It’s a football weekend!
Remember all the discussion about this quilt sent in by a reader? it’s called Burgoyne Surrounded.

Directions can be found in this book.


Remember I said I had done two blocks? I had forgotten that I put them in this huge leftover quilt which is waiting to be quilted.


We went for a long walk in the grove today – we all needed some fresh air and this is where Hazel spent her time – in this brush pile barking at the smell of something.

I have way too many squirrels but look at these perfect little tracks.

I’ll be posting the Dirty Dozen number and the color of the month on the morning of January 1 – I didn’t get my black project even started!!! Maybe we’ll have to designate one month a “catch up” month. What do you think?
Reader quilts








I am drowning in 2-1/2” strips – something has to be done so I’m going to study these two books and start sewing – nothing original – just trying to use strips.
Someone asked for my Biscuits and Gravy recipe in a 9×13 pan.
2 lbs. pork sausage
1 packet of gravy mix
1 c. shredded cheese
3 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1 pint heavy cream
Salt and pepper
1 t. minced onion
1 – 16.3 oz. tube of butter flavored biscuits
8 slices bacon
Spray 9 x 13 pan. Cut biscuits into 1” pieces and put in bottom of pan.
Brown sausage and spread over biscuits. Sprinkle with cheese.
Whisk eggs, milk, cream together and pour over pan contents. Add salt, pepper, onion.
Make gravy as per package directions and spoon over contents.
Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour 5 minutes.
This is all subjective to your tastes – bacon on top is optional. I would have to fry it crisp first. I used one lb. of regular pork sausage and lb. of seasoned pork sausage.
I’ve also made this with a can of sausage gravy instead of mixing up the packet.
Every time I’ve ever tried to post a recipe I’ve screwed it up – I double checked this one – but you never know. Rick loves this!

