Tasty Tuesday - Layered Mexican Dip

Layered Mexican Dip

This is the most-requested recipe in our family.  My mother got the recipe from a co-worker when she was teaching.  The other teacher had an avocado tree and when it was overloaded with ripe avocados she would bring them to school to give away.  She also gave away the recipe.

When we lived in Russia we barely got fruits and vegetables and never ever saw an avocado, so this was something we always requested when we were back home visiting.  Once our visit did not coincide with avocado season, but we did not know that. My mother made the dip anyways.  When it was all gone she asked what we thought.  Good as always.  Well, turns out in lieu of avocados she had used mashed peas.  With all the other ingredients that go into it we had no idea. 

When we lived in Guatemala you would think I would have made this all the time.  But no.  Just special occasions when I thought of it.  I usually had to make a double batch because it went so fast.

Now that we are in the US I can pretty much get avocados year round.  I definitely make it more often, but it is still highly requested for extended family gatherings since neither of my sisters makes it.  I usually make the regular recipe but divide it into a 9x9 for the gathering and a loaf pan to hold back for us.

So without further ado....

Sue Evan's Layered Dip

Layer in order in 13x9 pan.  Serve with tortilla chips.

#1 1 can refried beans
#2 3 avocados mashed + 2 (16 oz) pkgs Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
#3 1 c sour cream + 1 c mayonnaise + 1 pkg taco mix
#4 chopped onion ( I sometimes add chopped lettuce at this step)
#5 grated Cheddar cheese
#6 chopped tomato
#7 chopped black olives

I Have an Idea

I committed to make a quilt for the Hands 2 Help project over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I love the H2H project. I made a quilt for H2H in 2014. I even won a prize.  But I didn't do it last year and I was kicking myself for not.

I'm already in over my head this Spring but I just couldn't say no this year.  So I've been thinking of what to make that would not be super time consuming. 

How about finishing a UFO?  How about finishing a UFO that got stalled because I didn't like the direction it was headed?  I think that's a WIN WIN!!! So I think I'm going to turn these pieces into something at last.  

This was a mystery - my first - and last.   Although I liked the mystery concept and I had the suggested colors in my stash when it was done I realized that I just don't have enough time to sew to start something that I'm not sure I'm going to like in the end.  For me it would be better to wait and see the finish before committing.  So I ended up with a box of units.

I like this option and can make 25 of the black-centered blocks.

So now I think I will go get my chores done since I am motivated to work on this one again. I already have some variations thought through from a previous attempt to get it out of UFO status.  

Not too sure about these.  Maybe with sashing.

Linking up to Patchwork Times to show off Design Walls - and floors!

Stash Report 032716

The 3 college visits for Middle E in 4 days (1000+ miles of driving) and then a fun day trip (300 more miles) with the girls completely wore me out so I didn't get as much sewing done as I had hoped.  But that's okay.  In the blink of an eye they will all be off on their own and I will have all the time I want to sew, but will be missing them dreadfully.

I did make a curtain for Little S.  I had found the fabric on super clearance a while back and knew she would love it, but then set it aside in the midst of everything else and completely forgot about it.  Here's hoping she will be motivated to keep her room cleaner.  I have plans to make a matching pillowcase, but that's another day.

So this week there are no real changes in numbers, but progress nonetheless.

Fabric Used/Out This Week: 1 yard

Fabric Used/Out in 2016: 12.65 yards

Fabric In This Week:  1 yard

Fabric In 2016: 5.25 yards
 
Net Used 2016:  7.4 yards


Sharing our Stash Reports with Patchwork Times

New Curtain

Little S loves yellow so when I saw this fabric and it was on super duper clearance I immediately thought of her. It was a remnant but I figured it would be enough to make a curtain valance for her window.

She always makes do with whatever is left from her sisters so it was about time for her to have something she really liked.  It matches perfectly with the existing turquoise panel.

There is enough left to make a pillowcase. But that will happen another day. We are on Spring Break, but we have been on the go so much, that sewing is just not happening.

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts to show off finishes.

Repurposed Valentine's Jars

My boss recently acquired a new office as part of an addition to her job description.  So she has been sorting thru the stuff that came with the office.   She was going to THROW these jars away.  What???

We have a good relationship so it is okay for me to rescue all the stuff she throws away.  I know she just wants to work with a clean slate but all I can think of is how someone can put those things to good use.  So she tells me she doesn't want something and I remove it.  Odd stuff goes to goodwill, books go to the library, board games went to various schools and these jars went to Middle E.   

The lids were already painted red and they even had ribbon on them. The timing was perfect for valentine's day so Middle E put in a hug coupon and some little treats and gave them to her friends.  

 
Her friends were thrilled.   Something a bit different and super cute.  

Nicely done, Sweetie!

Hands 2 Help 2016

Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is again hosting Hands 2 Help.  This is a fun opportunity to make quilts for a good cause.  I know it doesn't take much of a reason for me to make a quilt at all, but she has 2 great causes in the USA and another in Canada. 

All you have to do it sign up, make the quilt and send it off.  If you get in on this by March 20 your name will be entered for some amazing drawings.  I won $25 worth of fabric in the drawing 2 years ago.  That was fun!

So head on over to the Hands 2 Help sign up page and join the fun.

99 Baseballs Shirts to Mend, 99 Baseball Shirts

Actually just 60, but it felt like 99! The high school baseball team shirts were not staying buttoned.  The plan was to sew the front shut in a large rectangle between the first and last buttons but the words had to be lined up and sewn down as well and that thread color was different than the shirt color.  I was thankful it was this solution and not resewing all the buttons - double yuck!

