National Chocolate Day!!

I can't believe that I almost missed National Chocolate Day!! I love chocolate! Who out there doesn't. One of my favorite ways to enjoy chocolate is with a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Since the temperature was in the 30's this morning here in Atlanta, and it really hasn't warmed up that much today I am looking forward to a nice steaming cup when I get home this afternoon. My favorite hot chocolate flavor is Chocolate Raspberry. What is your favorite flavor?

New Book

Most of us, along with being quilters are readers. I have found a new Quilting Mystery series by Terri Thayer. The first one in the series is Wild Goose Chase. Dewey, the main character, has just taken over her mom's quilt shop. The shop is participating in a large quilt show in California when unexpectedly murder takes place. I am really enjoying the book. It is one of those books you don't really have to think about too much. I think that so far there are two or three titles available. I got this one from the Public Library.

Projects in Progress

Over the weekend I worked on some UFO's. My new goal is to complete one UFO before I can move on to a completely new project. The first UFO to claim my attention was one started over the summer at Sisters. The name of the pattern is Firecrackers. I decided to use up some of my stash on this project. I went with a patriotic theme, red, white, and blue. While at Sisters working on the project my friend Becky and I traded some fabrics so we would have more variety in our scraps. I have most of the blocks ready to sew together. The only thing I will have to buy for this project is a backing and possibly border fabric. After completing all of the blocks I will have to look through my stash to see if I have a fabric that will work for the border.

My second UFO is a quilt that only needs the binding on it. I had originally made this quilt to donate to my a silent auction at my school for Relay for Life, but I decided that I liked it too much to give away. I think it will be a keeper. I have another quilt that is currently being quilted that I can just as easily donate. I purchased the fabric for this quilt over two years ago. It was a charm square pack plus a border and binding. I am slowly working through my stash.

Finally, a relaxing weekend!

Things have been so hectic around my house lately that it was wonderful to have a relaxing weekend, and the house to myself. After being out of town at COMO (media conference) on Thursday and Friday a relaxing weekend was definitely in order. My husband left on Friday, before I got home from Athens, to go hunting for the weekend. That meant that I had the house to myself for a couple of days. I truly love my husband but sometimes it is nice to be alone. Saturday morning I got up bright and early to go to the first Quilt Expo at the Gwinnett Civic Center. It was a lot of fun. There were some beautiful quilts on display. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home. There were lots of vendors there from various parts of the US. I am so proud of myself for only buy two fat quarters and a yard of fabric. Both pieces were needed to completed projects that are started. I also purchased two patterns. While looking around I ran into several friends, and co-workers. It was great to see everyone.

After doing some errands that just couldn't be put off any longer, I got home and started sewing. I made a pair of pants, all except hemming them. That hopefully will get done tonight. I did my Pat Sloan Good Book Club blocks of the month. Then I got out a project from the summer called Firecrackers. I want to get it finished before I start anything else. I am trying to finish one old project before starting a new one.

I also did some reading over the weekend. We have started a book club at my school, and our first selection is Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. It is a very interesting book. I am anxious to hear what everyone thinks about it.

National Angel Food Cake Day

I never knew that there were so many strange and unusual holidays out there. As a media specialist, I try to be aware of all of these strange and unusual days. I will try anything that I can to get the kids excited about reading. This often means that I bring in snacks for either the teachers or a small select class. Today we are celebrating National Angel Food Cake Day. This is one of my favorite cakes, especially Chocolate Angel Food Cake! (Really anything chocolate) If you are in a baking mood here is a great recipe to try. Happy Baking!!

Chocolate Angel Food Cake
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INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup cake flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
powder
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet
chocolate, grated
12 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
confectioners' sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). If it does not have a removable bottom, line a 9 inch tube pan with parchment paper. Sift together the flour, cocoa and 3/4 cup of the sugar. Set aside. Measure 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture and toss with the grated chocolate.
2.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set at low speed, beat egg whites until foamy. Increase mixer speed to medium, stir in cream of tartar and salt, and continue to beat until egg whites form soft peaks. Gradually mix in the remaining 3/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in the vanilla and lemon juice.
3.
Gently fold the flour mixture into the beaten egg whites, then fold in the grated chocolate, stirring just until no white streaks remain.
4.
Gently scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface of the batter and tap the pan lightly to remove any air bubbles. Bake in center of the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until the surface springs back when touched. Cool completely, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving, if desired.