Random

Haven't been posting for a while.  So much going on.  Garden is in and hopefully with the crazy weather we are having on the coast it will hold up.  I planted Garlic for the first time and am keeping my fingers crossed. 
My husband has been brewing his own beer and found a bread recipe for the used grain.  It's pretty good, this is my second go around with this recipe.  It makes two large loaves of bread.

On a rare visit to Hobby Lobby, I found two sweater/shawl brooches on clearance.  I only bought one Simplicity pattern for $1.99.
 

Last weekend it happened, I bought the bucket list sewing machine.  I have always wanted a Singer Featherweight 221 and as I was talking about my new machine to my hairdresser a month or so back I was telling her about Featherweights.  She just tosses out, "I have one of those, want to buy it?"  Really?  So, this happened:

Haven't had a chance to use it yet....I just want to look at it.  It's from 1956. 

Hello

It's been busy around here!  Had to make another trip to Kansas City for business and I was able to make a trip to see my granddaughter.  We were put up at the Westin, this was my view:

I bought another pen and bottle of ink, of course!

Then we went to see our granddaughter who is laughing and babbling.  She is pictured here babbling to my husband.

Here she is babbling to this thing I bought her.

And this is how she looks at me LOL.

That's OK, I know I am secretly her favorite.

My mom gave me a Christmas present early.

I am not the greatest seamstress in the world but my old machine was always giving me a problem and I was giving myself a headache comparing features of different machines and prices.  I decided on a more economical machine and honestly it sews like a dream.  It made me feel I wasn't so bad after all!  I have made a dress and blouse already no pictures yet.  Thanks mom!

Just so you know I haven't been slacking on the home front, I recently canned 20 quarts of tomato sauce.  They are hidden from the college students so they don't take off with all of them.

We recently made a trip north of us to see college student number 3 sing in the choir.  We went to eat first and she picked the place.  This is why:

Yes I tried it, I am sure we have diabetes after this. 

Our local high school did an amazing job in a production of Prometheus Bound.  My son is on the right.  It took them to the Drama Fest competition where they did a fantastic job.  I am amazed at all the lines they had to remember.

Be back soon!

I've Been Avoiding You

It was an act of mercy.  With the closing of the government I really did not want to subject anyone with my constant rants about all the numb nuts in Washington.  Sad thing is that until they pass a budget we will have more of the same. 

Let us move on to ....... cast iron!  I am ashamed as a cast iron enthusiast that the one thing I have yet to make in a cast iron skillet is a Dutch Baby.  How could I have not made a giant pancake in my 12" skillet?  I did remedy that last weekend or else I would have had to turn in all my cast iron or let it go to rust. 

Cinnamon Sugar Dutch Baby

2-½ Tablespoons Cold Butter, Diced, Divided Use

⅓ cups Sugar

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

⅔ cups Flour

⅔ cups Milk

4 whole Eggs

2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Place one tablespoon butter in a 9-12 inch cast iron skillet or 9 inch pie plate. Place in the oven for 5 minutes.
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set the bowl aside.
Put the flour, milk, eggs and 1 1/2 tablespoons of remaining cold butter in a blender. Blend until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the blender and blend for about 30 seconds more.
Remove the skillet or pan from the oven and swirl the butter all around. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cinnamon sugar mixture and then pour the batter into the skillet. Place in the oven at 450 F for 20 minutes. DO NOT OPEN the oven during this first 20 minutes! After 20 minutes turn the oven down to 350 F and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the edges begin to brown.
Remove from oven and let it cool for 3-5 minutes. Brush or drizzle with the melted butter, then cover in more cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.

The kids loved it and said it reminded them of French toast.

In between political rants and regardless of furlough and shutdowns I brought this home:

 

  I know, I know, I shouldn't have.  I couldn't help it though, she was $20.  This is an old Kenmore model 158.120 or 12.   It is a basic 1965 straight stitch with reverse.  It was never used and didn't work.  After a good oiling, hence the newspaper, she purrs.  I just couldn't leave her there sitting unappreciated, she is a heavy duty machine but sews nice on thinner material as well.  The woman I bought the machine from said she had a manual typewriter she will look for and to stop by Friday to see if she has it out, yay!