Happy August! It’s hard to believe that Summer is almost over. Usually August is referred to as having the Dog Days of Summer. But with the wickedly hot days we’ve had so far this summer I do hope August doesn’t contine that trend!

Locally school starts 3 weeks from Tuesday.  In another state, our grandsons will start school THIS week! Can it be Summer is almost over and can Fall be far behind?

In My Sewing Room

I was still working on a top for Fabric Cafe. Lots of ironing and stitching (plus a little bit of seam ripping) took up my time. I got the blocks assembled into rows & the rows combined into the top. This has 3 borders and one is pieced, so adding the borders took a little bit longer.

There was something that wasn’t sewing that happened in my sewing room.  My sewing room is in the basement and there are no windows. My eyes are requiring more light.  The overhead light currently is in the center of my sewing and ironing alcove.  This causes shadows when either ironing or sewing which makes it a bit difficult especially working on dark fabrics.

Our daughter suggested adding some lights over the ironing board and moving the overhead light to be directly over the sewing machine. Half of that modification has now been done. Hubby and daughter installed the two lights over the ironing board. Moving the other light will happen after I finish my Fabric Cafe top.

In the Kitchen

Our neighbors came home from vacation on Saturday. To thank them for sharing their A/C with us when our unit was broken, I made them a Fluffy Frozen Strawberry Pie, Deviled Eggs and Yeast Rolls (all their favorites). I shared my recipe for Fluffy Frozen Strawberry Pie last month. Click Here to read that post.

We have a wonderful neighborhood and we appreciate how all our neighbors care for each other.

Cottage Cheese Pineapple Jello Salad

In the summer I like cold salads. I did a Google search and found this recipe that I remember making years ago. Cottage Cheese Jello Salad. It is simple to make and with Sugar Free Jello it’s reasonably low in calories. The addition of Cottage Cheese and it has 8 grams of Protein. You can find the recipe I followed Here by Julie Evink on her Blog, Julie’s Eats & Treats.

My minor change:  I mixed the Jello powder and pineapple first to help dissolve the Jello. After I stirred in the Cottage Cheese I gently folded in the Frozen Whipped Topping trying not to deflate it.

Optional Add-ins:  I didn’t do it this time, but I’ve added additional fruit such as a can of Mandrian Oranges drained, sliced grapes, drained fruit cocktail and/or miniature marshmallows.

Greek Yogurt Key Lime Pie

Before the Internet & Google Search, you know, in the Dark Ages, I subscribed to the Taste of Home magazine. I still like to browse their recipes, but now I do it online. I found this Greek Yogurt Key Lime Pie and thought it sounded like a simple, cool and refreshing dessert. I cut a few calories by using Sugar Free Jello and liked the Protein it has by using Greek Yogurt. You can find their recipe Here on the Taste of Home Website.

This time I think I’ll cover the top with additional Whipped Topping (daughter will pile it on anyway). I may try it next time with 3 Yogurts and a bit more Frozen Whipped Topping.  I wonder what the result would be if I also used the larger Lime Jello?

The pie was a bit thin since I used a larger pie crust, but it was very nice with the extra whipped topping on top. We all agreed it was a keeper! Next time I’ll use the correct size pie crust. It had a great taste as made but maybe next time I’ll add a bit of Key Lime Juice.

All in all, I’d say it was a productive weekend!

Hope you are making progress on whatever you are stitching this week!

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse