Project-DIY-Quilting Picture

So like last year at some point, I decided that I was going to make quilted pictures of various pets. It was part applique, part quilting, part fabric stained glass. It was an ambitious project and when I finally got started on it again, it went pretty quickly. I learned a lot of things while doing it.

Step 1-select your pictures. I printed mine off as 8x10 color photos. It was expensive. 8x10 only allows you to make individual quilt squares OR potholders. Next time, I'm going to try printing the photos off to poster size to make a wall hanging.

Step 2- Buy your supplies. You'll need some fabric (I used fat quarters.) for every color in the photo. You can go pretty basic. Use some fun patterns. Its up to up. Also embrodery thread to match the fabric. Quilt padding, white fabric, sharpies (black and silver) and needles will be needed.

Step 3-Trace the picture where the colors change with sharpies-I used black and silver for dark areas. Then I traced over the picture onto paper and white cloth. I learned that you should use one really big piece of white cloth and not cut it down to just larger than 8x10. This will come in handy later.

Step 4- Label your areas with the appropriate color code. Then start cutting them out of the paper and fabric. You'll have to wait on some of the pieces that are really small or inside larger colors.

Step 5-Layer your white cloth and quilt backing. Pin it together. The light green fabric I have here I didn't use in the layering but quilted it on later. 

Step 6-Start sewing small pieces of fabric on. Pin them on like puzzle pieces and sew them with even stitches using an appropriately coordinated thread. Originally, I used a small embrodery hoop but abandoned it because it was interferring with the pins holding the whole thing together. It also was wrinkling the whole thing. I think using a bigger frame and larger white fabric and quilt backing pieces will prevent this.

Step 7-There were a few things that just needed to be embrodered versus having small fabric pieces. I also decided that the small pieces like the eyebrows and eyes needed to be added on top of the face rather than cut out. Because in this instance, it was going to be black on black, I highlighted the eyes by adding gray to the black thread.

Step 8-I pinned the fabric to the back and quilted it on. I don't know how to quilt. Originally, I was planning on going all the way through but it didn't look good with the pattern that I was using. I ended up going through the white cloth in the areas around the dog.

Step 9- I folded over the edge of the backing cloth into a neat pattern and sewed it on my machine.

Then ta-da! A beautiful potholder! Or whatever else you want it to make...

Math and Science

I love how after I've struggled with the past few blog posts-what to write, how to write it, etc. that I hit the shower and plan on going to bed and reading that suddenly I have strokes of mad blogging genius. Really, it was more that I wanted to share one story. Then as I thought about how to preface it, it became a blog and then two more random stories. Well, more like thoughts that needed some context. Though not entirely.

I am bad at math and science. (And spelling, too.) And to some degree, I have always been bad at math and science. Now you're saying to yourself, 'but Leslie, you're a veterinarian. You have to be good at math and science. Right?'
To which I shrug my shoulders and say-I'm a girl?!?!
And its true. Very stereotypically, I am bad at math and science and I pretty much blame it on being a girl. Not that there's anything wrong with it. I just don't have a better explanation.

Anyway, in grade school, things went well for both math and science. I was good at both. (Not at reading when I was in first grade though (I had to go out to the reading RV for tutoring) or for vowel sounds in second grade. I do have a peculiar way of pronouncing some things. I failed at vowel bingo.) I dabbled in algebra. Because of my high math and science marks in grade school, I was put into advanced math classes when I went to high school. There I managed to keep my head above water enough to keep in advanced classes but never beyond. Which is good because that meant I didn't have to take calculus. Something I have never taken and actually look at it as a proud point for myself. I prefer to think of calculus as something on a dog's teeth. Science wise, I was in advanced levels of that too. I took most classes a year early. I struggled in chemistry and never liked it. I struggled in physics and after taking a semester for college credit decided that I didn't do well enough to take the second semester for college credit as well. This was a huge mistake. I did supremely better in the second semester. Little did I know about MU's vet school requirement for physics and would have to repeat the physics class in college. I'm still not sure why physics is required for vet school. It seems like the requirement and the urban legend interview question of 'how would you use physics in veterinary  medicine?' run hand and hand. (The answer is x-rays. But actually the real answer is rotational forces on bone, resistance, traction, force (all relating to movement and lameness) and how to use the Lameness Locater for Dr. Keegan.) I still don't think about using physics but apparently use it all the time!
Because I did so well (?) in science in high school, I was pushed into science (i.e. chemistry) way too hard in college. I'm not good at chemistry and the fact that I had to retake biochemistry should point to that. I just don't get it. Math wise-I avoided math all that I could and somehow managed to only take two classes. Basic college algebra and statitistics for ag majors. Yep. No math here!
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry, even physiology...I don't get them. I didn't get science in vet school either until it actually became about the medicine. I can only tell you the vaguest description of the Krebs cycle but let me break down the general idea of how something works (like DKA) and I can mash enough together to look smart. And that's what I've decided the math and science and veterinary medicine relationship is all about. Being able to mash enough together to look smart. I use pieces of math and science every day. I'm not out there measuring x-rays for my radiographs but I do realized the value of kVp. (Sort of.) I calculate out drugs all the time and think about possible drug interactions (math AND chemistry!). (Like you need to be careful with antiacids and doxycycline because they can counteract each other.)

