Awesome Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish Recipe

This is the most accurate description of how I really make fresh cranberry-orange relish.  This makes about 4 Cups.

Ingredients:
one 12-ounce bag of cranberries
three large or four small Florida oranges
1/2 Cup sugar
optional 1/4 Cup of booze of choice

Tools:
10-cup (or larger) food processor (aka machine)
vegetable peeler
medium knife and cutting board
large mixing bowl
4-Cup storage container (2 salsa jars or 1 large yogurt container)

I place the bag of cranberries in the freezer for at least a day.  I keep a few in the freezer for future use.

I remove a bag of frozen cranberries from the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw, at least overnight.

I get out my machine.  I take out the lower blade and install the upper blade, set to slice.

I open the hopper, cut open a bag of cranberries, turn on the machine, and dump in the cranberries.

After all the cranberries have been sliced, I turn off the machine and dump the cranberries into a large bowl.

I set up the machine with only the lower blade installed, but the lid still off:

I wash the oranges.  I use the vegetable peeler to remove most (but not all) of the outer layer of the orange peels.

I cut each orange in half crossways and remove visible seeds.  I cut each orange piece crossways again, and remove visible seeds.  I hold each piece up towards the light to make sure I got all the seeds out.

As each orange piece is cleared of seeds, I place it into the machine.

When all the orange pieces have been placed in the machine, I install the lid and puree on high until liquified.

I dump the orange puree over the cranberries, then I dump the sugar on top.  This is when optional booze may be added.

I alternately stir the mixture and let it rest.  After about an hour, I place it in the container and store it in the refrigerator.

Here is a picture to show why I freeze and thaw the cranberries.  The mixture on the left was made with fresh cranberries, and the mixture on the right was made with cranberries which were frozen and then thawed (click to enlarge).

I have been known to stretch this recipe by adding one or two shredded apples.

Another Filler-type Post

I told you recently that the pattern I made for my skirt will not fit the fabric - ON GRAIN:

Instead of trumpet-shaped pattern pieces, this skirt will be made with blocks and triangles.  The sewing terms are panels and godets.  The panels for my skirt will be rectangles, and the godets will be wedges with curved bottom edges.  My panels will not have darts, but my godets will be drafted as shown on this page.

Meanwhile, we've been enjoying the new motorcycle:

I will show the next steps of my skirt soon.

Project Veers off

.. to another directions.

Apparently if four gores won't fit onto the folded fabric, eight won't fit onto the whole piece - ON GRAIN ... ARGH!

Must go to Plan B.

Hey, at least there IS a Plan B!

Sky and Clouds

I will blog again about sewing - I promise!

Meanwhile, enjoy these views of Florida sky:

Last Clue for New Project

Well, there's not much I can say after showing you the pattern piece I drafted:

It goes with the pink stretch twill:

So, now you know!

Watch for progress here, regardless of speed!

Shopping with a Camera

I have been known to enter and then exit Joann's without purchasing anything!

I have, however, been known to use my cell phone's camera, or even my digital camera, to help me remember what I've seen.

Click on the picture to see my album called "Sewing Fabric Seen."  This does not mean that I bought or ever intend to buy all of these fabrics, but at least something in each picture inspired me in some way.

Sewing Fabric Seen

Here is another album called "Styles" which contains shopping inspirations, both online and in physical stores.

Styles

Do you use a camera when you shop?

PS: I rearranged some albums, and here is the album showing outfits I have worn:

Styles Worn

All Out of Excuses

I have no more excuses, er, reasons why I cannot sew.

After several weeks of angst, the new sink and toilet have both been installed in our bathroom.  A small sink replaced the large sink, which had no tile under it.  A dual-flush toilet replaced the old one.

These pictures tell parts of the story.  Click any picture you want to see bigger.

Meanwhile, the sewing table is being cleared off.

Really!

I can no longer blame hubby for hogging the cutting / craft table!

Expect to see some sewing progress soon!

Mystery Clue

None of you guessed correctly - yet!  Here's another clue for you, and a nudge for me to get back to it!

Happy guessing!

Mystery Project Draft

Not quite a wordless post, but can you guess what I'm drafting?

Catching up with Pictures

Except for this sentence, this is a wordless post of what we've been doing since my last post.