Good Evening Girls,

Is everyone keeping warm?  Geez, this blast of Winter is lasting too l-o-n-g!  I'm looking forward to Friday's forecasted warmer temps!  Meanwhile, we've been eating seafood barley chowder & I'm going to prep a crock pot of oatmeal tonight for tomorrow morning's breakfast! Here's a picture of a bowl that's ready to eat.  : D  I've decided this steel cut oatmeal recipe is good enough to share, so I'll put the recipe @ the end of this post.

Jean - neat-o that you made a snowman block too!!!  How did it turn out?!  Cute?!  I KNOW!!!  I LOVE those Bunny Hill designs - so/sew adorable!  Hey, how's your machine since it's "spa" treatment?

Lois - glad to hear that your Mom's doing a bit better!  Hang in there!  Are you doing any stitching?  Sometimes busy hands help soothe the heart/soul/mind.  ; )

Lor - thanks for offering to host tomorrow night.  Have there been any takers?  It's hard for me to say if I'll be-e there or not.  It sort of depends on how I feel when I get up.  Yesterday I was a bit grumpy, today I'm not...?!  It's the whole getting back into the work/night shift groove.  What have you been sewing?

Dolores - hey girlfriend!!!  Good to hear from you!  : )  Glad if you got the light, it works & you like it!!!  OK, what have you been sewing & making?!  Any recent Fabric Shack or Hancock's deliveries...?!  ; )  Have you progressed to turn overs or sweet rolls?!

Cath - how's work been?  What are you sewing?  Did you make a snowman block?  : )  Any more news about the end of the month sew-in @ your place?!

LA - aww, I'm glad if Jingle made you smile!  Are you feeling better?  How 'bout Kevin?  And, what about the rest of your household?  How are the *new* valances?!  Doing any other stitching?

Mare - you've been quiet...  How's that sewing machine?  Any news?  Are you hand stitching a snowman block?

Mo - you too have been quiet...  What's going on in your world?  Have you been fondling your fabric...?!  ; )  What's the next project you want to do?

How's that Peggy doing?  Does anyone know?  Is her Dad home now?

Here's the steel cut oatmeal recipe...You make it in your crock pot overnight & it's magically ready to eat for breakfast!!!  ; )

2 cups steel cut oats

1/4 - 1/2 cup pearled barley or bulgar wheat (optional)

8 cups water

1 - 3 inch cinnamon stick

1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar...I use turbinado or raw sugar.  You could use white or brown sugar.

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp mace

1 tsp sea salt

Dump everything into a large crock pot, turn to low & cook for 8 - 10 hours.  When you get up, give it a stir - it'll look gloopy.  It may stick a little...just stir & scrape.  When you're ready to serve, mash a 1/2 a banana in the bottom a bowl, add oatmeal, a splash of milk, & sprinkle with a bit of turbinado sugar & glazed pecans.  De-lish!  Honest, I NEVER thought I'd like this, but it's really good!  You can add any fruit you like in place of the banana.  I tried adding fruit during the cooking process & it didn't work.  Enjoy!

Piecefully, Pam

P.S.  Isn't it nice to have that feeling of hopefulness for our Country...?!