Free Rice website

  This is a pretty good website.  There are different subjects that you are able to choose from with just a click.  Languages, culture, math, even questions that might prepare you for taking the SATs!  Check it out: http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/9427  Watch the bowl fill up with each correct answer.  For every correct answer that you click rice is donated to needy people around the world.  Have fun while doing something good.

Wickford Art Festival

The Wickford Art Festival is happening this weekend.  This is the 50th anniversary of this event.  It is held in the quaint little town of Wickford in Rhode Island.  Many artists show their work and many admirers attend.  Yesterday was a very hot and humid day for the show at least until a few sprinkles happened to fall, which cooled the atmosphere at least temporarily.  There were all sorts of paintings and etchings, some musicians playing and selling their CD's, and a few three dimensional artists.

Robert De Vito

One artist that I particularly liked creates abstract skylines that are somewhat 3-D in clay.  There are large and small pieces that are very colorful.  He has copyrighted his art and did allow me to take a photo of him in front of his work.  You can reach him at   skyline devito@gmail.com Here is the photo I took.

Happy Birthday America!

Proud to be an American.

Where will the road lead you?

Good morning America, how are you?  Today is a great day to get out and see America.  We live in a great country.  There is lots to see and we are free to roam about.  In any direction that you go there is something to see, a place to visit, a scene to enjoy.  It doesn't have to be the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone Park, it can be right in your backyard with family and friends or a day trip to some nearby happening.  The history of our country is all around us and we make history everyday, whether it be our own personal history or a small part of the bigger picture - we are part of the American fabric.  See where the road leads you.

What are you doing today?

   Well if you really want to know - I woke this morning at 5am, took a look at my blog and some of those that I follow (lots to look at and some really great items), then I did a wee bit of sewing (am in process of making many quilts), and before it becomes too hot today I decided that I would make some more Whoopie Pies (they were a big hit last week, see the recipe on the previous post), and while the oven is still hot also made a rhubarb upside down cake (can't wait to taste it, it's sitting on the counter cooling off which might take all day seeing as it's so hot already).  Now I am going to do a little bit of cleaning - the kitchen is done now on to the living room!  I'll probably also sit at the sewing machine off and on (when I get bored with cleaning).  Already I am beyond perspsiring and am sweating.  I hope that my long run on sentence didn't confuse anyone, yikes 

Have a chocolate covered sunflower seed.

   I dream of finishing all the projects that are filed in my head, but there is only one of me and I have to be patient with myself knowing that I will only finish one thing at a time. Gosh. If I were more organized it just might help and maybe one day the dream of being organized will come true.  Where is that darn Organize Fairy.  She must be at your house getting you all squared away.  Let her know that I am waiting for her and tell her to get a move on.  Happy Sunday everyone. 

Whoopie for Whoopie Pies!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies.  Whoopie!

These Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are delicious!  They were very quick and easy to make from scratch.  The creamy middle is light and tasty, not too sweet.  These would be great for a kids party or if guests were to call to say they were popping by.  Once out of the oven the pies cool quite fast and can be put together in a snap.

Mmm Whoopie Pies!  No need to be a Grand Baker to make these.  All you need are the following ingredients...

•  2 cups cake flour
• 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• dash of salt
• 1/2 cup of Smart Balance butter substitute with flax 
• 3 Tablespoons molasses
• 2/3 cup of sugar MINUS 3 tablespoons.
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk soured or buttermilk
•  
• 1/2 cup Cool Whip
• 1/3 cup of plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup of cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Whisk the Smart Balance and the sugar along with the molasses until light and creamy.  Beat in the egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  

Combine the dry ingredients with the egg mixture alternating with the sour milk.  Mix only until all ingredients are moist.

Drop 1 tablespoon of batter onto parchment lined cookie sheet one inch apart and bake for 5-8 minutes at 375 degrees F.   Cool on pan for about 2 minutes, then place on cake rack to cool completely.  

Mix together the last four ingredients above - this is the filling.

Once the whoopie pies have cooled place a dollop of cream filling on flat side of pie and top with another pie flat side toward the cream filling

You can dust the tops with confectioner's sugar or cocoa powder.  

Have with a glass of milk and enjoy!

*NOTE: If you do not have sour milk or buttermilk you can stir in either a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar.  Let it stand or pop it in the microwave for just a few seconds to bring it to room temperature.  DO NOT LET IT BOIL!

The original recipe is from the winter 2009 edition of Diabetic Living Magazine. Thank you Diabetic Living. It's a great magazine and you don't have to be diabetic to try any of the recipes as they are pretty healthy.  I modified this recipe a little to my liking adding a little more of this and that.  Also I changed the filling a smidgen.   

On the Drive Home

Wag more,

bark less

I read this on the rear bumper of the car that was in front of me at a red light. I though it was good advise, I think I will try it out!

Just a quick hello ...

 

  A little something to brighten your day.  I think if you click on this picture you can see all the detail that is secretly waiting for a lucky viewer to enjoy. Isn't that color just so saturated and vibrant?
  I have been trying to catch up on my quilting and sewing this last month before the weather gets too hot as well as getting the garden taken care of.  It's a balancing act for sure, but so much fun.  

A Peek At My Next Project

These homespun fabrics are part of a foundation pieced quilt that I am working on and have been for some time.  You see in going through my fabric closet I came across this blue box that was a bit heavy as it was stuffed full of these great fabrics.  I knew I had it .... somewhere!  The quilt within  has been waiting to for completion for ... um ... well let's just say for a couple of years.  Okay maybe more than a couple, maybe more like ... oh never mind I can't remember how many years and don't want to think about it!  Anyhow it is seeing some daylight at long last.  A commitment has been made to finish this quilt and I already have plans for the leftovers, how's that?

My husband purchased this group of fat quarters from Keepsake Quilts in New Hampshire as a gift for me one Christmas a number of years ago,  The picture above is only a small portion of the group as part of the group is on the sewing table or in the machine being sewn.  More pictures to be posted in the coming days.  I find it interesting when the "parts" are posted and you can view the progress.  Quilters are not always as patient as one might think (which is probably why they have so many UFO's floating around!) and will move from project to project.  Or is that just all creative people?

Anyhow please come back and have a look at the blocks as they are finished and posted.