"Cuts Into My Quilting Time"

 

"Nine" 
 (24 x 30)

Hand dyed fabrics, hand appliqued 
and hand quilted by Mary Walter

I believe having the time to quilt is not a luxury, but instead a necessity for me. To manage this idea
I began to scrutinize my busy schedule and started weighing all of my commitments against my quilting time. My work/life ratio was way out of balance. I needed to rescue some more time. My new mantra "It cuts into my quilting time."  That usually gets a few smiles and a hearty chuckle, but I really mean it, can smile back, and it actually works.

I'm still finding ways to steal time out of a busy schedule and you will likely hear more. One way that works for me is in the kitchen. That's right the kitchen! I didn't invent "leftovers" I'm just revisiting the idea instead of relying on the unhealthy world of takeout. My easy BLT salad is perfect for lunch or dinner, and a new favorite"keeper" at your summer gatherings that still gets you quickly back to quilting!

BLT Pasta Salad

1 lb pasta

1 lb bacon

2 stalks celery-finely chopped (leaves reserved for garnish)

10 soft sun-dried tomatoes

 1/2 c mayonaise

1/2 c lowfat sour cream or plain yogurt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

1.Cook pasta according to package directions, drain & set aside to cool.

2. Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels. Dice into 1/2" pieces.

3. Finely chop celery stalks, reserving leaves for garnish

4. With kitchen shears snip sun-dried tomatoes into a 1/4" pieces.

5. In a large bowl, combine bacon, celery, tomatoes & pasta.

6. Mix mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt and oregano, add to pasta mix stirring well.

7. Season with salt & pepper, garnish with celery leaves.

Chill before serving (serves 6- 8)

                                                                                                                   Happy Quilting,

                                                                                                                                   Mary