Speedy Vegetarian Cheese Tortellini Soup

Hailey here! :)

   I snuck on to my Minnie's blog just to share with you this amazing recipe that has now become a family favorite. Now that the weather is finally starting to cool off and you're starting to crave some yummy soup that is also very healthy and hearty, this is the go to recipe!

Introducing: Speedy Vegetarian Cheese Tortellini Soup!

First let's start with the ingredients:

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3/4 cup sweet onion, chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms

2 large cloves garlic, chopped

3 spring fresh thyme

1 (15 oz.) can organic diced tomatoes and juice

4 cups low-sodium organic vegetable broth

10 oz. fresh tortellini

a handful of fresh parsley

Salt and pepper, optional

Grated Parmesan, optional

Directions:
1. In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the carrots, celery, and mushrooms and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often.
2. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 and then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Toss in the thyme, tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini to the pot and cook according to the manufacturer package directions. Remove the soup from the heat, mix in theparsely and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Grate some fresh Parmesan on top for the finishing touch.

This soup is simple, fast, and healthy! What could be better?!

Leave me a comment and let me know if you made this recipe and what you thought about it. Also, let me know if you added anything to make it your own! I love suggestions :)

Staying Connected

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day and was able to spend a day off with your families! I was wanting to make just a quick blog about how all my followers can stay connected with myself and Turning Twenty. Of course, there is our blog but we also have a Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and a Facebook! 

By following us on these specific social media sites, you will stay in the loop with everything that is going on with our business and even what's going in my life! As of right now, on our FaceBook page, we are having a giveaway for when we reach 550 "likes"! Our prize is our Sugar Dumplin' Pattern and pre-cut kit for the October block!

Pattern

         Block

                                         

       Pre-cut kit

If you'd like a chance to win this giveaway, like our Turning Twenty page on FaceBook and share the post about the giveaway that is on our page, then comment and let us know you liked and shared! Pretty easy, huh?!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Hello!

   I have been busy designing and creating new things for Fall Quilt Market, but I've had requests from followers who want to know more about me. Most everyone I meet at market, shows, or classes see me in a professional setting, so let's stir things up a bit and I'll tell you 10 things that make me happy! Of course, Turning Twenty makes me very happy but let's get more personal :)

1) Babies

This is our sweet Lily Grace. There is just something about babies that make me smile more than anything! They are so sweet, innocent, and loving. My great grand babies don't worry about finances, stress, or relationships. All they have to worry about is being happy and giving big kisses! When I hold a baby, I am just like a sponge. I soak up all their happiness, carefree ways, and love. That refreshes me! Babies are truly a miracle sent straight from Heaven, that's why I think they smell so good (have you ever sniffed the top of a babies head? Heavenly!) We are allowed to mold our babies and help them to become amazing grown ups. What a gift!

2) Falling Rain

"Rain, rain, go away.." That's not something you'll hear me say. Just look at our precious baby Jude, how he loves to splash in the puddles! I love rain and savor when we are blessed with showers! Rain is God's way of cleansing the earth and bringing new life. It's rejuvenating and brings so much peace. The smell of a thunderstorm that is just about to break from the clouds, the sound of rain hitting the roof (which is also romantic), and how the world looks green and new just after it rains. It's truly beautiful.

3) Chickens

Just a pleasant preschool memory from my childhood that always makes me giggle.

When I was a little girl, we had a chicken pen in the backyard. I loved going in the pen and talking to the chickens, but so scared of our mean old rooster. Not crazy about roosters, but chickens make pretty great friends when you are three years old! 

4) Real Hugs

This picture of our lovely Michelle and her baby boy, Kyle is a perfect example a "real hug." A real hug involves both arms lovingly wrapped around someone and being squeezed in a loving way :) It's not a one armed little squeeze from the side, a handshake, or a pat on the back. Real hugs are warm and full of love, they make you feel all happy inside. Real hugs come from people who truly love and care about you. When you receive a real hug, you just know it! 

5) Belly Laughs 

Speaking of belly laughs! This is our silly little Hailey. She's always good for a belly laugh! She tried  "no heat" curls by rolling her wet hair up and tying it with yarn. Kinda like in the good ol' days when there was no such thing as a curling iron ;) But look how it turned out the next morning! Hehe :) I doubt her husband was impressed!

