Little tidbits of my life

New York Cheesecake

New York Cheesecake anyone???

My hubby LOVES my New York Cheesecake.  Pictured above includes a chocolate drizzle (of which I will include the recipe below).  Pictured below includes a caramel sauce drizzle.  The caramel sauce is WONDERFUL, but I actually bought the caramel sauce at "Fresh Market" in town.  I also make a key lime version, but I cannot seem to find the pic I took...and it was the prettiest, too!!!  Oh, well.

Note, the following recipes can be used for the largest springform pan of the Wilton 3-pan set...OR one recipe is enough for two cheesecakes when using the small and medium pans.  I prefer to make the two small/medium sizes because it seems to have less tendancy to crack and my hubby and I can taste-test the small one and take the medium one to family gathering, etc. 

NOTE:  I have a gas oven, so instructions given are based on my oven being propane heated.  I try to differentiate where applicable.

First Recipe:

Graham Cracker Crust:

1  1/2 packs graham crackers crushed.  I buy Original Honey Grahams and I crush them in a gallon size freezer bag.

8 TBS butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt 

Combine all ingredients in bag.  Before pressing the mixed ingredients into springform pan(s), spread butter liberally around bottom and sides of springform pan.  Now pour the graham cracker mixture into pan and press firmly in bottom and up one inch on the sides of the pan(s).  Place springform pan onto a cookie sheet and set aside.

Next Recipe:

New York Cheesecake filling - Preheat oven to 475 degrees

5 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese softened to room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 TBS all-purpose flour 

1/4 cup liquid - either half pulp-free orange juice and half lemon juice for traditional flavor...or half key lime juice and half lemon juice for key lime version...proportion not important, as long as it equals 1/4 cup total.  I just pour mine into a 1/4 measure cup

NOTE:  alternate to liquid above is finely grated zest of 1 orange or lemon...I've never tried it this way

5 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla

Beat cream cheese and sugar, then add flour and liquid until smooth.  Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, then vanilla - beating on low speed to prevent bubbles.  Pour filling into prepared crust(s) (recipe above).  Bake on baking sheet on top oven rack (works best in my gas oven, you may want to put in middle for conventional oven??) Bake at 475 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325 degrees (this is lowest setting my gas oven will go before flickering and flame goes out...can cook at 250 degrees in conventional oven)...and continue baking until cake is mostly firm.  The center will be slightly wobbly.  Based on my gas oven, I bake smallest pan for 1 hour...medium pan 1 hour 10 min...large pan 1 hour 20 min.

NOTE:  to help prevent cracking, I always put a pan half full of water on the oven rack below the cake (as shown in picture above) and keep it in there during the entire baking process.  ALSO, as soon as I take cheesecake(s) out of oven, I dip a knife in very hot water and gently run it around edge of cheesecake to further reduce cracking.  Cheesecake will flatten as it cools.

Cool cake completely in springform pan.  Add optional topping (recipe follows).  I prefer the key lime version with vanilla ice cream, or whipped topping...

Chill cake, loosely covered at least 6 hours. 

Chocolate Glaze for Cheesecake

4 oz heavy whipping cream

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bring cream to a boil in heavy saucepan on medium to low heat.  Remove from heat and immediately stir in chips and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Pour over cake.

NOTE:  If out of heavy whipping cream, I sometimes substitute 1/8 cup sweetened condensed milk plus 1/8 cup regular milk.  I whip the two milks together, then I heat it same as above...

LOTS OF cookie recipes YUMMMM!!!!

NOTE: explanation of above pic...I asked hubby to come help me flatten the peanut butter cookies w/a fork while I prepare the second baking sheet...result:  waffle like cookies!  LOL...he used my meat tenderizer (ie, the wooden thing laying there)...it did the trick, though!

I received these cookie recipes in an email and just came across them today in my recipe file...enjoy!

Cookie Recipes from northpole.com...just click on any name to go to the recipe...

Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Quiltaholic

My name is Teresa and I am a QUILTAHOLIC.

It has been seven months and 8 days  two months and 20 days since my last stitch.

My Mother's Day Story

As I have shared before, although I am a mother at heart, I am not able to physically have children (at age 32, I had to have a total hysterectomy a couple years ago due to severe endometriosis and severe PCOS).  My husband does not want to adopt at this point.  I am at peace with his decision for now.  PLEASE NOTE, I am not sharing this for pity.  I want to share my story to show how GREAT God is.  So here is my Mother's Day Story:

It was the FIRST Mother's Day after my hysterectomy.  I had MANY thoughts that day:

I was NOT going to have a rough time sitting in the church service because I had waited such a long time before deciding to have the hysterectomy.  I was TOTALLY at peace with this decision, WASN'T I?  My doctor had told me I needed the surgery a year before I actually agreed with him and scheduled the surgery.  I'd prayed and prayed.  This WAS the right decision.  I couldn't stand the pain anymore.  Was I just being a wimp, or had I made the right decision???  No, I saw the pictures from 2 prior surgeries of the irrepairable damage and scar tissue.  I was ABSOLUTELY SURE I had tried all I could do prior to scheduling the hysterectomy.  I had taken fertility drugs month after month, purchased and FAITHFULLY used an ovulation kit for years, took Lupron injections per doctor's advice, as much as FDA would allow, to give us more time to try...NOTHING HAD WORKED.  The fertility clinic had even told me I was not a viable candidate for IVF.  I KNEW THAT IT WAS NOT GOD'S WILL FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND TO HAVE CHILDREN!!!  Ahhhhh.  peace overwhelmed me with the reality that it was NOT my fault that we couldn't have children.  It was simply a fact that we must live with and MOVE ON. 

