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Easter 2020...

The biggest concern we had this year about Easter was not the number of eggs to hide or the eggs to throw, and it wasn't whether to have ham or turkey (we had both).  No, the biggest concern was whether to have Easter at all because of 'Rona.  After taking into consideration that everyone was healthy and everyone had been in quarantine for weeks, except for the boy, we decided we would go ahead with our plans.  (The boy was doused with sanitizer and kept 6 feet away!)  The little people were so looking forward to Easter, this would be the first one they would celebrate with us in a very long time and they were desperate to get out of their house!

 

We barely had time to go over the rules before Max and Elsa took off running in opposite directions!  Max will turn 12 tomorrow, he has gotten so tall and loves everything about celebrations, of any kind, as does Elsa, who is 8.  I certainly got lucky with my grandkids because they are happy with whatever we have or do.  Max loves to come to our house when I've set a "fancy" table and Elsa told me after our feast that I was like Mary Poppins.  Oh be still my heart!  That's the 2nd time she's told me that and believe me, it's the best thing anyone could ever say to me!  In my next life I plan to BE Mary Poppins!  They hunted for 50 eggs, all filled with candy or money.  Elsa found the most cash, $11 and while Max wasn't thrilled about that he was happy to have found the most eggs!

After the egg hunt we had our egg throw.  This year there were 6 people throwing eggs at the tree across the driveway so we had 60 raw eggs and I think only about 10 of them actually hit the tree!  The mister was very gracious and offered to pick up the shells afterwards - highly suspicious I thought as he doesn't even pick up his socks but he picked up most of them and even found some whole eggs that didn't break!

 

Elsa turned out to have the best aim, maybe because she wasn't try to kill the tree like everyone else.  You'll hear the son-in-law in the background, I think he did hit the tree...once.  (After you click and watch the video other videos pop up - I didn't plan for that but didn't know how to delete them!)  After the hunt and the throwing everyone was famished and it was finally time for our feast!

I managed to snap two pictures before chaos ensued.  I feel lucky to have captured these three at all!  I tell myself to remember to get a group shot but it never happens, everyone is too busy talking and eating and even with a bonafide photographer in the family we never get a family photo!  

 

Max follows his uncle around because they are usually talking golf business.  The boy has taught Max to golf and often takes him to hit balls.  If the golf courses were open up here those two would be the happiest people on the planet!  Why is it the golf courses are closed anyway!??!  I won't get started, so much about this quarantine-crap is just ridiculous!  Pot shops and liquor stores can be open but not golf courses?!?  Okay, sorry, I'll stop...back to Easter and being Christ-like...we had a great time together, another memory made and in the name of corona virus we finished off dessert and sent everyone home via Corona Street, with masks and sanitizer! 

 

"Blessed are those who dine on Hot Cross Buns on Easter day."  The Earl of Sammamish.

Corona Quilt #6...

One would think all I have done during this quarantine is sew.  One would be wrong.  I eat and I sew.  Eat, sew, repeat.  It's Groundhog Day meets Big Night with an occasional trip to the bathroom.  Seriously, things are not great around here, I am finding myself making almost daily trips to Home Depot.  HOME DEPOT!  That's how low I've sunk!  Home Depot via Taco Time or Wendy's or Dairy Queen!!!  It would be so wrong not to support our local restaurants - I'm gastronomically philanthropic that way!  

So this is Corona quilt #6.  The Fashionista said it looks like the virus because of all the different colors/fabrics and she suggested I call this my virus quilt.  What do you think?  It definitely is a jumble of color and I'm not sure everything works together but I like it.  It reflects the last month around here!  It's also what I had in the stash, not being able to visit a fabric shop probably saved me $$$ so it is what it is.

I'm not going to put a border on this, just going to finish it as is.  I am liking "borderless" quilts these days, not having the pattern framed is kind of nice, plus it's faster!  I loved making this star because I didn't have to worry about points - you can find the pattern for this at Cluck Cluck Sew, (thanks to Helen for telling me about it!)

Now I have six quilt tops sitting in my "to do" pile.  This is what happens when I clean my workroom, I find things to finish, empty out the pile and then spend my time filling it back up!  I finally received the batting I ordered so I could get started quilting my new pile of tops only to discover I didn't have enough backing for all of them.  There's always a fly in the ointment!

Lest you think I am totally selfish (maybe 95%) I have been sewing face masks.  I'm up to about 300 of them so far and I think the ones pictured above will be my very LAST ones!  I made masks for family, friends and neighbors, the local Safeway and then sewed kits supplied by two local hospitals - it's been fun but now I'm done.  The girls I'm now working with in our church, aged 11 to 14, are the best in the world and we are having a Zoom meeting this week to play games.  We thought it would be fun to give them some masks to wear during our time together so I sewed up some fabric masks for them and we put them together with facial masks and dropped them off.  I think it will be funny and we are all in need of some of that right now.  

