Ask Jo: Bobbin, Yum Yums, Ice Coffe and Hamburger Recipes

Every so often I get questions from blog readers that I think other blog readers would like the answer to as well.  When that happens, I answer the questions here on the blog.  Today is one of those days.

From Susie Q, “Great going on a quilt loaded! I know nothing about long arms so this question may seem dumb… but do you fill several bobbins at once so when you run out it is a quick change? or is it one at a time?”

Susie asked that question after reading that I had my Winston Ways quilt loaded and on the frame.

I kind of do a guess-timation…..

First off I use my Bernina to fill bobbins.  When I rearranged the quilting room last I moved this machine closer to the quilting machine and I love it here.

Over the past years I’ve learned that I can guess how many bobbins I’ll use for a quilt.  So I guess, subtract one and fill that many bobbins if I have that many empty.

For example, my Winston Ways quilt will likely take about 13 bobbins…likely more.  I filled all of the empty bobbins.  At the time I took the picture I had already used a few…see?

I didn’t have 13 empty bobbin so I filled what I had.  I don’t like to have a bunch of unused thread on the bobbins so once I’m getting close to the last roll of the quilt, I fill as I empty.  That helps to prevent having unused thread in the bobbins.

MANY people who long arm buy pre-wond bobbins.  I don’t.  This works for me.

I do love my Bernina for filling bobbins.  I hate the winder that came with the machine.  I’d happily get rid of it.

When working on smaller quilts like a baby quilt. I might guess that it will take 4 bobbins.  I only fill three.  Then when it comes time for the fourth I assess how much I think I might need…maybe only a 1/2 bobbin more to complete the quilt and then only fill that much.

You might remember my ice coffee saga from a bit ago…

Well Rhonda shared her recipe that I plan on trying.

I have a yummy iced caramel coffee recipe:
1 C half and half
1/4 C water
1/4 C caramel dessert topping
1 to 2 Tblspn instant coffee
1/2 tsp vanilla
Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed til smooth. Pour into glasses with ice and add whipped cream if desired.  YUM…that sounds wonderful.

Much discussion happened after I posted the picture of the Yum Yum (Date Balls)

To get the whole conversation go back to this blog post and read the comments.

Anyway..Follow this link for my recipe.

After my blog post about hamburger and full freezer of meat, Rachel wrote:  “Can you share some of your recipes?? Need some new ones for the daycare kiddos:)”

I’ll share one of my favorite hamburger recipes that my childcare kids adore.  It’s their VERY favorite.

First off when I make spaghetti for the kids I don’t mix the meat sauce with the noodles.  So one day I make spaghetti and the next day I use up the remaining meat sauce making Pizza Quesadillas.  Here’s a link to the recipe for that.

I used to make them only with pepperoni.  Now I use meat sauce as the base rather than plain spaghetti sauce.

The kids love these and be for me to make them all the time.  They are quick and cheap too so it’s a win-win.

I think that got all of the questions that I’ve caught lately.  Let me know if there are more.  You can leave them in the comment section or email me at rogjok@iowatelecom.net.