Scrappy Hearts: July 2014

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July 2014

July 31, 2014

Jersey Fresh

Tonight I made the easiest Pasta Primavera recipe! That's what we do with lots of fresh Jersey veggies! We had some zucchini in the refrigerator and it had been there a bit too long. Two nights ago we had grilled zucchini and the night before that we had some other kind of zucchini. I wanted something different and this was the perfect recipe.

The first time I made this dish we were living in Redmond, WA, the summer after we were married. Tonight I made an extra large batch so that we have plenty of left overs. It is a very light dish, only 2 tablespoons of olive oil! The extra liquid comes from the veggies and 1/2 cup of vegetable broth.

The key to this recipe is starting with really fresh ingredients. No problem living here in the Garden State.

The broccoli cooks in with the pasta and the rest of the veggies are sauted lightly. The spinach is added at the very end with a little lemon rind.

Serve it with a crusty piece of fresh bread and a nice rose! Delicious! Looks like Mark really enjoyed this dish. We are fortunate that we have access to such wonderful, fresh food. Here's hoping that you are able to enjoy the fruits of the season wherever you are!

Posted at 09:01 PM in Being Vegan, summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 30, 2014

My Friend Bunkey

My friend Bunkey has cancer. This isn't the first time, this time it won't go away. Most days she is okay with that and life goes on pretty much the way it always has. Some days, not so much.

This current bout was diagnosed during the winter of 2011. Actually, it was found then, it wasn't diagnosed until late in the spring of that year. Bunkey rallied, adjusted and fought like a trooper. Chemo every month, two weeks on, two weeks off. Then three weeks on and two weeks off. She persevered. She worked until she was told "no more" by her doctor. Being a school nurse and around sick children was not a good idea for someone whose immune system was so compromised by the chemo.

Bunkey rallied, adjusted and fought like a trooper. Some tumors got small. Some tumors disappeared. One tumor, didn't. In fact, that tumor grew. "No, it didn't grow," the doctor said in November. "Oh, it grew, but that's what they do when they are dying," was what she was told in March. In July she heard, "that tumor's a problem."

So Bunkey is rallying, although having her liver filled with chemo is not easy. "You will feel like you have the flu," the doctor said. Day 5 after enduring surgery on Thursday and Friday, she is struggling to rally. I have every faith that she will. She is a fighter. Everyday we take baby steps. I remind her of what the doctor said. She tries to eat. She tries to feel good. She desperately tries to rally.

Last night was not good. Today was better. We actually made it outside and Bunkey was able to read a bit. Looking at her you would never know how hard every day since Sunday has been. She is the bravest person I know. She showers, gets dressed for her day and then pushes to do the most her body will allow.

She asked me to take this picture so that she could send it to her kids so that they could she that she was doing better. To look at it you would never know how she struggles.

Please keep my dear friend in your thoughts and prayers. She will rally, she will get beyond this. I would just like it to happen a little sooner than later.

Posted at 09:47 PM in summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 29, 2014

Sweets for the Sweet

I truly thought that I had seen everything. But today, just as I was leaving Bunkey's, Eddie showed up with chocolate covered blueberries. I had never seen such a thing! Since I am not a huge chocolate lover, and not a huge fan of blueberries, it was very easy to present this sweet treat to my sweet hubby. Unfortunately I think he ate a few too many right off the bat. He is in recovery at the moment but I am guessing that when I arrive home from Bunkey's tomorrow, they will be gone!

Posted at 08:58 PM in daily life, summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 28, 2014

Making S'mores

Today I was a little concerned that I would be able to accomplish everything on my list. This evening, however, I found that everything had come together quite nicely. Once I was home from tutoring I had a little extra time on my hands. What to do?

Make s'mores of course! Good thing I keep the fixin's on hand.

Once I had all the ingredients prepped and I was heading outside, the rain started. Not to worry, since I am not sugar I didn't plan on melting. I started the grill and set my mind to the task at hand.

