Squirrel!!!!

What do you do when you accidentally break a branch on your Christmas tree? If you're a fan of the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", you fill the space with a squirrel.

The Project Queen

Crazy to Quilt

Before any passionate quilters get upset that this post is being disrespectful of their favorite obsession, it’s really just me questioning my own sanity.

In some recent posts, I mentioned that my husband and I purchased an Airstream travel trailer. Our model is a 1979 Sovereign. I can’t speak for others, but aesthetically, the 1970s are generally not my favorite decade. It goes without saying that the interior will be getting an upgrade. (Along with signal lights, holding tanks and anything else not working or too inefficient in its energy use.) See our progress at www.thestellarlandyacht.blogspot.com). Since my husband has MS, we aren’t able to work on it every day. So on those days, after I’ve dealt with daily household matters, I work on other projects. Such as a quilt for the Airstream’s queen size bed.

For a lot of the interior projects, I’ve actually been searching the house for items I can repurpose or make into something else. My younger daughter has a gold queen-size quilt she doesn’t use any more. While its polyester satin block top is pretty enough, we’ll be traveling with pets. They take lying on our bed for granted. Polyester satin won’t hold up for very long. Already some of the blocks have torn at the seams. I suppose I could find a way to repair them and dye the quilt the color I really want. But I have an artistic vision for the Airstream, and come heck or high water, that vision will become reality. (I’m sure other Project Queens and Kings will understand.) So, I’m making a new quilt top for my daughter’s old quilt. Why not just buy all new materials for everything? Even though the back is also polyester, it’s woven and is actually pretty sturdy. It’s also one solid piece of fabric with no seams. The batting is 100% cotton. Cotton batting for a queen size quilt isn’t cheap. And a large quilt back without seams isn’t possible unless you use a top sheet.

By now, I’m sure some are asking, “Why are you crazy to quilt?” It’s because of the pattern I’m working on. Even non-quilters should recognize the design that accompanies this post. It’s known as either a mariner’s or rose compass. For someone like myself, who hasn’t done any quilting in a long time (or much of it for that matter), it wouldn’t be a pattern experts recommend a quilting newbie tackle, with its circles and many tiny points. Generally, I would agree, but I have a long history of jumping headfirst into involved and complicated projects. The internet friendly version posted here of the entire top shows 49 center squares (3 different color ways), each with five different colors and 1 center circle carried throughout. In total, I have 17 different fabrics for the top floating about my studio, most of them draped over the sewing machine. The same fabric used in the block centers is also part of the border. I’m not going to bore anyone with the number of pieces which have to be cut out to produce the design I put together on my computer. I don’t even know the exact number. I’ve learned from past experience that sometimes it’s best to just know the bare minimum, or you end up being overwhelmed from the very beginning. Using the count from the blue squares (color with the most squares), I calculated the number of pieces for each of the five shades and determined fabric yardage needed.

At this time, I have cut out all the pieces for the purple blocks. Hardcore quilters will probably think it nuts, but I’ve been drawing in the seam lines on every piece. I’m not leaving it to chance that I will get all those tiny points lined up precisely otherwise. Or have perfect circles. There is a good chance all the smaller pieces will be hand basted together before getting anywhere near the sewing machine. We’ll see.

Since I haven’t started sewing yet, my brain isn’t fried right now. If at some point, nothing but jibberish is posted here, I’m sure you will understand. Some people may wonder why I’m going to all this trouble. Turning the Airstream into our own special (Stellar) Land Yacht is a once-in-a-lifetime project for my husband and I. And we’re hoping to make many wonderful memories with it. After evenings of stargazing, what could be better than snuggling under a comfy quilt made with love?

There is a stack of quilt pieces sitting on the table behind this computer. They’re waiting for their seam lines. I should get back to work now. Wish me luck.

The Project Queen

Confessions of a Middle Aged Project Queen

Wow! This is my 100^th post. I suppose visitors are wondering why a photo of a cluttered room accompanies it. It’s because I feel like a fraud. To stage a pretty photo, I often have to relocate other items somewhere else in my house. Quite frankly, a lot of the time I don’t feel like doing it, even though as a graphic designer, I understand the power of images. Let’s face it. Pretty or compelling photos capture attention. Depending on subject matter, they’re like catnip for creative people, myself included. But as the full-time caregiver of a spouse who has MS, most of the time I have more important things to worry about than trying to pretend my life is perfect.

