Smothered Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pork chops, 3/4-inch thick, bone-in
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup buttermilk
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Directions
Put the flour in a shallow platter and add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture and then dredge them in the seasoned flour; shaking off the excess.

Heat a large saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is nice and hot, lay the pork chops in the pan in a single layer and fry for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the pork chops from the pan and add a little sprinkle of seasoned flour to the pan drippings. Mix the flour into the fat to dissolve and then pour in the chicken broth in. Let the liquid cook down for 5 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Stir in the buttermilk to make a creamy gravy and return the pork chops to the pan, covering them with the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/smothered-pork-chops-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Living Greenland - Qaqortoq (20230611) Ice Ice Baby!

Cotton Cuts - Village Green (Begonia) #TeamBegonia

 Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along

Village Green - Begonia Clue 1

I will share each step I took sewing each part of the clue so that you can see how easily the directions are.

First, here are some tips:

• Do not use starch on precut pieces. It will distort them.
• Do not iron the precuts. Press only
• Use 1/4" seam allowance although some will say to use scant. (This part will be your decision) I use 1/4" seam allowance.
• Your quilt will be beautiful if you stay consistent throughout the process. 
• The directions will also ask that each section of the clue be labeled.  Do that! It's important!  I didn't do it the first time I participated in a PMQ and when it was time to pull the clues together, I realized I had to go back and label them to follow the final clue directions. 
• I label each of the precut colors based on the letter given to it in the instructions. 
• Press 1/4" seams in the direction of arrows in the directions. 
• A note about that from me: I press seams to open especially on clues where multiple seams are coming into one point.  I am not stating that everyone else should do the same. :) 

Section 1:

   l.  Sew a rectangle D to the top of Rectangle F. Then add a rectangle C to the top.  Make 8 (my photo shows them on their side to make the photo easier to look at.)

  2.  Sew a small triangle A to the top right of a large triangle F. Press, then join a small triangle A to the top left.

Make 4

3.  Sew a small triangle B to the top right of a large triangle A. Press, then join a small triangle B to the top left. Make 4.

4. Sew a small triangle C to the top right of a large triangle B. Press, then join a small triangle C to the top left. Make 5. 

5. Join steps 2, 3, and 4 as shown. Make 4. 

6. Join a Step 1 unit to the left and right of Step 5. Make 4. Label these as Section 1. 

Note:  If you discover that you have a precut missing or if you have an issue while sewing go to Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Support

Stay tuned for clue two!  

                

Cotton Cuts Village Green - Begonia

Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along

      It's been a minute since I've posted any blog writing on my blog page. I'm going to rectify that by writing about a cool Quilt Along that I have been fortunate enough to participate in since 2019.  I decided that I wanted to share what it's about and how much I have enjoyed creating a quilt from mystery clues as well as building my skill set as a newbie quilt builder.

     So what is a PMQ? PMQ stands for Puzzle Mystery Quilt.  Every month I receive clue instructions for developing the parts of a quilt for that month.  There are ten months of clues produced using pre-cut triangles, squares, and rectangles along with strips. Cotton Cuts does all the cutting of these pieces.  All I have to do is follow the instructions on building the clue each month. 

     During month ten we receive the final instructions to take all the clues and begin to sew them together to make a quilt top.  It's a lot of fun watching the clues transform into something beautiful! Also on the tenth month, Cotton Cuts goes live to reveal the quilt. Cotton Cuts offers two different sizes for the PMQs. 

     Small Size 48" X  60" 

     Large Size 72" X 72"

Cotton Cuts offers a spring PMQ and a fall PMQ. Both will overlap each other for a couple of months.

     I will be writing a blog once a month for the newest PMQ so that I can share the process of creating a clue.  It will be fun to share with you the final results.  I will post all links at the end of the blog for how to become involved in becoming a detective for the PMQ. 

Village Green - Begonia

     I chose the Begonia colorway for the Spring PMQ. The fabric used for this colorway is all batiks.  (Seaside by Artisan Batiks for Robert Kaufman Fabrics) I love batiks.  I love how vibrant the colors can be not to mention it's fun to sew as well.  I will share with you the steps taken to create clue one of the PMQ along with pictures of each step.

This is everything that came in Clue one the kit

     When Cotton Cuts opens signups for the PMQ Subscription,  several different colorways will be available for a person to choose from. Cotton Cuts also makes available the choice to purchase an oops kit (used for replacement of mistakes made during the sewing process) as well as a thread kit and if a person wants to make their quilt even larger, extra borders are also available for purchase at the initial signing up.  

Oops kit

     I chose to purchase two oops kits along with the thread kit.  Below is a photo of what came for clue one. 

Thread with Begonia Kit

     Now I will describe what I do to make a monthly clue as well as write about the different things a potential detective might want to know about. 

Clue 1 - Village Green (Begonia)

     When I open clue 1 of my kit I pull out the brochure that comes with the kit.  Each detective should keep this brochure for the entire ten months because it has the colorway on the back with the labels of letters marking each color. This is very important.  The clue cannot be followed if the color card is lost. 

Aurifil 50wt 100% Cotton Thread

     On the front of the brochure is the colorway sample along with the name of Spring PMQ (Village Green) and the name of the colorway (Begonia).  I chose the Begonia colorway.  Cotton Cuts has offered several different colorways for someone to choose from. There will be a hashtag (ex: #Team Begonia) for when each clue is finished, which can be shared online and the hashtag will add your finished clue to others who are doing the same clue. 

Front page of the Brochure

     On the second page, there are Puzzle Mystery Quilt "Tips and Tricks" along with a "Mark Your Calendar" for Fall 2023. The Fall PMQ opens for signups on May 28th with the first clue shipping out on July 2023. This will have an all-new choice of colorways as well as the beginning of a new mystery.  

Page 2 of brochure

     On page 3 there is information about missing pieces or something wrong with the clue itself, and where to go for help. Cotton Cuts Puzzle Mystery Support  Cotton Cuts' customer service is exceptional and they will do whatever they need to do to resolve the issues that could happen. 

     On page 3 there are PMQ shipping dates along with providing information on where to go to become a member of the FB group. The FB group is exclusive to the PMQ detectives. Mystery Quilters There is also an email to contact a team member at Cotton Cuts. (help@cottoncuts.com) 

When I start a clue, I take the clue out of the shipping bag along with the instructions.  I lay out each precut based on the color they are and then I take Alphabitties to label each block. I put them in order this way so that not only am I making sure there are no pieces missing but I"m also organizing them so that when I start to sew each piece together I don't make a mistake while sewing them.  Labeling them makes it so much easier for me. 

Begonia colorway, #TeamBegonia

     On the back of the brochure, there is a colorway with each color labeled. The other thing that is on the back is how to become a detective for the Puzzle Mystery QAL. Cotton Cuts PMQ - How to Get Started

A gift that is sent with the first PMQ 

     Inside the first clue also comes with a gift.  Throughout the ten months, there might be one or two mystery gifts that are placed inside the clue. 

Cotton Cuts Color Challenge Card

     Inside the Puzzle Mystery Quilt Along there will be a Cotton Cuts Block of the Month that is used for the CC Color Challenge.  On one side there is a block with measurement directions and a good graphic of the block that will be made.  

Cotton Cuts Color Challenge

     

    On the back of the same card is a coloring page.  Color the card and then upload it to Cotton Cuts and tag it with #CCColorChallenge.  Coloring the card and uploading it with the tag, gives a person a chance to win a prize from Cotton Cuts.  If the card is colored and a block is made out of the fabric of the same block as the card, it can also be entered into the drawing. So that means two chances of winning a prize.

I have participated both ways and won a couple of times!  It's lots of fun sharing the coloring cards along with a sewing block. Below is an example of one of the blocks I made from the coloring card. 

One other piece of advice:  Make sure you join the Mystery Quilters Facebook page!  By being part of the group, there are many who can help a person when they need help!  Also every third Thursday, Cotton Cuts opens a Zoom meeting for PMQ Detectives.  This is a great place to make new friends, to sew with all who are detectives, and also a good place to ask any questions you might have!  I have made some really nice friends and I feel so blessed to have met so many nice sewers! Come sew with us, you will enjoy the comradery. 

Hello (Allu)

My name is Katy Joelsen and I've been a member of Cotton Cuts for over two years now. I wanted to participate in the #ccstaycation fun to tell you more about who I am and where I currently reside. I'm a navy brat born in Charleston, SC but raised in Florida. I love Florida and I never thought there'd be a day I would leave it. I used to say I would never move away from Florida but things change as a person ages and the things that happen in life.

Thomas, Kriston & Lynnette

I'm a mother of three beautiful children whom I love more than life. They have been a joy of my life even when we all were left with wreckage from the suicide of their father after 21 years of marriage. It was hard during that time having to pick up the pieces along with helping my children get through such a rough patch in their lives. My oldest daughter was just entering adulthood while the other two were in their last year of high school. We all have made it through for the most part but during that time I had decided that I wouldn't ever let another man treat me badly or make me feel I wasn't good enough ever again. I thought that I would be alone after that and at the time I was okay with that idea. It was strange being responsible for just myself. My youngest daughter went into the Navy and she served four years. I think it was what she needed at the time.

In 2009 something happened I never thought would. I got a second chance to finally feel loved and to find peace and happiness. Up until then, life had always been hard and a struggle. Then the light of my heart came into my life. It was unexpected and neither of us was looking for love at the time but we had an 8-year long online friendship that ended up bringing us together. Out of the blue in 2009 he told me he was coming to Florida for vacation and wanted to know if I'd like to show him some of my state. He was going to be in Florida for two weeks and I said sure why not. So when I drove two hours south and pulled up to the hotel he came walking out at the same time. When we hugged something happened that both of us didn't expect. It was like we were meant to meet. We clicked. We sat up all night like two teenagers laughing and talking and asking questions. The two weeks we spent together was fantastic. He is an exceptional human being. Oh, I forgot to mention, He is a Greenlander from the country of Greenland. When he left I felt so sad because he took a piece of my heart with him. Funny how life does things at the right time too.  A long time friend of mine would always quote "It's all about timing."

In 2010 he came back and spent another six weeks with me and we had a great time together. During that time he asked me to marry him and I took a leap of faith and said yes!  My heart light works for a big fishing company. He works on a factory shrimp trawler that takes him to sea for weeks at a time. Later in 2010, I flew to Greenland. It was my first time flying over the ocean and going to another country. It was scary but I was just so excited that I would get to be with my heart light again. I flew into Greenland in the middle of December and stayed till mid-January 2011. We did this so that we could see how my lungs (asthma) would react to winter. The strangest thing happened. My asthma hardly bothered me. It was truly amazing not having to fight to breathe like I did during the winter months in North Florida.

In January instead of waiting till later in the year, we did a thing. We got married on January 2^nd 2011! Of course, then we had to make a decision on who was going to do the migrating.  I migrated because it was the best fit for us at the time and I have not regretted making this huge life change at all. 

January 2^nd, 2011 (Our wedding day)

So I moved from Florida to Qaqortoq Greenland during the month of August 2011. I had to find homes for my four horses and one dog and I brought the other dog with me.

My four equine friends from left to right. Skamp, Shotgun (my barrel racing horse) Luna and Gogo

When I moved here it was like starting all over again from scratch. My heart light (Nikolaj) owned his own house so that made things easier. I had a lot to learn living in Greenland. Learning to read food labels that were in Danish. That was hard to start with. Now it's no big deal. :) Speaking of food. I had never eaten duck or reindeer or whale meat or salmon until I moved here. Reindeer is so tender and duck is tasty and I've grown to love salmon too.

