Monday, August 15, 2011

… a bit of morning comfort in a bowl. . .



. . . I don't know what it is about this summer. . .

. . . Usually in the summer I get up super early (before sunrise - around 5 a.m.) . . . which also means I go to bed about 9:30 p.m. , but this summer I have turned into a bit of a night owl & I've been averaging a 11 p.m. - midnight bedtime. (!) That is so late for me! . . . but it's been really hard turning off all the things going 'round in my head & getting myself to beddy-bye.
So that, then, leads to me sleeping in until about 7 a.m. & not having breakfast until about 9. (I can't eat right after getting up. . . I need at least an hour or so. . .)

. . . & that leads me to my next funny thing about this summer. . . my cravings for oatmeal! Usually in the summer - I go for lighter fare &/or cold cereal - but not this summer. . . Now, I am, admittedly, an oatmeal girl. . . but usually I have oats in the autumn & winter when there's a chill in the air. Not any more! Even with our warm summer days - I think I've had more oatmeal for my breakfast in the last 3 months - than I've had in the past couple of years! Thank goodness it's good for you!

I like my oats (doesn't matter to me of they are the steel cut or the quick-cooking. . . I like all kinds (. . . & I must admit I like the ease of the quick-cooking kind. . .)) with two packets of sugar substitute (I'm not picky which kind. . . just whatever is in the cupboard) & then the tiniest smidge of butter. I don't like it swimming in it. . . just so that I get a hint of it from time to time. Then, the must have . . . I sprinkle cinnamon all over the top. (. . . I can tend to go overboard with this step. . . I love cinnamon!).

Then, after grabbing my favorite wooden (handled) spoon & my coffee, if the weather hasn't heated up too much - I head for the back porch & enjoy the start of my day with my morning bowl of comfort.

It's a great way to start the day. . . & these days have been quite full! This past week, I've finished binding three new quilts (one design - made up three ways), worked on the next fabric line (. . . which means many hours on the laptop with Photoshop), & I just finished the new pattern cover for a new series of quilt patterns. . . (a peek this week. . . I promise!) Today, I'm headed over to a dear friends home for a morning of stitching with some friends (sigh!), & then a bit later I'm hoping to get the new quilts photographed. . . & then more quality time with the laptop & the next fabric line. . . 

. . . What's up for you this week? . . . (& I'm really curious. . . thumbs up or down for oatmeal for you?)  . . . Hope you have a great day!

 Bren

16 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Love oatmeal! Just returned from a long weekend and oatmeal is the best thing available in the continental breakfast fare. Finishing up some drapes so I can get back to "real" sewing. Can't wait to see the peeks!

Darlene said...

Oh, I love, love, love oatmeal anytime of the year. :-)

Can't wait to see your new designs.

luvtoquilt said...

Definitely thumbs up to oatmeal! Eagerly looking forward to seeing new quilt patterns -- I love all your stuff!

Samantha said...

I don't eat a lot of oatmeal in the summer, but come fall and winter, I like to make all different combinations of flavors. I buy lots of dried fruits and nuts from the bulk store and then every morning try something new. Yesterday, I added dried currants and sunflower seeds to my bowl of raisin bran- yum!
Can't wait to see all of your newest projects (Oh how I wish we lived closer to each other!!!)

sunny said...

I bought some oatmeal just this morning. I like the kind with 5 different ingredients, and I love adding cinnamon, too.

Wendy said...

Hubby and I love oatmeal, especially with blueberries & brown sugar with a little bit of cream, also with raisins. There is a lodge located in Snohomish Washington, in the Cascade Mountains that had the biggest and best bowl of oats, used to be able to buy their brand in the store, but I haven't seen it lately. Can't remember what the name was, but if it comes to me I will happily share.Can't wait to see your new quilts......
Wendy

Laura K said...

I love the steel cuts oats. I just like the little bit of bite that they have over the quick cook kind. I add a little brown sugar and butter to mine. Not too much, just enough to give it some creaminess and sweetness.

Ina said...

I LOVE oatmeal in the winter. I don't use butter. I make mine with 1/2 water and 1/2 milk. Once cooked, I then add cinnamon, sugar or brownsuger.

Sewn With Grace said...

Brenda, the quilt I made using your beautiful fabric is posted on my blog today. I hope you will take a look. Blessings to you today!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Over here in Australia we call it porridge, and like you I am a definite fan.
Brown sugar melted to caramel sliding down the oaty hills...divine. :-)
Add a splash of milk (I cook my oats in water) and I am happy as can be.

Hugs
Jenny
xx

suz said...

I'm not an oatmeal girl very much. I think it was too many years of lumpy stuff that turned me off to it. I've always been an egg girl, but now I have to limit them, so I suspect this winter I'll be eating some oatmeal. However, it will be the instant Quaker Oats with cinnamon and apple (I first tried it when I bought it to make Magic Reindeer Food-we all know Santa's reindeer like apples and cinnamon!).

Tina said...

I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning to get here - it's definitely going to be oatmeal (my mouth was watering by the time I got to the part about the cinnamon)! YUM!!!

Judy1522 said...

I like to eat the old fashioned oatmeal year round. Wendy, the oatmeal you are talking about is called Snoqualmie Falls Oatmeal and you can buy it online. They use a European method of roasting it which gives it a nutty taste.

Dawn said...

Yup! I am an oatmeal girl, too!!!

Yvonne & Kevin said...

Hi
We call it porridge!!!

I have a Bailey too, he is a Bichon Frise & my best friend in all the world along with Poppy a girl bichon, who is my second best friend. They both greet customers in the quilt shop!

MahQuilter said...

Thumbs up on oatmeal and spending time sewing with friends. Wishing you and yours a great week.