Evolving Sweetie

Fall Cooking - Rootbeer Braised Short-Ribs

My favorite time of year is upon us. And there is nothing I love to cook more that stick to your ribs, warm up your belly, simmer all day long meals that perfectly suit the fall weather. 

Our neighborhood restaurant Sand Point Grill does a kicking version of Rootbeer Braised Short Ribs ribs served with creamy polenta. My recipe search yield a winner at the Noble Pig . Their post does a spot on job of detailing out the recipe steps, so I won't duplicate the effort here. My only change was to simmer down the liquids (1o+ mins) on the stovetop in a separate skillet after the cooking was complete. Whisking in 2 TBPs of flour to thicken. Served up with Yukon Gold whipped buttered potatoes. 

A wonderful culinary kick off to fall. 

 

 Postcards from my kitchen

Lots of goodies to simmer hours away

Dinner time.  Heavenly!

 

Steel Town Gal Quilt - In Progress part 1

Adored the Improv Coin Quilting class that I took a few weeks ago. Utilized my little collection of "Hometown" fabrics from Sweetwater for this project.  A little bit challenging to come up with variations in the stripping due to similar patterns themes throughout the fabrics.  In the layout phase, I played with the placement of the strip sections and like some of them oriented horizontally. Loved how that seemed to make some of the fabrics shine more.

My design is in 2 main parts -  a vertical and a horizontal pieced section. Completed the verticals and I'm 1/2 way through the larger horizontal section.  Unfortunately setting aside this project for a few days due to deadline on a Shutterfly book (40% off coupon expires on Weds). Hopefully my quilt top will be complete in the next week or so.

Shout out to my Dad for installing the ceiling hooks in the office for a design wall. Love it! Thank you!!!

Sneak peek at my first official quilt...

 

POSTCARDS from my design wall.

Ross - Distraction Extraordinaire

Another Sunday sans plans. Aside from a quick brunch at Jak's Grill (mmm Crab Cake Benedict!) I've been home bound.  Throw in a little nap, some kitty time, dishes, a few loads of laundry and left over chicken chili from yesterday's tailgate... and it's been a wonderful day.

Ross kitty has been excited to have me home.  In fact I'm galantly trying to type while he is strewn across my fore arms.  Ross's mission, whether I choose to accept it or not, was to help me in all my endeavours. Most noteable and adorably in my quilt design session this afternoon. "I Helping!"  

 

POSTCARDS from Ross

Oh, you meant to use this cutting mat?

Let me see if I can be flexible about your request...

Don't I look cute!

Oooh, the design part is my favorite. Let me help!

You really are going to enjoy my ideas I promise!

Pleeeeeasssse can I help out?

Hey, that kinda looks cool from this angle.

I like to be in the middle of everything.

Whew, I think my work is done here.

 

 

Gobbled up Gobs

Everyone has those nostaglic little mementoes from childhood. Smells and tastes that take you back to a specific place in time. Gobs are it for me. Tasty little chocolate cake, vanilla iced cookie sandwiches that are a little slice of heaven whipped up in Western PA. Looks like a whoopie pie, only so much better.  Yum!

Gobs are a little souvenir from family picnics and summers days. A piece of my history and elders that I've been searching to preserve. All the recipes I found focused on marshmellow fluffed out icings which are so wrong. However, recently I hit the jackpot when Gobba Gobba Hey came out last month. Not only does it contain the original coveted recipe, there are 50+ imaginative flavor combinations to try out.

Last week my parents were in town and we embarked on making a batch. Little more time consuming than a traditional cake or cookie recipe, but so worth the effort. We were all tickled to have a little piece of our youth back. Flooded with memories in Grandma & Aunt Kittie's kitchen. Fun, fun times.

Happy to have that treasured little morsel back.

 

POSTCARD from my Kitchen

Sea-Gals

In honor of yesterday's exciting Seahawk win in NYC, thought I'd share some fun pics of my lovely nieces at this season opener.

Good job Seahawks!! Rest up during the bye week.

 

POSTCARDS from Century Link Stadium

Mairead all geared up. She's got to heart of a true blue fan!

Emmie's all about the swag & food. Sporting a Seahawk color tongue after an ice-cream treat.

I  heart these gals!

 

 

Lazy Autumn Sunday

For the first time in many months I have a free weekend day without plans. Yahoo!  I need a little unstructured ME time. Life's been hectic. Work, quilting classes, parents visits, birthdays, tail-gates and catching up with friends. All good stuff. 

Slept in till 11 sans alarm clock this morning after a much needed late night check in with BFF in Belgium. Hot breakfast and toggling between my two favorite teams football games. Honestly though the Steelers look like they have this one much in hand. Seahawks need more support right now. 

Itching to finish putting together my Steel Town Girl quilt top. Loving the look of it so far. Jamie's baby blanket is calling from the knitting needles and the advent calendars are ripe for cutting out. Happiness. My creative soul sings!

Today is also prime stock making time. Nothing says fall like chicken stock simmering on the stove top. Next week's tailgate is a Chili-Off. I'm planning a White Bean Chicken Chili. Homemade stock is key.  Fourth quarter flips through cookbooks for week planning and I'll be set for a quick run out for supplies.

Sounds like the perfect day to me. Happy Sunday!