Recycle your Turkey.Turkey Albondigas soup. My Americanized version...

Mexican flavor for Thanksgiving Day leftovers! In the past we have done full on Mexican Thanksgiving dinner, mole turkey enchiladas and all! But this "sopa" has become as much a tradition as the day itself. It's refreshing to add some international flavors after days of mashed potatoes and gravy. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Take that turkey carcass and make a really rich stock with few cloves of fresh garlic, celery, carrots and onions. Drain the stock reserving and bits of turkey meat and refrigerate over night. NOW you can throw out that old bird. (Don't forget to thank him.) Skim off excess congealed fat. Take 1 lb. of ground organic turkey meat, 1 egg, 1 cup of precooked brown rice (or white if thats what you have in the pantry) 1 tablespoon of dried Mexican Oregano (or any oregano),salt and pepper.Take off any rings you are wearing and make golf ball sized meatballs and drop them into the boiling stock. Add 1 chopped green chiles and reserved turkey meat from the carcass. Season broth to taste and serve with fresh chopped cilantro and quesadillas, and have your Franks Hot Sauce,La Valencia or Pico Pica on the table for the spice lovers.... ( nephew STEVO!).

Thanksgiving gala.

We had a "super" ( that's with French accent) Thanksgiving celebration. We were so fortunate to have our daughter and son, Genevieve and Jack, their cousins Sophie and her friend Sarah, Steve and Jennifer and their 3 year old James Declan, and a few friends there to join us. Karim and his wife Aurora (who looks like Aurora in Sleeping Beauty!), and their friends Miriam and Patrick drove oput from Brooklyn. After I infused them all with Bourbon and sparkling apple cider punch, complete with horse shaped ice float, we noshed on some hummus, babaganoush, homemade pita bread and some completely addictive dipping oil that Karim brought from his Moroccan restaurant in Brooklyn. I'm making my reservations NOW!
From the living room we rolled into the dining room for a traditional turkey, brussell sprouts with cream and bacon, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes and Waldorf salad.
EVERYONE brought a dessert, and Patrick made crepes with jam and Nutella. He was, without a doubt, the entertainment for the evening! What a fun time.
This year I am thankful for family and friends, old and new. And left overs!

Panini Quilt.

No, not the sandwich... this is a special quilt for the daughter of my dear friend, Sheila Gray. Sheila is a coach to many talented actors in NYC- including my son, Jack. She is so generous with him that I wanted to make something special for her family, since they haver been so kind and opened their home to Jack. Her eight year old daughter,Sofia, affectionately known as Panini, loves pink, orange and red. I pulled from the latest Sis Boom Collection (Queen Street), some older Sis Boom and Denyse Schmidt, and included some vintage blocks from my favorite personal stash! They all came together like the cast of an Oscar award winning ensemble. I love this quilt. I can't think of a better way to show my love and admiration to a friend. Enjoy Sheila, and Panini. xoxoxNancy

These birds have flown the coop!

They will find a new nest to share with someone in need. I have donated it to The Center For Women and Families in Bridgeport, CT. This is part of the 100 Quilts For Christmas project started by Kate from Swim, Bike, Quilt
and Aunt Spicy. I can't stop here! I have a few more days before Christmas, and I think I will quilt instead of shop! Now, if I could quilt instead of eat....
Now, everybody- get quilting!

Berlin Farms

The order is complete and I will deliver it tomorrow.
These home dec DHFD items, along with a few hobby horses and saddle pads, will be available for sale at the Country Store at Berlin Farms, in Berlin,MA.
Or, you can contact me directly.
I do love my raw edge applique....
I am so smitten with the playing card pony rugs- I have got to figure out somewhere in the house to use them!

German Blue Plum Cake

I first had this cake as agirl at my friends Aileen Gribbin's house. Her Oma and Opa, ( who looked and sounded like Hansel and Gretel as grown ups), would come to visit and I new the cake would soon come out of the oven. I found this recipe to be the simplest, and I doubled it for a neighborhood block party. Just be sure not to over bake it, and quite frankly- I prefer it without the nuts... and I like nuts!
PFLAUMEN KUCHEN (GERMAN BLUE PLUM
CAKE)
1/4 lb. butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. milk (or more)
2 1/2 to 3 lb. sm. Italian plums, depending on size of pan
About 1 c. chopped nuts
Cream butter and sugar. Mix well the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla, and milk. Grease a jelly roll pan and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spread dough on pan. Halve, pit and wash plums. Lay plums on dough with cut side up and touching one another. Sprinkle plums with sugar and cinnamon. Then dot each plum with a little piece of butter. Sprinkle nuts over the plums. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Goodnight, Moon.

A favorite bedtime story woven into a cozy baby quilt. The pictures from the book, rendered blue and white, set into fabrics old and new with the primary colors that book is known for. The quilting was done with moons, stars an a bunny hanging on a moon.
A quilt like this, with your favorite story, can be made upon request.
Runaway Bunny is next!

Laptop case.

For my biggest fan, Gianna D., I made this super cushy laptop cozy. Amy Butler and vintage trimmings made it so special.
Enjoy, Gianna!