Have you heard that Kathleen Tracy of A Sentimental Quilter blog is hosting a Sew Along? A Shoo fly Sew Along at that! I am all in !!!!!
She posted information about the sew along on her blog in the January 11, 2023 post. Most of the activity is taking place on her Facebook . I am not on Facebook , but thankfully she has graciously shared her instructions on her website , Country Lane Quilts . At the top of the website is a link to the Shoo Fly Sew Along where you can find the measurements and some layout ideas.
As soon as I read her post, I pulled out some blues and whites and began cutting up a storm.
Ten 3 1/2 " unfinished shoo fly blocks are completed. More are going to be in the works. Ooooh ! I think I may make 2023 The Year of the Shoo Fly ! What do you think? Maybe a lot of seasonal shoo fly quilts; it's an idea.
Shoo fly ! Don't bother me!
Shoo fly! Don't bother me!
Shoo fly! Don't bother me !
For I belong to somebody! - The Shoo Fly Song
Did you know that the Shoo Fly Song dates back to the 1860's and was popular in the 1890's with the soldiers in the Spanish American War when flies and mosquitoes were a serious problem?
I found these little wooden boxes at the Dollar Tree in the craft section. They are perfect to organize the 1 1/2" and 1 7/8" squares. A second box is handy for keeping the churn dashes until I get enough for a small quilt.
Alrighty now onto the spaghetti; not just any ordinary spaghetti . I wanted to share with you a recipe that is ooey, gooey and very cheesy and might I say delicious! It's TACO SPAGHETTI!!! Can't you just see the calories? Oh well, I will run a lap or two for it is oh, so good.
TACO SPAGHETTI
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1 pk of favorite taco seasoning
1/2 block of cream cheese
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
2 cups of beef broth
1 can of hot Rotel
8 oz of uncooked spaghetti
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
sliced jalapenos ( optional)
Taco Bell Creamy Chipotle Sauce (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a deep skillet, brown the ground beef. Add garlic as the beef is cooking.
2. Drain the grease.
3. Stir in 1 package of Taco seasoning.
4. Add 1/2 a block of cream cheese . Stir until melted.
5. Add 2 cups of beef broth and 1 can of hot Rotel. Mix well.
6. Layer the dried spaghetti on top of the mixture and submerge the spaghetti without stirring.
7. Cover and simmer for 10- 12 minutes . Stirring once .
8. When the noodles are cooked, add a cup of shredded cheese and stir.
9. Sprinkle remaining cup of shredded cheese on top . Cover , remove from heat and let set until cheese melts.
10. When serving, I add jalapenos and Creamy Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce . This is optional .
Well that's all folks. I better stop yacking for there are lots of cutie patootie shoo fly blocks to make. Are you going to be joining in?
Have a Super Saturday and ...
As Always...
Happy quilting and stitching, ya'll
Melisa
Be happy with the beautiful things that make you you! - Beyonce
Hugs and Stitches and Warm Winter Wishes !!!🤗❤🧵
Ya'll come back now, ya hear !
I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needleworkers to meet.
Frederique at Quilting Patchwork Applique for Patchwork & Quilts - Saturday
Angela of So Scrappy for Scrap Happy Saturday
Love your shoo fly blocks! I don't usually participate in SAL's but this one does sound interesting. I'll think about it, happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Gretchen. I have been having a lot of fun piecing the shoo fly blocks. Kathleen has several adorable examples on how she sets them . Have a very lovely weekend.
DeleteTaco spaghetti! Who'd thought? I have to admit I'm intrigued. I think I'll give it a shot and see what hubby thinks.
ReplyDeleteLove your shoo-fly blocks. I never was very good at those half square triangles - they always come out wonky.
Blessings, Donna
My hubby loves it ; I think better than regular spaghetti. I spice mine up a bit more than he does. We have it about ever 2 or 3 weeks . Let me know how you like it. Lol Donna do not look at my Shoo Fly blocks too closely for they are indeed wonky- I guess like all my piecing, but I have fun. Have a great weekend.