The Bible says laughter is good like a medicine. I've also heard it burns calories, what a great added bonus! A really good belly laugh just makes my day and our granddaughter sure knows how to do that! 

6) Traveling

I haven't traveled in a long time and honestly, I really would love to have more time to travel. When Gary was in the Army, we were stationed in Germany. We visited France, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and Luxembourg! Flying to Germany was actually my first time to fly. I turned 18 on May 23rd, graduated high school May 25th, married my high school sweetheart May 26th, and was in Germany on May 30th!! Talk about a CRAZY week in our lives! But it was worth it, and I am looking forward to when Gary and I can travel more of the world together.

7) Good Food

Food... I try so hard to eat healthy, watch my calories, and drink a lot of water, but sometimes you just need some GOOD food! I have always loved cooking. I love sitting down with my family with a big dinner, enjoying each others company, and eating. Food always seems to bring people together, which is another reason I love to cook for my family. It warms my soul when my whole brood is together at the same time. Food is good, especially when it's Hailey's German Chocolate Coconut Pecan glazed cake! Everyone needs comfort food sometimes, right? ;) 

8) Christmas

Christmas is my favorite holiday. It's the time to remember the birth of Christ, putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating with lights and ornaments! I love the beautiful Christmas hymns and special time spent with those we love. I love that so many people are talking about the most historic event in the world when they say, "Merry Christmas!" They may not realize it, but by even saying that, they are bringing Him glory! Christmas just puts the right amount of love and joy into the air, and I can't get enough of it :)

Wish I could scoop it up in a baggie and take a whiff every now and then!

9) Family

My sweet, sweet family. Here is a picture of Gary and our 2 babies, Michelle and Scotty, back in 1976. Family means everything to me. God blessed me with such an amazing husband, who is also my best friend. He makes me feel like I'm his one and only! I was also blessed with 2 amazing children that I couldn't possibly love any more! My children are the best things I have ever done and I am so proud of them. They have both turned into amazing adults! Even though they are both married and Michelle has made me a grandmother twice, they are still my babies! I am also a great grandmother to 4 great grand babies! I love my family <3

10) Worship

I lived the first 29 years of my life not knowing God. That all changed in 1979 and my life has never been the same. I worship because there is nothing that compares to the goodness of God.

Our first Q&A!

Lately, I have really been wanted to connect more with my followers on FaceBook, and couldn't think of a better way than to open up a questions and answer post! I allowed any and all questions, even if it had nothing to do with Turning Twenty. I believe when we connect with other people, even through social media, we begin to have more positive emotions which lead to a greater happiness. Who doesn't want to be happier?! Connecting with people begins an "upward spiral" of well-being and happiness, which is what we all want.

  I only received a few questions, but I believe this will pick up. Here are the questions and my responses!

Julie- I'm new to quilting and purchased the book to do the stained glass quilt (Book # 5) I also purchased a TON of different colored material..but the instructions state to use fat quarters...so now IDK how to do this. Do you have any video tutorials?

A- Julie, video tutorials are something I've felt awkward about doing, however looks like I will be doing video tutorials in the near future. To help you with your dilemma right now though, let me explain.  My Turning Twenty book series are patterns written specifically for fat quarters. If you can cut 18" x 21" rectangles from your assorted fabrics, you can then cut according to the pattern for Stained Glass.  Hope this helps. By the way, welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!

Kim- I would like to know what you do with your fabric scraps. When is a scrap small enough to throw away? I get so overwhelmed with my box of scraps. Sometimes I think I should just donate it. I somehow feel that could be a freeing experience. 

A- Scraps, scraps, scraps! How they pile up.  Kim, two or three times a year I box up scraps and yardage and donate these to be used for charity quilts.  However, as you might guess, I have a huge, gigantic, massive scrap stash. If it's 2 inches wide I keep it, regardless what length it is. I've purged so many times throughout the years, but doubt I'll ever be without a hefty scrap stash. Donating fabrics is very rewarding. I guess what happens when we give it away....it comes back to us a hundredfold!  :)

Leslee- Can't help but wonder if you remember my mama, Bo Burkett. I think of her and you every time I see one of the quilts she pieced and you quilted. Such treasures!