This is my personal work space. When my older daughter moved out, I moved in. Of course, I had to personalize first by repainting walls in one of my favorite colors, and ripping out the old carpet (hate carpet!) for something much easier to keep clean. While I was doing all this work, dreams of organization filled my head. Everything would be put away. I would know just where something was when I wanted it. Though it pains me to admit it, sometimes my memory needs all the help it can get.

My studio started out organized and clutter-free, when I first moved into this room three years ago. I had sorted through all the project materials I had in the spare room. (Which used to be my space until a man who shall remain nameless squeezed me out with his clutter.) Leftovers, or items that were never used, were donated or went to the school where I worked. I was starting with a clean slate.

I can’t say with any certainty how long the slate stayed clean. Someone once told me they thought I had ADD. (Not a family member.) I do have a tendency for many different projects to be in progress at the same time. Eventually, they get finished. Some just take longer than others. I won’t call it a problem, but ideas seem to constantly flow through my brain. I get so excited about some of them I can’t wait to make them a reality. Especially if I have some really good coupons, or something I want is on sale.

I think I suffer from a split personality. My mom should be pictured in a dictionary next to “organized”. She abhors clutter/dirt and doesn't need a lot of belongings to be happy. I would prefer the majority of my house to be clutter-free/clean, and usually have very tidy work spaces when I’m employed outside the home. My dad, The Project King, has never met a tool he doesn't like. He’s quite skillful when it comes to restoring or transforming junk. If he finds something interesting, he brings it home. I get my project and accumulation genes from my dad. When I start complaining about the mess that’s been allowed to accumulate around the rest of the house, my husband points to my studio as “Exhibit A”. He doesn't understand how I can allow my personal play space to get overwhelmed with stuff, then have the nerve to b—ch about someone else’s clutter issues. I have to admit it’s not the most comfortable personality conflict to possess, but are any of them, really?

It can be distracting, not to mention guilt inducing, to have so many projects waiting to be finished. Sometimes, I feel like I’m being mocked by them. There are many days when I just don’t make it into this room to work on anything.  Still, it’s nice to know they’re available when I find the time for them. Producing tangible things with my hands is my stress reliever. It’s also just who I am.  And with so many projects to choose from, I shouldn't be bored for a very long time. In fact, I may have to live 100 years to finish them.

The Project Queen

This is a small glimpse of my studio when I first moved in.

In my fantasies, I believed it would stay this way forever.

Well, the first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one. (Supposedly)

As I'm fond of telling others (my husband) knowing and doing are two different things.

Autumn Birthday Cake

The fact that my birthday is the last day of summer/first day of fall actually has more to do with the name of this recipe than the color scheme does. Chocolate and orange just happen to be one of my favorite flavor combinations. I’ve also been blessed with a contrary gene. As much as I enjoy apples, it seems like everyone has apple recipes at this time of the year. So of course I had to do something different.

There is a nostalgic element in the cake itself. Chocolate raisin cake is one of my dad’s favorites. (Usually a 9” x 13” sheet cake with chocolate frosting or icing.) It was often made by my grandmother, and one of my aunts still makes it occasionally. Since my family lives four states away, when I do see them, it’s often in the summer. I haven’t spent my birthday with them in many years. Tweaking and enjoying a family favorite was the next best thing.

Here’s something for you to consider before starting this recipe. This version is large enough to make a 3 layer cake. I decided to make cupcakes instead, so I could easily share with my older daughter and the veterinary clinic she works at. When you reach a certain age how much birthday cake do you need, really? Besides, we’ve been taking our pets to her boss for several years. They always get good, reasonably priced care there. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of some birthday cake. Feel free to bake this in the format that suits your needs the best.

Cake

1 c. Raisins

½ c. Triple Sec

4 oz. Baking Chocolate Bar (I used Ghirardelli 100% Cacao)

1 tsp. Instant Espresso Powder (to intensify chocolate flavor)

½ c. Butter

2 ½ c. All-purpose Flour

1 ½ c. Sugar (I used Coconut and Cane)

1 ½ tsp. Baking Soda

¼ tsp. Salt

1 ¼ c. Buttermilk

3 eggs

1 ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 tbsp. Orange Zest

At least 1 hour before, and as much as one day, put the raisins in a small container and pour in the Triple Sec. Cover with a lid if doing a day before. Pre-heat oven to 350°. Melt butter, baking chocolate and espresso powder together and allow to cool a bit while combining the remaining ingredients. This cake is forgiving enough that you can put everything into one bowl and let a mixer do the rest. But it doesn’t hurt anything to stir the dry ingredients together before adding the wet. Add the chocolate and raisins, along with any liquid that hasn’t been absorbed by the fruit.

