Strawberries

This Father's Day we went to a u-pick berry farm.














We picked very ripe and very small berries bursting with flavour.

I made rhubarb and strawberry jan and strawberry jam - neither of which set - berries were probably too ripe.

Also made strawberry Ice cream and crepes with strawberries, cream cheese and maple syrup and strawberry smoothies.

We had strawberries in our cereal and strawberries with milk and strawberries straight.

YUM!!

Monkey Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

Pat's Soccer Team (Portugal)is having the last games of the playoffs tomorrow and I said I would bring cupcakes. Here they are in the team colours - Yeah Team!!

These are also posted for Saucy's Virtual Cupcake Saturday. Saucy is very creative and is having a cupcake baking class that I would love to attend (too far - boohoo)but she has opened it up so we can link our blogs and see what those that can't make it to the class have done.

The cupcakes taste delicious if you can get past the intense look of the icing - its what my little guy wanted and he thinks they are perfect. He was really intrigued by the gel food colours so I have hidden them away. He wanted to use them in his bath but we compromised and he had dark green milk instead.









Monkey Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour muffin tin or use silicone or paper cup liners.

In a large bowl combine and mix the following ingredients:

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 teaspoon baking powder









In a small bowl combine and mix the following ingredients very well:









1 large ripe mashed banana
2 tablespoons plain or vanilla yoghurt
One beaten egg
¼ cup of milk
¾ teaspoons of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Add half of the banana mixture and 5 tablespoons of butter to the flour mixture. Mix until the flour mixture is moistened and gradually mix in the remaining banana mixture. You may need to add in a bit more milk but the dough is a bit stiff.









Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and cook for approximately 20 minutes. Cupcakes will be golden brown. Cool and frost cupcakes with buttercream icing.


















Buttercream Icing

Mix 2 cups of icing sugar, ¼ cup of butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla and dashes of cream until frosting is spreadable.

ENJOY!!

I really need to do something about this

Stay Tuned - Deconstruction underway - A new improved version coming soon. (I hope)

Devon has been using our guest room/craft room and in a cathartic response to his move to Toronto I have emptied my fabric cabinet with a view to re-organize the room. Its been two weeks and it actually looks worse in person but I am keeping the door closed - out of sight out of mind. I know - I really need to do something about this and I will, soon, I promise.

Thanks Devon

Devon came out at Christmas and has stayed with us to help out with Patrick while Ian and I worked. He has been a delight to have around because he is so easy going and has such a calming influence. He is also hilarious - he should write comedy because he can come out with a quip so fast and so unexpected you fall down laughing from the humour. Really.

Patrick has gained a spot in the school daycare and so Devon is returning to Toronto to seek his fortune or at least a minimum wage job. Definitely will be playing paintball and may breakdown and get a new vest. It will be black and have lots of pockets. He will not wear a coat unless its a serious blizzard but wears his vest year round.

Devon has taken such good care of Patrick and is stricter with him then we are and way more fun. Its amazing to hear him help Pat with homework and to see him teach Patrick how to behave and act responsibly - he was listening and taking to heart the things I said after all. He is a wonderful son and has grown up into a fine young man. He will be a great dad.

I miss him but am glad he is making his own way on his terms.

Red

I am not a big fan of red for me - its intense and bold not really me at all. I like blue and green - calm and peaceful. But I love red in its place - strawberries, our Canadian Flag, candy canes and on Patrick - its his favourite colour.

Patrick embodies intense and bold - Red is his colour.

Pat was delighted to be part of the Red Team - to wear red and to decorate and ride his red bike at his school's sport day.

See what I mean.

ORBQ Quilt Top and Backing

Here are my quilt top and backing for the quilt I am working on as part of Old Red Barn Quilt Along. Liking the quilt and the process very much - have "met" some really interesting people around the world who share an interest in quilting. I find it amazing that with the same pattern so much diversity is being created. Even when some have used the same fabric the quilts are different and all are beautiful. What a lesson for us all - we can be the same and different and beautiful in our own unique way.

I'm also struck by how much we worry and wonder about our choices but we keep working on fueled by our desire to create and by the incredible fellowship offered in support of each other.

With a cupboard full of fabric (understatement) I am so thankful for the opportunity to use some of it and to see one little dream of mine along its way to be realized.

Now on to the actual quilting...wish me luck

And how do you mitre corners anyway?

What is your word?

Take the quiz at
http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourwordquiz/
and find out what your word is.

My word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people.

Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love.

You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love.

And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

Blocks Ready to Sew Together

Week Three - Blocks

I have been sewing the strips and cutting the blocks this week. I made a trip to Fabric land and found some adorable red gingham fabric with ants that I thought would make a great border but when I got it home the red was too pinky - still a very cute fabric. But I also bought some green striped fabric that looks like a pretty good border contender. I will decide on a border when I have the top together.

Its been fascinating to follow the flickr group that Old Red Barn set up - so many people have joined and so many different quilts are being created. Truly amazing.

I am loving this!!!