A- Leslee, not only do I remember your sweet mama, but I remember you!  Your mama talked about you and Dana all the time! God truly used Bo in my life to help instill the confidence I needed to do what I'm doing today. Seriously, from the very first time I quilted for your mama, she became my own personal cheerleader. Hiring me to quilt for her, helped tremendously toward paying off my first quilting machine, she was a very prolific quilt top maker!  The last time Gary and I visited with your mama was at her big birthday party!  I think of her so often and love her still. Thank you for writing. I hope all is well in your life.

Peggy- I have heard that writing a pattern is tough because you don't know of the reader's skill level. Did you find this true for your patterns? (which I love)

A- Peggy, here comes the truth....I despise writing pattern instructions! I love every aspect of quilting except for that. Writing an accurate pattern requires discipline, mental focus, good math skills and ability to communicate. I CAN communicate, although sometimes my grammar isn't quite correct. My math skills are fair. Mental focus and discipline are not my strong suits.  I try to write as if the person following my instructions has minimal sewing/quilting experience.  I've been told that I write 'too much' instruction. I've also been told the detailed instruction, with photos and diagrams, have helped many succeed in making a quilt when they didn't think they could!  That's what makes me happy.  Now, here's my secret....I have skilled family and friends who can take my writing, make sure it's accurate and make me look like I know what I'm doing!  Thanks for loving 'my' patterns. :)

Thank you SO much for the interaction. I really enjoyed hearing from everyone and can't wait to do this again. Let me know if you enjoyed this as much as I did! Hoping to doing it again soon :)

Blessings, 

Guild Meeting? Don't forget your T-Shirts!

I've started sharing this idea with quilters as we travel to lectures, so I thought I'd share it here with you as well.

When we head out for a lecture, I take a big pile of quilts.  The first thing I fill is a large suitcase....

Then I stack quilts

   

and slide the tall stack into an XL mans T-Shirt. 

Oh no!  Forgot a quilt?  No problem...s-t-r-e-t-c-h that guy and push it inside!

It's amazing how many quilts will fit inside a stretchy shirt!

Another big plus is how easy it is to carry the quilt filled shirts.

I just hug one up against my chest and off I go!

Try it the next time you are carrying multiple quilts to guild for Show and Tell!!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Blessings,

Baytown and Bay Area, Texas

I had such a great time with the quilters of Baytown, TX, and so enjoyed our Gimme 5 workshop.  I was blown away by the creativity and talent in the room.  It was such great fun to see the variety of fabrics chosen by the Baytown ladies!  

We will post photos of the finished quilts as they arrive.  I can't wait to see them myself!  In the meantime, here are some photos of their work in progress.

Aren't they all beautiful?!  I have to tell you about this one in particular.  Each time I do an event, I am always amazed at what I learn from all of you!  This event was no exception.  

If anyone had ever asked me if I thought Santa Claus and animal print would work together in a quilt, I would probably have helped them choose different fabrics!  But, just take a look!!  Notice Santa has a bit of animal print on his hat?  It worked perfectly and is turning out to be such an unusual and gorgeous Gimme 5!  Think I may just have to take myself a fabric shopping trip!!

After a full day of sewing, we changed locations for the Baytown Quilt Guild meeting that evening.  Gary and I just had so much fun, and again, were just amazed at the talent of these ladies.  I wish I had taken photos of their show and tell!  Beautiful!!

Gary and I drove over to be with the Bay Area Quilt Guild the following day.  Once we were all set up for our lecture, we drove to Luby's and met the guild President and Vice President for a nice dinner before the meeting.  Afterwards, and back to the meeting location, the fun began again.  The doors were opened and quilters filled the room.  Chatter, laughter, snacks and sharing.  It was plain to see these ladies love their guild and love being with one another. I bought five tickets for their raffle quilt that night.  Hope they draw my name in December!

Thanks to both guilds for a memorable and fast paced three days! 

