The Bad Blogger Returns!

I think the title says it all. I am back after several weeks of birthday debauchery. It was great. It involved chicken fried steaks, cake, glorious cake, shopping, family, friends and, of course, presents. I am moving on, reluctantly.

I wanted to share a couple of recipes that I have made recently from the Pioneer Woman's website. They are beyond wonderful, easy to prepare and even appeal to HD, the world's biggest carnivore.

Here are the links:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/quesadillas-de-camarones/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/02/spinach-and-mushroom-quesadillas-with-fontina-and-goat-cheese/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/02/beef-fajita-nachos//

I didn't actually make the last one into nachos. Instead I put the sliced flank steak on a big salad of mixed greens with avocados and tomatoes, with homemade Ranch dressing and salsa. These will definitely be part of my regular repertoire!

Congrats to Ree on her much deserved Bloggie awards!

I check her blog everyday, at least once. Okay, more than once. I hope she can't actually keep track of how many times. It might freak her out. Okay, enough, check it out for yourself, but be aware, you may be come addicted!

Birthday Bash

Last Friday, my sister in law and niece gave me a sort of surprise party! I say "sort of " because they decided to tell me a few days before. I am glad, otherwise I probably would have worn jeans and a ball cap thinking we were going to our fave local Tex-Mex joint!

Theresa did great research and invited my friends from 3 quilting groups, as well as my neighborhood book club and my mom. There were 21 guests total and each brought a salad for a buffet lunch. I, of course, felt obligated to try them all, I wouldn't want to offend anyone. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! The cakes were divine, in fact I had a piece for breakfast this morning!

Kelleigh was the unofficial photographer, using my new camera, and I think she did a great job! Not all the guests are pictured. Some escaped the lens altogether and others would thank me for not including the pics that were taken of them!

Thanks to all who attended and to the hostesses who did a fantastic job making my birthday unforgettable.

The Big 4-0!

Yep, today's the day! I have been whisked away by HD to one of my favorite places and we are having a great time. I hope you all have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Love, Love, Love This Quilt!

I see a lot of quilts in my line of work (shocking, I know!) and I appreciate the beauty of each one, even when it is not my personal taste. Occasionally I get one that I am crazy about, really crazy, I mean like I want to run out and get the supplies to make an exact copy. Here's the latest one that got me fired up. It was made by my friend, Jeannie, and I love, love, love it! The photos don't do it justice, it is gorgeous!

I think it is possible that I love it so because that is what the inside of my head looks like! Great job, Jeannie and thanks so much for letting me quilt it!

By the way, so far I have managed to resist buying the fabric to make my own!

Ellen's Bedspring Pincushion

My friend, Ellen, made this from a kit I sent her for Christmas. I got her kit at a quilt store in the Hill Country, but you can order one here http://www.mfwoolens.com/bedspringpincushiondirections.htm. The nice lady will even make it for you, if you want!

For some reason I have gotten interested in wool lately, I know, it's craziness for someone hot natured like me. I just like how cozy it looks and it also makes me think of the cabin we dream of having in the mountains. Until then I shall reduce the temp on the A/C and keep accumulating wool!

HeeHeeHee!

I got this from my friend, Sherri. It made me smile, so I thought I would pass it on! You can enlarge it by clicking on it.

Pig Cake

No, your eyes do not deceive you! I don't know where this name came from, probably from the feeling you get after eating multiple pieces of this awesome cake! This is from P-Dub, of course, and it is a new fave with us and our family and friends. So, in honor of Ree's book release today, I am sharing this recipe http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/pig-cake/.

Be sure to check out "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels", by Ree Drummond to find out the whole scoop about how she and Marlboro Man fell in love!