Saturday, May 28, 2011

Walking: Green Heron Fishing!

I mean the bird was fishing, not that I was fishing for the bird :)

While we were doing our weekly long walk (just 9 miles this time,) my friend and I took a break on a bench near the swamppond.  The turtles are there every week, but this time there was also this cool looking water bird.  I got really lucky and got a shot of him catching a fish with my camera phone.  Not a great shot, but hey it has like a 10 second delay after you press the button, so I was happy to get to see the fish at all!
After some google research, I believe this is a green heron (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/green_heron/id )

Hanging with his baby turtle friend.

Waiting for a fish to swim by..




Got it!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Garden: Baby Squash!

The garden babies have arrived 
and  I have baby squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  Yum!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Recipe: Peach Crumble



I picked up these wonderful peaches on my trip to Asheville this weekend wonderful niece.  I had actually stopped at the fruit stand for strawberries, but they were out.  All they had were peaches!  It was a surprise to see them this early in the season, but they are yummy.  Going to try out this recipe with them tomorrow.

Ingredients

2 lbs. fresh peaches, peeled and chopped (about 6 cups)
2 t sugar
1/4 c pecan halves (or other nut of your choice)
1/2 c oats
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c packed brown sugar
2 T unsalted butter, chilled

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.

Put peaches into an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan. Sprinkle with sugar. You can also add cinnamon (about 1/2 t) and nutmeg (pinch) if desired.

Use a food processor or blender to coursely grind pecans. Add oats and blend for 10 seconds more. Combine with flour and brown sugar. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over the peaches. 

Bake 30 minutes, or until the peaches are tender and the topping is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Recipe makes six generous servings.


Number of Servings: 10


  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 137.5
  • Total Fat: 4.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 6.2 mg
  • Sodium: 3.5 mg
  • Total Carbs: 26.9 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
  • Protein: 1.8 g

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Sewing : Chicken Apron and Knock Off Muslin

This is my chicken apron!  I made it to go in the pattern review apron contest: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=141  I decided to go with a style and fabric I will actually use in the kitchen.  Something dark and not frilly at all :)  But I do like the chickens! I don't think I even have a shot of winning the voting contest...there are some gorgeous aprons in this contest.  But, there is a random draw too, maybe I will get lucky with that!  



Below is my muslin for the Knock off contest. (see this http://emcrorie.blogspot.com/2011/05/sewing-pr-knock-off-contest.html for more details)  I like the front so far..back needs work.   I think the final dress will be more fitted, but for a summer play dress, I wanted it comfortable.  It was stretch poplin, and I didn't put in the zipper the pattern suggests.

Monday, May 09, 2011

Helping Others: Blankets for Tornado Survivors

If you have been looking for a way to help the victims of the horrific tornadoes that hit the south a few weeks ago, here is a way to help out..hands on.  (Of course, the Red Cross  can always use your dollars, too!)




Project Linus has a wonderful list of links to patterns for all types of blankets...quilted, knitted, crocheted...
http://www.projectlinus.org/links.html

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!


Roses are in bloom in my garden!  If you would like this for your computer wallpaper, just right click and choose "use image on desktop" or it's here:
http://www.ejmstudios.com/wallpaper/rose1280.jpg

Friday, May 06, 2011

Cool Stuff: Little Golden Book Dress

Golden Book Dress

This is just cool. It combines two of my favorite things: reading and sewing!  The dress was made from  Little Golden Books.  They used pages for the skirt and the spines for the top.  The best part is they show how they constructed it.  It's amazing. You have to scroll past all the pretty photos of it to get the important stuff.  I have a bunch of old Martha Stewart magazines...hmmm.....

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Craft : Walking Water Bottle Bag (version #312)

I've been doing a lot..A LOT...of walking lately getting ready for the breast cancer walk this fall.  Our last walk was 9.5 miles. When you are doing a long walk, out in the wilderness of Charlotte, you have to take some supplies with you for all those walking emergencies, like blisters and sudden chocolate cravings.  I started out using a fanny pack (bag that ties around your waist) but that gets uncomfortable around mile 5, especially if it is hot out.  So, I found a couple of over the shoulder water bag tutorials online, and took what I liked best about each.  After 311 versions and came up with this (over there to the left)  It's big enough for a bottle, keys, id, blister pads, tissues,and protein bar (or smooshed pjb sandwich for longer walks.)  The fabric is a light denim on the outside and quilter's cotton on the inside.   I am thinking about making one more that can be converted to a mini-backpack.  The first few versions had fabric handles.  I am finding I actually prefer that.  The fancy webbing is slippery and not as soft on bare shoulders.  Any long distance walkers out there with suggestions? If anyone wants a tutorial on this..just leave me a note and I'd be happy to do one.



Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade



This is soooo gooooood and easy!

1 cup Simply lemonade
1 cup fresh strawberries
8 or so  ice cubes

Blend it all up in the blender and drink.

Yes that is an entire mint plant growing out of my drink...









  • Servings Per Recipe: 2
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 82.8
  • Total Fat: 0.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 8.3 mg
  • Total Carbs: 20.3 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g
  • Protein: 0.4 g

Monday, May 02, 2011

Sewing: PR Knock Off Contest

Okay.. I keep signing up for these contests and then dropping out.  I am going to finish this one!

Here's my inspiration photo:
grant my wish dress



I'm starting with this pattern (pretty darn close!):
http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/27535

I am starting by making the pattern up as it stand in some green plaid stretch poplin I got for $1 yard some where.  It's either going to be hideous or a fun summer dress...either way it will show me the changes I need to make for the final.  Now..where to get that gorgeous black and white embroidered fabric!