Kayaking in Dungeness Bay

On September 19, Dave and I went up to Dungeness Bay, near Sequim, to go kayaking.  I had  bought a Groupon special -- 4 hours of kayak rental for $25.  I was determined to go out to the point of the spit to the Dungeness Lighthouse.  It took over 2½ hours to get there.  After spending a few minutes at the lighthouse, we realized that we had only 1 hour to get back.  We paddled like crazy to get back.  My arms burned so badly from the hard constant paddling.  We got back a half hour late, but the owner didn't charge extra b/c he had no one else renting kayaks anyway.

Modern Quilt challenge

Modern Quilt Guild challenged readers to make a modern quilt.  It had to be improvised (no pattern or directions).

Here were my objectives in creating this quilt:

1.  Improvise.  Although I have pieced several quilts that I consider modern, I have always used patterns or directions to create them.  I wanted to work outside that comfort zone this time.

2.  Use only fabric scraps that I already had.  I didn't want to buy any new fabric or delve into my stash that I had earmarked for other quilts.  Conserve; repurpose; recycle.

For this challenge I used scraps of Michael Miller's Magnolia Lane fabric.  The scraps that I had were small; not large enough that if all sewn together would cover an area of 45 x 45.  So I chose to use natural colored muslin with the colored pieces of fabric.  The muslin was a light, neutral color that I needed to make the pieces of the Magnolia Lane fabric stand out.  Plus I already had it so I wouldn't have to buy anything additional.  I also used the muslin as my quilt backing.

When I got to binding the quilt, I had barely enough scraps left.  I pieced together all I had that were at least 2½ inches wide.

Bloggers' Block of the Month

This is a new quilt-along. The block instructions will be posted each month on the 25th, beginning September 25, 2011 through August 25, 2012.

Harvesting Hops

Here are some of this year's harvest of hops.  After picking, I dry them 8-10 hours in a dehydrator on low setting to dry them.  I then put them in zip lock freezer bags and freeze them for Blair to use in his beer making.

Homemade Roasted Tomato Ketchup

I decided to try homemade ketchup since I had a lot of tomatoes this year.  Although the recipe yielded less product than it states (or maybe I cooked it too thick), it is well worth making because it tastes so good.

 

Homemade Roasted Tomato Ketchup

Yield: About 1 1/2 quarts ketchup

This recipe is:
Vegetarian, Vegan, Corn-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Peanut-free, Soy-free, Tree nut-free, Wheat-free

Who knew ketchup (or catsup — to each his own!) was so full of subtle spice, and so well balanced with such sweet and tart notes? Try the fresh, bright flavor of this homemade version and you will never take for granted again the quintessential American condiment!

Ingredients

• 4 pounds ripe organic tomatoes, washed and stems removed
• 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 sweet red pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped (optional)
• 4 to 6 cloves garlic
• Spiced vinegar (recipe follows)
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Salt, to taste

For the spiced vinegar

• 1 cup apple cider or your favorite vinegar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 stick cinnamon, crushed
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns

Preparation

To make the ketchup

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Cut the tomatoes into large chunks. Distribute the tomatoes, onion, red pepper and garlic on a baking sheet.
Roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and the onions are lightly caramelized. While the tomatoes are roasting, prepare your spiced vinegar.
Puree the tomatoes, onions, red pepper and garlic very finely in a food processor and strain through a fine sieve into a heavy pot.
Strain the spiced vinegar mixture into the tomato puree (discard the whole spices), add the paprika and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture has reduced by about half and mounds in a spoon. It will thicken as it cools. Season with additional salt if needed.
Spoon the mixture into sterilized jars with sterilized lids and refrigerate. It will keep in your refrigerator for about 1 month. (Or you may preserve it using classic canning methods.)

To make the spiced vinegar

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1 minute, remove from heat, and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes.

Recipe by Lynne Vea, PCC Chef

Kaleidoscope quilt revisited continued

I decided to use some fabric I had in my stash but I had never used in another quilt.  I only had 1/2 yd of the four prints so that quilt won't be very big.  I decided to use solid purple for the square and black for the background.  Here are a couple layouts I'm considering.

Kaleidoscope quilt revisited

I've been kinda wishy-washy on whether I wanted to do the kaleidoscope quilt.  After seeing the entire pattern, I think I'm gonna try it.  Now to choose some different fabrics by tomorrow.

New quilt

Since I decided not to do the Kaleidoscope Quilt-along, I started another quilt.  I have the base stitched.  Now I need to work on the applique that goes on top.

Quilt-along Revisited

I saw a picture of a quilt block for the kaleidoscope quilt along.  Ugh.  I don't want to use my beautiful fabric for this.  I'll save the fabric for something else.  I may do one quilt block using scraps just to learn how to sew triangles.

Quilt-along

Here are my fabrics for the quilt-along.  Unfortunately we don't get our first instructions until June 23 so I can't get started yet.

Wedding Facilities

Last week Beth and I checked out Seattle wedding facilities.  Several were quite interesting.

 

Above is Georgetown Studios in the Old Rainier Brewery

(not our style)

Above two:  Georgetown Ballroom

Beth and I liked, but not Dave and Brendon

Sodo Park/Herban Feast

Beth and I loved this place, but it was much too large for our group.  Once an old factory, the building had so much character!

Above three:  Court on the Square

Again, Beth and I liked, Dave and Brendon not

The Bathhouse at Golden Gardens

Possibilities, but no place for ceremony.

We also looked at The Seattle Aquarium, Harbor Club, the Skansonia, Lake Union Yacht Club, Ivars, Lake Union Cafe, Shilshole Bay Beach Club, the Canal, Ray's Boathouse, Januik Winery (the favorite) and considered the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Columbia Tower Club.

Fremont Troll

While Beth and I were checking out wedding venues, we took a couple minutes to visit the Fremont Troll!

Quilt-along

I just chose my fabrics for a kaleidoscope quilt along.  I'll post photos when I get the fabrics.

Quilting

I've completed several quilt tops in the last few months and I even finished one.  The purple/aqua one (which is actually complete) was done with Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  One of my favorites is the poppy quilt.

my latest "quilt"

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I liked the fabric.

Brian and Jillian

In September, Jillian celebrated her 30th birthday.  Brian and the Blanchards held a big celebration at their home and then at the Tulalip Casino.  I made the cake for the party.

In October each year, Brian and Jillian travel to Alaska for an insurance conference.  This year there was a Halloween party there.  Here are Brian and Jillian in costume:

Blair, Julie and the little one

On September 14, 2010, Blair and Julie had a little boy.  In early November we went to visit them in San Antonio.

Below:  Blair with the newborn; Dave with the baby

Machu Picchu

In May (2010) Dave and I went to Peru.  I had always wanted to see Machu Picchu, and it didn't disappoint.  The place was incredible.  Cuzco was another interesting site.  We went to their amazing market where everything is sold -- animals parts, exotic seafood, all kinds of spices, a wide variety of food, flowers, crafts, . . . everything!  I wish we had more time to shop in Cuzco.  I'd like to go back.

Above photos:  Dave and I at Machu Picchu; Dave being blessed by a shaman; whole hogs for sale at the Cuzco market

Beth

Beth's a fourth year dental student at Midwestern University Dental School in Phoenix.  Can't wait for her to finish -- free dental care!  

Beth is engaged to Brendon Bray.  They're planning a June 2012 wedding.