Hands2Help - Meet our Guest Blogger, Beulah!!!

Hi, all!  

It's Sunday again, and we're almost at the end of this year's Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge!  Can you believe it?  I've been so happy to see all the quilts in progress that you've linked up over the past weeks - awesome work by each and every one of you!  So this is the last week we will have a guest blogger.  I'm very happy to introduce you to Beulah, who blogs over at Sowing Stitches.  She's a relatively new blogger, so stop by her blog and show her some love!  

And now, without further ado, I give you.........  Beulah!!

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

 When I saw Sarah's post for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge 2013, I confess, I squealed! I signed on within minutes of reading her post. I have for as long as I can remember made quilts and blankets for children worldwide and wanted to be  a part of this wonderful effort. I chose to make quilts for Quilts Beyond Borders as this is a cause near and dear to my heart. I would happily adopt children from every nation in the world but due to limited space in our home that is not a possibility. However, I can and do make as many quilts as possible and give them to children worldwide. [I call these children my 'love children'.]

 
Then, Sarah extended an invitation for a visit and Sunday afternoon chat. Wow! I was humbled and honored to be able to visit with you today. And I admit, also very nervous! I just started blogging at my little blog, SowingStitches, in December 2012 and have so much to learn! Thank you Sarah for having me over! :)

I keep long hours when working on projects, which is almost every day.When an idea strikes it is difficult to stop until I see completion! Creative juices flowing like raging flood waters are hard to stop!! I'd like to say I'm organized, the house runs smoothly, always clean, meals are served on the finest china...You know, like the smoothly run homes of "Father Knows Best" or "Leave it to Beaver"...who am I kidding? :)  I live in the real world, where there is always a load of laundry, the pets to care for, meals to cook, dishes to wash, windows to wash, weeds to pull, bills to pay...

Today, I would like to share a secret weapon or two...time savers and tools for this creative being.

One size doesn't fit all. I use the large black pot for soups, stews, meats, barnyard special, baked potatoes...
The aqua pot for soups, sauces, baked apples, fondue...
The smallest pot I use to melt chocolate, dips, cheeses...

1. Crockpot/slowcooker.
 I have several sizes which comes in handy! I have found on the days when I know I will spend hours on end creating, I like to begin in the kitchen by loading the crockpot/slowcooker and then I have the added bonus of the delicious smells of dinner wafting up the stairs which in itself is inspiring.

A family favorite:  Barnyard Special    

* I never measure anything when cooking*
Lightly butter the bottom and sides of your slow cooker, sometimes I use olive oil
Add the following in order listed.
diced onions
shredded hashbrowns or diced potato
diced ham bits   * can be omitted and add green peppers
shredded sharp cheddar cheese or favorite cheese blend
diced onions
shredded hashbrowns or diced potato
diced ham bits
shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pour over the top the layers a mixture of 1 cup of milk,  parsley or chives, 8- 10 well beaten eggs, black pepper
Add, remaining shredded cheese
Cook on LOW Heat setting for about 6 hours
by dinner time.......good to go....goes great with fresh fruit or salad

2. Rice Cooker. 
This little gem can be used to cook many foods. A day of experimenting in the kitchen unlocked the hidden potential of my rice cooker. I now use this to obviously cook rice, but also, steam vegetables, cook grits, oatmeal and cream of wheat. Super easy clean up, no splatters all over the stove top, no sticking, yummy goodness quick and easy ready to be enjoyed.

3. Simple meal planning for Bionic Feasts or Emergency Feeding Frenzies.
When the extra lean hamburger goes on sale I buy 5 - 10 pounds and brown it all! Once cooled I place into freezer containers for 'fast food' fixes. This is great to have on hand for pizza nights, tacos, or loaded baked potatoes.  I also purchase non perishable items when they go on sale at the grocery, I'm less likely to need to stop and run to the store if I have basic ingredients and family favorites on hand...which equals...more creative time. For fun projects like this!

In my dream world, I have a magic fairy that that comes in as I create, cleans the house, prepares all the meals, and leaves bundles of new fabric for me to discover! :)

May you have a delightful day filled with joy and hours of creative fun!

Beulah

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Lots of great time-saving ideas there for all of us - and let me tell you, I tried the Barnyard Special and it is de-lish!!!  So if you haven't finished your quilts yet, try out some of her time-saving tips and crank 'em out - because next Sunday is the beginning of our linky party for finished quilts!  The linky will stay open until Saturday, June 8th, so you've got a bit of leeway there - but come Sunday morning, June 9th, I'll be drawing winners for the giveaway items donated by our fabulous sponsors!!!  So don't miss it!!

Hugs and a million thanks to all of you....

Sarah

PS Beulah, if you find one of those magic fairies, will you please send her sister to my house???