The peace took me through the singing portion of the church service.  BUT when the flowers started being passed around to all mothers, an overwhelming despair hit me all over again.  I MUST NOT CRY, I MUST NOT CRY, I MUST NOT CRY!!!  I just KNEW everyone was thinking "poor Teresa", "pitiful Teresa", "maybe someone will give Teresa a flower"...(as if everyone in the service was thinking about me) the LAST thing I wanted right then was a FLOWER.  Don't make eye contact!  As a deacon tried to hand me a flower, I QUICKLY got up and left the auditorium.  I found myself going downstairs and before I realized what I was doing, I was standing in the nursery.  WHY I AM IN THE NURSERY, I DO NOT KNOW, I thought to myself.  I had avoided the nursery for months and never signed up to be a nursery volunteer.  Miraculously, I was NOT crying!  I told the nursery worker to head on upstairs and get her flower, I'd take care of the nursery for her.  She was SO excited, she just ran right out to get her flower.  I sat down to regroup.  I felt better as I focused on my surroundings.  At this moment, I met a little boy named Tristan.  At the time, he was 6 years old.  I had never noticed him before.  I quickly realized that Tristan was different than anyone I had ever met.  He sat down beside me and said "shoes off".  Hmmm...my shoes were on, so I took them off.  He grinned ever so sweetly and said louder "SHOES OFF!!!". He seemed at that moment the happiest person in the world!  After about 20 more comments ranging from "SHOES ON" to "SHOES OFF", the nursery worker was back with her flower.  She immediately started talking to me about the upcoming Vacation Bible School, of which she was the director.  During this conversation, and for the rest of the service, I observed Tristan's behavior.  Assumingly because he was not the CENTER of attention, he was knocking over rocking chairs, tossing toys around, doing whatever he could to hault our conversation and get our attention.  Something about Tristan really intrigued me.  The nursery worker proceeded to tell me that Tristan is autistic.  He was also adopted from birth by a couple at our church.  This was my first encounter with a child who has been diagnosed with autism, so I was very surprised at how active and sweet that he was.  I realized that maybe stereotyping is NOT useful when it comes to something like autism.

I left the service that day with Tristan dwelling on my mind.  I started praying that God would lay it upon someone's heart at church to start a Special Needs Program.  I realized Tristan was too old for the nursery.  He simply was BORED in the nursery since no one really had a program in order to keep him busy.  They just sat around holding babies and watching toddlers and Tristan play in the floor (and after all, isn't this why we volunteer to work in the nursery???).

I generally put this out of my mind as the weeks passed, but I did still remember to pray about Tristan's needs and the possibility of a Special Needs Ministry at our church.

A couple months later, I was at the nursing home when our pastor told me he would like a few minutes of my time after the service.  I often play the piano at the local nursing home for a ministry our church does, including a service of singing and our pastor also preaches at this service.  I waited for the pastor after the service and we walked out to our vehicles together.  He told me that for a few months, God had laid it on his heart to pray about the development of a Special Needs Ministry at our church for children.  He said that for the past few weeks, he realized God wanted him to ask me to help him pray about this ministry.  I readily agreed and Tristan again came to my mind.  I assumed this was the end of the conversation, so as I turned to go to my car, I heard him say that he felt the Lord wanted ME to be the Special Needs Coordinator and Sunday School teacher!!!!  OKAY, SHOCK, I was AGHAST, UMMMM  NO, NO, NO!  I had NO IDEA how to be a teacher to kids with special needs like autism.  I at once told him I thought he was HUGELY mistaken in whom God wanted for this ministry.  He smiled and simply asked one thing of me:  PRAY ABOUT THIS FOR ONE WEEK BEFORE GIVING HIM MY ANSWER.

Well, as you can imagine, one week later, I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to this ministry.  I had researched the topic and contacted several people from various churches that already had such a ministry.  Everything just fell into place, as things often do when GOD IS IN CONTROL of the situation.  I presented a very detailed plan to the deacons and as the new Sunday School year began, I found myself with Tristan as his teacher!

I remember last year (2007) on Mother's Day, I actually sang the "special" for the service.  I sang a song I had written in honor of my mother called "A Mother's Love is a Special Gift".  That's how well I was holding up in this service, NO CRYING, and NO LEAVING THE SERVICE EARLY!!!!!  AND when the flowers were passed out, Tristan's dad brought me a flower and told me that he and his wife realized I had a mother's heart toward their son and that I deserved the flower.  That was just such a wonderful moment for me.  This flower was given to me in gratitude, NOT PITY.  I realized AGAIN how much God loves me.  FOR a YEAR, God had fulfilled my mother's heart by letting me serve God at church with our Special Needs Ministry.  I found that I looked forward to class.  I LOVED the time spent with Tristan.  We bonded immediately and it was so obvious to me that God had planned it all!!!  He's clever like that, you know.  I had learned a whole new language in the year we spent together.  (He has his own language to communicate).  My thoughts that day were fully centered around thanksgiving to the Lord for His blessings and for the surprises that come along that make us realize just how much He really loves us.

SO HERE I AM, MOTHER'S DAYS 2008...I realize as I type this that I didn't have even ONE "poor pitiful me" moment during the entire service!  I contentedly sat in the service with Tristan beside me.  I realized again how blessed I am to have this special child in my life.  I have had the privilege of seeing him grow for the past two years.  From our first class together, I had held his little hand while we prayed...simply because he is SUPER ACTIVE, so to make sure he is not running around the room getting into anything while I have my eyes closed praying, I held his hand...BUT Tristan now insists on holding hands any time someone prays!  It has actually became such a sweet thing for him to reach for someone's hand as soon as he hears "Let us pray".  More recently, I've been trying to help him grasp the concept of bowing our head when we pray.  WELL, when I tell Tristan to bow his head, he promptly puts his head down on the table with nose touching!  LOL...I was so tickled the first time he did this.  I quickly assured him he was NOT in trouble and that bowing our head is not the same as putting our head down in school.  Nevertheless, now every time I start to pray in our sunday school classroom, with nose touching, Tristan puts his head all the way down to the table!  I'm still trying to figure out how to help him differentiate on this one.  Tristan wanted to put the sunday school money into the envelope, but could not easily pick up the coins from the table.  His motor skills is one area he needs individual help.  I showed him how he could scoot the money to the edge of the table, then pick it up as it is halfway off the edge.  He figured it out from the first time I showed him.  Now he does it almost without even thinking!  I play the fiddle and this instrument is now one of the objects for which Tristan has became very intrigued.  I played it for him one day, so now if I don't bring it to class on wednesdays, he lets me know immediately that it is missing.  He tries to say "fiddle", but it sounds more like "diddle".  When he sees a fiddle in a book, he points to the area in the room where mine sometimes sits and says "diddle!!!".  These are just some of the victories I have been privileged to be a part of in Tristan's life. 

Below is a pic of dear Tristan...this was taken last year during a "parents day out" event.

Tristan is not the only child in our church with special needs.  I have been praying for awhile about another child in our class and look forward to learning how the ministry can serve his family.  This little boy is a classmate at school with Tristan.  We've already had opportunities to help him, but I know God has more in store for him and Tristan, as well as any other child who becomes a part of this ministry. 

If you would like to start praying for this Special Needs Ministry, please start praying about incorporating the program into our church's AWANA program.  This is something I've been contemplating and praying about lately.  LO AND BEHOLD, this past wednesday our director of AWANA shared with me that he, too has recently started praying about how to incorporate this ministry into AWANA.  I am just CONSTANTLY AMAZED at how God works and even lays on our hearts things to pray and ponder! 

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day this past sunday!  If you know anyone who is a "mother at heart" like me, start praying for ways God will use them.  Above all, let us all pray for VICTORY in our Christian walk, regardless of circumstance. 

God HAS A PLAN AND WE ARE PART OF HIS PLAN!!!

Calling all fabric collectors...HELP!!!

If anyone has a remnant of this fabric in the pic and would like to sell me a little bit of it, please let me know.  The fabric is dark green with little red roses on it and sprigs of a tiny white flower w/light brown leaves...ANSTON PRINT WORKS is on the edge, but I think that it might mean CRANSTON PRINT WORKS.

My family has a special friend who is fast approaching 100 years old.  She's a dear, sweet woman of whom my parents have sort of taken under their wing as a mother figure.  She often gives me little bags of sewing projects that are unfinished.  Most recently, she gave me 20 squares that will make a LOVELY log cabin quilt.  The catch is that it is missing approximately 16 strips of fabric to complete the squares!  I can't find an alternate fabric that would work, so that's why I'm here, pleading for your help

I do not need much of the fabric, just 1/2 yard should be plenty.

Thanks!

Teresa

How to make custom curtains and custom buttons

I have included pics and a tutorial for the custom curtains I just made for my bathroom.

Project:  Custom Curtains

Estimated Time:  6-8 hours???

As I've mentioned before in my blogs, I have fibromyalgia so severely that I no longer work outside the home and I had to close my part-time home business "Stitches by Teresa" a few months ago. 

WELL, my new rheumatologist has changed some of my meds and for the first time in many months, I felt like sewing last saturday!!!!  SO, I decided to make curtains for my bathroom, a LONG overdue project. 

I finished up the curtains today and also took pics so I could add it here as a tutorial for making your own custom curtains.  This window is one of those that look like cubes.  My hubby and I purchased a Palm Harbor pre-fabricated home 4 years ago after we lost our home to a fire.  That was devastating, but God has really blessed us in our new home.  I am very greatful for my home and I feel SO BLESSED.

Don't you just love my model?   My cat Charlie jumped up there as soon as he saw the camera!  He's a sweetie.

Before I make a custom project, I graph out my idea on graph paper and do the necessary calculations for the amount of fabric I will need, including seam allowances.  I count each graph block as 2 inches.

In this project, I decided to use a tension rod to hang my curtains, so I only needed to measure the length and width of the inside of my window.  My window is 34 inches x 34 inches square.  I decided to make two curtain panels total for the space, so I divided the same measurements by 2.  (= 17 x 34 inches)

I decided I wanted to hang the curtains with tabs, so I changed my calculations for the final curtain panel each to be 17 x 32 inches. 

top seam allowance = 1 inch...bottom seam allowance = 3 inches

LENGTH = 17 + 1 + 3 = 21        

side seam allowances = 2 inches each

WIDTH = 32 + 2 + 2 = 36 

CUT 2 CURTAIN PANELS: 21 inches width x 36 inch length

If you plan to wash your curtains in a washing machine, you will need to either add more seam allowance so you can turn the raw edge under, or you can either zig zag or use an overlock stitch to finish the edge.  I chose to leave my edges raw since my curtains are not going to be very big, and they will not be laundered in the washing machine.

For a swag, I wanted my finished piece to be 8.5 inches long and 20.5 inches wide.

Since my material was EXTREMELY lightweight, I decided it will be easier to work with the material if it was doubled.  SO I cut my swag the following measurements:

CUT 2 SWAGS:  18 inches long and 21 inches wide

I set the swags aside until a later step.

I took my curtain panels and folded the seam allowances over toward the back of the material.  I pinned the seam allowances in place.  Depending on the fabric choice, you might want to iron the seams at this point. 

I do not like bulky corners because it causes the corners to form odd angles and not look professional.  Therefore, I sewed the corners together to look like this on the wrong side of the fabric:

I began on a corner with seam allowance 3 inches by 2 inches.

I used a fabric marker and drew a line on the RIGHT side of the fabric...from the corner to the inside where the seam should end...

I drew a mark on the fabric below before unpinning and marking the second seam. 

NOTE:  THESE ARE SEAM LINES, NOT CUTTING LINES

Once the two seamlines are drawn, unpin the corner far enough to lay  the corner flat.  You should have a straight line across the corner as illustrated below: 

To double check my markings, I measured from the corner mark to make sure it was 3 inches by 2 inches where the corner was marked.

NOW mark the fabric 1/4 inch on the outside of the drawn line...TOWARD the corner...with a dotted line

CUT on the 1/4 inch dotted line you just made.

You can now unpin the adjacent corner and fold this corner onto it since it is a mirror image...

BEFORE cutting, you will need to mark the seam line at each end because you will need to match the seam line when folding it together to sew...

You should now have 2 corners cut.

Now you can mark and cut the same corners on the 2nd curtain panel...

after it is cut, fold the corner right sides together and line up the dots on the end...because the seam allowances are two different lengths, the sides will not meet up exact at the end, this is why you will rely on the DOTS to line it up correctly...I took a pic to show this...THIS IS NORMAL and CORRECT...PIN in preparation to sew

Now repeat the entire process for the corners with a 1 inch x 2 inch seam allowance.

You are now ready to sew your corners. 

Place the needle in the "down" position directly into your marked dot.  Remember, you marked a 1/4 inch seam, so this is your seam allowance now.  It's a bit hard to see in the pic, but you can see where my 1/4 inch seam allowance is marked on my needle plate.

Once you have sewn the corner, first clip the corner, then turn right side out.

Push the seam allowance toward the larger seam for further ease of bulk in the corner.  (I'm sorry and please disregard my raw thumb...excema that I can't seem to get rid of)

Now sew the seams down on all sides of the curtain.  I actually sewed mine from the back side because my fabric was woven and thick enough to not look obvious on the front that it was the bobbin thread.  I used the raw edge as my guide from the LEFT side of my foot.  When I got to a corner, I stopped IN the corner seam, lifted foot with needle still down, and pivoted the machine  CURTAIN PANEL 90 degrees into the next seam.  I then just continued sewing from there.  I started sewing from the top down so that my start/stop seams would be hidden by the tabs.

I then ironed my finished seams before going to the next step.

Now for the tabs...I decided to make 3 per panel, so 6 total.  I cut 6 tabs 2 inches by 4 inches.  Depending on your curtain rod size, you may need to make your tabs longer than 4 inches.  My curtain rod is pretty small, so I just added the 2 inches that I left off the curtains and doubled it to total 4 inches long since it would be folded over the rod.  I chose 2 inch width just because I knew that would be large enough minus seams to accomodate my custom buttons.

I then folded over the edges as shown below on the top row, middle tab.

Next, I folded over the end tip as shown, and pinned in place.

NOTE...I plan to add buttons on my tabs, so I chose NOT to cut the excess material on the back of each tab because it will serve as extra support when I sew on the button.

NEXT, I sewed a 1/8 inch seam on the sides and a 1/4 inch seam on the v-section of the tab as shown below:

NOTE:  Cut excess strings as you go along for a neater finished product.

Now you need to pin your tabs to the top of each panel.  Find the center of each tab and place a tab there...place the other two tabs approximately 1/4 inch from the edge of the finished seam. 

Sew the tabs in place...follow up w/a zig zag seam for added support, and to make the tab lay flat against the panel.  The tab should be pointed away from the panel and you should see the right side of the tab, and the back side of the panel until you add the swag and buttons.

I had sewn my tabs down, then flipped them over and zig-zagged across the finished edge...HOWEVER, I could have eliminated the first step...just didnt notice till I had already sewn all 6 tabs on there...either way works fine, though.

ALMOST FINISHED...just add swag and buttons...

To make the swag, fold swag material lengthwise to make a 9 inch by 21 inch rectangle. 

Sew around three sides, leaving a small hole to turn inside out.

Clip corners and then turn swag out to right side. 

Slip stitch the hole closed and repeat entire process for 2nd swag.

Pin swag to front of curtain panel in three places, as far down as you want the buttons to be, matching center and 1/4 inch from finished edges.

Tack in place with a couple stitches and reinforce (either by machine or hand is fine). 

Now apply buttons.  I made my buttons from leftover material that was used to make my shower curtain in this same bathroom.  This is what unified my overall design in the bathroom.

If you do not know how to make your own buttons, I will now explain this process (directions are also included when you buy button kits).  I purchased my kit at Walmart, but you can find them in fabric stores and online, as well.  I bought three packs because each kit contained 2 buttons.

For my particular project, my shower curtain was partially transparent, so I added a piece of white fabric behind each piece of shower liner.  This step is not normally needed w/normal fabric.

Cut material twice the size of the button cover.

Now place the white fabric/curtain liner over the metal button and push fabric side down into the white gadget on a hard, flat surface.  The blue gadget makes this process easier.

Push fabric edges toward center, then press back of button in place.

Now just sew the 6 buttons onto the tabs, going all the way through to the back of the curtain panel.

CLOSE UP:

Matching Shower Curtain...hanging above our shower. 

The area is an irregular size, with a slanted ceiling...SO I measured the height from end to end of the area above the shower, then I laid out a shower curtain on my kitchen island with the finished edge included in measurement.  I cut the curtain marking each side based on the height of each edge plus a seam allowance.  I then cut a curtain liner the same size.  I sewed the liner to the shower curtain at the top only, right sides together, then flipped it over and sewed a rod pocket into the top large enough for my curtain rod...works great to hold the moist heat in our shower! 

I used the excess shower curtain material to make my buttons for the window curtain panels.

Our master bathroom is the coldest room in our house.  This is what inspired me to do these 2 projects.  Adding the shower curtain above the shower traps the moist heat into the shower instead of dissipating out into the cold room.  Additionally, adding the curtain to the window and closing it during cold months should also help keep cold air out, warm air in.  UNFORTUNATELY, even though I bought all the materials in winter, I didnt get the project completed till mid-spring, so I won't know how well my idea worked till next fall/winter!.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have questions or comments, feel free to ask away.  I do not claim to know everything, I am only giving you examples of how I have learned to make things.  There may be simpler ways out there, so please feel free to share this knowledge with me!!!!!

This is a pic of some more custom curtains I made...I did not match up the corners like I did in this tutorial.  I noticed they stick out a little when I first saw the pic, but I didnt notice when I made them, or hung them up.  They were still cute. (for a child's play room...was a very large window and I made a bench cushion cover to go just under it):

Below is a rooster themed curtain I made for someone...I just draped it over my cabinet doors, so doesnt look as good as it did in her kitchen...I just forgot to take my camera with me when I delivered the curtain!  DUH

Have a wonderful week!

Teresa

May - Flowers in my Garden

I took a few pics to share what is coming up in my front yard flower gardens so far...please disregard any weeds :o)

Hummingbird

Ladybug in the Roses

Red Hot Pokers

(butterfly bushes and large crepe myrtle in the background)

(wild roses in the background overtaking my deck...but I'm not going to cut them until after they bloom)

Yarrow...both yellow and light purple

Lamb's Ear

Bee Balm

Hostas, gladiolas coming up, and a couple balloon flower plants in the bottom right corner of pic

Cleomes beginning to sprout

One of three miniature Crepe Myrtles (sp?)...blooms light purple...supposed to only get 2 ft tall/wide, but fast approaching four foot this year!!! 

Lantanas starting to come up

Daylilies and the beginnings of the Hibiscus

Shrub Rose...blooms bright pink

I tried to get a big pic of butterfly bushes and all, but didnt realize how dark it'd gotten!

I still have lots of work to do, weedeating and weeding in general...these are from part of my front yard flower beds...I still need to work on my Rose of Sharons in my larger front yard flower bed and cut down limbs from last year...my father is going to come over soon and plow my garden area for me...then I'll also try to get my backyard flowerbeds in order...just a few oriental lilies and whatnot...

Vanilla Beans for homemade Extract

Do you make your own vanilla extract???

I had recently read a blog here about making Vanilla Extract from scattertheseeds...I was SO EXCITED to find a GREAT and unique Christmas gift idea!  I've been thinking about ways to use my Starbucks frappucino bottles and I think this is going to be it!  Thank you "scattertheseeds"!

I went to "Fresh Market", a store in Chattanooga, Tennessee to purchase the vanilla beans.  I had no idea they were SO EXPENSIVE!!!  I paid about $3.99 per bean!!!!  SO, after researching the homemade extract options online, I came across an ebay store that sells vanilla beans in bulk CLICK HERE to go to Vanilla Products USA. 

I am looking forward to receiving my beans in the mail soon!!!  ALSO, if you buy them at this particular ebay store, they have a sale right now that if you buy over $25 worth of merchandise, you get an extra 1 lb of vanilla beans free (that's ALOT of beans!).  I only purchased 40 beans for now (@4.99 for 20).  I think that will be plenty.  There was also a $1 discount on shipping when I checked out (instead of $5, it was $4) b/c I am in the USA.  Total spent was just a little less than $14...close to the same price I paid at a retail store for only 4 beans!!!

As far as the recipe, I have researched several options.  I think I am going to use vodka as my base b/c I read that it is neutral in taste, and I will just add about a Tablespoon of a dark rum to each bottle.  I read that the rum can be overpowering if used for the entire bottle, but that adding just a little can enhance the flavor. 

HOW MANY BEANS PER BOTTLE???

I've read several opinions on ratio of beans to liquid.  I think I will go with 2 beans to every 1/2 cup of liquid and then I can add more liquid or beans in a few weeks depending on my preference for strength.  I will slice the beans open lengthwise before putting them in the bottle.

