tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79256082126706236162012-02-16T21:59:55.778-06:00and bake, and photograph, and craft, and pray, and blog, and tweet, and run, and work, and play, and...Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-79428797667604402382011-07-05T13:25:00.000-05:002011-07-05T13:25:19.599-05:00

First signs I made for the fundraiser. I started making these cross-stitched signs a few months ago, for a fundraiser. I've only made a few since then, but I am of course happy to make anyone anything they would like. Priced reasonably. Really. Made for my friend Adam, aka @Mr_Shizz. Custom order and I finished three signs in two days! I chart everything before I stitch. Another custom

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-50117513800260695622011-06-07T09:54:00.000-05:002011-06-07T09:54:08.380-05:00

This apparently is a real product. Wouldn't it be nice if losing weight really was as easy as taking a pill? Sometimes I just don't have any willpower. (No, not the Indy Car driver, though he's kinda cute.) I'm talking about the strength to say "No, I don't need those chocolate covered pretzels. No, I don't need a bag of chips." The strength to turn off that switch in my brain that says, "

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-65834525029130594722011-05-06T14:09:00.000-05:002011-05-06T14:09:45.558-05:00

My friend Tim Miles (@thedailyblur) (who I hope is okay with me calling him a friend) posted a link to a blog entry on zenhabits.net: Get Started: From Overweight to Healthy. I have intended on posting about my own weight loss struggles, but that blog post pretty much sums up what I'm going through right now. A year ago, I lost 35 pounds. Cut out some things, started drinking a lot of water,

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-11559140824510060762011-04-27T09:00:00.007-05:002011-04-27T09:00:06.106-05:00

The one in the middle is my favorite. I think s/he is an Ameraucauna. A few weeks ago we got chicks from Orscheln. Twenty five total: ten Rhode Island Red pullets for eggs, and fifteen "frying pan specials". I think some of the frying pan chicks are hens though, so we may end up with a few extra egg-layers. There's one (to the right) that is my favorite and I'm going to keep it whether it's a

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-62245310874732405662011-04-26T09:23:00.000-05:002011-04-26T09:23:24.615-05:00

A friend sent this to me. For some reason it evokes a feeling of Jeff Foxworthy and oversized foam cowboy hats. see more There I Fixed It (I have an actual industrial spool holder for my sewing machine, though I'm sure it cost a lot more than this kludge.)

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-79177931177383030962011-04-15T14:31:00.000-05:002011-04-15T14:31:11.447-05:00

I've intended on writing about gun control a few times, so here it goes: Use two hands. But in all seriousness now, here's my real opinion: Background checks? Yes. On all firearms; handguns, long guns, black powder, everything. It's far too lenient now and I'm not entirely comfortable with the fact that a felon can have a black powder weapon because it's not considered in the same class with

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-18946255366459868522011-03-24T10:09:00.000-05:002011-03-24T10:09:51.179-05:00

Overexposed, but I think this is a cool picture. My mom had put a praying mantis egg case in a jar in her classroom, and they hatched last week. We now have hundreds of praying mantises in our greenhouse...somewhere.

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-44648274598530798962011-03-19T09:58:00.000-05:002011-03-19T09:58:35.938-05:00

[A diversion from my previous posts.] Five years ago today our son Andrew Wayne was born at Columbia Regional Hospital at 24 weeks gestation. He weighed 1 pound 8 ounces and was absolutely perfect, just too soon and too small. My father, a Catholic Deacon, baptized Andrew as soon as he was born, and he was whisked away to the NICU. St. Joseph Twenty four days, multiple surgeries and many

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-89866172461891593942011-02-23T15:38:00.000-06:002011-02-23T15:38:21.993-06:00

Welcome! I hope to have something posted here soon to capture everyone's attention and keep y'all coming back for more! I'm working on tweaking the design and definitely will be adding more content with lots of pretty pictures so come back soon or subscribe or whatever, and hopefully you will enjoy this! For now, here's a picture of Belle: Cute widdle foofy face! Hope to see you

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-54759623652694516522010-11-29T13:31:00.002-06:002010-11-29T13:33:35.459-06:00

I'm back at this again, because I have stuff I want to share and need a place to share it! I made some really good stuffing for Thanksgiving. It really was more like dessert, but still stuffing.  I enjoy foods that are sweet-savory, and this definitely fits that category. It's a simple recipe that goes well with turkey (and chicken too, I suspect). Apple Cinnamon Stuffing 1 bag Pepperidge

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-17995240562123559562010-01-22T10:11:00.004-06:002010-01-22T10:19:13.034-06:00

I guess you could call this a frittata. It has potatoes, eggs, meat, cheese...or you could stick with breakfast casserole and leave it at that. The guys like it, but it takes a long time to bake so start early.1 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, washed, peeled and thinly sliced1/2 lb. diced ham or meat of choice (sausage, bacon)1 to 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese8 eggs1/2 cup milksalt, pepperPlace

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-41789621308820348502009-11-03T11:44:00.003-06:002009-11-03T11:53:43.546-06:00

My mother-in-law, knowing my weakness for cookbooks and particularly old ones, gave me a "Betty Crocker Good and Easy Cookbook" yesterday. I love these old cookbooks because they have fantastic pictures and crazy ingredients and measurements (beef extract? a 5 cent candy bar?). Nonetheless, I had some leftover cubed ham in the fridge and needed an idea of what to do with it. So I perused the new

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-33150695173197553282009-10-12T11:40:00.002-05:002009-10-12T12:10:42.472-05:00

Well, the cold weather is upon us so it is time to make chili! I don't really have a recipe for chili, I usually just wing it, but most of my ingredients remain the same. Here is how I made chili yesterday, and I think it turned out pretty well. I use my crockpot, with one of those nifty Reynolds liners, so it doesn't scorch.1 lb. ground beef1/2 lb. bulk pork sausage2 cans red beans, drained

