Yet another day in paradise 02-18-12

Snow on the local mountains doesn't last long with daytime temps in the 50's, but snow continues to be made at the ski resorts.  Low night time temps help.  Where I live, in the "flat lands" it is 40's at night and 60-70 daytime.

Friday Feet 02-17-12

These shoes came to the Surfside QGuild meeting on Tuesday.  I did a double take and whipped out the camera.  This lady always dresses with style, but these are over the top, I think.

 

When I saw the image on my computer I had to laugh at the background.  The black shoe is worn by a lady of more mature years and it could be my current shoe style, except I don't see any Velcro closures!

 

Just looking at this pose makes my ankles ache!

Wordless Wednesday - Pear

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Another day in paradise! 02-14-12

Hope you have had a Happy Valentine's Day!



This is the view from the parking lot of the San Clemente Presbyterian Church where the Surfside Quilters Guild meets. 
 Ah-h-h-h, the blue Pacific - it was very pacific today.

Monday Browsing - VAM opening & Volunteers Brunch 02-13-12

Here are the Picasa albums of pictures taken at Visions Art Museum last week.  I hope I have identified the people correctly.  If you find an error, or can ID someone who is unidentified, please let me know.
You can share these albums or pictures as you wish.  Love, Del

Opening at VAM 02-03-12 https://picasaweb.google.com/DELQLTS/VisionsArtMuseumOpening020312?authkey=Gv1sRgCKzS5p6dvq6mYA#


Volunteers Brunch at VAM 02-07-12 https://picasaweb.google.com/DELQLTS/VAMVolunteersBrunch020712?authkey=Gv1sRgCLLBkqKd78W6aw#



Opening night visitors view the twelve-inc​h square quilts from the Thomas Contempora​ry Quilt Collection at Visions Art Museum, San Diego.  Deborah Mackay standing in center of picture in colorful shirt.  Lisa Yoder on far left behind counter.  02-03-12

TCQC - Helen Conway quilt 02-12-12

Here is another of the gift quilts from the Twelve by Twelve group.  As I explained before, the wall where the selections from TCQC are displayed would only hold forty quilts and some hard decisions had to be made about what quilts would make the most comprehensive exhibit.  This is one that didn't make that cut.
 Helen lives in St. Helens, England, and her work can be seen at www.helenconwaydesign.com

"From an English Country Garden"  Helen L. Conway   2011  12" x 12"

Commercial and Hand-dyed cottons, beads, metallic thread, cotton thread.  

One of my favorite color combinations - acid green and orange - this piece really works for me.  The gold leaves on the left are printed with real leaves; as far as I can tell they are six different leaves.  On the right side the rust tree branches sport varied orange leaves superimposed over a sort of shadow of branches and leaves outlined in metallic thread.  The hand stitching is intriguing with seed stitches randomly placed around the branches and two sets of three straight stitches on the background of the gold leaves.   I don't need to know why the artist put the stitches where they are - they just seem to belong there.   

I believe the back is a commercial print.   The machine quilting does not go through all layers, but the hand stitching does.  There is a generous sleeve - Helen has left enough ease that a fat rod will not distort the front of the quilt when it is hung.

Quick 3-2-1 cakes 02-11-12

These individual little cakes are ready to eat in one minute.  They are perfect for whenever you feel you need a treat, but don't want a whole cake around to tempt yourself to eat more.

First - Prepare "The Mix".  You need one box of Angel Food Cake mix and one box regular cake mix.  In a one gallon Ziplock bag (or an air-tight container) combine the two cake mixes thoroughly.  This mix can be stored in your pantry without refrigeration, just like a box of cake mix.

Second - Make each individual cake by measuring three Tablespoons of the mix into a microwave safe container (bowl, mug, custard cup, etc.).  Add two Tablespoons room temperature water and stir well.

Third - Microwave on High for one minute. If you cook it too long it will be chewy rather than tender.  Now you have your own instant individual little cake.  Top it with whipped topping and some fresh fruit and chow down.

Note: One of the cake mixes MUST be Angel Food, the other can be chocolate, pineapple, carrot, red velvet, spice, ...whatever.  The flavor possibilities depend on what is available at the market.

 

The name "3-2-1 Cake" comes from the formula: 3 Tablespoons mix, 2 Tablespoons water, 1 minute in the microwave.

This image came to me with the recipe.

This is a picture of the cake I made using Angel Food and carrot cake mixes.  I don't normally have whipped topping around, so I softened some cream cheese and spread it on top.

 
It was a little bland, so I sprinkled on some cinnamon sugar such as one uses on buttered toast.
Next time I think I will drizzle on a little Blue Agave or maybe honey.  Or perhaps yogurt?