Heidi loves to sleep on this little bed!
Are you going to make any New Years Resolutions?
I had asked about your Biscuit and Gravy Casserole-Thank you! I will definitely try this as soon as I can make a store run! Disappointing football bowl game results for both Clemson and South Carolina here.
Hi Mary, all the best for the new year to everyone! Best wishes from Sandy
Sandy, I think you are in New Zealand. Is that correct? If so, I just met a woman who is going there for 3 weeks! We visited in 2003 and loved it! I’d like to go back it was such a lovely country with lovely people. We don’t travel as much anymore, but I always have my memories and pictures😀.
No resolutions for me, trying to keep the ones from years ago=be kind, be true, be me
Your recipe looks like comfort food, thank you for sharing
I don’t do resolutions. But recently I have discovered so many quilting You Tube videos. I’ve started following Pat Sloan. She has had a word of the year. I will try that this year. She has a calendar each month. She does so many videos she would need to do that. I have decided to make a list of what I realistically think are doable things each month. My BOM Projects will be on every month. Also my Dirty Dozen project. I will include a hand project, too. January I have chosen a hand binding. Then I am going to choose one project where I have my BOM blocks made and I need to get the top put together. That’s where I stall out. I plan for it to be my last project unless it doubles as my Dirty Dozen. If it is going to take lots of piecing, it may go on to the next month. Now for my word for 2023 – FOCUS!! I am so easily distracted but this year I want to focus on my list for the month. I can’t sew anything that is not on the list until all of the projects on the list are finished. Towards the end of each month I will make the list for the next month. I’ll see how that works for me this year.
I love the little bed that Heidi likes to sleep on. Where did you get the bed from? I would love to have one. Love reading all your posts.
Vicky – bed came from IKEA
Thank you so much.
Love Julie B’s appliqué!
Yes, me too!
Mary – thanks for the recipe. I love to cook, but breakfast it not one of my favorite meals to do so. Something easy like this….. love it! I do not make resolutions. But I have started a list of things I want to accomplish in 2023. I found the covid lock down made me very lazy about getting some things done — I cleaned and purged and the pile is still there to take to the thrift shop. Time to get the clutter out!!!
I wish many blessings for you and everyone in 2023. For some reason last night I was thinking about when we entered 2000…… and all the drama around it. None of it happened. LOL. Now here we are 23 years later……. wow, just wow. How time does fly by.
Oh, good grief! I think I still have some Y2K fabric left! A piece with smiley faces and 2000 on it and another of a New York skyline with the twin towers. Definitely time to move those into a quilt!
I should make a resolution to try something new like Julie B’s very cute designs that I adore but I will carry on with my projects I enjoy and not feel guilty about my fabric stash. I did tell myself that I must open my home more to my friends and get back into the times we use to share around the kitchen table with brownies and coffee or tea, so today two quilting devotees are coming over in the afternoon to chat. And yesterday a friend who lost her mom last year on Christmas Day needed more than the phone but a real in person hug here to talk. I went to see a quilt friend recently and we laughed over all our fabrics we love and have big dreams to use but it’s easier to make a charity quilt and think we used some up. We are up to date on all our vaccines, healthy once again, continue to wear our masks in stores, so what is missing is my connection to our real in person expressions of how we are, sharing food, good times and bad, whatever our life has in store.
Happy New Year to all and I wish for good health to each and everyone.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!!
It has warmed up here in Michigan and all the snow is gone!! Raining now!!
GO BLUE!!
I don’t make resolutions either. Like Lynette in Orlando, the lockdown made me lazy. Or maybe it was depression? I thought I’d catch up on all my sewing projects. Not a stitch was taken. I did read 40 books the first year so all was not lost. I like Julie B’s projects too. How fun.
Happy New year to one and all
Mary, I can’t wait to see your leftover quilt when it is finished! It looks beautiful! Scrap quilts are the best!
I wish I was Julie B from CF – such talent!
Mary C from IN
Thank you. Thought I would try something new..but am back to quilting again.
Hi Mary, Yes, please to the catch up month, maybe January since Dec is so busy? I love all the quilts, as usual😀. Julie B., are those original patterns? Lovely. The walk in the grove must have been lovely. It was 63 here yesterday—65* in Columbus, a record! GO BUCKS in the Peach Bowl and Bills vs Bengals. Unless they are playing the Bills, we cheer for the Bengals, too. Dropped the Browns due to poor QB choice.
My husband made the grand daughters beds like Heidi!s; he says he just looked at one and made it. But, I think
You can order a pattern from American Girl or from a woodworking magazine.
Resolutions: After my best friend died in 2016, I gained 15 lbs so for health I joined WW in 2020 and lost 45 lbs. No medications and lots more energy!! I have about 10 to 15 to go so this is the year.
Mary, you are so special to all of us. Thank you for being you! You are authentic, talented, caring, loving, VERY hard working, and fun😀.
VERY HAPPY 2023 to you and Rick and pets and all of you! I look forward to hearing how all of you are doing. 50* this AM and rainy.
The patterns are from Remember Me Patterns in Davenport, Iowa.
Hi, Julie – really liked your applique. Tried to locate the patterns, but haven’t been able to. Came across a website that looks like it might be it, however didn’t see the ones that you have done.
These are new patterns for her so she might not have them on her website yet. I bought them at Heartland Cottons in DeWitt, Iowa. You might reach out to them.
Thanks. I’ll contact the business.
I think a catch up Month would be great!! Your recipe sounds wonderful, I will have to try it. Thanks!
No new year resolutions here, either. Mary, your biscuit and gravy casserole looks delish! I might cut the recipe in half for myself, as hubby doesn’t like biscuits and gravy. Can you imagine someone not liking biscuits and gravy??
You haven’t started your black project? I haven’t started the pink project, and pink is my favorite color. What month was that? I do have some squares cut, but not enough to get going on it.
Best wishes to everyone in the new year.
Linda in MI – yes, I can imagine someone not liking biscuits and gravy – ME!
I agree, Mary. We did not have biscuits and gravy growing up. I tried it once here in Ohio. No thank you.
Diane Ohio – oh good heavens! This game – I’m so sorry. Unbelievable game!!!!!
I would love to see a picture of your biscuits and gravy the next time you make it. I really enjoy all of your pictures . Well, I enjoy the entire blog.
Carolyn – a picture? Why?
I think a catch up month is a great idea. I probably need more than one. I am not going to make any New Years resolutions but I am looking forward to a great new year. Sending wishes for a happy and productive year for you!
Happy New Year to everyone! Thank you Mary for doing the blog! We look forward to it and love to see the projects you and everyone does. I’m not sure I completed a single thing last year. Perhaps I should resolve to get back to all those unfinished projects!
