Congee

 I have seen congee on cruises and then more recently while in Australia and New Zealand. I tried it and am hooked! So I made a batch last week and now its a staple in my breakfast meal rotation.

Congee is a rice porridge originating probably in China. It is either plain or made with chicken stock. I made mine with chicken bone broth and chicken stock. What makes it so good (in my opinion) are the toppings you add to it. 

Here's how to make it:

Heat 8 cups of water or combination of water and stock to boiling. Add 1 cup any type of rice except basmati and stir. Reduce heat and partially cover. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking for about 45 minutes or until rice is soft and well incorporated into liquid. Add more liquid if too thick, or cook longer if too runny. It should be the consistency of oatmeal.

While cooking, prepare toppings-

    Finely sliced spring onions

    Chopped cilantro

    Hard boil eggs

    Crispy fried shallots - thinly slice shallots and fry til crispy in peanut or vegetable oil.

    Soy sauce

    Sesame oil

    Siracha or chili oil 

    Finely chopped peanuts

    Sesame seeds

Serve the congee with as many or few of the toppings as you like. For me, the more, the better. Its a warm, savory, filling way to start your day - especially a cold winter day with quilting on the agenda.

Sedona - A Very Cool Quilt Pattern

SewKindofWonderful has lots of very cool patterns and books. I've made 5 and have several in progress. The one I'm starting soon and will be hosting a Quilt Along for is Sedona.

I am so excited about this quilt - there are 2 layout options available in the pattern and one more on the SKW website. I haven't yet decided which layout I want to do - its either going to be the sky or the medallion. I love the colors in both these layouts. A trip to the LQS next week may be on the agenda.

The 11 motifs are fresh and use a combination of curve and straight piecing and have cool names such as slide rock, stepping stones, desert bloom, arches, chicken points, cool beans, reflection, ribbon, pole star, horizon, and trading box. What's not to love???

For the QAL I'll be providing tips on each motif. Check back here for the videos and info. If you want to join in, comment here or send me an email at djps1957@gmail.com. You can get this pattern at my Etsy shop, SewKindofWonderful, your local quilt shop, or Amazon. 

Curiousness Rules!

Quick Curve Ruler Mini

 Sew Kind of Wonderful began in 2011. And my, it has sure grown since! I've met sisters Jenny and Helen at a Missouri Star Quilting Company event years ago and have followed the progress and addition of new rulers and patterns closely. I love everything I've made so far and my stack of "quilts to-make" keeps getting higher.

The second ruler released by SewKindofWonderful was the Quick Curve Ruler Mini. Its a smaller version of the original QCR. Smaller, but not interchangeable. Each of the rulers have their own patterns. And There are tons of patterns developed for the QCRmini, including Sedona - the 2023 QAL project. 

As shown in the YouTube video, you can (should) use a regular 45mm rotary cutter to make cuts in the slot of the ruler. Once sewn together, you'll use the QCRmini to square up your block. It's helpful to use a sharpie to mark the "landmarks" on the ruler to align it for trim-up. The patterns indicate where to make those marks. 

You can get your QCRmini from my  Etsy Shop, SewKindofWonderful, your local quilt shop, or Amazon.

Keep the curiosity coming!

Sedona by SewKindofWonderful - a 2023 Quilt Along with Denise

 Looking for something new and interesting to work on in the new year? Think about joining in on the 2023 Sedona Quilt Along with Denise.

Here’s what you need to know – this is a no pressure, at your own pace, with tips and hints, as communal (or as solo) as you want it Quilt Along.  It is free and you can come and go as you wish. I’m starting in January, but that doesn’t mean you have to start in January. The only requirement is that you have fun. Oh and you’ll have to buy the pattern and ruler – either from me, from SewKindofWonderful, your local quilt shop or Amazon. Who knows, you might already have them!

Every month, I'll provide some instruction on how to make the motif for that month. These videos will be available on my Blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. You can join the QAL Facebook Grou if you wish, but its not required. I'll also send some extra info and fun stuff your way each month - picture a few new recipes, notion recommendations, quilting resolutions, etc. Just a few fun extras!

Here's how things will go - In January, we'll talk about the layout options included in the pattern as well as those available on SewKindofWonderful's website. After choosing your layout, you can figure out your fabric requirements. 

Then in February through August you can learn about and make the 11 motifs. The QCR mini is a fun, useful ruler.  Tons of opportunities open up once you're confident with it. Each month you'll have a chance to use it on a different motif. That will be your homework for the month - for those of you who like a little accountability (remember, no pressure unless you want some gentle nudging). The number of each motif you make is dependent on the layout that you choose. September will be dedicated to finishing up any loose ends before we start assembly in October. In November we'll all show off our beautiful creations.

So - the bottom line is that you'll have fun, no pressure, no charge (except pattern and ruler), as much or little accountability as you want, as much or little socializing as you like. And you'll end up with a cool, new, modern quilt and some new skills.

Got Questions? Ask in the comments.

QAL Curious . . .