Saturday, December 26, 2009

Help!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day yesterday. We had a very quiet and simple Christmas this year, and it was nice. I think this was our "smallest" Christmas as far as amount of presents go. And the kids both exclaimed "this is the best Christmas ever!" We usually don't go overboard, and this year we were very thoughtful in what was given.

Now to take everything down for my son's birthday on Monday. 12 years old. 12!!!! I can't believe my baby is so big.

So I'm thinking about next year already. Are you? Any thoughts, goals or resolutions? Last year was "the year of the placemat" for me. I made 27!

the year of the placemat!


12 were gifts
3 were for swaps
2 were for blog giveaways
6 for Christmas
and the rest (4) for everyday use

Next year, I'm declaring it "the year of the scrapbox!" I'm going to try to use as many scraps as I can.

Another goal for myself is to use my food processor. I have this one. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've had it for over a year, and I have used it once. I know lots of people love theirs but I'm still in the intimidated phase. Help me! If you have a processor would you please tell me what you use yours for the most?

Peaceful weekend wishes to you!

17 comments:

Anita said...

I use mine to make banana bread and all the other usual food processor things.

Vicky F said...

I have a small food processor. I use it for:
Making dips (it smooths out the lumps of the feta cheese in my herb dip)
Shredding carrots (saves fingers)
Grinding nuts (pecan cookies call for 2 cups ground)
Mine's not big enough to do bread.

carol said...

I never thought to grind my nuts in a mini food processor. I hope I remember that!! :) I made 13 place mats this year....thanks to you!!! Fun! :) My goal is also to use scraps and leftovers in 2010.

Humbolt, the troll said...

I use mine for lots of stuff, but making Pesto is one of the most used recipes for the food processor.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I use my processor a lot for all my canning... for salsa and chutneys when you need onion and peppers chopped up... I make Hummus, Shred things for salad dressings...pesto, nuts.... Pureeing soups... if your kids can't stand lumpy soups... ;-) great for hiding veggies in things...blend them up... good luck on your scraps. I already started that the last few months when I realized I have so many bins it was ridiculous! good luck with it all!

Browndirtcottage said...

...LOL....that is funny....seems like all I do is use my scraps...to the point I NEVER cut into my newer fabrics....so, I guess my goal could be to work in some of my newer purchases with my scraps....ye-ow...sounds like a plan to me!! (i had TONS of scraps from years of garment making)
Always love seeing what you are up to!!

Vicki said...

I don't have a food processor. I think next year will be my first try at placemats. Thanks for showing all of yours!

fisherwife said...

I have a book by Nigella Lawson entitled, How to Be a Domestic Goddess. She mixes cakes directly in her food processor. I love to make guacamole in mine. Also, it is very handy for grating cheese in large quantities. I also make carrot or cabbage slaw with it. Enjoy!

Twisted Quilts said...

I love my food processor. I don't leave it out on the counter and I would say I use it about once a month. I use it to grate cheese for my pimento cheese. It is great to slice and dice too. Mine is an old one that my uncle gave me. As for goals for the new year. Today my only goal is to make it through another year.

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

So far I've used my food processor for two main things: 1) to make soups from fresh butternut squash or cauliflower (I cook them first and then throw the chunks into the processor) and 2) to make spaghetti sauces taste better. I process 2 red jalapeno peppers (minus most seeds), quite a few cloves of garlic, green and red bell peppers, onions, some tomato paste and extra spices ... the resulting mix is added to can bought spaghetti sauce to give it some kick. Cheers!

ilovebabyquilts said...

I use mine to make hummus. I don't use tahini, too slimy. I just use two cans of chick peas, about 20 kalamata olives, fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice and that's it. Perfect with pita.

Molly said...

You can grate a ton of cheese in about a minute--great if you are cooking for a crowd or making stuff for your freezer. And I agree with those who said 'guacamole'.

Rachel Ellington said...

This week is my week to cut up scraps to normal size pieces. I don't have a teeny food processor, but I make salsa in it and chimichurri and gazpacho...yum! Your placemats look wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I'm all in for the year of scraps ~ Needs to be done around here!

Tine said...

I am up for the year of the scrap box! But....it never ends!! Does the challenge mean, that we should minimize fabric purchases? I should do that either way. I really don't need more.
Only...maybe for backings and quilts to give away as presents.... Thinking out loud here! Sorry.
We don't have food processor. C used to have one, he used it all the time -I'm not sure about the specifics, I need to stay out of his way when he is cooking LOL

Kim Brackett said...

I think the year of the scrap box is a great idea! But if I'm ever able to get rid of the scraps I've accumulated, it'll have to be more like the decade of the scrap box. :) Happy New Year!

duckyhouse said...

I never owned a blender until I purchased one in the fall (2009), after 16 + years of marriage I thought I needed one. Basically all I ever used was my food processor. It chopped, blended, grated, mixed...and it still works.