Chocolate Eclair Bars

 I got the butterfly quilt machine quilted and bound.  I think I'll do this pattern again...it was a fun one!

 I have to share this recipe for my newest favorite dessert....Chocolate Eclair Bars.  I got the recipe at Bunco last monthe and tweaked it to make it better.  You bring water and butter to a boil.

 Add the flour until it gets thick.  Then a dozen eggs.

 Spread into two pans and bake.  It will come up on the sides when cooking, so try to get most of the batter towards the middle.  I cut off the edges that stick up after it cooks.

After it has cooled add half of the pudding mixture to one pan.  Add second crust and the rest of the pudding mixture.

 

Then have fun swirling and dribbling the chocolate on top. 

I usally make the crusts and cover them with towels.  Then I make the pudding mixture and put it in the fridge.  When you are ready to serve you can add the pudding to the crusts and then the chocolate topping.  Then it won't get soggy before you eat it.  Here's the recipe.  The original had just 1 eclair crust.  I doubled it and added the second layer.  I like it better this way...takes more like an eclair to me.

Chocolate Eclair Bars

12 Eggs

1-1/2 cup butter

1-1/2 cups water

1-1/2 cups flour

Bring water and butter to a boil in a heavy pan.  Remove from heat.  Add flour and stir with spoon until mixture is thick.  Add eggs and beat mixture with hand mixer until smooth.  Spread onto 2 greased 12 x 17 pans (cookie sheets).  Bake at 400 degress for 18 minutres.  Cool completely.

Pudding Filling

Beat together 3 tablespoons milk and 1 package softened cream cheese.

Mix two 3.4 oz packages of vanilla instant pudding and 3 cups milk until pudding thickens.  Add cream cheese mixture and mix well.  Fold in one 16 ounce carton of thawed Cool Whip.

Spread half of pudding mixture onto one crust.  Carefully put 2nd crust on top of pudding mixture.  Add rest of pudding mixture.  Drizzle with Chocolate Magic Shell. Cut into squares to serve. 

Frugal Friday

 I'm starting a new regular feature on my blog....Frugal Friday! I've re-learned some frugal tips during the summer...things that are a good idea for everyday life. My first one is to hang out your laundry to line dry whenever possible. I must say that over the summer I've come to LOVE my towels that are lined dried. Love the fresh outdoor smell....one that no bottle of fabric softener could ever reproduce.  Love the crisp feel of the towels too. Their rough texture envigorates your skin when you dry off with them. (Whoa Nellie...this is staring to sound like a smutty romance novel!)

 Love the line dried sheets too.  Makes for a good nights sleep for sure!

 I made a little bag to hold the clothespins.  It worked pretty good....but next year I'm going to make a fancier one. 

Gary made our clothesline this summer.  He found the instructions on-line and had it built in a couple of days.  I must say I' really impressed with his work...so handy with our home improvement projects!!  Our yard looked so good this summer.  It was nice to have him home to keep up with the lawn, garden, etc.

 Our garden didn't do so good this year.  The weather was so bad in the spring we were late getting it planted.  Now the tomotoes are starting to get red....but the chickens have gotten to the ripe ones before we can get them picked. They do keep the insects picked off the plants...if only they would leave the veges alone.  Next year we'll have to put up a fence to keep them out. 

 It's fall...and there are plenty of weeds in the garden now.  You get to this point in the season and you're thankful for the coming winter so you can rest from all the yard work. 

Guilty!!

Fall Favorites. . .

 

 A bowl full of crisp apples!

 

 Pumpkin chocolate chip bread....or anything pumpkin!

 Using the Fiesta ware again instead of summer disposables.

 Home made chicken noodle soup...mmmm!!  This is probably the best thing I cook.  Love it when its cool enough for soup again.

 Katelynn trying out the Johnny Jump Up.  She thought it tasted pretty good.

 Jack's "gansta butt."  He kept losing his pants and taking off his diaper. Boy, he sure takes after his mommy.  Our neighbor used to call her Lady Godiva because she ran around naked all the time.

 I just have to say that I believe in this crazy Asian money plant I bought last year.  It has been so green and beautiful....well until the last month. 

It's turned all white and sickly....kinda like my bank account lately.  I'm going out this weekend and buying a new one.  Time for some new luck with the money!!

Fabric Flower Pins

 I made some more fabric flower pins to sell in our booth at QB.  I kept a few to wear on my new cardigans.  I'm so happy that cardigans are back for fall...love them!!  I found some at Target yesterday.  I wanted one of every color, but only got two...black and brown. 

 I got about 20 pins made and packaged; ready to go put them in the store on Monday morning.  I had fun adding some netting and beads.  I did both folded and rolled flowers.  I love the rolled flowers with the silky fabrics.  I've been wearing them on my shirts...and since I work from home I feel I'm "all dressed up with nowhere to go!!"

 And now I can take some time to sew this afternoon.  I'm still working on the butterfly quilt.  I found this brown dot fabric at Cotton Shop to go with the blocks.  Can't wait to see it all done.

Labor Day

 I started my day by making a batch of salsa.  Gary helped me so it went faster.  I really wonder if its worth it.  It does taste better than store bought...but it's so much work. 

 I spent the rest of the day sewing.  It was fun to pick out some fabric from my stash, find a pattern, and sew the rest of the day.  Well, except for a quick trip to the fabric store for some fabric to set the blocks with.

 It's another butterfly pattern.  I found this one on Moda Bake Shop.

Getting into our new routine.....

  Had to share a couple of pictures of Katelynn.  She's 3 months old now.  Jamie and I had her most of the day Saturday while Jodi was at work.  She's such a good baby.  I love how she falls asleep when she is tired.  She doesn't need a bottle...just closes her eyes and sleeps.  She loves to be talked to and talks back to you.  She gets such a cute smile and a sparkle in her eyes when you talk to her.

 

 Jamie and her 2 kids came over Friday night.  We ordered pizza.  Jack ate a whole piece all by himself.  It was so cute.  He threw his paper plate on the floor, picked up that slice of pizza and just kept taking bites. It kept him busy for a long time!  He's walking so good now.  He gets such a proud look on his face when he walks around...like he's such a big guy now.

I've been binding a couple of quilts this afternoon,.  It feels funny to have so much time to fill with Gary gone in the afternoons and evenings.....trying to get used to the new routine.  Years ago when the kids were young Gary worked days and I worked nights so we didn't have to pay for a babysitter.  Now I'm on the other end of it....but with only 1 child to care for.  Jaycee and I have I been home alone today.  I have to admit that it makes me glad to have her...our little caboose who came 6 years after the other kids.   I think Gary is liking his new job.  He works with handicapped adults.  I think it takes someone special to do it...and that would be him!!

The wind is blowing up a storm outside.  The cool air feels so good.  The seasons are changing.  I love fall....wish it could be fall weather all year long.