30 white shirts - sewn, counted and ready to go

Turns out the husband of my coworker helps with the team so when they were looking at options she threw my name out.  I had done a sewing job for her not long ago and told her to feel free to give my name to people.  

I did a test - actually 2 tests - a grey shirt and a white shirt since the fabric was different.  Mr H took them to the coach with my bid.  They were pleased with my work and he offered more than double what I had bid. Turns out that was still lower than the "professional" sports place they were considering.  And much more economical than buying new shirts.

30 grey shirts with  lemon verbena soap to attempt to offset the "athletic" smell

A fantastic job opportunity for me.  I worked very hard and had the white set done 2 days early so he was able to wash them before the game.  They were super stinky. Then I got the grey set done a week earlier than their date.  I really can only sew on the weekends so I was not surprised with myself for getting it done quickly. It was very repetitious so I didn't want it to drag on any longer than absolutely necessary. Assembly line sewing allowed me to go even faster than on my tests which helped a lot. 

Mr H was thrilled beyond words to have them done well within the time.  I also did minor repairs on the decorative piping and he paid even more for that.  

I love it when a job turns out even better than you hope. 

Lesson #1:  I don't charge enough for my sewing skill.  I talked to my sister about that and she agreed.  We'll see what really happens when I get another paying job though. 

Lesson #2:  Don't dilly dally on a job. If I had not finished the commissioned moon quilt by the original date I would not have finished the carnival auction quilts and then I would not have had time for this job which was more profitable than all the rest.  

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts to show off finishes.

Stash Report 031316

I realized I never reported the fabric used to finish up Carnival Auction Quilt #2.  Thank goodness, since otherwise I would have nothing to report!

Unfortunately when I was ready to bind this quilt I could not find the black fabric I had gotten a while back. I had struggled about getting the black then, but it was remnants on clearance and I knew I would use it.  So I was really really frustrated that I could not find it when I needed it.  I actually had to make a trip to the store to buy a 1/2 yard in order to finish the quilt.  It just didn't seem fair, since I had actually planned for it. 

A few weeks after the quilt was done I was doing some deep cleaning in my bedroom - where I DO NOT keep fabric - and I found the original black fabric in a really weird spot.  I can only guess that it must have come in from the clothesline and hadn't gotten put away in the sewing room and maybe company was coming so I just put it somewhere to get it out of the way.  Oh well, now I have black fabric for a future quilt.

I'm really hoping to sew during our Spring Break in 2 weeks, but with College Visits for Middle E I am not sure it is going to happen.  At least it is on my radar.


Fabric Used/Out This Week: 2.8 yards

Fabric Used/Out in 2016: 10.9 yards

Fabric In This Week:  0.5 yards 

Fabric In 2016: 3.5 yards
 
Net Used 2016:  7.4 yards


Sharing our Stash Reports with Patchwork Times

Commissioned Baby Quilt is a Huge Success

Once I got going on this it went together quickly.  The due date was postponed, but I stuck with the original date and I'm so glad I did.  More on that later.

Quilt 60" x 60", pillowcase, 4 personalized flannel-backed burpcloths  - DONE!!!

Quilt 60" x 60"

Quilted with stippling and stars!

4 personalized burpcloths

Deer head fabric for the Dad-to-be!

I felt like I did quality work. Client was pleased.  So job well done!!

Showing off finishes with Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Stash Report 030616

5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed that is nicely covered with a blanket

A little bit more out this week thanks to the monkeys.   Our theme this week at school was monkeys, specifically those rascally monkeys that are famous for jumping on the bed.

So we made beds out of boxes covered with wrapping paper and left open at one end, so everything could be stored inside.  Monkeys were cut and glued to Popsicle sticks and the best part..... Blankets for the beds.  I went thru my odd soft scraps and cut blankets.  The kids really loved the softness. 

To be honest some of this fabric was destined for goodwill because it was small chunks or narrow strips I just didn't know what to do with, so this was perfect.  I love surprise outages!

Fabric Used/Out This Week: 1.0 yard

Fabric Used/Out in 2016: 8.1 yards

Fabric In This Week:  0 yards 

Fabric In 2016: 3 yards
 
Net Used 2016:  5.1 yards

Linking up to Judy at Patchwork Times to share our stash reports. 

Carnival Auction Quilt #2 Done

The quilting went relatively smoothly on this one.  I really really like the variegated thread.  

I was a tiny bit concerned about the flannel backing being too thick but it didn't cause any problems. 

Initial response is that the class loves it.  I just hope that translates to high bidding for it at the silent auction.

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict to show off finishes.

Tasty Tuesday - Banana Bread

I've tried a lot of banana breads, read a lot of banana bread recipes and even been to a banana bread making demonstration.  For my family this one is the winner.  I found it on the side of the bag of "day old" bananas at Winn Dixie soon after we moved to the United States.

When our bananas are past their prime I put them in the freezer still in the peel.  Then when I am ready to bake I just pull out three and let them thaw a bit and they work perfectly.  They don't look good, but they taste great in this recipe.

BANANA BREAD

1 stick butter at room temp
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c flour (all purpose)
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c whole wheat flour
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 t vanilla (I use 2 t)
1/2 c walnuts, coarsely chopped (The girls don't like nuts so we skip this.)

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease 9x5x3 metal bread pan.

2. Cream butter & sugar til light and fluffly.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. Sift all purpose flour, baking soda and salt together, stir in whole wheat flour and add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

4.  Fold in bananas, vanilla and walnuts.

5. Pour mixture into pan, bake 50 - 60 minutes or til tooth pick comes out clean.  Coool in pan 10 min, then on rack.

Makes one loaf.