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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I'm Packing....


But I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head..or leg...or wing...or other part cut off. I start something, go onto another, get way-laid by another something. I should make a list and stick to it.

Isn't this a funny pic? Jeff had to take pics of me for the book wearing a large shirt..actually this is an XXXLG and it's HUGE! What a great load of fabric in this shirt..but this whole "what to do what to do" feeling is what's going on here today!

Speaking of the book, I am OFFICIALLY done writing! I sent in my bibliography and resources pages yesterday. I'm done! Now I don't know what to do with myself, when there is too much to be doing??

So far this morning I've:

Had a phone conference recorded with an interviewer in Australia, it lasted almost an hour and a half! We talked about the book, my quilting life, my home life, etc.

I've invoiced out and boxed up customer quilts that need to be mailed today.

I've started laundry, started packing.....still ongoing...

I've pulled a couple projects to work on at Randy's house. We will be retreating through the week and doing the Sister's Quilt Show Thang on Saturday. I am doubting my projects. I have a great idea to NOT applique the top border of the string star I showed yesterday...what if I were to piece words there instead....around the top two corners..and then just added a few applique flowers and leaves for accent? So now my mind is running on that instead of the original project list. Of course it all depends on what I can fit in my suit case. Yes, I'm checking a bag. A quilter has to bring what a quilter has to bring! At least Randy has a spare machine for me to use.

I got back to cleaning the kitchen....remembered I have a great recipe to share with you, only I don't have a PICTURE because when I lifted the tin foil this morning there was only ONE PIECE LEFT! I guess that means it must be really good.

The other day DH and son were about to toss out TWO frozen loaves of bread because they said they were crystalized and hard. What does a quilter do with non-fresh bread? Bread Pudding! Here is our favorite variation even tho it's summer, not winter:
Pumpkin Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS:
• 8 ounces French bread, torn into small pieces, about 5 cups
• 2 cups half-and-half, or half milk and half cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• cinnamon sugar, optional
PREPARATION:
Butter an 11x7-inch baking dish. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl, cover the torn bread with the half-and-half; set aside.
In another bowl, combine eggs, sugars, pumpkin, cranberries, melted butter, spices, and vanilla; blend well. Pour pumpkin mixture over soaked bread and stir to blend.

Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle top with cinnamon-sugar, if desired. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until set.
Serve with a vanilla dessert sauce or brown sugar sauce, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Serves 8.


I used less sugar, substituting 1 cup of the splenda/brown sugar blend for what is listed above. My bread was whole wheat. I used regular 2% milk instead of the cream or half & half. I omited the cranberries because I didn't have any. I would have substituted raisins, but I didn't have those either! It's just as yummy as can be served with ice cream.

I better get back to packing! I promise to take lots of pictures on the road!

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:57 AM EDT

    Bonnie-

    I didn't know you'll be at Sisters!! Maybe I'll get to meet you at the Stashbusters meetup at 1pm. My Dear Jane quilt is being featured in a newspaper article and is hanging in the clock shop in Sisters this week and for the festival!!

    Cathi in Ireland (now staying the summer with parents in BEND, Oregon!)

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  2. Have FUN in Sisters. It's almost overwhelming. The heat usually gets to me long before I've seen all the quilts. Wish I was going this year. Our Tuesday quilt group went the last 2 years.....

    LizA. in Kent, WA

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  3. that is such a cute pic of you! I've been doing that going round in circles thing myself. gets tiring and not much to show for it. congrats on being done done done!!!!!!! have a great time at Sisters

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  4. Have a great trip, I have always wanted to see the Sisters show...maybe someday. Bread Pudding sounds yummy I will give it a try.

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  5. Bonnie, Tell Randy hello from the group at Quilt Camp. I know you will have loads of fun.

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  6. Hey, there! You have fun, fun, fun and we'll all be here waiting for your return. I will miss you, where's all the time flyin' to? Can't wait to sew-in with you next month. maybe I'll have some pictures to share, too :) Safe travels, dear friend!

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  7. Ooh I envy you going to Sisters! That is on my list of things I have to do. Have a great time and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

    Congrats on being done done!

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  8. Bonnie, your energy amazes me!!! Even when you check off a major project, you seem to truck along by adding something more spectacular!!

    Safe travels!

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  9. Congratulations on 'officially finishing the writing' you must be excited, things are all in place now. Let us know when it hits the shelves.

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  10. Hey Bonnie who did you do the interview with here in Australia - I'd love to here what you had to say.
    Sue in cold wet wintery Sydney

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  11. Love the shirt!!! You are too funny! Thanks for the recipe. I shall have to try it! I hope it vanishes in my house or I will eat it all! : )

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  12. I'm packing too and for the first time in years will be checking TWO bags. We're going for 10 days and as Keith said we need everything from bathing suits to winter wear PLUS dressy stuff for dinners on our cruise.

    Have a great time.

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  13. Have a great trip. I will be lost without 2 of my favorite blogs!

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  14. Oh! enjoy yourself. Thanks for the recipe--though we can't get pumpkin purree here in Ireland, wonder if there is a good substitute?

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  15. OOOOH WHAT SWEET PUMPKIN GOODNESS...PUMPKIN IS THIS KITTENS FLAVOR OF LIFE!!! YUMMY...I'M GONNA TRY IT!! YOU JUST MADE MY WHOLE DAY! CAT~

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  16. Hi Bonnie,

    Love that shirt! I'm amazed how much fabric is in a shirt. I have way too many for Blue Ridge Beauty.

    I nominated you for a blogging award. You can read about it on my weblog.

    Have a great day,
    Katie

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  17. I made your pumpkin bread pudding yesterday. Both my boys liked it! I LOVE bread pudding but have never gotten my kids (6 of them! ) to share my likes...so when I saw your recipe and knew they love pumpkin pie I tried it. I left the craisins out of their half and added nuts to my serving. Soo good. thanks.

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