Thursday, June 18, 2015

Really Random Thursday, 6/18/15

Our good friend, Cheri, celebrated a significant birthday this week. She and George were the managers at Lakeview Cottages so Mark and I drove up there on Sunday to help celebrate. There is a couple from southern California, Ed and Melinda,  who spend four weeks there every year. She and her husband have been coming for years, and she is one of the most hospitable people I have ever met.
Melinda (left) and Cheri (right)
Melinda knows how to put on a party, even from a rustic cabin built in 1917!
 
Melinda knows Mark loves deviled eggs, and she makes them for him every year
Cheri didn't know Mark and I were coming, so it was fun surprising her. I made the cake. I'm including the recipe below because this little guest really enjoyed it. She licked that plate clean.
Strawberry Cake:
1 pkg white cake mix
4 eggs
1 16-oz. pkg of frozen strawberries, thawed
1 3-oz. pkg strawberry jello
2/3 cup oil

Beat eggs and add oil. Add cake mix and jello. Beat well. Add all but 1/3 cup thawed strawberries and beat. Bake at 350 according to package directions.

Icing: 1 box powdered sugar, 1 stick butter, 1/3 cup reserved strawberries. Beat together and spread on cooked cake.

NOTE: For some reason the icing didn't taste like I remembered so I added about 1/3 cup of sugar free strawberry jam. You know, because frosting can never be too sweet.

These quilts returned home this week from the publisher, after being on the road for the last seven or so years. They were my first published patterns. After Mark looked at them, his first comment was, "Wow, that sure isn't your style anymore, is it?" Probably not. But I'm going to wash them up and donate them for charity auction next April.

The smallest pattern, Charm Parade, is still one of my favorite patterns. I have made it in many variations. So one of these days, after I complete the Amish solid version, I'll have a "Charm Parade" parade of quilts.
Mark designs kitchen and has been working on a house in an upscale neighborhood. See that very orange house in the background? It's like a huge quonset building with a metal roof. While I like the color orange, I'm not sure it would make me super happy to see that house from my window every day.
He also assisted with playground structure building.
While he was doing that, I would consider my supervisory task much more enjoyable.
Later today I'm going to start on a fun project with this fabric.

Is there a musician or group you would spend significant money to see live and in person? For me, it's this guy. Such good music.
And that's a wrap.


7 comments:

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Lucy | Charm About You said... #

You have so much fun! That spread looks lovely and the cake sounds yummy! I adore James Taylor, that's a good choice, love his old stuff and the new stuff too. Most people I would be willing to pay money to see have died, Johnny Cash would be the one I think of first. I always wanted to see Aerosmith and did. I would love to see Dolly Parton but the tickets were out of my price range when she came here :( My Mark has seen Neil Diamond but would love to see him again. You've got us thinking now!

Mark said... #

The best part of the party was Melinda's deviled eggs. Don't know what she does but they are the best and she makes them especially for me. Well maybe the others too. Cindy is right I am amazed at what she comes up with a little 3 burner gas plate always enjoyable and good to see. Plus good to celebrate Cheri's birthday especially one ends in a"0".

Anonymous said... #

OMG James Taylor *swoon* my favorite artist ever! I was lucky enough to see him in concert a few years ago when he came to Australia, best concert ever!!

Susan said... #

Love James Taylor! I'm off to see Emmylou Harris next week! I love a good concert! Bruce, Springsteen, Mumford and Sons, The Eagles, Jackson Browne! Seen all those in recent years! Your upcoming project looks very interesting!

FlourishingPalms said... #

Okay... I want the tops Melinda and Cheri are wearing! And that swimming pool, with those cute grandies, looks wonderful. I want one of those too, in my backyard - kids included! Nice to see the patterns and quilts you made "back when." Our tastes do change, don't they? When I pull out my old quilts, I can't believe I once liked them! The license plate fabric is darling. Hope you're having fun working on what you want to work on.

Unknown said... #

Our quilts (past and present) remind us of who we are - who we were, and maybe even where we are going! What a great way to document a life.
I'm with you sister, the new album (WORLD) is Amazing. Of course.

Celtic Thistle said... #

I am with you on not enjoying the view of that orange house, there should be a law against views like that :)