DeleteYour blocks look fabulous, Melisa! Taco spaghetti sounds so good. I will have to give it a try soon. Enjoy your Saturday!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much, Robin. They are quick and relaxing blocks to piece as I listen to music. I hope to piece several more this weekend. Let me know what you think of the taco spaghetti. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteYour shoo-fly blocks are tiny, so cute.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy piecing these small blocks even though mine are a bit wonky. I am looking forward to playing with the layout of them soon. Thank you for the sweet visit, Ivani. Happy quilting.
DeleteSuch tiny, cute little shoo fly blocks!! I think the Year of the Shoo Fly sounds like a plan! The taco spaghetti is intriguing. We love tacos but, unfortunately, something in taco seasoning causes the ol' man to break out in hives, but I could substitute something else. I keep trying to figure out which ingredient could be the problem and I think it's the peppers as a couple of times he has broken out and we didn't use taco seasoning. Hmmmm. Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteAah thank you so much, Brenda. They are fast blocks to whip out that is for sure. It certainly sounds like your dear hubby is allergic to something in the taco seasoning- that's not good to break out in hives. I know that is miserable for him. I hope ya'll get it figured out soon. My hubby has been having a reaction and we are trying to figure it out; it seems like he has developed it over time. So strange. Have a very lovely weekend.
DeleteI love your shoo-fly blocks, Melisa!
ReplyDeleteI've never been very good at those semi-square triangles, they always come out crooked!!!
Hugs from Spain and have a Happy weekend
Oh Isabel, my half square triangles come out wonky too . I always cut off points or have one triangle bigger than the other. Lol, but I keep trying. Have a very lovely weekend. Hugs.
DeleteOoh! Spicy! Sounds good except I might try this without the hot Rotel! My tummy doesn't like that much anymore. Ha! What cute little Shoo Fly blocks. It will be fun to see where these go!
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it, Ginny. It is yummy especially if you like spicy. I think it would be fabulous without the Rotel too. Let me know how you like. it. Thank you so much on me teeny shoo fly blocks. I can not wait to piece a few more and then begin laying out a design. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs.
DeleteI look forward to watching your shoo fly quilt grow, Melisa. That reminds me of a very long ago story when I was visiting a friend in about the fourth grade. Her grandmother (who was German and spoke no English at all) had made shoo fly pie for dessert. I had never heard of such a thing and pictured real flies in the pie. I don't think I could bring myself to even take a bite--ha ha! Thanks for bringing back a fun memory :)
ReplyDeleteAaah what a wonderful story, Carol. Lol I do not think I would have tried a shoo fly pie as a child either. I certainly does not sound appetizing . Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for the sweet visit.
DeleteI am making that sketti! Sounds so good--thank you!
ReplyDeleteI so hope you enjoy it, Honeybee. We eat it every few weeks. I always add extras to mine like chiles, jalapenos and sometimes sour cream. Hubby sometimes adds crushed tortilla chips on top of his. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteHehe......as soon as I read about your Shoo Fly quilt I began singing the song in my head. =) Your Shoo Fly quilt is going to look lovely in those fabrics! Enjoy your stitching!
ReplyDeleteLol thank you so much, Kim. I am excited to work on these wee blocks. I hope to churn out quite a few this year. Happy quilting, my friend.
DeleteYou say shoo fly and I think pie! It's very popular around Lancaster country in PA. I use to make it quite often until my husband became diabetic. It's very sweet but delicious .
ReplyDeleteLorraine, it has been so long since I have had shoo fly pie. I do need to make one in the near future. I do love molasses and brown sugar. I think my family enjoys eating pies more that they go cakes. Thank you for the sweet Saturday visit
DeleteYou are so kind, Diana. I am enjoying piecing these little blocks for they piece up quite quickly. I hope your weekend is filled with blessings. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSweet Shoo Fly blocks and oh! so tiny! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThey were so fun to make, Susie. I have been working on more tonight. Thank you for the sweet visit and happy stitching.
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