Miscellaneous

 

Hi everyone! Tomorrow is clinic day for me so instead of showing a detailed quilty post I'm going to catch up on random stuff instead. I still cannot load photos from my computer to my blog; I have to email them to myself and paste each one. What a pain in the butt! I think blog friend Dorothy once told me this issue is why she quit blogging.

The house is serene and blue and white again. Maybe a bit bare?

New candle scent, hope it smells lovely and winter forest-y.

I moved the crocks. Gave this Colorado churn a bouquet of twigs and winterberries.

The rest are on the pine bench, vignette needs work.

I washed and polished all the yellowware. Added this sweet shore bird decoy i found in the jelly cabinet, let's call him a sanderling.

I put out my tin star molds. I like a rather bare prim vibe for January here in the cottage.

Strings of dried that will soon replace  the mercury glass balls in my big wooden bowl.

I made this tin heart and crystal suncatcher/ garden art piece the other day. The rainbows it creates are lovely, so hopeful. 

Not sure I can sell this heart though, as its point is rusted to nothing.  Is that primitive rusty beauty or a customer complaint in the making. [SOLD]

I also still plan to made a few new pomanders, but may run out of cloves. Did you know a small jar of cloves like that now costs almost 9.oo. Yikes.

A cooky cutter note: we talked about tin cooky cutter motifs being used on primitive applique quilts. Here is an example of a camel cutter, very early 20th century, when exotic animals were of interest and awe. 

And here is the camel on a 1911 redwork quilt. This quilt also has a zebra, one of my very favorites of its many blocks.

I admit to watching some TV coverage of the Trump debacle. Knitting a child's hat is keeping my hands busy as I watch in dismay. All during the pandemic, I have felt like I am watching---living in--- a dreadful sci fi medical thriller film; now this political nonsense escalating? Surreal. And frightening.

We are being told the covid vaccine will not be available to us for approximately 47 weeks. That's another year lost, wasted. Disappointing.

Meanwhile good news! Look! 

My poor sad deady amaryllis is NOT dead after all.. It is growing and a beautiful green has appeared. Wow. I do hope it blooms.

I couldn't wait for next weekend when I'llll start my spring bulbs. I bought these already-growing forced bulbs at the robot store last week. 

                                      

A daffy, Tete a Tete,

and a blue hyacinth. 2.99 each.

So cute.

Baby Mo is depressed and very bored with Mommy [me]. 

                                         

A doggy day care in town now is offering ''doggy nanny'' services. I may try to squeeze out one day a week's price out of my limited budget, for a young person to walk, train, and play with Mo, maybe even go to the dog park? The daycare center has no parking and I am afraid to double park to do drop off/ pick up. Maybe having someone come to me will work. I also have a nice new neighbor with a labradoodle puppy who needs socializing. I may ask her to  share a playtime. 

[Oh I just remembered that is a NO because of Covid, I don't dare have a stranger inside with me. Maybe someday?]

And I have to shop for a new car, ugh.

Lastly,  I promised the New Years Potato Pie Recipe, so you'll find that at the end of this post.

Have a good week, I 'll be back soon, I hope. [btw, did you read this? Mason Jars are OUT of fashion. Too bad.]

                                      

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

Mo and I were looking for the green flash. As the winter sun sets over the New Jersey shore...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Potato Pie ~ A New Years or Anytime Treat

ONE premade or homemade deep-dish pie crust. Pre-bake 10 minutes, 350* oven..

Meanwhile prepare 3 C mashed potatoes, instant ----[I use Idahoan brand] or leftover homemade. 

Add 1/2 C sour cream, 

3/4 C shredded cheddar,

 diced bacon, crisped, about 6 or 7 strips. 

2 bunches of green onions aka scallions. Wash well and medium slice about 6-8" including lots of the green. Maybe = 1/3 C?. Lightly sauté the onions in 2 - 3 T butter, please to do not use olive oil, though it's okay to use less butter if you must.

Salt and pepper to taste. 

Mix, fluffing well with a fork. Swirl all the potato mixture into the partially cooked crust, laying a few reserved onions on top, or a few bacon strips. 

Bake 350* about 40 minutes til top swirled peaks of the potatoes are golden brow. Check the time after 30 minutes! No need to overcook, you can also tell it is done when the piecrust edges are golden brown.

Allow to sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Yum!