Tasty Tuesdays-The Times They Are Changin'

I'm going to admit that my idea of sharing how I was going to start writing consistently pretty much fell on its' face as soon as I left the starting block. I have no excuses but lots of reasons~ oh yeah, lots of reasons~ with photos even!

If you follow me on social media, you'll see I'm much more likely to be posting things. Why is that, you may ask (as if I think you may actually care)? Well, I'm happy to tell you anyway. It's a whole lot quicker to pop in a pithy quote or quick update or photo than it is to sit and do a blog post. Yep, that's about it. No huge revelation or new theory. Just easier and quicker is all. 

And why is this significant? Because I have been busy with the Quiltopia Quilt Show, my Etsy shop plus my new job at Whitlock's Vac & Sew, that's why as well as trying to spend time with Brian plus do my various projects here at home. And, while I am absolutely loving all this, it doesn't leave a whole lot of time- or at least not a whole lot of time to sit down and blog. 

So there you have it- my excuse reason for not keeping up writing at Mangia Mamma. The only problem is, I have a habit of posting things on social media with the promise that a recipe, craft project, idea or some other thing that a few people may actually want to know. Not wanting to lose any friends- as that's usually who says things like, "Sounds yummy. Want to share the recipe?", I am now feeling a bit convicted about keeping up with the blog.

Okay, it's time for me to stop beating around the bush and share what's really been going on!!

1) Quiltopia was a great success! It's a three-day show at the Willamette Heritage Center the first weekend of October. I had the opportunity to be the social media coordinator for the event plus I was able to demonstrate the HandiQuilter the whole weekend on behalf of Whitlock's- which is a great segue to 

Can you tell I love my new job (and Janome sewing machines!!!)?

2) My new job!!!! I've been hired at Whitlock's which is a terrific sewing/quilting shop that also sells vacuums. I had been planning on teaching kids' classes, but they've decided they'd also like me to work on the floor helping customers find the sewing machine of their dreams as well as all the notions and extras to make their sewing dreams come true! I love working there and being part of the team!!

3)Part of my sewing dream to come true is my shop, Piccolo Di Luce. I have been so excited about getting to make pocket oratories and rosary cases for so many wonderful customers since I started. This week I was actually asked to be part of the Zelie & Co. Auction as one of their guest artisans! 

Check out my shop page on my blog as I'm going to be adding a few new items in the next month.

4)With the busyness, I was so grateful to be able to get away with a group of old and new friends this past weekend. The "Cabin Girls" have been meeting at a cabin in lovely Rhododendron, Oregon for 24 years now, and this year was just as fun as when those of us who first starting coming were all a lot younger!!

5)Recipes. Yes, I had promised recipes on the blog then didn't come through. I know there are a bazillion blogs on the internet, but sometimes I still like to post recipes that I think are fun, or quirky or just really yummy. Today's is no exception. With all of the pumpkin spice craziness, I thought I'd weigh in my take on pumpkin spice creamer. It's totally delicious and simple to make. So, with friends Lynsi and Annette first and foremost in my mind, here is the recipe plus a few variations!

PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMER #1

2 cups half & half
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice mix

Whisk everything in a small bowl. Once well blended, pour into decorative bottle and store in refrigerator.

PUMPKIN SPICE CREAMER #2 (doesn't use real pumpkin, but has a great pumpkin flavor!!)

2 cups half & half
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup pumpkin spice syrup (like Torani)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice mix

Whisk everything in a small bowl. Once well blended, pour into decorative bottle and store in refrigerator.