Baking time will be determined by the pans used. Standard-size cupcakes should be checked in 20 minutes. If still wet in the middle after tested with a tooth-pick, add another 5 minutes until done. Layer cakes will take 30-35 minutes. Start checking a sheet cake in 40-45 minutes.

Frosting

½ c. Butter, softened

4 ½ c. Sifted Powdered Sugar

1 tbsp. Orange Zest

4-5 tbsp. Orange Juice

Combine the frosting ingredients. If it seems a little dry, a small amount of Triple Sec can be used to reach spreadable consistency. Start with 1 tbsp. or less. Apply to cake when it has completely cooled.

The Project Queen

Eternal Butterflies

A few weeks ago, I was treated to the sight of two Giant Swallowtail butterflies flying together. One was just a few inches below the other, and it seemed like they were doing a synchronized dance. Though it might actually be very common butterfly behavior, I can’t recall ever seeing them fly together like that. I saw them from my kitchen window while making supper. It was a lovely way to end the day.

Since we live in world that seems increasingly bleak, it can be hard to notice the small blessings we are gifted with everyday. Sharing them with others is another matter altogether. Sometimes, you don’t immediately realize you have been given a blessing you need to share. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera in reach to make a video of my unexpected butterfly performance. I will always be fortunate to possess the memory. But how to share it with someone else?

You never know what you might be doing when a small voice tells you to reach out to another. I was actually cleaning my bunny cages. Due to the purchase of our Airstream trailer, I know of someone who is ill. While doing my chores, I kept getting the feeling I needed to reach out to her and let her know someone is thinking of her. However, I have never met her in person. Sending a card didn’t seem very meaningful. Then it occurred to me I did have a way to immortalize my butterfly blessing, by using a lifelong blessing I’ve been given. (And which provides the subjects for this blog.)

Making butterflies is actually one of my favorite small projects. For some strange reason, I don’t make them frequently. I also haven’t made any for myself.  The last time I made some was about two years ago. (See the Beautiful Butterflies post). They were a gift for a coworker who had just experienced a loss. So maybe there’s a trend here.

Top view of my Giant Swallowtails.

They are made with inkjet shrink film, then hand painted with metallic watercolors.

The bodies are made of black yarn.

If you want to make realistic butterflies, you can't ignore the underside of the wings.

For many butterfly species the underside is often very different from the top.

The Project Queen

Strawberry Margarita Cream Cheese Pie

Technically the end of summer is a bit later in September, usually on or around my birthday. But most of us tend to think of Labor Day as the end. What better way to say “goodbye” and enjoy a 3-day weekend than with slightly boozy pie? (Spirits are completely optional, and the pie is still delicious.)

If you are a child of the 1970s or 80s, you may be acquainted with a mostly no-bake pie that contained a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. It was topped with canned cherry pie filling. I believe the recipe was on the inside label of Borden’s condensed milk, and perhaps in a few ladies’ magazines.

This recipe shares some similarities, such as a graham cracker crust (my favorite) and cream cheese in the filling. And there the similarities end. The great thing about this pie is the ease with which it can be customized. Start with the crust. If you want something saltier, use crushed pretzels or butter crackers.

Crumb Crust for 9” pie dish

1 ½ c. Cookie or Cracker Crumbs

1/3 c. Sugar

¼ c. Butter

2 tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil

1 tbsp. Lime Zest

Pre-heat oven to 350°. Crush your cookies or crackers into fine crumbs. If you end up with more than needed for your crust, save them to top something else. Melt the oils (I usually do this in my glass pie dish) and add the sugar. When the sugar has melted a bit, stir in the crumbs and lime zest. Press the mixture over the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.

Filling

(2) 8 oz. Packages Cream Cheese

(1) 8 oz. Carton Mascarpone Cheese

1 c. Powdered Sugar

¼ c. Fresh Lime Juice

½ c. Strawberry Syrup (I used Torani)

1 tbsp. Triple Sec

Put all the ingredients in a bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth, but before turning on, mash the beaters down into the cheese several times to break it apart and minimize splattering. Pour the filling into the crust and let it chill at least 6 hours, but overnight is better. It’s best to allow the pie to set before topping with fruit.

