Staging

 So you may or may not know we are putting our house on the market. It goes active in a week and I would love all your prayers and good energy sent our way. God has a plan for us and I believe in that. We got the news about a month ago that Soulmates job is changing in the company and within 6 months there will be a move- so we are getting ready. In getting ready there is a lot of cleaning and purging and cleaning- oh I said that already. How about re-training your children to pick up after themselves all the time? Who has a beer? Just kidding. Well kind of.

 The thing about putting your house on the market is ...... you can't "live" in it.

 no clutter, always picked up, always clean, who lives like this? I'm sure there are people out there I was just never one of them. Why clean when I could quilt? or play? or read? well you get the picture. So I ask again, "who lives like this?"

 Not me.....but I'm learning to.  And at the end of the day I feel like this. ( see below)

So do you clean or play or something in between? Let me know.

Another one done

Another one done, originally uploaded by denawayne.

nothing like getting your quilting done, putting the last touches on the binding that keeps you warm as you watch TV. Hope you are keeping warm.

What's in a cookie?

What's in a cookie?, originally uploaded by denawayne.

We went to Pei Wei for the queens birthday dinner. These are from the table.

"Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness."

"Nothing in life is to be feared: it is only to be understood"

"You will move to a wonderful new home within the year"

"Look forward to great fortune and a new lease on life"

"Place special emphasis on old friendships"

Place faith in my fortune:)

Rainbow quilt modeled by birthday girl

Rainbow quilt modeled by birthday girl, originally uploaded by denawayne.

It's her birthday today. The big 11. Wasn't she just born? She is such an old soul with a dry sense on humor. Today she was asked to join the All Star Team at gymnastics- yep she's that good. Happy Birthday my little love. You bring me joy.

March Bee Block request

Mod Mosaic 15 blocks on design wall, originally uploaded by capitolaquilter.

This is exactly what I want for my blocks for the month of March.

Glorious Days

 I got to have a lunch date with Dolores aka Dee Roo (flickr friend turned neighbor friend when we discovered we live in the same county) Love this upbeat gal. Love all of her quilty inspiration.

 After lunch I went over to the Salvation Army. I need chairs for the woman cave for a sitting area and I didn't want to spend alot. We really didn't have anything at the Consigment Store where I work so I thought on the off chance I'll try the S.A. store. Look what I found. Just came in and all meant for me. $25.00 a chair and in great shape. Table from Target $39.00. Rug from Target $49.00- clearance and Artwork from Homegoods $45.00 clearance. Can you say Whoot Whoot? Color me happy.

And before lunch I got to have some sewing time and finished this quilt top. The blocks were from the Circuit Block Bee and I added the border. Maybe I'll get to quilt and bind it soon.

This morning I took a walk with Jack wrapped up in my grandfathers vest and was thankful for my glorious day and moments.

Doll Quilt Done

Doll Quilt Done, originally uploaded by denawayne.

I really wasn't sure how to quilt this so I turned to the never before used stitches on my sewing machine to give it a little boost. I basically just framed the embroidery, making that the focal point. This one was a stretch and not something I would normally do. I hope my partner likes it. We will know in a month.

Another kick %$# giveaway

First off, Happy Valentines Day to all of my loves.
Second off, go to http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ and enter to win a smoking kitchen aid mixer. Then while you are there take a little time to read this blog. Love her.
Third off, Check out http://www.thewickednoodle.com/ another fun blog

And finally leave me a comment of one or two of your favorite blogs and I'll pull a name tomorrow and send you some chocolate. It's Valentines Day after all.

Hexagon Park for Moda Bake Shop

Hexagon Park for Moda Bake Shop, originally uploaded by Lilys Quilts.

This is a super fun quilt with some super fun fabric. Run over and see Lynne right now at lilyquilts and then visit her at modabakeshop. You could win some fabric or better yet I could. Ha

The studio

 This is my studio or better known as the "womancave". I love having this much space to sew in. All the quilts and goodies you see on the wall are from other friends and family that I have swapped with or received presents from. Lots of color and inspiration on those walls.

 My newest piece came from Ann. Our theme was Take Flight. She embroidered little trees and flowers on the hills and the airplane is to die for. Pretty amazing right? Thank you Ann.

 It went right up on the wall with my other treasures.

Every now and then one of the queens will come down for some quiet and creating too. Where do you create?

Progress

 It's getting there. The top is done for the Doll Quilt Swap. Now just have to figure out how to quilt  it.

 Bee Blocks for Mary for Bee Modern Too. She is making a mythology quilt for her 12 yr old son.

 Here kitty kitty kitty or not. He is a brave soul that had no intention of leaving the front porch. Good thing he was a baby. That helped in the cute department.