Blessings,

The Adventures of Turning Twenty "On The Road"

We just returned from the Dallas Quilt Celebration.  What a great show.  So many beautiful quilts!  

Normally, I would be sharing about the show, but I have a much more "exciting" story for you.

Let me begin...

As you know from my last post, we just returned from a Quilt Cruise with Cactus Quilts and we had quite an adventure.  

We rested up and prepared for the Dallas Quilt Celebration - expecting a "normal" show (if there is such a thing!).  

Here was our plan: 

Our daughter (Michelle) and  her daughter (Hailey) normally work this show, but Hailey's husband (Lucas) had to work Thursday and Friday, so she could not come until Saturday and Sunday so she could be home with their 2 year old son (Jude).  

The backup plan is always Michelle's husband (Stephen) fills in when we need him.  However, he could not get off work either.  

So, we adjusted our plan and I would be going with her Thursday and Friday, Gary would be staying home.  

Stephen and Michelle's son (Kyle) is in the Army and would be coming home to see his daughter (Lily) Friday.  Lily is in Graham with her mom.  

Stephen, Michelle, Hailey and her family all live in Granbury and we live in Graham.  

Are you still with me?

Stephen and Lucas would get off work Friday.  

Lucas would head home to stay with Jude.  

Stephen would pick Hailey up and bring her to Dallas.  

He would then drop her off and pick me up and take me home to Graham where he would pick Lily up.  

Then he would drive home to Granbury to spend the weekend with Kyle and Lily.  

On Sunday, Kyle would head back to Ft Hood, Stephen would bring Lily back to Graham to her mom and Michelle and Hailey would head home from the show in Dallas.  

Whew!  We had a plan!

Until....

Thursday as we are setting up, Michelle gets a call from Kyle.  He does not think he will be able to come home over the weekend.  

So, Plan B:

Stephen and Lucas get off work.  

Lucas goes home to Jude.  

Stephen picks Hailey up and comes to Dallas.  

I take their car and go home to Gary.  

Stephen, Hailey and Michelle work the show and head home on Sunday.  

This is getting easier!

Until....

Thursday night Kyle calls and says he WILL be coming to Granbury after all.  

Back to Plan A.

Until...

Friday another vendor at the show completely sells out of Gimme 5 & Make It Scrappy and urgently needs a case for the remaining two days.  

Michelle does not have any left in Granbury, so Stephen can't just bring them with him.  The books are in Graham!  

Plan C:  Reverse everything!!  

Stephen and Lucas get off work.  

Lucas heads home to Jude.  

Stephen picks Hailey up and they head to Graham.  

Stop and pick up Gimme 5 & Make It Scrappy and then Lily.  

They all head to Dallas.  

Stephen drops off books and Hailey and heads home to Granbury to spend the weekend with Kyle and Lily.  

Now, I have no way to leave, so I stay for the show as well.  

Oh no!  I only packed for one night!  

Stephen picks up clothes and toiletries along with the books while he is in Graham.  

On Sunday, Kyle heads to Ft Hood, Stephen and Lily head to Dallas to pick up Michelle and Hailey, they all head to Granbury and I take the truck and head to Graham.  

I think we are good to go! 

Until...

Michelle wakes up Sunday morning and remembers she and Stephen have theater tickets in Dallas for that evening!  

Plan D:  

Kyle heads to Ft Hood.  

Stephen and Lily head to Dallas.  

Lucas and Jude head to Dallas.  

Everyone helps pack up (and watch over the grandbabies!), Stephen and Michelle head to the theater, Hailey, Lucas and Jude head home to Granbury, and Lily and I drive the truck home to Graham.  I drop Lily off to her mom and fall into bed as soon as I get home!

Such is a family business - and I wouldn't trade it for the world!  You've heard "It takes a village to raise a child"?  

It also takes one to pull off a show!

What an adventure!!  We had so much fun at the show.  

Saw so many long-time friends and met many new ones.  

I'd like to introduce you to two of them.

This is Cynthia - visited with her in the booth - sweetest lady you will ever meet!  So nice to meet you Cynthia!

