Marveous Monday Update 3/7/16

Hello Spring by Lizzie Kate

WEATHER
Now that meteorological Spring has arrived, I'm hoping *real* spring weather is following.  My area has had two snowfalls in one week. Lucky for me, they both were light fluffy snows... made shoveling so much easier since I'm still suffering from tendonitis in my elbow (thanks to that first horrendous snowfall back in November).  This week, temperatures are supposed to hit the mid 60's which is much better than the 20's we were experiencing  just a week and a half ago.  Hello Spring!!

HEALTH
A few months back, I developed a cold. It was followed by a cough.  The nagging cough is still hanging around.  I feel okay except for the persistent cough and feeling tightness in my chest.  Going to the doctor on Thursday because I'm just tired of it.

60TH CELEBRATION
Kim over at Wisdom with Needle and Thread is celebrating her 60th birthday this year.  To see how she's celebrating in a very special way, click on over to her blog.  Wish her a great birthday while you're there!

STITCHY STUFF
One would think since I don't have the commute, I'd have more time to stitch but alas... it hasn't happened.  I've been stitching here and there when time permits.

Part Three of Palko's Words 2016 SAL arrived at the beginning of the month. After stitching it up, I decided I didn't like the light purple I chose:

So, a froggin' I went and restitched it in a different shade.

Mucho better, IMO.  Since I photographed it in the dead of night, the fabric color appears gray instead of the dusty rose it actually is.  Here's a WIP photo of the entire project so far:

I've also been stitching on JG (are you shocked?!).  Here's what it looked like before:

and now after a few weeks progress.... I have finished with the lower right corner ornament.  Very exciting!

VACATION
Next week, I'll be heading to sunny Florida.  A week of sun, water, and sand.  I'll be meeting up with a special friend as well as hopefully, a stitcher.  Anyone in the Pinellas County area?

Until next time,

 

TBT - Japanese Garden

Carolyn over at Stitching One Day At A Time recently returned to blogging and stitching. (Welcome back, Carolyn!)  She's been doing a Throw Back Stitching Thursday which I've thoroughly enjoyed.  I thought I'd do a TBT, too.

I started Japanese Garden way back at the end of 2005.  I had just gotten back into stitching after being away for years (long story).  In 2005, I had never stitched on anything other than aida.  Chatelaines are very ambitious projects for the seasoned stitcher, yet I jumped right in and started Japanese Garden.  It has resulted in many firsts for me:

•  First project using evenweave and stitching over-two
•  First project using hand-dyed and silk threads
•  First project doing specialty stitches
•  First project using beads and crystals (although, technically I haven't put them on yet)

Fearless, wasn't I? 

It's still a WIP and each year I have high hopes of finishing it.  Since I can't show a finished project, I thought I'd share progress photos from throughout the years.

1/8/2006 - After 51½ hours of stitching

8/10/2008 - After 116 hours

8/10/2008

12/27/2011

2/26/2012

2/26/2012

7/9/2012

10/7/2012

3/31/2014

5/26/2014

2/7/2016

2/7/2016

2/18/2016

I've been a lax in keep good records of how much time I've spent stitching on JG.  My last post-it note said 130+ hours back in early 2011, but that was a couple years ago.  I'm estimating I have over 300 by now.

P.S.  I've figured out why I haven't taken it off the scroll frame. I have to dismantle the entire lap stand in order to get the rods off. Just sayin...

 

Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms

I love trying new recipes.  Easy and taste good... that's my motto.  The stuffed portobella mushrooms were so good, I've made them twice in a week and a half!

Veggie Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

3 tbsp. olive oil

2 loose c. baby spinach, chopped
3 cloves chopped garlic (3/8 tsp. minced)
1/2 med. onion (approx. 1/3 c.)
1/2 sweet red pepper (approx.. 1/3 c.)
3/4 c. part skim ricotta
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg
4 large basil leaves, chopped  (1/2 tsp. dried)
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
4 large portobella mushroom caps
1/2 c. marinara sauce
1/2 c. part skim shredded mozzarella
Salt and Pepper
Cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 400F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.  For easier clean up, cover sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil.  Gently remove the stems, scoop out the gills.  Brush the tops of mushrooms with olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  The oil will soak into the mushrooms pretty fast.

Over medium heat, saute  onion, garlic and red pepper in oil and season with salt. Cook until soft, 5-6 minutes. Add the spinach and saute until wilted, about 1-4 minutes, stirring as it cooks.

In medium bowl, add the ricotta, parmesan cheese and egg.  Mix well. Add the cooked vegetables, basil, and oregano.  Mix together until well combined. Using a regular tablespoon, stuff the mushrooms with ricotta mixture.  Top each mushroom with 2 tbsp. marinara and 2 tbsp. mozzarella.

Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.  Broil on high during last 1 1/2 minutes of baking.

NOTES:

•  I’ve used regular spinach unchopped and it works fine.  I imagine you could use frozen spinach (well drained) also.
•  Look for large caps with high walls with no cracks on the sides so your filling doesn't come out as it bakes.
•  I saved (froze) the gills and stem to put in other recipes such as soup, casserole, or stuffing.
•  Any sweet peppers will work (red, orange, yellow, etc).
•  Chop the pepper and onion pretty small – about the size of a pencil eraser.
•  I’ve substituted parmesan cheese with mozzarella (on accident!) and it is just as tasty.
•  It’s okay to mound the veggie/cheese mixture into the mushrooms.  I’ve not had it “boil” over as bakes.
•  The marinara and mozzarella toppings are approximations.  If using smaller mushrooms, use less; larger use more.

• Servings: 4. • Size: 1 mushroom cap • Calories: 236 • Fat: 13g • Carb: 13g • Fiber: 2.5g • Protein: 20g • Sugar: 4g • Sodium: 522mg  • Cholest: 83mg

Adapted from www.skinnytaste.com

VMS Giveaway

Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler is hosting another giveaway. Click on over to check it out!

 

I Promised...

Last time, I promised I'd show photos of Japanese Garden.  I've made good progress on the lower right corner.

 

I received Part 2 of Palko's Words 2016 SAL, so I've been working on it, too.  You can see participant progress photos HERE.

Linked to Stitchery Party #44