SEE WHAT KATHY DOES WITH WOOL

Today I want to share with you "all things Kathy."  Kathy works in wool and makes the most stunning samples for the shop.  Everyone drools over this wall hanging above.  Kathy said she was going to frame it in barn wood but couldn't get the right size and since she wanted Chris to have it on display for the Heart of Winter Tour, she wrapped the background around a stretcher frame.  I love this look.  You can make one yourself.  The pattern is in the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

I'm so sorry I didn't get names of any of these patterns, but I'm sure you can describe them when you call the shop.  This wool Welcome is on a homespun background.

Another wall hanging by Kathy.  I love this pattern and would like to make it larger in size and make the blocks in cotton.  Whatever medium you use, it is sure to be a winner.

I showed you this little table topper before.  Kathy made it too and I decided to show it to you again since it is so darn cute.

And Kathy made these for the Heart of Winter Tour.  I promised to give you the recipe.  You will be amazed at how the addition of a few products below makes a big difference in how these cookies taste.  They are wonderful.

Fabulous Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup oil
1 Tablespoon milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour
1 12 oz. package chocolate chips
1/2 cup raisins or nuts (optional)

Cream butter with sugars.  Add oil, milk and vanilla.  Stir in egg, then all dry ingredients.  Add chips and raisins, if desired. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Makes 6 dozen cookies.

DON’T FORGET: 

• Happy Scrappers meets this Wednesday, February 8th and again on Saturday, February 14th.
• Due to the Heart of Winter Tour, FIRST SATURDAY SAMPLER moved in February ONLY from Saturday, February 7th. To Saturday, February 14th.  This will not interfere with Happy Scrappers as they will meet immediately after Sampler.

 ON ANOTHER NOTE: 

• All People Quilt has a pattern for a Hen and Flowers wall hanging.

 Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

RECIPE FOR BEST COOKIES EVER

ADRIENNE’S ULTIMATE THICK AND CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
 
1 cup dark brown sugar (be sure to use dark)
½ cup white sugar
6 oz. (1 ½ sticks) soft butter (not runny, soft like yogurt soft)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon espresso powder (I use Meijer Italian roast ground to espresso powder)
2 cups regular white flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups dark chocolate chips (use Hershey’s very dark ones, not milk chocolate)

Beat sugar and butter until fluffy.  Add egg and yolk, vanilla and espresso.  Beat for five minutes until light and fluffy.

Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until mixed.  Scoop a tablespoon of batter onto baking sheet (I use a pizza stone) and slightly flatten (only slightly).

Cook on the pizza stone at 325 deg. For 12 minutes.

Secret:  They are done when the edges are firm to touch but the middle soft, but not glistening or shaky.  Due to the difference in ovens, you will probably have to test a few batches to get this just right.  If you let them cook too long they will be crispy.  If you take them out too soon they will fall apart and leave a mess on your pizza stone.

This makes about 30 cookies.  They freeze well!  I keep six out for family, and freeze the rest.  They are great to have available when company comes.  You just take them out of the freezer, pop in the microwave for a few seconds until they are just warm, then serve with ice cream and berries. 

Adrienne said she has adjusted the recipe slightly, but the original came from Cooks Illustrated Magazine.  Trust me…You will want to try these!

 DON’T FORGET:

• Happy Scrappers meets this coming Saturday at the quilt shop.
• To mark your calendar for the West Michigan Quilters’ Build Quilts on the Grand.  The date is October 3 – 5 at the DeltaPlex Arena. 

ANOTHER NOTE:   My Byrd House has a nice tutorial for a beautiful scrappy hot pad.  

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

BEST COOKIE RECIPE

 

Remember Brynn?  She is the nine-year-old quilter that went on the Heart of Winter Tour with us.  And she brought cookies!  For everyone!  As promised, Grandma Louisa sent me the recipe and I’m sharing it with you. You will definitely want to try these!

WORLD'S BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 - 4 1/2 cups flour
1 bag (12 oz) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together brown sugar, sugar, oil, milk, butter, vanilla and egg.  Add dry ingredients using mixer.  Add Chocolate Chips to mixture.

Spray cookie sheet with Pam, bake for 12 minutes.  Take out of oven just as the edges are turning brown. Makes 4 dozen big cookies!

On Another Note: Vibrant Designs has a tutorial for a Crossbody Hipster.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our house to yours.  My daughter, granddaughter, and I were busy earlier this week baking cookies.  My daughter Chrystel with her beautiful smile is on the left.  I’m in the lavender sweater, and my gorgeous granddaughter Kim is in front (she is going to make a fantastic nurse).  We baked cookies at her house this year so 20-month-old Carter could be free to play with his toys.  Baking Christmas cookies has become a tradition with us and we always look forward to it.  I’m so sorry that my mother wasn’t there to join in the fun and be in the picture with us.  She felt it was just too much for her and she’d rather stay home and watch some TV and just enjoy the cookies later.  I believe when you are 93 you can do what you want, but we missed her.

These are some of the cookies we made. 

This is what happens when you turn your back for a second and 15-year-old Rob decides to do some taste testing. Notice how many are missing! That’s his mother’s hand snatching the cookie sheet away from him.  LOL Growing boys, you gotta love em.  Click on the picture and take a look at that showman picture on the stove.  Someone took an imprint of my great grandson's foot and made this cute snowman.  What a wonderful idea!

We all wish you the very best of holidays.
Stay Safe,
Caroll