 

Mexican Street Corn Flatbread...

You know what's great about Mexican street corn?  Everything.  Until everything ends up in your lap.  All of that wonderful corn and spicy goodness, the onions, lime juice and queso fresco eventually drips down onto your white tee-shirt or your linen pants.  Truth.  I know of what I speak!  So how does one get the experience, the taste, the unbridled joy of Mexican street corn without drip humiliation and dry cleaner fees?  One makes Mexican street corn flatbread. 

I don't know who the first person was to come up with this recipe but they should win some sort of badge and they should wear it with pride.  Mexican street corn flatbread has sort of become our quarantine meal.  It's so easy to make, and it reheats great - the perfect thing to grab in between episodes of The Crown.  That's our latest TV binge and we are loving it.  Thank Heavens for Netflix!!!  Can you imagine what kind of state we would all be in if Rona had arrived say in 1990???  No cell phones, no computers (at least not in our house) and nothing but network TV and basic cable.  OH THE HORROR!!  We have so much to be thankful for - and I'm thankful for computers and Netflix and wifi and Mexican street corn flatbread!

So let me tell you just how easy this is - you buy the Naan, the flatbread, at your local grocery store.  It is an essential item.  And you use canned corn.  Oh sure, go ahead and laugh but when time is of the essence and the clock is ticking, you have to be quick!  One doesn't have time to roast fresh corn and then let it cool and then cut it off the cob.  One doesn't have time to thaw frozen corn either.  One only has time to let the dog out, go potty, assemble ingredients on top of flatbread and put in oven to bake so one can rush back to watch the preview of the upcoming episode.  Timing, as they say, is everything.   

Just feast your eyes upon that for a moment.  Dang delicious.  And it really is easy.  You can make it for lunch, for your afternoon snack, for dinner, for your after-dinner snack...it's perfect for any time of the day, including breakfast!  Reheat a slice and top it with a fried egg and you've got yourself a designer breakfast as the mister said!  

 

You can spice this up as much or as little as you want.  I tend to like it more spicy than the mister so I make one flat bread that is spicy and one that is not.  If you don't like cilantro, then don't add it, but definitely give it a squeeze of lime before you take your first bite - it's the clincher!

Mexican Street Corn Flatbread - Adapted From Midwest Foodie Blog

2 flat breads (store bought Naan or pita)

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 clove garlic, minced

zest of 1 lime

Juice of 1 lime (about 1 tablespoon)

pinch of cayenne pepper or to taste

1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained

4 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese

1/3 cup crumbled cotija or queso fresco'

Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon chili powder, optional

 

For serving:

Fresh chopped cilantro

lime wedges

crumbled cotija

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  In a small bowl combine sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, zest, juice of 1 lime, cayenne pepper and a couple of large pinches of kosher salt.  Place flat breads on a baking sheet.  Divide sauce between the two, spreading it in an even layer, reserving 2 to 3 tablespoons of sauce for topping the flat breads after baking.  Divide shredded cheese evenly between the flat breads, spreading in an even layer.  Divide corn evenly between the flat breads.  Top both flat breads with crumbled cotija or queso fresco.  Sprinkle with chili powder and another couple of pinches of kosher salt.  Bake for 14 to 16 minutes.  Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and is beginning to brown.  Remove from oven and drizzle with remaining sauce, garnish with chopped cilantro and more crumbled cotija.  Cut into slices (or serve whole, who's counting calories these days?!?)  Serves 2.

 

Corona Quilt #5...

While still lamenting the fact that we can't go to Hawaii anytime soon, I came across my stash of Hawaiian fabrics, the ones I'd planned on using years ago.  I didn't have enough fabric for an entire quilt, which seemed strange to me because I bought Hawaiian fabric every time I went to Hawaii or whenever I saw it in the fabric stores here.    Yes, this is a "postcards from Hawaii" quilt, it's supposed to give Aloha kisses and sandy beach wishes to anyone who curls up in it.   And I could sure use some of that Hawaiian magic right about now!

After using all of my Hawaiian prints, I realized I needed just a few more so I raided the mister's closet and found a couple of Hawaiian shirts that he really shouldn't wear in public any more, if you know what I mean.  I also put out a call to my quilting friends and they came through for me!  With their help I was able to finish off the last two rows of "postcards."  And then...after begging for fabric, I found the REST of my Hawaiian fabrics!!!    