Northern lights over Qaqortoq, Greenland

It wasn't easy, to begin with. I was at a disadvantage relating to language. My husband speaks Greenlandic, Danish and English fluently so most of the time we didn't have as big of a language barrier struggle. The first couple of years I got beat up quite a bit with struggling to communicate but as time has gone by it has become easier and easier to talk to people here in Qaqortoq. Greenlanders are the nicest group of people you could ever meet. They love their country, they love nature, they love each other and they smile and laugh a lot and have a good sense of humor. I have learned a bit of Greenlandic and I can read quite a bit of Danish and I haven't had to sacrifice too much of my English in the process. I hope one day that I can speak more Greenlandic than I do though. I have found peace here.

My first summer in Greenland (August 2011)

This beautiful place has helped to heal my hurt heart too. I contribute the healing to nature and to my “heart light”. He is the most giving person and he shows affection without ever having to ask for it. I love him so much and the longer we are together the deeper our love gets. When we went to California in 2018 he finally got to meet my youngest daughter. He had already met the other two but Kriston was in Japan when we got married so they hadn't met until almost 8 years later.

On our way out to celebrate our 8^th wedding anniversary (January 2^nd, 2018)

So about me:

I have been a gardener since the age of 11 years old. My aunt from my dad's side introduced me to plants along with the skill of crocheting. I also love taking photographs of any and everything that catches my eyes. I can also sew since my teenage years and used to make my own clothes during that time. I love music from the '80s along with rock and roll, pop and some hard rock. I like most music with an exception to a couple I won't mention here. So the first couple of years I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't have a job, and I realized that my horses took up a lot of my time. In fact, I was racing one of them along with constantly riding him on trails.

Shotgun and I making a fast turn around number 3 barrel.

So what I decided to do was pick back up on crocheting along with finding a way to garden inside my house. My skill set for crocheting was minimal but it didn't take me long to learn new skills, become friends with others in our world who shared the love of crocheting and I truly have benefited in this skill in so many ways.

(Mandala Madness - “Arctic Lights” - I used 32 colors of number 3 cotton thread.

Mandala Madness was a year-long endeavor in a group with people from all over the world. I stalled out about mid-summer because I was outside growing my first ever garden in South Greenland. Because of that, I didn't spend much time crocheting during that time frame. I did take time to take more sunset photographs which contributed to my using more colors especially the warmer colors in my mandala.

Sunset on Tasersuaq lake (big lake)

Sunset over Qaqortoq Fjord

It has kept my busy during the times my heart light was at sea. I began to accumulate plants over the years too. Gardening is part of me. It comes from deep inside me I think and I couldn't imagine not ever having green things in my life. It brings me such peace and harmony.

My garden spot indoors. This how I'm able to garden in the Arctic.

The next thing I spent a lot of time doing was taking photographs of this beautiful magical place. I can't even begin to put into words what it's like seeing nature in all it's perfect beautiful glory. I can only document it through the lens of a camera. My husband and I have gone to the ice cap many times but the thing I love taking photo's of the most is icebergs.

Ice cap behind us in this photo. :)

Icebergs come in every shape imaginable along with the purest of whites, blues and even some will have black bands in between the white and blue. That is caused by forest fires which give off soot that is carried by trade winds from other places on our planet.

It's amazing to know that happens too.

In the spring/summer months we also get lots of color too. Icebergs begin floating between May to June down the fjords. I call it the iceberg parade because every day there is always something different. Here are some examples of color!

Arctic Blue Bells

Arctic Poppy

I'm so in love with color. It comes in so many shades and hues and colors. It truly amazes me how nature can produce such beautiful things in so many colors. Pure perfection at it's best. Every time I think I've seen all the colors there is, I come across yet another color like this salmon colored Arctic Poppy.

Arctic Fireweed

Because of all the colors here, my crocheting and learning to make quilt tops have been created because of color and how I see them in my eyes. Most of the time I use what I feel to use at that moment in time.

Here's one Example:

These are my first ever quilt blocks. As I said previously, I knew how to make my own clothes so using a sewing machine comes easy however, creating quilt blocks are completely new to me. For every block I make though, my skill becomes better too.