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-88116771744661109322009-07-27T19:36:00.002-05:002009-07-27T19:54:34.654-05:00

Tonight's supper. I felt like making something with some of the veggies from the garden (specifically, Mom's garden), and this is what came out of my head.3 good sized plum tomatoes (about 6 oz total)1 zucchini3 Tbs chopped fresh basil2 Tbs butter1 Tbs Balsamic vinegar2 Tbs red winesalt & pepper1 tsp minced garlicMelt butter in skillet. Add rough chopped tomatoes and garlic. Add salt and

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-25194707548822771002009-07-23T11:36:00.001-05:002009-07-23T11:36:06.416-05:00

There's just something so good about eating fresh veggies from your own garden. Today for lunch I have tomatoes, the first tomatoes off my own vines, and sliced cucumber from my plants. Just drizzled with a little Asian Sesame dressing. So delicious!

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-85966771118932478882009-07-20T16:03:00.006-05:002009-07-20T16:20:11.203-05:00

So it's been almost a month since I last posted, what the heck? Where did last month go? Where did this month go?!Yesterday Joe and I went to Illinois for his family reunion. It was a great time and lots of good food.Oh look, the happy couple! We went for a walk when we got there yesterday morning, before everyone else got there. It was none too warm yesterday morning, I wore jeans and a long

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-9326780799962480502009-06-22T14:51:00.004-05:002009-06-22T15:13:39.652-05:00

Don't be too shocked...I made this dessert without lard or sugar. It was not fat free, why take away all the fun of a dessert? (Nor was it sugar free, only no sugar added.) Find the recipe below, with substitutions in parentheses.Blackberry Dessert From the Illinois Schmitz cousinsCrust2 sticks butter, melted (2 sticks Imperial Light Margarine)1-1/2 cups flourMix flour and butter together. Press

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-71846665634772356082009-06-22T14:35:00.005-05:002009-06-22T14:50:28.867-05:00

I actually got some time to sew this weekend!My mother in law told me that she needed an apron for cooking, and I just happened to have half a dozen or so cut out that I needed to put together. So I whipped up this cute Americana one for her on Saturday. Please pay no attention to the fact that my hair is rumpled and I have no makeup on...look only at the cute apron!I actually have a pattern that

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-53815740708903472372009-06-11T10:31:00.004-05:002009-06-11T11:48:30.623-05:00

Shortcake recipe is from Joe's great-grandmother (I think that's right). Strawberries are my own way of preparation.StrawberriesTwo pounds strawberries, hulled and slicedSimple syrup (one cup sugar, one cup water; stir and boil in saucepan until sugar is dissolved)I like this a lot better than just "sugaring" strawberries. I find the sweetness to be much more consistent, and it's not too

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-1686517286363763832009-06-10T15:19:00.008-05:002009-06-12T10:20:37.682-05:00

As promised, my latest project is here. I made wristbands (or you can call them bracelets, whatev).They started out their little lives as the remnants from purse straps, made by my friend Meredith at Material Girl Quilt Shop (check out her link at left right). I was in there a couple of weeks ago, and she said "I think these would make cute bracelets, but I can't figure out how to finish the ends

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-52297089322472031782009-06-09T15:57:00.003-05:002009-06-09T16:00:53.027-05:00

I promise I will have a substantial post on here in the next day or two. I recently finished a small project (thanks to my friend Meredith at Material Girl Quilt Shop) and I'm excited to show it off, but I keep forgetting to take pictures! So until then, it will remain a secret to all except the few who have seen it in person!Also, I was just long-term loaned a huge stash of eyelets and pearl

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-90047763663583965042009-06-02T14:51:00.003-05:002009-06-02T15:16:14.939-05:00

This isn't a food or sewing post, but a quick post about a kitchen item I think everyone should have.Last Christmas I asked for a cast iron skillet. I got three! (Yay!) (And actually, I got one for Christmas and two for my birthday, which is two weeks after Christmas.) So now I have these lovely cast iron skillets that I use a lot and are getting quite well seasoned. (I would have to say that

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-87974720033731711862009-05-29T09:42:00.002-05:002009-05-29T09:57:07.382-05:00

Since we just finished supper, how about some dessert? Quick and easy and delicious for summer! This is not my recipe, though I have adapted it a little.Yogurt Pie1 large premade graham cracker crust3 cartons fruit yogurt1 8 oz. container Cool Whip1 cup fresh or frozen fruitTip: If I use blueberry yogurt, I use frozen blueberries. Strawberry yogurt, fresh strawberries. I'm sure you could combine

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-34066757092079766242009-05-29T09:20:00.003-05:002009-05-29T09:41:43.945-05:00

What better way to start of the recipes than one that uses the epitome of Midwestern cooking, Velveeta? This is what I throw together when I'm pressed for time for supper, or sometimes when we just want comfort food.French Fry Casserole1 lb. of ground beef (or sausage, ground turkey, cubed ham)4-5 cups of french fries (I use the cheap shoestring fries, since they tend to break if they're too long

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7925608212670623616.post-84642086491754084572009-05-27T10:42:00.001-05:002009-05-27T11:49:28.799-05:00

Welcome to my new blog, I Cook, Sew What?This is going to be my place to post updates about my cooking and sewing adventures.I live in the Midwest, so a lot of my cooking is simple, feel good home cooking. I use a lot of lard and potatoes and I'm not ashamed to admit it. If you are looking strictly for diet, gluten free, fat free, sugar free, vegetarian or vegan recipes, please move along to

Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074838627542827523noreply@blogger.com4