Friday, June 26, 2009
Back... with 3 baby quilts.
Posted by Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum at 8:53 PM 10 comments
Labels: finished quilt
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
Two more finishes.
The Lone Star finish got me in the mood, so in between working on bushfire quilts and chasing sheep I have finished another couple of UFOs.
Posted by Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum at 9:42 PM 5 comments
Labels: finished quilt
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Do it now!
Oh, I am sad! And it feels strange, I only knew this person through the blog but learning of her passing is still awful.
I have been calling in at "what's happening with Carol" for a few weeks to see how she was going and there were no updates on this fantastic young quilter, mother and teacher's cancer battle, so i decided to comment and tell her we wanted an update -and the news of her passing was in the comments. She didn't seem to have long after finding out.
The reason I have entitled this, "do it now" is because so many times I think, "i should send a card, or I should visit/ring that person and tell them what a good job they've done /how I appreciate them/that they are in my prayers"... and sometimes I do, and sometimes I find I wait a few extra days and life gets busy then i forget and they are gone..or sad..or troubled.. and I am really sorry I didn't "do it now!" Making the time for people when you think about it is the only way to ensure your life isn't about regrets..
I have a lovely friend, and it's funny, but when i ring her she almost always says, 'do you know I was just thinking of you'...we know it's time!
Well, when I initially read of Carol's diagnosis I contacted her and sent some of my cards and some books for Maya...and anyone who has one my prizes knows that getting straight to posting is not my forte!.. they were posted the next day and I had a lovely email or two from Carol, that i now know were followed closely by her hospitalization. I am just so glad i took the time to connect, but still very sad at the senseless loss....
On another, gift related note, Julie at bush Baby jag, just received a long lost Easter swap parcel that had inexplicably been found with other items next to the Brisbane River! This is a good lesson for all of us to place our gifts in a zip lock plastic bag with the address on it, before sealing in the paper envelope...double protection....
have a good day, Tracey
Posted by Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum at 7:31 PM 3 comments
Labels: life
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Ripe tomato chutney recipe.
Finally, the Ripe tomato chutney recipe!
4 lbs of tomatoes
1 lb apples
3 lb onions
3 lb sugar
1/2 lb sultanas
1/2 lb currants
1 tblsp salt
1 teasp cayenne pepper
1/2 teasp mixed spice
2 tblsp cloves tied in a muslin bag.
and....GOOD QUALITY VINEGAR....in at least 2 litre plus quantities
(* I usually double this chutney recipe when i make it, as it makes the time spent cooking more worthwhile. I just turn all the pounds into kg quantities and double any "spoon" quatinties.)
Peel your tomatoes, cut up onions and apples, (small). Put all mixture in a big pan together and cover with vinegar.
( Voice of experience...not enough vinegar means it goes a sweeter, almost jam like arrangement-my friends liked this, my fussy family did not. Too much vinegar just means it takes longer to boil down, and would of course, slightly reduce the sweetness. My family and MIL told me to err on the vinegary side.)
My MIL's recipe says boil together for 2-3 hours. well, perhaps hers took a long time to get to the boil, but on my last double batch I think it may have simmered away on the stove for closer to 8 hours.
Seal hot in hot sterilized jars. Great on meats, in quiches, cheese and chutney sandwiches..etc, etc
My final brew looked like this....
And the half way along progress shot is a couple of posts back.
I have been playing with children's book writing. I am combining my vast collection of photos with coming up with the perfect book for some of my favourite small children.
My little Clancy,who smiles at me and puts his arms out to me at Church, has a new baby brother and he is also fixated on farm life so this is his big brother present. I just did that one in a display book as it needed to be handed over.
I have done another one for my niece's 4th birthday, based on her favourite " D*** the Explorer" television show.
It is all about the search for her missing "Quilty", at all her relatives places. Quilty is the quilt I made her when she was born that she has to sleep with. I have laminated this one and am getting it bound tomorrow.
No improvement with my MIL, Dh doing night 10.
Have a good day, Tracey
Posted by Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum at 8:42 PM 5 comments
Labels: cooking, kids books