Toasting marshmallows, yum! Then, I heard a rustle in the holly bush. I caught a glimpse of something darting between the bushes and smack into the fence. I must have drawn attention to myself when I took the photo above with a flash. I saw the bushy white tail of a very large skunk. Then the bushy white tail of another skunk. And, finally, the bushy white tale of a third skunk. I was trapped. I stayed very quiet and didn't take another photo. I finished the toasting as quick as possible and made a b-line for the house. It was a scary close encounter!

But, once inside with my marshmallows and fixin's, I got right to work. Two for me and one for Mark. Yum!

Posted at 10:04 PM in summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 27, 2014

Visiting an Old Friend

Do you recognize my old friend in this picture?

Tonight I visited my dear friend, Robin, and I got a chance to visit with the quilt that I finally finished a couple of months ago. The quilt seems to be doing well and has adapted to her new environment.

Robin is doing well also! I am so excited because Robin and her hubby just arrived back in New Jersey from a short trip down south, looking for a place to retire.

Originally they had their sights set on South Carolina, Greenville. Fortunately for us they made a stop in North Carolina on their way back north and it looks like they were sold!

Not just North Carolina, they visited and really liked Cary, which is about a half hour from where we would like to settle and where my sister lives. I would be thrilled if, when we retire, we were close to each other. They are such good friends and I would miss them terribly if they ended up too far away.

Not only that, it would be hard to live so far away from one of my favorite quilts! Fingers crossed that it all works out for both of us!

Posted at 10:33 PM in quilting, summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2014

Making a Pit Stop

One reason for our adventure on Tuesday was the opportunity to take Mark to Where Pigs Fly for lunch.

The first time we, the kids and I, ate at Where Pigs Fly was years ago when Jason was still racing cars. We had been at an event at the raceway in Dover. Driving home, up Route 1, we spied a TGI Fridays on the left side of the road. Since we couldn't make a left turn from the highway we turned right, hoping to make a quick turn around to head back across the road. Straight ahead of us, Where Pigs Fly. I remember that evening so well.

In addition to the pulled chicken and pulled pig, they serve an awesome sweet potato complete with butter and cinnamon sprinkled on top. YUM! I also just loved their sweet tea!

I had no problem planning for an opportunity to go back. The fact that it is at least a two hour ride in the car, well that could be a deterrent, but since it was all part of the adventure, we were good to go!

It took us no time to order, shortest amount of time I think we have ever looked at a menu. Sweet tea first followed by a pulled pork sandwich without the bread. Yum!

Our waitress, Jessica, was a sweetheart and the food delicious! In no time at all we were back on the road. I know we will be heading back sometime soon, at least if I have anything to say about it!

Posted at 07:43 PM in Food and Drink, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bbq, pulled pork, Where Pigs Fly

July 23, 2014

Backyard Fun

Today I finished a layout for a workshop I am hosting at my house tomorrow. I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

The truth is we are really enjoying our yard this summer. We were gone most of last summer so we never really got around to doing any work in the yard. But this year, we have worked in the yard a little every couple of nights and it is paying off. One of our favorite ways to relax is spending time in the yard, grilling and having dinner outside, this has been the perfect summer for doing just that!

Posted at 11:21 PM in scrapbooking, summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 22, 2014

We Took The Ferry

And I didn't jump off, not that they would let me. Really, it didn't look all that scary from the deck! Although I was happy to be seeing this view from the boat and not the water! Today was one of those really great days. I had planned a day with the sole purpose of getting my husband on the Cape May - Lewes Ferry. This is a man who has been on many a ferry, but never the one in Cape May. I had wanted it to be a surprise, but since I needed his cooperation for the entire day, I had to let him in on it!

We had a blast!

Did you know that the ferry is actually 50 years old this year. That's right, it started sailing in 1964! I cannot remember the first time I rode the ferry, but it has always been a fun adventure!

