The best sugar cookies I've ever tasted. . . bar none!

Treasures can often be found at local church rummage sales. This time it was in the form of the best sugar cookies ever. I had a heck of a time tracking down the baker who of course was out of town for a few months. Persistence pays off though and I promised to share the recipe with everyone I know.

You'll want to make them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any holiday in between. Or just make them for yourself. They are that good.

Amish Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature).
1 cup vegetable oil (Canola)
1 cup sugar
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Combine butter, oil, and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs; beat 1 minute until well blended. Add vanilla, beat well. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar; add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

Drop by small teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Yield: About 5 dozen medium size cookies.

Is it true that blonds have more fun?

If so, I'm about to find out. . . .

One half of the closet was painted bright iced yellow, the side with the slant. I took the remaining yellow, mixed it with country white and did the right hand side.

Do you know why I did the slanted side bright yellow . . . . so I would not hit my head on the wall.

Okay, you can stop laughing now. . . . I'm sure it will wash out eventually.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .

T'aint it purdy . . .

This blog post is for all of my relatives. All those folks who know, heard about, or saw some of the places I've lived in in the past. From the camping trailer with the outside shower to the 160-year-old log cabin with no insulation to the efficiency apartment with the small electric heater.

Okay, so about the only places I haven't lived in yet are a lighthouse or a wigwam. And okay, I was only in the camping trailer from summer into fall . . . however, I will be warm this winter and for many winters to come with my new pellet stove. Of course . . . that's no reason to stop making quilts.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Last new quilt pic for awhile . . .

Here are the last four QOV tops that I'll be sending off to the Heart Strings group to be finished. Well, okay, the last for this year. Who knows what next year will bring.

If you'd like to learn more about this worthwhile project, just click on Heart Strings. Remember, they don't have to be red, white and blue. You can use up your odd pieces and blocks like I did. What better way to show our care and support than to wrap a wounded soldier in a quilt!

God bless America and God bless our troops.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Inspirational color surrounds us

I was unloading more boxes, looked down and saw this.

A type of fungus growing out of a tree stump in undulating patterns. If I were designing a new fabric line, this is where I would start.

What have you found to inspire you in your yard, village, hill, or dale this fall?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

There's a new kid on the block . . .

. . . and she is sharing a lovely tutorial on making and appliqueing circles the easy way.

Do stop by and give a hi howdy to Krista.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

I stopped by the water basin lake yesterday . . .

. . . thinking you all might enjoy a lil' leaf peeping.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

When in doubt, follow your OWN color sense.

I know it's hard to see the color, but trust me it's pale, frosty yellow. How do I know, well the hard way unfortunately.

First it was December Starlight by Valspar paints. (Too warm.)

Then it was Iced Lemon. (Too yellow.)

Then it was about 1-1/2 pints of Iced Lemon, some warm white and a third white that I can't remember. I mixed them all up and painted the room a third time.

Nope, not right.

So I finally bought a gallon of cheap Country White from Wal-Mart and a quart of Iced Lemon. Mixed them up and wallah . . . frosty yellow.

If I ever get tired of quilting, I can become a paint color consultant. By the time I get done figuring out what colors work in each room, I'll be ready for anything. Sheesh!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

A view from the balcony

The nice thing about finally unpacking . . . .

. . . is actually seeing how many quilts there are. Here's a sampling.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

I know, I know, I live in a vacuum . . .

Well not literally, but there's only one local radio station so I rarely listen to music (I prefer books on tape) and I've not had TV in 10 years (no great loss there).

So I'm thankful that bloggers around the world keep me updated when there's music worth listening to. Thank you Deb for sharing the news. Finally there's a group singing songs that one can actually hear the words to! WOW!

The only question is . . . when is Il Divo coming to America?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

(Photo is of my neighbor's house and of fall just starting to show it's colors around the lake.)

The good news is . . . .

All the fabric is out of storage and on the front porch. (Do you think the neighbors are wondering if I'll be opening a quilt shop? LOL)

And there's more glorious color taking place in my front yard.

When I was little I called these "strawberry trees."

This is my soon to be studio. Complete with a 14' ceiling which I must finish painting . . . yup, this weekend.

The carpet is a kind of aqua green, very cushy and lovely. I decided I was running out of time so I called Frank at Tri-State Carpet Cleaning. He has a new machine and did a fantastic job. It looks brand new! If you're local and need yours done before the holidays, just e-mail me and I'll share his number. His prices are very reasonable.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Painting progress . . .

This is the slowest paint job I've ever done, but other things seem to keep getting in the way, like packing. Somehow I know you can relate.

The only thing left to do on the stairway peak is the edge just under the ceiling. Since I am not, nor ever have been a professional acrobat . . . I'll hire Mr. Professional Paint Guy to tackle that one.

This is the opposite wall . . . and yes that ceiling peaks at 18 feet. I'm hoping to get it done this weekend, I just have to convince a friend or two to hold the ladder. Any volunteers?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .