A Fun Day Off

Wes and I both had the day off yesterday! We got up to a little mischief in Intercourse, PA and at the outlets in Lancaster.

He is such a helpful fabric purchasing assistant. although he does get nervous when I pull out a camera in an Amish store.

He got me to pose and insists that this picture must go on the internet.

After lunch we hit the outlets and I bought these!

Here’s my  fabric haul for the day, some pieces for my liberated quiltmaking and a backing for a baby quilt I’ll be starting this weekend.

 

R.I.P. - Philmont the Rooster

Poor Phil was killed Thursday. We think it was a fox, but we will probably never know for sure. The whole family had really come to like him and I think I can honestly say that you do eventually get used to a rooster crowing in your house.



He was fierce for such a little guy and sure did take his job seriously. I think the hens are too dumb to really miss him, but we sure do!



We bought a shotgun on Saturday. We have talked about it for some time, because we have had rabid animals on our property several times. We called a neighbor to help us out on those occasions, but that's not always an option. We're not going to hunt down the predator that got Phil, but we decided we need to have a way to dispatch of a predator problem if we have one.



Anyway, I shot a gun for the first time today. Here is Wes taking aim:

Folk Art Museum in Baltimore

If you ever get a chance to visit, you must go. It’s called the American Visionary Art Museum.

Here are some outdoor pictures from a recent visit.

 

 

    A gigantic egg

 

 

    

 

 

     Fountain Faces

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The outside of the building

 

 

 

 

 

  A funky guy made from found materials

 

 

There were many memorable exhibits but I was most amazed by a collection of art by people who spent their lives institutionalized. The day we were there hundreds of Post Secret postcards were on display.

Their website is pretty cool too!

Quilt and Chicken Update

I'm still working on my Marston/Moran-inspired quilt. Here's how it looked when I went to bed last night:

I'm planning a row of paper-pieced chickens next and will rearrange the rows some. It's over-growing my modest design wall.

It was a sunny but cold day and we are still trying to figure out what to do with Phil. There seems to be no pecking when they are free-ranging together.


Here's my flock:

Star

Henny Penny











Ethel

Alma

Barbara

















Stella

Philmont

On Tonight's Menu: Tuna Casserole

There is nothing like a little comfort food for a cold wintry evening! This is my family's favorite recipe for Tuna Casserole, adapted from this cookbook:

Favorite Recipes from Quilters by Louise Stoltzfus.

Tuna Casserole

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 packet White Albacore Tuna, undrained
1 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 can cream of celery soup
1 mini can white corn, drained
8 ounces cooked pasta (macaroni, egg noodles, etc.)
1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

Topping:
1/2 c. bread crumbs
2 Tbsp melted butter

In large skilled saute onion and celery in olive oil until tender. Add tuna with liquid, milk, mayonnaise, soup and corn. Heat through.

Pour mixture into 2 quart oven safe dish. Add cheese and pasta and mix well.

Mel butter and mix with bread crumbs. Spread on top of casserole and bake in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until light brown and bubbly.

Enjoy!