Thimbleanna

Month: January 2008

We have a Weiner!

28 Comments / February 18, 2011 / Chat

Wow, thanks for all your very nice comments about the boy’s boxers! I was quite surprised yesterday when TheFirstChild appeared wearing those pink boxers– I said “Have you been reading my blog?” That was just too coincidental. He said no, but I think he was just trying to prove me wrong! Oh well, I lost the bet — SweetiePie knows him better than I do — I guess it’s a sign that it’s time for her to become his handler and not me LOL!

Now, time for the bunny drawing. I still do things the old fashioned way, so I printed out everyone’s name and put them in a bowl  (some day I’ll learn how to use those random generator thingies!) And the winner is:

Bunny Drawing

Do we need a close-up???

Bunny Drawing

Congratulations Darlene! Come on Down! Send me your address and I’ll get little Bunnyversary in the mail to you.  Thank you so much to all the rest of you for entering — AND for stopping by here to read over the last year.  I’ve really enjoyed getting to know so many of you!
Now, I have a question for all you quilters. Remember this Christmas tree skirt that I made for MeMum? Well, water from the Christmas tree spilled on it and the colors in that *&(^$@@! red fabric ran! I can’t believe it — in the raging debate over whether to pre-shrink fabric, I ALWAYS say pre-shrink to set the colors. And I ALWAYS pre-wash my fabrics, so this really whizzes me off! So, do any of you quilters have some magic elixir to take care of this problem AFTER the fact? MeMum would really like to wash that tree skirt, but now she’s afraid to do it. She’s pretty upset about the whole thing (’cause after all, I’m the MyMomLovesMeBestDaughter ROFLOL) and would really like a solution. I remember reading somewhere along the line about some sort of dye magnet product. Does anyone know anything about it? Does it really work? And will it work after the fabrics are already put together? I’d really appreciate any suggestions any of you might have.

Well, now I’m off to be grumpy the rest of the day — I have to go back to work tomorrow. BooHoo — I know I should be glad I have a job, but I could sure use a few more weeks of vacation! I hope you’re enjoying YOUR day!
XOXO,
Anna

Boxer Day

20 Comments / February 18, 2011 / Sewing

Whew! I’m pooped! I’ve been cleaning and putting away all the Christmas stuff for three days — why does it take me so long??? I used to be able to clean a whole house in a day — must be my advancing age LOL! Just a few more hours tomorrow to clean our bedroom and bathroom and I’ll be DONE! Sadly, it will just get dirty again. I really do love being at home and having the time to clean, but it’s really frustrating to know that it won’t stay clean for long.

Anyway, since I think you wouldn’t enjoy a picture of me on my hands and knees mopping the floors, I’ll show you one of my Christmas projects. For about 10 years, I’ve been making boxers for the boys. I love making them ’cause it’s a great way to use some fun fabrics. And there’s not much else (besides quilts) that you can make for boys. It’s hard to take pictures of boxers, but here’s this year’s selection:

Boxers

The pin-up girls are fabrics that I bought in Hawaii last March. I love making boxers out of pin-up girl prints — I’ve used pin-ups with hearts for Valentine’s Day and with pumpkins for Halloween. When the boys were younger, I used to use a pajama pattern cut short, but then one day, I found this pattern and I love it. It’s a little fussy, because it has flat-felled seams. I’ve been tempted to just serge the seams, but I love the way the flat-felled seams look — all neat and tidy.

The boys each got two pair of boxers this year, and if you’re counting, you’ll notice there’s a fifth pair there. Not only that, if you have an eagle eye, you might be wondering what’s going on with that pink pair on the left side. Since TheFirstChild was about 10 yrs. old, MeMum has had a running joke with him and she calls him “My Little Princess.” She usually gives him some sort of little girly birthday card on his birthdays. When we were fabric shopping in the fall and we saw this fabric, SweetiePie and MeMum thought it would be perfect for boxers for the “Little Princess”, so I made them for her to give to him.

Boxers

SweetiePie and I have a bet — she says he’ll actuall wear them, I say he won’t. We haven’t come right out and asked him yet, but they haven’t turned up in the laundry yet either. ;-)

Thanks for all the great bunny comments — you guys are the best! If you’re just catching up, don’t forget to sign up for my blogaversary draw if you’d like a chance at a bunny — there’s one more day.

Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

Happy New Year!

19 Comments / February 18, 2011 / Holidays, Recipes
New Year's Table

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s celebration! We had a fun time at MeMum and BigDaddy’s house last night ringing in the new year. MyDadLovesMeBestSister got a new fondue pot for Christmas, so we got our fondue pots out and had one with oil for meats, one with a cheese dip for veggies and bread, and a YUMMY pot full of chocolate with lots of fruit dippers. We pigged out with lots of other appetizers, played games, watched fireworks down the street and had a grand time!
Then today, everyone came to our house for our traditional New Year’s Day dinner. We always have what to some people is their traditional Christmas dinner — standing rib roast, twice baked potatoes, green beans, and 24-hour salad. Some years, if we’re feeling superstitious, we’ll have black-eyed peas, but we weren’t motivated enough this year. I sure hope that’s not a bad omen LOL!

Many years ago, MeMum found the perfect standing rib roast recipe. It’s fool-proof. No thermometers and no waiting around when everything else is ready, trying to figure out if the roast is done. I hate making beef tenderloins because I can’t ever figure out when they’re done (I’ve only ever done two of them), but I never have that problem with this standing rib recipe!

Standing Rib Roast

Easy Peasy Standing Rib Roast

Bring roast to room temperature 1 hour before cooking. At noon, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season roast with salt and pepper. Put uncovered roast in preheated oven. After one hour, turn off the oven and do not open oven door. (I put tape over the door handle with a big “Do Not Open” sign to remind everyone!) Approximately an hour before serving, turn the oven on again to 375 degrees. Remove the roast from the oven after 45 minutes and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This method seems to work for any size roast, but it’s ideal for 3 – 4 ribs. We usually make a 5 – 6 rib roast (love those leftovers!) and it’s pretty rare in the middle, but that’s ok for us as we have a few family members who love rare roast.

Well, now all the fun’s over and tomorrow it’s time to take down the decorations and clean house. Ugh. I hate that job — it usually takes me 2 days ’cause I’m easily sidetracked. Hopefully, your decorations are all cleaned up and you can play for a few days!
XOXO,
Anna