Our Liz

We lost Elizabeth Taylor today. She was beautiful and talented and charming and intoxicating. I am honored to share her name.

Recipe Swap: Banana Nut Muffins

This summer (since it's been way too hot to go outside) I've been working on perfecting some staple recipes like muffins and cookies.

This "Recipe Swap" will be a new little feature on here since I love cooking and taking pictures of food. I'll share one of my favorites and I hope you'll share one of your favorites too - just add the link or a quick description in the comments.

Up first: My Favorite Banana Nut Muffins - recipe originally from Dovetail Inn in Dorset, VT

I don't know how this recipe came into the family but the card has obviously been used often to make these family favorites.
This recipe may not change your life, may not win you thousands of dollars in a baking contest but it results in a perfectly moist and crumbly batch of beautiful muffins every time. I mean every time, the recipe will not disappoint. These are a staple in our house, I save dead bananas in the freezer, one at a time over the weeks and then when I have enough - MUFFIN TIME!
Banana Nut Muffins

Makes 12 medium muffins, recipe may be doubled (as I often do)
400 degress for 10 mins then 350 degrees for 10 min more
Spray or butter your muffin tin

1/2 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
3 ripe bananas (mash)
2 eggs - beat well
3/4 cup unbleached flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs baking soda

Cream margarine and sugar. Add mashed bananas, and well-beaten eggs. Sift dry ingredients and combine until just moist.

For variety: add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of oatmeal, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, raisins or chopped nuts.

* Cooks notes: I always add oatmeal and walnuts - thats why I call 'em Banana Nut Muffins. Do not over mix these - the batter will not be smooth. Use cool (not straight out of the fridge, not room temp) butter - you want little butter chunks floating in the batter - they make the muffins crumbly and yummy.

You're welcome. Enjoy!

cutting x 600

I just couldn't wait anymore. I had to get started on the quilt. I already had quite a fabric stash and new that I wanted to do a "patchwork" quilt or "scrap" quilt so I didn't have to buy any coordinating fabric or worry about block placement.

I decided to make a Hexagon patchwork quilt. Simple but very unique. Sort of like this or that:
I've determined to make a twin size quilt (roughly 60" x 80") I'll need about 600 hexagons cut to 3.5" (1/2" for 1/4" seam allowance on each side).
I would never attempt to cut that many pieces without a template. I am amazed what ladies could do by hand back in the olden days. Listen, I am all about the good old days but I want to complete this quilt sometime this year so I'm using this hexagon template. Its so easy to use, just cut fabric into 3.5" strips, line 'em up with the lines on the template and cut the angles on both sides. See?So far, I've cut 278 hexagons. Almost half way done.
Cutting fabric is not my favorite thing in the world but I'd rather cut it all at once than have to keep coming back to my cutting mat. I may have a permanent hand cramp after this weekend.

Icebox Pickles...yum!

You wanna know how good these pickles are? This is the second time I've made a double batch this summer. We're talking 8 quarts of pickles people! (no, I am not craving pickles but I sure do love them). Best part - no processing, they pickle in the fridge, er... icebox.

Without further ado:

Slightly Sweet Dill Icebox Pickles
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
2lbs med pickling cucumbers, scrubbed, cut into 1/4 in slices or spears
1 large bunch dill, coarsely chopped, stems included
1 Tbs yellow mustard seeds
2 tsp whole white peppercorns
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs coarse kosher salt (I find it best to cut it back to 2 Tbs)
2 tsp dill seeds

Divide sliced onion between two 1-quart wide-mouth glass jars (I like 4x 1 pint wide-mouth better). Pack slices horizontally or spears vertically. Top each jar with dill.

Crush peppercorns and mustard seeds together. Place crushed spices in medium saucepan. Add vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and dill seeds. Bring mixture to boil over med-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Ladle mixture evenly over cucumbers. Leave jars uncovered and chill 24 hours. Cover tightly with lids. Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep refrigerated.

recipe from epicurious

Quilting Circle

Are there any quilt circles still around? I'm thinking about starting one. My great grandmother used to have one back in the 20's. That circle is responsible for my grandfather's birthing quilt - a major family treasure. They also made this one. It needs some major TLC but I still love it.
I really want to make a quilt for our guest room - I'm loving these:
Beautifully graphic and lovely. Does anyone want to join my quilting circle?