Once the liquid is added, store in cabinet w/tight lid for approx. 6 weeks before using...shake the bottle frequently during the 6 weeks. 

TIPS REGARDING ADDING THE BEAN:

Some folks suggest scraping the inside of the bean into the bottle...some suggest cutting up the entire bean into tiny pieces or even 1/2 inch pieces and adding...no matter what method you choose, when you are ready to put it in a jar to give away, you can either syphen it through a filter of some sort (like a coffee filter or tea filter) if you want to remove the bean...or just leave the bean.  Who doesn't like vanilla bean ice cream w/the bits of bean all in it??? 

Several opinions suggested using the entire bean sliced open, then remove it after 6 weeks, let it dry out, then put it in a sugar bowl w/sugar...then you'll have VANILLA SUGAR!!!  YUM

I hope all is well with you today and that you are enjoying this beautiful day (at least it is beautiful here in N. Georgia today!).  I love to hear the birds outside and watch the squirrels play now that they can't get into my bird feeder!  At least some of the birds give them crumbs.

God bless you!

Teresa 

Prayer Request...Sad News

I just received news this weekend that a friend of mine was found dead friday.  His name is Brian Ramsey and he is close to my age (I'm 34), so still quite young.  Since hearing the news, I've found out he evidently overdosed on methadone pills...and also, his bride is now expecting their first child!  I call her his bride b/c they've only been married a year or so.

I'm just so sad to have heard this news of him.  He was in my youth group when I was a teen/early 20s.  We were all VERY close, spent every single weekend together.  We'd have bible study, supper, swim together, take crazy rides, make home movies, just all kinds of fun things and we all bonded.  As we each got married and started living separate lives, we all lost touch.  I still consider them all lifetime friends, though and I am just so sad for his bride.

Please pray for his bride and family as I just can't imagine the sorrow and pain she is going through. 

UPDATE ON ME

Some folks here have written to see why I haven't posted lately.  I've not posted much lately b/c I've been sleeping alot and don't have much to share.  My rheumatologist had changed some meds, so it's causing me to sleep much more than usual, but the pain hasnt been as bad.  I was pretty bad a couple days ago and last night, though.  I think it was from the storm front coming through friday...not sure...I came home from church today and could barely stand from the fatigue.  My hubby put me to bed and I woke up 6 hours later!  I'm still tired, but not hurting now.  ANYWAY, I have a checkup appointment this week w/the rheumatologist and will probably get more test results.

Thank you for your prayers!

Teresa

Life lesson with my Peace Lily

Peace Lily Blessing...

This peace lily may not look like anything to brag about, but I was SO BLESSED by it.  A little over two years ago I had to have a total hysterectomy.  My wonderful friend Sheila brought me a little peace lily.  It fit in a drinking cup, that is how small it was.  I have never had many house plants, but I really wanted to treat this lily with care and watch it grow. 

After about a year, my peace lily was big enough to re-pot.  I re-potted it and placed it back on my mantle where it was out of reach of the cats.  It was really beautiful, but NEVER bloomed!  I could not understand it.  I had done all I thought I was supposed to do.  It had indirect sunlight, so I had thought that might help it to bloom.  I will mention here that I also have a table runner stretched across my mantle...My 15 lb cat "Buster" became fixated on this plant and COULD NOT get it off his mind.  He just HAD to reach it.  Well it took him a few months, but he is a VERY smart cat.  One day I heard a horrible noise and saw Buster flying through the house to hide.  OF COURSE, he had figured out a way to get onto the mantle AND he, with his 15 lb of momentum, slid on the table runner and knocked down almost everything that was on the mantle, including my PEACE LILY!!! 

Through tearful eyes and a broken heart, I repotted the peace lily FOR A SECOND TIME, cleaned up all the dirt and continued trying to baby the plant.  When I get upset, Buster also gets upset...he NEVER tried to get on the mantle again.  For the next year, my peace lily got bigger, but still WOULD NOT BLOOM!  WELL I was at my friend's house one day and I noticed she had a peace lily on the floor, beautiful...her cats never bothered it.  She told me they do not seem to like it and so for the first time, I considered displaying my plants in a more pleasant way.  

I bought a Rod-iron baker's rack that fits in a corner and displayed my plants in my kitchen/dining room.  I realized the lily was too big for the rack, so I put a rod-iron plant stand beside the baker's rack and used it to display my peace lily. I figured it would be high enough that the cats would not notice...

THEY NOTICED!!!  Before I could stop them, all three cats were attacking the leaves because the leaves were bouncy, kinda' like Tigger.  The cats had mowed down half my plant before I could get them away from it.  They did not eat the leaves.  They spit them out.  Evidently it was bitter.  SO now my BEAUTIFUL peace lily was RUINED.  Leaves were spread across the floor. 

Seeing my plant destroyed hurt me much worse than it normally should.  I think it is because I related it to my own healing process of getting over the fact that I had to have a hysterectomy.  I was in Walmart a week or so later, around Easter time...and saw a HUGE peace lily for ONLY $10!!!  It just made me sick all pretty and blooming!  I DID NOT BUY IT. 

When I got home from Walmart, I walked over to my pitiful looking plant and I was debating just throwing it out.  I was SO upset.  BUT all of a sudden, I noticed something WHITE coming up from one of the broken stems!  I was SO SHOCKED...I checked it EVERY day.  Within a few weeks, it opened up and was a BEAUTIFUL BLOOM!!!  So there was my pitiful broken plant with such a magnificent "PERFECT" bloom.

