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Do you think you've seen everything there is to see on the TQS website? Join us as we journey through the last year and highlight some of the little delights that make TQS so much fun. From January 2009, learn Ricky's One-Seam Flying Geese technique.
Click on the picture and see what you discover.
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Throughout the next several weeks we will be featuring special quilting highlights. Here is a Slideshow that we have not presented before. It is a collection of quilts shown at Houston 2009. It has it all: great design, great quilting, International quilters, and a quilt based on a Sue Garman pattern.
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By the time we made it to Ricky and Justin’s place, we were ready for a chance to sit and check out the spectacular view from their deck. We went outside with the chimenia crackling away as we dug into the molten chocolate dessert they had prepared for us.
After a few bites, and a few oooohs and aaaaahs, Ricky wandered over to the piano and we were serenaded by some enchanting melodies he had written for "Christmas in a Small Town."
We came inside and enjoyed some coffee and kicked off our shoes to warm our toes by the fire. Around midnight, we said our goodbyes with our with tummies and hearts full. Our magical holiday party came to an end and off we went back to our homes and our warm, comfy beds.
Cheater's Chocolate Souffle
Nonstick baking spray with flour
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips (scant 1 cup)
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
3 large eggs, separated
2 Tbsp. confectioner's sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat four 4-oz ceramic ramekins with non-stick baking spray with flour.
In microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips on High in 20-second increments, stirring, until just melted (approx. 1-2 minutes). Remove from microwave; with wire whisk, whisk in condensed milk. Whisk in 2 egg yolks until blended; (the remaining egg yolk can be refrigerated for use at another time).
In another large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites until medium-stiff peaks form (3 to 4 minutes). Add one-third beaten whites to chocolate mixture, and whisk gently until incorporated. With rubber spatula, gently fold in remaining whites until just incorporated. Divide batter among the prepared ramekins.
Sift confectioners' sugar over tops. Place ramekins in jelly-roll pan for easier handling. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until tops rise about 1 inch above rim; do not open oven while baking. Serve immediately.
The souffle may be prepared ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. Make sure to uncover before baking.
Have a Beary Christmas!
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We were greeted at Lilo's by a holiday chorus from a small menagerie of four-legged creatures, dogs and cats alike. Lilo loves to cook and was happy to finally have some men in the house who could handle a few vegetables. Ruth commented on Lilo's blue and white dishes as they were an unexpected and interesting choice for a holiday dinner. Lilo said that she had collected them from all of her journeys abroad and they reminded her of the time she had spent in each place.
Across the room was a fresh, lovely Christmas tree, straight from the Colorado forest. Her antique dining table used a traditional quilt as a tablecloth and we were all a bit worried about spilling our food. At least Alex and Ruth were, John, Ricky, and Justin were more interested in the Three Cheese Lasagna Rolls that decorated the table. While it was nearly impossible to hold a spot for dessert, we knew that something spectacular would be heading our way at Ricky and Justin's house.
Three Cheese Lasagna Rolls
22 lasagna noodles, uncooked
3 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 large onion, peeled and chopped finely
2 lb. mild Italian sausage, remove from casings
2 cups white mushrooms, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
6 Tbs. Dry white wine
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1 cup frozen egg substitute or 6 whole eggs, slightly beaten
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Chunky Tomato Sauce (see recipe below)
Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. I add a bit of oil to the pot so the noodles do not stick. Drain well and set aside. Drain spinach in a colander and press out as much water as possible.
In a large skillet fry sausage till just done. Set sausage aside but save a little of the oil in the pan. Add onions and cook till they are soft-about 5 min. To the onion add mushrooms, garlic, wine, basil and pepper. Sauté until mushrooms are tender. Transfer the mushroom mixture and sausage to a large bowl; add spinach, cheeses and eggs substitute/eggs. Mix ingredients well.
Spread spinach mixture evenly over lasagna noodles, leaving a ¼” border around edges of each noodle. Roll up, jellyroll style, beginning at narrow end. Arrange rolls, seam side down in an 11” x 7” x 2” greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350F/177C for 30 min or until thoroughly heated. Freezes well.
To serve, cut rolls in half. Spoon ¼ cup of the Chunky Tomato Sauce on each individual plate, and place 3 rolls on top of sauce with the ruffled edges up.
Chunky Tomato Sauce
½ cup + 4 Tbs. finely chopped sweet red pepper
½ cup + 4 Tbs. shredded carrot
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1½ tsp. dried basil
½ tsp. dried marjoram
½ tsp. freshly ground pepper
3 cups tomato sauce
6 Tbs. water
2 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Coat non stick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat until hot. Add red pepper and next 5 ingredients; sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomato sauce and water; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
Yields: 3 cups.
Click Here for Day 5 - the Dessert - at Ricky and Justin's House.
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Terrie Sandelin is sharing with TQS more than 25 of her beautiful miniature quilts. She has a special system that ensures the results will come out right. Watch Show 511: Mini Delights to learn more about Terrie. You can also visit Terrie's website, www.terriesandelin.com.
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It's Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day). I'll let our friends from countries who celebrate Boxing Day tell us all about it. What do you do on Boxing Day?
Apparently more folks than usual had a white Christmas. I even had reports of snow in County Donegal in Ireland and my quilter friend in North Wales. Seems like today is a good day for a wassail.
About Wassail and Wassailing.
As is often the case during festive occasions such as Christmas, the holiday spirit seemed to make rich folk a bit more benevolent than usual. Small groups of beggars and orphans would dance through the snowy streets of England singing songs of good cheer. Supposedly, good fortune would come to the master of the house if he would share a drink from his wassail bowl. Often the master would offer a penny, a bite of pork pie, or allow the children to stand beside the warm hearth. The wassail bowl itself was a hearty combination of hot ale or beer and spices and mead, just alcoholic enough to warm the tingling toes and fingers of the singers. The word "Wassail" means good health.
