to pan tossing with 1 Tbsp. olive oil to prevent sticking.  Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in large, non-stick frying pan. Cook shrimp in hot pan until golden brown, about 2 minutes; flip and cook 1 more minute.  Remove from pan.  Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in the same frying pan and cook garlic, stirring constantly for 30 seconds.  Add chicken broth and lemon juice and cook until reduced down to half. Add cream or milk and cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.  Add shrimp and some of the parsley and cook one more minute. Remove from burner and swirl in butter and season with ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper and ¼-1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes. Pour sauce and shrimp into pot of pasta and toss together until pasta is completely coated.  Garnish with remaining chopped parsley.  Serves 6.

 

I read this in preparation for the Easter season. It really isn't a book but more like a pamphlet.  It was an enlightening description of the last week of the life of Jesus Christ.  I'm so grateful for the life of this man!

Irish Chain

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." ~ Will Durant

 

     This is a little quilt that I was almost able to finish during our Quilt Retreat this month.  It's another one designed by Nancy Halverson of Art to Heart.  I'm still working on a larger quilt I started. 

     Since I haven't posted any St. Patrick's Day recipes yet.  I'll just have to throw in a recipe for a green smoothie!

    

Pineapple Green Smoothie

1/2 sliced cucumber

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup baby spinach

1 medium ripe banana

½ cup almond or coconut milk

1/2 cup apple, pineapple or white grape juice

1 (5.3 oz.) carton Greek yogurt (pineapple flavor if you can find it)
 

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend for 2-4 minutes or until smooth.  Serves 2.

This was a fast read by Earlene Fowler.  It's one of the books in her Benni Harper series.  It was sort of a romance  mixed with a murder mystery.

Chicken Soup for the Quilter's Soul

"A sorrow shared is but half a trouble, A joy shared is a joy doubled."~ Old Proverb



     This weekend was so much fun.  It was our Quilt Guild Quilt Retreat.  The theme was Quilt Fiesta.  Each attendee received a gift bag (hand bag) that was filled with lots of stuff to take care of our hands (lotion, hand sanitizer, stick on thimbles, quilter's band aids, nail polish, nail file and a nice little rice bag hand warmer).  The tag on the bag doubled as a name tag to be clipped on using a wonder clip. 

 

 

     There were two sombreros filled with prizes to be given away during the three days of the retreat.  We played Quilty Bingo for prizes.

     We went to lunch the first day at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Casa del Rey.  We had three of our members, who just happen to be cousins (the three amigos) do a fun trunk show for us at the restaurant. 

     Anita, one of our members who works at a quilt shop came and showed us all the latest gadgets from her store, The Quilter's Attic, in Bountiful. The store provided each attendee with a free project bag.

 

     Each day we had a fun make and take.  The first day we made ear bud zipper pouches that we thought would be great for holding needles or tape measures.  The second day we made beaded stilettos for quilting.  The last day we made thimble necklaces that were mini pin cushions.

     On the last day we broke open a piñata that was filled with Mexican candy, fat quarter suckers and thread disguised as candy.

     We loved spending time together and forming new friendships,  We loved seeing all the projects that were being worked on.

 

     On the second day we had soup with a Mexican Flair.  This is the recipe for just one of the four yummy soups that we had.

Seven Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

                      From Six Sisters Stuff

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz.) can sweet corn, drained

1 (12.5 oz.) can chicken breast, drained

1 (10 oz.) can green enchilada sauce

1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth

1 (1.25 oz.) packet taco seasoning

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. black pepper

Add all ingredients into a large stock pot.  Bring to a boil, then let simmer on low for30 minutes.  You can also cook this in your slow cooker on low heat for 2-3 hours.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, cilantro and crushed tortilla chips.

I doubled the recipe to fill my slow cooker and started by using 4 chicken breasts and cooking them in the slow cooker on high for four hours and then shredding them with two forks.  I then added all the rest of the ingredients.  This serves about 12 when doubled.

 

 

     Attending a Quilting Retreat feeds the soul, so I had to include this book which has always been a favorite.