Finding Time to Quilt

   The promise of a fall storm halts the frenzy of fall garden clean up. With my pace slowed a bit the needle and thread call me. The old glider-style rocking chair that once rocked my babies is now the place where the frame and I meet and gently unfold stitch upon stitch along the soft layers of the quilt.
 
   Finding time to work can be a challenge in a busy household. Generally my hands find the needle whenever my fanny finds a seat. During our home schooling assignments, or a movie time...even when sipping a cup of afternoon coffee..those little glimpses of stillness are just enough to put a few rows in.
   With holidays upon me (and the desire to add something new to the shop) I feel an urge to work a bit more purposefully..the problem is finding the time. Sunday afternoons are my general 'quilting only' days...no garden, no classes, no laundry...after church the needle and I are determined to make tracks. The only thing that threatens this purposeful appointment is an afternoon nap; face it, sometimes you just need one!
   Then there are days like today when a front moving in makes outdoor work unpleasant; that's when it seems just right to slip into the rocking chair for some serious productive stitchery. Sadly, our southern weather patterns lately have made these days few and far between.

   So off I go to the comfy corner of the room to sit beneath layer of handwork with supplies- and a nice cup of coffee- to spend the day with the quilt. How do you find time for handwork?

How We Smoothie!

   Smoothies are a family favorite, and with blood sugar issues in the house smoothies are perfect for a  healthy quick pick me up. The problem is having enough on hand for the hungry mobs. My solution: make ahead and freeze!

   In the past I have used several different containers: plastic water bottles (the narrow opening was a challenge to fill - and I don't buy water very often), zip storage bags (after a few split bags I'm cured), thermos (well, never enough on hand and they take forever to thaw). Recently a new container was found and, well, we love it. Ball plastic freezer jars.

   We have the container, a nice big blender, so let's get to the 'how-to' of it.


1 (32oz) container plain, natural yogurt
1  1/2 cup frozen fruit
2 bananas
a drizzle of honey
Optionals:
protein  powder, vitamin supplement, flax, cod liver oil, vanilla, cocoa powder, nuts or seeds of your choice

   In my super cool Ninja blender (I'm too cheap for the Vita-mix) place the yogurt, fruit and any add ins. Blend it till it sings! The powdered add ins often need scraped a few times..so, got to watch that. Now, ready to consume or conserve.
   This recipe fills 12 small Ball freezer jars or 5 large; sometimes I use a mix of both. The filled jars fit nicely in my freezer door for easy storage and access.


   My teens pop them in their gym bags, backpacks and vehicle cup holders. The smoothies thaw nicely and are ready to slurp when class is over (large cups take a couple hours to get slurp-able). Now the youth (and adults have a quick, healthy option when they need a snack on the go.

   Here's how we smoothie; so how do you smoothie? We'd love to hear your variations!