Variations:
~For Pumpkin Maple Creamer add 1/4 cup maple syrup to recipe #1
~ For Vanilla Cinnamon Creamer, use 2 1/2 cups half & half, no pumpkin, and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice

Saturday Scribblings- Daylight Savings Edition

Well, it's here again whether we like or not. Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins tonight. Okay, it officially begins tomorrow morning at 2:00 a.m., but I've never been one to stay up to set my clocks forward. We always just change them before we go to bed. I don't even know if my body has gotten used to standard time, and it has to change all over again. I suppose I could wax on about the political and business ramifications of the time change or even the history, but there are a lot of people who are much wiser than I where you can go to read about it. For instance, you can read the history behind it here. I will say one more thing about it, however. Just remember that Benjamin Franklin was the instigator of DST, and he was also the one who thought the turkey should be our national bird. Just sayin'.

flowers in the backyard

Yesterday I was feeling well enough to work a little bit in the backyard. I mostly just weeded and put leaves in the yard debris bin. The fun part was seeing the color in places that I didn't expect. It was raining a bit, but that didn't deter me at all. I figured when I am feeling okay and the weather isn't terrible then I need to be working outside. That way, hopefully, our yard will be ready for when Summer comes.

close up of triptych

I was able to make another pocket oratory this week. It was a triptych custom order with St. Gianna Molla, two prayers- the Hail Mary and Prayer to the Trinity, and St. Francis of Asissi. It's always such a joy to be able to help others come closer to the Lord with these little bits of light!

green rosary case

I've also been working on some new rosary cases as well. I was really pleased with this green wool felt one with The Blessed Mother and the Hail Mary. I'm so happy to have these in my Etsy shop. You can find these at Piccolo Di Luce.

I've also decided when I'm not having a dizzy day that I need to try to do as much as I am able. Besides working out in the yard and up in the sewing room, I've also been trying to do small things to keep up the kitchen. I took a little time to shine up our thrift store OXO brand tea kettle. Using some elbow grease and a smidgen of Bon Ami cleanser, it turned out so pretty and shiny!

time for tea

Last but not least is a recipe for an Apple Dutch Baby Pancake. It's what I made last Sunday for our brunch after Mass. It was so delicious and easy to make. Buono Appeitito!

Yummy!

Apple Dutch Baby Pancake

Batter:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 medium firm apples such as Gala or Jonagold, sliced thin

3/4 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. milk

1/4 t. baking powder

1 T. granulated sugar

4 eggs

Topping:

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1/4 t. ground cloves

1/4 t. ground allspice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Place butter in cast iron skillet or 7 x 11 pan, and put in oven. 

Whisk flour, milk, baking powder, 1 T. sugar, and eggs in small bowl.  (You can do this part in a blender instead). Combine topping ingredients.

Place sliced apples into bottom of skillet or pan; return to oven and cook for 5 minutes.

Pour batter over apples and sprinkle with topping. Bake for 20-25 or until golden brown and puffy. Serve with maple syrup.

Serves 4

And Sew It Goes

My latest fabric adventure has become a joy and privilege as I've started making & selling pocket oratories and quilted icons. Theses were inspired by The Little Oratory by David Clayton and Leila Lawler as well as a photo of a beautiful French vintage travel prayer packet found on Pinterest. I started making these this past spring and opened up my Etsy shop "Piccolo de Luce" which means a little bit of light. It has given me so much joy to have folks buy these tiny traveling oratories which helps them to be able to pray wherever they may be. I'm working on revising my design and plan on having them ready for share the middle of October.

                      

                                One of my Triptych (three-sided) Pocket Oratories

I've also started making some of my own quilts, and I am super excited to have had one in this weekend's Quiltopia Quilt Show at The Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill. It was a fun quilt to make, and I'm happy with the way it came out. 

                                    

                                                    My "Put a Bird On It" Quilt

After reading about winterizing old houses on Like Mother Like Daughter last week, I've decided to start making the list for our 1912 uninsulated and sometimes very damp farmhouse. The one project that I'm most looking forward to doing is the "door cover quilts". With the winter breezes that blow through our house (remember, uninsulated) this should be a fun project to help us stay a bit warmer. Be sure to check out LIke Mother, Like Daughter for more terrific winterizing suggestions.

     

                   The sun is shining now, but Old Man Winter's just around the corner.

I'd love to hear about your latest project- sewing, crafting, cooking or whatever you've got going on. It's way more fun to share projects and bits of life with others as we continue on our journeys!