Mark and I ventured separately for a good part of the trip but every once in a while I was able to get a shot of us together!

Of course I had to get a selfie of us, that's just something I do! Then I had to get a photo of something Mark has been known to do. That's right, taking a picture!

The setting sun made an appearance and begged to be photographed, a million times as it changed along our route!

Today was filled with so many wonderful moments and opportunities to record the beauty around us. One thing I really love is the way the American flag looks against a bright blue sky and I never miss an opportunity to take a picture of it.

The list of photo opportunities goes on and on. But the best part of the day was just being present for all of it.

Seeing the dolphin off the side of the boat.

Feeling the spray from the wake.

Hearing the seagulls as they circled around hoping for a dropped french fry!

Singing along to Kokomo with the performer on board during our crossing.

Watching other people and their experiences, all of it was magical.

I spent many a quiet moment just taking it all in.

Posted at 11:27 PM in summer | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 21, 2014

Supernova, July Blocks

This was the block I sent to Julie for our July swap. Our challenge for July was: "Without any physical or mental limitations, or personal obligations such as children or money, if you could hold any occupation or talent what would you choose and why? Would you be a great artist, an Olympic athlete, a neurosurgeon - the possibilities are limitless - share with your partner what it is about that talent or profession that inspires you." This is what I wrote:

When I Grow Up….

I want to own a quilt shop and a creative retreat. I did not have to think about this, this has been my dream for quite a while. Actually, this is a dream that both my husband and I have. We envision a shop in a small downtown. This is a downtown where people create community. Our shop will be one that encourages creativity, not just for quilters but for families. The shop will be closed on Sunday, family day. If we have an inkling that the community would welcome creative workshops and family together times, even on a Sunday, our shop will foster that.

Just outside of town, on a hill nestled in nature, we will have a creative retreat. This is where our home is and where people and artists are welcomed to commune with nature and create. We will welcome guest artists, offer accommodations for workshops lasting more than a day. We will foster creativity in an environment that nurtures connection amongst people from all walks of life.

I received Julie's block on the 18th, isn't it wonderful?

Much like me, Julie sees herself immersed in a creative endeavor. She sees herself creating with fabric, designing fabric or quilts while working in an antique building that has been restored. That's my kind of place to work also!

We truly are similar in so many ways. We will have to plan a time to get together in person, perhaps at a quilting retreat!

Posted at 11:00 PM in quilting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Going Scrappy

Truth be told, I have never made a scrappy quilt. Every quilt I have ever made has been planned. Usually I start with an inspiration fabric and then add to it or sometimes I use an entire collection of fabric to create a quilt. Even those quilts that I have made that were supposed to be scrappy, really weren't. It just didn't work for me.

Now, I have more scraps than I know what to do with. I will not throw them away so, what to do? Make a scrappy quilt.

I started following Bonnie Hunter, the scrappy queen, to see how she managed her scraps. Then the opportunity arose for me to make a quilt for charity. It was destined to be. I quickly visited Quiltville and picked out a free scrappy pattern, Bricks and Stepping Stones. I then got straight to work!

As you can see in the photo above I have quite a few blocks done already and I am moving forward. Tonight I focused on cutting more bricks and making more of the 4-patch stepping stones.

After the strips were sewn, it was on to the 4-patches themselves.

Now the 4-patches are pressed and ready to be sewn to the bricks! Yippee!

The pile of 4-patches is ready to go, but perhaps it's time for me to go to bed. Well, there is always tomorrow evening to put them together.

This quilt will be sent to my sister-in-law in Utah where she is busy piecing another 8 or 9 quilts. The quilts will be given to residents of a transitional home that is currently under construction. During move in day, the residents will take care of the finishing touches on the quilts by tying them with the help of other community members. Each resident will complete the tying of their own quilt. I think this is such a fabulous idea.

My quilt needs to be ready to tie and in Utah at the beginning of August. Wish me luck!