BUT the point of this blog was to relate the following short antedotes to you:

1) I once took an equine science class with Martha. It was fun and taught by Dr. Loch-who I recently found out pasted away.
2) Erick and I took physics together and the professor found out we were pre-vet. He then proceeded to show us pictures of his parakeets and tell us about them in his heavy Eastern-European accent.
3) This is the story I wanted to share. When I was a freshman, I took a chemistry class that I did very poorly in. I hated my lab too-my partner rarely showed up and the TA was awful. She was a bear of a woman. Tall, fat, probably wore lots of wolf t-shirts. Anyway, I only knew a couple of people in the class-my lab partner and this girl Rachel (?) that I sat next to in the discussion portion of the class. One day, sitting in the discussion class I realized I had forgotten my lab goggles. There was no way I'd even be allowed into lab without them. After a quiet discussion with Rachel, I decided to skip out early and dash back to my dorm room. I quietly gathered my things and when the TA's back was turned to the board writing out some long chemistry equation, I dashed out shutting the door behind me. And then I ran! Apparently at that point, the TA turned around and was furious. She wanted to know who it was that had left. She looked down the hallway but I was long gone. She offered the class extra credit if they told her who it was. (Luckily, no one knew my name except for a couple of people.) No one ratted me out. When I returned to lab breathless, the TA signed my book but didn't suspect anything. My lab partner and Rachel filled me in. Boy I was lucky!

Work

Work has been busy. Minus some of my on call nights which have not been busy. Much to my enjoyment and sorrow. Enjoyment because I ddn't have to do anything, sorrow because I didn't get $50 for each emergency.
However, I've been busy doing some crazy surgeries. CB has diagnosed not one but TWO GDVs this week. Both went to surgery which I assisted with.
I also removed a large patch of skin from a cat the week before last. This cat was super awesome and had been seen multiple times for a non-healing wound on the side. I worried that it might not be something good since we had seen the cat before. There was not only a wound but an area of very thin, fragile skin. Originially I was just going to take a sample but wasn't sure that the skin could hold stiches so I removed the whole area. Unfortunately, it came back as a sarcoma. Sad for the cat. We'll just see if the tumor comes back.
I removed a large firm tumor from a dog's leg. It came back as a sarcoma too.
I finally got to do an enucleation-my favorite surgery.
There have been c-sections (two), cherry eyes (one), tail amputation on an adult dog (one), hindlimb amputation (one cat and one dog) and then all of the multiple routine things.
This clinic really keeps me busy. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad.

The weather is getting chilly and fall is in the air. I like it! Fall is easily my favorite time of year. I don't like that winter follows it.

Joe found a job that he likes a lot more than the cheese factory. He's doing such a good job that he has recently been transferred to the night shift. Its going to be so hard. I hope though that he can get some seniority before we start having kids and can be moved to the day shift again.

Money has been particularly scarce around here. We have $9 in our bank account. Its getting better (or will be soon) because Joe is employed and I have an emergency bonus coming. Its hard for me to think about the things I want to buy with said bonus because I realize the smart thing to do is to save it. SAVE IT ALL! Unfortunately, I also have my student loan coming due soon.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Remember the picture I posted yesterday? Of the soup and bread?
Well, I posted the bread recipe (English muffin bread) before. (Check out the fair recipes.) but here is the recipe for the soup. It's not mine but I suggest you pin it anyway!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
3# butternut squash-peeled, seeded and cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
8 strips bacon-chopped
1 large onion-chopped
6 stalks celery-chopped
6 carrots-chopped
1 bay leaf
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper
4 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 qt chicken stock
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 375. Mix squash pieces with oil and salt/pepper. Roast till carmelized and fork tender-30-40 minutes.
Cook bacon over medium high until evenly browned-about 10 minutes. Reserve drippings and remove bacon.
Place in large pot with bacon drippings onion, celery, carrots, garlic and spices. Cook until vegetables are soft. Add in squash and cook five more minutes. Add in chicken stock and simmer on medium low for about 20 minutes.
Purée. Add nutmeg; top with bacon and sour cream.

Here are the notes:
I make Joe deal with the squash. It's the hardest part.
Spice wise I stick pretty close to this but often add in red chili flakes.
Broth, stock, whatever. You might not need the whole amount of liquid.
I don't always have sour cream but add half and half or heavy whipping cream instead.

The beauty of this recipe is many.
1) it can be made vegetarian-no bacon, oil instead of bacon drippings, veggie broth instead of chicken stock
2) it freezes well
3) you can make it into whatever you want! Add cheese, croutons, carmelized onions, sraracha (that red hot sauce)
Many might be an exaggerated but it's a seriously really good soup.

Greenville's Bright Spot

So my photoblogs may be a little changed up because today I learned that the texting photo feature is no longer supported. After it took me forever to figure out. Luckily, it appears that the app is still up and working! Yea! Boo changes to Blogger!