I've been waiting on batting to arrive so I can start machine quilting my Corona quilts...hopefully today it will magically show up on my doorstep!   Of course, there is no pattern for this quilt, it's just 3 x 5-inch rectangles, so really, mindless sewing which is all I am good for these days.  Too much bad news, too much sadness all around.  Sewing little rectangles is good for my soul, and it keeps me from eating!  The "quarantine 15" is soon to be replaced with the "stay at home plenty twenty."  Oy vey.

I do love this quilt, it's happy and it does remind me of Hawaii...swaying palm trees, black and white sand beaches, shave ice, mocktails poolside, ABC stores and the soft sound of money flying out of the bank account!  When I get the urge to go to Hawaii I'll just wrap up in this quilt and save us some $$$.  It might work!

I did have a tiny bit of Hawaiian fabric left so I made a little baby quilt - a car quilt - it measures 30 x 30-inches, just big enough to cover the baby while in the car seat.  I sent this to someone who loves Hawaii as much as me - a dear friend's daughter who just gave birth to her own beautiful baby girl.  I have no doubt that her baby will grow up visiting Hawaii and learning to love it as much as her mom.  

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook but during this quarantine business I am loving it.  I love seeing the pictures of friends and their families and I love seeing the funny memes people post - some people seem to have a lot more time on their hands than I do!!  Facebook makes it possible for me to see little baby Ava, who this little quilt is for - so once again, Facebook for the win.

Pineapple Chutney...

Ham with pineapple is so expected at Easter.  You know what's not expected?  Ham with pineapple chutney.  That's right, pineapple chutney where chunks of pineapple get married to a bit of heat and spice, making a natural sweetness that will have your ham practically jumping off the plate into waiting mouths.  Chutneys are so easy to make and usually you can make them with ingredients you have on hand, like this chutney.  It will have everyone at your Easter feast raving about the food, including the Easter Bunny.

You know what else isn't expected at Easter?  Having to find a way to seat everyone 6-feet apart at the table!  IF everyone in the family stays home this week and no one has any symptoms then we will be having Easter dinner together...we will be eating outside on the deck, it's 90-feet long so we should all be able to fit.  And it looks like Mother Nature will cooperate and provide us with a rain-less day.  I have promised the grands that we will have an Easter egg hunt, outside of course and I have promised we will have our traditional egg roll/throw and they are looking forward to that.  It will be a good way to get out some angst, throwing eggs at the designated "egg tree."  After the last piece of our Easter feast is devoured we will send them back into quarantine with another round of prayers that this will end soon and we will all stay healthy, you included!

I love chutneys, the sweet with the sour, and this chutney provides just enough of both.  It is just what your Easter ham needs, trust me!  I think most of the ham-eating world puts pineapple on their ham when it bakes, some even put maraschino cherries in the middle of the pineapple slices for that extra "curb appeal."  I won't go that far, I'll go farther...I'll serve our ham with individual sides of pineapple chutney so everyone can have their own personal culinary awakening!

 

Pineapple Chutney - Adapted From Southern Living Kitchen

1 can pineapple slices (15 oz.)

1/4 cup pineapple preserves (pineapple is best but if you can't find it use apricot peach or apple preserves/jelly)

1 (2 1/2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced (2 tablespoons)

1 tablespoons finely diced sweet onion

2 tablespoons coconut oil

pinch of two of red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoons fresh lime juice (from 1 small lime)

In a large cast iron skillet over high heat, heat the pineapple slices until browned on each side, about 10 minutes total.  Reduce heat to medium and add coconut oil, red pepper flakes, ginger and onion.  Cook, stirring often, until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Add salt, allspice and brown sugar and preserves, using a wooden spoon, break down the pineapple into small pieces.  Stirring often, until liquid has mostly evaporated, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in lime juice.  Transfer to a serving bowl and cool to room temperature to serve.  Serves 10 to 12.   (This will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.)

 

 

Fresh Carrot and Cream Tart...

This is the appetizer to have on hand when everyone is milling about (6-feet apart of course) waiting on the Easter feast to be served.  It's crunchy, creamy and light, plus it's dang cute to look at!  This is also the perfect thing for your kids to help you make - it's easy and it just might get them wanting to eat veggies!

Refrigerated pie crust is perfect for this tart, it's sturdy enough to hold up the toppings.  I used a 10-inch tart pan and one package of pie crust.  Since the crust doesn't need to go to the top of the rim, I folded it down and in half to make for a more stable edge.  Holes are poked into the crust with a fork and then it's popped into the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until it's slightly browned.

While the crust cools the filling is made...all good things coming together into a smooth, creamy topping for the crust.  Lipton Onion Soup Mix gives this tart a zippy flavor but it doesn't over power the carrots or broccoli - just makes them so much more enjoyable.  (Since Lipton Onion Soup Mix makes a great dip, think of this as a dip for carrots and broccoli, genius, no?)

