Fabulous Friday: Summer Reading List

Kindles.

I swore I would never get a Kindle.  Why would I - I get all my books FREE at the library!

I now have a Kindle.  I LOVE my Kindle!  Why did I get a Kindle?

One reason: I am losing the fine print. I had to start wearing bifocal contact lenses.   Talk about feeling OLD!  With the Kindle I can increase the font size to a larger print.  It is a WIN for me!  Not to mention I read so much faster on it.  I also do not have to drive to the library anymore (but, yes I have to pay for books until Kindle releases their 'library software').

SO what am I reading on said Kindle you ask?

Nora Roberts:  Chasing Fire
I real all of Nora's books...


George RR Martin: Game of Thrones Series
  This is a BIG undertaking for me.  I am 48% into book 2: Clash of Kings.  I started watching this on HBO and was instantly drawn in.  Tyrion Lannister alone is worth the time invested.


Jodi Picoult:  The Pact
   I just finished The Pact.  It was my first Jodi Picoult book.  It was good... a little too good.  I found myself identifying with ALL the characters - I was a little emotionally exhausted by the end.    I won't spoil or share boring details but I would recommend it.  It was a fast read too.

Next up might be 'The Help' before the movie comes out but I am not sure.  What are YOU reading or plan too soon?  Leave me a comment!!

Infinity Scarf for Summer

What an HONOR!! My first FEATURE~  check it out HERE

Nothing says 'lets get sewing' like a shiny new box of pins.  Such a simple thing but it makes me happy!

I have made the Infinity Scarf from H is for Handmade before in a warm cozy flannel one.  Today, I decided I wanted a light and summery version.  I had this perfect pink and green voile fabric that was just right.  Who does not LOVE pink and green!!?!?


Ready, Set, SEW

Laying out the fabric for cutting.  NOTE: I highly recommend the full length of 63 inches as the tutorial suggests.  I only had 59 inches in this project.  Sometimes you have to go with what you have.

Elizabeth and I got right to work.  Sewing the long seam together.

Turned right side out - a long tube.

Sewing the ends together - making a 'loop'.

Yes, I even snuck in a 'label'!!

The shy model: 

This was so cute - that I made TWO! 

Voile or Flannel - I just LOVE this.

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Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I LOVE bread, especially homemade bread.  The one thing I love MORE than bread - is butter on that bread.  (Call me Paula Deen)

The problem is I just cannot eat all that bread and butter.  I wish I could.

Having such a small kitchen in the Little Red House makes baking difficult but I manage just fine.

I rarely bake bread in the summer.  It does not help bathing suit season at all.  However, I baked this bread:  The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

 If you are not familiar with Ree from The Pioneer Woman - you should spend some time on her site.  Consider yourself warned...

Years ago I invested in Pampered Chef stoneware. The best pans I bought were the Loaf Pans.  They are perfectly seasoned and produce the most wonderful crust.

Now, some organic salted butter spread on top would just rock this!

New England Day Trip

Yesterday, we decided to appreciate ART!

Coco, the Mr. and I headed into Boston to the Museum of Fine Arts.  We arrived to find a very long line to get in.  Apparently, a Chihuly Exhibit (we had NO idea what that is) was extended one day and everyone decided to come to see it.

Upon our entry we enjoyed roaming the galleries all day.  Copley, Cassatt, Homer, Picasso, Monet, Van Gough, Degas, on and on....  It was wonderful to watch Coco really take in the art itself and stop and read the placards.  She really enjoyed herself.

Some of our favorite paintings which we were looking for which are Boston focused.  (Sorry for cell phone quality photos!)

Coco's favorite artist - can you guess who it is?

 Finally, we tripped on the special exhibit and decided why not - we are here.  It was AMAZING!!!  If you ever have a chance to view these special glass pieces by Chihuly - DO!

Enjoy:

Exhausted it was time to commute home.  I snapped this special picture of Boston landscape on the way out. GO RED SOX!

Checkbook Covers

THIS was a great fast project!  And the best part, it helped me clear out some of my scraps.  I found this project for Checkbook Covers at Sewplicity.  The tutorial was clear and simple.

My girls were off to Six Flags New England for the day and I snuck this in late in the afternoon.

Ready, Set, Sew

I started with cutting all my fabrics.  I made TWO.  One in pink quilting cottons.  The other with a 'french country' flair but I used home decorators fabric on the outside.  It made the project thicker but more durable.  Elizabeth took it like a champ!

Sewing inside pieces together and pressing the seams.

I basted the inside pieces to the big inside piece.  Then sewed the outside to the inside and 'flipped' it right side out.

Making sure to poke those corners out nice and square!  Then, HOT STEAM.

Almost there...time for topstiching

Outsides

Insides

But wait! What is THAT?

My first label!!!

I would highly recommend this fun project.  I got quick results and it is already in my purse with my checkbook in it.  

Fabulous Friday: Roasted Chicken

Ever since we purchased a convection oven - I love to roast chickens.  It usually takes just over an hour.  I LOVE that!  We had some great cool weather (70 degrees while the rest of the states were broiling)  so I was able to turn on the oven.

There really is nothing more 'fowl' than raw chicken so I apologize for the photos.  I invest in the best quality chicken I can find/afford.  Which is not always easy to do.  Today I am roasting TWO to save time.

First thing I do is place sliced lemon and rosemary in the bird cavity.  Sometimes I throw onion in too - today I had none.






Then I lift the skin and add coconut oil under the breast skin.  However, my coconut oil is liquefied right now so I used pats of butter instead.  Crushed pepper and sea salt on top - and they are read to roast!


325 (convect) for 1 hour 15 mins... and they are DONE!


We had sliced cold chicken for dinner tonight.  We will have: chicken salad, chicken divan, and chicken stirfry.  When all that good chicken is picked off - I will make STOCK (another post for sure) and we will have a huge pot of soup.  The girls have been asking for Chicken Noodle.

It helps to stretch those pricey chickens for a LOT of meals.  

Of course - knowing that I am making a healthy choice for my family helps too.  During Soccer Season I find this is my best dinner to serve.  I roast them during the day - then depending on who eats before or after late practice - I know they are getting a good protein meal that won't weigh them down.