One of the most beautiful buildings in Greenville is the Post Office. It was built in the 1930s as part of a WPA project (I think) and is super ornate. My pictures were taken on a dreary day. And honestly, are you even allowed to take pictures in a federal building? Sorry for the blurry ones. I'm mesmerized by how beautiful this building is inside and out.

I hit the curb the other day at the post office. I took two huge chunks out of the sidewall of the tire. Unfortunately, it was the tire we replaced a month or so ago.

Fall dinner-butternut squash soup, homemade bread.

Being A Grown Up Sucks

Ugh.
Being a grown-up sucks.

Joe finally has a job which he likes well enough. Which means an additional paycheck even if its not all that much. Unfortunately, not all that much and being helpful is two different things. My paycheck and Joe's paycheck is already spent. I still have tons of bills to pay. Joe luckily gets paid weekly but also that paycheck is spent. Its depressing really. Depressing that I can't buy the things I want. (Even if they are for other people. I had such great plans!)

Work has been fairly busy. Plenty of surgeries-cherry eyes (looks good 24 hours post op), mass removals (jaw, hip, side of a cat), enucleations. Short of my calving that yet again resulted in the use of the fetatome, emergencies have not been that bad.

I'm ready for fall. Monday is my day off-I plan on renting a rug doctor (assuming we still have enough money) and doing some fall cleaning. It would be nicer if the weather was better (its sort of rainy) because I'll probably just end up in bed.

I don't have much else to tell you all. I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of the blog...

Fair Winnings

Well, last night at an unfortunate hour of 9pm, I went back to the Jamestown Community Fair to retrieve my winnings. All four ribbons and all $4.50 (in check form).

As always, I'm trying to make plans for next year. First, I'm planning on going to a bigger fair next year. This has good and bad aspects. Bad-more entries and competition. Good-perhaps the perfect class. I am afterall out for a blue ribbon!

Now I'm going to share my recipes with you. Be sure to pin it!

Apple Walnut Cake-This won 3rd place. I've yet to find the perfect class to enter it in. But when I do, FIRST PLACE ALL THE WAY!
4 cups diced apples
2 cups sugar
2 eggs (well beaten)
½ cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 for Pyrex). Grease and flour a 9x13 pan; set aside.
Mix sugar with apples in large bowl. Add eggs, oil, vanilla and nuts; mix well. Then add flour, cinnamon and salt.  (If batter is too dry, add 1 tablespoon additional oil.)
Pour into pan and bake for 45-60 minutes or until done-when a toothpick is inserted and removed clean.)

English Muffin Bread (makes 4 loaves)-This is the bread that Joe absolutely loves. It won 3rd place in one class and didn't place in the Red Star Yeast class, which was unfortunate. I made a full batch and it just about overflows from my mixer. Mr. Montique really likes it too! He ate a bite or two of the loaf that I was going to send to CB.

5 ½ cups warm water
3 packages Red Star Quick Rise yeast
2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
11 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pans well.
Add all ingredients in order into large bowl. Mix well.
Pour evenly into pans.
Allow to rise to top of pans.
Bake for 35 minutes then brush with melted butter and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown.
Allow to cool completely before cutting.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake/Cupcakes-This cake in cupcake form won honorable mention. I iced it with chocolate buttercream frosting which I hate. The cupcakes were pretty rough looking. This cake is incredibly moist but drys out fast. I made it today without the zucchini and it was pretty dry from the start. Apparently, zucchini has a great role in moisturizing.
2 medium zucchini-peeled and grated
8 tablespoons butter, softened
2 ¾ cups flour
¼ cups unsweetened cocoa
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cups oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare pans.
Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into mixing bowl and set aside.
Mix butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Add oil; mix. Add eggs and vanilla.
Add flour mix and buttermilk in alternating batches.
Add zucchini after squeezing out excess water in a towel.

Bake for about 30 minutes in two 9” pans; 20-25 minutes for cupcakes. Makes about 30 cupcakes.
Once cool, remove from pans. Ice with frosting as desired.

Peanut Butter Munchies-I made these cookies once and Zach ate them all. Now granted Zach will eat anything but he's not big into sweets. I made them last year and they didn't do great. This year they won second but I felt they were burned/overdone on the bottom. Probably because I used some new cookie sheets which are bright and shiney compared to my normal old ones. I love wedding presents.

1 ½ cups flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup powdered sugar
½ cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, ½ cup sugar, brown sugar and ¼ cup peanut butter until combined. Add egg, milk and vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture. Form 32 balls (1 ¼ “) and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix powered sugar and ½ cup peanut butter until smooth. Form 32 balls (3/8”).
Preheat oven to 350.
Flatten chocolate ball and lay peanut butter ball on top. Fold the chocolate dough over to completely cover. Reroll. Repeat with remaining balls.
Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly flatten using a glass dipped in the 2 tbsp sugar.
Bake for 6-8 minutes or until just set and surface is slightly cracked. Let stand for 1 minute then remove from cookie sheet.

Makes 32 cookies.

Fair winnings-chocolate zucchini cupcakes-honorable mention, bread-3rd place, apple cake-3rd place and peanut butter filled chocolate cookies-2nd place. Recipes to follow!