Long time, no post....

WOW! It is already the end of 2014... I cannot believe it have been nearly two years since my last posting.
Well, actually, I can so much has happened the most noteworthy is getting married this past September.
Which, by the way, if you haven't seen it in our emails or on Facebook, my wedding dress that Harriet made and quilted and I designed the quilting design for and beaded is currently in our classroom along with many of Harriet's "travel" quilts... ones that are rarely seen in the store, but travel with her around the country.

In other news, I have been busy changing around fabric displays. The modern fabrics have been moved over with the solids as so many of the "modern" quilt designs today incorporate solids into the design. Kids fabrics have a fresh facelift in their new area and there are lots of fun new editions to the choices... most notably fabrics depicting scenes and characters for the movie "Frozen."

We also have, through the Christmas season, a whole display of fun stocking stuffer ideas as well as some great novels, some with a quilting theme and some not, all are great reads though!

We invite you to comment on our blog and let us know what you would be interested in us writing about on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. We want to hear from you!!

In case I don't get another post written before the holidays, please have a very Merry Christmas and we hope to see you in the store soon.

Happy Quilting!
Carrie Jones (formerly Hargrave) :-)

The learning continues...

As you may or may not know, here at Harriet's, education plays a key role in our business philosophy. Carrie is constantly taking business and marketing classes, Harriet recently had to learn all about Quickbooks and PC's and our employees are always thirsty for new knowledge about quilt making so they can better assist you when you come to visit and have a question.

In keeping with this tradition, Harriet and Carrie are currently conducting a series of classes for the employees, based on the Quilter's Academy series of books to assist them in their goals of the best customer service around.
Last night we held the second class in the series and we had a refresher course on making four- and nine- patches. Not only are we having a great time just hanging out together but we are learning all sorts of great tips and tricks and information that we can't wait to pass on to you over the counter next time you are in!

So, the next time you are in, ask us a question... we are always here to help! And if we don't have the answer we do all we can to find the answer and get it to you!

David's Favorite Beef Stew

1 lb stew meat, browned in two batches in 2 tbsp oil

4 russet potatoes, cut into 1" cubes
2 medium onions, cut in to 1" cubes
8 medium carrots, cut into 1" cubes

Add all of these ingredients to a large pressure cooker along with:
Salt and pepper to taste, and
3/4 cup water

Cook 20 minutes once to pressure,  or according to your pressure cookers instructions.

Serve with fresh warm corn bread muffins!

Mid- February Happenings at Harriet's

Oops! Carrie forgot to post on the blog last week... could have been she was a little distracted (more news on that later)... sorry about that!!

To make up for it, you get two recipes this week!! And the news from the store:

On Groundhog day this year, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow... so spring is just around the corner! And at Harriet's we have a little spring fever. We are getting some great new springy fabric in the store that you won't want to miss and...
Just in, a new line called With cute pre-cuts of the PUL fabric to make diaper covers or bags with as well as coordinating buttons, fold-over elastic and velcro and super cute patterns and books to boot! If you have a new baby in your life or one on the way- come check out these fun new items for baby!

Also, be sure to come by this weekend and say "Hi" to Mackenzie... our lastest addition to the Harriet's family. Mackenzie has been taking classes at Harriet's for several years now and is working through the Quilter's Academy series of classes with outstanding results! Mackenzie is at the store two Saturdays a month and would love to meet you and help out with any new quilt project you may have going on! Come in and say hi!

Hope to see you soon!
Carrie and the gang at Harriet's
    

White Bean Chicken Chili
1 pound small white beans, soaked overnight
6 cups chicken broth
2 medium onions - chopped
2 - 4 oz. cans chopped chilies
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 c. diced chicken breast
3 cups Monterey Jack cheese

Drain beans. combine beans, broth, garlic and 1/2 of the onions in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, until beans are very soft - 3 hours or more. Add more broth if needed.

In a skillet, saute remaining onions in oil until tender. Add chilies and seasonings and mix thoroughly. Add beans and chicken to mixture - simmer 1 hour.

Serve topped with grated Monterey Jack cheese.

And for dessert....

Chocolate Covered Banana Bites
Makes 2 servings

1 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into slices on the bias
Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa (available at Target)
Unsweetened coconut shreds
Optional: 4 square graham cracker, broken into rectangles

Coat the banana slices completely in the chocolate then gently roll in the coconut shreds. Place one slice on each graham cracker if desired.

Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Valentines Day is around the corner

February here's here and love is in the air! Valentines is just around the corner... have you made a quilt for that special someone in your life?

Tip of the week: Husbands and significant others shouldn't be the last people on our list to receive a quilt made with love by us... they support our habit and should be among the first recipients of your talents! A throw quilt with a flannel back and wool batting to snuggle under on the sofa will always be most appreciated when given with love! 

In our weekly emails and here on the blog we are now going to be featuring a Recipe of the Week!
We hope you enjoy!

Happy Quilting-

Ingredients
1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
Cooking spray
1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup sour cream
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 7 ingredients (through chiles) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.

It's that time of year again... class time!
This "semester" we are offering over 40 different classes of all types of skill levels and subject matters. We have fun quick project classes as well as the ultimate classes in learning and perfecting your quilting skills- Ultimate Machine Quilting. This is a 9-month long course (we meet once a month on a Saturday) were you will learn so much more than just the basics of doing quilting on your home sewing machine- this is a not to miss class!
We are also offering a few evening classes and kids classes too!

So check it out and then give us a call to sign up! And we'll see you soon-

Click here for Harriet's Treadle Arts Class Schedule