Sew Special: Surprises and Quilt Progress

I did quite a bit of sewing this week, but I can't show it to you yet. Some of my favorite people are expecting a baby at any moment and I don't want to reveal the surprise before they get to see it in person!

Cowboy Quilt "stitch in a ditch"

In the meantime, the cowboy quilt made some progress.  I am stitching it "in the ditch" and the vertical rows are all done. Horizontal quilting and binding to do next!

Home Schooling Summary for Last Week

My brother is moving to my area and his family stayed with us last week. Unfortunately, they all caught the same flu bug that we had the week before!  It was pretty miserable for them.  We did a few phonics exercises (the train game), but not much schooling was accomplished amid family visiting and sicknesses. We did get to play in the snow though :)

Recommended Reading: Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife is a single story, part of a 3 part series actually, but each chapter or couple of chapters could be read like a short story. It is set in London's East End in the 1950s and is the story of a young midwife in training.  I am always hesitant to read books like this. The harsh realities that face women, especially poor women, make me so sad it can be overwhelming. This story was mostly joyful with only 2 notable exceptions. It made me grateful for modern conveniences, like bathrooms and family planning, but also for my babies, that I get to be their "Mama".

Reuse Recipe: Veggie Tops

Can you tell that I am thinking of spring and my garden?  Beet tops, turnip tops, lettuce thinnings, onion tops, and even carrot tops. They are all so yummy in salads and sauces.  I love growing beets and turnips because the whole thing is edible! 

Alas, I must own to not having been able to personally try this recipe yet. I love the idea and will try it as soon as I have some carrots grown in my garden or see some in the market with the tops on???  I heard about this on NPR's All Things Considered, click the recipe link to go to the original story.  

As shown below, this recipe is an excerpt from a book called:  Roots: The Definitive Compendium with More than 225 Recipes.  Another book to add to my reading list!

Carrot Top Pesto

I serve this as a dip with crudites and often add a dollop on top of bruschetta that has been smeared with fresh goat cheese. It's also perfect simply tossed with pasta.

Makes about 2/3 cup

1 cup lightly packed carrot leaves (stems removed)

6 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large garlic clove

1/4 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt

3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (see below)

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano

To Toast The Nuts

Toasting pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews and pumpkin seeds brings out their flavor. Spread the nuts or seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, place in a preheated 350-degree oven and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the nut or seed. Alternatively, nuts and seeds can be browned in a microwave. Spread in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power, stopping to stir once or twice, until fragrant and lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Watch them closely so they don't burn.

To Make the Pesto

In a food processor, combine the carrot leaves, oil, garlic, and salt and process until finely minced. Add the pine nuts and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Parmesan and pulse just until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Recipe reprinted from Roots: The Definitive Compendium with More Than 225 Recipes by Diane Morgan. Copyright 2012 by Diane Morgan. Reprinted with permission of Chronicle Books.

Vintage Finds: For me!

This might be cheating, but these are two recent vintage/vintage style finds that I purchased from my fellow Etsy sellers.

#1. This gorgeously simple ticking is going to be slip covers for my living room chairs - for those who know these chairs already - I am talking about the bold red floral ones that I am so sad are falling apart. I love knowing that this fabric was made in the 1920's or early 30's.  I think that that means it must be better quality than most fabrics available today. It certainly feels that way.  The weave is very solid and the pattern goes all the way through (same from the front or the back).

 Note: Rubisco's shop, where I bought this ticking, is closing and everything is 50% off.

#2. This new watch. I went from very skinny girly watch to an over-sized grandpa style watch. The band is made from recycled leather! I love the design.  The shop is called GypsyStitch and Arias the owner was super helpful - made me a custom size and then kindly exchanged the watch for a new one of the same design when the first one mysteriously petered out.

Sew Special: Pleated Skirt

This is the skirt from the lisette pattern that I used for my blouse in January. I have had it cut out and ready to sew for awhile.

I made a size 10 according to my measurements, but it is a bit large in the hips, will probably try an 8 next time. I also made it about 2 inches longer than the original pattern, so that it is knee length.  I used this lovely linen blend fabric that I scored at the thrift store not long ago.  It seems to hold the fold well, but also has a the typical linen tendency for wrinkles. I am hoping it will be a perfect summer skirt... I just need to remember to hang it up promptly. Otherwise I will need to iron it - as I admittedly should have done before these pics.

Pleated Skirt Lisette #2211 (simplicity)

The belt loops were very easy, but these special touches are what make Lisette patterns so great.  Her instructions are also very clear for any level of seamstress. 

I used my own homemade bias tape for the waist edge and bottom hem.   That is another  great thing about Lisette patterns -- the finishing is always nice and tidy.

Home Schooling Summary for the Week

This is our geometry mobile from the Family Math book. We started with several square shaped pieces of paper. We folded them in different ways and then cut them up and put them back together.  We are learning to see what shapes combine to make a square. 

We passed around the pukie flu bug this week- like a plague - we each took a turn being very sick. Uggh. Spring cannot come soon enough.  Still we managed to do a few things before Abi got sick. We read about George Washington and also watched the next disk of the Liberty Kids series (several times!).

Home Schooling Summary for the week ending March 1:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Reading	Phonics “S” + vowels	Phonics Combinations	Library Trip	Sick	Sick
Writing	X	X	X	X	x
Math	Geometry Mobile	Make-a-puzzle	X	X	x
Science	X	X	X	X	x
History/Geography	Liberty Kids 2	George Washington	Liberty Kids 2	X	X