I will not lie to you, it made me cry.  This bloom was focusing on the light coming from the sliding door.  I thought about how amazing God is.  HE knew I needed this special blessing.  He supplies all our needs.  He treats us even better than our earthly parents!  He understands the self-pity, but He also expects our grieving to only be for a season.  We have to stay focused.  We MUST keep our eyes on HIM.  HE knows when the time is right.  He has prepared me for a new turning point.  I have entered a new season of my life, one where I will claim VICTORY through Christ Jesus.  I am on the WINNING SIDE! 

Just like gold that has been tried by fire and the impurities are taken away...This beautiful bloom was raised up out of the broken leaves and came forth shiny and new.  That is when I realized that this bloom is just like me!  I am ready for the next phase of my life and look forward to serving God and witnessing all God has in store for me to do for Him! 

Incidently, the cats have not touched the peace lily since that attack!

Have a Blessed Day!

Teresa

What kind of flower are you???

Homemade Bread...a few tips...and random ramblings!

FINALLY, I made some homemade wheat bread good enough to eat!  I have a bread machine which I love, but lately I CANNOT get a good loaf out of it!  I was about fed up when the last loaf looked more like the inside of a softball than a loaf of bread, but I gave it one last try.  Now just WHY I know what the inside of a softball looks like, I can't remember, but I DO recall nonetheless, that it looks like the bread I attempted to bake last week...spitting image!!!  I've been pretty sick, so my hubby took me to Walmart to find some OTC medicine.  While there, I said I also wanted to get a new bag of bread flour.  My hubby said "PLEASE, let's just buy a loaf, it's not going to work!!!"...that sounded kinda like a challenge to me, so I doggedly marched to the flour aisle and got my bread flour, and some new yeast, and a little box of gluten...and marched PAST the bread aisle, without stopping, to the checkout!!!  I was DETERMINED...When I got home, I planned my strategy...when in doubt, READ THE DIRECTIONS...I read BOTH my bread cookbooks from cover to cover.  After a little while, I had alot of new ammo to take w/me to the bread machine.  I learned the following:

1.  because I'm at least 1000 ft above sea level (actually a little over 2,000 I think) that I should have added just a little more liquid than recipe shows.  According to my cook book, the atmospheric pressure drops the higher the altitude, thus causing drier flour.

2.  the altitude also causes the yeast to react different, too...suggestion to decrease yeast in 1/4 tsp increments each time bread is made till it looks like it rises correctly. 

3.  I also included 4 tsp of gluten this time to help make the crust softer...

4.  if the dough in the bread machine forms separate little balls of dough, then it's an indication that more water is needed...several little chunks were flying everywhere, so I decided water MUST be the secret to success here in my N. GA mountain home. 

SO after adding water and adding water AND ADDING WATER, I still had to pause the machine and knead it by hand w/just a little more b/c the machine had already reached the end of the road for kneading...

BUT my persistance paid off!  It turned out PERFECT!  I forgot to take a pic when I first got it out, so the pic below is only about 1/2 the loaf as the rest of it is already history!  I've had bread w/every meal for a day and a half, so I MUST start rationing myself!!!  I cut super-thick pieces when I just want to add a little melted butter and eat plain bread...I cut it thinner for sandwich slices.

I've had a tough time w/widespread pain from fibromyalgia and I have bronchitis again, so I haven't posted in awhile, BUT some things going on at my home are as follows:

1.  I MADE WHEAT BREAD...oh yeah, already mentioned :o)

2.  I FINALLY saw my first hummingbird for 2008 this evening!  He was one of the pretty little ruby throated varieties that are popular in my area.  He flew to my deck and looked at me as if to say "HOP TO IT, I'VE FLOWN A LONG WAY AND SUPPER IS NOT WAITING ON ME!!!..."  SO, I immediately got the feeders cleaned up and loaded them up w/some nice syrupy water.  I hope he gives me another chance!  I LOVE this time of year.  Several varieties that do not live here all summer often stop by for a sip during this time of year.  I hope to notice a few other varieties during this time period.  I like to try to get a quilt up on my stand and open all my window blinds and quilt while watching the hummingbirds play.  They love to come to my window and watch our cats watching them.  They also tend to look over my quilt.  These are some might inquisitive little creatures! 

3.  My hubby is trying every way he can think of to "con" me out of my "George Bush" money, so he has agreed to and is now in the process of PAINTING my living room and dining room...PLUS he likes the color SO much now that it's on the wall that he's mentioned painting our hallway and den as well!!!  MIRACLE...it's been STARK white since the day we moved in 4 years ago and has driven me CRAZY!!!...I am not able to paint b/c of FM, so he is doing all the work by himself...so NOW my living room is between a green and dark tan...called pinecone hill...earth friendly paint from Home Depot..NO ODOR, NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS..can't even smell it!!!  I will post pics once he finishes.  I remembered to take "BEFORE" pics, but I took the curtains down before the pic, so not a TRUE BEFORE...he has asked for a cheesecake since I was able to accomplish a successful loaf of bread...I normally don't bake on FM days, but I told him I'd bake a cheesecake AFTER the painting is finished, a celebration cake...SO now he has my "George Bush" money to look forward to, PLUS MAYBE a cheesecake!  BTW, he wants my money to go toward the purchase of yet another gun of some sort.  He is notorious for buying a gun he just HAS to have, THEN after taking it apart and customizing it by bedding it himself, refinishing stock, or whatever...then he ends up not happy w/his finished work and sells it at local gun shop on consignment for LESS than we paid...ANYWAY, rambling here...moving on...

