New Year's Dessert Guaranteed to Please

This recipe was given to me by one of my quilting friends. It has become a favorite around here for every occasion.

I make it every year when we go to our friend's New Year's Day Open House.

Chocolate Cloud

1 Box Chocolate Brownie Mix

1 Box Chocolate Mousse Dessert

2 containers of Cool Whip (thawed)

2 -3 Heath Bars (crushed up)

Make brownies according to instructions on box. Cool completely and into squares. Make chocolate mousse according to instructions on box.

In a tall trifle-style glass bowl, make a layer of brownies on the bottom, then layer with about 1/3 of the chocolate mousse, sprinkle on some of the crushed Heath Bars. Layer about 1/3 of the cool whip. Again sprinkle with some crushed Heath Bars. Repeat layers until the bowl is full up to the top. Top with the remaining Heath Bar crumbles.

You should get the first spoonful because it is guaranteed not to last long.

Building Houses from Scraps

I am getting ready to start building houses.

I am joining in on Jeaneke's Building Houses From Scraps" challenge. The goal is to make 365 3-inch little houses, one a day. Kind of like me taking just one piece of chocolate. I just can't stop at one. Really, I can't.

You can also join in on the fun. It's free.

There are no rules or obligations. Just a fun little way to use up tiny scraps. It officially starts on January 1, 2012.

Go to Building Houses from Scraps

Here are a few of my blocks

You will get four houses per each page. I decided to to a trial run to see what my finished blocks would look like. I am going to make them a bit more scrappy and not use the same fabrics for each house. I think I'll try to do a page a day.

Getting ready was easy. A wonderful quilter in an on-line group that I am in sent me a big bag of scraps last year. I had no idea what I was going to do with them. After seeing this challenge, it was like playing a game of BINGO! I instantly won. I knew exactly how I was going to spend my earnings. I am going to use all the scraps jammed into this plastic tote to make this sweet house quilt. Except for maybe a few fussy cut squares for my windows.

I am going to paper piece mine. Jantine from the blog Urban Style is going to paper piece her houses too. She's made in EQ7 a PP version of the little house block pattern. She is sharing it for free, isn't that nice of her? So if you want to paper piece your house blocks too, send an email to Jantine to ask her for the PDF of the PP-Building Houses from Scraps-block. It may take a day or two, but she will get back you.

2012 is going to be my year of challenges. I've joined the Stashbuster UFO challenge, Just Takes 2, challenge myself to make a few quilts from several quilting calendars that I have collected over the years, continue to make my baby quilts for babies who are born while their daddies are deployed, and last but by least, TRY TO KEEP MY SEWING ROOM ORGANIZED.

Festival of Lights

Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, starts tonight. It lasts seven days and eight nights.

It is beautiful tradition to gather with friends and family. Each bringing their own menorah and lighting their candles all at the same time.

Gather around the table, we'll give you a treat. Shiny tops to play with and pancakes to eat.

Sewing My Way to Orca Bay

Wow, I need some quilting therapy.

Orca Bay is just the right prescription for me.

See, oldest daughter and husband moved to England last week courtesy of the United States Air Force for four years. I am happy for them but sad at the same time. See, I am also gonna be a grandma in April, and, well distance and I don't get along. I learned how to Skype yesterday. I check my weather app for their new location oh maybe 6 times a day. Wow, its wet and cold across the pond.

I know for a lot of us quilting is like therapy. It helps us put our thoughts, ideas, and feelings together, sometimes gets our heads on straight and well cures a lot.

I didn't get a chance to start "Clue #1 on Day One" with everyone for the official start of Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay mystery. But let me tell you, I got my machine rolling now.

Here is a peek at my progress. I am all caught up and waiting for Clue #5.

A small little shout out to Bonnie. "Thank You" this is just what I needed right now. I am grateful for all the wonderful inspiration you give me and your generosity.

Find distances between cities/towns, land features, and more

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Distance From: Raleigh, North Carolina

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ANSWER: 3903.5 MILES