Let's have a Wassail! Here's to health! Enjoy the video of Here We Come A Wassailing from last weekend's concerts. Length 3:55
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Photo by TQS member hatshepsut.
My most memorable Christmas was when I was about 8 years old. My family and I were at my great aunt’s house for the traditional Christmas celebration. The night was cold and it was snowing pretty hard. The living room was filled with 3 generations of family and I remember staring out the front window looking for Santa. The room was dimly lit and my uncle would start the whole family off in singing Christmas carols.
I’m now 45 years old with 2 daughters of my own and we still celebrate Christmas the same way with the same traditions. The only difference now is I’m no longer the younger generation. There isn’t much difference between that Christmas when I was 8 and how I celebrate now. But for some unknown reason I will always remember that Christmas as being the most special. I think it has to do with people who were there that are no longer in my life. Rick Mahal from Lombard, Illinois.
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We didn't think the aroma coming from the kitchen could have been more appetizing than the few nibbly's we'd already had, but it was heavenly and we were not disappointed when Ruth walked into the dining room with a lovely soup tureen filled to the brim with Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup. As we took a few moments to decide who would sit where, Ruth filled our bowls to the brim.
While we were eating, a heated debate broke out over who would win March Madness in the Spring. Ruth's Husband, Scott, of course, said that UNC would repeat their NCAA win, while John was convinced Stanford had a shot. Things were getting pretty intense, when Paige's pet bunny, Chloe, hopped onto the table causing a hilarious uproar and a change in discussion.
We slurped our soup to the last drop and decided it might be time to head off to Lilo's as Ruth's brother, Todd the meteorologist, called and said there was a possibility of 5 inches of snow coming our way.
Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup
(Serves 8)
6 TBSP. butter
2 packages (6 - 8 ounces) port
abella mushrooms, sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 packages (6 - 8 ounces) button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup chopped onions
4 - 6 TBSP dry sherry (depending on taste)
2 cans (14 3/4 ounce) chicken broth/stock
6 TBSP cornstarch
6 TBSP water
4 cups half-and half cream
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Chopped Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Shredded Mozzarella, for garnish (optional)
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium - low heat.
Add onion and cook for about 5 - 10 minutes.
Add mushrooms and cook for about 5 - 10 minutes.
Add sherry and cook for 2 minutes to evaporate the alcohol.
Add the chicken broth/stock, cover the pot and raise the heat to bring the soup to a boil.
Once boiling, lower heat to low and simmer for 5 - 10 minutes.
Raise heat back to medium and add the half-and-half, stir.
Mix cornstarch and water together until no lumps and add mixture to pot, stirring constantly.
Cook another 5 minutes, or until soup is thick.
Season with Salt & Pepper and garnish, if desired.
Click Here for Day 4 - the Main Course - at Lilo's House.
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Photo by TQS member eyeonquilts. Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.
I grew up in a town that sets the bar for the definition of small town. It had the grand total of no more than 2000 people when I was growing up. The town is called Juana Diaz, in Puerto Rico. We didn't have the changing seasons or the possibility of a white Christmas, but we did have a lot of Christmas cheer, music and food.
The Town of Juana Diaz is known for the celebration of the Three Wise Men day (Epiphany day) on January 6th. On this day 3 selected residents dress as the wise men and join a parade of shepperds of all sizes down the streets of the town and ends with an outdoors mass and typical food of all kinds. It lasts all day. It was a safe celebration where everyone was looking out for the kids playing around. As a little kid in the 60's I don't remember a Santa Claus celebration - all the treats were saved for Epiphany day.
I can not be there now, but my mother keeps my spirit up sending me an image of the 3 wise men every year. I can not display them all now, because in 23 years living away from home you can accululate quite a few. Maria from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.
Read more stories like this and share your story too - HERE
Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD HERE.
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The house smelled wonderful as we were greeted by Ruth's children, Paige and Alex, at the front door…we weren't sure what the aroma was, but it could only be good. The ladies headed off to the kitchen to take a peek and the men headed straight for the appetizers. Being in North Carolina they knew they were in for some good southern cooking and they were not disappointed. Ruth had prepared a couple of choices for the hungry crew. There were Southern Cheese Straws and Bacon and Cheddar Triangles.
While we were nibbling, Alex, Ruth's son, wandered into the room carrying his toy elephant, "Lovey." He informed everyone that the proper term for elephant was "Pachyderm," grabbed a cheese straw, and sped out of the room while being chased by Beaufort the Boykin Spaniel. Just then, Ruth announced, "Soup's on." and we headed off to the dining room.
Southern Cheese Straws
2 cups self rising flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, at room temperature
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Sift flour, salt and cayenne into a bowl.; set aside
Cream butter and cheese together with an electric hand mixer.
Add the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time until the batter is smooth.
Put mixture into a large plastic bag (or pastry bag)
Cut corner from the plastic bag to make a pastry bag
On an ungreased cookie sheet, pipe a 5 inch long strip
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove to racks to cool.
Makes 5 dozen
Bacon and Cheddar Triangles
1 loaf thin white bread, crusts removed
1/2 pound Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (2 ounce) package slivered almonds, sautéed in 1 TBSP butter
1 cup mayonnaise
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
Minced onion, to taste
Combine cheese, bacon, almonds, mayo, Worcestershire sauce and onion.
Spoon onto bread slices. Cut bread into quarters, making triangles.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
Serve hot.
garnish with orange marmalade, peach preserves or strawberry preserves.
Makes 30 triangles
Click Here for Day 3 - Soup - at Ruth's House
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