THE restoration codes

What could that title mean u ask? Well, let me esplain it ya! The Dresdens.. The night job. You saw how the vintage feedsack pieces looked on the design wall right? Heres a pic of the old and improved ones. Walt and I spent the day doing an ABA-SSS technique on them. Already Been Aged, via Sand Sea Shells!! I only wish I had pics of the process down on the beach, because it was definetly funny to watch. We had several beach goers ask us what the hell we were doing!Even the man who walks his Pig Penelope!! Walt came up with the short version above. I was of course trying to explain the whole restoration process of a much loved old quilt (boring people, I'm sure). Anyway, it was a fun journey, and I hope it worked. You be the judge. They are all rewashed, pressed and ready to go. Now the fun really begins...replacing Grandmas pieces! Oh geez I wonder if she is watching me and laughing her angel wings off? I have decided to reserve one plate and attach it to some original fabric for the owner to make a framed in glass momento of the quilt. IF, of course I can manage to save one whole plate. Another one of Walt's brilliant ideas! (He is a great Guy Friday).

On another note, What I wouldnt give to have something like this from one of my Grandmothers. I will make certain that my grandchildren do! Maybe this is where the drive comes from to restore quilts from someone elses history? I remember doing one last summer, all YO YO's, and being obsessed with them like this piece. I didnt want it to leave after 2 months of non stop yo yo-ing at night. Walt sent me flowers upon its completion. I'll see if I can find that picture too, but for right now, I have a quilt loaded that is screaming at me to finish!!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

G

Sicilian Spaghetti & Meatballs

Time to stop fooling around and get back to business!!! I'm now in the PIZZA BOX stage with the Dresden plates. All off and ready to be "dealt" with. (still scared too). I have 2 other restorations in progress, minor in comparison, and 1950's jobs. I quilt by day and hand work by night. My housework is taking a serious beating the last couple weeks for sure. I just walk thru offering promises. I was cooking dinner last evening, in a mess.. just shaking my head wondering why I hadnt sent out for pizza instead. The trouble is, I was in the mood for my meatballs, Penne, and a glass of wine... so.. I cook...grunt. You should try these... I love being Italian, its a license to cook !!( Or was that eat?)
SAUCE
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 28-ounce cans Italian-style tomatoes
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes with added purée
1/2 cup dry red wine
Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, oregano, basil, and marjoram and crushed red pepper. Cover and cook until onion is translucent, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; simmer gently, uncovered, until sauce thickens and measures 8 cups total, breaking up tomatoes with spoon and stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate.) Makes 8 cups

Meatballs


2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs …
3 tablespoons milk
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 large egg
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound sweet Italian sausages, casings removed …(or 3 Costco mild sausages)
1 lb minced beef
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons raisons
1 pound spaghetti ( I use penne)
For Meatballs:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil baking sheet. Mix crumbs and milk in medium bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Mix in Parmesan, onion, basil, egg, garlic and pepper. Add sausage, meat,pine nuts and currants; blend well. Using wet hands, form mixture into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on baking sheet. Bake until meatballs are light brown and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Add to sauce.

Somebody Stop me!!!

I think I'm getting behind!!! (read baby pics) I will tell you that I did get the last of the dresdens off last evening while watching 24. I tell ya that show makes me a so nervous its a wonder that I don't rip my hands apart while ripping stitches!!So the fun begins on re creating the dresden plates on that quilt. I'll be posting to the prayer parrot on this one! I did get another restoration quilt quilted last night too.. so Its not like I'm alll baby pics...lol By now, you MUST be yawning over the baby pictures right? I sorry?(deal with it) Its addicting!! They are all so wonderful, I could plaster the house with them!! I really need to arrange a sitting with my lil grand daughter for her 2nd birthday.. This photgrapher-friend-loved one- HAS got to quit her day job and pursue this career more actively eh! ( hey! Call her up! Get a sitting of your very own!!! Links on the right!!) I bet her phone rings off the wall after this one.. wow.... Ok, heres a few more, then I PROMISE I'll go to work.

If home is where the heart is.... have I two of each?

I stopped at Costco for a few crab legs on my way into town. Opened the car door and felt the cool ocean breeze. I looked up and saw the seagulls over head squakking away, I knew that I was home, and I felt happy. I remember chuckling to myself about how no one but me could think that was such a cool feeling....seagulls while grocery shopping...lol. Rudy greeted me with a sexy "HEY BABY" as I came in the door arms loaded.. I told him that I missed him, and he bit me... gawd, so good to be home. I looked around and knew that my Walt MUST have missed me too since there were burnt ribs left on the BBQ and a margarita pitcher on the draining board.... oh boy.. he should never be left alone, me thinks.I was equally as happy to have been with family and friends this week. There are really no words that I can find to share the feelings of holding my babies baby in my arms, and TRYING to stay in the present, when my brain senses the past. He looks like Jake, smells like Jake, shoot, he even eats like Jake. But... Fast forward 22 years.....he is Shawn Thomas, my babies baby, and the feeling is again, wonderful. I watered a favorite tree in the back yard, and so many memories came flooding through. So many years back here, so much work, and so many laughs too. We love those darn trees. Can I also be suffering post partum via sympathy pains?I met a dear friend for coffee one evening and as we chatted quickly for 2 hours non stop and it occured to me how much I love her too. Another friend and I luncheoned at an old stomping ground seafood grill, and I couldnt figure out why in the world I had ordered seafood here, when its plentiful at home and far better too. It then hit me that it was because that is what we, as pals, had always done before, and again, I was moved to tears. My last night in town was spent at my daughters home. Just crossing the doorway I felt incredibly at home. When my grand daughter ran to me calling my name, I knew then too, that I was home again. The next morning Aviana yelled for me to come get her up, and of course play in her little kitchen. I knew that I must suck up every moment, every smile, every toys name.. because it would be awhile before we played these games again. Happy to be with her, and thrilled to be on my way home today too.All I can figure out is... its a darn good thing that its only 4 hours away, and of course, if home really is where the heart is, then I MUST have two of each.