Quilt Show

We went on the funnest field trip today to a quilt show.  They had so many AWESOME fabric booths.  It was super fun to be able to touch all the fabric I drool over all the time online.  I bought a few things.....

  

And a few more...

I particularly love the gray polka dot.  I think I would have bought seven yards of it if I could have.

The Kiddo and I found this fabric that had both ROCKET SHIPS and ROBOTS.  We couldn't resist.  He said we wanted a quilt out of the fabric for sure.

What I bought was just a small portion when compared to my shopping buddies.  Overall a wonderfully fun day!

Gluten Free Strawberry Pie

Happy Easter!  I made a gluten free strawberry pie that turned out pretty well.  It was my first time making it so I think there would be some adjustments but overall, really good.

I made a cookie crumb crust out of some pre-made Pamela's mini chocolate chip cookies.  I pulverized about a cup and a half of cookies in the food processor.  Mix with 3 T butter and press into a pie pan along the bottom and up the sides.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Let cool completely before adding strawberries.

For the glace:
1 cup strawberries
2/3 c water

Blend until smooth in a food processor or blender.

In a medium saucepan add in;

Strawberry mixture from above
2/3 cup sugar
2 T Cornstarch

Stir well, let come to a boil, stirring often until mixture is thickened.  Let stand to cool before adding to pie. 

To the prepared pie crust add about 8 cups of strawberries.  I like to mostly have mine whole, but you can cut them up as much as you want.  Pour glace over strawberries.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with some whip cream or ice cream and you have a fresh, gluten free pie.

Dressing up the Chair

This chair has a lot of history.  My sister and I used to fight and fight over who got to sit in it when we were kids and then we fought and fought over who would own the chair when Mom wanted to pass it along.  I can't quite remember how I won the possession of said chair, but I did.  WHOOOHHOOOO! (Sorry lovely sister!)  I get that it isn't the most beautiful chair, but it is one of those things from your childhood that you just have to keep. 

Before the kiddo was born we had it recovered in a basic linen and I made this as a baby quilt, but they weren't necessarily designed to go together.   I saw a chair at the Paris Market where the seat had an old quilt on it and loved it, but it was too expensive for me...so I got innovative and combined my chair and quilt. 

"Me Am A Robot"

My kiddo tells us all the time that he is a robot and then wants us all to walk around and be robots.

So I was thinking this morning that he needed a robot.  I did a little drawing, a little pattern making, we rumaged around in my crazy fabric closet, picked out some leftover fleece, and whipped up a robot.

The kiddo was happy with his robot as you can see.  I thought he needed something boyish after all the dolly making.

Gluten Free Tater Tot Casserole

Over the past few months I have made this dinner several times.  I worked hard to figure out the making of it so that it is gluten free so the kiddo can eat it, however every time I make it, he tells me it is GROSS even though he has yet to actually eat it.  My husband and I think that it is delicious magic.

When we first went gluten free tater tots and "crispy crowns" were full of wheat so that they get crispier when you cook them.  Upon doing a lot of label reading I found that our local Kroger brand were gluten free.  We don't do too much snackish food like this, but every once in awhile it is a nice treat.  So if going gluten free with this recipe, be sure to check the label.  If not, then pick up whatever kind floats your boat.

The other big adjustment I make is doing my own white sauce.  Any recipe you check for this type of food tells you to use a cream of something soup.  I, personally, do not care for cream of something soup that much and it contains wheat.  You can get a few organic brands, but again, not really my favorite.  Below I am including my full recipe.  Keep in mind that you can use whatever if you aren't concerned about wheat.


White Sauce
3 Tablespoons butter or butter substitute - melted in a saucepan
3 Tablespoons gluten-free flour
Mix together in saucepan to form a paste

Whisk in 1 cup of milk or soy milk and 1/2 cup chicken broth (I use water and a tablespoon of Better than Bouillon - which is gluten free, regular bouillon is not.)
Let come to a low simmer and thicken, stir frequently.
Add some salt and pepper or garlic powder or salt.  You can also add a vegetable for flavor or added texture like mushrooms or celery.

Tater tot casserole
1lb Ground turkey or beef - browned
1 bag tater tots or crispy rounds
white sauce from above recipe
1 bag of frozen broccoli

Mix together and cook.  I like to make my casserole in the slow cooker on low for 3 to 4 hours, but you can also prepare and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Add cheese at the end or as a topping.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Pillows

Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew - one of my favorite sites - posted a tutorial on how to make these Sprocket Pillows.  I really liked them and thought I would give them a go.

I have to say that I am so in love with the way that these pillows turned out.  I used part of a Giddy layer cake by Sandy Gervais.  I liked the fabric before hand, but as I sewed it together I was pleased with how well all the pieces, patterns, and colors blend together.  For the sides and back I used a basic polka dot from a local fabric store.

It seems like mine turned out a little fatter than Allison's did, but I think they will make great floor cushions.  With a kid that is always begging for us to" come on the floor with me," it makes for a nice place to rest the bottom.  I can always make the middle band less wide and it would create a thinner pillow.

My kiddo loves them, and who would have guessed, so does the dog:)  I looked over and there she was, lounging like it was the best thing that had ever happened to her.  Poor, normally uncomfortable Nala.