Your recipe for Biscuits & Gravy looks delicious! My late husband loved that for a weekend breakfast. I seldom make it but maybe I should try your recipe and invite some friends over for brunch to celebrate the New Year. I do not make resolutions for New Year’s. Weather here has been spring-like (north central Iowa) so Bailey is loving her “outside time.” I am even considering taking my car through the automatic car wash this afternoon. Of course, I’ll take Bailey with me! She loves going for rides whenever I do not have a lot of errands to do. Happy New Year to you, Rick and all of the animals in your care.
I am sorry that I will not have any New Year’s resolutions. When I make them, they seem to last less than a month and then I feel like such a failure. So it’s easier not to make them at all.
I’ve made your biscuits and gravy from your cookbook. It is delicious and everyone that I’ve served it to loves it.
May everyone have a healthy, happy, safe new year.
All projects are great, but Julie B’s are so original. I have never seen anything like it.
My resolution is to make a pumpkin pie (crust less) with Stevia sweetener once a week for my husband and me. Pumpkin is a super food and it makes the condo smell so nice. Maybe that will be one of my Friday evening activities. Water the plants and make pumpkin pie. Sounds like a great Friday night to me.
Rainy and cool here.
Happy New Year everyone!
Thanks for the lovely eye candy this morning.
Especially love Julie B’s pieces. 😉
Good morning! Happy New Year’s Eve!
No resolutions here. Just what I always try to do every year and all year- sew more, get rid of stuff, loose weight and sew more! Everyone have a healthy happy New Year! And GO BLUE!!!💙💛
As far as New Years resolutions, I’m going to have to rerun lasts years for another year and hopefully keep at least one in 2023. Decluttering is always on my list so, I’ll give it another try. Happy New Year!
Yes, I think we need a catch-up month, since I didn’t work on my black either. Or…maybe we should skip Dec. altogether. Actually, I like the idea of a catch-up month.
Julie B, your art quilts are wonderful. So creative. And, Rita…your blacks are very nice, too.
Well, it’s almost time to boot this old year out the door. Someone on my FB page suggested opening all the doors and windows at midnight so that it would not have a hard time finding its way out. I’ll probably be sound asleep though. I can’t stay up for it anymore.
My resolution is to get rid of lots of stuff this year. Maybe have a once-a-week haul to Salvation Army.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE. May all your plans and resolutions come true.
Thank you , Mary, for the Biscuit and Gravy recipe. Looks like a perfect ranch breakfast for the gang. You talk of a catch up month—most quilters will never get caught up. My husband, who was a physician—pathologist, called my quilting a malignant growth that is metastatic!. It does keep me out of trouble. I am on to the tv and the KState game. They have been fun and my granddaughter is a graduate. Good games today—of course the hand quilting hoop will be on my lap—catching up! Happy New Year to everyone.
My husband dislikes biscuits; however he loves my sausage gravy and biscuits. It is a family favorite, and I always have to make it for the kids when they come home.
I don’t make resolutions, but I do try to define on one specific area in my life I would like to focus on improving next and come up with an easy to remember phrase/saying that reminds me.
Two of my quilting goals are to work on UFOs and make quilts that use up scraps. I love the Burgoyne Surrounded you featured, and I immediately ordered the book OH, SCRAP. Your DD is a great motivator for me.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Happy New Year 🎉
Elle – the designer and author, Lissa Alexander, is a friend of mine in thequilting world – I wonder if word has gotten back to her regarding all the fuss about her quilt!
I may have shared my favorite resolution story already, but it still brings a smile. Years ago, as a school librarian, I shared with younger kids about the tradition and urged them to think of three word resolutions. My examples were “Read more books” or “Eat less fat”. Young Anthony thought and thought. Just as his class was ready to leave the library, he exclaimed, “I’ve got it! Paint my toenails!!” Must have had sisters!!!
Tanya – oh, isn’t that cute! Paint my toenails! Haha!!!!!
I am almost done with my November Red project and my December Black projects in one quilt. Putting on the two borders “as we speak”. Glad I could make one quilt fit on both projects!!! Temperature here in Rochester MN this morning is
I’m the mid 20’s Above Zero!!! Sure easier to take a dog for her walk!!! Happy New Year to all!!!
Finding Hazel took me a minute. Wouldn’t that photo make a great puzzle?!
Mary, I am trying to catch up on YELLOWSTONE precious episodes. But I seem to have missed the one that tells me how Beth got her facial scar and burns. Could you OR one of your subscribers tell me in a few words how that happened. Did it have something to do with Jamie’s Dad???
Thank you so much! I am hooked on this show!!
Beth’s face gets badly hurt on two different occasions on Yellowstone. She is ambushed and assaulted in her office, leaving her with bad bruising on her face. Later, a bomb goes off in her office building leaving her with bad scarring on her face and body
Thank you, Kim from Tenn, !!
Very much appreciated.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I’m watching the TCU & M game today while pinning borders on a very large California king quilt. It’s my last UFO for the year and I might make it yet. I will leave it with my long armer on the 3rd, so I need it done. It was 65 and rather warm here today so we managed 2 short walks through the neighborhood. The month of January I promised myself to clean out our closets and dressers. We just have to much stuff we don’t wear or like. Happy New Year to you both.
No resolutions here, but I do like to set goals (which can easily be adjusted)! I’d like to clean out some closets and drawers and then just see what happens next. Lots of quilts for donations throughout the year, plus finish one for a guest room.
I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and productive new year! Stay safe!
Hi Mary, my husband loves biscuits & gravy so I will try your recipe out on him. It looks like it makes a lot so, like Linda in Michigan, I will cut the recipe in half. He could probably eat the whole thing though! No resolutions for me. I just try to be the best me every day. Happy New Year with many blessings!
Rita in Iowa, I really like the blue and white quilt on the table just to the left of the round table.
Sounds like we are maybe in the path of a couple new storms, but the path isn’t clear yet. Time will tell and we will be ready. Maybe…..even do a bit of house cleaning, but I’d still rather sew. My Idaho Square Dance rows are ready to be sewn together, then the borders. That will be another project started years ago finished and out of the house. It is a cute block.
Happy New Year from Betty in Rapid City
No resolutions here. Try to get more exercise,eat better etc,etc.planning my garden this year. Love the eye candy and Hazel is a hoot. I will work on one wip and be done. If I make one resolution it would be to not start on anything until that project is finished. Happy New Year. Be safe
Thanks for the recipe, Mary, and the projects were wonderful. I loved the picture of Heidi in the doll bed-so cute!
Happy New Year, friends. Wishing all of you a blessed 2023.
Love Julie B’s projects…Very cute!
I especially love the photo of Heide on the doll bed from IKEA
Happy New Year everyone and thank you Mary for all your hard work on your blog!
Sandy
My New Years resolution is to get some non quilting fabric cleaned out. Along with cleaning out my storage.