♥ Which Downton Abbey Job is Right For You? ♥

Yes, I must admit it...I am hopelessly addicted to this program! Nothing comes between me and 9pm Sunday night PBS! Do you watch it? Maybe because of my Irish ancestry I have become fixated on this show.  I can hear my grandmother's wit and humor in so many of these characters! I can only imagine living in this time--Oh the clothes, the splendor! Although I have to say, I was heart-broken when Lady Edith was left at the altar this past Sunday.  So which Downton Abbey job is right for you? Take the quiz HERE and find out which character you are best like.  I discovered I am:

 Lady Edith Crawley

 

Job-hopper, Edith's numerous jobs are right for you. You like helping out and the feeling of self-worth derived from good work, and you are excellent (and impeccably dressed), whatever your responsibilities. But whether it's impulsive behavior, romantic inclinations, or global circumstances beyond your control, something always spurs you to move on. Try to figure out what you truly want in your career, and then channel your considerable passion and skill into achieving it. Stability and other rewards may follow. 

♥ Tea on Tuesday: Cookies-and-Cream Cupcakes ♥

Ingredients:

• 1 package 2-layer-size white cake mix
• 1 cup coarsely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling
• 1 recipe Creamy White Frosting
• 24 miniature chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, folding crushed cookies into batter. Spoon batter into prepared cups, filling each about half full.

2. Bake according to package directions. Cool in pan on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely.

3. Use a pastry bag with star tip to pipe Creamy White Frosting on each cupcake or spread frosting on cupcakes. Top each cupcake with a miniature cookie. 

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Creamy White Frosting

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 - 2 tablespoons milk

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine shortening and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Add 1 tablespoon milk. Slowly beat in 1 cup additional powdered sugar. Beat in enough additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to make frosting spreadable. Makes about 1 3/4 cups.

2. Beat 1 cup shortening, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon almond, lemon, or orange extract on medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar; beat well. Add 2 tablespoons milk. Gradually beat in 2-1/2 cups more sifted powdered sugar and enough milk (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make frosting spreadable. Makes about 3 cups.

~~yummy recipe and photo from: from bhg.com~~

 

♥ Tutorial: Quilted Strippy Table Runner ♥

It's Saturday and you know what that means....it's time to start the quilting! I'm thinking table runners are going to be my new item for my Etsy shoppe. I found a great tutorial for a great-looking one. Isn't this an adorable runner? I love the bright floral colors! You can find this tutorial at: Amy Smart's Diary of a Quilter website, just click HERE. Yes, I will have to share mine as soon as it's done! Stay tuned! I might have to give sneak peeks as it progresses! :)

from: Amy Smart--table runner tutorial

♥ Friday Flickr Inspirations: Quilted Tablerunners ♥

This year for Christmas I got a new sewing machine! Yay! My 25 year old Brother machine is acting like it's broken & I can't seem to figure out what's wrong with it. :(  No great love loss though--it was very basic and only did a straight running stitch and zigzag.  My new Singer can do 600 different stitches. Yes, I was giving away alot of tea towels with decorative borders for Christmas! ;) The best feature of this machine is the threader because I can't really see to thread a needle anymore. Of course, the automatic tac and thread cutter is awesome. I've never owned such a nice machine and the push-button start/stop is great--hate those foot pedals! It seems a bit fancy for me, but I guess I have no excuse to not learn "real" sewing now. I've been hemming the new pairs of  Mr. Prim Rose Hill's jeans, so he's thrilled. haha.

I keep saying I'm going to start quilting, so I think I will start with tablerunners. That's more my size for starting out! :) I definitely found some inspiration on Flickr this week. Now I have to dig into that big stash I've fabric I've been collecting and get busy!

have a great weekend! :) 

SHERI

Simplebeans tablerunner

TLC Stitches: Cheery tablerunner

knit one smock too: Christmas tablerunner

andrea (knitty bitties): meadowsweet tablerunner

Rita69:Heart Tablerunner

sandyquiltz: 12 Days of Christmas

cricket-tucsok: snowflake tablerunner

deb@arealsimplelifequilts: sentimental florals

angela - fussy cuts: swell table quilt

♥ Tea on Tuesday: Lemon Thyme Tea Bread ♥

Ingredients:

• 1 3 -ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh lemon thyme or thyme
• 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
• 1 recipe Lemon Glaze (see recipe below)

Directions:

1. Grease and lightly flour an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter with electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy. On medium-low speed, gradually add the sugar, beating well. Add the egg and beat mixture until combined.
3. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon thyme and lemon peel. Spread batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove the loaf from pan; place on the rack.
5. Drizzle Lemon Glaze over the warm loaf. Cool completely. Makes 1 loaf (16 servings).

Lemon Glaze:

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

1 teaspoon lemon juice or milk

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and lemon peel. Stir in enough lemon juice or milk (about 1 teaspoon) to make a drizzling consistency.

Makes: 16 servings (1 loaf)

~~yummy recipe and photo from: from midwest living magazine~~