This is how the last few nights have been spent at the Wayne household. My head starts talking to me about 7pm. Me thinks it is the low lying clouds or the fronts that keep blowing in or it could be the demanding queens, might be the fact that we are putting the manor on the market. More on that later. 

Some Furry Faces

                             I'm Jack.

                            and I'm Charlie.

                         And they are " da Boyz"

Super Sewing Sunday

I've got a big project going on. The woman cave is getting a new look and in doing so I've come across a lot of scrap fabric. So I'm cutting it down into 2.5 squares and making Mug Rug gifts for all those February birthdays ( why do most of my family and friends have birthdays in February? 12 total) So while the football game was playing, which I love to watch by the way, I was stitching on binding to these mug rugs.

 We had this super easy and oh so yummy soup with crusty bread for dinner.

 And I got this table runner done for one of those 12 birthday gifts

 and because inspiration struck Rachel's blocks are done.

All in all a very Super Sewing Sunday.

Another good one

 Chicken Enchiladas and Sweet Corn Casserole- Holy Smokes.

 The enchilada recipe came to me years ago from my cousin Tina and since then I have tweeked it to make it mine. This one feeds the masses.

1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans green enchilada sauce
1 can diced green chilis
chicken breasts no skin ( I've used thighs too in a pinch)
taco seasoning
mexican oregano
olive oil spray
corn tortillas
monterey jack cheese shredded and or mexican shredded cheese

Are you ready?
In a pan spray olive oil spray and turn to medium heat. cover your breast ( the chicken's that is) in taco seasoning and mexian oregano both sides. Cook covered for 5 minutes on one side and then flip- covered for another 5 minutes. Breasts should be firm to touch with fork.
In a bowl combine one can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of green enchilada sauce, 1/2 can of diced green chilis and 1/2 package of shredded cheese. Shred your chicken with a fork.

 To roll the enchiladas zap a few of them in the micro until they are warm and workable- 30 seconds should do. A little chicken, a little soup mixture and roll. Place in a 9x12 baking dish that you have sprayed with olive oil or put a little green sauce on the bottom. Sometimes I do both. Your seam side should be down. You will have enough to do 2 9x 12 dishes or you can layer one for a casserole and freeze for later ( sauce, tortilla, chicken, soup mixture, cheese- repeat) Bake 375 for 45 minutes.

Sweet corn casserole comes from my NY sister/friend Lisa. Ever have the corn cake at the restraurant that they scoop on your plate with an ice cream scoop- Heaven. Now you can have it at home and it's easy.
1 box of jiffy corn muffin mix
1 can of creamed corn ( if you only have corn kernals hit it with a blender and you are golden)
1 egg
1/2 cup of sour cream
3 T of sugar ( I like it really sweet so I add 1/3 cup)
1 stick of butter melted

Mix- put in a 9x12 and bake for 45 minutes at 375.

They can be side by side in the oven, serve with a salad and you are good. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.
Not sure why I'm channeling my inner Rachel Ray lately.

Happy Birthday Soulmate!!

 Today is my Soulmate's birthday. Soulmate because he is. I knew it the minute our eyes met and he looked into my soul. The connection was instant. To this day I've never experienced anything like it and I know I won't because he is the only one that can give it to me.

 Not only do I think he is a total babe, (which grosses our children out to no end) but he is just as handsome on the inside.

 He is such a good father and takes such pride in his children. The two he had before me and the two he has with me.

 Happy Birthday my sweet love and may you have many more.

Love
Dena, Sam, Dani, Avery and Riley ( Charlie and Jack too) can't forget the dogs:)

Homecooking

 Nothing like homecooking to make those cold mornings and nights more bareable. Above is my newfound love, introduced to me this Christmas by  my sister- in -law, Oatmeal pancakes. There are so good and good for you. I played around with different things until I could get them just right. My first attempts resembled hockey pucks. It was bad. To make your own and because I am so darn lazy I use instant oatmeal and pancake mix. Told you I was lazy. Prepare oatmeal like it says, I use maple and brown sugar oatmeal and then I don't even need syrup. Prepare pancake mix as directed stir in half of your bowl of oatmeal and make like you normal would. Easy.

 Next up-What says "Honey I'm glad you are home" better than chicken and dumplings? I found a new blog and fell in love with this woman. Not in a stalker kind of way, just a "darn I like that gal" kind of way. Anyway, she had a recipe for c&d and I gave it a try. I have my own that I make with Bisquick, again because I'm lazy, but it works and I think I like the dumpling portion of my recipe better and the broth part of her recipe better. Secret ingredient - apple cider- who da thunk it right? Let me know if you want the recipe and I'll send it to ya. Hope everyone is keeping warm and safe.

Love,
Dena