Shredded carrots are scattered on top of the creamy filling, stopping about an inch away from the crusty edge.  I know it doesn't look like my crust was done but it was!  You can brown yours a bit longer if that's what you like.  After the carrots, the chopped broccoli florets are added around the edges.  Save the leftover broccoli pieces to make soup or something.

 

It's SO pretty!  And festive and perfect for Easter brunch, lunch or for a snack after the Easter egg hunt.  Yes, I'm assuming all of that will still happen - even if we have to stand far apart and wear haz-mat suits!  We are going to have Easter!  (At the very least we will have an egg throw, where we throw eggs at a tree trunk which might get rid of some built up angst.  We will still have an Easter egg hunt because that's outside, too, and the kids will love that.  The adults can stand around under umbrellas, if necessary, and we can complain to each other, which is all we seem to do lately.  If worse comes to worse, I'll stick out this fresh carrot and cream tart, everyone can have a bite or two and then we'll call it good...which is won't be but if that's the only Easter we get then I'll take it!)

Fresh Carrot and Cream Tart - Adapted from Taste of Home

(You will need a 10-inch tart pan)

1 refrigerated pie crust

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon sour cream

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

2 teaspoons from 1 pouch of Lipton Onion Soup and Dip Mix (2 pouches to a package)

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/4 cups shredded carrots, loosely packed, about 2 1/2 big carrots

1 1/4 cups chopped broccoli florets, about 1 large head of broccoli

Flaky sea salt for finishing, optional

Preheat oven 400 degrees.  Unroll crust and put into tart pan; folding the edges down over itself and pinching into place (see picture above).  Poke bottom of crust with a fork and bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Allow crust to cool completely.  Make filling while crust is cooling by mixing cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, soup mix and salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Whisk together until smooth.  When crust is cooled, spread mixture evenly over top of crust.  Scatter shredded carrots over cream filling, stopping 1-inch from edge.  Scatter broccoli florets around edge of tart.  Finish tart with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt.  Cut into wedges and serve or refrigerate until serving time.  Serves 8.

 

After eating several pieces I put the tart back into the refrigerator so there would be some left for the mister to enjoy later, I couldn't help myself and reached in for just one more piece...

 

That hurt more than you know!  Suffice it to say, the only tart the mister got was me!  

Corona Quilt #4...

In an attempt to keep what little sanity I have left, I have been working through my projects basket while watching anything but the news on TV.  Corona this, Corona that, there is just no end to the doom and gloom and it seems at any given moment I'm salivating for some good news, how about you?  What I have for you today is not necessarily good news for you, but for me, it's hUGE!  This quilt has been in the works for a while, and if not for the "opportunity" of being quarantined, I might never have finished it because there is nothing I detest more than sewing small pieces of fabrics together, even though it's mindless, which is my strong suit.

If you're on Pinterest then you've no doubt seen "birch tree" quilts.  The original pattern was made by Crazy Mom Quilts back in 2012 and since then the internet has been filled with variations of her quilt.  I didn't use a pattern, didn't see the need for one because it's pretty straight forward, actually, there's nothing "straight" about it!  No precise measuring, no perfect corners to match, it truly is my kind of quilt, except for all that little piecing but even that was fast and easy to do.

Since I was using fabric from my stash I had to piece a few backgrounds because I was running low on some of them but I only had to repeat one background which is pretty mind-boggling to me!  I have made a huge dent in my red bin...time to start shopping!  I mentioned this in a previous post but I want to remind you I normally don't post pictures of quilt tops, I try to only post finished quilts but in these precarious times I decided I would post tops because what if I get the dreaded gombooo and don't get a chance to finish them?!?!??!  Then what????  You see my delimma?  The mister was deemed "essential" (for the first time in his life) and is still working therefore he has the potential to infect us every day!  Life is short and it could get shorter!  Besides I have nothing better to do than post on my blog - which is great because it's been neglected for a while!

This is my 4th quilt top since the stay at home order was issued by our governor - now I just have to live long enough to get them all quilted!  That's how it works, right?  We don't die until we get everything done!  I'll be starting a 5th quilt top today, for added insurance.  I love how this top turned out - it's happy, and I need some happy right now.

This top measures 60 x 72, the blocks are 12 x 12-inches.  I dug into my scrap basket for the little pieces, and kept digging to try to make things interesting but by the 8th block or so I started sewing larger pieces together so I could cut 4 and 5 thin strips at a time...so some of the blocks have similar strips...whatever...trees grow the same kind of branches, don't they?

Happy this one is done, now I'll let it age a bit before I get it quilted, buying myself more time as it were.  Happy quilting, happy hand-washing, happy April Fool's Day!