Bing Cherries

Cherries are a super food ! I love eating them just as they are or with yogurt!  I even bought a cherry pitter this summer.
Now, I can pit 4 cherries at a time and make wonderful desserts!  This one is gluten free too!

A pan full of pitted cherries.....

Then batter made from gluten free muffin mix.  I used half a package and so halved the recipe on the back...adding almond extract...and I threw in a handful of mini chocolate chips which were on hand...

And topping the batter which was poured over the cherries, with sliced almonds and a little sugar.

Baked at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until it tested "done".

One slice was carefully removed but disappeared before I could get a good photo! LOL!

Common threads

I'm finally finishing my "Fonthill" quilt from Kaffe Fassett's book, Passionate Patchwork !

I have never made so many half-square triangle pieces!

 Last year, as I was working on the quilt, I came across this article in June 2011 Family Circle magazine. About Cynthia Kerr who started a charity making pillow cases for hospitalized children. ConKerr Cancer, One Million Pillow Cases.


In the article she is shown standing in front of a wonderful quilt.....

it's the "Fonthill" pattern from the book by Kaffe! Her's is so pretty! I was inspired!

This week, I bought fabric for 4 pillowcases. ( 3/4 YARD MAIN FABRIC AND 1/3 YARD CONTRAST FOR EACH)

 And by following Youtube directions on making the pillow cases, I have 4 ready to send!

 [Dogs and cats, Strawberry Shortcake, and small pirates!]

Now, back to reading my library book, Bel Canto by Anne Patchett.  A very good read!

Finished projects!

Two little ruffled sundresses.....

two pink hooded terry bath towels...(I made two blue ones too for the new grandson)....

the shirt for my sister's birthday.....

and finally, 2 garden flags for friends!


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A neighbor has this rusting faded aqua pick up truck sitting on the curb.....

I find it strangely interesting and my have to try incorporating it into a  painting!

Seeing!!!

Yesterday was my sister's birthday.  Her present still looks like this!

So my plan for today was to make this and get it mailed to her!   

Sewing will be even more fun, because now I can see!  I picked up my new glasses....rosy purple, love the color! So, for the first time in a long time, I can read tiny print on medicine bottles, AND see the leaves on trees across the street with the same eyewear! Fabulous!

 

Painting watercolor has come alive again for me too!  I can now see the marks, especially the detail, without having to take off my glasses! Fun!

[below this morning's work in progress....]

That was my plan.....paint and sew today, as I have the day off!

However, I just got a phone call.  A certain person left HIS best glasses at home this morning and is needing them for work.....so off to deliver them and then yoga class to relax....sewing and painting later... (I hope!)

Painting plums

A new watercolor journal and a "art in the moment" sketch of seasonal fruit! This was yesterday's art work.  Happy to be painting again!
Now to bake a gluten free plum kuchen......

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I made this wonderful Thai influenced coconut (milk) shrimp curry  for dinner last night.  I used a rice cooker, but otherwise did exactly as the recipe suggests, using fresh basil from the garden!  Will definitely make this again!  You could substitute salmon or chicken, I think.

We are enjoying a break in our hot dry summer.  This morning is cool, in the 60s!  I am taking my coffee outside to sit near my garden of zinnias!  Life is good!