Strawberry Topping

1 lb. Fresh Strawberries

¼ c. sugar

1/8 c. Fresh Lime Juice

1 tbsp. Triple Sec

1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. thickener (Your choice. I use tapioca starch, but corn would be fine)

Hull and quarter the strawberries into a small bowl, preferably one that has a lid. Add remaining ingredients and stir to coat the berries. Cover and chill. There should be juice in an hour or two. If adding thickener, drain off the juice. Stir a small amount of juice into the starch, then stir the mixture into the juice. Once no trace of the starch remains pour the juice back into the strawberries. If using tapioca, it isn’t necessary to heat the juice. Put the topping on the pie when ready to serve.

 

Not feeling the use of an oven? Cream pies with crumb crusts are great

for the deconstructed treatment.

(I believe the British call them trifles.)

Small jam jars are great for individual servings.

Layer crumbs, filling and fruit. The number of layers will be determined

by the number of servings you want.

Bonus! With this method you can cut the sugar and fat that binds a crumb crust.

If you feel the need to cut further, use lower fat cheeses.

I make desserts like this once or twice a year, so I don't worry too much

about removing the fun stuff.

 The Project Queen

Passion Flower

This exotic beauty is one of the few plants in my garden that seems to enjoy 95°+ heat. It’s been blooming for about a month now, opening one or two flowers at a time as the plant creeps up my arbor. When I got home from South Dakota a week and a half ago, it had 5 buds at the top. The last flower bloomed today. So I’ll see if the plant stretches to make anymore. I’ve also been leaving the spent buds in the hopes that there might be fruit.

The Project Queen

Know Your Caterpillars

 Depending on your geographic location, this post might be a bit late for some people. I took the above photo almost a month ago. (Don’t know where the summer went, but it seems like I should have gotten a lot more accomplished.)

Why caterpillars as a subject? If you garden, or even keep a few container plants outside, you probably understand. Sooner or later, you will find the many-legged creepy-crawlies on your leafy babies. Let’s be honest here. Mankind has a love-hate relationship with caterpillars. The nature of the relationship depends on your age and interests. (Play with wooly caterpillars as child? I did.)

When it comes to dealing with these “pests” you find devouring your favorite plants, the first thing you need to do is identify them. I am not going to make any moral judgments here about how anyone decides which of nature’s creatures have value or not. I will say this however. Most creatures we label as pests have remarkable survival skills and don’t require any help from us. But in the insect world, some creatures are truly fragile, as well as beneficial (pollinators). Butterflies are a prime example. Why not give them all the assistance we can?

I first noticed these caterpillars when I went to cut some herbs in my raised bed. It had only been a few days since I had last visited, so imagine my surprise when I discovered the bronze fennel and flat leaf parsley were covered with the same larvae in varying sizes. It made me a little sad to see my plants practically eaten to the ground, but I was pretty sure my visitors were butterfly babies. Before doing anything about the uninvited dinner guests, I did some research to identify them. I suspected they were Black Swallowtails. A few weeks prior to the caterpillar explosion, I noticed several butterflies visiting my yard. I wasn’t sure what was attracting them since I didn’t have many blooming plants at the time. (Unless a plant is a true heat lover, things either die or go dormant during a Texas summer.)

My research confirmed my suspicions and taught me something I didn’t know. Fennel and parsley are much loved by Black Swallowtail caterpillars. I wasn’t intentionally planning a butterfly garden by including those plants. This brings up an important point for those of you who want to plant a butterfly garden. Educate yourself on the butterfly species that visit your area, and make sure you include food for the caterpillars. Yes, the adults are beautiful, but you can’t have them without the voracious babies. If you have those favorite food plants mixed in with things they won’t bother, the damage won’t be as obvious. In my case, the fennel and parsley were starting to feel the heat anyway, meaning I would need to cut them back. The caterpillars just beat me to them. In any event, they won’t be in your garden very long. Within a week of my noticing them, they were suddenly gone. I’m hoping most of them got to make a chrysalis. I haven’t made an effort to find any of them, but once fall finally arrives, we have plans to upgrade the raised bed with masonry products. Perhaps, I’ll discover a few then.

The Project Queen