The Tale of the Tote Bag . . .

I got an order, yesterday, for a 'generic' angel tote. The person wasn't sure if the person she wanted to gift with the tote was Catholic but wanted to give something with sort of a religious meaning. I already had such a bag in my inventory but remembered this same person turned it down last time she put in an order so I made the one featured in the picture. Just in case, I brought both the new one and the rejected one with me. She took the one she had originally rejected!

Personally, I liked the new one as I had such fun cutting the fabric to recreate a new sort of fabric. I especially liked the narrow stripes that picked up the colors in the angel print. The back of the tote bag has a pocket that I made out of bits and pieces of the original fabric choice as well as a pocket inside the bag. I enjoyed making this bag because I was only making ONE. I usually have two or three going at the same time so this was almost a recreational creation.

I got a lot of hand sewing done on three quilts last night. Very interesting AND warm having an insulating quilt on one's lap when the temperatures in the house are topping off around 85 degrees! I love the quilts on my bed in the cold months as they are light yet keep you very warm. In the summer, definitely not so much.

Makes sense in any faith . . .

“With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind.” 

 ~Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

If that isn't the truth . . .!

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Ambrose Bierce

A cool sunset it ain't!

 

Although it looks cool and pleasant, the temperatures are still in the high 80's. I could, however, enjoy the beautiful sunset and actually remember to grab my camera and share the pictures.

I used to work for a photographer and back in the day, he said photographers would take great cloud pictures whenever they had a chance and then super impose them on a landscape or lake negative to have the 'complete' picture. He did that once with a river scene and almost won a prize until the judge noticed that the clouds were not reflected in the water.

I really enjoy the digital age where you can snap all the pictures you want without the price tag for developing the film. It was great for sharing recent pictures with people on the tour. My son enjoyed being able to take the camera on his own and take pictures of what HE thought was interesting.

God is good. He sent another sunset to complete yet another day.

Catechism and Quilting . . .

Our pastor is offering a religion class every week for the next four weeks in the morning. I had three reasons for attending: 1.) It would be good for me! 2.) I wanted my teenage son to attend. 3.) The air conditioning works at church.

I also thought there might not be a huge turnout as it was scheduled at 10:30 in the morning. Much to everyone's surprise, there were over 50 people there. The class was the shortest hour and a half I have ever spent. Father was amazing at how he approached his explanation of the Mass. Actually, he hasn't even gotten to the Mass, yet. He says we have to go back to Genesis to full understand our salvation/redemption history. I thought I was going into something I was pretty knowlegeable about but learned so much today.

No quilting when I got home. I got an order for a tote bag. Hey, $12 unexpected dollars is still more than I started out with this morning. It was too warm to have a quilt on my lap for hand sewing today, anyway. Designing tote bags is like making a small version of a quilt with more of a challenge given the small space involved.

I did the unforgiveable . . . It is 105 degrees and I had to turn on the oven in order to cook dinner. Chicken burritos will be worth it, however . . . I think!

Fast and Easy All-Purpose Dressing

Over the years, I have found it to be less expensive to whip up my own salad dressing as I need it. If it is a really good one or takes a bit of time, I make enough for a few servings other than the intended meal at hand. This one is a keeper especially with the mellow taste of the braised garlic. I like garlic but don't always like the raw bite that tends to stay with you for hours later!

Braised Garlic & Honey Dressing

1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup your favorite honey
1/2 cup cider vinegar
5 cloves of peeled garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Use a bit of your olive oil to slowly and gently braise the garlic cloves until just golden and tender. You don't want to burn them so a close eye is needed. Cool.

Combine all the ingredients in a blender including the garlic. Process until well blended. Transfer to a lidded jar and refrigerate until ready to use.

Not only is this good on salad greens but cucumbers, tomatoes, or as a last-minute addition to steamed vegetables. You can marinate chicken or pork chops in it, too.

Especially the last one . . .

"Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong."
       -- George Carlin

 

"There are several good protections against temptations, but the surest is cowardice."
       -- Mark Twain

 

"Money doesn't always bring happiness. People with ten million dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars."
       -- Hobart Brown

 

"The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius."
       -- Oscar Wilde