This is Marcus.  Marcus was a life saver!  When Michelle and I arrived on Thursday to set up, we dropped our very first load off of our dolly.  Marcus had just finished helping another vendor and he graciously helped us unload our entire truck.  What a blessing he was!

Here's our booth before we started.  Always looks so daunting!

And now the quilts are up!

And here is the finished booth.  All set up and ready to go!

Met some wonderful friends for dinner.  Shared a lot of laughs and now, where is that shower and bed?

Some pictures of us after Hailey arrived.  

Did I mention, she is 16 weeks along with our fourth 

great-grandbaby?!  

Little Ezra is on his way!

So, all in all, family, friends and adventure made a fun show and some very special memories.

Next stop - Baytown and Bay Area Quilt Guilds in Houston.  

Wonder what adventure awaits us there?!

Blessings,

Cactus Quilt Cruise

We're back and I didn't drown!!

Carla Hoff of Cactus Quilts asked me to teach a workshop on a quilt cruise she was hosting.  I must admit, the thought scared me!  I have always said I would never get on a ship.  I can't swim and just the thought of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean made my stomach turn!  But, never say never!  You see, I just love Carla, so how could I not agree?  So, that is how I found myself on my way to Galveston with Gary, Michelle and Stephen to board a ship to the Bahamas.

What a trip my first cruise was!  We stayed overnight in Galveston and got up bright and early the next morning to have our luggage down so it could be taken to the ship.  We woke up to an announcement that the ship could not dock due to fog, so we would be delayed a couple of hours.  We took our luggage down and the hotel allowed us to stay in the room and rest.  At noon, we were told there was still fog, so we ate a light lunch at the hotel and went back to our room to nap.  Finally, at 4:45 that afternoon, we were on our way to the ship.

Once we went through security and got into the terminal, we were told we were still fogged in and the ship was still not docked.  Expect to board at 7:30.  I'll spare you all of the announcements by just telling you we finally boarded at 11:45 that night!  Now, you would think being stuck in a terminal would be boring, but we were seated in a row that was determined to have fun!  There was a fellow passenger who kept us entertained with jokes and stories - we were in tears at times laughing so hard.  Of course, with Stephen there he had found an accomplice!  Between the two of them, there was not a dull moment.  Just when you thought they would run out of shenanigans, the man pulled out balloons, blew them up and everyone in the terminal started bopping balloons to each other.  

We ate dinner at midnight, had our safety drill at 1:30 in the morning and were then told we were too fogged in to leave.  We were finally on our way the next morning!  

Let the quilting begin!!

What a great time we had!  Carla did a wonderful job (this was her first cruise too) and everyone had a ball!  I designed a new quilt pattern for the cruise and we had three classes full of quilters busy completing what will become our newest pattern at Fall Market this year.  

We've got a lot of pictures to share...but you'll have to wait until Fall to see the quilts!

Now, there are some stories to go along with the pictures above.  Top left is Gary and me.  Michelle took the picture.  You can tell the sun was shining...even on the screen of her iPad, she could not tell her Daddy was squinting!  :)

Top right was taken in the terminal - bopping balloons.  Below that is one of our little towel animals.  I loved seeing what we would get each night.  Our cabin steward was wonderful!  Middle left is our goofy son-in-law, Stephen. posing by the trash can.  Gary is pointing out that it says "Bahamas Waste"!  Right below that is a picture taken from the balcony of our room of the moon rising above the ocean.  Bottom right is Michelle and me - Bag Ladies!  It had started raining as we were heading back to the ship and bags were all we had.  (We had been shopping!)

Just some pictures of the ship.  See the guy on the bottom left?  Funny story!  The final night of the cruise, they had a Carnival Legends show.  Passengers had tried out earlier in the week to sing on stage as a popular artist (Garth Brooks, Cher, etc).  This man came out and sang "Born To Be Wild".  Guess who it was?  The man from the terminal!!!  We began our trip being entertained by him and we ended our trip the same way.  Had to get a picture of him!

Now we are back in the office preparing for the Dallas Quilt Show, but a little piece of me is still floating and quilting on the ocean.  

Thank you Carla, Cactus Quilts and all the wonderful quilters for making my first cruise such a memorable time!

Blessings,