These tiny pink blossoms are the size of an American dime coin. I'm truly fascinated at how such tiny things can grow in such harsh conditions in such a short growing period.

About Qaqortoq, Greenland

This town is 60 Degrees North. That means we are south of the Arctic Circle. Out weather conditions here are considered to be subarctic in nature. During the height of the winter months, we get about 2-3 hours of daylight while the rest of the hours are in darkness. During the height of summer, we get 22 hours of daylight. Another thing you might not know is how the sun moves here in the Arctic. When I lived in Florida, the sun would rise in the east and set in the west and most of the time I could tell you what time it was based on where the sun was. Here the sun moves more in a circle at a 45 degree angle more or less best guessing on that. So it teases me because I can never tell you what time of the day or night it is. During the summer months, because I didn't know what time it was, it wouldn't be unheard of to find me down at the harbor taking photographs at 12:30am. Lol

The population is around 3800. There are no roads or trains that connect towns, villages or city to each other. In order for me to leave Qaqortoq, it requires a helicopter ride to a small airport. There a person would board a prop passenger plane to take the next leg of the flight to a bigger airport. Then a person would get on a huge passenger jet to fly to Denmark. Most of the indigenous seem to use the passenger ship that is in operation during the months starting in March to December. Mostly it depends on if there is ice blocking entrances into fjords where those of us who live in smaller towns or villages.

The mother language is Greenlandic, the Second language is Danish and English is introduced in fifth grade although many don't bother to learn it. I think over time that may change to where English could possibly become a second language due to the fact this country wants to open up more to the world relating to tourism.

Best place to eat out here currently: Hotel cafe

Best place to eat food is actually in nature if you have a chance to go out on a boat.

Indigenous foods: Reindeer, Cod, Salmon, Monkfish, Redfish, Tiger fish, Halibut, shrimp, Whale meat, Seal, Mountain bird (grouse) Agba (another type of bird) Duck, Lamb, and a variety of other assorted seafood caught while out fishing.

This quilt top was from my first beginner quilt top-class online.	This is a work in progress.
Cotton Cuts Mystery Block	Cotton Cuts Mystery Block

Last but not least, our two four-legged kids. I have had dogs most of my life and I'm glad I can have them even here. Keeps me company while my “heart light” is at sea. :)

Nora (1 years old) Kota (5 years old)

Kota

This past August 2020 was my 9 year of residency anniversary here in Greenland. I do not regret the choice to make such a life here with Nikolaj. It has been worth it all the way around. My life is far richer and more meaningful because of it. It has been a healing place too. My husband is so good and as I said above he's an outstanding human being. I'm so lucky to be in his life. On another note: My children have been busy having families of there own. We now have three granddaughters and one grandson. They are so beautiful. I can't wait to meet the newest one (number 4 grandchild (number three granddaughter) who was born this past June) but because of the pandemic, I can't travel until it's completely eradicated. It hurts my heart not being able to go and see them but in time this will pass so that I can go and be with all of them again. We both are looking forward to seeing our growing family again.

Best Places to visit in Greenland: Everywhere but I'll mention a few.

Ilulissat – During the months of July and August – the best place to see skyscraper-sized icebergs and whales

Disco Bay – Same as above

South Greenland which covers Qaqortoq, Uunartoq (hot springs) Viking Ruins and Icecap at different locations.

Prince William Sound – You will not be disappointed if you sail through this area. It's gorgeous!

Interesting Facts:

Qaqortoq – Open-Air Art Museum (Stone and Man)

The USA had Greenland in its protection during WWII due to Nazi occupation of Denmark

Vikings lived in South Greenland for about five hundred Years

Greenland is the worlds largest Island. Greenland is also home to the largest nature preserve.

Icecap that covers Greenland is over two miles thick and covers about 80% of the Island

The Icecap is also melting away at an alarming rate due to climate change. You may not believe that but since I've lived here for the past 9 years, the icecaps closest to this area is disappearing.