4.  I got my piano tuned today, the one we purchased at an estate sale last month.  I haven't been able to play it b/c some keys were not working properly...SO the piano guy and I found out today that there is NOTHING wrong w/it...it was b/c of MICE!!!!  YIKES...while he had the piano apart, I asked him to let me vacuum out the keys since I couldnt reach them easily when I cleaned up the piano...I vacuumed out a MOUSE!!!  YIKES AND GROSS to the 10th power!!!  It was more like a little fossil of a mouse, but STILL, how gross that a mouse was under the keys and was the reason the keys would stick!!!!!  We were BOTH a little freaked out, BUT now the mouse is gone and my piano plays like a dream!  I also found out I got a great deal!  He said the piano would sell for around $1,295 in a piano shop.  I paid $500 for the piano, $215 for delivery and tuning...so total spent $715 PLUS they gave me a brass piano lamp for free!!!  As I said, though, I purchased it from a friend who had lost her mother-in-law.  She wanted me to have it and would have given it to me for free if she hadnt been left w/debt to pay off for her mother-in-law.  I look forward to telling her how great it has turned out!!!  I was quite happy w/my find.  I had to do ALOT to clean it up to make it presentable, scrubbed every surface w/wood cleaner and used "mean green" to clean the piano keys, but now it is just wonderful to have a piano to play in my home again!  I've played the piano for a little over 20 years now and I am SO HAPPY to have a good one again!!! 

5.  I got a tiny little greenhouse started on my front porch a couple weeks ago...I put an old plate warmer in the bottom of it on a brick to help keep it warm...I've planted a few herb seeds and peppers both sweet and hot for now.  I also am trying to grow lantana from seeds in the greenhouse, but is only an experiment as I usually just toss them in the soil and they spring up wherever.  I want to try to get them started now and plan out where I put them this year...who knows if it'll work???  If not, I will have plenty that will come back anyway.

6.  I FINALLY got to see a rheumatologist last week!  I was having a really tough time that day.  They had a cancellation, so they called me 2 hours prior.  I hadnt slept a wink the night before, so I really looked a mess!!  He seems to be a VERY thorough doctor and I know he's an answer to my prayers.  I have felt a HUGE sense of relief since meeting him.  He is going to try very hard to help me.  He said I'm WAY UNDER-medicated, which was a shock!  I take Lyrica, which is the only FDA approved med for FM, but I take 150/day.  He is increasing it to 300/day and thinks that will be a good STARTING point for some relief.  He also is switching my Lexapro (anti-depressant) to Cymbalta.  He said FDA is in the process of approving Cymbalta for FM patients.  He said the lexapro is not a good thing to combine w/Ultram pain pills.  He is keeping me on Ultram for pain, and the Cymbalta should bring further pain relief from what I understand.  SO, that's where I am physically right now.  He did some x-rays and bloodwork and suspects arthritis, too, but I'll know more in May.  Now I'm just fighting bronchitis and sinusitis, so once it clears I hope to try to do SOMETHING outside if nothing but sit and eat breakfast!  BUT hopefully I can work on my springing up Spring flowers.  

Well my friends, God is so good to us and I am THANKFUL to be able to give an update that includes God's answers to prayers.  I am just SO AMAZED every day at His goodness and how in the world HE could love me!  Astounding!  I am bubbling over this evening w/joy and hope for the future and for God's Will to prevail for us all.

Love in Christ!

Teresa

A giveaway from my friend Chas!

My friend Chas has a giveaway!  You can visit her blog w/the info...

Click here to visit Chas's giveaway blog!

A wonderful, wonderful book.
**Excerpt **Pull up a chair, dust off the cookie crumbs, and join Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald as they lay aside stereotypes like the “Stepford wife” and dispel such myths as the 1950s “perfect homemaker.” Laughter and tears will flow, and hopefully you will be infused with a renewed vision for victory as a wife and mother. Discover what it means to be a passionate housewife “desperate” for God alone!

Help from the crafty ones??? What can I do w/these cute bottles???

I must confess I have an addiction...every week when I go to my fiddle lesson, I have been stopping by Starbucks and buying a nearly $5 Peppermint Mocha Espresso!!!  WELL, I've been thinking about it alot regarding how much this drink costs and wondering why I just "HAVE" to have one each week...during this thought process, I came across a NEW 4 pack of Starbucks Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Frappacino at the grocery stores!  I realized I can now buy 4 for the price I've been paying for 1!!!  SO I stocked up b/c the sign said "limited time only"...NOW if I want a hot drink, I pour this in a coffee cup and heat it in the microwave...OR I can drink it straight from the fridge cold...is VERY Good either way and MUCH cheaper than my previous once a week addiction! 

SO I said all that to say this:

I have been saving the little bottles b/c they are SO cute.  They remind me of old timey milk bottles, but much smaller.  I want to do something crafty with them, but need ideas from folks here...BTW, the stickers do come off, so that's not a problem...help me out please!  I've included a pic of the bottles above to give you a visual...and YES, I do probably drink more than one a week now  as I have come up w/quite a collection already...